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HSC Season 5 Week 24: Megamania

Ze_ro

By Ze_ro
in 2600 High Score Club

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Ze_ro Quadrunner

Ze_ro

Posted
Posted

Important Note: This weeks competition is over and no further scores will be accepted.

 

You control a fleet of mobile blasters at the bottom of the screen, under constant attack by wave after wave of outrageous objects. Your goal is to accumulate points by knocking our as many enemy objects as possible, before your fleet is destroyed.

 

s_Megamania_2.png

 

Game Information
  • Game Name: Megamania
  • Released By: Activision, 1982
  • Left Difficulty: B / Novice - High Speed Missiles
  • Right Difficulty: B / Novice - High Speed Missiles
  • Game Mode: Game 1 - 1 Player, Guided Missiles
  • Chosen By: Deteacher

Post your scores right here in this thread, and I will add them to the list. Remember to play the game with the recommended game mode and difficulty settings as shown above so that your scores will be consistent with everyone elses. The deadline for posting scores is Wednesday, Feb 27th at 1:00 AM (CST).

 

Current High Scores
  1. 999,999 (the 5th ghost) [+11][+1][+5]
    999,999 (Deteacher) [+11][+1][+5]
    999,999 (homerwannabee) [+11][+1][+5]
  2. 444,700 (toymailman) [+10][+1]
  3. 175,460 (Gemini) [+9][+1]
  4. 159,670 (Nathan Strum) [+8][+1]
  5. 107,400 (keilbaca) [+7][+1]
  6. 102,290 (ed1475) [+6][+1]
  7. 81,810 (Mister VCS) [+5][+1]
  8. 79,690 (Bentley Bear!) [+4][+1]
  9. 74,120 (LarcenTyler) [+3][+1]
  10. 65,660 (Kurt_Woloch) [+2][+1]
  11. 64,180 (doctorclu) [+1][+1]
  12. 57,970 (Captain Beard) [+1][+1]
  13. 57,280 (cosmosiss) [+1][+1]
  14. 54,070 (Impaler_26) [+1][+1]
  15. 52,220 (aftermac) [+1][+1]
  16. 50,800 (theking21083) [+1][+1]
  17. 48,120 (Shannon) [+1][+1]
  18. 42,680 (theKLT) [+1]
  19. 35,540 (EricDeLee) [+1]
  20. 34,600 (Goochman) [+1]

Best Tips
  • homerwannabee [+2]

Challenges
  • Patch Challenge - Megamaniacs - Score 45,000 points or higher and get 1 bonus point!
  • Max The Score - Score 999,999 points and get 5 bonus points!
  • Gemini's Challenge - Have 4 lives by the start of the 5th wave (ie, score 10,000 points without dying) for 2 bonus points.
    • 11,610 (the 5th ghost) [+2]
    • 11,360 (homerwannabee) [+2]
    • 10,530 (Deteacher) [+2]

TwinGalaxies Top 3
  1. 999,999 (Todd Rogers, Bryan L Wagner, David B Yancey,
    Douglas C Korekach, Troy Whelan, Natalie Purawec,
    Rich Semenza, Frankie Cardulla)
  2. 655,780 (Jerome Paradis)
  3. 577,810 (Robert T Mruczek)
Game 1, Difficulty B)
Current Standings





  1. Deteacher [225]
  2. toymailman [205]
  3. keilbaca [145]
  4. theking21083 [100]
  5. Captain Beard [100]
  6. PressureCooker2600 [86]
  7. Impaler_26 [82]
  8. Kurt_Woloch [74]
  9. homerwannabee [73]
  10. rheffera [57]
  11. aftermac [54]
  12. Nathan Strum [52]
  13. Recycled [44]
  14. phaxda [40]
  15. SpiceWare [39]
  16. Mister VCS [38]
  17. DarthCalvin [36]
  18. Blackjack [35]
  19. Bentley Bear! [35]
  20. Christophero Sly [35]
  21. Gemini [31]
  22. LarcenTyler [29]
  23. midnight magicman [26]
  24. shadow460 [25]
  25. Rom Hunter [23]
  26. Butterwasp [18]
  27. theKLT [11]
  28. lucifershalo [11]
  29. godzillajoe [11]
  30. Artlover [9]
  31. Dauber [9]
  32. ed1475 [8]
  33. keitaro [7]
  34. doctorclu [6]
  35. atari2600land [6]
  36. Omegamatrix [6]
  37. Goochman [5]
  38. vintagegamecrazy [5]
  39. chuckwalla [5]
  40. Nognir [5]
  41. MrBeefy [5]
  42. Crazy Climber [3]
  43. SeaGtGruff [3]
  44. lonewolfette9847 [2]
  45. gospeedde [2]
  46. Phantom [2]
  47. Snider-man [2]
  48. RJ [1]
  49. [d2f]Iggy*SJB [1]
  50. HatNJ [1]
  51. KaeruYojimbo [1]





