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Scott Adams Classic Adventures

Go back to Adventure International.

These games were rereleased in 1982 with graphics [BG] as Scott Adams Graphic Adventures (SAGA).

From the box of the later graphical releases:

When You Sit Down To a Scott Adams' Graphic Adventure... Anything Can Happen

As the name implies, the Scott Adams Graphic Adventures are the classic Adventures which have been enhanced with exciting graphics -- graphics which colorfully depict your voyage into wonderment each and every step of the way. Each Adventure challenges the player to accumulate points, crack a mystery or accomplish a goal using the unique tools of Adventuring: two-word commands, some common sense and a little ingenuity. If you've never played an Adventure, you couldn't have found a better place to begin. And if you're an experienced Adventurer prepare for a magical encounter unlike any other. Remember: Anything can happen when you play a Scott Adams Graphic Adventure ... and it usually does!

All the original twelve adventures were released in four Value Packs. Kim Schuette's "Book of Adventure Games" (1984) acknowledges that all twelve in four packages were released. Strangely, it also says that only the first three up to that point had been released as SAGAs with graphics and the others were slated for up-and-coming release with graphics. That's a two-year span between releasing the first three and the last nine?

The TI-99/4A games were distributed by Texas Instruments. The user first had to purchase a ROM cartridge called "Adventure" which came with the disk or cassette of adventure #2, "Pirate Adventure". The other titles required this ROM cartridge to run, but were sold separately.


0: Adventureland Demo

Type: Text only Written 1979 by Scott Adams in Scott Adams database.
Notes: This is called "Special Sampler" on the back and on the cassette.

The package is similiar to the original version of Adventureland except the artwork is done in blue-tone instead of colour, and all the green and blue in the AI logo is changed to plain white, to differentiate from the full Adventureland, probably. It's the only retail demo from AI I know of, although demos of other soon-to-come games generally popped up on the SAGA releases, along with a very funny introduction from a very hi-res Scott Adams informing us why we shouldn't accept pirated software---because they might lose sales and go bankrupt!

Package blurb:

Never tried ADVENTURE? This special inexpensive sampler complete with 3 Treasures is a cut-down version of our large Adventureland. Guaranteed to supply hours of enjoyment: Try an ADVENTURE today!


1: Adventureland

Type: Text only/Bitmap graphics Written 1978 by Scott Adams in Scott Adams database.
Runs on:
Notes:
This game survived Scott Adams' wife Alexis putting the disks with the source code in the oven one time when she got sick of Scott working so much on it.

Comments: Ordinary treasure hunting.

Package blurb:

You wander through an enchanted world trying to recover the 13 lost treasures. You'll encounter wild animals, magical beings, and many other perils and puzzles. Can you rescue the Blue Ox from the quicksand? Or find your way out of the maze of pits? Happy Adventuring...


2: Pirate Adventure (aka Pirate's Cove)

Type: Text only/Bitmap graphics Written 1978-1979? by Scott Adams and Alexis Adams in Scott Adams database.
Runs on:
Notes:
The source code for Pirate's Adventure was published in the December 1980 issue of Byte Magazine. It consisted of a Basic program that implemented the "adventure virtual machine" and several thousand numbers, bytes of data that formed the "virtual machine language instructions" for the actual Pirate's Adventure. After this, adventure writers started to figure out how the game was created and started to create their own adventures using the same design. The same thing had happened before when the source code for Dog Star Adventure was published a while before.

Comments: Explore an island and find the pirates' treasure.

Package blurb:

'Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum...' You'll meet up with the pirate and his daffy bird along with many strange sights as you attempt to go from your London flat to Treasure Island. Can you recover Long John Silver's lost treasures? Happy sailing, matey...


3: Mission Impossible / Impossible Mission / Secret Mission

Type: Text only/Graphics Written 1979 by Scott Adams in Scott Adams database.
Runs on:
Notes:
Originally and at least through 1982, this game was called Mission Impossible. Then it was renamed Impossible Mission for a while and finally became Secret Mission. It also seems to be available under the name "Atomic Mission", at least for Commodore 16 and Commodore Plus/4.

The clamshell release has picture inserts that are embedded and not removable. It has three different inserts -- front, back, and spine. The game is mostly billed as Mission Impossible, however an embossed gold "Secret Mission" was stuck over the plastic above the front insert where "Mission Impossible" was. The spine insert was not covered up and the disk is labeled "Mission Impossible". Pretty rushed way to change a name. There is a synopsis on the back but another embossed gold label was stuck over it "Bonus! Hint Sheet Enclosed".

Package blurb:

Time is of the essence as you race the clock to complete your mission - if you fail, the world's first automated nuclear reactor is doomed. So, tread lightly and don't forget your bomb detector! If you survive this challenging mission, consider yourself a true Adventurer.


4: Voodoo Castle

Type: Text only/Graphics Written 1980? by Alexis Adams in Scott Adams database.
Runs on:

Package blurb:


Count Cristo has had a fiendish curse put on him by his enemies. There he lies, with you his only hope. Will you be able to rescue him or is he forever doomed? Beware the Voodoo man...


