High Score Club Week 2: Superman!

[Ze_ro]

Important note: This weeks competition is over. If you still wish to discuss Superman, then feel free to do so, but no further scores will be accepted. Thanks to everyone for all their contributions! Please join in on the latest High Score Club competition!

 

Find the nearest phone booth, put on your spandex body suit, and get ready to fight crime as the man of steel, because this weeks game is E.T.: The Extrater- er, I mean Superman!

 

Game Information
Game	Superman
Left Difficulty	B / Easy: Enemies Move Slower
Right Difficulty	B / Easy: Lois Lane Rescues You
Game Mode	Not Applicable
Chosen By	maibock

 

Keep in mind that Superman does not display a score, but rather the elapsed time since you started playing the game. Therefor, the winner will be the person who finishes the game within the shortest time. You may want to read the manual to make sure you understand the criteria for "finishing" the game. Please do not submit scores that were achieved using the various bugs (the first three items) that are known to exist in the game .

 

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 will be approximately Sunday, April 18th at midnight (CST). In case you haven't already done so, please read the High Score Club rules.

 

In case you don't have a copy of this game, feel free to visit AtariAge's Profile Page for this game, where you can not only find the ROM, but also a typed copy of the manual, reviews, screenshots, and other information.

 

If you are not a member of the High Score Club, but would like to be, then all you have to do is post a reply saying so, and I'll add you to the list!

 

Next week's game will be chosen by Stingray. Please send me a private message with your choice as soon as possible Stingray! (Done)

 

Scores for This Game	Current Rankings
High Score Club:

• 
  

[*]0:57 (stayrunner) [+10]
[*]0:57 (jedijeff) [+10]
[*]0:58 (Christophero Sly) [+7]
[*]0:59 (Stingray) [+6]
[*]0:59 (HermChase) [+6]
[*]1:04 (Saldo) [+4]
[*]1:07 (Chris++) [+3]
[*]1:09 (mikeftrevino) [+2]
[*]1:09 (Ze_ro) [+2]
[*]1:11 (maibock)
[*]1:13 (taxman)
[*]1:17 (StanJr)
[*]1:27 (Kurushimi)
[*]1:29 (bobafett07728)
[*]1:37 (gamerz)
[*]1:38 (bjk7382)
[*]1:49 (fsuinnc)
[*]2:12 (Goochman)
[*]2:13 (moycon)
[*]2:31 (InanimateCarbonRod)
[*]3:40 (homerwannabee)
[*]3:52 (Gamemaster_ca_2003)
[*]3:54 (ScottHuggins)
[*]7:36 (Saikyo)
[*]10:04 (Dan Iacovelli)

• 
  

Best Tips:

• 
  

Statistics:
Median: 1:22
[*]Average Time: 2:13
[*]Std. Deviation: 0:25.5

• 
  

TwinGalaxies Top 3:
00:56 (Todd Rogers)
[*]01:05 (Mark Androvich)
[*]01:22 (Robert Mruczek & Ron Corcoran)

• 
  

[*]Ze_ro [10]
[*]taxman [8]
[*]HermChase [7]
[*]Paul Slocum [6]
[*]jedijeff [6]
[*]mikeftrevino [5]
[*]Christophero Sly [4]
[*]Kurushimi [3]
[*]Stingray [2]
[*]InanimateCarbonRod [0]
[*]Happy_Dude [0]
[*]sku_u [0]
[*]shining slade [0]
[*]PaulEMoz [0]
[*]fsuinnc [0]
[*]the 5th ghost [0]
[*]Saikyo [0]
[*]bobafett07728 [0]
[*]pmpddytim [0]
[*]ScottHuggins [0]
[*]128bytes [0]
[*]jeepnut24 [0]
[*]Scooterb23 [0]
[*]video game addict [0]
[*]maibock [0]
[*]gamerz [0]
[*]gospeedde [0]
[*]bjk7382 [0]
[*]lost child [0]
[*]intvgene [0]
[*]Goochman [0]
[*]hobbles [0]
[*]Nateo [0]
[*]Gamemaster_ca_2003 [0]
[*]homerwannabee [0]
[*]Dan Iacovelli [0]
[*]chadtower [0]
[*]Adrian M [0]
[*]Big Player [0]