 

Scoring Points in Megamania
  • Hamburgers - 20 points
  • Cookies - 30 points
  • Bugs - 40 points
  • Radial Tires - 50 points
  • Diamonds - 60 points
  • Steam Irons - 70 points
  • Bow Ties - 80 points
  • Space Dice - 90 points
  • After the Space Dice attack, the sequence repeats, with all objects worth 90 points.
  • Bonus points are awarded for each energy unit remaining at the end of each wave.

 

ints and Tips
  • I recommend that you try to stay in the center of the screen. This keeps you from getting trapped in a corner and also gives you the side-to-side flexibility necessary to guide your missiles effectively.
  • And here's a piece of advanced strategy to really help boost your scores: bonus points are awarded depending an your energy remaining at the time you destroy the last object in a wave. So, if you have built up your reserve ships, and you're nearing the end of a wave, go ahead and sacrifice a ship. Your energy will be fully recharged, and, if you can quickly destroy the last attacker in a wave, you'll pick up maximum bonus points.
The Manual
As always, you really should read the manual. In case you don't have the manual, AtariAge has a typed copy and a scanned copy available online for your viewing pleasure. Here are the tips the manual provides:
Gemini
I have two tips for this game, this first of which can be very helpful:

1. At any point in time only two enemies will be firing shots... and until you defeat either of those two enemies no other enemies will fire shots! When you defeat a shooting enemy another seemingly random enemy will become a shooting enemy.

2. When facing the enemies that slowly advance down the screen in three perfect columns, always take out at least one in each column before they reach the bottom of the screen, otherwise it will be almost impossible to squeeze in and destroy any column you missed. (It can be done... with a little bit of skill and luck.)
Deteacher
The only tip I can come up with for now is, on the levels where things come barrelling down on you (cookies, tires, dice) don't just hold the fire button down. When they're diving down on you quickly, accuracy is very important. Use well placed shots to create holes for yourself. Once you've created a decent hole, it's a lot easier to clear the board. Hope this helps.
EricDeLee
Tip... I find that it is fairly easy to get some of the first angle levels by staying at the right side of the screen (right above Energy). I think this mainly works for the FIRST angle one.

And... if I only had one guy left to kill... and not much energy... I found myself sacraficing a ship then killing that one guy and talking the points for more energy.

I'm sure there is a way to utilize that tip a bit better. I'm just not all that good right now. I can imagine it would work well if you had a slew of extra men. I just don't seem to earn too many of them. LOL
Nathan Strum
I'll echo Deteachers' tip - don't rely on auto-fire to bring down the cookies/tires/flatirons/dice. You have to pick them off. Once you get the hang of that, your frustration level will drop dramatically.

Also, the patterns are repeated as the game goes on, so you'll learn to recognize some of the formations, and can better deal with them.

