Popeye 8-29-83

 


This is an interesting late beta for Popeye that surfaced in the collection of a former Roklan programmer.  While this version is very close to the final, it still has some interesting differences.


Differences
When the game starts Popeye already has spinach power.  This was likely done for playtesting purposes.  He will keep this power until he either grabs the spinach can and the timer naturally runs out or the player clears the first level.   If the game is reset the power is lost until the computer does a cold boot.
Although Popeye always has spinach power on the first level, Bluto does not run away from him unless he grabs the can.  This leads to Bluto constantly trying to hit Popeye only to be thrown across the screen.
Although Popeye always has spinach power on the first level the love tokens are not frozen in place nor does the spinach music play.
On the first screen Bluto makes the motion for throwing bottles but nothing appears.  This is a side effect of Popeye always being under the power of spinach.
The Sea Hag doesn't appear on the first screen. This is a side effect of Popeye always being under the power of spinach.
Bluto makes a sound when grabbing at Popeye on a lower level.  In the final version either there is no special sound effect or it is always overridden by the music.
The music on the second and third levels is slightly different.  The tunes are the same except they start with a different 'musical sting' that sounds very similar to the music that plays when a token has fallen in the water.
The vulture on the third level comes out constantly regardless of whether the player has punched it or not.
The overall difficulty of the game is higher.
Popeye's walking animation is different



ABS:  Always Be Spinaching

 

Notice how there are no bottles?

 

Exactly how large are Wimpy and Sweetpea?

 

Those vultures are a pain in the neck!

 

 

Return to Popeye