5: The Count

Type: Text only/Graphics Written 1981 by Scott Adams in Scott Adams database.
Runs on:
Notes:
This was the first Scott Adams game that used time as an important element of play. It takes place over a three day/three night cycle.

The package includes a User's Guide that is very similar to the generic AI instruction sheets, but has a different cover. Includes warranty card, along with the "Need a Backup Disk?" and "Do You Write Microcomputer Software?" adverts.

The clamshell release has picture inserts that are not embedded, not removable. It's also one sheet rather than three. It has no hint sheet.

Package blurb:

You wake up in a large brass bed in a castle somewhere in Transylvania. Who are you, what are you doing here, and WHY did the postman deliver a bottle of blood? You'll love this ADVENTURE, in fact, you might say it's Love at First Byte...



6: Strange Odyssey

Type: Text only/Graphics Written 1981? by Scott Adams in Scott Adams database.
Runs on:

Package blurb:


Marooned at the edge of the galaxy, you've stumbled on the ruins of an ancient alien civilization complete with fabulous treasures and unearthly technologies. Can you collect the treasures and return or will you end up marooned forever?


7: Mystery Fun House / Fun House Mystery

Type: Text only/Graphics Written 1981 or earlier by Scott Adams in Scott Adams database.
Runs on:
Notes: Originally and at least through 1983 named Mystery Fun House. It turned out there was an actual place called Mystery Fun House and they were upset.

Package blurb:

Can you find your way completely through the strangest Fun House in existance, or will you always be kicked out when the park closes?

8: Pyramid of Doom

Type: Text only/Graphics Written 1981? by Scott Adams and Alvin Files in Scott Adams database.
Runs on:


9: Ghost Town

Type: Text only/Graphics Written 1981? by Scott Adams in Scott Adams database.
Runs on:


10: Savage Island, part 1

Type: Text only/Graphics Written 1982? by Scott Adams in Scott Adams database.
Runs on:


11: Savage Island, part 2

Type: Text only/Graphics Written 1982? by Scott Adams and Russ Wetmore in Scott Adams database.
Runs on:


12: Golden Voyage

Type: Text only/Graphics Written 1982? by Scott Adams and William Demas in Scott Adams database.
Runs on:


13: Sorcerer of Claymorgue Castle

Type: Text only/Bitmap graphics Written 1984 by Scott Adams in Scott Adams database.
Runs on:
Notes: The Dragon version of this can not be finished due to an interpreter bug.

There are two graphics versions of this for the C-64: a disk-based American one (using Phil Case's SAGA+ driver, the same one as in Buckaroo Banzai and the US version of Fantastic Four) and the UK one with Howarth's interpreter.

Package blurb:

Long ago, in times passed beyond remembrance, Solon the Master Wizard and wearer of the Secret Cloak lost the 13 Stars of Power. The grasping Vileroth believed the Stars to be the only source of Solon's expert wizardry. But, unbeknownst to Vileroth, it was the Secret Cloak that controlled the Stars and protected the wearer from their awesome powers. Unable to master the Stars, Vileroth was undone.

In his final days, as Vileroth's strength slipped from him, he concealed the 13 Stars of Power within the Castle of Claymorgue, determined that no one save he should possess them. Solon, learning of Vileroth's destruction, despatches his faithful young apprentice Beanwick to retrieve the Stars.

"Tread carefully, O Beanwick! Would that I could assume this quest myself, but alas, I can only send with you these few spells. Claymorgue Castle harbors further spells, but beware -- one unskilled in the arts cannot predict their outcome."



14: Return to Pirate's Island

Type: Text only/Bitmap graphics Written 1983 by Scott Adams in Scott Adams database.
Runs on:
More information about Scott Adams Adventure #14.


The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai

Type: Text only/Bitmap graphics Written 1985 by Scott Adams, Phillip Case and Kem McNair [graphics] in Scott Adams database.
Runs on:
Notes: Based on the 20th Century Fox movie The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension.
More information about Scott Adams Adventure #14.

Comments: Buckaroo Banzai, a neurosurgeon, rock star and more, must try to fix a jet car that can drive him into the 8th dimension.


Value Pack

Type: Text only Written 1984.
Runs on:
Notes: This is a compilation cassette featuring #4 Voodoo Castle, #5 The Count and #6 Strange Odyssey. The cover shot is of shrunken-down versions of the original (ugly) cover art for the three games. No instructions printed on the cardboard at all. I suppose there are Value Packs for all the first 12 Classic Adventures.


Cartridge Triple Pack


Runs on:
Notes: This contains Strange Odyssey, Atomic Mission (presumably Mission Impossible under a different name), and Pirate Adventure.

This had a recommended retail price of £29.85.


Adventureland was created by Hans Persson and is now maintained by Stefan Meier.

If you find any errors or have information that is missing, please let me know