h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Regarding the original "adventure" game, which I played avidly. I was just wondering if anyone else ever figured out how to kill the dragon in the colossal cave? The answer was rather esoteric, and funny.

You had to type "kill dragon", to which the game would reply "with what, your bare hands?" If you then answered "yes" the game would reply "ok smartass, you just dispatched a dragon bare-handed."

One thing I was never able to do was to escape the cave once it announed that it would be shutting down for the night. There was a long narrow tunnel that I think was supposed to serve as an exit, but I couldn't fit into it while carrying the stuff out. Anyone else ever finish the game?

I finished a BBC Micro version of it produced by Level 9 Computing.

I think although we are going way back into the mid-1980s that you needed to use XYZZY to get you back to the entrance quicker.

Actually I found a website the other week with a playable emulator version on it.
Also I found a website devoted to Colossal Adventure and its history. You'd probably find some hints/tips there.

Try your local friendly search engine ....

BBS

I don't believe it but because of you I went off track down an emulator version of Colossal Cave and started playing it last night. Consequently I didn't get to bed until 2am.

Oh and by the way saying Xyzzy after they'd announced the cave system is closing took me into the end-game. Unfortunately I died in that very quickly.

BBS (271 out 350 possible points - Rank 4 Master Adventurer)