This seems to be a remake/expansion of "Miner," a game for the Commodore PET by Ron Longfellow, written for Cursor in 1980. Cursor was a monthly software "magazine" that came on cassette tape. Each "issue" featured 4-6 programs, usually a few games, various toys or utilities, sometimes even a short animated cartoon. Miner was one of the best original games to come out for the PET back then, and it's nice to see it was re-implemented almost a decade later. (I hope Ron is either the author of this one, or got some credit from him/her.)Here's a short video of Miner in action (shame the player doesn't know what he/she was doing, so we don't get to see much of it).

Playing this game as a kid lead to awkward questions about Miss Mimi and what "Condoms" were. However, its an awesome game! Tips: -Use Dynamite to clear out areas -- Your miner will always run to the right, so make sure there's a clear space for him -Sell minerals for top value by entering/exiting the bank to get the best prices -- I never settle for less than 275+ (Plat), 55+ (Gold), and 18+ (Silver) -Win the game by earning Miss Mimi's hand in marriage. To do this you need $15k-$20k and the ring, which can be found by setting off dynamite directly below the outhouse -Always use a condom when receiving "hospitality" (This is a good Real-life tip too, for the record)

favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite

You found streaks of silver! You found nuggets of gold! You found traces of platinum! This game is fantastic. The allure of gold and riches (and girls) draws you into the mine. Avoid cave-ins, springs, and granite while you search for silver, platinum and gold! All in a bid to win Mimi's hand in marriage.

Some tips:

Get both a lantern and a torch to make IDing minerals quicker.

There are a significant number of nasty tiles in the game, never walk on to an unknown mineral tile without walking back and forth (and back and forth) to ID it first!

Enter the bank, if you don't like the prices they offer, go out and right back in. (Hint: the highest prices I've seen are P:274, G:63, S:19.4) (just don't try to exit the bank before you enter it, cause that's a one way ticket Back East!).

If you're stuck (or just want to leave), "T" will move both you and the elevator to the top of the mine.



Definitely take some time to enjoy this classic mining game. There are many clones, but few that live up to this Grand Old Game. =)

- January 8, 2015You found a Nugget of Gold!