A-J's Quest

A-J's Quest (v4.0)

Release type: Shareware
Release date: 1992 (original release)
Levels: 6 (in final version)
Author: A-J Games
Registration bonus: A-J 2
Registration price: $30
Related games: The Return of A-J, Zoom the Super Bear, A-J 3

FULL ENTRY COMING SOON!

First project and namesake of A-J Games. Influenced in part by The Goonies II, Hudson's Adventure Island, Super Mario Bros. 2, and Contra.

Many background and monster elements, particularly the Crabby, have made their way into subsequent games.

Updates

The game was upgraded several times between 1992-1995. Changes include improved animation, changed background blocks, an additional level, altered level order, improved menus, added cutscenes and intertitles, and the removal of a bonus stage. An early version is included with an early demo of Game-Maker.

Story

Exploring the warehouse in A-J's Quest

A-J Bear was late for school, so he decided to take a shortcut through the abandoned Milton lot. He was in too much of a hurry, apparently, as he tripped over a large rock, sitting right in his path.

A-J tumbled head over heels and landed with a loud thump against the warehouse next door. Hedge followed him over and nuzzled his ear.

He was stunned, and before he was able to reorient himself enough to get up, A-J heard voices coming from inside.

While the window above him was boarded up, it was done so sloppily and A-J could easily peek between the boards.

Inside was an army of giant pretzels. Two chickens were standing by the window, talking.

Level 5 is new to later versions of A-J's Quest

"What do we need all of these for? *Bwaack!* Ostro doesn't need any dough boys -- they'll just screw up our whole operation."

"*Bwuk!* Look at it this way: pretzels are expendable. Would you rather have a pretzel blasted to smithereens for you or get yourself killed?"

"Good point. *Buk!*"

Ostro? They can't mean evil Prince Ostro, who escaped from Bearton Clink last year? Before A-J Was able to debate the issue any further, he heard Hedge making noises and felt a large crack on his skull. The world went dark.

A-J awoke inside a dark warehouse. It didn't look like the one the pretzels had been in. Hedge was there with him.

It would be pointless to list all of the thoughts that whizzed through A-J's head then, but in a nutshell he decided that he had to stop Ostro, however possible.

Instructions

Level 1 was designed long before Game-Maker came about.

7 - 8 - 9: Jump
4 -   - 6: Walk
  - 2 -  : Duck

P: Pick up [Space]: Attack

Weapons

You automatically use the most powerful weapon you have. They are, in order of power (except for Hedge):

• Flying Disc
• Slingshot
• Wooden Sword
• Yo-Yo
• Hedge

Hedge is very powerful and is always with you. Learn how to use him.

Items

• Disc Refill
• Slingshot Refill
• $1 Bill
• 1 Crown
• 1 HP
• 1-Up

It takes three crowns to open a latch. After a latch is opened, you come to a store. In the store, you can buy things if you have enough cash. To leave the level, go to the wooden door.

The rogue's gallery of A-J's Quest

Monsters

• Pinky
• Pretzel
• Crabby
• Leaf
• Rock
• Flaming Turnip
• Dirt Clod
• Bwuk
• Prof. Shroom
• Bat
• Ostro

Credits

Graphics: Aderack

Sounds: Aderack

Idea: Aderack

Testing: M.O.S.H.

Engine: RSD

Downloads

• A-J's Quest (? kB)
• Level 1 map (121.8 kB) Level 2 map (251.2 kB)
• Level 3 map (164.1 kB) Level 4 map (195 kB)
• Level 5 map (173.7 kB) Level 6 map (145.1 kB)