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''Dangerous Dave'' is a 1988 computer game by Creator/JohnRomero. It was developed for the Platform/AppleII and DOS as an example game to accompany his article about his [=GraBASIC=], an Applesoft BASIC add-on, for the [=UpTime=] disk magazine.

The object of the game was to collect gold cups to move on to the next level. Since the original 1988 publishing of ''Dangerous Dave'' on [=UpTime=], there have been three ports of the original to other platforms. There is also a sequel, kind of, as that game is completely unrelated to the first in both story and gameplay: ''VideoGame/DangerousDaveInTheHauntedMansion''. The sequel itself has two other sequels.

The idea of ''Dangerous Dave'' came to John Romero under the influence of ''Franchise/{{Super Mario|Bros}}''. There are definitely similarities that are easily noticeable, such as the secret levels, the level design, the monsters, and the jumping. The mission is to guide Dave through ten levels, collecting trophies in the hideout of his enemy, Clyde. It is one of the earliest commercial PC games to support VGA mode.

* ''Dangerous Dave'', 1988, Platform/AppleII, 6-color, Up Time (the original)
* ''Double Dangerous Dave'', 1990, Apple II, 16-color, Softdisk (16 color port of the 1988 original)
* ''Dangerous Dave in Copyright Infringement'', 1990, DOS, EGA, non-published (the demo that launched ''VideoGame/CommanderKeen'' and id Software)
* ''Dangerous Dave'', 1990, DOS (CGA, EGA, VGA), Softdisk (DOS version of the 1988 original)
* ''Dangerous Dave GS'', 1990, Apple //GS, never completed (//GS version of the 1988 original)

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!!This videogame contains examples of:
* AlliterativeName
* AWinnerIsYou: The ending isn't all that different from the short end-of-level screen.
* BigBad: Clyde. Also qualifies as TheUnfought and AllThereInTheManual. If you hadn't read the instructions, you wouldn't even know there ''was'' a big bad.
* OneBulletAtATime: The Gun powerup only allows one shot onscreen. Fortunately (or not) for you, enemies can only fire one onscreen shot at a time, too.
* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: Its surreal graphics and lack-of-a-plot are utterly different from the "sequels", which are about a shotgun-wielding redneck fighting zombies and assorted other monsters.
* Every10000Points: You get an extra Dave (life) for every 20,000 points collected. You can get up to 5 extra lives this way (until your score caps at 99,999 points).
* {{Expy}}: Dangerous Dave is based off of ''[[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Mario]]''. There is little similarity between them, though, other than both being humans who wear a red cap and can jump high lengths.
* ExcusePlot: "Somebody stole your trophies, go get them".
* FakePlatform: Some purple metal girders are not actual platforms and you'll pass right through them. Level 9, in particular, drops you right onto one of them at the start of the level, so you'd better have learned how to tell the difference by then (look closely at their patterns). Incidentally, it's easier to spot the difference if you set the display to 4-color CGA mode.
* FlipScreenScrolling: Approach the left or right edge of the screen and the game level will scroll in that direction by a screen.
* JetPack: One of the two powerups in the game. It allows you to fly in any direction, but has limited fuel (and, very importantly, powerups don't respawn when you die).
* OneHitPointWonder: Dave can't take any punishment. Fortunately, neither can any of the enemies.
* SecretLevel: Some levels allow you to walk on the ceiling, and walking off the side of the level in this manner transports you down a "warp zone" to a secret area which is just offscreen from another level, such as the Level 5 secret being on the opposite side of that "PGR" in Level 2.
* ScoringPoints: You get points for picking up treasure (including the trophy required to unlock the exit), powerups, shooting enemies, and completing each level. Note that it caps at 99,999 points.
* ShmuckBait: In level 2, you can see gems floating above fire and water. Does the game allow you to jump down and claim them? Why, yes... if you don't mind losing a life for trying.
* SuperDrowningSkills: How exactly water tiles can "roast Dave very blackly" (as quoted in the game's built-in help) is a mystery, but either way, avoid it the same as you would fire (and purple weirdweeds).
* TakingYouWithMe: Colliding with an enemy not only kills you, but them too. This can be useful in a few cases if you don't mind losing a life to do it.
* VideoGameLives: They're identified as extra "Daves", and you start with three.
* WrapAround: Levels 8 and 10 feature open pits at the bottom of the screen that, when you fall through them, drop you atop the ceiling of the level. This is, in fact, necessary to complete those levels.
* WarpZone: Sure, there are secret areas ''called'' warp zones, but they don't really warp you anywhere. They're just hidden areas with treacherous platforms and bonus points, and they return you to (the start of) the level you were at upon completion.
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