Q*Bert(PlayStation) FAQ
version 1.0.0
copyright 2002 by Andrew Schultz schultza@earthlink.net
Please do not reproduce this FAQ without my consent. I worked a good
deal on it. As of this writing I am not inclined to let any site besides
GameFAQs use it. Most of my very old-school FAQs don't make profit so I
don't mind shipping them out, but a PSX actually might. So I'd like to
keep it with the site that opened up a whole new world of gaming to me.
For now.
FAQ completion status: I don't believe this FAQ is missing any critical
details, but it is big enough that a few will slip through without heavy
proofreading. It's only had regular proofreading. Probably missed a
bonus level or two as well. Ah well.
**** AD SPACE ****
My home page:
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Exhibit/2762/
================================
OUTLINE
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. AUTHOR'S COMMENTS
1.2. QUICK OVERVIEW
2. CONTROLS
3. GENERAL STRATEGIES
4. SCORING
5. YOU AND OTHERS
5.1. YOU (Q*BERT)
5.2. COILY
5.3. RED BALLS
5.4. GREEN FREEZE BALLS
5.5. EXTRA Q*BERTS
5.6. JUMPING ENTITIES
5.7. SAM AND SLICK
5.8. UGG/WRONG-WAY
5.9. RED/GREEN/BLUE BLOBS
5.10. BOULDERS
5.11. WEIRD AND COOL FRINGE CHARACTERS
6. BOARD BY BOARD BREAKDOWN(* = extra level)
6.1. WORLD 1
6.1.1. LEVEL 1-1
6.1.1.1. BOARD 1-1-a
6.1.1.2. BOARD 1-1-b
6.1.1.3. BOARD 1-1-c
6.1.1.4. BOARD 1-1-d
6.1.1.5. BOARD 1-1-e*
6.1.1.6. BOARD 1-1-f*
6.1.1. LEVEL 1-2
6.1.2.1. BOARD 1-2-a
6.1.2.2. BOARD 1-2-b
6.1.2.3. BOARD 1-2-c
6.1.2.4. BOARD 1-2-d
6.1.2.5. BOARD 1-2-e
6.1.1. LEVEL 1-3
6.1.3.1. BOARD 1-3-a
6.1.3.2. BOARD 1-3-b
6.1.3.3. BOARD 1-3-c
6.1.3.4. BOARD 1-3-d
6.1.3.5. BOARD 1-3-e*
6.1.3.6. BOARD 1-3-f*
6.1.1. LEVEL 1-4
6.1.4.1. BOARD 1-4-a
6.1.4.2. BOARD 1-4-b
6.1.4.3. BOARD 1-4-c
6.1.4.4. BOARD 1-4-d
6.1.4.5. BOARD 1-4-e
6.1.1. LEVEL 1-5
6.1.5.1. BOARD 1-5-a
6.1.5.2. BOARD 1-5-b
6.1.5.3. BOARD 1-5-c
6.1.5.4. BOARD 1-5-d
6.1.5.5. BOARD 1-5-e
6.1.1. LEVEL 1-6
6.1.6.1. BOARD 1-6-a
6.1.6.2. BOARD 1-6-b
6.1.6.3. BOARD 1-6-c
6.1.6.4. BOARD 1-6-d
6.2. WORLD 2
6.2.1. LEVEL 2-1
6.2.1.1. BOARD 2-1-a
6.2.1.2. BOARD 2-1-b
6.2.1.3. BOARD 2-1-c
6.2.1.4. BOARD 2-1-d
6.2.1. LEVEL 2-2
6.2.2.1. BOARD 2-2-a
6.2.2.2. BOARD 2-2-b
6.2.2.3. BOARD 2-2-c
6.2.2.4. BOARD 2-2-d
6.2.2.5. BOARD 2-2-e
6.2.1. LEVEL 2-3
6.2.3.1. BOARD 2-3-a
6.2.3.2. BOARD 2-3-b
6.2.3.3. BOARD 2-3-c
6.2.3.4. BOARD 2-3-d
6.2.3.5. BOARD 2-3-e
6.2.3.6. BOARD 2-3-f
6.2.1. LEVEL 2-4
6.2.4.1. BOARD 2-4-a
6.2.4.2. BOARD 2-4-b
6.2.4.3. BOARD 2-4-c
6.2.4.4. BOARD 2-4-d
6.2.4.5. BOARD 2-4-e
6.2.1. LEVEL 2-5
6.2.5.1. BOARD 2-5-a
6.2.5.2. BOARD 2-5-b
6.2.5.3. BOARD 2-5-c
6.2.5.4. BOARD 2-5-d
6.2.1. LEVEL 2-6
6.2.6.1. BOARD 2-6-a
6.2.6.2. BOARD 2-6-b
6.2.6.3. BOARD 2-6-c
6.2.6.4. BOARD 2-6-d
6.2.6.5. BOARD 2-6-e
6.3. WORLD 3
6.3.1. LEVEL 3-1
6.3.1.1. BOARD 3-1-a
6.3.1.2. BOARD 3-1-b
6.3.1.3. BOARD 3-1-c
6.3.1.4. BOARD 3-1-d
6.3.1. LEVEL 3-2
6.3.2.1. BOARD 3-2-a
6.3.2.2. BOARD 3-2-b
6.3.2.3. BOARD 3-2-c
6.3.2.4. BOARD 3-2-d
6.3.2.5. BOARD 3-2-e
6.3.1. LEVEL 3-3
6.3.3.1. BOARD 3-3-a
6.3.3.2. BOARD 3-3-b
6.3.3.3. BOARD 3-3-c
6.3.3.4. BOARD 3-3-d
6.3.1. LEVEL 3-4
6.3.4.1. BOARD 3-4-a
6.3.4.2. BOARD 3-4-b
6.3.4.3. BOARD 3-4-c
6.3.4.4. BOARD 3-4-d
6.3.1. LEVEL 3-5
6.3.5.1. BOARD 3-5-a
6.3.5.2. BOARD 3-5-b
6.3.5.3. BOARD 3-5-c
6.3.5.4. BOARD 3-5-d
6.3.1. LEVEL 3-6
6.3.6.1. BOARD 3-6-a
6.3.6.2. BOARD 3-6-b
6.3.6.3. BOARD 3-6-c
6.3.6.4. BOARD 3-6-d
6.4. WORLD 4
6.4.1. LEVEL 4-1
6.4.1.1. BOARD 4-1-a
6.4.1.2. BOARD 4-1-b
6.4.1.3. BOARD 4-1-c
6.4.1.4. BOARD 4-1-d
6.4.1. LEVEL 4-2
6.4.2.1. BOARD 4-2-a
6.4.2.2. BOARD 4-2-b
6.4.2.3. BOARD 4-2-c
6.4.2.4. BOARD 4-2-d
6.4.2.5. BOARD 4-2-e
6.4.1. LEVEL 4-3
6.4.3.1. BOARD 4-3-a
6.4.3.2. BOARD 4-3-b
6.4.3.3. BOARD 4-3-c
6.4.3.4. BOARD 4-3-d
6.4.1. LEVEL 4-4
6.4.4.1. BOARD 4-4-a
6.4.4.2. BOARD 4-4-b
6.4.4.3. BOARD 4-4-c
6.4.4.4. BOARD 4-4-d
6.4.1. LEVEL 4-5
6.4.5.1. BOARD 4-5-a
6.4.5.2. BOARD 4-5-b
6.4.5.3. BOARD 4-5-c
6.4.5.4. BOARD 4-5-d
6.4.1. LEVEL 4-6
6.4.6.1. BOARD 4-6-a
6.4.6.2. BOARD 4-6-b
6.4.6.3. BOARD 4-6-c
6.4.6.4. BOARD 4-6-d
6.5. THE BIG FINALE
7. QLASSIQ Q*BERT
7.1. INTRODUCTION
7.2. SCORING
7.2.1. POINT TOTALS
7.2.2. HIGH SCORE MESSAGES
7.3. OTHER ENTITIES
7.3.1. COILY
7.3.2. RED BALLS
7.3.3. SAM AND SLICK
7.3.4. UGG AND WRONG-WAY
7.3.5. THE GREEN BALL
7.4. LEVELS
7.4.1 LEVEL 1
7.4.1.1. LEVEL 1-1
7.4.1.2. LEVEL 1-2
7.4.1.3. LEVEL 1-3
7.4.1.4. LEVEL 1-4
7.4.2 LEVEL 2
7.4.2.1. LEVEL 2-1
7.4.2.2. LEVEL 2-2
7.4.2.3. LEVEL 2-3
7.4.2.4. LEVEL 2-4
7.4.3 LEVEL 3
7.4.3.1. LEVEL 3-1
7.4.3.2. LEVEL 3-2
7.4.3.3. LEVEL 3-3
7.4.3.4. LEVEL 3-4
7.4.4 LEVEL 4
7.4.4.1. LEVEL 4-1
7.4.4.2. LEVEL 4-2
7.4.4.3. LEVEL 4-3
7.4.4.4. LEVEL 4-4
7.4.5 LEVEL 5
7.4.5.1. LEVEL 5-1
7.4.5.2. LEVEL 5-2
7.4.5.3. LEVEL 5-3
7.4.5.4. (AND BEYOND)
8. VERSIONS/CREDITS
================================
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. AUTHOR'S COMMENTS
Q*Bert for the PlayStation succeeds as a game in its own right. This
document will attempt to cover the new game spawned as well as the
classic game that is a nice add-on.
1.2. QUICK OVERVIEW
Basically you control Q*Bert, who moves diagonally(and sometimes
uses a fire button for special power-ups) from block to block. Each time
he steps on a block he can change it to its desired color or an
intermediate one. Sometimes stepping on it will flip it back to the
original color at a later stage. As long as Q*Bert does not fall off or
avoids being hit by enemies he's OK. There are various nuisances such as
red balls that drop down the configuration of blocks(which are in 3-d
perspective that helps tell you which random ways they can drop) or
Coily, the snake that starts as a purple ball, bounces to the bottom,
and chases Q*Bert until he catches him or until Q*Bert jumps on a disc
with Coily close by...and Coily falls off the pyramid edge. There are
also nuisances that undo your work when they step on squares, power-ups,
an extra Q*Bert or even a green ball that freezes time.
Game Structure: there are four worlds, each with six levels, each of
which contains four to seven sub-boards. Some are linear, and some you
can choose the order. But although the boards aren't necessarily linear
the levels are; you start at 1-1 and can't get to 1-2 until 1-1 is
completed, and so forth. The ultimate goal is to defeat Coily(there's a
big challenge after world 4-6 is defeated) but along the way you can
try at various difficulties(harder increases your score) and try to re-
play to outdo your own high score.
There are also bonus levels, most of them hidden in a disc on one
board. To gain access to these you need, before completing the level, to
jump on the right disc or transport. Some bonus levels are like a
standard level, and others have no monsters but simply have the square
you were on fall away. You can't lose a guy on the second type of level
but sadly do not get any bonus if you complete it all. However you get a
nice break, the board is cleared when you return, and you even get
points. And some of the levels are fun challenges, and others are fun
ways to inflate your score.
You also get neat scenes at the end of each world but the only
problem is that you can't replay the final level in a world and see them
again. You need to start over from the beginning or specifically save a
game when you've gotten to level 2-6 or whichever.
2. CONTROLS
You will generally use the 'X' for special features. These include:
--invincibility(a shield)
--speed(wings)
--building new blocks(a hammer)
--picking up puffy icon(reveals new blocks)
--globe for destroying Coily
--globe for destroying all monsters
New blocks never run out but the first two features listed above do,
and without warning(their song ends.) Others are one-time shots.
Stuff like green balls that freeze the game work automatically.
3. GENERAL STRATEGIES
Below are the most important points I think you can take for the
game:
1. If not under attack, KEEP MOVING unless the square colors can flip
back
2. If balls seem to be dropping by you, position yourself two drops away
from them. Wait until they move, and then move the other way.
3. Don't be afraid to pause the game to search for squares you've missed
if you think you've got them all but the computer doesn't register.
4. Bounce back and forth on 'disposable' cubes when enemies are far
away.
5. It's worth chasing after the small extra Q*Berts even if you die
right away. Because when you're resurrected you'll have a little free
time to hit the squares you want, unmolested.
6. Don't get frustrated. Remember where you are. If you jump to your
death, you go back to the start. If hit by something, you start where
you were killed. The second scenario is often useful in bulling your way
through a board.
7. You have to play a waiting game to get Coily to jump at you.
Otherwise he will just jump laterally and not let you pass.
8. Don't try to sneak past a ball(i.e. cut it off by moving to the
square it's about to and quickly away.) That works in Q*Bert Classic but
not Q*Bert Adventure.
9. Watch for the shadows landing on the squares with the target symbol.
Those will clue you in to when something is about to drop.
10. After you lose a Q*Bert, take a half-second to get your bearings. If
you fall off, remember you'll reappear in a different place from where
you were killed. Often it will be a different place from where you
started. Also if you jump somewhere and get killed be sure to note
whether you start on your destination or previous block. I often try to
'auto-pilot' and get bad results.
11. Coily likes playing lateral defense, and mastering the split-second
timing of getting him to jump at you and not just guard that area beyond
that you really want to get to can help your game.
12. Don't worry, there's no double jeopardy if you get killed on a
wobbling drop block just before it falls off.
4. SCORING
Scoring that is not constant is based on difficulty level and is
tracked on a by-level basis, with the high score being recorded. There
are three difficulties: easy, medium and hard. The only difference is
the number of Q*Berts you have. Given the relatively fixed scoring
potentian in Q*Bert, it would take a very bad game to score less on a
harder level providing you finish it.
You start out with eight lives to lose in easy, five in medium, and
three in hard.
Action | Easy |Medium| Hard |
--------------------------------+------+------+------+
Completing mission | 1000| 2000| 5000|
Q*Berts left after completion | 500 | 1000| 2500| (includes current
Q*Bert)
Turning a square the right color| 10 | 15 | 30 | (0 pts for
intermediate)
Jumping on a disappearing block | 100 | | 300 | (3x per square)
Leaving a disc at level's end | 50 | 50 | 50 |
Dropping Coily | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Picking up red blob | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Picking up green blob | 200 | 200 | 200 |
Picking up blue blob | 300 | 300 | 200 |
Picking up green ball | | | |
5. YOU AND OTHERS
In general enemies tend to get faster on the higher levels, but on
the other hand they don't increase speed with difficulty level; that
only affects the number of lives.
5.1. YOU (Q*BERT)
You're the quickest player on the screen only you don't get clones
so quickly when you fall off the edge. You'll also get nailed if you try
to 'cut off' opposing entities(i.e. jump to the next square they want to
go to then jump away.) This works in Classic Q*bert but I guess the
stricter rules are a nineties thing.
[possible to lose two guys at once?]
5.2. COILY
Coily bounces as a purple ball to a down square. When he can't move
any more, or his quasi-random descent would require him to fall off the
board, he begins hibernation and shortly thereafter pops out as a snake.
He then chases you. Coily seems to remember where you've been recently
and often likes to block you from crossing past him. General bouncing
back and forth won't work so you have to wait until he's a square away
and coiled. Jump to the side. Wait for him to coil again, jump forward,
and then move around him. It's a double dose of marginally tricky timing
but worth memorizing.
You can also get rid of Coily by jumping on a disc with him in
pursuit. You don't get as many points as in the arcade(100 vs. 500) but
vanishing him causes everything else on the board to disappear, which
can be handy. If you just take a disc back to the top, there's no
assurance you won't land on a square that is free of enemies.
5.3. RED BALLS
These will probably be your major nemesis. They find a random
direction to drop as long as it is not back up--Q*Bert is an odd game
but does not flout the law of gravity. They eventually fall off the
pyramid to be replaced shortly thereafter.
5.4. GREEN FREEZE BALLS
These don't last very long so you have to be careful about how you
use them. Also note that you aren't told when they wear off, so be sure
to cover the area where the ball is dropped first. Basically they freeze
your enemies and render you invulnerable for a time. Sadly during this
time you are also invulnerable to the effects of the extra Q*Bers below.
5.5. EXTRA Q*BERTS
Occasionally a very small version of you will go bouncing around
randomly, and if you catch it you get an extra guy. Usually I'm able to
pick this up(as with the green freeze ball, I may not quite follow it
but instead will go alongside it and wait for it to bounce down to me.
Q*Berts never do 180 degree turns.) I find that even if you get killed
picking one up(this happens a lot--you get a bit careless and abandon
your regular strategy) it's still worth it since although your net men
won is zero if you're killed quickly after an extra guy, you get to buy
some time without monsters to help you clear the area out.
5.6. JUMPING ENTITIES
Locusts and cyclops are the big jumping entities. Locusts always
have a predetermined pattern and appear on level 4. You can jump under
them if you time things right. They high jump to the next square, and
you go under. You can't jump under purple cyclops, who appear more in
the first two levels.
5.7. SAM AND SLICK
These guys fall on a drop square and bounce down. They undo your
jumps as they descend. They're green and have tufts of hair. One problem
in the game is that you may be able to jump through them even without
the green ball's effect. So if one has jumped(it pauses a lot moving
down, unlike its arcade cousins) just wait a bit.
5.8. UGG/WRONG-WAY
These two hold-overs from Q*Bert's arcade version do not feature
terribly prominently, but you should be aware of them. One will likely
start in a dead-end block, usually near the bottom, and consistently
choose between UL or UL/UR for his next move(or the reverse if it starts
on the right--and these guys tend to come in pairs.) These contrast with
the red balls, which don't cover the bottom corner.
These guys are most likely to appear in a downward trending(i.e.
classic Q*Bert view) board.
5.9. RED/GREEN/BLUE BLOBS
These guys come out quickly at the start of the level or a new life
of yours and often bounce around a bit, undoing any hard work you've
done(you'll have to step on ALL THOSE SQUARES again, yup) but giving you
nice points if you can nab them. They're smaller than Sam and Slick but
faster and more temporary.
5.10. BOULDERS
Boulders feature prominently in level two and melodramatically jump
in the air before landing. This gives you a great clue as to the
direction they are going to go in, and of course, you should steer away.
Some boulders collapse into a heap on a square. You don't want to
try to jump on that as it will be lethal. You just have to wait.
However, on the bright side, any boulder that lands on such a square
will also fall into the morass.
5.11. WEIRD AND COOL FRINGE CHARACTERS
6. BOARD BY BOARD BREAKDOWN(* = extra level)
I will attempt to represent levels by the squares you are on and the
moves you will need to get there. For this I will implement the
following terms for describing moves:
UL = move Q*Bert to the upper left on your controller
UR = move him upper right
DL = move him down left
DR = move him down right
For instance, the standard Q*Bert Classic level would be:
S
O O D
X X X
D X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X X X
LEDGER
========================
There will be many symbols that are local to a certain level or board,
and I want to make sure that they are indicated where appropriate.
