Crazy Climber

Purchased January 12, 2001
Derek's Classic Top 50 Ranking: 10th All Time
Originally Released 1980

I remember thinking back in 1981 how cool and different this game was when compared against any other game in the arcade. I sure loved it and when I decided to have my own basement arcade I knew this had to be one of the games I had to have. 

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This particular game, from what I can tell, lived most of it's life in the Seattle area. It is now very happy 3000 miles away in my basement.

(Click on any of the above pics for a larger pic)

This game pretty much is perfect except for the retouched control panel ("Oh No!") and some chips missing on the side of the cabinet. Other than a frayed power cord, nothing needs to be done. All I have to say is "Go for it!"

INFO: You are Crazy! I mean you would have to be to climb on the outside of a 200 story building! In this game you climb up the outside of 4 different buildings using only open windows to pull yourself up. You much watch out for closing windows and menacing pumpkin-faced goons dropping flower pots, bottles, pails and opened cans designed to make you lose your grip and plummet to your certain death. Other obstacles include King Kong, Vultures dropping Eggs (and droppings),  badly maintained signs with electrical problems, dumbbells and steel girders. Your object is to get to the top of the building where a waiting helicopter will transport you to the next building. Once you get through the 4th building you are brought back to the 1st only the difficulty increases. The buildings are entitled Nichibutsu, Nichibutsu Leisure, Nichibutsu USA Co Ltd and Nichibutsu UK Ltd.

As it seems with most of the games in my arcade, this game uses a unique control configuration. You have two joysticks and you have to pump them up and down to make you climb. You can also move them left and right but you must make sure you have an open window to do so. You can really build up a head of steam as you are climbing and this is one of the things that makes this game so fun. A definite must for any basement arcade!!!