Jumping Jack is a classic arcade game that was released in 1983 by Universal Entertainment Corporation. The game was designed by Kan Yabumoto, who had previously worked on the popular arcade game Donkey Kong for Nintendo.
Jumping Jack is a platform game that challenges players to guide a character named Jack through a series of increasingly difficult levels while avoiding obstacles and enemies.
Gameplay
Jumping Jack is a simple game with straightforward gameplay. Players control Jack, a character who must jump over obstacles and enemies in order to reach the end of each level. The levels are made up of a series of platforms that are connected by ladders. Jack can move left or right across the platforms, and can jump up or down the ladders to reach different parts of the level.
The game has a time limit, and if Jack fails to reach the end of the level before time runs out, he loses a life. Jack also loses a life if he falls off the bottom of the screen or is hit by an enemy.
There are a variety of enemies in the game that Jack must avoid, including birds, cats, and bats. Each enemy moves in a different pattern, and some are more difficult to avoid than others. In addition to enemies, there are also other obstacles in the levels, such as fire pits and collapsing platforms.
At the end of each level, Jack must jump onto a moving platform that takes him to the next level. The levels become progressively more difficult as the player advances, with more obstacles and enemies to avoid.
How to win in Jumping Jack
Jumping Jack is a simple arcade game that is easy to pick up but difficult to master. The objective of the game is to guide the titular character, Jack, through a series of levels while avoiding obstacles and enemies. Jack can jump to avoid hazards and collect items, such as coins and fruit, for points.
Here are some tips on how to improve your performance in Jumping Jack and achieve a high score:
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Timing is everything: Jack's jumps are crucial to avoiding obstacles and enemies. Make sure to time your jumps carefully to avoid falling into pits or getting hit by enemies.
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Plan your route: Each level in Jumping Jack is designed to be completed in a specific way. Look ahead to see what obstacles and enemies are coming up and plan your route accordingly.
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Collect items for points: Collecting coins and fruit will earn you points, so make sure to grab as many as you can while avoiding hazards and enemies.
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Don't be too greedy: While collecting items is important for points, it's also important not to take unnecessary risks. Don't try to grab every item if it puts Jack in danger.
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Practice makes perfect: Jumping Jack is a challenging game, and the more you play, the better you'll get. Take your time to learn the mechanics and level designs, and don't get discouraged if you don't achieve a high score right away.
By following these tips, you'll be on your way to achieving a high score in Jumping Jack. Remember, the key to success is patience, practice, and good timing.
Hardware
The Jumping Jack arcade machine was built using standard hardware components that were common in arcade games of the era. Here are the specifications for the Jumping Jack arcade machine:
CPU: The Jumping Jack arcade machine was powered by a Zilog Z80 microprocessor, which was a common CPU used in arcade machines of the time. The Z80 ran at a clock speed of 3.072 MHz.
Memory: The Jumping Jack arcade machine had 32KB of ROM for the game code, and 2KB of RAM for the game's data and variables.
Graphics: The Jumping Jack arcade machine used a CRT monitor to display the game's graphics. The monitor had a resolution of 256 x 224 pixels, with a refresh rate of 60Hz. The graphics were displayed in color using a color palette of 16 colors.
Sound: The Jumping Jack arcade machine had a mono speaker for sound output. The sound was generated using a custom sound chip, which was able to produce a variety of sound effects and music for the game.
Controls: The Jumping Jack arcade machine had a joystick and two buttons for controls. The joystick was used to move Jack left or right, and to climb up or down ladders. The buttons were used to make Jack jump or to start the game.
Cabinet:
The Jumping Jack arcade machine was housed in a standard arcade cabinet, 
which was made of wood and had a painted finish. The cabinet featured artwork depicting Jack and the game's various enemies, and had a marquee at the top of the cabinet that displayed the game's title.
Legacy Jumping Jack was not as popular as some of the other classic arcade games of the era, but it still has a small but dedicated fan base. The game has been ported to several home gaming consoles and computer systems over the years, including the Commodore 64 and Atari 2600.
There was also a cocktail table style cabinet for this game although not many of these cabinets were made and seems to be pretty rare
About the Author
Unfortunately, information about the specific person or team who created the classic arcade game Jumping Jack is not widely available. The game was released in 1983 by Universal Entertainment Corporation, and the game's designer or designers have not been as well-known or publicly recognized as some of the designers of other classic arcade games from the era, such as Shigeru Miyamoto (creator of Donkey Kong and Mario) or Toru Iwatani (creator of Pac-Man).
It is possible that the designer or designers of Jumping Jack worked under a pseudonym or did not receive as much recognition as they deserved for their work on the game. Nonetheless, Jumping Jack remains a classic arcade game that is remembered fondly by fans of the genre for its simple but challenging gameplay and charming visuals.
Jumping Jack is also notable for its connection to the classic arcade game Donkey Kong. Kan Yabumoto, the designer of Jumping Jack, had previously worked on Donkey Kong for Nintendo. There are similarities between the two games, including the use of ladders and moving platforms.
Overall, Jumping Jack is a simple but enjoyable arcade game that is well worth a go for any retro game addict