However there are some general notations which work.
X = normal square
D = disc to rise to top
O = where bad guys may try to land [requires you to step on it once]
V = disappearing block
Y = you don't need to step on this, though it may appear once.
S = block where you start on.
a-f = the board to which each square will teleport you. This is
largely used in the initial scene in each level.
! = teleportal back to the main central level
s = shield
f = 'fleet feet' that make you go faster[never on a home board]
u = button
, = metal squares
C = cannon
. = scaffolding that can be shifted by jumping on a button
x = scaffolding you need to step on
\ / = symbol that jump between the two squares is not valid i.e.
X/
/X ...means you fall off if you jump between the two.
- | = other symbols for more extended roping off, i.e.
X-X
/X\ ...means there are two squares that are too far above the
bottom one.
Local definitions override the general ones which should cover most
cases anyway.
I also include a brief visual summary for each board. I suspect I have
missed some aspects but I try to write in the following:
ENTITIES = other stuff that bounces around on the boards
BLOCKS = how the blocks change
BACKGROUND = what you see in the background
TRENDING = how, in the 3-d perspective, the blocks appear to adjust
their height. Classic "downward" is the norm(i.e. as you go down the
screen the height seems to decrease) but occasionally the downward trend
will seem to happen as you go DR.
Other terminology tries to be intuitive but I want to list it to make
sure:
* block = what Q*Bert can safely jump on
* edge block = block you can fall off
* one-way block = block from which there is only one safe jump
* non-additive jumping = the general phenomenon where you may be safe
going UL onto a disc but not UR UL DL(assuming there are safe blocks on
the squares you jump to.) This is due to height differences. The points
is that UR UL DL have a vector sum the same as UL. This happens for some
blocks as well.
* world = group of 6 levels. There are 4 worlds.
* level = group of up to 7 boards. Complete every board in a level and
you get to go to the next level.
* board = group of blocks you must all turn to the correct color to
complete
* main level = a central level that you must complete to complete any
one world(i.e. 1-1.) Often what happens is that you'll hyperspace to one
board in the level, solve it, and come back, although on world 3
* bonus level = level where you go to and try to jump on as many blocks
as possible. There is no way to lose a man; when you fall off(or touch
the last block) you're sent back to the level where you were. There's no
extra bons for clearing off all the squares, either. Bonus levels are
accessed from a main board
* haven = where you can stay and walk away from the compter for an hour
and have no chance to lose a guy. Not all levels have havens.
* bucket = system of four squares that themselves form a square. Named
after the slang for a certain bowling 'leave.'
X
X X
X
I also use some terms interchangeably:
* dead-end block = one-way block
* block = square
* drop zone = target square
* disappearing square = falling square
* board = level despite the game defining it a bit more rigorously.
Please bear with me, this FAQ was a bit of work :)!
* 3-2-a = shorthand for world 3, level 2, board a.
* !! But DROP BLOCK is not equal to DROP ZONE. DROP BLOCK falls after
you touch it(falling block,) DROP ZONE=where red balls drop. Although
both are potentially lethal they are different.
6.1. WORLD 1
6.1.1. LEVEL 1-1
The starter level is a simple pyramid. The asterisked blocks appear
one with each level. You don't have to jump on the section above as it
houses potential bonus levels. However you need to step on the
asterisked blocks to advance(step on them before going upstairs to
advance and ignore the bonus levels.) One asterisked block appears with
each level you complete on entering the teleportals below--accordingly
the teleportal disappears when you solve the level.
LEDGER
X = needs to be covered
x = doesn't need to be covered
a-f = where each disk transports you
* = appears when you've completed the appropriate level
3
e 2 3 f
2 2 3
* * * *
X X X X X
X X X X X X
a b c d
Entities: none
Blocks: red->green
Background: spirals twisting
Trending: drops as you go down the screen
There's no way to fall off the bottom of the board. Level 1-1's boards
themselves are a good, basic introduction to what you will see in
Q*Bert. As opposed to the pyramid/triangle of 'Q*Bert Classic' you have
narrow corridors that you must guide Q*Bert through. You'll also be
introduced to falling squares. Note that you don't get any points for
stepping on a square adjacent to a teleporter globe. This is a general
pattern in the game.
6.1.1.1. BOARD 1-1-a
s = shield
! = transport back to 1-1
!
X O X
X X X X
V X X X X X
X O X X X X X
X X X X V D
V X
D
Entities: red balls
Blocks: purple -> green, fall through blocks are spirally
Background: spirals including cone-shaped
Trending: drops as you go DR
This shouldn't be too bad of an introductory level. You can take the
disc on the left to zoom to the right if you want. However it should be
easy to clear out the left(go up top first, stand to the left of the
first target) and then navigate the narrow passage leading to the right.
There are many places high up where you can go where you are safe from
the bouncing balls, and you can even practice quick jumps onto the
falling blocks to practice getting some extra points.
6.1.1.2. BOARD 1-1-b
!
O V X X O X
X X X X X X X
X X X X X X
V X X X V D
Entities:
Blocks:
Background:
Trending:
There are some good opportunities for points here with the squares you
can jump on before they vanish. However it is a bit tougher to jump on
the bottom two as a ball can wind up targeting you(note that one
dropping square has only one square adjacent and the other is in a
treacherous position at the bottom.) Still if you're trying to get
through, this is another easy level. It may be tough for beginners to
move across from left to right but you can camp out on the top row.
6.1.1.3. BOARD 1-1-c
! D X X O
X O X X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X ' X
X X X X X X
X X X Y D D
X X
X X
X
X
D
* - note there is a disk UR of '. It is directly below 6 but you can't
jump on it from there.
Entities: Coily, red balls(Coily seems to stop appearing if you lose a
few guys on this level)
Blocks: yellow->green
Background: twisty spirals
Trending: down towards point Y(not a special square functionally)
Not only is the perspective weird, but this is probably the toughest
of the boards and, if you follow my ordering, the first one where you
meet Coily. There's also a jump you can't quite pull off, as you can't
jump UR from the square marked ' onto the X; it leads to a disc.
However, I find I have good success going straight UR. By the way, if
you can, take the disk on the right to dispose of Coily. You'll be
transported to the far left. That is a good way to cover lots of ground
quickly.
The disc next to the Y leads to a bonus level.
D O X
V O X X X X V
X X X X X X X D
X X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X
D V X V V V D V
Entities: Coily, Sam/Slick, red balls, extra Q*Bert
Blocks: red->green
Background: swirly spirals
Trending: down the screen
This is not a terribly easy bonus to work through, but an extra Q*Bert
tends to pop up right away after you start/are killed so it is a no-lose
proposition overall. Sam/Slick comes down the right side of the screen
so you may want to complete the left side first.
6.1.1.4. BOARD 1-1-d
D V O D
X X X X
X X X X
D O X X X X
X X X X X s !
X X X X X X
V X X D X X V D
Entities: red balls
Blocks: purple->green
Background: swirly spirals(cones)
Trending: down the screen
Note the shield square is also a target square. The shield renders you
invincible for a bit. Be careful about accessing the falling blocks as
the edge ones are either one-way blocks or create them once fallen.
6.1.1.5. BOARD 1-1-e*
!
X O X
X X X X
V X X X X X
X O X X X X X
X X X X V
V X
Blocks: purple->green->blue
This is a duplicate of board 1-1-a only there are no discs and you have
to walk over everything twice.
6.1.1.6. BOARD 1-1-f*
V O
X X X X
X X X X
O X X X X
X X X X X X !
X X X X X X
V X X D X X V
Blocks: purple->green->blue
This is a duplicate of board 1-1-d only there are no discs or shields,
and you have to walk over everything twice.
6.1.1. LEVEL 1-2
c
b X d
a X X e
X X
No secrets on the intro level here but be careful not to fall off.
Losing a life this way is now possible. There are also no blocks to
change. The map is simple enough that you can figure it out.
The maps are a bit more complex in this level, either bigger or
possessing more narrow passages you must navigate or time. The drop
blocks also show up away from the edges, which can impede your progress
later. 1-2-c is in an interesting perspective which alone will cost you
a couple of Q*Berts.
6.1.2.1. BOARD 1-2-a
>X green, fall through blocks are starry
Background: bubbles rising
Trending: down towards the center
The purple cyclops' paths are generally clockwise and square. That
should help you navigate this area although the fall-through blocks will
also help you out in a pinch if a cyclops seems to have a bead on you.
Still you can cover the second perimeter(as opposed to the outer) easily
and just follow the purpls cyclopses if you have to(patience!) and
you'll win pretty easily.
6.1.2.2. BOARD 1-2-b
X
D X X
X V X
X X D
X X X !
O X X X X X
X V X X O X
X X X X X X
X X X
D X X
X V X
X X D
X
Entities: purple cyclopses
Blocks: yellow->green, golden fall through blocks
Background: bubbles rising
Trending: alternating up and down
This one is shockingly easy. You should be able to cycle around each
area with no problems. You can also duck out of the way once in the
blocks that fall. To save time you may also use a disc or two but it's
not really necessary. If a cyclops comes to chase you, use the center
square, let it go by(or duck if need be) and go to the next set of nine
squares. It's a bit of a wimpy option to take a disk but if you really
feel lost you might as well, since Coily doesn't show up here.
6.1.2.3. BOARD 1-2-c
!
X
V D X
X X X X X D
X X X X X
X X X X
X X X X X
X X O X
X X X O X
X X X X
X X X X X
D X X X X X
X D V
V
Entities: extra Q*Bert, red ball, Coily
Blocks: red-> green
Background: bubbles
Trending: down as you hit the screen edges
This is the first board where perspective will almost certainly cost
you a level. Blocks are more partially hidden than ever before. You also
have, potentially, a lot of one-way blocks, and just directing your own
plan is still confusing. But fortunately extra Q*Berts are spit out
regularly enough. One seems to be output right when you start, which is
a great morale booster.
6.1.2.4. BOARD 1-2-d
X !
X X
+ D X X X
X X X X X
X X X V X X
X X X X X X
X X V X V X X
X X X X X X
X X V X X
X X X X
D X X X D
X X
X
Entities: cyclpops, red balls
Blocks: purple->green(purple with red circles for
Background: bubbles
Trending: downwards toward the center
This board also has a bonus level. While 1-1 had a bonus level where you
could lose, here you jump around until you have no more moves--or until
you fall off, in which case you don't lose a man. You access it by
touching the +, after which the square DR of it falls off.
BONUS LEVEL
X
X X
X X X
X X X X
X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X
X X X X
X X X X
X X X
X X
S
(trending downwards, red->green)
In general, bonus rounds offer neat puzzles with no rewards. You'll
want to make sure that, along the way, you don't leave two dead-end
blocks or you will not be able to clear the bonus round(you only have
one shot.) Remember, once you jump off the structure in a bonus round,
you're sent back to the 'old grind.'
6UL UR 2DR UR 2UL UR DR UR UL 2UR DR DL DR DL 3DR 2DL UL DL 2DR 5UR UL
DL UL UR 2UL
You don't get any extra bonus, not even at the end of the level, just
ten points(on easy level anyway) for each square you jump on. But it's a
nice puzzle.
6.1.2.5. BOARD 1-2-e
! D
O X
X X
X X X X
X O s X
X X X X
X S X
X X X X
D X X X X X
X X X X
D
Entities: red balls, purple cyclops
Blocks: yellow->green
Background: yellow->green
Trending: down as you reach the left/right/down edges
Wait for the cyclops to run by before you run to the section where he
appears. The top of the center section should be safe as he tends to
keep to the outer edges as he runs through his pattern: 3(DR DL) DR 4(UR
DR) 2UR 3(UL UR) before he falls off. The upper left drop zone is where
the cyclops appears, and he reappears once he's fallen off to the right.
Although this level requires navigation of narrow areas, you can time
your entrance through them well enough and even have an indefinite safe
haven at your starting spot. If you want to bull through the level you
can use the invincibility to run through the narrow parts and the
cyclops.
Note that the shield square is also a target square.
6.1.3. LEVEL 1-3
X
X X
X X
a X X b
e X X X f
2 X X X X X X 3
X X X X
X X X X
X X X X X
X X
c X X d
X X
X
Background: spinning triangles, triangle spirals
As beforehe x's by new boards don't actually give points for
stepping on them. However when you step on one X, the teleport to the
world opposite it appears. That's what the blue ball wizard outside the
board is there for.
6.1.3.1. BOARD 1-3-a
S
X O X X O X
X X X X X
D X X X X D
X X X
X X
f
Entities: red balls, Coily
Blocks: red->green
Background: triangle spiral, octahedron
Trending: down screen
You'll see your first 'fleet feet' at the bottom. They help you go
faster for a bit but you probably won't want to use them right here(you
can use them until level's--not board's--end.) Be sure to go right to
the bottom to pick up the only really tough square, and exercise the
usual caution covering the drop squares and the upper left/right
corners.
6.1.3.2. BOARD 1-3-b
! S
D O X X O D
X X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X X X
D X X X X X X X X D
X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X X
Entities: Ugg, Wrong-way, Coily, red balls, extra q*Bert, green ball
Blocks: lilac->green
Background: spinning triangles, triangle spirals
Trending: down screen
A very big level but not a terribly tough one. Many of your friends
from classic Q*Bert are here but the four discs should be enough for you
to mop up quickly, with the necessary detours to get rid of Coily.
Remember to cover the bottom corners, if only after taking a disk to
evade Coily. Maybe you can knock out the drop blocks on your way.
6.1.3.3. BOARD 1-3-c
!
O X X X X 2 2 O
X X X X X 2 2 X X
X X X X X X X X
X X X 2 X X X X
X 2 2 2 D X X X
X X 2 2 2 X X X
X X X X
X X X X X
X
X
D
Entities: purple cyclops, Sam/Slick, red ball
Blocks: purple->green
Background: octahedron, spinning triangle&spiral
Trending: down screen, from left and top
You can just sit around and wait at your start square as the level
begins. You may want to, as this level requires a bit of planning. You
must navigate two separate entities.
Sam/Slick runs down the right side, and the cyclops hangs out and
runs in circles in the upper left. First you'll want to try to follow
the cyclops to nail the left hand side. The hairpin in the lower left is
not such a big deal as a ball really can't force its way over there.
Once you've cleared everything UL of the line DL of the left O you can
clean out the right side; start at the bottom and climb up. Gobble
Sam/Slick if you see him.
It's a neat exercise to try to remove all the 2 blocks(which are
falling blocks) and for the bottom bunch I recommend DR/UL back and
forth jumping. That will take out all but the 2 near the disk. Then when
you hook around to cover the final right part(stepping on the above 2's
with UR/DL in the process,) you can knock off the odd 2 out.
6.1.3.4. BOARD 1-3-d
O S O
! X X X X
X X O X X X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X X
D X X X X X X
X X X X X D
Entities: extra Q*Bert, red balls, Coily
Blocks: purple->green
Background: triangles & their spirals
Trending: downwards
This level is a bit tougher to negotiate than 1-3-b because a good
part of the center is missing, you have one-way blocks on the edge, the
bottom center is tough to negotiate especially with Coily around, and
there are fewer disks. But you have a hance to pick up extra Q*Berts.
Use hte discs judisciously so that you can cross sides.
6.1.3.5. BOARD 1-3-e*
S
O X X O
X X V X X
X X
O X X X X X X O
X V X X V X
X X V X X
X X X X X X X X
X X X X
V V
Entities: red balls
Blocks: orange, purple(target)->green->blue
Background: triangles & their spirals & square base pyramid
Trending: downward
[Falling blocks have triangles on them]
It's a bad idea to go around knocking out all the falling blocks
right away. They should be used strategically. If you do not, you'll
have a lot of waiting and hoping to do. As I see it there are three
rings--the big center one and the two side ones. I would recommend going
to the right one first(well, either side.) DR DR UR DR DL and see if you
can get the four-square 'bucket' here.
Note the square between the two rightmost drop blocks. It is a safe
square. You may wish to wait for balls to pass there before making your
next move; I believe you can even get to the drop square in the right in
time. Cross over carefully(and only now take out the lower center drop
block) and repeat the process with the other side. Note that when you
touch the left drop zone, DR UR gives you another chance to catch your
breath.
6.1.3.6. BOARD 1-3-f*
!
O X X X X 2 2 O
X X X X X 2 2 X X
X X X X X X X X
X X X 2 X X X X
X 2 2 2 D X X X
X X 2 2 2 X X X
X X X X
X X X X X
X
X
D
Entities: red balls, green ball, green dude
Blocks: purple->green->blue
Background: triangles & their spirals
Trending: down the screen, from left/up sides
[Falling blocks have triangular designs on them]
This is pretty much a copy of 1-3-c except you have to jump on
everything twice, and the level's a bit easier especially with the
regular green balls off to the right.
6.1.4. LEVEL 1-4
X a
X X
b X ! c
X X X
X X !
X X X X
! X X
X X !
d X X
X X
e X
Blocks: purple->blue
Background: stars
Trending: downwards
6.1.4.1. BOARD 1-4-a
O ! O
X X S O X X
X X X X X D
X X X X X X 3
X X X X X 3
X X X X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X X X
X O
Entities: red balls, cyclops, green ball
Blocks: yellow->blue
Background: stars
Trending: downward
This level obviously has a couple of rings that you want to clear out
ASAP. It seems the best way to do this is to clear out the upper and
lower left and then to get the lower right and go to the bonus level if
the upper right is not immediately available. With the board cleared
after visiting the bonus level you should be able to clear the rest.
Sort of bonus level:
!
X O X O
X X X X X D
X V X X X X
X V X X X X
O X X X X X V
X X D
X X X
X X
X X
V
Entities: red balls, extra Q*Bert
Blocks: blue->green->yellow
Background: twirling 12-axis snowflakes
Trending: down towards the center of the D/R
starry falling bricks
This level doesn't look symmetrical but despite the different drop
zones it mostly is. The red balls are a slight distraction but you
should be able to jump out of their way easily by staying two blocks
away. It's a bit of a task but nothing too cerebral. The most annoying
part of this level is how the drop squares look like they've been jumped
on once already and this can cause the player to misjudge things.
Note that on completion you're kicked back to the home level and not
1-4-a.
6.1.4.2. BOARD 1-4-b
S
V O O V
X O X D
X X X X
D X X X X
X X X X !
V X X V
Entities: coily, red balls, extra Q*Bert
Blocks: purple->turquoise
Background: twirling 12-axis snowflakes
Trending: down the screen
A pretty easy and simple level as long as you get things done quickly.
The couple of discs should neutralize Coily quite well.
6.1.4.3. BOARD 1-4-c
!
X O X O
X X X X X D
X X X X X X
X V X X X X
O X X X X X V
X X D
X X X
X X
X X
V
Entities: red balls
Blocks: pink->green
Background: twirling 12-axis snowflakes
Trending: DR, with a crease around the middle
This level is similar to 1-4-a's bonus only you only have to jump on
everything once and there is only one drop square in the middle. You
shouldn't expect too many problems from it. Just watch for in case you
step on the two drop squares in the middle--that makes navigating
between each side tougher. Just jump on one at a time if at all, or use
discs to transport between sides.
