Clod Hopper

Big feet, big... shoes!

Clod Hopper was released by Budgie UK in 1992 by scener Goth, aka Gary Wheaton. It's a platformer that features a fella called Bill who's in search of his girlfriend. She foolishly wandered into the nearby plutonium mines, which are inhabited by crazy creatures, wacky puzzles, and dangerous hazards. Women, uh? Luckily, she left a convenient trail of footprints that we can use to track down our beloved. And save the day!

Bounty Bob/Miner 2049 fans will love this: each screen has platforms to be walked on before we can exit and progress deeper into the mine. This isn't as easy, thanks to tricky level designs and cunning puzzle elements - these often need completing in a particular order. Watch out for those slippery slides, dangerous falls, and the nasty inhabitants who love getting underfoot. Thankfully, there are magical items we can collect that render these creatures defenceless, if only for a short period of time (think before picking them up)

The third level includes working machinery essential for completing the level. It's a concept that works well, but I doubt I'll ever see the fourth!! Sadly, as with many older games, there is a time limit, so don't dawdle for long, as Bill has about five minutes of air supply. I must admit, I hate them, but this time limit is decent.

I would have loved to have shown you many more screenshots, but Clod Hopper is a tough cookie. I managed to get onto the third level, which is a killer. I know how to complete it, but there are many slides and ... just ... one ... wrong ... move!! This game is incredibly tough, but I'm blaming my wonky joystick. Ahem.

On that note, let's see some screenshots of this Bounty Bob platformer...

Level one breaks you in gently to paint those platforms with your feet...

The second level is far trickier and needs to be completed in the correct order.

The devilish third level. I know how to complete it, but my skills deny me the pleasure!

Looks and Sounds?

Graphically, I admire Clod Hopper. The look and design are reminiscent of early 8-bit days, and this style works well. Plus, everything moves smoothly with a console-like feel with awesome animations. This design took me right back to when I was a kid, and without looking like a tacky ripoff. A superb 8-bit vibe throughout.

Along with the 8-bit feel and smooth performance, Gary uses overscan for the score/timer display!!

As for the audio, the music is absolutely beautiful, using a quality that I loved. The effects are great, from the raspy level intro to other in-game sounds. A lot of effort went into how this game sounds!

Do you want more screenshots? How about a video recording and screenshots? Here ya' go...

Check out this intro!

Can you make the high-score table? Not on your first go, you won't lol

Would you believe it? Gary only lives up the road from me...

The CryptO'pinion

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed playing this platformer! Naturally, it’ll appeal to fans of Bounty Bob and any console owner from the early or mid-80s. The gameplay, sounds, and visuals are reminiscent of that era, showcasing the effort and dedication that went into this. It’s incredible to think it wasn’t a commercial release!

Of course, there’s always something to grumble about, and my main complaint is the measly three lives. This challenging game demands far more lives, especially considering how difficult it is. I managed to reach level three, but those slides are incredibly tricky. A single misstep means no way back.

Having said that, it's brilliant and a freakishly outstanding old-school romp. Oh yeah, I loved it!!

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