My problem is impatience. I keep wanting to pick off that last burger/bug/diamond/bowtie, and I end up running into their shots (which get really fast).
homerwannabee
1st wave easy level
Level one: Hold down the fire button and just continue to hit the ships back and forth. First go for the lower two rows of ships. After that go for the top row.
Level two: If you line up the ship right you can shoot the ships one after another. If you miss a couple of times keep an eye out for the lowest one. It can sneak up and hit you.
Level three: Hold down the fire button and just continue to hit the ships back and forth. First go fort the lower to rows of ships. After that go for the top row.
Level four: Same advice as for Level two. Warning though these ships cut a little quicker so keep an eye out!
Level five: Be very careful on how you move your ship. One wrong move and your running right into a laser beam.
Level six: You need to focus one row at a time. Every column needs to have at least one ship hit in order for you to not die. Also one thing also. This is the only time when you can possibly put the control down for a few seconds to stretch your hands. If you have two columns destroyed and on one ship remaining. It is impossible for that ship to kill you if you stay away from it. Be sure though to keep in eye on the time if you are going to do this.
level seven: It is best to try to shoot the flying ties when they are at there highest point. You have a better chance of avoiding a laser beam this way. Also, there are only two ships that are shooting. If you keep an eye out for where these ships are, you should be OK.
Level eight: At first do not move too quickly let the asteroids come to you. Only move if you absolutley have too. Once you widdle down the asteroids to 3 or 4 than you can start to go after them.
Second Wave.
Level one: You should be able to avoid the ships pretty easily. keep your focus up though. This is not a level where you should ever die.
Level two: Remember too take dead aim at these targets. This is a level where avoidance is goal number one. Try to get a feel for where they are going to go.
Level three: For this level be sure to get the first two rows out pretty quickly and then go for the top. This is another level where you should not die. You need to save your lives for the harder levels.
Level four: Remember that you can move your laser into the ships. The best method here is the wiggle method. Wiggle the Joystick while you are firing at them. If you do it right you can knock them out pretty quickly.
Level five: Same advice as wave one.
Level six: Again same advice as wave one. Remember this is another level where you can make it without dieing.
Level seven: Same advice as wave one.
Level eight: With this level you want to start center and try to as many as quickly as possible. Also you getting out of the way is the most important thing in this level. Also constantly fire even when moving out of the way you may be able to hit a few extra asteroids to make it easier if you have to use another life.
Wave three
Level one: this is where the lasers come at you at a much quicker rate. Always be on the look out for the lasers, you need quick reaction time to avoid them. Again take the first two rows out first you will have a better chance of avoiding the lasers doing this.
Level two: There is a sweet spot to this level. It is just left of center. Be sure to position your ship in that area when the level starts. The ships move in such a direction that you can avoid them easier when they chance directions. Also once you hit one ship there will probably be one or two ships coming two right after in succesion. If you do it right you can kill all of them in rapid succession.
Level three: Same as level 1 and two except the lasers are faster to be extremley careful.
Level four: There is a sweet spot to this level as well. Be sure to be 3/4 to the right of the screen. In other words you should be in between the center and the right edge. Once you do that be sure to use the wiggle the stick and fire method at the same time. One thing as well. Search for day light when doing this. If you see an area that has no ships, mover your ship as quickly as possible to the area while holding down the fire button. Once there continue to hold down the fire button. The ships will randomly come in that spot and sometimes you can kill them as they enter.
Level five: Same advice as wave 1 and 2. Except don't move as much. It is extremely easy to run into a laser beam.
Level six: They will come down at a quicker rate. Be sure to hit at least one ship from every column. If you don't there is no way to shoot them once they pass you. Also if there is only one column left you can place your ship right next too the column and hold down the fire button. They will eventually fall right into the line of fire.
level seven: Same as level 1 and 2 except I usually search for an area where there are no ships to hover around.
level eight: Again stay in the center and always keep an eye at avoiding them and moving right back to center after doing so.\
Wave 4
Levels 1 to 7: Same as Wave 3.
Level 8: Stay to center as much as possible. Always at first hold down the fire button. One or two more asteroids hit could mean you saving one more life.

 

--Zero

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Gemini Chopper Commander

Gemini

Posted
Posted (edited)

Hee hee. I've played Pressure Cooker more than any other Atari 2600 game since I got my console... followed by Megamania.

 

Though I could play this on actual hardware for once, I have no digital camera to take pictures with.

 

So to start things off, here's my recent (as of ten minutes ago) high score of 112,530.

 

post-17630-1203488916_thumb.png

 

Also, I have two tips for this game, this first of which can be very helpful:

 

1. At any point in time only two enemies will be firing shots... and until you defeat either of those two enemies no other enemies will fire shots! When you defeat a shooting enemy another seemingly random enemy will become a shooting enemy.

 

2. When facing the enemies that slowly advance down the screen in three perfect columns, always take out at least one in each column before they reach the bottom of the screen, otherwise it will be almost impossible to squeeze in and destroy any column you missed. (It can be done... with a little bit of skill and luck.)

