1980s
Rick Dangerous
1989 · Platform · Amiga / Atari ST
Overview
Rick Dangerous is a classic 1980s platform game developed by Core Design for Amiga / Atari ST.
Deep Dive
Rick Dangerous is a classic 1980s platform game developed by Core Design for Amiga / Atari ST.
Developer Story
Rick Dangerous was designed by Simon Pick and programmed by Richard Leinfellner at Core Design in 1989. An Indiana Jones parody, Rick Dangerous was known for its instant deaths from hidden traps — players had to memorise every lethal surprise through repeated death and retry. Core Design later made Tomb Raider, and Rick Dangerous was Lara Croft's spiritual predecessor in concept if not in tone.
Did You Know?
- Rick Dangerous required players to memorise trap locations through death — almost every hazard was invisible until triggered the first time.
- The game was an explicit Indiana Jones parody, combining jungle temples, Egyptian tombs, and Nazi fortresses.
- Core Design, Rick Dangerous's creators, went on to create Tomb Raider — Rick Dangerous was the studio's first adventure protagonist.
- The humour of the death animations — Rick collapsing into a small pile — softened the relentless trial-and-error gameplay.
