Spelunker braves the caverns of the App Store

The classic NES game is reborn as Everyday Spelunker on iOS devices from Tozai Games.

“When I served as executive producer on the NES game, we had no idea that Spelunker would begin such a phenomenon. It is a pleasant surprise, even to this day,” says Scott Tsumura, Tozai’s co-founder. “For a character who dies so easily, his notoriety has endured for three decades now, and he continues to gain new fans. We are excited to bring Spelunker to many contemporary platforms such as iOS.”

I had to lead off with that as I couldn’t stop laughing at the “for a character who dies so easily” remark. Dying is maybe the only thing that’s easy about the classic NES title that is Spelunker. Not seen for an age, the game sets you to task traversing the dangerous depths of a mine that’s filled with all manner of dangers and nasty creatures aplenty.

With the game now back in action as the renamed Everyday Spelunker, you can expect to see the same play experience that you remember from the Nintendo Entertainment System, but slightly expanded. Everyday Spelunker is the original game, don’t worry about that, but it’s got a pair of DLC episodes now in the form of Episode 2: Deep into Another Mine and Episode 3: New Challenges.

Both add-ons will cost you .99 USD though, so they won’t exactly break the bank if you’re looking for some brand-new Spelunker to play.

As for the main game itself, here’s what you can expect:

• Four colossal caves to explore in the Main Game
• Dynamite-blasting, flare-launching, cart-riding, quicksand-evading fun
• New “rope assist” feature assures no-slip grip on ropes
• New “endless continues” feature may allow players to complete the game for the very first time
• Supports iOS Game Center leaderboards and achievements
• Episode 2: Deep into Another Mine and Episode 3: New Challenges are available as in-app purchases
• Includes wallpaper and sound options

Everyday Spelunker is available right now on the App Store and in all its retro glory for $3.99 USD.