Jetpack FAQ/Walkthrough Version 0.40, completed on May 14, 2009 Copyright (C) 2008-2009 by Flashman85 --------------------- - Table of Contents - --------------------- 1.) Introduction 2.) Main Menu 3.) Controls 4.) Game Basics 5.) Level Objects 6.) Enemies 7.) General Tips & Tricks 8.) How To Use The Walkthroughs 9.) Walkthrough (Regular Jetpack) <IN PROGRESS> 10.) Christmas Jetpack <COMING LATER> 11.) Jetpack Junior <COMING LATER> 12.) Level Editor <COMING LATER> 13.) Version History 14.) Credits and Thanks 15.) Legal Mumbo-Jumbo 16.) Contact Info ------------------- - 1. Introduction - ------------------- The primary objective of Jetpack is to collect all the emerald gems in each level while avoiding the enemies and environmental hazards that will kill you with a single touch. Once you collect all the emerald gems, a door will open to the next level, which you must then reach. As a secondary objective, you are to collect as much golden treasure as you can to rack up as high a score as possible. To aid you in your quest, you have two main tools at your disposal: a jetpack and a phase shifter. The jetpack allows you to fly, helping you to avoid danger and access otherwise inaccessible areas. The jetpack starts out empty in each level; you must collect fuel in each level to be able to use it. Even then, the jetpack steadily drains fuel when in use. The other tool, the phase shifter, allows you to "phase through," or destroy, certain objects in order to explore new areas of a level, create a trap for an enemy, or alter an enemy's movement. Each level consists of a single screen that is 26x16 blocks in size. Along the bottom of the screen is a status bar, which displays your jetpack's fuel meter, how many lives you have left, and your score. You can press SPACEBAR to have the status bar temporarily display the current player, level number, game mode, and game speed. The graphics are very simple. There are no cutscenes, no bosses, no music, and very few sound effects; it's just straight-up, no-nonsense platforming goodness. The regular game boasts 100 levels, and many of them are undoubtedly among the most challenging platformer levels you will every play. Jetpack is highly replayable due to the ability to play levels out of order, the built-in level editor, and the many graphical variations that can be found on the Internet, such as Christmas Jetpack and Jetpack Junior, which will be discussed eventually. I swear. ---------------- - 2. Main Menu - ---------------- The main menu gives you a slew of options. You won't use your mouse; everything is accessed by pressing various keys. Let's take a look at the really obvious options first, and then move on to the ones that actually need more of an explanation, shall we? S - Start: Starts playing the game based on the mode selected (see below) H - Help: Tells you about the controls, story, level objects, jetpack you use, item, and enemies... basically everything that's in the first few sections of this document, except with pretty pictures. E - Editor: Opens the level editor (see section 10 for details). B - Best: Displays the High Scores table. Q - Quit: ...is for quitters. Press the appropriate function key to cycle through the options for everything that's listed across the bottom of the main menu. F2 PLAYERS: You can play hotseat Jetpack with up to 8 players total. It's like multiple people playing their own individual games of Jetpack at the same time, except they all take turns. Control of the game moves on to the next player every time a life is lost or a level is beaten. F3 LEVEL: The number displayed here is the level on which you'll start playing when you press S to start the game. Levels can be selected in increments of 10, and if you cycle through to the end you'll find RANDOM, which starts you on a random level and has you progress through all 100 levels in whatever order the computer fancies. F4 TYPE: This determines whether you play the normal levels included with the game (STANDARD), levels made by the level editor (CUSTOM) or the level where you left off with your last save (SAVEGAME). Note that with the SAVEGAME option you can't cycle through the F3 options because you may only start on the level where you last saved. F5 JOYSTICKS: Allows you to choose which joystick, if any, you will use to control the game. DISABLED means you'll be using the keyboard. --------------- - 3. Controls - --------------- You'll only need a few keys to control the in-game action, but if that's not good enough for you, there are plenty more. Here's what you've got to work with in the actual game if you're using the keyboard (sorry, no help for you if you have a joystick, neener neener): -BASIC GAME CONTROLS- LEFT arrow