6.1.4.4. BOARD 1-4-d
O
X X
! X X X
V O X X X X X V
S X X V X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X
V X X X X V
Entities: extra Q*Bert, cyclops, red balls
Blocks: light green-> light blue
Background: twirling 12-axis snowflakes
Trending: downward
The cyclops can be pretty annoying here but if you stay behind one you
can be pretty safe. As there are two extra Q*Berts that appear at the
start of the board, this can be incredibly lucrative.
6.1.4.5. BOARD 1-4-e
O
O X X
X X X X O X
V X X X X X X D
D X X X V X X X bonus
X X X X X X X X 2
V X X D f X X X X V
Entities: red balls, Coily
Blocks: red->green
Background: stars
Trending: downward
This has a bonus level past the 2. Use it to gain time to win this
level.
V X X X V
X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X X
V V V V V
V
DR UR DR DL DR UR DR DL DR UR DR UR 2DR 2UR DR UR UL UR 2UL DL DR DL 3UL
DL DR DL 2UL UR
6.1.1. LEVEL 1-5
e
2
X
X X
X X
X X X X
a X X X b
X X X X
X X W X X
X X
c X X d
X X
X
Entities: cyclops may show up after a long while
Blocks: red->dark blue
Background: rotating hexagonal frustums
Trending: downwards
6.1.1.1. BOARD 1-5-a
O X S X O O V
X X/X X X X X
! X X/D X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X X D
V X X X X X X
D X X X X X V
Top disc not accessible from above.
Entities: green guy, green ball, extra Q*Bert
Blocks: pale purple->dark blue
Background: rotating hexagonal frustums
Trending: downwards
Drop block pattern=weird mushroom
The green guy always appears on the left so you may want to take care
of that side second, especially as the green ball and extra Q*Bert
appear early on the right.
6.1.5.2. BOARD 1-5-b
X O
X X
S O X X V
V X X X X
D X X X D X
X X X ! X X D
X X X X X X
D X X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X X
V X X X X V
Entities: red balls
Blocks: pink-> dark blue
Background: various weird twirling hexagons
Trending: downward
Drop blocks are rainbow colored.
For a lack of other good advice I will state the obvious. You should
probably clear out all of the left side before heading to the right.
Note that you can't see all of this level at once.
6.1.5.3. BOARD 1-5-c
O X X X O
X X X X X X
X X X X X X X
X X X X X X
V X X ! X X V
X X X X X X
D X X X b X X X D
X X X X X X
V X O X V
Entities: coily, red balls, cyclops
Blocks: lavender->dark blue
Background: hexagonal spinning frustums
Trending: downward
b = the baseball bat which zaps Coily(blue wizard comes by)
You'd do well to get the baseball bat right away and not use it until
you're desperate; the resulting pyrotechnics are cute but distracting
enough to cost you a life anyway.
6.1.5.4. BOARD 1-5-d
!
O X X O
X X S X X
V X X-X X V
X X/*\X X
X X X X
D X b X D
X X
V
Entities: red balls, purple balls
Blocks: red->purple
Background: spinning hexagonal frustums
Trending: downwards
rainbow drop blocks
This is another level that should go pretty quickly given the discs at
the bottom. You probably only need one; clear the left, take a disc,
clear the right.
bonus level behind the bottom part:(jump into the apparent hole in the
structure)
BONUS LEVEL
Blocks: yellow->blue
Trending: downwards
V
X X
X X X
X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X X
X V X X V X
X X X X
Not too tough to figure out. Go DL all the way, DR, UR DR UR UL UR DR
UL and keep snaking around to the top. DR DR DL DL DR DR DR UR DR UR UL
and the rest should be obvious.
6.1.5.5. BOARD 1-5-e
O ! O
X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X \X X X
X X X X X D\X X
V X V X X V X V
D
Higher disc cannot be accessed from the lower part.
Entities: red balls
Blocks: light purple->dark purple
Background: hexagonal skewed(rotating)
Trending:downwards
This is not too tough of a level given that Coily never shows up. The
usual tired dictum of finishing everything in the left/center/right
before moving on applies here.
Fallthrough blocks are striped.
6.1.1. LEVEL 1-6
a
X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X X
b X X X X
X X X X
X X X X c
X X X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X
d
blocks: yellow->purple
background: spinning octagonal wires
This is the first really huge home level although there is little
chance a cautious player will actually lose a Q*Bert.
6.1.6.1. BOARD 1-6-a
!
V X X V
X X X X X
X X X X
X X X X
X X X V V X X X
V O X V V V X O V
Entities: cyclops
Blocks: yellow->purple
Background: single octagonal rings swing, spin
Trending: downward
Swirly pattern for falling down blocks
In order to get bonuses for jumping on everything three times in that
section at the bottom it's probably best to nail them two at a time.
Given that you don't have Coily to face this is very possible. Note that
the cyclops have a general pattern tending up towards the center--they
never move down. Cut in behind them for tough bottom corner squares.
6.1.6.2. BOARD 1-6-b
!
V X X X V
b X X X X X X
. X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X
X X X X X X O X
V X V V X V
(f)
Entities: cyclops, red balls
Blocks: lt purple->dark purple
Background: interlocked rotating octagonal wires
Trending: downward
Swirly pattern for falling down, Mardi Gras-colored.
Bonus level:
X S
X X V
X X X X X
X X X X X
V X X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X V
X X X X X X
X X X
V
DL UL DL DR DL UL 2DL DR UR DR DL DR UR DR UR UL UR DR UR 2UL UR 2DR UR
DR DL DR UR 2DR DL UL DL DR DL 3UL DL DR
6.1.6.3. BOARD 1-6-c
O X X O
O X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X X
V X X X X V
X X X ! X X X
X X X X X X
D X X X X X D
V X X V
Entities: coily, extra Q*Bert, red balls
Blocks: pink->purple(green spiral-swirl droppers)
Background: spinning hexagon-google symbols
Trending: downwards
I suppose you've seen other levels like this before and I can't really
give any advice other than to try to move in a circle and clear
everything out.
6.1.6.4. BOARD 1-6-d
X
V O
X X X
! X X X O
O O X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X
V X X X X X X
X X X
X X V
D(to bonus level)
Entities: red balls
Blocks: tangerine->dark blue->light green
Background:
Trending: all over the place!
This is a tough level for just having red balls bouncing all over as
you will note droppages all over the place. If one cube is too far below
another, don't try to jump down onto it. You will fall. However there is
a nice outlet that can help immensely. The disc leading to the bonus
level doesn't disappear after you've completed it. Therefore you are
able to exit this level whenever you want. That is a huge help when the
board seems too crowded, and when things are reset you'll have time to
cover that next area. This seems to be a safe way to get through the
level.
disc to new level:
!
V X X V
X X X X X
X X X X
X X X X
X X X X X X X X
V O X X X X X O V (green swirls, yellow->
WORLD 2
You actually get a sort of story with these levels. World 2 feels the
monst genuinely adventurous of the four. Q*Bert goes through a variety
of backgrounds, from fire to ice to jungle to medieval, and all levels
are linear--the order is not free form as in level one. You also see
odder shapes, and bonus rounds are more prominent.
You also need to beware of a pattern: once you hear the crash there is
still one more square that appears and you need to clear it before the
monsters keep coming. It's usually on the opposite side of the board.
Every trip to the next level is also one-way.
6.1.1. LEVEL 2-1
Level 2-1 has a sort of rough gothic climbing a cliff at nighttime
theme. The boulders tend to be a bit theatrical, and this can help you
avoid them. What's most important is to get a quick start on any one
level, and the rest is usually a breeze. None of the levels is
especially big, but there is some quick action that can potentially be
very confusing. You climb up a series of mountains to the top of the
castle. The levels can be quite snappy once you know how to do them but
until then they are torture.
6.2.1.1. BOARD 2-1-a
X
O O
O X X
X X
X X X +
X X X X X
X X X X
D
Entities: boulders, Coily
Blocks: grey -> light green
Background: eerie mountain/clouds
Trending: downwards
Shading may cause problems here. It's best to go as quickly as
possible to cover the three targets. Cover the top three rows(minus the
middle third row if there's no time) quickly although if that is not
practical(a shadow above one of them) covering the DR first. Jump on the
disc when Coily appears, and clear the rest later.
6.2.1.2. BOARD 2-1-b
c
+
X O
O X X
X X X
X X X X
S X X X
X X D
X
X
Entities: boulders, red/green/blue
Blocks: grey->light green
Background: tree and clouds in the twilight
Trending: bends at the start
If you're just trying to survive, first order of business is to go DR
and then you'll need to circle around to the other lone square. Once the
boulders start falling you can nip in and touch the target squares.
However expert players may wish to go UR first to nail the
red/green/blue guys first.
6.2.1.3. BOARD 2-1-c
+ O
O X
D X X
X X
X X
X X D
S X
X
X
Entities: boulders
Blocks: grey -> light green
Background: crescent moon
Trending: downward
Boulders, which cover all the squares, aren't quite side-by-side here
and you may need to time things a bit to jump between the two boulders.
But you always can. They're easier to time than the red balls as there
is more room for error. The left one usually drops first. You have discs
for in case you panic but they shouldn't be necessary.
6.2.1.4. BOARD 2-1-d
O
+ X X
X X X D
X X X
D X X O
X X X
X X X
X X
Entities: Coily, boulders, red/green guys
Blocks: pink->green
Background: greenish volcano
Trending: downward
Head up immediately to nab the red/green guys. Then it's best to try
to circle around counterclockwise and take the disc to shake off Coily.
Once you do the rest of the level should be shortlived. The only target
square that puts you in danger is at the top.
6.2.1.5. BOARD 2-1-e
X
X D
D X X
X X X X X
+ X X X X D
X X X
D X X
Entities: Coily, boulders
Blocks: pink->green
Background: red volcano
Trending: downward
6.2.1.6. BOARD 2-1-f
O
X X
X X O
X X X
X X X
+ X S
D
Entities: Coily, boulders
Blocks: grey->green
Background: a few stars
Trending: downward DL
If you move quickly this should be no problem. 2UL, UR, 2UL, DL all
the way, DR and UR when you can. The disc probably won't be useful as
Coily has a nasty habit of landing right next to it as an egg.
6.2.1.7. BOARD 2-1-g
X
X
X
X O
D X X
X X X O
X X X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X
X S D
X
A bit of a complex level but if you note that the disc on the left
drops you at the top of the board, you will be OK. It's an extended dead
end that's much tougher to get to without an extended pause. First
however you may want to cover the DR part of the board.
6.2.2. LEVEL 2-2
We've got a weird sort of medieval theme here which I always tend to
think of as Mayan, probably because of the exotic music and of how these
weird idols come bouncing out and chasing after you. Timing and general
quickness will be useful here. The levels aren't the quick hitters of 2-
1 but certainly have nuances and trade-offs for certain squares' safety
that I find appealing.
The idols are much more forgiving than red balls as you can wait a lot
longer before jumping away from them.
You must jump on targets to clear levels, and many squares are
partially obscured as well. Remembering this may be the toughest thing
about this level once you get past board a.
6.2.2.1. BOARD 2-2-a
X
X X O
X X Y
X X Y X
X Y X X
Y X X X
X X X O
X Y
X Y X
X Y X X
X X
X
Entities: green guy shooting from the side, idols bouncing down
gullies(Y)
Blocks: wood->green
Background: verdant, river/grass/ferns
Trending: two gullies
There's a green guy to the UL that occasionally fires arrows at you.
You can always tell about where they will come from as of course he can
only fire them in the UL/DR corridor he is currently on. You can duck
them in the gully, but not for too long as that is where the idols come
bouncing down. The DR reaches of this board are safer than the UL which
you'll want to complete ASAP--try to complete the UR when the green guy
is DL, and vice versa.
I find this to be the toughest of all the boards on level 2-2 so don't
be discouraged if it takes a few guys to get through this.
6.2.2.2. BOARD 2-2-b
. .
O X .
O X X
. X X X
X X X X .
X X X X .
X X X X
X X X X
X X X X
X X X .
X X X
X X
.
Entities: idols(4 at a time,) arrows, red/blue guys
Blocks: wood->green
Background: grassland with river below
Trending: gully in DR center
The idols move predictably here as well. First they will go DR and then
to the outside of the level. Then later they will come down the center.
The arrows are easy to track as well--notice the red and blue guys on
top. The blue guy(UL) tends to shoot two arrows quickly at once so you
may want to wait for them and then clear the upper left. The middle two
rows are safe from arrows except for the extended UL bit. Of course to
get the targets you want to wait until the idols have passed you by, and
then it is free sailing.
6.2.2.3. BOARD 2-2-c
X O
X X O
X X X
X X X X
X X X
X X
X
Entities: Coily, red balls
Blocks: wood->green
Background: wall to the right, targets to the left
Trending:downward DL
A very quick and easy level if you have your bearings. I find you can
snake your way (counter)clockwise--whichever way ends up in a corner at
the end of your journey when all squares on the rim have turned green,
detouring to jump from target square to target square, wait for the red
ball and Coily to drop, and then clear the last four squares. But be
quick whatever you do as Coily appears rather fast, and there are no
discs.
6.2.2.4. BOARD 2-2-d
X X X
O X X X
. X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X X
. X X X X
O X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X
X X X X
X X X
X X X
X X
Entities: two idols
Blocks: wood->green
Background: river below
Trending: downward from center/UL
The graphics are interesting foreshadowing as there are two targets
you can see but can't reach. The idols move randomly and you have to be
especially cautious about hidden squares in the UR. Still the process of
following them if they seem to be stepping on squares you can't cover
works well, and they should eventually fall off to give you a breather.
Once you've cleared all the squares the level will fall away and you
are kicked directly to 2-2-e. You don't have to walk anywhere.
6.2.2.5. BOARD 2-2-e
X 2
X X O
X X O
X X X
X X X X
X X X X
X X X
X
Entities: red/green/blue(100/200/300), idols
Blocks: wood->grey
Background: darkness, with hint of bonus level below
Trending: down from up-center
This has a stupid bonus level. You'll want to visit it not only for
the points but also because the monsters take so long to come down here
that you can complete this level without being molested. Overall,
distinctly lucrative and with an utter lack of challenge.
S
X X
X X X
X X X X
X X X
X X
X
6.2.3. LEVEL 2-3
This level has a city theme to it. Q*Bert jumps around a skyline, and
one thing you need to watch for is bad lighting. In fact one level
allows you to turn the lights on or off. Many levels have several parts
where new platforms don't appear until you've cleared parts of the
previous levels.
6.2.3.1. BOARD 2-3-a
X
X X
X X *
X X X
X O
* X X
X X X
X X X
O X X X X
X X X X
X X X X
X X X
X X X
X X
X
Entities: red/green/blue, extra Q*Bert, Coily, red balls
Blocks: dark -> yellow, blue
Background: skyscrapers, with lampposts and a weird Coily spinning sign
Trending: DL on the right hand side
You must clear eight squares at first. All but the two UR-most
flip(yellow<->blue) so be careful. Then you can jump off to DL which
puts you at the bottom or DR which puts you at the top. I prefer being
able to clear out the larger area first so I go DR--if you're quick
enough you can also pick off the red/green/blue guys. You'll need to
fake Coily out in order to get to the bottom but I don't recommend using
the disc as that will kick you back to the top and you'll have to pass
Coily again. The left area is rather easy to get through and you might
as well clear the top parts before balls start bouncing down.
6.2.3.2. BOARD 2-3-b
O O
* X X X
O X X X X O
X X X X X
X X X X
X X X
X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X
X X
X
X
X
Entities: Coily, tires
Blocks: dark blue->red
Background: lampposts, Coily sign
Trending: downward with gullies
The tires here are much like the boulders in 2-1. They are entirely
predictable, always bouncing DR or DL depending on the squares where
they start. Note the very center square is always a safe haven until
Coily appears. As you can easily outrun him this level should, in all,
provide minimum challenges. Even if he starts to follow you or create a
blockade with two tires, you can shake him off by waiting until the last
minute to jump away. However Coily comes in so late that you may be able
to finish before he can distract you.
6.2.3.3. BOARD 2-3-c
* X O
X X X
X X X X
X V X X
X V X
X X X X
X X O O
X X X X
X X X
X X X
X X X
X X X
X X X
X X
X X
X
X
S
Entities: Coily, tires, red balls
Blocks: yellow->grey
Background: street lamps, apartment building
Trending: downwards to DR
Obviously you need to get going UL right away. The tires are still
pretty easy to avoid, and Coily should be too. Note that this is the
first Q*Bert level where you can't see all of the stage at once. The
upper level looks like it has a hole in the middle but the down-arrows
could provide quite a nice bonus and a temporary escape route(tires
can't go down there.)
The bright yellow squares you need to turn should be visible, but
remember that turning the target from red to green is necessary.
6.2.3.4. BOARD 2-3-d
S
X
O
X X
X X X
X X X X
X X X X X
X D D X
O X
X X l
X X X X
X X D X
L X X X X
X X X
X X X X
X X X
X
Entities: Coily, red balls, extra Q*Bert
Blocks: grey->red
Background: buildings below
Trending: downward
This board starts out totally dark and the only way to make it light
is to go to the lower left. I'd advise doing that right away and
clearing out that area as Coily can't disturb you yet and he is trying
in cramped areas. Then you can make it back up the bottleneck, ditch
Coily on a disc, clear the main top part out, and go DR. Note that DR
you will hit a square that shuts the lights out. Fortunately if you run
DR you should be able to clear the right part out before working your
way to the left, where there's an emergency disc if you can't cover
everything. This gives you a second chance to come back and complete the
job.
6.2.3.5. BOARD 2-3-e
S
X
X X
O X X X
X X X X
X X X X
* X X X
X X X
X X X
X X
X
X Y
X X
X
2
Entities: Coily, red guy
Blocks: grey->yellow
Background: skyscrapers below
Trending:
Here you have to turn all the squares one color before the next part
will pop up. This is not trivial because the squares flip colors. The
target square, which you do not need to jump on, is critical for parity.
The red guy jumps around a lot and you should catch him eventually as
the Y square doesn't open up until the nine squares above it are turned
yellow.
If you fall off the edge of this level, you'll run into huge problems.
Coily drops down quickly on your return and sits down at the top of the
3x3 square, limiting your movement and forcing you to undo the work on
your 4x4 square unless you're good at bouncing back and forth a lot.
It's better just to be caught and proceed, and so you will want to pay
extra attention to making good jumps.
Ideally you can just snake DR all the way/DL/UR all the way, but it
never quite works out. This is a nasty if short board.
