At the third annual PAX East Show this weekend, Halfbrick has a playable version of the Jetpack Joyride v1.3 update.
It was already announced, that the update adds an all-new gameplay element called Gadgets. These can be purchased within a new section of The Stash store using the in-game coin currency.
Halfbrick had previously revealed three of these gadgets (Air Barrys, Freeze-O-Matic and Gravity Belt) through a series of funny videos and more of these are on the way. If you want to be surprised, then don’t read our full list of ALL 15 gadgets (with descriptions) at the end of this post.
Yesterday at PAX East I was able to speak with Halfbrick’s James Schultz and get some hands-on time with the update (YES, the gadgets are just as much fun as you’d expect them to be) and I have LOADS more details to share.
First off, there are a total of 15 gadgets (all of which were unlocked for PAX East attendees to play). The cost of each Gadget ranges from 2000 coins to 6500 coins. They are grouped into 5 tiers, with 3 gadgets per tier. Once you purchase two gadgets from one tier, the next tier is unlocked.
Players can equip Barry with up to two gadgets at a time and they can be swapped out before starting a new run. There are 105 possible 2-gadget combinations, 20 of which have specific names. A special “Mix ‘N’ Match” achievement is awarded to players who equip 50 unique gadget combos over time. Shultz revealed three of the named combos, but said that Halbrick is leaving the remainder for the players to discover on their own:
Air Barrys + Gravity Belt = High Mobility
Insta-Ball + Freeze-O-Matic = Just A Little Further
Coin Magnet + Gemology = Glazed Ham
For those of you unable to attend the show this weekend, here are the FULL details on the 15 gadgets that will be arriving to your iOS device before the end of the month.
Sector 1: Research And Development
Leap gracefully over obstacles with these designer sneakers.
The patent-pending formula is so potent that the whole laboratory had to be abandoned.
Bounce off the floor instead of going splat. Great for traveling a few extra meters.
Sector 2: Fringe Science Lab
Makes the ground come at you a lot faster than usual. Be sure to bend your knees when you land.
Replaces the missile guidance program with pictures of kittens downloaded from the internet. Only works if the kittens are particularly cute.
What do you give someone who has everything? A free final spin token, of course!
Sector 3: Pseudoscience Action Group
There’s no better way to cool down after a hard run than being snap-frozen in a solid block of ice. It also helps you slide a few extra meters.
This high-tech eyewear is both fashionable and functional. Now you can look inside vehicle pickups and other places you’re not supposed to see.
A special blingification technique that converts coins into high-value gems. For some reason it only works on coins minted in 1985.
Sector 4: Futureologist Lounge
If you’re going to play a game of chicken with a missile, make sure it’s an Ezy-Dodge!
Every token is fitted with a super-strong magnet. They are easier to collect, but will probably wipe your credit card.
This highly-unstable coin transporter was designed by a scientist with a particular fondness for physical comedy.
Sector 5: testing Zone
Stop off at the motor pool before smashing through the laboratory wall. Why didn’t Barry think of this earlier.
Once you get used to the feeling of being endlessly pelted with coins you will start to wonder how you ever lived without it.
Your final spin token is forged from fortunium, the world’s luckiest element.
These gadgets are a great addition to the game! Not only are they REALLY fun, but they also add a lot of variety and opportunities for strategical play as well. One example would be that if you have a run where you are awarded a Head Start, then on your next turn you may want to equip Barry with the “Coin Magnet” and “Gemology” to maximize your coin pickup potential as you are zooming through your first 750 meters. Or perhaps you need to complete a specific mission to level up, equipping Barry with certain gadgets may help you accomplish the mission a little easier. Another benefit is that struggling players may find some of the gadgets help them to offset a deficiency in their skills; things like the Ezy-Dodge Missiles or Air Barrys could help them to improve their distances.
Sorry, I don’t really have any images to share of the gadgets themselves, anything I would have taken with my iPhone, wouldn’t have done them justice, and the WiFi at PAX East was non-existent so I couldn’t grab actual screenshots from the devices running the update. I did take some pictures of the gadget selection/description screens for each gadget which I’ve included below.
Jetpack Joyride is available on the App Store now for FREE, and the FREE v1.3 update will be available before the end of the month. So go pick it up now and amass some coins in preparation for your gadget shopping spree.
