Ludography
Jet-Boot Jack cover

1983 · Platformer · Arcade

Jet-Boot Jack

Music notes have escaped throughout the world, and Jet-Boot Jack must collect them up. There are ten levels, the first five of which can be played from the main menu. Gameplay is platform-based, and largely involves progressing down the levels, using holes and moving platforms. Enemies hover over the holes, but these can be disabled by toggling the right switches.

Released
31 December 1983
Platforms
Acorn ElectronAmstrad CPCAtari 8-bitBBC Microcomputer SystemCommodore C64/128/MAX
Genres
PlatformerArcade
Developers
—
Publishers
AmsoftThe English Software Company
Modes
Single-player
Perspective
Side view
Themes
Action

About

Jet-Boot Jack (also called The Music Machine starring Jet-Boot Jack) is a platform game written by Jon Williams for Atari 8-bit computers and published by English Software in 1983. It was ported to the Acorn Electron, Amstrad CPC, BBC Micro, and Commodore 64. A C64-only sequel, Legend of the Knucker-Hole, was released in 1984.

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

The production plant is set out as a series of platforms connected by lifts. To complete each level, the player must collect all the musical notes while avoiding monsters, moving lifts and stalactites. Jack can be moved left or right using his jet boots to hover or by ducking and sliding under fatal stalactites or monsters. By hovering, Jack can clear lift shafts but if he stops over the shaft, it is fatal.

Jack's jet energy runs down, particularly if he stands still for a while, and must be replenished by collecting vinyl from overhanging pods. Two types of monsters can be killed for bonus points by jumping on the platform above them. A third type of monster is invincible. Bonus points are awarded when a screen is completed based on the vinyl refills unused.

Story

The player controls Jack, a "space-age jogger", in a record production plant who must build up the ultimate music collection.

Reception

Atari magazine Page 6 gave a positive review concluding: "Although on a now familiar theme the unique story line and good programming makes Jet Boot Jack well worth getting. The music is good and the scrolled opening credits are superb". The game was given "Hall of Fame" status by Computer and Video Games magazine. The Amstrad CPC version was given a score of 70% by Amstrad Action and 72% by Amtix.

Legacy

The game was later lead game on the first three Atari Smash Hits compilations released by English Software.

A sequel, Legend of the Knucker-Hole starring Jet-Boot Jack, was published in 1984. Jon Williams developed that game on the Commodore 64, and it was not ported to any other systems.

Releases by platformdates and regions as published

PlatformReleasedRegions
Atari 8-bit31 December 1983Worldwide
Acorn Electron31 December 1984Europe
Amstrad CPC31 December 1984Europe
BBC Microcomputer System31 December 1984Europe
Commodore C64/128/MAX31 December 1984Worldwide

Games like this

Collections1 collection

Platform libraries

Description adapted from its source, CC BY-SA 4.0.