6.2.3.6. BOARD 2-3-f
X O 3
X X 3 X
X X 3 X X
X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X X
S X X X X X X X
D D D D
Entities: ugg/wrong way, slick, blue-green-red, coily, red balls
Blocks: grey->red
Background: skyscrapers in distance
Trending: downwards
The '3' blocks don't seem to do anything. They are just there. You
should be able to cover the left half unmolested by Coily(and if you
are, give Coily the runaround until it's complete and then use a disc to
jump to the top,) and the board is divided enough that you have a good
chance of clearing the right half unhampered by him as well(purple ball
tends left but if not--use another disc. There are more than enough.)
Remember that although the target square starts out red(which you need
to change all other blocks to) you need to change it to green.
6.2.4. LEVEL 2-4
This arctic themed level is the only place where you will see slides;
if you step on a square, you are sent down. Sometimes you have to take
pains to get around one and other times it's just easy to slide and
write off a minor inconvenience. Also similar to 2-1 each time you
complete all the accessible squares in a board, a barricade will burst
and you must go to where it was in order to stop monsters from
appearing.
Slides are designated by a 'Y' in the text maps. Note you end up at
the X below it.
Also note that there are strange narrow passages between levels that
you can't fall off but allow for a complete change of scene.
6.2.4.1. BOARD 2-4-a
O
X
X X
X Y X
X X Y X
X X X Y X
X X X X Y X +
S X X X X X X
Entities: boulders, blue/green/red, green guy
Blocks: blue->icy frozen
Background: frozen ferns
Trending: downward
The board is pretty much divided into "above the slide" and "below the
slide." It is tough to cover the corridors created by the slide as
boulders may randomly bounce at you, but on the bright side boulders
never touch the slide, so it's a safety valve.
Quickly going UL/UR will not net you the three guys. Stopping to cover
the very DL square is a bit safer and you'll still get 300 points for
the blue one. In any case don't put yourself on automatic and go DR
after touching the slide--you'll lose a guy that way. Also note that the
little green guy will come down at some point so you'll want to clear
the UR part first. Once the green guy drops down just backtrack or trace
his steps and you should solve this in good time.
Boulders seem to fall from the lower target square so that is an extra
reason toise using the slide to clear out the UR squares.
6.2.4.2. BOARD 2-4-b
O
X O
S X X O
X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X
X X X X
X X X
X X
X
Entities: boulders rolling
Blocks: white glacial->blue glacial
Background: mountains
Trending:
[Don't need to cover O's]
The UL part before you get to the rolling boulders should be no
problem whatsoever. The rest really requires patience; moving laterally
until you've cleared each three-unit phalanx works, although you can
usually skip a few and, when you get all the way UR, just run back DL. I
don't think there will often be a phalanx of boulders so this level
shouldn't cause you to sweat much.
In general the boulder pattern seems to be as follows:
boulder in 1st row, 2 boulders in 2nd row in a row, boulder in 3rd row
3 squares later. The boulder in the 1st row lags one more square each
time.
6.2.4.3. BOARD 2-4-c
V
V
V
V V
V V V
V Y Y V
V Y X Y V
V Y X X Y V
V Y X X X Y V
V Y X X X X Y V
S X X X X X X *
X X X X X X
D D
Entities: boulders, Coily
Blocks: blue g;lacial top-> white
Background: snow ferns + rock
Trending: downward
Fortunately, you don't need to clear any of the V squares, which is
fortunate as you are only allowed above the range twice with the discs.
So overall this is a pretty normal arcade Q*Bert level although you can
jump to the bottom right away after clearing out the top first--if you'd
like.
6.2.4.4. BOARD 2-4-d
X
X O X X
X X X V X X X
X X X X X X X X
X V X X X X X V X
X X X X *
X V X V X
Entities: red guy, ugg/wrong way/ boulders
Blocks: lt blue & purple->blue
Background: frpmds + small ice castle
Trending: downwards
Fortunately Ugg, Wrong-Way et al don't seem to do much. The V squares
you don't need to step on but it's unclear when they disappear and you
don't get any points for doing so. This is a pretty quick level. Just
remember to clear the square next to the mini-mountain blockade.
6.2.4.5. BOARD 2-4-e
X O X
X X X X
X O O O X
X X X X X Y
X X X X X Y
S X X X X X Y
X X X Y
X V X X Y D
D X V X X X X
X X X X X X X
Entities: blue and green guys, Coily, red balls
Blocks: lt blue->dark blue
Background: mountain and big fronds
Trending: downward
Back to the normal whopper levels. As going straight UR four squares
gets you a conk on the head from a boulder, I'd make use of the discs
here to buy time to clear out the top; in fact I might go straight down
and try to clear out the area DR of the two falling squares[what color]
and, each time I got to the top, try to cover the targets. First I'd
cover the far left and then the mid-left.
6.2.5. LEVEL 2-5
This level has a bizarre fire theme which gets pretty distracting when
you have to cover every square twice. But there is still an attractive
design and it is interesting how the board gets brighter the more
squares you step on.
You also have a weird power-up which causes all boulders on the board
to vanish.
6.2.5.1. BOARD 2-5-a
*
D * *
X ? X
X X
X
X X
X X X
& X X X X
X X V X X
O X X X X X
X X V X X
X X X X
X V X
X X
D S D
Entities: Coily, red/green/blue
Blocks: dark orange -> orange yellow
Background: fire pits in a sort of chalice
Trending: downward upwards
Vertigo! You start at the bottom and the only disc is at the top,
which is really downward in the 3-d perspective. The red/green/blue are
nuisances that you can't really go after, and the key to getting a good
start here is NOT to step on the squares UL/UR of your starting point.
At least not immediately. You probably want to paint the edges before
going for the center, and you want to use them as possible escape routes
to the bottom of the screen where two discs are if Coily comes after
you.
To finish things off you may want to take out the upper part(which has
an emergency disc for if you fumble things a bit.)
Don't bother to use the power-up on this board. It's far more useful
on the next one.
6.2.1.1. BOARD 2-5-b
X
X X
X X O
X O X
O X X
X X X
X X X
X X X
X X X
X X X
X X X
X X
X X
X
S S
Entities: Q*Bert, blue guy, rocks that sink into themselves
Blocks: olive green->orange fire
Background: see above
Trending: downward DR
This level requires more waiting than I'd really like, but the
important thing to remember here is that when blocks turn tan, it means
the boulders have sunk into them. Do not step on these squares or you
will lose a life. The bright side is that boulders rolling after them
will sink in. Hopefully you will be able to go about your business
pretty easily otherwise as all the boulders roll predictably DR.
Once you get to the top you'll want to sneak quickly across to nail
the 'other side' of the target squares. If you've been able to clear
everything, good, but if not(i.e. a boulder is sinking in a square you
need to step on,) then just get DR of a square you need to touch and be
prepared to wait a bit. With no evil entities and even extra Q*Berts
this board doesn't exactly have you sweating for evasive action.
However if there is that one last square you just want to get rid of,
why not use the power-up? You'll be getting a new one in board C so it's
a bit wasted if you don't use it now.
6.2.1.1. BOARD 2-5-c
S
X X
X X
O X O D
X X X X
X X X X X
* X X X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X
D X X X D
Entities: Coily, boulders, red/green guys
Blocks: brown->yellow
Background: sliver of fiery rock + band of squares
Trending: downward
The squares knocked out in the center of this sort of hexagon do
matter(and they are not obvious,) but there is nothing else
extraordinary to report. Of course you will want to cover the six top
squares before progressing further, but on the other hand when you are
on the bottom the missing squares provide a nice shield. You can even
direct Coily the wrong way when you want to enter the lower space. If
you want to pick up the red guy then go DL immediately(it helps to have
entered on the right square to get to this level as well.) As before
there are enough discs here so that you can ditch coily and also zap any
boulders that have sunk into squares you need to cover.
There's also another part after this one which consists of 12 UL moves
in a row where you often just have to wait for boulders to hit in front
of you. Adjacent rocks never come down at once so overall the board is
pretty easy. It does not even seem like a proper board, and I do not
count it as such. In addition you cannot use the power-up to knock
anything out. I've gotten through by going quickly UL and holding the
controller down but can't guarantee the rocks don't start to drop
randomly.
6.2.1.1. BOARD 2-5-d
3 3
3 B 3
3 3
3 3
3 3
3
! O 3 3 O !
X X 3 X X
* X X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X X
D X X X X X D
X X X X X X
X X X X X X X
D
Entities: red guy, extra QBert, green slick, Coily, boulders, green ball
Blocks: reddish -> yellowish -> bright orange
Background: hollowed out cube pagoda
Trending: downward
You need to touch every square twice here and with Sam/Slick undoing
your efforts that will not be easy. Fortunately if you just want a break
from the whole business there is a very easy bonus level if you run
around in back and on top of the structure. Just go UL to start off. You
also can use two power-ups if you've saved the one from 2-5-c. This will
help you to knock out that pesky last square a boulder sat on if you are
worried about Coily near you or Slick undoing your work.
There seems to be a constant stream of extra Q*Berts floating around
and they are a real godsend if only for the time they buy you when you
get killed one second after picking them up.
You will also want to follow the pattern of working from the sides to
the center and up. Slick seems to appear on the right, so you want to
leave the upper right to the very last.
Again you need to watch for the boulders that 'go splat' and preclude
you from stepping on a square. The coloring is especially tricky but you
need to notice that the side squares on the pyramid below(which don't
usually change) turn color to indicate the square above them has been
touched.
The red and green guys appear early and off to the left so you may want
to take care of them if you want some extra points.
The green ball appears off to the left.
bonus round:
X
X X
X X X
X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X
X X X
X X
X
X
UL is the first move and it's not immediately obvious. From there it is
much easier. Just UR all the way, UL, DL all the way, UL, repeat.
6.2.6. LEVEL 2-6
The potential for points here is infinite as on board 2-6-a you can
just hop back and forth on the eye. It's not much fun that way though
and it will take a while.
There are also critters that are not barred from appearing right after
you take a disc and ditch coily, and the final two levels have Q*Bert
switching the tiles so he has to jump on some more than once.
6.2.6.1. BOARD 2-6-a
O +
X X
X X X
D X X X X D
X X X e X X X
O X X O
X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X
X D X S X D X
X X X X
X X X X X
X X
Entities: Critters, Coily, red/green/blue, extra Q*Bert
Blocks: tan -> red
Background: not-really-plants, tan/red/green color
Trending: mostly downward
To pick up the red/green/blue you'll want to move quickly UL and then
ASAP UR. The level is slow enough in developing that it should not be
tough. As in 2-4 you have paths to new levels revealed when you cover
every square, but you won't need to find the last one for the monsters
to disappear.
There's a weird plastic jungle background in this level, which also
features a block that looks like an eye. Step on it and it toggles a
light switch. Not quite as funny as Clapper commercials, and it's not
necessary to step on once, but if you're trapped into stepping on this
you should be aware of what will happen. Fortunately you can still
muddle your way around well enough even if you turn the lights off.
This is not as tough of a level as 2-5 but turning off the lights is a
potential game-ender, so you must take careful steps to counteract doing
so. You also have your jumps toggling squares in the last two levels,
requiring a bit of extra detail work on your part.
Other notes: beware the mid-ranged drop zones. Although it's
relatively safe just above them(there's a disc just above there for when
Coily visits) there are a few dead ends on this board and the sides are
a bit inhospitable. It's certainly a lavish first board in a level.
You're probably well off collecting Q*Berts in this level as well.
6.2.6.2. BOARD 2-6-b
D
O X X X X X +
X X X X X X X
X X X O e X X D
D S X X X X X X
X X X X X X O
Entities: Coily, weird blue trees, critters
Blocks: tan -> burgundy
Background: weird blue trees
Trending: down
Introducing...the weird blue trees/cacti that move slowly! Yay! They
are not much of an issue as jumping on a disc will make them disappear.
With the three discs and relative lack of dead ends(except the target
DR, which spawns trees and which you should approach immediately after
clearing the level with a disc) this is not such a bad level.
I found slowdown on this level when I took a disc up in the dark. Of
course the game won't slow down during any meaningful time :). But
there's a lot going on hin this small level.
6.2.6.3. BOARD 2-6-c
X O X X O X
X X X O X X X
X X X X X X
X X e X X
X X X X X X +
S X X X X X X
Entities: weird blue trees, critters, Coily
Blocks: tan -> red
Background: purple waterfall into pool
Trending: downwards
With the eye in the middle of the level there's extra temptation to
step on the eye, and it doesn't help to have a lack of discs as well. So
obviously the tough parts are covering the upper left and right squares.
Do one immediately going UL UL UR UR UR UR. Lead Coily on a chase to the
left side and hit back at the right if you must.
The weird blue trees that move slowly are more of a nuisance here. If
one is on a square you must hit, see my advice above--move all the way
to the right to sucker Coily and blow back past him. If you are really
impatient you can just sacrifice a life(not a bad idea if you're flush
with them on completing 2-6-a.)
Apparently if you step on the leftmost target a passageway opens back
the way you came. It only seems to be good for falling down, though.
6.2.6.4. BOARD 2-6-d
X .
O O 3 3 & (wipes em all out)
O X X X O 3
X X X X X X X O
X X X X X X
X X X X X
X X X D X X +
X D X X D X
X X X X X
X X D D X X
X X X X X
X X X X
Entities: blue guy, Coily, critter
Blocks: tan<->red
Background: weird sky, waterfall up
Trending: downwards
There are certainly some narrow criscrossing walkways here. Again
using one disc per narrow walkway is not such a bad idea, although you
can also go to the UR, pick up the device to wipe everything out, go
down one walkway, use the device, and go back up the other with
impunity. Remember also that this is a flipflopping level so you will
not want to cover the narrow walkways more than once. That may mean
completing the upper part thoroughly before the main stretch of covering
the lower part--and you may want to cover the left-to-upper part before
taking the narrow walkway in the DL.
If you do take the bonus level and use a power-up, remember to refresh
the powerup after you complete this level. It's useful on 2-6-e.
* * SLIGHT SPOILER(PATTERN) * *
I find a good pattern is to start UL, go UR at the first opportunity,
DL and DR and cover the rest of the left side. Then all the way DR,
UR/DR a bit, then UR all the way. UL, make a UR detour to get the power
up that wipes everything out, then tend UR and go to the bonus level.
Then I try to pick off each narrow walkway individually. I find I may
have to walk over some squares three times before I duck back out, but
given the plentiful discs around that area I figure that a good player
should chip away quickly as there is not much left to do and 80% of the
board can be ignored.
Bonus level to UR of top square:
X
O O
D X e X
X X X X
X V X V X D
X X X X X X
D X V X V X V X
X X X X X X X X
Entities: Coily, ugg, wrong-way, sam/slick, extra Q*Bert
Blocks: tan->red
Background: weird sky, upwards waterfall, green/red plant
Trending: downwards
Although quite lucrative, this is undoubtedly the most hellish level
to complete in Q*Bert Playstation. You may have two Sam/Slicks appear at
once, and they appear much more frequently than in the arcade game. As a
bit of a consolation you get potential extra guys and some squares are
worth 100(the V's do not disappear.) Standard board strategies of just
clearing the sides first work here. You may wish to cover the entire
level and go over Sam/Slick's path in reverse to clear this one. What's
really annoying about them is how they don't disappear when you take a
disc. They often drop down right afterwards.
Alternatively you may wish to use the smart bomb power-up you find in
2-6-d proper when there are just a few squares left.
6.2.6.5. BOARD 2-6-e
+
O X O
X X X X
X X X X D X
X X X D X X
X X X X X X
X D X X X
X X X X X
X X e X
X X X
X
Entities: blue plants, critters, coily
Blocks: red<->tan
Background: cactus
Trending: downwards
Note the two-way switching of the blocks. I suppose that is
appropriate for a very final level. You'll want to chip away at the left
side first and use the standard procedure for a back-and-forth block
level. I tend to like to clear the DR after getting do the left side.
That leaves the upper part with a few discs to mop up details. The discs
should buy you some time and don't be ashamed to use them. You may need
one just to make sure the upper part is cleared.
Note that Coily sits down UR of the highest disc. This is an odd
placement and may fool first-time players and in fact the first time
through you may need to use a disc without fully having completed the
DR. But that is not an eternal problem as you can just use the power-up
from 2-6-d to wipe Coily out and cross quickly over and back.
6.3. WORLD 3
Unless I mention otherwise the following notation applies:
X = regular square(tan->
> = conveyor belt moving DR or UR
< = conveyor belt moving UL or DL
u = red button that shifts certain squares
, = squares that can be
x = scaffold-shaped blocks you must step on
6.3.1. LEVEL 3-1
6.3.1.1. BOARD 3-1-a
u
X X ?
X . X ?
+ . . +
+ . u . +
+ + , , + +
X . + , + . X C
X . , X X , . X
u H u , u , u . u
X . , X X , . X
X . + , + . X
+ + , , + +
+ . u . +
+ . . +
X . X
X X
u
Entities: none
Background: gears, pulley and cranks
Trending: flat
This level is actually not so bad. If you are able to pick up the hammer
and then push the X button, you need only wait around for the guy in the
construction hat to drop scaffolds on the +'s. However, if you wish to
'play honest' you should be aware of how stepping on each u moves the
,/. squares. Any of the outer u's moves the , squares it's in touch with
clockwise. The center u turns all four clockwise. So there is a lot of
hopping back and forth, although you can't do it consistently in the
same direction. If you've used the hammer you need not step on any
shifting squares.
From the leftmost it is 2UL 2DL 2UL 2DL UL to 3-1-b.
The cannon that appears when you solve the board sends you to 3-1-d.
6.3.1.2. BOARD 3-1-b
X
C X
X u X
X X
X .
.
x
x x
X x x X X
, X X X X X X
O X u X X u X X u X
, X X X X X X
X x . X x x X
x . x x
x x
. x .
X . x X .
X X X X
X u X X u X
X X X X
D X X
Entities: sparks
Background: pipes
Trending: only buttons are raised
Whenever you step on a button, every single narrow walkway branching out
from it is changed...except for in the lower left where nothing happens.
To the right you move everything around you counter clockwise(the UL
walkway has three possibilities.) I like to go L, L, DR when covering
platforms, then L and onto the unsolveable bonus level. From there it is
L UL and you are done.
You don't need to cover the drop square.
The disc leads you to a bonus level shown below.
Bonus level:
X
X X
X X X
X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X
X X X
X X
X S X
X X
X
Quite simply, you cannot clear all the squares on this level. Rename
them as follows:
A
B B
A A A
B B B B
A A A A A
B B B B
A A A
B B
A A A
B B
A
Now there are 16 A's and 14 B's. But you alternately jump on A's and B's
starting with A. So after 28 jumps you will have 2 B's left, but you
cannot jump from B to B. (This sort of reasoning is known as a parity
argument in mathematical proofs.)
Interestingly if you were on a 5x5 square then whether or not you could
solve it would depend on where you started.
