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| Antarctic Adventure | |
|---|---|
 Family Computer cover art | |
| Developer | Konami |
| Publisher | Konami |
| Platforms | MSX Family Computer ColecoVision Game Boy (inKonami GB Collection Vol.3, Japan) Game Boy Color (inKonami GB Collection Vol.4, Europe) Mobile phone EGG Project Handheld |
| Release | |
| Genres | Racing,platform |
| Modes | Single-player,multiplayer |
Antarctic Adventure (けっきょく南極大冒険,Kekkyoku Nankyoku Daibōken;lit. "After all Antarctic Great Adventure") is avideo game developed byKonami in 1983 for theMSX, and later forvideo game consoles, such as theFamily Computer andColecoVision. The player takes the role of an Antarcticpenguin, racing to variousresearch stations owned by different countries inAntarctica (excluding theUSSR).
The gameplay is similar toSega'sTurbo, but plays at a much slower pace, and featuresplatform game elements. The penguin, later namedPenta, must reach the next station before time runs out while avoidingsea lions and breaks in the ice. Throughout the levels, fish jump out of ice holes and can be caught for bonus points. The game, like many early video games, has no ending – when the player reaches the last station, the game starts from the first level again, but with increased difficulty.
Antarctic Adventure was followed by a sequel for theMSX computer in 1986, entitledPenguin Adventure. In addition, the penguin character Penta, and his son Pentarou[1] became amascot for Konami through the 1980s. They have made appearances in over 10 games. Of particular note are his appearances in theParodius series ofshoot 'em up games.
Penta, or his son Pentarou, had appeared inMedal Games likeTsurikko Penta,Balloon Penta andImo Hori Penta. Following in 2002 (not released for mobile in 2001), three mobile gamesKekkyo ku Nankyoku choi bōken (けっきょく南極ちょい冒険),[2] were released on May 6, 2003, another titledKekkyoku Nankyoku Daibōken Taisen-ban (けっきょく南極大冒険対戦版), as part ofKonami Taisen Colosseum,[3] and the fishing game asPenta no Tsuri Boken, released for i-Revo.
A screenshot from this game can briefly be seen in the introduction ofGradius ReBirth, released in 2008 for theWii Virtual Console and in 2014 for theWii U Virtual Console. An MSX Version was re-released for the Windows Store as part of EGG Project in November 2014 in Japan.
In 1990, Konami released only in Japan ahandheld electronic game ofAntarctic Adventure, although it is usually listed asSouth Pole (a more literal translation of the Japanese title).[4][5]
In 2014,Antarctic Adventure was released on a special version of theColecoVision Flashback by AtGames,[6] available only throughDollar General[7] stores.
In other games, Pentarou appears as a fisherman.[citation needed]
The music that plays in each level is "The Skaters' Waltz" byÉmile Waldteufel.