Almost all versions released in the pre-Nintendo era - including those for computers - lacked not only the great graphics, but only contained two (the first and third) of the four scenes from the arcade version. The Coleco release does a good job of capturing the difficult look of the graphics (which was admittedly pretty much beyond any system's capabilities of that era) and contains three of the first four scenes from the arcade. With this in mind, let's take a closer look at the game.

The basic premise is that the giant ape, Bongo, has stolen all of an explorer's possessions and you must control this explorer in his quest through the jungle to retrieve them.

The first scene, "Waterfall Pass", is your typical climbing and jumping contest in a three dimensional perspective. Bongo throws coconuts at you while you try to make it to his level. Other obstacles include monkeys who like to jump on your back and make you lose your own jumping ability because of the extra weight, and terrain that brings you precariously close to falling. The animation here shines, particularly when the monkeys prance playfully about. This scene is quite a bit of fun, but overly easy, especially considering what's next.

The second scene, "Rhino Ridge" (not included in the other versions of the game), involves trying to escape three charging boars while making your way to Bongo. The only help you have is in the form of holes scattered about that you can duck into. Don't wait in one too long though, as the moles that live there will kick you out. This scene is particularly hard and involves some luck. Don't stand around too long looking at the nice boar animation, or you'll get it. (Hint: Avoid using the holes and practice jumping over the rhinos. It turns out to be more effective as the rhinos tend to pile around your hole, making escape difficult.)

The hardest (for all the wrong reasons), and final scene, is "Lazy Lagoon". Obviously, in any 3-D perspective game done on a 2-D screen (your TV for instance), you'll have difficulty judging where exactly to jump; even if you think you judged correctly, you may still be way off. That's what happens here, as you must precisely jump on swimming fish and hippos (the latter swimming under water is a simple but beautifully done graphic touch), often times missing the mark by quite a bit. This happens on the earlier scenes too, but is most noticeable here. Fortunately, this is not a fault of the programming, but is a direct result of copying play mechanics from the arcade version. If you didn't mind it there, you won't mind it here.

Once you make it to the ledge after the water hazards and you pass a final charging rhino, you finally catch Bongo and start the whole process over again - only a bit harder.

As with most Coleco games of this period it has a pause feature. Surprisingly, it has music on the normally silent level select screen; for anyone who ever has played Coleco games you'll understand the significance. As for the difficulty, the usual 1-4 and 5-8 (for two players) options are there, but you'll probably be more than happy pressing 1 or 5 most of the time (the first screen is no problem on any level, but the next two are difficult even at level 1).

The graphics and sound are solid and do the best they can to capture the feel of the arcade game with minimal graphic flicker.

If you liked this game in the arcades, this is the definitive pre-Nintendo era version and is a must have. If not, or the prospect of another difficult to control 3-D perspective game in your collection doesn't sit well with you, then even the good graphics and sound might not be enough to make you want it. Recommended -- * * * 1/2 (3 1/2 out of 5 stars)

Colecovision Congo Bongo

Advantages - Good graphics and sound and the most faithful adaptation of the arcade game available for pre-Nintendo era computer and videogame systems.

Disadvantages - Shares the 3-D perspective control problems of other games of its type, including the arcade version. It's still missing one scene!

Overall - Recommended -- * * * 1/2 (3 1/2 out of 5 stars)

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