Descpription:
The object of the game was for Popeye to
collect a certain number of items (24 hearts, 16 musical notes,
the letters in the word "help" - depending on the level) while avoiding
The Sea Hag, Brutus/Bluto (Brutus was the character's name in the
King Features shorts, not Bluto), and other dangers.
The player can make Popeye walk back and forth and up and down
stairs and ladders with an 8-way joystick. There is a punch
button, but unlike similar games of the period, no jump button.
Each level has a can of spinach. If Popeye punches the spinach,
he can temporarily become invincible and knock out Brutus just
by running into him; although after a few seconds Brutus will
swim back out and be ready for action again.
In Round 1 (the dock scene) of each level is a punching bag,
which Popeye can use to knock a nearby barrel loose from its
position (centered near the top of the playing field).
If the barrel falls onto Brutus' head, the player earns
bonus points (based on where Brutus was attacked)
and renders Brutus harmless for several seconds.
Otherwise Popeye's attacks did nothing to his nemesis.
Other licensed Popeye characters in the game are Olive Oyl,
Swee' Pea, and Wimpy, though they are mostly decorative and do
not add heavily to the gameplay. Wimpy appears in Round 2 of each
level, on one end of the see-saw in the lower left corner of the field.
Swee' Pea floats high above it, and can give Popeye bonus
points if Popeye can spring off the see-saw and touch him.