Cannon leads you to 3-1-c.
6.3.1.3. BOARD 3-1-c
2 = to middle
1 = to lower
3 = to upper
Lower:
2
X
X X C
X X x
X x
O x
x X
x O X X
C X 2
X X
2
Middle:
X
X
X 3
X x
X 1 x
x
x
u
x
x
x 3 X
x X
1 X
X
X
Upper:
2
X X
X
X X
X X
X X
O X
X X
X X
X
2
Entities: sparks
Background: pipes
Trending: arched
This board is a bit odd to visualize and that is why I have divided it
into three parts. Not all the squares are clear to see so you will need
to make sure you get the hard to see ones(see the upper part) while
still not overcompensating and jumping off where there aren't any
squares. And don't forget to pick off the middle and bottom crate-like
squares. The target squares can also be annoying to pick off, but when
you realize the sparks' general pattern of not looking into the dead-end
nooks the level becomes less frantic, and you often just have to wait
for the right moment.
The button flips everything around so that any sparks that would trap
you disappear.
Left cannon sends you to 3-1-b. Right cannon sends you to 3-1-e.
6.3.1.4. BOARD 3-1-d
O
X O
> X O
< > X O ,
X < > X O , ,
O X < > X O
O X < > X O
O X < > X O
O X < > X O
O X < > X
O X < >
, O X <
, O X
, O
6.3.1.5. BOARD 3-1-e
,
C u
d X O
X X x
X X X x
X X X X x
X X X X X x ,
X X X X X X ,
d ,
Entities: Coily, red balls
Background: gutters and grindstone
Trending: downwards
I am actually representing only half of the level here. When you step on
the button the view shifts and you have a mirror image of the initial
view above. You must clear out both sides(although the x's are on both
sides.) Beware of the difference in orientation when you hit the button
and don't glide continuously on auto-pilot or you will fall off.
On completing the level the hammer appears on the second X from the top.
Cannon sends you back to 3-1-c.
6.3.1.6. BOARD 3-1-f
X
! X
X X X
X ! X
X ! X
X X X
X ! X
X ! X
X X X
X ! X
X ! X
X X
X
Entities: none
Background: bridge
Trending: flat
This is a pretty easy one. The hammers pounding back and forth are easy
enough to time and even the two in the row pose little threat. Just jump
when one starts to jump in front of you. Also note that the prespective
Path from 3-1-f leads to 3-1-?.
6.3.2. LEVEL 3-2
In no cases do we have anything terribly notable in the background
besides general resistor/capacitor decorations, and we also should note
that the color progressions are the same.
steel girder blocks: black -> red
regular blocks: slate -> blue
target blocks: red target -> blue target
6.3.2.1. BOARD 3-2-a
N = not necessary to cover, hammer-guy
+ = where he starts hammering once level is over
O
X X
X S X
H X X
X X O X X
X X X X X X
H X X N X X H
X X X X X X
X X X X X
X X H
X X X
X X
X
Entities: weird jumpy guys with hammers
Background: resistor/capacitor
Trending: down from the corners and center
This is not such a bad level. Remember that the small jumpy guys
with hammers 1) rarely jump around in circles and 2) jump at random.
Therefore the usual process of staying two jumps away from them works
out well. But if you can, clear out the three drop squares and that 3x3
square first. The board is best divided into 3x3 squares at the edges.
Note that if you try to use two hammers at once the first stops
immediately and in fact the second starts later than normal, leaving
each bridge half finished.
Once you're done you may wish to use the hammers on both sides of
the board. Off to the right is 3-2-b and off to the left is 3-2-f. I
recommend going to the right as you will need quick timing to get
started right going through 3-2-f.
6.3.2.2. BOARD 3-2-b
O
X X
X u X
X X
= X O X =
= . X X . =
= = X X X = B
= = . X X . = =
= = X X X = =
= D X X D =
D
Entities: red balls, Coily, electric pulses
Background: pipes with computer terminals.
Trending: downwards at each V
Jumping on the u changes the . tiles from the two on the right to
the two on the left and adds access to the far left/right side while
taking it away from the other. Obviously you'll only want to hit it once
if you can help it.
The bomb gets rid of close-by enemies for a bit(not Coily) if you
use it.
I don't see any way to get to the walled-off level to the left and
it doesn't seem to be related to any of the ones below.
From the far right, 6DR 3UR to board 3-2-c.
6.3.2.3. BOARD 3-2-c
X
X X
X X X
X X X X
u X X X u
X X X X X X
X X u O u X X
e X X X X X X d
X X u X X
X X X X
X X X
X X
X
b
Entities: red balls, Coily, sparks
You really want to avoid touching the u's if you can help it, or if
you do, touch it again quickly--they cause the lower part to become a
parallel plane when it's better to have the original formation, where
it's a bit more clear how the balls will bounce down.
Paths to the next boards are denoted by their respective letters.
6.3.2.4. BOARD 3-2-d
(to 3-2-c)
:
:
u X O X u
X X X X X X X X
X O X X u X X O X
. . X X X X . .
D . D X X X D . D
. . . . . .
X X X D . D X X X
X X X . . X X X
X X X
X X X X
Entities: sparks, red balls, Coily
Background: capacitors/resistors with power lines
This can be quite a tough level. Even using the discs is a bit risky
because you have a strong likelihood of dropping onto an enemy. The
board should be divided up into three parts; step on the u when you want
the X-shaped block of five to switch to give you access to the lower
part.
Impatience will kill you on this level. There are a lot of one-
square bottlenecks you will do well to try to navigate.
6.3.1.1. BOARD 3-2-e
c = cannons that fire you different places within the level
c c c
X X O X X O O X X O X X
X X X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X
C c c C
Entities: Arachnid, usual guys, Coily
The cannons on the bottom shoot you to the opposite upper corner.
The upper cannons shoot you to the opposite lower corner, but one away
horizontally. The middle one drops you to the bottom, a half-square
right. So in general cannons will send you clear across the board. Keep
this in mind while evading Coily.
The cannon on the left that appears after you've completed the level
sends you to 3-2-f. The other sends you to 3-2-d.
6.3.1.1. BOARD 3-2-f
1/2 = bomb/hammer which reveal all the . squares as blocks
O
X X C
X O X
O X X O
X 2 . 1 X
X . X X . X
X X X X X X X
X . X . . X . X
X X X X X X X X S(from 3-2-a)
Entities: Coily, red balls
Background: power towers and lines
Trending: downwards
Your first course of action must be to pick up the hammer. In order
to do that you must pick up the little blue guy first. Once you pick up
both the dots are filled in. If you do not fill the dots in it will be
VERY tough to pick up the corner squares, for instance, as red balls
will find it easy to track you down there. Once you've cleared things
the level is relatively straightforward, although sometimes you will
have to navigate Coily and the red balls--jump on a square just vacated
by a ball while Coily chases you.
You can also re-collect the bomb, which causes the squares that
appeared to disappear(a useful way to 'get' Coily since there are no
discs on this level.) You then should pick up the hammer again to return
things to normal.
The cannon that appears after you solve the level sends you to 3-2-
e.
6.1.1. LEVEL 3-3
6.3.1.1. BOARD 3-3-a
O O
1 2
O u O
1 2 1 2
O u u O
1 2 1 2 1 2
u u u
2 1 2 1 2 1
O u u O
2 1 2 1
O u O
2 1
O + O
+ +
b
Entities: pulses
Background: capacitors on pipes
Trending: flat
This one really isn't terribly fun to be honest. Of course you
cannot lull yourself at any point and the chief things to watch out for
are:
1. waiting around--a spark will drop on a target and run straight for
you. RIP.
2. jumping onto a button and not changing direction. It looks like a
straight run, but the button shifts everything 90 degrees, so you'll
fall off.
3. although the drop squares don't have to be covered, you will still
want to be careful there is no shadow dropping on them when you clear
the square next to them.
My recommendation for a way to grind through this is to clear one UR
diagonal at a time. At each button bouncd UL DR to get the diagonal back
in its original direction. Then go over to the next one and start again.
This will also give you the bonus of clearing out the UL/DR diagonals
except for the very DR, which can be picked off on its own.
Even escaping is a bit of a nuisance but if you use the method I
mentioned, working UL to DR, you'll wind up near the exit.
6.3.1.1. BOARD 3-3-b
X X X X X X X
O X ! X ! X X
X X X
X X
X X
! X C
X X X
! ! X X
X ! X
Entities: pulses, electric huts
Beware--if you get zapped by an electric hut you are sent to the
start. I assumed I stayed where I was and lost two guys for the price of
one.
Watch for the hole DR of the drop zone. It's not clear if one is
there and with the other semi-hidden squares you may overlook one and
assume that is a logical place for a square.
The charges from the electric huts are pretty predictable, as are the
pulses, but discretion is generally required. The UR part is the easiest
to do first and generally when the pulses seem halfway through you
should jump DR and UR.
The cannon shoots you to board 3-3-d. You can also walk down to 3-3-c
going 7UR 3UL.
6.3.1.1. BOARD 3-3-c
O
X X
- X u X -
D - - - - D
X - - - X
X X X X X X
X X u X X
X X X X
D X X X D
Entities: red balls, Coily
Background: odd circular band
The top u moves everything on the conveyor belt to the right, the bottom
to the left. Obviously you'll be doing a lot of dancing up there. But
don't do it all at once, and be sure to use the same button as often as
possible. Of course if you can keep jumping between the same square and
button(except when interrupted by bad guys) that will make your task
easier too. You'll probably need to use a couple of discs.
Stairs to 3-3-b at the bottom once you win, to 3-3-e at the top.
6.3.1.1. BOARD 3-3-d
X X X X
X X X O X X X
X X X X X X
X X V S V X X
X X V V X X
D X V V V X D
X V V X
X D V V V D X
X Y V V Y X
C Y V Y C
Y Y Y Y
Y Y
Y Y
Y
Entities: red balls, Coily, sparks
Background: railing with monitors
Trending: downwards
The Y squares all collapse once you jump on them, so don't get stuck
down there. In fact I have gotten sandwiched by a red ball coming from
above so if you want to go down there I would take out the first two
drop squares as soon as possible(this renders the red balls quite
harmless.) I'd also hit the target square. There are enough discs to
avoid Coily for quite a while, although you can jump over the Y squares
to ditch him in a pinch.
Interestingly the discs don't disappear unless you clear all the Y
squares as well.
Left cannon goes to 3-3-b, right cannon to 3-3-b as well. This board is
a bit of a dead end.
6.3.1.1. BOARD 3-3-e
X
X
! X
X
!
! X
X
! X
X X
X
! u
X
Not a tough level to get past, but the options after are staggering.
The shocks always come in order at the !'s: 2nd from UL, then 3rd, 4th,
5th and 1st. Then a break. After a shock is halfway through, jump.
UL: you head to 3-3-g, which is not necessary to complete 3-3
UR: you head to 3-3-f.
DR: you head to 3-3-c.
6.3.1.1. BOARD 3-3-f
Entities: red balls, sparks, extra Q*Bert once first part is finished
S
X X
O X O
X X X X
X Y X Z X
X Y Y Z Z X
Y 1 Z
1 1 1 1
V 1 1 1 V
2 2 1 1 3 3
V 2 V 1 V 3 V
2 2 3 3
V V
Entities: sparks, red balls
Backgrounds:
The big red band in other backgrounds
'Hey wait a minute! I don't see everything you're mapping here!'
Well, it looks easy at first, but then parts of the board begin
appearing.
Top row causes 1's to appear
Y's cause 3's to appear
Z's cause 2's to appear
Note the lack of discs can be rather annoying
6.3.3.7. BOARD 3-3-g*
O
X X
D X X X
X X X X D
X X X X X
D X X X X X X
X X X X X X X
Entities: red balls, Coily
Background: thing hanging down, circular down
A relatively easy classic Q*Bert level. UR of the O leads to the three-
way junction detailed in 3-3-e.
6.3.4. LEVEL 3-4
A simple introductory level helps to direct you between the levels.
Then again, 3-4 itself is surprisingly easy.
a
X
X X
X X
X X
X X X X
X u u X c
X S X
b X u u X
X X X X
X X
X X
X X
X
C
6.3.4.1. BOARD 3-4-a
3
3 3
3 ? 3
3 3
X 3 X
D X X X X D
X X O X X
V V V V
V V V V V
V V V V
C
Entities: Coily
Background: tri-windmills cyclotrons or something
Very easy level. Note that the V squares here do not drop out but give
you 100 points anyway. Cannon goes back to main level.
The bomb clears everything else off the screen making this extra easy.
An odd choice for a level, but it's nice to have an occasional break.
6.3.1.1. BOARD 3-4-b
V O u O V
X X X X
X X X X X
V X X X X V
X X V X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X X X
C
Entities: red balls, sparks
Background: chemistry lab braziers
Trending: downward
Mirror image(vertical) appears when you step on the u. You must clear
both stages.
Cannon on bottom kicks you back to the main phase. Cannon on top kicks
you ?.
6.3.1.1. BOARD 3-4-c
D
. . O
. X X
. . u C
X X X
D X X X V C
. . X O X X
. X X X u O
. . X X X
X X X X . .
D O u X X .
. . X X X X X . .
. X X X X O . . D
. . X X V X X .
X X u X . .
X V X D
X X X
X X
X X
. .
C .
. .
D
Entities: Coily, red balls, sparks
Background: a mini circuit board
Trending: downward to the DL
Cannons: send you back to the first level
6.3.1.1. BOARD 3-4-d
Z Z
Z Z Z
, Z Z
V O Z Z Z
V X Z Z Z
X V X Z ,
X , V X
X , X X X
X , X X V O
V , X X , V
V V X X , X V
Y V X , X
Y Y X , X
Y Y Y V X
Y Y Y Y V
V Y Y Y V
V Y Y
X X Y
X X V
X X
X X
X
C
Background: oil derrick(?)
Entities: red balls, sparks
The top Z squares switch back to clear if you bounce on them twice.
The top cannon leads back to the main level.
6.1.1. LEVEL 3-5
c d
X
a X X
X S X
X X f
X
b e
Each arrow you jump on sends you to a different level. For the most
part.
Background: green ray tubes, purple spheres
6.3.1.1. BOARD 3-5-a
O
X X
X X X
X X X X
X X X X
x X X X .
X X V X D O
+ X D V V X V
X x V X V
X X 2 2 X X\V
D X X 2 . X X\
X X X . D X X X
x x x x . X X X X
. X X X X
. X X X X
. . X O X
. X X
X
+
Background: tubes through rings of white/blue stuff
DR arrow back home, UL arrow to 3-5-b.
6.3.1.1. BOARD 3-5-b
O . O
X X
X . u . X
X X X X
. . . . X
O X . X X X u
X X . X . .
X u X X u X
X X . X . .
X . X X X X
. . X.
^ X X X X ^
. u .
X X
.
Entities: Coily, charges
Background: u's in diagonal directions
You don't have to hit the target squares to win this one, and overall
it's relatively pleasant.
In this level you don't have to jump on the 'O' squares and the u
squares merely vanish the . squares around them temporarily.
The left arrow goes to 3-5-c. The right one takes you to 3-5-a.
6.3.1.1. BOARD 3-5-c
u
X X u
X X X
X X D ,
X X X
X X X X ,
X . . X
X X . . u . X
X D u . X
X . O
O . . X
X . X D
X . u X
X . u . . X X
, . . X X
X X X X
X X X
X X X
X X D
u X
u
Pattern of jumping for 'u' squares inside the square:
.
.
u
.
.
Rotates clockwise.
For those inside the perimeter, the ones not at the corner make the ,'s
reappear. Therefore you want to go clockwinse around the board to win
without goofing up.
Left goes back home. Right goes to 3-5-a.
6.3.5.4 BOARD 3-5-d
u
u u
u X u
u X X u
u X X u
u X 3 3 X u
X X V X X
u X 3 3 X u
u X X u
u X X u
u X u
u u
Entities: sparks
Background: vertical greenish lava tubes
Tending: three layers, Up(2 puzzles,) middle, down(2 puzzles.)
The most bizarre...err distincitve board in the game. Basically when
you step on a button it toggles the orientation of various boxes below.
The object is to change every single box to the opposite of its starting
orientation. This is actually not as bad as it seems once you reason how
to see which button does what. Of course there are no squares you can
step on that you must turn any color.
I don't want to spoil things so I'll give this in steps.
1. On each button, jump twice. Note the box orientations before/after.
2. Write down which buttons toggle which boxes.
3. Try to get buttons that will toggle all 7.
If you ever mess things up too much, just start flipping buttons
from bottom to top and flip a button backwards if you don't like the
looks of what you just did.
Anyway here is which button does what:
1st button from left--flips 1st, 2nd from left
2nd button from left--flips 3rd, 4th from left
3rd button from left--flips 3rd, 4th, 5th from left
4th button from left--flips 5th, 6th from left
5th button from left--flips 6th, 7th from left
So with a little futzing you realize you step on every odd-numbered
button an odd number of times and it works out OK. Fortunately you'll
know you're done becuase the tubes start to glow.
Left disc takes you to 3-5-c.
Right disc takes you home.
6.3.1.1. BOARD 3-5-e
V
.
X O X
X X X X
O X X O
+ X X X X X X +
X X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X
Left arrow goes back home.
Right arrow takes you to 3-5-f.
Background: purple dots in grid
Entities:
6.3.1.1. BOARD 3-5-f
O 5
4 5 5
2 4 4 5 6
2 2 3 4 6 6
1 2 3 3 6
1 1 3 7
1 7 7
S 7
+ 8
8 8
8
9
9 9
9
+
Entities: Coily
Background: vice clamps
This is a nice, creative level. It's actually almost timed; you can
wait all you want at the start(when the board looks helpless) but will
need to get past a certain point quickly or, without any disks
available, you'll be snake food for Coily.
It should also be pointed out that platforms take time to move in.
They initially seem to be disjointed. Be aware of this.
The even numbered squares can be reversed. With Coily coming down
once 4 comes in play you do need a bit of a system to get through as
quickly as possible. In particular you need to try to be able to cover
all squares and leave the area ASAP.
If you find yourself one square shy(two squares shy, stay in the
area--it's solvable) of where you need to be and you are on a flip-
flopping 2x2 area, go back to the previous area and jump back on.
First, you enter 2 on the DR square. Then UL UR DR lets you get on
to 3 without any problem.
Then you enter 4 on the DR square--same logic.
Enter 6 on the DL square--again same logic.
8 is a bit trickier as you cannot turn everything blue without being
in the middle row--UNLESS you quickly jump back to 7 and return. Then DL
UR DR DL should do the trick.
If you happen to fall off the pyramid you will be sent back to the
start. This is exceptionally nasty because if you try to cruise back
where you were before, some platforms will move away(for instance, 2 or
4 or 6, already covered, will not be covered if you come by and step on
them again. Instead follow the instructions above and don't try to move
too quickly. The staggered 'flip' boards make falling off the pyramid a
particularly nasty travail.)
