Arcade classic run-and-gun Jail Break gets a port to Analogue Pocket handhelds.
Konami’s Jail Break, an arcade machine from 1986, has been ported to the Analogue Pocket. The game, an open-screen shoot-em-up, pits a lone cop against the aggressive escaped inmates of a nearby gaol.
I first played Jail Break (known in Japan as Manhattan 24 Bunsho) on a machine in Redcar, North Yorkshire, way back in the late 1980s/early 1990s. While my memory is fuzzy about the date, I remember that the same machine was in the same arcade some years later – say 1998, and still attracted coins.
Which is fair enough. The game is a straightforward shooter, with multiple weapons that can be upgraded to and members of the public to rescue. While it might be a bit quirky in places – the criminals hiding in the drains die along with the drain covers when shot – it is a pretty good game for the time, despite being a bit sluggish.
Later, the game was adapted for other platforms. It was ported to Amstrad CPC and ZX Spectrum, and there’s every chance I had it on the C64. The game was also released on PC and Xbox 360, and more recently as an Arcade Archives release on PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch.
Following news of new Analogue Pocket cores this week, we now have news that Jail Break’s original arcade version has been ported to the handheld FPGA device.
You’ll find the Jail Break port on RolandKing’s GitGub. Above’s a look at the game in action, with commentary from Pixel Cherry Ninja, who discovered the port.
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