Member List

Stingray, jeepnut24, Adrian M, the 5th ghost, johnnywc, jedijeff, maximebeauvais, bjk7382, HermChase, Goochman, NE146, Cootster, 128bytes, Kurushimi, liquid_sky, intvgene, ScottHuggins, InanimateCarbonRod, pmpddytim, StanJr, Xot, Scooterb23, Dan Iacovelli, LarcenTyler, sku_u, Luigi301, Max-T, adams_ale, Saikyo, gamerz, Christophero Sly, Trooper, Nateo, homerwannabee, lost child, Happy_Dude, video game addict, Spirantho, bobafett07728, mikefrevino, Paul Slocum, fsuinnc, Gamemaster_ca_2003, Robert M, DeV0, Gateway, Mendon, Fretwobbler, PaulEMoz, killersquirel, shining slade, chadtower, gospeedde, stayrunner, Big Player, Swingtown, Chris++, hotpants, hobbles, Ze_ro, maibock, moycon, somePUNK, Saldo

 

Scoring Points in Superman

You don't actually score points in this game. Instead, you try to put the bridge together, capture all the criminals (including Lex Luther), and get back to the Daily Planet in the shortest time possible. There are no time bonuses or penalties in the game.

Score Rolls? - Unknown. The time likely reverts back to 00:00 after 99:59, but this is not verified.

 

Hints and Tips

In case you're too lazy to read the manual, here's what you have to do: Find all the bad guys (the guys with guns) and Lex Luther (the guy with the helicopter pack), and put them in the jail. There is a marker at the top of the screen for each bad guy (the big one is Lex Luther), so you'll know how many you have left to catch. You also have to reassemble the bridge by finding the three pieces and bringing them back to the river. Once all three of them are in place, the bridge will be fixed. Once all the bad guys are behind bars and the bridge is fixed, go to the phone booth, turn back into Clark Kent, and get back to the Daily Planet to file your story! (Ze_ro)

AtariAge has a Superman map in their archives. Note that this game uses odd wrapping similar to the mazes in Adventure! (AtariAge)

Some tips on getting around the map: ! If you went right and then up from the prison, you'd have to go down and then left to get back to it, going left and then down will take you somewhere completely different, and you'll have a hard time retracing your steps to get a second chance. You'll be lost. [*]You don't necessarily have to memorize the map layout, but it helps if you can memorize a handful of buildings so that if you get lost, you can reorient yourself as soon as possible. [*]There's a hint in the manual that tells you NOT to continually fly up or down, since you'll miss out on some important screens (ie, the phone booth and the bridge). It seems that if you continually fly left or right though, then you will eventually see every screen (although it'll take a while).(Ze_ro)

After the bridge explodes, everything starts out on the same screen. The bad guys will move randomly, but the bridge pieces will stay put (unless the helicopter picks them up). You're probably best off staying in the general vicinity of the prison. From here, you can get the bridge pieces from the following screens: Up one screen from the prison [*]Left one screen from the prison and then up [*]Left one screen from the prison and then down! If you don't know exactly where a bad guy is, then instead of searching for one, try to concentrate on getting the bridge put back together (remember, if you wait too long to deal with the bridge, the helicopter may have scattered the pieces). While you're doing the bridge, try to keep an eye out for bad guys. (Ze_ro)   Good luck everyone!   --Zero

If you're still looking for that last bad guy or bridge piece to finish the game, try running through the subway, using your X-Ray vision to peer left, down and right from each subway screen. This will let you get a look at most of the likely locations where the bad guys might be. (Ze_ro)