Left arrow takes you home.
Right arrow takes you to 3-5-b.
6.1.1. LEVEL 3-6
The 'spidery' intro level. There are six different sub-parts here
branching from the center and each is accessible by only one stairway.
You need to step on all blocks to get the cannons in place so you can
see the other levels. You also may have squares you haven't touched
hidden from you(step on the buttons in the center to check the most
obvious cases i.e. a stair you haven't gone up yet and haven't switched
the board to.) I'll show the center part and you can see how each
operates.
To the DL you have an area with a falling square.
To the UR you have an area with the target. Beware; you can't really
see up top and you may possibly (unfairly) get nailed by a spark.
To the UL you have a choice of two areas each way, which are toggled
by the square UL of the center.
To the DR you have a choice of two platforms, but the bottom one has
a falling square where the cannon square should be. The 'above' one has
a cannon. They are toggled by the button DR of the center.
d c b
\ \ /
center
/ \ \
a X e
Now there are a lot of sparks running around and you should know
that they never step on the bright red squares. However some can be
zapped if they are on the ladders you can switch by swapping the red
squares--quickly. This is also a good tactic if a spark is coming up the
ladder at you. Note that sparks are produced in the a and b areas so if
there is already the maximum number of sparks(3) around you may be
better off being in the center(where you are invulnerable) and jumping
DL for instance when you can see the sparks can't catch you.
I also recommend, since you can't see sparks coming at you from the
'above' platform to the UR, that you start by veering UR(otherwise, you
may just get nailed by a spark you can't really see. It's a bit unfair,
but fortunately there's a way around it.) And don't step on the drop
block in the center until you need to fake a spark out.
You also have various ways to go about this level; there is more
than one exit from any completed level, and one always leads back to
this central level.
Background: spinning circle with eight circles attached
6.3.1.1. BOARD 3-6-a
This is the board DL of the starting point in 3-6.
O
X X
X X
V X X
X X X
Y X ! X X
X X X X X
Y X X ! X X
X X X X X
Y X X X X ! X O
X X X X X X X
X V X V X X
P X X X X X X X X
X Y X X X X Y C
X X X X X
X Y X X Y
X X X X X
X Y X Y
X X X
X Y
X X
X C
Entities: Arachnids
Background: thin purple tubes
Tending: DL downward
An impressive looking board but not a tough one. The arachnids all
follow a predictable pattern(DL, covering the two most UL and DR
corridors) and if you can knock out the down square at the top half of
them will fall rather stupidly right away. Of course you can sneak
behind the arachnids to touch the target square whenever you want to.
Note they only patrol 2 DR diagonals so your big problems are the
smashers, which are easy to time.
UR cannon goes to 3-6-d.
DL cannon goes to center level.
Pool goes to 3-6-e.
6.3.1.1. BOARD 3-6-b
S
O O
X V X
X X X X
X V X
X X X X X X
X X X V X X X
X X X X
P X X V X X C
X X X X
X V X
X X
V
UR of the start level.
Entities: Coily, shocks, red balls
Background: scaffolding, hexagonal vats and silos
Trending: downwards
Another seminal level where you have to be careful when you knock
out the middle squares. The ideal scenario would be if you could clear
out one half of the board(you might want to jump quickly on each target
square to start off,) use the bottom drop square to jump across, and
clear out the other the same way in reverse. Without any discs you will
need to step quickly. Once you have the left half cleared off you can
use the drop squares in a pinch in case Coily chases you.
Pool leads you back home.
Cannon leads you to 3-6-e.
6.3.1.1. BOARD 3-6-c
LEDGER
O
. P
1 U D
1 1 . O
1 1 2 u D
1 1 2 2 .
u 1 2 2 3 u O
. 2 2 3 3 . D
D U 2 3 3 4 u
. 3 3 4 4
D U 3 4 4
. 4 4
D U 4
C
Entities: Coily, shocks, red balls
Background: crane with platform
Trending: down DL
UL/above
A potentially completely confusing level still has unfair points.
For starters you can just wait around at the bottom although there are
few clues as to what you can do. First of all, you start on the cannon
with only one square to touch. Go UL and four squares slide in.
The two things I find slightly unfair about this level are:
1.
[disc]
Cannon sends you back home.
Pool sends you to 3-6-b.
6.3.1.1. BOARD 3-6-d
2 2
2 2 2 2
2 2 O 2 2
2 2 1 1 2 2
2 2 1 1 1 2 2
2 1 1 1 1 2
1 1 1 1 1 2
. 1 1 1 1 1
! P 1 1 1 1 C
1 1 1
1 1
S
UL/below
Entities: red balls, Coily
Not a bad level, really. Just get started quickly.
I'm not sure which squares you need to nail to get the leftmost
squares revealed, but you seem to need to knock off quite a bit of the
upper portion. Once you do and you pick up the bomb, push X and upper
squares will be revealed. They should not be too hard to pick up even if
Coily is coming after you.
Pool leads to home.
Cannon leads to 3-6-c.
6.3.1.1. BOARD 3-6-e
O
* X X
O X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X V X X
X X X x V
X X x
u x x X
, u X X
, x X X X C
, u X X X
, X X X
X X
V
DR/above
Entities: red balls, sparks
Background: a sort of waterfall with a weird sewage system
Trending: mostly downward
Board divided into fourths of 4x4's. You hit the u on the upper left
to bring a ladder to the bottom. I like doing this one last generally
because you may be way out of position to find a cannon once you
complete the board--and jumping around is not easy.
Stepping on the middle button turns the scaffold squares UR around,
vanquishing sparks or red balls. Stepping on the lower one turns the UL
squares around. Stepping on the top one toggles the ladder from the
upper UL to the lower one. You want it to be in the DL position to be
able to get to the obscured area, which I like to do last. In general
the 'flip' buttons are not very useful as the red balls generally do not
fall onto the ladder and the sparks have predetermined patterns; the
ones on top levels go clockwise around the perimeter, the others go
counterclockwise. Stepping on the drop block and removing it will cause
the sparks to fall off in the middle of their patterns.
Don't be scared by falling balls either. They pop up a lot due to
the level's vertical disparities but they won't ever hit you. Just clear
out the top of each 4x4 quickly and nothing falling will ever hit you.
Cannon below, left: back home
Cannon to the right: 3-6-a.
Cannon above, left: back home
6.4. WORLD 4
6.4.1. LEVEL 4-1
Here the levels are not sequential and they all stem from a central
level.
a D - D c
X - - X X
X = L - K = X
X - - - - X
. X = - - - = X X
X - - X d
X - X
X X
X X
X X X
S b
You need to solve the central level by crossing a bridge and
grabbing a key after you've duped Coily. Then you dupe him again to get
to the lock and rescue the purple gal. Fortunately there's no way to get
yourself killed until you've solved all four other levels. The bridges
don't appear until then, either. You'll want to move across them quickly
as they can fall off too soon. The key to baiting Coily is to have him
cross a bridge. Then you take the bridge closest to him and enter the
"forbidden zone." You should be able to walk around from one location(K
or L) to get to the other one.
6.4.1.1. BOARD 4-1-a
X X X
X X X X
X X X X O
X X * Y Y to main
X X X * X Y X .
X X X X
D X X X X X X
X X X X
D
Entities: grasshopper(counterclockwise from S)
Blocks: white <-> forest
Background: waterfall, leaves
Trending: down to bottom of screen
This level can be a bit of a nuisance. Your first object is to clear out
everything on the right--the 'Y' squares open one brick up to the left
side, the 'X' squares open the others. Of course you have to be on the
right square when it's all done to walk over and that is a big problem.
Because if you slip up you will not be able to wind up on the correct
square to jump over unless you touch the 'O' square first(this would
happen if you fall off the edge from a 2-square or if you have already
touched the O-square once.) Parity reasoning will suffice.
1
2 2
1 1 1 0
2 2
1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2
There's an interesting you start out you will need to cover 8 2's and 9
1's. You start DL of the 2 and your first jump will be on a 1. So you
will be able to clear the board without touching 0 again if you don't
fall off at 1. Why?
You start out on 0. Your first jump is to 2 after which the total # of
squares remaining to convert is 16. Now after every next two jumps,
1) you'll be on a square with a 2 on it and
2) you'll have 2 more or less(or the same) # of squares remaining to
convert. The main point is, it will still be even.
3) Note that landing on a 1 means there will be an ODD # of squares
remaining to convert. Therefore you will finish while on a 2.
Note that the game is nice to you; if you land on the disc(from a 2,)
you are kicked to a 1(below where the grashopper drops.) So the parity
is still OK.
Ther rest of the level is pretty easy. Just remember to nail the grey
square above and have a minimum of caution dealing with red balls(they
may actually bounce down the ramp that pops up when you clear the right
side. This is the biggest surprise in the level.)
6.4.1.2. BOARD 4-1-b
X X O X O S
X * X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X
X X X * X D
X X X *
D X X
X
* do not need to be covered but pop up when you've conquered the right
side.
Entities: red balls
Blocks: green and brown -> red
Background: leaves, pool at bottom
Not much to worry about here. You can stay put in your starting spot and
you won't get nailed. Just wait for the ball-drop spots to disappear and
you'll be OK.
6.4.1.3. BOARD 4-1-c
O
D X X D X
O X D X O
X X X X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X X X
D X X X X X X
S X X X X X D
Entities: red balls, coily
Blocks: brown -> orange -> green forest
Background: leaves
An impressive looking level but there are no special tricks or blocks.
Just watch the one disc next to the target if you ever need to use the
disc.
6.4.1.4. BOARD 4-1-d
d d
X X
S O O d O O
X x X X x X d
X x x X X x x X
X x X X x X
X X X X
d X - - X d
- -
-
Entities: red balls, Coily
Blocks: combo of above
Background: clam shell like leaf
When you clear out the 4 x's in the center, disks appear. Of course
you will need to jump on them twice. But you probably won't need the
discs too much. The trickiest part is making it across the ramp at the
bottom to get to the other side. A ball shouldn't drop onto it but if it
does there are worse things than sacrificing a life to get across. You
shouldn't have many problems with this level. Especially since Coily
takes forever to appear.
6.4.2. LEVEL 4-2
P
e * *
O X X O
X X X X X X
D X X X X X X X D
X X X X X X X X
a X X D X D X X b
X X X X X X X X
X X X D X X X
X X X X
X X
c c
c c
c c
c
c c
You only have to avoid red balls in this level so it is not too tough.
However you need to watch out for, when the ramps pop up, the leftmost
one. Go all the way to the edge before jumping DL or you will fall off.
The object in this level is:
1. complete the level(green->yellow->orange)
2. complete the side levels and make the screen shake(drops new block.)
You may have to return to levels you've already completed.
3. enter the garden in the upper left, do battle with Coily, and sneak
past him
In the garden the maze is fairly simple, but you need to be able to
bait Coily. You can't get in if you haven't completed all four levels,
and you can't win unless you have hit all four power squares.
I don't have the order you need to hit them in, but once you've solved
all the levels you should be able to backtrack with no problems.
.
go . .
al . . .
. . . u
. . . X
. . . u X X
. . . X X X
. . u X X X
. X X X
u X X X
X X X
X X
X
There is a grasshopper in the lower right that should be easy enough
to avoid. To the upper left there are stairs that will be blocked by
trees unless you have hit the screen shaker in each of the separate four
sub-scenes. Once you have unblocked everything you will be able to reach
the spot where the purple girl is imprisoned. Just wait until Coily is
upper-left from you and springing. Then upper-right, wait for him to
spring again, upper-left twice and run for the prison.
What's cool about many of the sub-levels is that they have fences at the
bottom so Q*Bert can't fall into them. Not terribly helpful and they
would have been better to introduce early, but still a nice touch.
6.4.2.1. BOARD 4-2-a
O
X X
P X X
x X D X
D X X O X X D
X X X X X X
! X ! X !
X X X X X X
D * * * D
X X X X X X
X X X X X
D
Entities: red balls, coily
Blocks: green->yellow->orange
Background: plain
Obviously the big nuisance will be the top part. Double back quickly
to nail the top square and then try to clear out each arm. If you see
the shadow of a ball then be sure to move away. Remember you can always
loop around to the other side or wait at the square 3DR DL(if you're on
the right and a ball drops to the right) and jump away from the ball and
back up. Clear the three ! squares to give yourself access to the
bottom. Nothing fancy here.
6.4.2.2. BOARD 4-2-b
X X X X X X X
O O O O
X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X
D X X X ! X X X D
X X ! ! X X
x X X ! X X
P D X X D
!
Entities: Coily, red balls
Blocks: green->brown->yellow
Background: trees
Don't take out the bottom disposable block until you're sure you're
done. It's a good shortcut but you'll find it's too tough to transport
between the two regions if you knock it out too soon. So go for the
right side first then go back to the left. Or vice versa. Also you may
find that the area at the top is tough to clear without losing a life.
Obviously you want to avoid it when Coily is around and be extra
vigilant for shadows when clearing the top left and right as you have to
bounce back and forth on a target square. But don't worry if you slip up
once; impatience is natural. The rest of this level is not too ad so you
won't need to conserve lives that badly.
6.4.2.3. BOARD 4-2-c
Off to the side of board 4-2-b after you've solved it.
P
X . . X
X . . X
X X
X X X X
X O X X O X
X X O X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X
X D X X D X
3 X 3
3 3 X X 3 3
3 3 X X 3 3
3 X X 3
Entities: Coily, red balls
Background: trees
Blocks: green->yellow->orange
There are several thin parts here which make the level a bit nasty but
you can take them out early(note the targets are fairly low on the
screen) and lead Coily on a chase around.
6.4.2.4. BOARD 4-2-d
. . P
X O X .
O X X X O
X * X X X X * X
X D X X X X X D X
X X X X X X
X X x X X
X X D x x D X X
X X x x x X X
D X X x x X X D
X X x X X
Entities: Coily and red balls
Blocks: green->brown->yellow(X) and green->yellow->orange(x)
Background: trees
The thin parts where balls have a direct path can get nasty unless
you've cleared out the bottom center first. Be sure to do so, and then
you can wait DL and UL of the block that has just appeared to jump UL
from it and cover the right wing. Repeat for the left wing. Other than
that there is not much to worry about.
6.4.2.5. BOARD 4-2-e
6.4.2.6. BOARD 4-2-f
6.4.3. LEVEL 4-3
Yuck! This is a huge maze where you must find keys and then use them
to unlock elevators to the next level. The first one is huge but has no
enemies. The next ones get smaller but have more enemies. You also can
find a torch that will briefly give light. Use it wisely...
The bright side is that you don't have to cover every **** square in
the maze. But you get more points if you do. On the final scene you may
want to sacrifice a guy. The jumpers that appear after the first, and
big, maze are annoying and keep you on your toes but can be passed; with
the mazes much smaller there's less to map out and you will probably
stumble on the key by accident if nothing else.
6.4.3.1. BOARD 4-3-a
X
X
X
X X
X X X
X X X
X X X
X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X
T X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X L
X X X X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X X X X ^
X X X X X X X K X X X X
X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X
S X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X
X X X X
X X X
X X
X X
X X
X
Entities: none
Blocks: dark brown -> gold but not necessary
Background: empty space
This is a slightly nasty 23/24 maze, but fortunately there are no
monsters to trap you in a dead-end--and there are not too many dead
ends, either! Still, fatigue and frustration can become factors that
cause you to lose a Q*Bert. On the bright side, though, you hardly need
to bother with the upper part of the maze(or the very lower part) making
a potential walkthrough about as easy(relatively) as you could hope.
Pick up the torch first(UR4 UL2 DL4 UL5 UR2 DR3 UR3 UL3 DL) and now
back at the first intersection after the start go DR UR2 DR4 DL3 DR4 UR3
DR4 UR2 UL5 UR2 DR3 UR2 UL3(got key) UL UR2 DR5 UR5 UL2 UR2 DR2(open
hole) DR3 and on to the second board.
6.4.3.2. BOARD 4-3-b
^
X
X X
X X X
L X X
X X X
X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X
X X X X ! X
X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X K X X
X X X X X
X X X X
X X X X
X X X
X X X
X
X X
X X
X
X
S
Entities: jumpers
Blocks: dark brown -> gold but not necessary
Background: empty space
You can bounce under the jumpers when they come near you. Also
beware lumps on a square as they are lethal(jumpers ready to form.)
Be wary also that the key will lead you into a dead end so you will
need to go unerd a jumper. You'll also need to go under a jumper again
to get o the lock.
6.4.3.3. BOARD 4-3-c
X
X X
X X
X X X
X X X X
X X X
^ K X X X
L X X X X
X X X X X
X X S
X X
X X
X X
X
Entities: jumpers
Blocks: dark brown -> gold but not necessary
Background: empty space
With the key nice and close to the exit this is not too bad of a board.
After all, an 8x8 maze can only be so hard.
6.4.3.4. BOARD 4-3-d
X
X X
X X
X X X
X S
X
X X
X X
X X
X
K X
X
!
!
!
!
[your goal]
Entities: jumpers
Blocks: dark brown -> gold but not necessary
Background: empty space
This is an annoying board and your goal before you get here should
be to have one Q*Bert to spare at the start.
The best way to get around all these bad guys is to 1) sacrifice a
life or 2) sucker them back into the loops and walk around. Be sure you
have the torch if you use this; otherwise the best way is just to bull
through. Just before the first jumper go UL for the key.
If it's dark, go 2UL 5DL 2DR 2DL UL DR 4DL and don't worry if you
lose a guy.
6.4.4. LEVEL 4-4
Now this is a bit of an odd one. You have a detour and ultimately a
strange level with keys where you may find a sacrifice attack to be the
best option. Locusts have circular patterns but you can jump under them.
There are also weird jumps and climbs from one level to the next.
6.4.4.1. BOARD 4-4-a
b
X X
X O X
X X X X
X X X X V
X X X X V
V X X X X X
D X X X X X
V X X X X X
X X X O a
X X X X
V X X X
D X X
V X
Entities: Coily, locust(clockwise pattern)
Blocks: tan -> blue
Background: edge of cliff
Trending: downward to edge of board
This level is not too bad as you can pretty much clear out the upper
part and follow the locust's path before clearing out the inner part.
Coily takes so long to appear that you can probably just outrun him to
finish everything. On completion of this level a new path will appear at
a. Climb it to get to 4-4-b, and then you'll come back down where you'll
find a path at b to 4-4-c.
To get to the next level, 4DR, UR, 2UL, 2DL.
To get to 4-4-c, 3UL, DL, UL, 2UR, 2DR.
6.4.4.2. BOARD 4-4-b
X
X O X X
X X X X
X V X
X X
X
Entities: locust(clockwise)
Blocks: pink <-> blue
Background: cliff/castle wall
Trending: downward going D from target, 3 levels
This one's really easy if you don't get bogged down. Although you
don't get to jump on the falling platform for points, you can just go
3UL, UR, DR, UR, DR, 2UR, DR, 4DL to complete the level. Just follow the
locust, who goes in a square.
