The original version of Jack Attack as played on the C64 platform (or emulator) is an extremely delightful and addictive arcade type video game, which is suitable for all age groups. It is played by manipulating "Jack" with suitable controls (either keyboard or joystick), and trying to progress from one level to the next by eliminating all of the floating balls with smiling faces on them, that descend from the top of the screen at random. The smiling circles crush and kill "jack" if they fall on him from above, but with skilful manipulation of "jack" and a series of movable blocks, the circular faces can be eliminated by either jumping on them from above, or crushing them between movable blocks.
The sound affects only add to the enjoyment of the scenario, which is neither offensive nor violent.
Through a series of initial block arrangements which comprise the various levels, the surface on which "jack" operates can be changed, but water when present must be avoided, as "jack" will drown if he lands on it. All of the manoeuvres are intuitive and basically involve the mechanisms of jumping, bouncing, or moving in two dimensions. Although this may sound simple, the game challenges you with only a limited number of lives that "jack" has per game, and the limited number of levels which can be "saved". This may be a plus or minus to certain players who may be frustrated to have to always begin a new
game from the start. This player wore out a half dozen joysticks, and even resorted to a more durable homemade controller to handle the spontaneous force exerted when one "got into the game." Needless to say, hours can be spent playing the game.
A rating of 10 would certainly be applied to this game. It is certainly appropriate for any age group, and may even help developers’ fine motor skills. It is certainly not complicated or involves problem solving, but avoidance of falling circles, manipulation of terrain and surfaces, and delightful audio background make for an extremely enjoyable game (played either in solitary, or with someone else).
