Updated Manic Miner to return

The game is coming back on Gameboy Advance, Nintendo's new, handheld console.

Released in 1983, Manic Miner was originally a 20-stage platform game starring Miner Willy.

Willy jumped his way through levels with titles including Eugene's Lair and Attack of the Killer Telephones.

Until now, fans of the game have had to play the titles either on their original computers, or using a computer emulator on a PC.

Willy had to collect a series of treasures before attempting to reach the exit.

The new version replicates the original design, but adds 10 new levels and gives the game a graphical and aural makeover.

Willy faces adversaries old and new, including fast-moving toilets, deadly penguins and aliens in the game, which is due for release in April.

He must also negotiate collapsing ledges and avoid contact with fatal static obstacles as he races to reach the exit before his air supply runs out.

Manic Miner is the first in a series of vintage games that Jester plans to update.

Jester Interactive has acquired the rights to Manic Miner's sequel, Jet Set Willy, from Software Projects, who originally produced both games for Sir Clive Sinclair's ZX Spectrum home computer.

Jet Set Willy is also destined for the Nintento Gameboy Advance console.

From Graftgold, Jester has acquired the rights to Uridium and Paradroid, both of which it plans to revamp and launch on the Playstation 2.

The original Uridium and Paradroid were designed for the Commodore 64 computer.