Even if you miss this pattern, there are only 13 squares to cover
with just one enemy. Even if they blink back and forth just cover a
section at a time and you'll be OK.
6.4.4.3. BOARD 4-4-c
d
X
X V O V
X X X X
X X X
X X
X
Entities: red balls
Blocks: pink <-> blue
Background: cliff/castle wall
Trending: upward going D from target, 3 levels
Again another easy pattern. Note that the balls always bounce straight
DR or DL so just 4UL, UR, 2DR, UR, DR, DL, DR, 2UR, waiting when
necessary.
Tot get to the next level go 2UL.
6.4.4.4. BOARD 4-4-d
e
X
X O
X X X
X X O X
X X X X O
X X X X S
X X X X X
X X X X
D X X
Entities: red balls, Coily
Blocks: brown wood -> white wood
Background: cliff
Trending: downward goind DL from target
What's slightly annoying about this board is that the targets look
the right color even before you step on them. Look to see if they've
turned red. Also some squares are slightly hidden from view so if you
don't seem finished you may need to look for that too. If all else fails
rake the board going all the way UR, then DR, all the way UL, DR, etc.
This should be a pretty quick level, and if you don't get done right
away, stepping on a disk and dumping Coily should give time to finish
the job.
To get to 4-4-e: 4UL DL 3UL
6.4.4.5. BOARD 4-4-e
f
X
X
X X
X X O
X X X
X X X X
X X X X
X X X
X X S
Entities: locust(counterclockwise)
Blocks: dark wood <-> light wood
Background: hint of 4-4-f above
Trending: slightly upward away from the target
A bit tougher than the previous 'switch' scenes as you don't really
have a set pattern; however you will probably want to start by covering
the squares outside the locust's patrol movement. Again be sure to hit
the target square and turn it red.
Oh yes--make sure to hit the square at the very top of the screen.
It's a bit reclusive.
To get to 4-4-f, UL DL 3UL.
6.4.4.6. BOARD 4-4-f
LEDGER
L = lock
k = key that reappears when you open a lock(it also turns into a target
for locusts later)
/ = target for locusts that appears after you've opened a key.
? = appears after you open the lock
X /
L X X
X X X
X X ?
X X L
X X X X
/ X D
k X X O
X X / X
X X X
X X X ?
X / L
X X
D
Entities: coily, locusts
Blocks: pink -> blue
Background: stone chimney in the center
Trending: none
You may need to sacrifice to get through this one comfortably. Each
time you have to run back to pick up the key you have a more treacherous
road coming on back.
Obviously first cover everything you can before opening the first
lock. Then try to fake out Coily and the locust when you get the key.
If you do sacrifice a Q*Bert(this can buy serious time,) here is a
general rule of thumb:
1. If you must run back to get a key, jump off the edge.
2. If you must run to unlock the next lock, let a monster hit you.
You may have to have the whole Coily-faking plan down pretty well to
pass this level. I recommend good technique in the first few, none of
which is terribly complex, to let you bull through this one if need be.
6.1.1. LEVEL 4-5
This level has a linear progression, with alternate levels being
roughly similar and variants on a theme. More stuff comes after you
though, making it tougher to cope.
There's also a common theme running through every level. You'll need
to bounce to one square to pick up a key and then to another
square(indicated by a rough +) to open the lock. Discs or squares to
jump on will be revealed. Once you clear everything, a new disc,
different in color from the regular, will pop up. Jump on it to make it
to the next level.
LEDGER
+ = disk to another level
K = key
L = lock
* = squares that appear when you put key in lock(you must walk over them
twice)
d = discs that appear when you put the key in the lock
6.4.5.1. BOARD 4-5-a
S O * OX
X X X X
O X X X X
X X X X X
* X D X X +
X X X
X X X
X X X
X X D
K
This level is a bit cramped and divided into two halves, and the
transition from one side to the other is a bit tricky. You can still see
the difference between the blue and the purple squares, which will not
be the case two boards from now. Try to hoard extra Q*Berts here if you
can.
Entities: red balls, coily, extra guy
Blocks: green->blue->purple
Background: night, but not too dark. blue/purple ice beneath
Trending: down as you go DR
6.4.5.2. BOARD 4-5-b
D
O * S * O
O X X X X O
O X X L X X O
K X X X X X
+ X X X X X
X X X X
Entities: Coily, locusts
Blocks: green->green rocks/blue->blue rocks/green
Background: swirling galaxy below
Trending: down as you go follow each locust's path(they all start on the
same level)
Fortunately the locusts are rather stupid and jump continually DL or
DR. Unfortunately they mostly jump on the way down so Q*Bert cannot
sneak under them. No problem; position Q*Bert just below where one will
fall and if there is no shadow jump up/back twice to cover that square
with little risk. If two locusts come and almost flank each other don't
worry. With the right lateral movement you'll be able to slip out of the
way. In general when you have time you will want to cover one locust's
path in one fell swoop.
6.4.5.3. BOARD 4-5-c
O
X X D
X X X X +
O X X X X *
S X X X X L
O X X X X X X
X X X D
X X X
X X
D X K
Entities: Coily, red balls, extra Q*Bert
Blocks: green =->blue->purple
Background: swirling galaxy below
Trending: down as you go DR
The first thing you'll notice here is what you don't notice.
Occasionally streaks of light will illuminate the difference between the
blue and purple. However you'll have to rely on a bigger, more opaque
splotch as purple. Aside from this the level is not too bad except that
the key is in a corner and the lock is on the other side.
You may want to clear out the drop zones first to your UR and DL.
6.4.5.4. BOARD 4-5-d
D d
O X * * O
X X X L X O
X X X X X X O
X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X
K X X X X X X
D X X X
X X
X D
Entities: red balls, locusts
Blocks: green->green rocks/blue->blue rocks/green
Background: swirling galaxy below with weird tree
Trending: down as you go DL
In some ways this is easier than the previous level(minus one) as
you do not have the nuisance of Coily. However shadows are tougher to
see and to cover the drop zone squares you may want to sneak in behind
the locusts quickly, clear them out, and repeat the process. The discs
are pretty useless to jump on but good in a pinch if you get trapped,
which you shouldn't even with the key in the corner(only red balls will
get there from the left drop zone and even that is not probable.)
Even with the darkness it's still quite possible to tell light blue
and green apart, so that's not an issue. Especially with the different
patterns.
6.4.5.5. BOARD 4-5-e
S
O O D
X X X O d
X X X O X
X X X X X X
O X O X X X
X O O X X X K
X X X X X X X +
X X X L X X X
X X X X X X
d d X d
Entities: Coily, locusts, red balls, extra Q*Bert, green ball
Blocks: green->green rocks/blue->blue rocks/green
Background: swirling galaxy below
Trending: down as you go down the screen
This one is not fun. You'll want to get the key and lock relatively
early so that you have options among the discs. Also note that the
locusts that fall near the bottom targets will look one way and then
descend the other(at a right angle.) I'd say clear out the top first and
then come back for the rest. Adding to the no-fun of course is that you
can only occasionally see what color everything is and it's not always
easy to distinguish blue/green.
This is a pretty good 'Throw-the-book-at-you' final level and I
would really say that 4-5 is on the whole a lot tougher and more
climactic than 4-6.
6.4.5.6. BOARD 4-5-f
D
O O
O S O X X
O X L X X X
O O X X X X X X D
O X X X X X X X X
O X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X
X X X X X X
X K D
D
Entities: Coily, locusts
Blocks: green->green rocks/blue->blue rocks/green
Background: swirling galaxy below
Trending: down as you go DR
A bit of a break compared to the previous level but that's just a
different way for it to be frustrating if you end your game here :).
The right hand portion of this is a bit tricky; to get the DR
portion of this you may have to use up both discs with Coily following
you.
Note that the purple ball falls DL/UL of you and drops DL to the
bottom. So you don't want to clear out that target square first.
6.4.6. LEVEL 4-6
This is one of the easiest levels you will see. The overall maps are
virtually identical and the only problem is that you might miss a square
because it is not raise as high as another in front of it. In every
level there is a target where a ball drops after a while, a grasshopper
that jumps around the perimeter(which you do not have to cover,) and an
electric shock that will temporarily stun you if you run into it.
Fortunately you're much faster than it. I find I always lose a 'stupid'
guy on the last board where you need to jump over everything twice.
Of course the perspective in each level is a bit disorienting but as
long as you figure which ways you can jump to start out, you should be
OK.
Entities: purple ball, grasshopper, electric shock
Blocks: grey to blue(with spotted in between for the final level)
Background: you're on a cube which tilts around until you covered all
six sides.
Trending: the outside is always level zero but this was simple enough
that I could detail the views
LEGEND
X = stuff you don't have to jump over, same level as 0
> <= where Coily's ball is due to land
6.4.1.1. BOARD 4-6-a
X
X X
X 1 X
X 1 1 X
X 0 0 0 X
X 1>1<1 1 X
X 0 0 0 X
X 1 1 X
X 1 X
X X
S
6.4.1.1. BOARD 4-6-b
X
X X
X 1 X
X 1 1 X
X 1>2<1 X
S 1 2 2 1 X
X 1 2 1 X
X 1 1 X
X 1 X
X X
X
6.4.1.1. BOARD 4-6-c
X
X X
X 1 X
X 0 0 X
X 1 1 1 X
X 0 0 0 0 S
X 1>1<1 X
X 0 0 X
X 1 X
X X
X
6.4.1.1. BOARD 4-6-d
S
X X
X 1 X
X 0 0 X
X 0 1 0 X
X 1 1>1<1 X
X 0 1 0 X
X 0 0 X
X 1 X
X X
S
6.4.1.1. BOARD 4-6-e
X
X X
X 0 X
X 1 1 X
X 1>2<1 X
S 0 1 2 0 X
X 1 2 1 X
X 1 1 X
X 0 X
X X
S
6.4.1.1. BOARD 4-6-f
X
X X
X 0 X
X 1 1 X
X 1 2 1 X
X 0 2 2 0 S
X 1>2<1 X
X 1 1 X
X 0 X
X X
X
6.5. THE BIG FINALE
The finale is actually only one level with two phases, so it isn't
as intricate as the others. However, it does present a sort of nuisance
and 'throws the book' at you.
Entities: Coily, Ugg/Wrong Way, red balls, green balls, extra Q*Bert
Blocks: change back and forth between purple and (desired) yellow
Background: Coily with gold crown behind structure
D X ! X D
X ! X X ! X
X X X ! D ! X X X
X X X X X X X X
X X X S X X X
X X X X X X
X X X ! X X X
D X X X X X X X X D
! X X X D X X X !
On this level you will need to show some resourcefulness.
Fortunately there are plenty of extra Q*Berts and bouncing balls going
about. You may need to collect them as accidents will happen. I think a
good modus operandi is, when you clear the ! squares at the bottom of
the screen, to lure Coily down there if you can. Frequently you are
kicked to the top and if Coily does not fall down he may be able to
cause you inconvenience--if a ball is dropping on the other side you may
be out of luck.
I've described the flip back and forth strategy more in detail in
the 'Qlassiq Q*Bert' section but suffice it to say that you should start
with a small area cleaned out and then go even further. Try to make sure
that you've cleared it all because trying to locate that last square you
haven't touched up yet can drive you nuts. The contrast makes it tough
to pick out especially if the square is on top.
Once you've cleared this level, all the blocks turn solid gold and
the Coily in the background starts chucking out spheres. Your object is
to jump on all the discs before you die. They are in the same place as
in the original level, and as there are several Coilys bouncing around
at a time it is worth more than just points to wait until the last
possible minute to jump if you are by a disc.
The discs at the bottom are the toughest to get to, as they can only
be accessed by one square, which in turn can only be accessed by one
other square. Coilies may block you off for a while. Also note that you
are kicked back up to the top center square after landing on most discs
so you will want to bait the Coilies as far down as possible so as not
to let them trap you when you land(one coming at you from each
diagonal.) I find I lose one Q*Bert here as a matter of course and lack
of concentration, but you shouldn't need more than that. If going for an
elusive disc make sure that you do not jump off the structure or you
will be kicked back to the top. It's a long way back down.
Finally, enjoy the cute skit at the end. Your score for this stage
is not officially recorded, but they make up for it with the
entertainment.
7. QLASSIQ Q*BERT
7.1. INTRODUCTION
Well, I feel a bit humbled writing about this sub-game as for all
its cool puzzle explorations I still remember how a co-worker told me he
scored 6666665 on one quarter while alternating play with a friend(they
were upset they didn't stop at 5555555.) In fact it is not easy to
engineer the exact score but I'm in awe of their accomplishments given
what happens on the later repeating board. Still, although I don't have
a lot of strategy for the ultimate difficult levels I hope I can nail
down the basics for the casual player who might want to get to the level
after which they all repeat(5-4.) Or who wants to solve the one where
you jump on squares and they bounce back and forth.
Classic Q*Bert is still pretty fun even with the various goofs
occurring in the PSX port. The two major ones are:
1) less cool high score list without cool 'bye-bye' or messages
based on rank at the end
2) chunks of Ugg and Wrong-Way scroll horizontally on the screen
3) adorable tinny music replaced with calliope-reject score
Still given the relative simplicity the port of Q*Bert to the
PSX(now as a 'classic Q*Bert' subgame) is, all in all, pretty enjoyable.
Once again, the controls can be an issue here, and again I recommend
holding the PSX at an angle rotated 45 degrees counterclockwise from the
norm. I also recommend that you release one direction before pushing
down on the next.
Stuff I'm not sure is carried over from the arcade is: (get past
level 9, it's still level 9)--need GameShark for this.
7.2. SCORING
7.2.1. POINT TOTALS
--25 points for changing a square to its correct color
--15 points for changing a square neither to or from the correct color
--300 points for catching Sam or Slick
--500 points for getting Coily to jump off the edge
--750+1000L+250X points for completing a board, where X is the round and
L is the level. The maximum is 5000. Or 1000 for the first board, 250
added on each consecutive board.
--extra men at 8000, 22000, and every subsequent 14000 more.
7.2.2. HIGH SCORE MESSAGES
This isn't featured on the PlayStation but the original arcade game
had a cute ending segment for high scorers. It displayed a message
depending on the place(which made up for the player losing a tiebreak
with current high scorers) and even said 'bye-bye' when you were done.
It didn't show the numerical value until you'd entered your initials but
with 23 different high scores(almost as odd as the extra man point
values) there was always something. Some messages are surprisingly
snarky.
1 You have usurped all others to become the supreme Noser!
Kindly enter your initials for all to see
Welcome to the Noser Elite
Your rank is
2 You are second only to one
3 You must know something!
4 You make it look so easy!
5 Quite impressive actually
6 An outstanding achievement
7 An expert with a joystick
8 Not shabby at all
9 A potential champion
10 You made the top ten club!
11 Just missed the top ten!
12 You could have done worse!
13 Almost out of the teens!
14 Looking good out there!
15 A truly honorable position
16 Now try and get serious!
17 Its a long way to the top
18 Practice makes perfect!
19 Nothing to brag about!
20 Almost got into the teens!
21 Only 20 scores to beat!
22 Not bad for a beginner!
23 The bottom of the barrel!
7.3. OTHER ENTITIES
7.3.1. COILY
Coily bounces down as a large purple ball. He waits at the bottom
for a bit then pops out at you. You can jump on a disc at the side to
get rid of him--but only if Coily is less than three squares behind you.
Coily has a general pattern for following you; obviously he moves the
best way diagonally towards you whenever he can, but he also has fixed
ways in which he chases you when he is horizontally aligned. He does not
explicitly follow you if he is more than one step behind, so if you are
trying to lead him on a chase you may want to pause a bit before each
move.
If Coily is to the LEFT of you, he jumps UR next.
If Coily is to the RIGHT of you, he jumps UL next.
If Coily is ABOVE you, he jumps DL next.
If Coily is BELOW you, he jumps UR next.
7.3.2. RED BALLS
Red balls pretty much drop down randomly(well, actually, the quasi-
random sequence is generated, so if you restart the machine you'll find
a pattern, but unless you have very good memory it might as well be
random) DL and DR until they get to the bottom and fall off. You should
be safe from them in a corner but that is not always the case. You ARE
safe from them on the top square, as the balls first drop on the second
row. Below is a list of all the places the balls can go and the
probabilities any one ball will go there.
00
01 01 (of 02)
01 02 01 (of 04)
01 03 03 01 (of 08)
01 04 06 04 01
01 05 10 10 05 01
01 06 15 20 15 06 01
So you can see that the balls should tend towards the very center
more than half of the time if everything is random(and I believe it is.)
It's relatively rare(14/64) that a ball lands in the outer four sectors
so you are probably safe there. But just to be sure you can always use
the following method.
If you are directly below a ball and near an area you need to get
to, wait for the ball to drop and go the opposite way. This may not seem
terribly deep, but I find that I lose most of my guys saying "I'll just
rush a bit..."
The other way I tend to lose guys is when I jump to a square in the
second row and don't wait for a ball to drop. I always time it wrong(it
seems) and get hit by a ball. Generally even on the fast levels a ball
drops no more than every four of your possible moves so if you stand
below the top square and wait for a ball to come down you should be able
to touch any of the squares you need, even if you have to duck briefly
out of the way a bit at first.
7.3.3. SAM AND SLICK
Slick's the one with the shades.
Annoying little bastards--they change the colors of the squares they
jump on, which is annoying if you're THIS close to solving a level.
Although occasionally they may change a square to the right color, often
they'll leave you in a fix with you having covered the entire board
except what they just ran over. They're tough to catch as well. There's
an additional problem I describe in level 5. In general they can be
annoying distractions from your main task at hand although they come
down a bit too quickly in the middle/later levels(3-3 and 3-4) and
probably will be the death of you. Fortunately if they come in early
they won't do much damage and if they come in late you'll hopefully have
gotten enough done anyway(again, chip at the sides and they're less
likely to ruin things at the start.)
7.3.4. UGG AND WRONG-WAY
I believe Ugg is the ugly one with big eyes.
These guys start below and to the side of one bottom corner pyramid
square. They complement the red balls(which never touch the corner
squares) quite well. They then move horizontally or diagonally. Here are
the [relative] probabilities for when they wind up. However you have to
read diagonally DR to see them...
01
01 07
01 06 21
01 05 15 35
01 04 10 20 35
01 03 06 10 15 21
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
01 01 01 01 01 01 01 01 <- below the pyramid
So it is extremely rare that they will wind up at the top two
squares--this is helped by the starting position(below the pyramid) and
extra move that Ugg and Wrong-Way gets(random paths converge towards the
center.) In addition at the final square they do not pause before
jumping off the pyramid.
You can actually tell which way these guys are going to go next.
