Adventures of the Pink Panther

Name:	Adventures of the Pink Panther
Company:	Probe 2000
Model #:	N/A
Programmers:	Roger Booth (Programmer), Todd Marshall (Programmer & Audio), Robbin Dainels (Graphics), & Jim Wickstead (Game Design)
Year:	1983
Released?	No
Notes:	Only one prototype is known to exist.

One of the most famous Atari 2600 prototypes, the Pink Panther was supposed to be released by Probe 2000 (a division of North American Phillips NAP), but was ultimately shelved.  NAP blamed the problem on a chip shortage, however most people speculate that Phillips saw the crumbling game market and chose to get out while the getting was good.  NAP also planned to release Pink Panther for the Odyssey^2 and Colecovision.

Adventures of the Pink Panther is based off the cartoon series, which was inspired (in part) by the famous series of films starring Peter Sellers.  This game actually started out life as Trail of the Pink Panther by U.S. Games, but when U.S. Games went out of business they sold the rights to NAP who decided to release their own version of the game.  It is unknown if this version is based off an unfinished version from U.S. Games, or if Probe 2000 decided to start from scratch.  Either way, the Pink Panther is a brilliant three screen action game starring one famous cat (no not Garfield!)

The City

The first screen has our pink hero walking down a sidewalk with a busy cityscape and brick wall behind him.  Standing on top of the brick wall is the bumbling Inspector Clouseau, who has taken it upon himself to stop the PP from reaching the fabulous "Pink Panther" diamond (see the movie for more details).  Clouseau randomly drops bricks, which make holes in the floor.  These holes must all be filled in before you can proceed to the next screen.  To fill the holes in, simply catch the bricks before the hit the ground.  Alternatively you can press the fire button to extend your tail to help you catch more bricks.  Catching bricks with your tail is much harder, but is worth more points.  You can also jump the holes in the floor by pressing diagonally up (I hate jumping like that).  If you fall into one of the holes in the floor, you'll lose a life.

The Elevators

The second screen consists of three levels of elevators, which the PP must successfully traverse.  To enter an elevator simply walk up to the door and press the fire button.  However if you choose the wrong elevator a enemy will come out and chase you.  These enemies consist of small bulldogs, flying saucers, and dynamite (a leftover from Taz perhaps?).  To escape, quickly choose another elevator door.  Once you choose the correct door you'll be take up to the next level, complete all three levels and you'll move onto the next screen.

The Heist

You've finally made it!  The "Pink Panther" diamond is in sight, now all you have to do to grab it!  Of course this is easier said than done.  To successfully pull off the jewel heist, you'll need to jump onto the moving platform without falling into the water (exactly where is this diamond being stored anyway?).  To make matters worse, the water level constantly raises and lowers making your task all the more difficult (just remember, cats hate water!).  Once on the platform, jump onto the swinging rope (ala Pitfall), and grab the diamond (all while hanging upside down!).

If you successfully snag the diamond, your rewarded with a cute intermission showing the Pink Panther kissing the diamond while "We're In The Money" plays in the background.  However your joy is short lived (isn't that always the case?) as Inspector Clouseau drops down a rope from the ceiling and snatches your diamond!  Now it's back to the first screen to do it all over again.

So where's the Pink Panther now?  The only known prototype is owned by collector Steve Averitt, who has not publicly distributed the rom.  Steve pretty much dropped off the face of the earth after finding the prototype, so it looks like until another cart is found this one will remain unreleased.  It's obvious the guys over at NAP knew their stuff, because the Pink Panther is a graphical masterpiece with innovative gameplay.  Chalk up another victim of the great game crash.

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