Jack the Giantkiller (set 1)

Embark on a fairytale quest in Jack the Giantkiller, a climbing and tree-planting arcade game for two players released in 1982. As Jack, you’ll ascend a giant beanstalk across five distinct screens, each presenting unique challenges inspired by classic folklore. Players must navigate clouds, scale castle walls, leap between platforms, and dodge falling rocks while collecting beans to fend off enemies along the way. Rescuing the princess marks a turning point; the giant himself begins pursuing Jack down the beanstalk, requiring a final, decisive chop to end his reign. The game’s progression introduces new screens as you advance, with an initial playthrough skipping directly from the first to the fourth screen. Success in each stage unlocks further challenges and ultimately leads to facing the giant and claiming the princess – initiating a fresh cycle of increased difficulty. Jack the Giantkiller offers a cooperative experience for two players, utilizing simple controls—a joystick and jump/shoot buttons—to guide Jack through his perilous adventure. Distributed by Hara Industries under license from Cinematronics, this title was originally available in upright and cocktail cabinet formats. The upright version’s distinctive curved design and unified artwork created a cohesive aesthetic, while the large control panels on both models made them easily adaptable for other games—a common fate for many arcade cabinets of the era.