Look at their eyes; there's a brief pause before they jump. Their eyes
do not face directly as they are going to jump but it is close and if
their eyes switch, you can tell what the new direction is going to be.
Ugg's a bit easier to figure out than Wrong-Way due to his bigger eyes
so if you have to take on(and avoid) one, go with Ugg.
Also be sure not to get scrunched by two coming at you from opposite
directions, one above the other. If for instance you are in such a
position as below:
. [edge]
U Q
. W
You can always sneak out depending on which way their eyes are
pointing(DL or DR should be effective.)
Note also in the situation below if Ugg goes left and you go UR you
may hit each other--if he goes UL you will have no problem.
. U
Q
7.3.5. THE GREEN BALL
Smaller than the other balls, but when you pick it up the game
freezes until the bonus tune 'winds down.' You can also jump through
monsters, so if you are able to move quickly(you can knock out 15 or so
squares) you can get a lot done and even position yourself away from the
monsters where you can get a bit more time to use your breathing space.
7.3.6. THE DISCS
You can jump on the discs to clear the board as long as you can get
Coily to fall off too. Otherwise they don't help you much but to provide
a temporary safe haven when they kick you to the top of the pyramid. On
the early levels they are also useful for letting you cover the top
square without having to risk jumping up and getting hit by dropping red
balls. You can also clear the squares in the second row too as you go
about your business.
7.4. LEVELS
The following data is for the easy settings. The hard settings
accelerate which levels get which monsters, i.e. more monsters show up
more quickly(seems to skip every other level.)
Every level has the same shape; however, you need to jump on blocks
a different amount of times in each level, and later you can actually
change a block to its original state if you jump on it.
L7 R7
L6 S R6
L5 O O R5
L4 X X X R4
L3 X X X X R3
L2 X X X X X R2
L1 X X X X X X R1
X X X X X X X
LX/RX = possible position for disc(indicated in level summary)
X = square you need to turn to the right color
S = starting square
O = where balls drop
General advice to start is to go down one side to a corner and fill
that square in, taking a slight detour if Ugg/Wrong-Way is there.
Corners are the toughest to access without getting trapped. Except in 2-
4 and 3-4 there is little need to conserve discs as long as you pursue a
reasonably aggressive strategy touching squares.
7.4.1 LEVEL 1
You need to step on every square once. This should be pretty easy
once you get the hang of things as the action is relatively slow. You
are introduced to new entities as the rounds go on but there is no huge
combination of enemies.
I generally wind up with about 11000 points after completing this
level. (average level point possibility = 28*25 + (100-1000.) + bonus,
1000+1250+1500+1750=5500.) However I also frequently wait for Coily to
jump over and get him to jump off the board. This may in some ways be
safer than trying to get as many squares as possible at once. The rest
period after Coily has fallen off the board is a great chance to focus
on an area of squares and change them.
Strategies for this level include a general one of knocking out the
corners and then trying for the middle; this works well because if there
is a square in the middle you're having temporary trouble accessing,
there are many more roundabout ways to approach it than if it would be
on the edge. My favorite pattern(barring being impeded by a red ball)
would be:
DL 6, UR DR UR DR UR DR UR DR UR DR UR DR, UL as much as possible.
With only central squares left(you should cover the right edge and top
square after baiting Coily and jumping on a disk) these levels should
already be close to done.
7.4.1.1. LEVEL 1-1
Entities: Coily, red balls
Discs: L3, R3
Blocks: light blue -> yellow
The biggest problem you may have with this is laziness or trying
to do too much without using a disc. They are there; use them. I find
that I can get impatient with the speed and try to sneak in front of a
slow red ball with disastrous results. This place offers a good chance
to practice the basic strategy: DR all the way, then UL DL etc. until
the left corner(or the mirror image if you prefer.)
7.4.1.2. LEVEL 1-2
Entities: Coily, red balls
Discs: L2, R1
Blocks: white -> blue
This level is also not so tough. I like to start by burrowing in
the right corner(take a small detour) so that I can get rid of Coily
quickly. Then I just zoom over to the left hand side with my next Q*Bert
and this level is mopped up pretty easily.
7.4.1.3. LEVEL 1-3
Entities: Coily, Ugg/Wrong-Way, green ball
Discs: L4, R2
Blocks: white -> grey
Cover the sides first and try to hang out in the middle--if the
green ball drops into your lap the rest should be a piece of cake. Note
that you may not be able to go straight down diagonally as Ugg and
Wrong-Way interfere, so be prepared to move towards the center a bit.
Practice watching their eyes to see which way they go and, if you must,
use the upper few levels as safe havens. Also remember they cannot
switch horizontal direction or crawl down the pyramid.
7.4.1.4. LEVEL 1-4
Entities: Coily, green ball, Sam/Slick, red balls
Discs: L7, R1
Blocks: lt blue->yellow (and sometimes purple->yellow)
You probably want to go DL all the way to start and then burrow in
the right corner. Note Sam/Slick turns the squares a weird purple color
you haven't seen before if he appears. Don't worry about that. The disc
on top is also largely ineffective as, if you are being chased by Coily,
you have to time things to get to the top without a red ball dropping on
you. It's much better to get up there well before Coily is chasing you
and then jump off if you'd like the extra points or the break.
7.4.2 LEVEL 2
I usually end up with about 30000 points at the end of these levels.
The bonus is 9500 and the minimum haul per level is (25+15)*28=1120.
You'll probably knock off a couple of Coilies each level as well and
need to retouch some squares, etc.
7.4.2.1. LEVEL 2-1
Entities: Coily, Ugg/Wrong-Way, Sam/Slick, green ball
Discs: L4 R7,3
Blocks: dark blue->white->green
Not having the red balls drop on you for the first two scenes of
level 1 is rather nice. Don't get lulled into a false sense of security
if the purple ball hasn't dropped yet. It likes to wait a lot at times.
7.4.2.2. LEVEL 2-2
Entities: Coily, Ugg/Wrong-Way, Sam/Slick, green ball
Discs: L2 R2,7
Blocks: purple->light blue->yellow
7.4.2.3. LEVEL 2-3
Entities: Coily, red balls, green balls, Sam/slick
Discs: L5 R2
Blocks: pink->blue->yellow
Here Sam and Slick change from just moving a completed square to
intermediate to moving it back to the original state.
7.4.2.4. LEVEL 2-4
Entities: All five
Discs: L6 R4
Blocks: yellow->blue->pink
7.4.3 LEVEL 3
Here jumping on a square(or Sam/Slick jumping on it) flips it from
one color to another. You want to change every square from the starting
color to the end one. Obviously there's no quick way to do it but here
are some pointers.
1. Don't worry about leaving one square behind. This is in fact the
best policy. Trying to cover each square individually will bog you down.
For instance if you go all the way DR and then UL, you'll have to go DL
UR DL to have the right side covered, then UL DR UL to have the square
you're on covered, etc. Eventually Coily will come along and probably
force you to mess up your painfully wrought work. There's a better way.
2. The key part of solving this sort of level is what I call
'linking' two separate squares not of the right color yet. See the
diagram below:
S
. .
. . X
. . . .
. . . . .
X . . . . .
. . . . . . .
X=original, .=desired
Let's say you've just used a disc to get back to the top of the
pyramid, and furthermore pretend there are no monsters to come forever.
What's the quickest way to get through?
First you nail the X on the right--DR 2. Then UL will take care of
the . you flipped back to an X. Now there's one X left and I guess 4DL
UL DL is a good way to get there(just in case Coily lands on the 2nd
from left square you don't want to step on it first.) Now retrace your
steps. In general this process of running from one undone square to
another and going partially back works quite well. The pivot square is
only hit once and the others are hit twice.
3. The general advice of sniping away at the sides still works well
but remember that a general coverage is more important; you can 'link'
everything up later indiscriminately.
4. Remember that now going on a disc can have very serious
consequences; make sure that you do not
5. Strategic suicide now becomes a viable option. Before, moving
around with one square left was harmless. Now it can cause your efforts
to become undone. It's a bit of a cop-out to sacrifice a guy for free
time but depending on your gut feeling it may be worth it.
In the final 2 rounds you will want to try to conserve discs as long
as you can because(as I've mentioned before) discs buy free time and
now, more importantly, you can avoid the damages of Sam and Slick.
7.4.3.1. LEVEL 3-1
Entities: Red balls, Coily
Discs: L3,5 R4,5
Blocks: lt blue<->blue
This is a good introduction with plenty of discs if you want to buy
some time just jumping around with Coily gone.
7.4.3.2. LEVEL 3-2
Entities: Coily, Ugg/Wrong Way, Sam/Slick, green balls
Discs: L4,5 R2,4
Blocks: green<->white
There is a quick green ball at the start of this level which can get
you off to a great start(nibble at the corners again, crossing over via
the bottom.) This is another reason not to pay too much detail to one
side. If you can get to the bottom center square you can mimic the
ball's horizontal direction, nab it, and be 2/3 of the way through the
level before it's really started.
7.4.3.3. LEVEL 3-3
Entities: All five
Discs: lt blue<->white
Blocks: L5,7 R3
Things are a bit tougher here as the red balls provide a nasty
distraction. Fortunately there are discs on each side so you can cover
each one relatively safely.
7.4.3.4. LEVEL 3-4
Entities: Coily, Ugg/Wrong Way, Sam/Slick, red balls
Discs: yellow<->blue
Blocks: R1,3,6
It's close to imperative to drop down to the left to start the
level. You can't cover it safely any other way.
Little green guys drop down very quickly and frequently. You'll want
to conserve discs until the end if you can so that, in your final run,
you can slowly chip away at the right side of the board. You might want
to suicide just to get through the board as I don't recall seeing a
green ball on this board at all. It's a nasty one.
7.4.4 LEVEL 4
Monsters are almost as fast as you. The only real break you have for
planning is when you lose a guy or jump on a disc--use either one well!
All the levels in level 4 seem to be identical apart from their
color and of course how randomly the balls drop. They are probably
easier than 3-3 and 3-4. So I really do find this less taxing than the
previous one level. The basic idea is that you have 3 colors, call them
a, b and c. Jumping on a square changes it a->b->c->b->c->b->c, etc. Ugg
and Wrong-Way are absent from this board, which means it's easy to get
to the corner.
My favorite strategy for painting the corner is(assuming it is the
lower right:)
6DR UL DR UL DL UR DL UR DL UL UR UL and you should have six fringe
squares covered. If one has a disk you may want to wait by it(be sure
everything below and to the side is the right color) which will buy you
some time and get you points. Repeating this strategy for both sides can
frequently get you far ahead in the game. There are no notes below
because all the levels seem to be the same. I don't ever recall losing a
game on level four although when I am playing after a long layoff I
often crash and burn on the latter parts of level 3.
7.4.4.1. LEVEL 4-1
Entities: Coily, red balls, Sam/Slick, green ball
Discs: green->white<->blue
Blocks: L2,4,7 R1,2,6
7.4.4.2. LEVEL 4-2
Entities: Coily, red balls, Sam/Slick, green ball
Discs: L2,3,7 R1,2,6
Blocks: lt blue->pink<->yellow
7.4.4.3. LEVEL 4-3
Entities: Coily, red balls, Sam/Slick, green ball
Discs: L3,5 R3,5,6
Blocks: yellow->pink<->lt blue
7.4.4.4. LEVEL 4-4
Entities: Coily, red balls, Sam/Slick, green ball
Discs: L6,7 R1,4
Blocks: purple->lt blue<->yellow
7.4.5 LEVEL 5
Level 5 poses a very nasty problem. While squares that switch back
and forth presented a serious nuisance in levels 3 and 4, here they
present a potential temporary impossibility. Basically in level 5 a
square alternates between three colors, and and level after 5 follows
the same rules, too.
a->b->c->a
Again a good pattern is to go off to the left and cover the bottom
left corner. After you do I recommend going UR DR UL DR UR UL. Now you
have the bottom triangle covered and can worry about the center and the
left. The moves I mentioned work generally(if you have the time) to get
out of the mess in the corners. Of course if there is a disc in the
corner you can just take a one-way ticket(once Ugg and Wrong-Way are no
longer dangerous) and wait for Coily to pop up after getting the corner
squares the right color.
The strategy of working on one area at a time is again a good one.
If Sam or Slick drops down through an area you've covered, it can be a
nuisance, but you just have to remember to follow their paths twice.
Then you can slowly walk back through that path to polish it up, i.e.
-
x -
- x -
- x - -
- x - - -
- - x - - -
- - x - - - -
If you're at the top you can cover it by following the x's. Bounce
between the first two until they're covered. Then do the same for the
next two and then for the final two. Any other method(one at a time, for
instance) takes far longer. In general bouncing between two squares
until they are covered, paradoxically, works better than chipping away
one square at a time.
Also remember that taking discs to the top is particularly annoying
because you'll have to do several risky jumps if you land on the top
square after it is the right color(especially with no disks left.) I'm
not sure how to account for this but perhaps it's best to save the top
until the end or at least until after you've cleared most of the board.
My suggestion for the initial pattern is 6DL(discs seem to be more
plentiful on the right hand side so clear the left first) UR DL 2UR DL
DR UL DR. You now have the leftmost four squares cleared and they're not
likely to change back.
This level of course is overall a bit tougher than level 4, but the
real nuisance is shown below.
+
- -
+ + +
- - - -
+ + + + +
- - - - - -
+ + + + + + +
Let the 'score' of any square of this board in Q*Bert be based on:
{0 if the square is starting color
{1 if it's the intermediate color
{2 if it's the final color
{multiplied by +1 or -1 in accordance with the chart above
Now when we complete the board we will have a sum total of
eight(+16, -12) which gives a remainder of 2(or -1) mod 3. Also notice
that after our first jump we have a sum total of -1 and if there are no
monsters on the board its value will alternate between 0 and -1 mod 3(we
always go 0->1->2->0, the equivalent of adding 1 mod 3.) This is because
WE ALWAYS JUMP FROM A + TO A -, OR VICE VERSA.
Incidentally we'll always end up on the 2nd, 4th or 6th row if we
finish and there are no monsters(a big if) as this is when the sum value
is -1 mod 3.
However there are ways to disrupt this pattern.
1) jump off the board to your death on rows 2, 4, or 6. Note that
your last jump was onto an even row and now you'll jump to an even row.
2) jump onto a disc from rows 1, 3, 5 or 7. This throws an
additional + into the routine(you go from jumping on a + to jumping on
the top square, another +) and just one won't be lethal. In the
repeating(5-3 clone) levels you have four discs on odd levels so you
wind up still able to solve things. Note jumping on a disc from rows 2,
4 or 6 does not disrupt the equation.
3) if you catch Sam or Slick after he has just covered row 2, 4 or
6.
4) if you let Coily drop while Sam or Slick just touched rows 2, 4
or 6, it's the same as catching Sam/Slick(also if you die as they jump
down.) This is the most subtle as you may not always be aware it
happened.
Being able to keep track of the +/- is probably too much, so don't
worry if you can't. Still if you find yourself with just one square to
convert and hopping back and forth just isn't working, you'll need to
take one of the actions described above(trying to grab a Sam or Slick
can be -especially- annoying.) Killing Q*Bert off is actually an option-
-be extra sure you jump off the structure on an even numbered row,
though! And of course be sure you --need-- to as well.
Levels after 5-3 all have the same disc position even if colors
change.
7.4.5.1. LEVEL 5-1
Entities: Coily, red balls, Sam/Slick, green ball
Discs: L2,4,6,7 R1,5,7
Blocks: pink->yellow->blue->
Note that with four discs in odd rows and three in even, if you
never catch Sam/Slick but use all the discs your parity will be off.
Leave one and things should be OK. In fact in general leaving a disc on
an odd row is a good idea--if you can't solve the level then use it as a
last resort.
7.4.5.2. LEVEL 5-2
Entities: Coily, red balls, Sam/Slick, green ball
Discs: L2,3,7 R3,4,6
Blocks: green->blue->white->
7.4.5.3. LEVEL 5-3
Entities: Coily, red balls, Sam/Slick, green ball
Discs: L3,5 R1,4,5
Blocks: grey->lt blue->white
7.4.5.4. (AND BEYOND)
Entities: Everything(Ugg and Wrong-Way make a return)
Discs: L3,5 R1,4,5
Blocks: varied. yellow->blue->purple-> but later there are new
colors(light/dark blue, white) appearing in 7-1. Still many of the same
thematic colors from earlier rounds show up
You actually get decent points for each level. You should get an
extra guy 2/3 of the time from level's start to being awarded a bonus.
40 points/square(=15+25 for 1st/2nd jumps) * 28 squares = 1120
5 discs * 500 for each Coily dumped = 2500
Bonus = 5000
Total = 8620+(because you will hit some squares more than once and
probably pick up green balls/Sam/Slick as well.)
Despite these levels being very tough, you can probably establish a
pattern to start things off. Covering the left(as I mentioned before,)
taking a disc, and then covering the right(waiting for as little time in
the bottom right once you've got it--and the square UL of it--the right
color) should get the sides covered. Then you need to navigate Slick/Sam
et al and try, with your third attempt, to cover as much of the board as
possible before using your next disc.
================================
8. VERSIONS/CREDITS
VERSIONS
1.0.0: sent finished effort to GameFAQs 4/27/2002, proofread and
complete(even the tough levels) with arcade-game high-score blurb added
0.8.0: sent to GameFAQs.com 4/23/2002, with 90% of the levels done(some
tough levels I thought were done need major touching up) and half
solidly proofread, but I have indeed had a go at all the levels and for
a 1.0.0 draft I want to fit all my current level summaries to the
descriptive formula I decided on. It's not proofread enough to be a
final copy yet.
0.5.0: sent to GameFAQs.com 4/22/2002, with the tough levels mostly
done. Hope to finish this by the end of the week.
CREDITS
This is my first PlayStation FAQ and much less 'old skool' than the
previous ones and I hope it works out well. It was fun to write but I
know there will be errors, which can also be seen as chances for you to
get your name in this section!
GameShark.com for their GameShark Lite which allowed me to look into
details of level plans('Say! Can you do this? Is this a terrible
strategy? Can you jump off this block...oops guess not') without having
to worry about gaming technique. And eBay and Eric Sauner through whom I
got the CD cheap.
Atari/Hasbro for a game that's still good and was updated well--
challenging and quirky and fun. The wrong graphic embellishments could
have ruined it.
Sam's Club for having the game extra cheap($8.99.)
www.mame.net for me to be able to check the arcade version(and for
cheats there too!)
ShowBiz Pizza for getting me hooked on the game(with the swearing at
first, I'll admit!)
The friendly PSX reviewers on GameFAQs who encouraged me to explore a
new system.
pop on GameFAQs for suggesting that I use outlines--they seem a bit
silly since many numbers mirror the levels but this suggestion will go
beyond this FAQ or the one he critiqued(Legend of Blacksilver.)