Knowing the map layout and the location of the pieces, and having a solid route that you know well can get your time down to around 1:20-1:30, but frankly, getting much below that is simply luck. If all the bad guys just happen to wander onto the prison screen, and the helicopter doesn't scatter the bridge, and the kryptonite satellites stay our of your way, then you can get an excellent time. However, if you get lost more than once, or you get hit more than once by the kryptonite satellites, then your chances of getting a really low time are pretty much nil. If things don't go just right for you, then frankly, you're probably best off resetting the game and trying again. If you keep at it, you'll eventually get lucky and shave a few seconds off of your game. (Ze_ro)

Occaisionally, Lex Luther will "carry" a kryptonite satellite with him. This can make it exceptionally hard to catch him, but if you're quick and careful, you can grab him low by his feet without hitting the satellite. (Stingray)

Once all the bad guys are behind bars, the bridge is rebuilt, and you've changed back into Clark Kent, the absolute quickest way to get back to the Daily Planet is just to move right from the phone booth, across the bridge, and into the subway. As soon as you enter the subway, exit to the left, and you'll be at the Daily Planet. (Ze_ro)

My latest trick is leaving the bridge piece that is just above the jail until the very end, that way I can assemble the bridge on my way to the phone booth, shaving off a few seconds (assuming of course, that the helicopter hasn't interfered). (Ze_ro)

Here's my tip of the day... Build the bridge FIRST. At the start of the game, once you return to the Phone Booth to turn into Superman, if you go down (just far enough to go to the next screen) and quickly up (again, just enough to get to the next screen) then go LEFT to the next screen, MOST of the time you will immediately pick up the green crook as soon as you hit the screen. (he's positioned in the very bottom right corner, that's why you need to cut it close to the edge of the screen to pick him up). The Jail is just up and to the right so you can quickly dispose of him, then I keep going up from there to retreive the 1st Bridge piece directly above the Jail. After that I get the other two Bridge parts. Doing this, I can complete the Bridge and bag the green crook in about 19 seconds. Then, it's a matter of luck rounding up the rest, hopefully they stay close the the Jail screen. You can't risk the Helicopter moving any Bridge piece. I you happen upon some crooks on the way and can dispose of them quick enough, DO IT, (If you have to drop a bridge piece to get a crook, that's the best thing to do, then pick the bridge piece back up and continue after the crook has been jailed.) Once you round up the gang in Jail, immediately go down 2 screens, then to the right and you'll come right down to the phone booth for a quick change to Clark Kent then, well, you know the rest. (the 5th ghost)

[HermChase]

I've been playing this game since you made the post...Bleh. I'm horrible at this thing.

 

I'm gunna have to practice ALL WEEK if I want to be up to par with you all...

 

Now, sleep.

 

----------

Chase Hermsen

[taxman]

I used to be pretty good at this one - 20 years ago! Time to memorize the map.

[bjk7382]

Oh man, not another game I am no good at

 

I printed the city map out a long time ago, and still didn't do very well at the game.

[liquid_sky]

I suck at this one but at least I have the means to play it (damned jittery paddles.. )

[bjk7382]

Okay I have gotten thru the game for my first time ever.

 

And it only took my 9:59 Even though I have the map, I am still wandering around aimlessly thru the city. The map isn't much help when the screens all wrap around and confuse me

 

I will get better....

[Saikyo]

Argh no not superman! oh well i suppose ill have go later on but dont expect

a score from me at all usually i fill the timer up with 9999

 

Ze_ro this is NOT my score so please dont add it to the list!

[DeV0]

Another 1 i havent played, ah well. I do have 3 copies. Thanks for the link to the manual

[Stingray]

One of my all time favorites. It was on my list to choose for next week!

 

-S

[moycon]

Since I just requested to be a high score member today I dont know if this counts but I'll list it anyways. 2:14

Probably havent played that game in at least 16 years...Not bad.

BTW used to be one of my favorite games. Me and my friend Justin would play Superman for hours trying to best each others low time.

 

*edit* Added screenshot.

[Gamemaster_ca_2003]

This game bites I can't seem to do any thing much about it though

[moycon]

Shaved off a second.

