[2] Two editions of JAMES POND with different memory requirements were commercially released: (a) standard 512k and (b) enhanced 1MB limited edition.
The only tangible difference between the two releases is that the enhanced 1MB limited edition detects extra memory and, consequently, displays an extra animation (i.e. a shark fin on the first screen displayed) in the intro sequence. Reportedly, disk loading after the game has booted to the main menu screen has been reduced also.
[3] Distributed by Leader in Italy and United Software in Germany.
TRIVIA: As well as being inspired by Japanese games, JAMES POND pays tribute to EA's platform game FLOOD. The secret agent and Bluebeard ghost which follow Pond around mimic the ghost in FLOOD and leeches the main character's energy. Similarly, mushrooms mimic transporters in said game and even one of the intro screens has a Quiffy look-a-like staring out at you. Reportedly, FLOOD was one of coder Chris Sorrell's favourite games at the time.
Instructions (English) [Budget] [Source: Atari Mania]
Start the game and type “JUNKYARD”. The screen will flash to let you know that it worked. Now press ‘RETURN’ to turn the cheat mode on. When the cheat mode is active, you will see a small fairy flying around your character. James Pond is also invincible during this time and you have access to the following keys:
‘RETURN’_________________________Toggles cheat mode on and off
‘D’____________________Press twice to make all locks disappear
‘6’ (NUMERIC KEYPAD)___________________________Warp to level 1
‘BLANK KEY BESIDE SHIFT’_______________________Warp to level 2
‘Z’____________________________________________Warp to level 3
‘X’____________________________________________Warp to level 4
‘C’____________________________________________Warp to level 5
‘V’____________________________________________Warp to level 6
‘B’____________________________________________Warp to level 7
‘N’____________________________________________Warp to level 8
‘M’____________________________________________Warp to level 9
‘,‘___________________________________________Warp to level 10
‘.‘___________________________________________Warp to level 11
‘/‘___________________________________________Warp to level 12
‘F6’________________________________________Switch to PAL mode
‘F7’_______________________________________Switch to NTSC mode
‘F10’____________________________Toggle DMA visibility display
‘TAB’________________________________________________Quit game
You can view the end sequence by jumping to level 12 with the ‘/’ key, then pressing ‘D’ twice.
The key ‘F10’ is used to see how much DMA time each part of the game is using up by changing the black background colour. It is really only of interest to the programmer or hackers :)
All keys used in this cheat assume an English keyboard layout and the game checks the position of the key rather than the actual letter that would normally be typed. For example, on French and German keyboards, the ‘Z’ key is in the top row of letters, but the skip level keys are always the bottom row of letters. Basically, work out where the key would be on an English keyboard and hit the key that is in that position on your keyboard.