Bagman, created in 1982 by Valadon Automation, is a favorite game among collectors and arcade game enthusiasts. You play an escaped convict in traditional black and white striped outfit who's goal is to forage your way through mines and tunnels, stealing bags of gold and taking them to his wheelbarrow located on the surface above.
As we know, mine are treacherous and these are no exception! Elevators, ladders and mine carts will help you get around and avoid the police officers who are out to get you and drag you back to jail. The bags of gold you collect can also be used as weapons if dropped on to the unsuspecting flatfoots or would that be flatfeet?) from above. Still can't get that pesky cop off your tail? Then grab a pick-axe and give him a hit to the stomach which will immobilize him long enough for you to get away. That same pick-axe can also be used to tunnel through walls to reveal additional hidden treasure. But, be careful! Those bags of gold are heavy and carrying them will slow you down and make you easier to catch. Special blue bags hidden behind walls are twice as heavy, impeding your journey even more. Get all of the booty on each level to the minecart without getting caught to rack up points and move on to the next level. Although it sounds easy when explained, players insist that is much more difficult than it sounds.
The art for this flyer is quite different from most of the others coming out at this, or for that matter any other, time period. The comic approach definitely sets it apart from the norm and served a dual purpose. not only did it sell the game, but the same comic graphic appeared on the marquee of the machine and was used as a sort of tutorial, each frame detailing a different part of the game.
If only all game instructions could be explained through the use of comics. It would be much more interesting, but can you imagine the size of those tomes? Your average Final Fantasy game could easily have a manual the size of the New York city phone book. Still, it would be an awesome collector's item.
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