Bump 'n' Jump

Data East
Industry	Video games
Founded	1976 in Japan
Headquarters	Japan

Bump 'n' Jump, originally released in Japan as , is a top-down vehicular combat game created by Data East and launched in Japanese arcades in 1982. The title was distributed across North America by Bally Midway, available both as a standalone arcade cabinet and through Data East's DECO Cassette System. Players navigate courses by driving to the finish line, colliding enemy vehicles into barriers, and leaping over hazards such as water.

The arcade edition enjoyed commercial popularity in both Japan and North America. Subsequently, it was adapted for platforms including the Atari 2600, Intellivision, ColecoVision, Nintendo Entertainment System, and Sharp X1. The Famicom version, named , debuted in Japan in October 1986.

Gameplay

Opponents consist of various cars and trucks. While cars can be knocked into obstacles or jumped on to eliminate them, trucks require players to jump on top since they cannot be bumped; these trucks occasionally drop debris that must be avoided. Points are earned by causing cars to crash, with a reward of 500 points for each destroyed enemy vehicle at the conclusion of a level. Achieving level completion without damaging any vehicles grants a substantial 50,000-point bonus. The game cycles through levels featuring seasonal changes.

A flashing exclamation mark alerts players to significant obstacles necessitating jumps, such as water hazards. Jumping is only possible when traveling at speeds of 100 mph or higher. Vehicles are lost if they collide with track edges, water, or other impediments. The game concludes once all cars are lost. Additional cars are awarded during gameplay except after surpassing 999,999 points, at which point a "survival of the fittest" mode activates for the remainder of the session.

Ports

Mattel Electronics secured licensing from Data East for Bump 'n' Jump, producing versions for the Intellivision (1983), Atari 2600, and ColecoVision (1984), with distribution handled by Coleco.

Data East developed a Famicom port titled Buggy Popper released in Japan in October 1986. In North America, the Nintendo Entertainment System version was published by Vic Tokai under the original name Bump 'n' Jump in December 1988. This NES adaptation introduced additional challenge by requiring players to collect fuel cans throughout each stage to maintain fuel levels while driving at high speeds.

Reception

In Japan, Burnin' Rubber secured the position of ninth highest-grossing arcade game in 1982. Meanwhile, in the United States, Bump 'n' Jump ranked among the top thirteen highest-earning arcade titles of 1983.

Legacy

In 1996, Next Generation placed the game at number 65 on their "Top 100 Games of All Time," highlighting its groundbreaking jumping and bumping gameplay mechanics, diverse vehicle selection, and intense sense of speed and suspense.

The original arcade version was re-released for the PlayStation Portable in North America by G1M2 under its initial title and included within the Data East Arcade Classics collection.

Two Commodore 64-inspired clones emerged: Burnin' Rubber (1983) and Bumping Buggies (1984).

High scores

On December 25, 2011, Charlie Wehner established a new arcade world record with a score of 3,175,880 points. Later, on September 14, 2013, John McNeill from Brisbane set a world record with 5,869,264 points; this achievement was officially recognized on January 5, 2015 due to administrative issues involving Twin Galaxies.

John McNeill also holds the MAME world record with a score of 2,531,168 points achieved on March 2, 2012.

External links

Bump 'N' Jump on Mobygames