Pick Up
About This Game
Pick Up is a distinctive title from the Atari 2600 era that offers a gameplay loop quite different from the typical shoot-em-ups of its time. Developed by Mark Klein, this prototype carries a unique adult theme centered around a romantic rendezvous. While it was originally intended for publication by 20th Century Fox / Fox Video Games in 1983, the game was shelved due to its mature subject matter. However, thanks to permission from the programmer, CGE Services Corporation released a reproduction cartridge, box, and manual in 2002, allowing modern players to experience this rare piece of gaming history.
The core objective is simple but requires careful planning. You control a male character positioned at the bottom of the screen. Your goal is to make your way to a hotel where you can view your score and complete the level. To get there, you must navigate through a series of challenges involving falling objects. These items include hearts, wine glasses, and cars that drop from the top of the screen.
On the left side of the screen, there is a platform holding a female character. This platform is the key to progressing through the game. You must shoot specific falling items to lower this platform step by step. The challenge lies in the timing and selection of your shots. If you shoot the same type of item twice, that specific item will disappear from the screen entirely. More importantly, shooting a duplicate item causes the girl's platform to drop one notch closer to the ground.
This mechanic introduces a layer of strategy often missing in arcade shooters. You cannot simply fire wildly at everything that moves. If you are not careful and shoot too many duplicates, the platform will eventually touch the ground, and you will lose a life. You need to identify which items are necessary to lower the platform and which ones should be avoided or ignored until they are safe to shoot.
Once you have successfully lowered the platform enough and cleared the screen of the required assets, you must run over the girl to 'Pick Up' her. This action triggers the transition to the hotel screen, where your score is displayed. The game features an adult theme centered on taking a girl to a local hotel for a rendezvous, which was unusual for console games in the early 1980s.
Playing Pick Up feels like a puzzle wrapped in an action game. The tension comes from balancing the need to shoot items to progress with the risk of dropping the platform too quickly. It requires patience and observation. You have to watch the pattern of falling hearts, wine glasses, and cars to decide which ones are safe targets and which ones might cause you to lose a life if shot again. A related page worth opening after this one is Pick Axe Pete, especially if you want another nearby game from the same series.
While Pick Up is known for its unique premise, players who enjoy other titles with similar names might also appreciate Pick Axe Pete. Both games offer distinct experiences from the Atari 2600 library, though they differ significantly in theme and gameplay mechanics. Exploring these varied titles helps highlight the creativity of early game developers.
Another related title worth checking out is Pick 'n' Pile. Like Pick Up, it shares a name that might cause confusion, but it offers its own set of challenges involving stacking and strategy. Comparing these games can give you a better sense of the diverse range of experiences available on the Atari 2600 platform.
Overall, Pick Up is worth trying for its historical significance and its clever twist on standard shooter mechanics. It reminds us that even in the early days of home consoles, developers were experimenting with mature themes and complex rules. The reproduction release by CGE Services Corporation ensures that this prototype remains accessible to players who want to see what could have been if Fox Video Games had published it back in 1983.
As you play, keep an eye on the items falling from above. Prioritize lowering the platform without triggering a duplicate shot that drops it too fast. Mastering this balance is the key to successfully picking up the girl and reaching the hotel screen with a high score. You can also try more Atari 2600 games from the same system.