Reindeer Rescue

About

Reindeer Rescue is a sprightly platformer that casts Santa as an out-of-shape elf on a quest to retrieve his wandering reindeer. You guide him through five distinct zones starting at the North Pole and winding up in a chaotic cityscape. Each level is a gauntlet of floating gifts, icy ledges, and pesky obstacles. Santa’s energy meter depletes as he trudges and leaps, forcing you to manage his stamina carefully. Power-ups and hidden treats replenish his strength while errant snowballs or falling decorations drain it. The controls are tight for an Atari 2600 title, balancing simplicity with enough depth to keep each stage feeling fresh. This homebrew gem by Bob Montgomery leans into its retro roots while injecting cheeky humor. The pixel art by Nathan Strum brings a charming grit to environments like cookie-crumbed suburbias and glittering ice caves. A hand-drawn manual and label by Dave Exton add to its nostalgic appeal. Despite its 2006 release, it remains a cult favorite for Atari enthusiasts, praised for its clever level design and tight pacing. Its mix of slapstick physics and vintage charm makes it a standout in the homebrew scene.

Storyline

In Reindeer Rescue you must help Santa rescue his lost reindeer in a journey that has you starting at the North Pole, racing through frozen tundra, ice caves, suburbia, and the big city! But Santa is not the athlete he used to be (1943 state champion in 400m)--he has grown a little...girthy...around the middle. His doesn't have quite the energy he used to, and if it drops too low he'll fail in his task! Along the way Santa will encounter many objects in the air and on the ground--some will help and some will hinder, so be careful!