High Score Club Week 31: Battlezone

[Ze_ro]

The year is 1999, and the nations of the earth have declared a world-wide peace plan. But there is a problem with the proposed truce. A council of military commanders has unleashed battalions of automated weapons into the countryside. These aerial fighters, flying saucers, tanks, and supertanks will turn the world into a lifeless landscape unless someone can stop them! Luckily, you've discovered an old military tank hidden inside the museum. Your only choice is to join the fight, because this week's game is Battlezone!

 

Game Information
Left Difficulty	Not Applicable
Right Difficulty	Not Applicable
Game Mode	Game 3 - Advanced
Chosen By	Goochman

 

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, November 14th at midnight (CST). In case you haven't already done so, please read the High Score Club rules. There is other useful information contained in that previous link, including a list of previous High Score Club games!

 

If you don't have a copy of this game, you can find the ROM at the AtariAge Profile Page for this game. You can also find such things as a typed copy of the manual, reviews, screenshots, and other information at that link.

 

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 Nateo Please send me a Private Message letting me know which game (and difficulty settings) you've chosen as soon as possible Nateo!

 

High Scores:

• 
  [*]217,000 (Saldo)

[+10]
[*]203,000 (Thomas Jentzsch) [+8]
[*]183,000 (Cybergoth) [+7]
[*]181,000 (Robert M) [+6]
[*]134,000 (no attack) [+5]
[*]104,000 (keilbaca) [+4]
[*]93,000 (LarcenTyler) [+3]
[*]90,000 (elviticus) [+2]
[*]60,000 (A2600) [+1]
[*]50,000 (Malc 74)
[*]42,000 (Osbo)
[*]35,000 (Goochman)
[*]32,000 (Blackjack)
[*]31,000 (gospeedde)
[*]22,000 (Dan Iacovelli)
[*]21,000 (tin)

• :
  (Default Settings)
  
  • 1,545,000 (Todd Rogers)
    [*]801,000 (Robert Macauley)
    [*]682,000 (Ron Corcoran)
    • 
      

Best Tips:

• 
  

Score Statistics

 

Current Standings [*]the 5th ghost [193] [*]Jeffy Arensmeyer [167] [*]keilbaca [150] [*]sku_u [129] [*]Ze_ro [99] [*]jedijeff [80] [*]Malc74 [72] [*]Fellow Atari Man [57] [*]bobafett07728 [51] [*]Stingray [48] [*]Chris++ [44] [*]Keir [43] [*]Saldo [39] [*]tin [35] [*]Shannon [32] [*]no attack [27] [*]gospeedde [25] [*]Goochman [25] [*]khryssun [25] [*]KaeruYojimbo [24] [*]bjk7382 [24] [*]stayrunner [24] [*]Robert M [23] [*]cuteycat2 [23] [*]NintendoDieScreaming [23] [*]taxman [23] [*]elviticus [22] [*]crsdawg [22] [*]Numan [19] [*]kemsted [18] [*]homerwannabee [17] [*]The 8th Passenger [17] [*]Tsukasa [15] [*]Kurushimi [15] [*]HermChase [13] [*]NovaXpress [12] [*]LarcenTyler [12] [*]Christophero Sly [12] [*]Thomas Jentzsch [9] [*]dykesr [7] [*]mikeftrevino [7] [*]NE146 [7] [*]EricDeLee [6] [*]Paul Slocum [6] [*]mvigor [6] [*]StanJr [5] [*]video game addict [5] [*]DeV0 [4] [*]therealred5 [4] [*]Blackjack [4] [*]BlackAtarian [3] [*]maibock [2] [*]Nateo [2] [*]Sora [2] [*]FireTiger [2] [*]chrisbid [1] [*]Gamemaster_ca_2003 [1] [*]Scooterb23 [1] [*]vb_master [1] [*]InanimateCarbonRod [0] [*]Kepone [0] [*]shining slade [0] [*]Saikyo [0] [*]Dan Iacovelli [0] [*]moycon [0] [*]gamerz [0] [*]LU8 [0] [*]fsuinnc [0] [*]iguana [0] [*]Luigi301 [0] [*]davepesc [0] [*]Albert [0] [*]pmpddytim [0] [*]karnov [0] [*]pitfallaimee [0] [*]Happy_Dude [0] [*]Kialan [0] [*]xmetalhedx [0] [*]Gateway [0] [*]Adrian M [0] [*]intvgene [0] [*]ScottHuggins [0] [*]jeepnut24 [0] [*]figgler [0] [*]sabeen557 [0] [*]Old_Atarian [0] [*]hobbles [0] [*]liquid_sky [0] [*]RadioFSoftware [0] [*]Spirantho [0] [*]johnnywc [0] [*]AcidTone [0] [*]chadtower [0] [*]PaulEMoz [0] [*]BigFairy321 [0] [*]atari_wizard [0] [*]Xot [0] [*]lost child [0] [*]Bunsen [0] [*]Big Player [0]

Standings are current as of the beginning of this week, and do NOT include points from this week's game. If you think there has been a mistake in any of the scoring, please contact me.