Edited by Gemini
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Captain Beard Stargunner

Captain Beard

Posted
Posted

20,540

 

I hate hate hate this game! :x :x

And I've always felt Activision's guided missiles are the single worst company-wide "enhancement" in the history of video games. They cause me more grief then they help me.

 

This game is ugly, clunky and completely lacking in charm.

 

 

 

 

Well... that rant made me feel a little better, anyway...

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Deteacher River Patroller

Deteacher

Posted
Posted

399,350.

 

The only tip I can come up with for now is, on the levels where things come barrelling down on you (cookies, tires, dice) don't just hold the fire button down. When they're diving down on you quickly, accuracy is very important. Use well placed shots to create holes for yourself. Once you've created a decent hole, it's a lot easier to clear the board. Hope this helps.

post-9712-1203721260_thumb.jpg

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EricDeLee Quadrunner

EricDeLee

Posted
Posted (edited)

Well... I got 35,540

I'll give it a few more tries this weekend. I'm not all that good on any of the levels that come down at you in an angle. The level that kicks my ass: Rigt after the rocks falls down on you... and then you have a level that moves from left to right... then pauses for you. Right after that... the red suckers always get me. I can't find a hole at all for those guys.

Edited by EricDeLee
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EricDeLee Quadrunner

EricDeLee

Posted
Posted

Tip... I find that it is fairly easy to get some of the first angle levels by staying at the right side of the screen (right above Energy). I think this mainly works for the FIRST angle one.

 

And... if I only had one guy left to kill... and not much energy... I found myself sacraficing a ship then killing that one guy and talking the points for more energy.

 

I'm sure there is a way to utilize that tip a bit better. I'm just not all that good right now. I can imagine it would work well if you had a slew of extra men. I just don't seem to earn too many of them. LOL

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Gemini Chopper Commander

Gemini

Posted
Posted

For the purpose of the HSC, I'm having really bad luck with this game. I blame the fact that I rented Raiden III. In any case, my new high score for this week is a minor improvement to my starting score: 121,040

 

post-17630-1203740301_thumb.png

 

Also, I'd like to propose a challenge, if that's permitted. Something I managed to do for my first and only time ever while playing today was get an extra life before facing the first wave of diamonds (wave 5) and without losing a life prior. So the challenge would be: Obtain 4 extra lives before beginning the first wave of diamonds. (Wave 5)

 

...it's not as easy as it sounds. Usually, after your bonus tally you'll end the fourth wave with between 9000 and 9990 points.

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Captain Beard Stargunner

Captain Beard

Posted
Posted (edited)
I think Steve Cartwright should have taken programming lessons from the person that made Mr. Postman. I like that game better.

Now, now...

Mr. Cartwright also programmed two of my fave Activision games -- Seaquest and Frostbite -- so I'm not willing to condemn him solely because I find this game to be relatively free of entertainment value. And at least I know what I'm supposed to do in this game -- I've never quite figured out exactly what's going on in Mr. Postman.

Edited by Captain Beard
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Nathan Strum Quadrunner

+Nathan Strum

Posted
Posted

Almost got one more life...

 

159,670

 

post-2641-1203807153_thumb.png

 

I've always had a love/hate relationship with this game. I think it's a great game, but there are times where it's so frustrating I want to break the joystick in half.

 

I'll echo Deteachers' tip - don't rely on auto-fire to bring down the cookies/tires/flatirons/dice. You have to pick them off. Once you get the hang of that, your frustration level will drop dramatically.

 

Also, the patterns are repeated as the game goes on, so you'll learn to recognize some of the formations, and can better deal with them.

 

My problem is impatience. I keep wanting to pick off that last burger/bug/diamond/bowtie, and I end up running into their shots (which get really fast).

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the 5th ghost River Patroller

the 5th ghost

Posted
Posted
Also, I'd like to propose a challenge, if that's permitted. Something I managed to do for my first and only time ever while playing today was get an extra life before facing the first wave of diamonds (wave 5) and without losing a life prior. So the challenge would be: Obtain 4 extra lives before beginning the first wave of diamonds. (Wave 5)

 

...it's not as easy as it sounds. Usually, after your bonus tally you'll end the fourth wave with between 9000 and 9990 points.

 

You mean like this?

post-2095-1203820951_thumb.jpg

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