Never before found secret in Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure

[Barone]

Hi!

I think I've found something that has been hidden for 23 years.

The other day I left the game running while adjusting my CRT TV settings and when I reach the section with two opposing spiderwebs, there was this extra life icon I've never seen before.
Today I decided to check how it happened and I realized it was there to be revealed after you meditated. You need to be in the upper portion of that room to be able to trigger it but not necessarily seeing the object appears as I was; however, I think the way I recorded it is the way it was intended to be revealed.

I've tested and confirmed that it also works in the 32X and Jaguar versions. I couldn't test the Windows 95 PC version but I suppose it works there since it uses the same source code base.
The Sega CD version never triggers this secret since the meditation idle animation is cut in this stage (they're stage-dependent in the Sega CD version) due to RAM constraints.
The SNES version simply doesn't have it (it shows the meditation sequence but never reveals anything) and it's not a surprise since it's a messy adaptation of the original Genesis/Sega CD/PC version.

For years I've read and watched everything about this game; and even in the most complete guides and playthroughs I've never seen this secret been mentioned and much less showed. So I think it's the first time ever it has been revealed.

[Gryson]

Very cool find. Do you think there are more of these hidden throughout the game? I sure don't want to check...

[CrossBow]

And I would assume that if the Sega CD version doesn't have this, than the standard Genesis release of the game doesn't either correct?

[Gryson]

And I would assume that if the Sega CD version doesn't have this, than the standard Genesis release of the game doesn't either correct?

He discovered it on the Genesis version.

[Tony H]

Wow, nice find Barone.

[Zebbe]

Cool find! I never saw this meditation animation before. Maybe it can be used elsewhere to find other lives as well.

[Dirt Ball Gamer]

That's awesome!

[goldenband]

Great find! I love stuff like this.

[EPSYLON EAGLE]

I love this!!

[CrossBow]

He discovered it on the Genesis version.

He didn't state which version he found it in and since the SegaCD version does not appear to contain the animation, I figured the Genesis version wouldn't either since many SegaCD games with cart releases, were just the cart version with redbook audio and sometimes extra animations or cutscenes.

[Gryson]

He didn't state which version he found it in and since the SegaCD version does not appear to contain the animation, I figured the Genesis version wouldn't either since many SegaCD games with cart releases, were just the cart version with redbook audio and sometimes extra animations or cutscenes.

Look at the title of the video he posted.

[CrossBow]

Look at the title of the video he posted.

LOL! Yeap...didn't notice that.

[chilled]

Crazy find Barone. Are there any other games that take THIS long to show idle animation?

[Tony H]

Barone, if you decide to check the rest of the game for more hidden extra life icons, I made a Game Genie code to make that job a little easier. Should save a lot of time...

AC2V-EA6J
Makes the extra life icon appear after a few seconds when standing still (instead of 2 minutes).

EDIT: This is for the Genesis USA version.

[QuickSciFi]

I've been meaning to give Pitfall an honest go. It always reminded me of The Jungle Book, gameplaywise. I've played a lot of it, but I know it's tougher than it's Disney counterpart. I know I got far. I will try again.