 

Member List

Nateo, homerwannabee, lost child, Happy_Dude, video game addict, Spirantho, bobafett07728, mikeftrevino, 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, taxman, Ze_ro, maibock, moycon, somePUNK, Saldo, Stingray, Kepone, xmetalhedx, chrisbid, Kialan, Jeffy Arensmeyer, Keir, ToddRogers, Numan, iguana, LU8, jeepnut24, Albert, Tsukasa, Adrian M, dykesr, EricDeLee, Thomas Jentzsch, The 8th Passenger, the 5th ghost, Bunsen, atari_wizard, jedijeff, davepesc, maximebeauvais, buzzguy, bjk7382, khryssun, HermChase, wiz21mx, karnov, Goochman, NE146, keilbaca, vb_master, Sora, Malc74, sabeen557, 128bytes, Fellow Atari Man, liquid_sky, InanimateCarbonRod, Krazy_kamino, pmpddytim, cuteycat2, kemsted, Xot, Scooterb23, elviticus, Dan Iacovelli, LarcenTyler, RadioFSoftware, sku_u, no attack, Kurushimi, Blackjack, fedechab, gamerz, mvigor

 

Scoring Points in Crackpots - Unknown, let us know if you can do it!

 

Hints and Tips

As always, you really should read the manual. What's that? You don't have the manual? Well, then you can always check out this typed copy of the manual hosted right here at AtariAge. What's that? You're too lazy to click that link? Well, here's the hints that Dan Kitchen himself provides in the manual: A good way to evade enemy shells is to rotate your tank 45 degrees, then immediately move the tank forward or backward. [*]Listen for the sound of an enemy gun being fired. As soon as you hear a shot, take evasive action. Do not simply rotate in the same spot. [*]Keep moving after you fire a shot -- don't want to see if the shot hit its mark. [*]If a tank is close behind, you can bring it within sight by moving your tank in reverse until the enemy tank appears on the screen. You'll be able to shoot as the enemy tank turns to face you. [*]Try to lure one enemy into another enemy's line of fire. For example, by moving your tank to one side, you can move a flying saucer into a shot fired by an enemy tank. [*]Don't waste shots, since you can't shoot your turret gun again until the shell either hits an enemy, or disappears from your main screen.   Good luck everyone!   --Zero (the manual)

Tips: -Stay mobile. Any time you hear a shot, immediately take a quick swing, then motor. It is possible (though maddeningly difficult) to avoid enemy fire. -If an enemy has shot at you and you know you're going to get hit, if you can, let out a bullet toward an enemy. You can still rack up points once you've been fried. -When a tank is pointed away from you, play offense. They don't have a chance to fire if they aren't facing you. Take this opportunity to blast them. -When two tanks are together and pointed at you, play defense. If you keep running and dodging, they'll eventually shoot each other. -Never let an enemy be directly behind you on radar. Swivel in order to put them at an angle. This gives you the chance to escape if fired upon. (no attack)

- For missles I recommend firing immediately and going hard reverse plus a lef tor right turn. You will move the missle to the edge of the screen and your shot will curve there as well. The missle tries to stay on the screen so your chances of scoring a hit are increased. - It is better to have enemies at your sides than at your front or rear. travel in reverse until they shoot. When the enemy shot crosses the mid point of the screen go forward and turn into the guy that just fired and blow him away. - Saucers just wander most of the time they move away from your cursor if you lock onto them. Use this to your advantage. Fire just before you lock onto a saucer, continue swinging left or right across the saucer, it will reverse move into your shot. (Robert M)

Here's a few tips from me. Sorry if I'm just pointing out the obvious or repeating what is already known: Limit 1: The game is only tracking 2 enemies at a time. That is 1-2 tanks of both types and 0-1 Ufos, of both types. You need to be constantly aware which of the two are around you. For example, when chasing a tank, sometimes you can hear the red ufo, knowing that it is harmless. The opposite is when facing the Ufo you can be sure that the other radar dot is a tank somewhere around you. Limit 2: The game is only tracking 2 shots at a time - One for you, one for the enemy. While this prevents you from shooting twice, it also does that for your enemy, i.e. once you escaped an enemy shot, be aware that _all_ enemies are _totally_ defnesless for a few precious moments now! Kill or be killed: The secret is all about angles. Your tank can move only forward and backward and it is very limited sideways. The enemy always shoots in a straight line towrds you so consider this: - Worst case: An enemy shooting at 6 o'Clock: You're dead. Period. No chance. Maybe you can drive forward for a second, but then you're dead anyway. - Best case: An enemy shooting at 3 or 9 o'Clock: Brillant. He is dead. It's like this: The enemy is shooting straight at you from your side. All you need to do is move forward for 1/2 second to avoid his shot and then you immediately turn towards him. Remember that he is totally defensless! Just turn and shoot! Now, the only remaining difficult part is to get 2 enemies at once near 3/9 o'Clock icon_wink.gif For example, when you're going after the red Ufo, always try to keep the _second_ radar dot near 3 or 9, moving forward (at least for a moment immediately after you hear a shot) You might get 2-3 maybe 4 safe shots against the Ufo without being in danger at all! (Cybergoth)

[Blackjack]

I never was very good at this game, I'll start things off with 32,000

[keilbaca]

I took my first stab at this.

