Resource centre for ZX Spectrum games
using Manic Miner and Jet Set Willy game engines
V. Jet Set Willy 64 (JSW64)
Games using John Elliott's JSW64 family of game engines for the 128K Spectrum
25. Manic Miner: Deeper and Down
Also known as: Manic Miner: The Deeper Caverns and Down, Down, Deeper and Down
Author: Byron Needham
Year: 2024 (v. 1.1)
Language: English
Manic Miner: Deeper and Down is a continuation of Byron Needham's earlier project, Manic Miner: The Lost Levels, which showcased MM levels originally created for other platforms. Manic Miner: Deeper and Down is a conversion of the two sets of additional MM levels from the SAM Coupé version to the ZX Spectrum. The SAM Coupé version features three sets of 20 caverns each: first, the original MM levels, followed by another 20 called The Deeper Caverns, and then another 20 titled Down, Down, Deeper and Down. Byron's game showcases the two sets of new caverns. Please refer to the Readme included in the release ZIP file for a complete list of The Deeper Caverns and Down, Down, Deeper and Down levels.
Byron used the 128K JSW64 game engine rather than the classic 48K MM engine to include all 40 new levels in a single game file and to replicate certain features from the SAM Coupé version, such as trampolines and switches. The game mechanics remain as faithful to the original as the JSW64 engine allows compared to the SAM Coupé version.
In Manic Miner: Deeper and Down, the player must first navigate through the 20 "The Deeper Caverns" levels. The last of these, "The Final Frontier", serves as a transition into the "Down, Down, Deeper and Down" caverns, so the top of this screen is slightly different from the original SAM Coupé version. The 20 "Down, Down, Deeper and Down" levels follow. Some caverns with trampolines have been modified to prevent excessive falls, and Kong falling from the platform has been replaced with a different feature. The number of items in "The Bonus Round" had to be reduced due to game limitations, so additional items were added to other levels.
At the end of the game, there is a final level, "Up, Up and Away", which is not playable—the game stops here with the Swordfish sign displayed. As the air runs out, the player loses their remaining lives one by one. After the last life is lost, the game proceeds to the Game Over screen and then returns to the title screen.
The game was released in June 2024. Version 1.1 followed a couple of weeks later, featuring minor corrections.
The game utilises Variant Z, Hacklevel 12 of the JSW64 game engine.
Number of edited rooms: 41
Number of rooms accessible without cheating: 41
Number of rooms which need to be visited to complete the game: 41
Number of items to collect: 256
Bugfix needed after original release? NO
Spare lives at the start: 9
Completable without loss of life? YES
Starting time and the best documented completion time: N/A
(There is no clock in the game.)
Download links
|
The game's homepage on JetSet Willy & Manic Miner Community |
|
Official release of v. 1.1 of Manic Miner: Deeper and Down including the game file in TAP and TZX format, the Readme, the cassette packaging, level maps and a demo of The Deeper Caverns 48K |
|
Game file of v. 1.1 in TAP and TZX formats |
|
|
The game's page on Spectrum Computing |
|
The map of The Deeper Caverns on Speccy Screenshot Maps |
|
The map of Down, Down, Deeper and Down on Speccy Screenshot Maps |
|
RZX walkthrough showing a smooth and efficient completion of the game without any loss of life |
Screenshot gallery |