 

2:13

[Saikyo]

Gamesmaster Said:

This game bites I can't seem to do any thing much about it though

 

I agree as well but im still gonna try im gonna go have a go now

 

That is if i dont fall asleep playing it takes too long for me!

[HermChase]

I finally figured out how to beat this game...

 

I'm at 427 now. I'm gunna have to work a LOT to get that down...

 

Edit: Down to 2:59!

--------

Chase Hermsen

[Kuddy]

Oh, no. Not Superman.

 

I didn't own it before, and just purchased one off eBay, so that's no problem. However, it's gonna take a LOT of time for me to learn how to beat this, because I never did play it for more than one minute intervals beforehand. =(

 

/me readies up Z26.

[Chris++]

1:11.

 

(Sorry. I've always kicked ass at this game, seeing as how I haven't really stopped playing it for the last twenty-two years.)

 

I'll try to beat that time as well, but it'll be tough. I've only gotten less than that once before.

 

This is WITHOUT the "X-Ray Vision" cheat, obviously. (That 0:56 from Twin Galaxies is probably WITH the cheat, which I don't think should count.)

 

I'll be happy to share some strategies if anyone needs them.

 

Love,

Me

[HermChase]

...Wow. That was quick. No way I'll beat that. :bluelol: I come to post my 2:22, and you have 1:11. Yikes.

 

 

Well, 2:22 is my best so far!

 

Edit: Shaved off 2 seconds! 2:20!!

 

Edit: The razor is getting sharper! Shaved off 27 seconds! 1:53!!!

 

-----

Chase Hermsen

[GrizzLee]

Who was tops for the Circus Atari Hi-Score?

 

Have them contact me. I will ship them a patch.

 

I will work on the new one for this week.

 

 

Regards,

-Lee

[Adrian M]

Damn!

Yet another game I was never good at.

[maibock]

I got 129 on the Stella emulator just now - I can't seem to get a screenshot though. Doesn't Stella support screenshots?

 

Dang, I was working on a record time too, the henchmen thought hanging out by the jail house would fool ole superman but he was collecting them up like Easter eggs. Needless to say I was lucking out - except in my fury to capture the bad guys the evil helicopter lifted one of the bridge pieces and left it somewhere abandoned. I lost mucho seconds!

 

I want my vcs!

 

[HermChase]

Down to 1:44. Why can't this be a twitch game like Circus Atari?

 

----------

Chase Hermsen

[Ze_ro]

Oh man, not another game I am no good at

 

Yeah, I'm terrible at this game too... I think I've only played it maybe three times ever, and I could never figure out the layout of the city.

 

However, this is my opportunity to correct that mistake, take the bull by the horns and finally take a good chunk out of this game! It's going to take a lot of practice for me to do well enough to score some Fuji's, but I'm sure not going to let that stop me!

 

Who was tops for the Circus Atari Hi-Score?

 

Have them contact me. I will ship them a patch.

 

Wow, did you actually end up getting the patch made after all? That would be awesome! Stayrunner kicked all our sorry butts with a score of almost 130,000.

 

--Zero

[stayrunner]

3:09

 

How do you guys get under 2:00? It just seems unreachable to me.

Is the secret just to memorize the city layout?

[maibock]

 

How do you guys get under 2:00? It just seems unreachable to me.    

Is the secret just to memorize the city layout?

 

Yeah, it really helps to know where the bridge pieces are at the start and the quickest way back to the river(where the pieces need to go) - I like to go after them first unless I run into a bad guy along the way then I'll scoop them up drop 'em off at the jail then proceed to the bridge piece. It also helps to know your way when you pop up from the subway and you're in a strange neighborhood to nab a bad guy then escort him to jail. Obviously the quickest routes lowers your times.

[Stingray]

The number one trick to this game is knowing by heart where the jail, the gap (where the bridge goes) and the Daily Planet are. Once you have that down you'll really shave a lot of time off your score. Also you really need to learn to use the subway to your advantage.

 

I still haven't gotten a chance to play (still at work), but I play this one a lot and can consitantly finish in a little over a minute so I should be in the running on this one.

 

-S