 

56000

[Cybergoth]

Hi there!

 

I'll try Battlezone as well. Please sign me up.

 

Greetings,

Manuel

[keilbaca]

Cybergoth, all you have to do is post a score, and you're in.

[Cybergoth]

Hi there!

 

Ok, fine then!

 

Greetings,

Manuel

[Dan Iacovelli]

finally a game I can play on actual 2600 because I have it. woohoo

[Dan Iacovelli]

finally a game I can play on actual 2600 because I have it. woohoo

 

first score:22000 (since I have this game I won't have any pics of the score)

[Goochman]

16000

 

Skill 3 is rough - THank god for the Saucer

[sku_u]

Can we use this version of the game?

 

http://atariage.com/hack_page.html?SystemI...ftwareHackID=51

[Malc74]

I pretty much suck at this so far... 23000.

[Malc74]

Improved to 35000.

[Goochman]

35000

[Dan Iacovelli]

finally a game I can play on actual 2600 because I have it. woohoo

 

first score:22000 (since I have this game I won't have any pics of the score)

 

improved on that score:

33,000

(small hint try to get the saucers they are worth 5000, and if your lucky enough you can have a saucer (or a jet) fly into the a tank for more points)

[Cybergoth]

Hi there!

 

WAAAAAHHHHH! Variant 3 is just insane!!!

 

Phew... of my first ~ 50 tries my best score so far is 49.000 still, more luck than anything I guess, as I get regularly blasted away at 15-20K...

 

Greetings,

Manuel

[no attack]

30,000 for a start.

 

Tips:

 

-Stay mobile. Any time you hear a shot, immediately take a quick swing, then motor. It is possible (though maddeningly difficult) to avoid enemy fire.

 

-If an enemy has shot at you and you know you're going to get hit, if you can, let out a bullet toward an enemy. You can still rack up points once you've been fried.

 

-When a tank is pointed away from you, play offense. They don't have a chance to fire if they aren't facing you. Take this opportunity to blast them.

 

-When two tanks are together and pointed at you, play defense. If you keep running and dodging, they'll eventually shoot each other.

 

-Never let an enemy be directly behind you on radar. Swivel in order to put them at an angle. This gives you the chance to escape if fired upon.

 

This game is graphically impressive, but navigationally excruciating.

[bjk7382]

Good game choice, but I think the enemy tanks are cheating in this variation. If you have one behind you but far away you can't run without it catching up in under a few seconds.

[Saldo]

First stab at it....got 48,000 after several hours!! Sorry no pic this time, to lazy to pull out the carmera and find some batteries. Next time there will be a picture.

 

- Saldo

[Saldo]

Anyone know how to get a screenshot in Cyberstella??? There isn't much in the way of help screens.

 

Thanks,

 

- Sal

[Saldo]

Here is probably an obvious tip, but keep an eye on your sight bar in the middle of the screen. When it turns yellow over an enemy, fire. Your chances of hitting something are much better if you wait until it changes to yellow.

 

- Sal

[Robert M]

What an excellent choice. One of my all time favorites:

 

My current best is 119.000

 

 

Here are some tips:

- For missles I recommend firing immediately and going hard reverse plus a lef tor right turn. You will move the missle to the edge of the screen and your shot will curve there as well. The missle tries to stay on the screen so your chances of scoring a hit are increased.

- It is better to have enemies at your sides than at your front or rear. travel in reverse until they shoot. When the enemy shot crosses the mid point of the screen go forward and turn into the guy that just fired and blow him away.

- Saucers just wander most of the time they move away from your cursor if you lock onto them. Use this to your advantage. Fire just before you lock onto a saucer, continue swinging left or right across the saucer, it will reverse move into your shot.

 

Cheers!

[no attack]

87,000

[no attack]

134,000

[elviticus]

60,000

 

I remember getting this game when it first came out. It's a very impressive 2600 game in terms of graphics and gameplay, I think.

[Nukey Shay]

Good game choice, but I think the enemy tanks are cheating in this variation. If you have one behind you but far away you can't run without it catching up in under a few seconds.

 

Diagonal movements are the key...try to use them moving backward so that you can force the enemy tank into the foreground. If the enemy behind you is far enough away, you can use left or right alone in order to turn much quicker (keep listening for a missile being fired tho!). As soon as it starts shooting at you, you must stick to diagonals only until you destroy the enemy...so you might not have enough time to spin in place before moving diagonal/back.