Antarctic Adventure

Antarctic Adventure
Cover art for Antarctic Adventure (Family Computer version)
Developer(s)	Konami
Publisher(s)	Konami Home Entertainment Suppliers
Platform(s)	MSX, NES, ColecoVision, Game Boy(in Konami GB Collection Vol. 3, Japan), Game Boy Color (in Konami GB Collection Vol. 4, Europe), Mobile Phones, Virtual Console
Release date(s)	1983
Genre(s)	Racing
Mode(s)	Single-player Multiplayer (alternating)
Media/distribution	Cartridge

Antarctic Adventure, known in Japan as Kekkyoku Nankyoku Daibōken (けっきょく南極大冒険) is a video game developed by Konami in 1983 for MSX, and later for video game consoles, such as NES. The player takes the role of an Antarctic penguin, racing to disparate research stations owned by different countries in Antarctica.

The gameplay is similar to Sega's Turbo, but plays at a much slower pace. The penguin, later named Penta, must reach the next station before time runs out while avoiding sea 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.

Legacy

Antarctic Adventure was followed by a sequel for the MSX computer in 1986, entitled Penguin Adventure. In addition, the penguin character Penta, and his son Pentarou^[1] became a mascot for Konami through the 1980s. They have made appearances in over 10 games. Of particularly note are his appearances in the Parodius series of shoot 'em up games.

A screen from this game can briefly be seen in the introduction of Gradius ReBirth, released in 2008 for the Wii Virtual Console.

There was rumored to be a coin operated arcade version released by Konami in 1984, but the existence of an actual example has yet to be confirmed.

Trivia

• The music that plays in each level is "The Skaters' Waltz" by Émile Waldteufel.

Appearances of Penguin and Pentarou

• 1983 – Antarctic Adventure (MSX, ColecoVision, NES) – Protagonist (Penguin)
• 1985 – Konami's Ping Pong (Arcade) – Protagonist (Penguin)
• 1986 – Penguin Adventure (MSX) – Protagonist (Penguin)
• 1986 – Konami Game Master (MSX) (Penguin)
• 1988 – Konami Wai Wai World (Famicom/Mobile Phone) – In a brief cameo, he operates a special transportation device that sends the main character to one of the game's six main levels. The mobile phone version of Wai Wai World (2006) replaces King Kong with Penta and an Antarctic stage.^[2]
• 1988 – Parodius (MSX) – One of the selectable characters (Penguin)
• 1988 – Game Master 2 (MSX)
• 1988 – Konami no Uranai Sensation (MSX2)
• 1989 - Ganbare Goemon 2 (Famicom) - It may appear as an enemy if you buy a game cartridge in level 5 at the Konami store.
• 1989 – Hai no Majutsushi (MSX2) – One of the selectable characters
• 1989 - Ganbare Pennant Race (Famicom) - ?^{[citation needed]}
• 1990 – Parodius Da! －Shinwa kara Owarai e－ (Arcade, MSX, Super Famicom, Game Boy, PC Engine, Mobile Phones) – One of the selectable characters (Pentarou)
• 1991 — Wai Wai World 2: SOS!! Paseri Jou (Famicom) – He makes a brief cameo between stages.
• 1991 – Yume Penguin Monogatari (Famicom) – Obese protagonist
• 1992 - Tsurikko Penta
• 1993 - Violent Storm (Arcade) - ?
• 1994 – Gokujō Parodius! ～Kako no Eikō o Motomete～ (Arcade, Super Famicom) – One of the selectable characters (Pentarou)
• 1995 – Jikkyou Oshaberi Parodius (Super Famicom, PlayStation) – One of the selectable characters (Pentarou)
• 1996 – Sexy Parodius (Arcade, Sega Saturn, PlayStation) – Is the boss, and perhaps owner, of the Parodius mercenary organization. (Pentarou)
• 1996 - Balloon Penta
• 1997 – Paro Wars (PlayStation) – One of the selectable characters
• 2001 – Konami Krazy Racers (Game Boy Advance) – Options screens
• 2003 - Frogger's Journey: The Forgotten Relic (Game Boy Advance) - Pentarou together with his cousin Mohan.^{[citation needed]}
• 2004 - Deadly Skies III (PlayStation 2) - Unlockable aircraft
• 2004 - Penta no Tsuri Bōken DX (Mobile Phone) - ?
• 2007 - Otomedius (Xbox 360) - ?^{[citation needed]}
• 2008 – New International Track & Field (Nintendo DS) – One of the selectable Konami characters
• 2009 - Krazy Kart Racing (iOS) - Pentarou as a playable racer.
• 2010 - Gokuraku Parodius (Pachislot) - ?
• 2011 - Otomedius Excellent (Xbox 360) - ?^{[citation needed]}

References

1. ^ "New International Track and Field | Press Release". MCV. http://www.mcvuk.com/press-releases/34738/New-International-Track-and-Field. Retrieved October 5, 2011. 
2. ^ "Konami Wai Wai World Page" (in Japanese). Konami Japan Official Web Site. Konami. http://www.konami.jp/mobile/appli/waiwai.html. Retrieved October 5, 2011. 

External links

• Antarctic Adventure guide at StrategyWiki
• Antarctic Adventure at MobyGames
• Review of the game

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