Congo Bongo
Congo Bongo: arcade Platformer
Congo Bongo, also known as Tip Top, is a platform game that landed in arcades in 1983 courtesy of Sega. The ROM carries a message indicating the Japanese company Ikegami Tsushinki handled at least part of the coding. The game uses an isometric perspective similar to Sega's earlier Zaxxon, but unlike that title the screen does not scroll - each stage is a static arena the player must navigate. It saw ports to several home systems later on, making it a minor classic of the early arcade era.
The player controls a safari explorer out to rescue a companion from a giant ape. Each level presents a different setting - a jungle, a riverside, a mountain - and the goal is to reach the top or far end while avoiding obstacles and enemies. Monkeys, snakes, bees, and other hazards patrol the terrain. The isometric view means jumps and movement require some practice to judge depth correctly. Players can toss a knife to fend off some attackers, but running out of time or losing all lives sends you back to the start.
What makes Congo Bongo worth revisiting is how it tried to push the platforming genre into a pseudo-3D space before that became common. The fixed-screen design makes each level a compact puzzle of sorts, demanding precise timing and route planning. It is not as polished or deep as later isometric games, but for a snapshot of early 80s experimentation it holds up well. Fans of Zaxxon's perspective or quirky early Sega titles will find a short, challenging diversion here.
How to Play Congo Bongo Online
Getting Started
Your goal in Congo Bongo is to rescue the woman from the big ape at the end of each world. You begin with a knife and must make your way through jungle, river, and mountain stages. The perspective is isometric, meaning you move diagonally along the grid. Pay attention to how depth affects your jumps - a leap that looks straight ahead might actually be a diagonal jump due to the angled view.
You can throw knives at enemies by pressing the attack button (S by default). Practice timing because many enemies move in patterns and some require multiple hits. Collect fruits and other items for extra points. If you lose all lives or the timer runs out, the game is over. There are no continues in the arcade original, so each credit is a single attempt to reach the end.
New players should spend a few minutes getting used to the isometric movement before worrying about score. Watch the enemy patrol routes and look for safe spots. The first stage is a good place to learn the rhythm - rush too quickly and you will run into an enemy; hesitate too long and the timer becomes a problem. With practice you can clear the first loop fairly quickly.
Congo Bongo Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: Joystick / Movement
- X: Button 1
- S: Button 2
- Z: Button 3
- A: Button 4
- Q: Button 5
- E: Button 6
- Enter: Start / 1P
- V: Coin / Insert
Comments (0)