Wumpus season!

One of my greatest joys as a kid was visiting my cousins TH and GH, whose life seemed a series of boys' own adventures (not that I was familiar with the phrase back then) and who always had toys/games that were different to mine.

At a time when I was still contentedly numbing my thumb playing the Atari 2600, they acquired a "proper" computer - a Texas Instruments TI-99/4A. I couldn't yet see the appeal of a games machine with a keyboard but had to admit some of the carts were mighty playable - especially "Hunt The Wumpus".

In "H/T/W", you are an adventurer making his way through a maze the size of the screen, revealing another tunnel or cave (which then stays "lit") with each step. Your goal is to slay the titular beast with your crossbow - the catch being that if your first bolt misses, the monster uses you as topping on its toast.

All caves within ONE OR TWO MOVES of the Wumpus contain tell-tale bloodstains, which probably makes it sound like an easy target. However, there are other hazards. Walking into a pit - indicated by slime splashes in caves ONE MOVE away - means instant death. There are also bats who, if you disturb their slumber, may teleport you to a random location - which could be a pit or even the Wumpus's lair!

This elegant, addicting game has stayed with me over the years and it clearly lodged in the memories of some Wizards Of The Coast staff, too, as the 1999 Mercadian Masques expansion for "Magic: The Gathering" contained a nasty pair of creatures named Hunted Wumpus and Thrashing Wumpus.

You may ask where all this nostalgic blood and slime is leading.

Well, while perusing retro gaming web sites earlier today, I happened upon a freeware PC remake of "H/T/W". I installed it lickety-split and didn't stop playing till I'd slain the fell beast on "easy", "hard" and "pro".

I won't embarrass myself by revealing how many attempts it took to beat that last difficulty level. Suffice it to say the "pro" tunnels are mega-twisty and some mazes require risk-taking - either walking blindly into possible pit caves or allowing a bat to teleport you in the hope of opening up a "safe" new area.

Those who've never had the pleasure of hunting a Wumpus, or those who have but feel like dusting off their torch and crossbow, can find the aforementioned faithful recreation at http://www.dreamcodex.com/wumpus.php. Enjoy!