Version 1.00
(C) Copyright 2004 ArcadeLab
About
Gold Miner Joe is a shareware game available in 2 versions.
A trial version with 12 levels that you can download for free and play for 30 minutes, and a full version with 50 levels, more graphics and no time limitations.
System Requirements
12 MB free hard disk space
Windows 95, 98, ME, NT4, 2000 or XP
DirectX version 3 or above installed
200mhz or faster Intel / AMD processor
The Plot
When Joe unveiled the legendary four-shafted gold mine, little did he know that the evil farmer brothers Kev and Bill Kentucky followed his footsteps.
Guide greedy Joe through the different shafts; from the caves full of glittering gold and gems, to the very last hidden treasure chamber. Avoid the sneaking Kentucky brothers who won't hesitate to fire your rump full of salt.
Goal Of Every Level
Collect all of the gold to fill your gold-o-meter, then go to the exit that will lead you to the next cave.
Bonus items are spread out through the caves and will raise your score. Some well hidden bonuses like treasure chests, extra lives and gems can be found as well.
If you find a key, it will open up the next shaft on the progress screen. (see below)
The Progress Screen
When you start a new game or finish the last level of a shaft, Joe will find himself standing on the progress screen.
From here you can either enter a new unlocked shaft or use the password system to warp to a specific level. You can also see which hidden gems you have found.
An opened shaft will remain open even if you exit the game and restart your computer. This makes the game even more entertaining since you don't have start all over every time you leave the game. If you want to reset the game, look at "Special Code" in the end of this document.
Note: In the trial version you can only enter the first (brown) shaft. To enable the rest you must purchase the full version!
Protect Yourself
There are 2 ways to protect yourself, either throw stones using the fire button on your joystick or shift key on your keyboard, or drop a dynamite using space bar or enter key on your keyboard.
Be careful when you drop dynamites, they are quite powerful so you better protect yourself by running away or jumping to a platform below or above you.
Hint: You are given 5 sticks of dynamite per new level which also is the maximum amount you can carry. If you are running out of dynamite you can refill your arsenal by picking up a dynamite box.
Scores
Stone hits a baddie - 10 points
Picking up gold - 25 points
Getting rid of a baddie - 50 points
Picking up bonus item (axe, shovel) - 50 points
Picking up bonus item (pickaxe, detonator, rifle) - 75 points
Picking up treasure chest or hidden gem - 750 points
High Scores
If your score is good enough, you will be allowed to enter your name for the high score table.
The high score table displays your name, your score, and which difficulty level you played when you took the score. Can you reach the number one spot?
Game Difficulty
On the options screen you will find the difficulty setting.
If you choose easy or medium you will be given extra hitpoints, which means Joe can take hits before losing a life.
Easy - Start with 8 extra lives and 2 hitpoints, slower lifts, Joe jumps slightly longer, Kentucky (the barrel man) shows up with long intervals, weaker baddies
Medium - Start with 5 extra lives and 1 hitpoint, normal lifts, Kentucky shows up with normal intervals
Hard - Start with 3 extra lives and no hitpoints, Kentucky shows up with short intervals, stronger baddies
Special Items
Gold Miner Joe contains the special items listed below.
Checkpoint Flag - Sets a new start point at the current level
Hidden Gem - In most cases hidden in cracks in the ground. Full version of Gold Miner Joe contains 8 gems. Shows up on the progress screen when found!
Fire - Avoid it or you will lose a safety heart or life
Extra Life - Pick up this golden coin and you will gain a life
Wooden Boxes - Can be stacked to help Joe reach high platforms
Lever - Push from left or right to toggle lifts
Dynamite Box - Pick up to give you a maximum of 5 dynamites
Password Button - Appears on progress screen. Jump on to set a specific number!
Warp Sign - Go past this to warp to the level you typed in the password for
Cracks In Ground - Use dynamite to blow up. Contains hidden items.
Special Code
If you type reset on the keyboard while you are in the game, all your progress information will be reset. In other words, all shafts except the first will shut and all found gems on the progress screen will disappear.
Credits
Thanks to our beta testers Tim, Patrik, Candy, Buffy, Bjorn and Jamie
Disclaimer
Gold Miner Joe is provided "as is", without warranty of any kind. ArcadeLab can not be held responsible for any damage whatsoever, direct or indirect, caused by the software.
History
v1.0 (2004-01-16)
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