key: Move left RIGHT arrow key: Move right UP arrow key: Climb ladders; face upward (to phase something above you) DOWN arrow key: Descend ladders; face downward (to phase something below you); use teleporter ALT: Jump (without jetpack fuel); thrust (with jetpack fuel) CTRL/DELETE/ENTER: Phase (hold down to phase) ESC: Suicide (lose a life and restart the level) Q: Quit to main menu ALT+S: Save game (only possible on level intro screen) NOTE ABOUT SAVING: I've encountered a problem on multiple occasions using two or three different keyboards where the game didn't register that I had told it to save, and it instead dropped me right into the level. I don't know if there's some sort of hidden limit on how often you can save, but I recommend waiting until the "level doors" open completely, then holding down ALT very firmly and then pressing S to give you the best chance of success. -EXTENDED GAME CONTROLS- SPACEBAR: Alternate status bar display -: Reduce game speed +: Increase game speed F1: Displays help screens F10: Boss key (displays DOS prompt to disguise the fact that you're playing a game instead of working - great way to pause the game, too) BACKSPACE+': Skip current level (you can only do this twice per game, but where is the challenge in that?) ------------------ - 4. Game Basics - ------------------ So you know that you're supposed to collect all the gems in each level, pick up whatever other treasure you can, avoid death, and make it to the exit. This is easier said than done. Aside from the controls, here are the basic things you need to know to start playing Jetpack and, hopefully, start beating some levels: RUNNING AND CLIMBING: You run and climb at about the same speed; that is, the time it takes you to cross one block horizontally is roughly the time it takes you to cross one block vertically, though running is just a hair faster than climbing. You fall a bit faster than you can run or climb. On a level playing field, you can outrun every enemy except for Steel Ball and Missile (more on them later). JUMPING: When you have no fuel, ALT causes you to jump. You can change the direction of your jump in midair. JETPACK: When you have any fuel left, ALT activates your jetpack. PHASING: To phase through a brick, steel barrier, or crate, you must hold down the phase key until the job is done. If you let go of the phase key or turn away before the block disappears, you will have lost all progress in phasing through it and will need to start over. DEATH: There are a number of different ways to die. You die if you touch an enemy, touch a spike, touch a hidden spear, get caught in a phased block as it is unphasing, get caught in a barrier when it is activated by an enemy, or hit the suicide key. Once you run out of lives, it's Game Over for you and you will lose any unsaved progress. -------------------- - 5. Level Objects - -------------------- -BASIC OBJECTS- EXIT DOOR: Technically two red doors that open out, it's the big doorway that takes you to the next level. It will only open when there are no gems left to collect in a level. Once the door is open, walk across the base of the door to enter it. Entering an open door (I.e. beating a level) is worth 100 points. Map representation: /\ || LADDERS: Ladders, as you would expect, are meant for climbing. In addition to the stationary variety, there are conveyor-belt-style ladders that move you upward or downward as you stand on them. Map representation: H BRICK BLOCKS: Blocks consisting of many red bricks that you can phase through from any side. I will usually refer to these simply as "bricks." Basic brick blocks come in two varieties: ones made up smaller bricks (which don't take long to phase through) and ones made up of larger bricks (which take longer to phase through). These regenerate a little while after phasing. Map representation: # STONE BLOCKS: Blocks consisting of many stones that you cannot phase through at all. I will usually refer to these simply as "stones." Map representation: @ SOLID BLOCKS: Blocks that look like they are made of carved stone or possibly metal and come in different colors (and, I might add, look vaguely like the Weighted Storage Cubes from Portal). You cannot phase through these at all. Aside from their appearance, they are no different from stone blocks, and will be represented on the map in the same way. Map representation: @ STEEL BARRIERS: Blocks with a steel rim surrounding what looks like an overhead view of a pyramid. These come in different colors and can be phased through almost instantly. These regenerate very quickly after phasing. Map representation: o CRATES: Wooden boxes (or "boxen," if you prefer) with a big letter X on the front. I'll spare you the "XBox" joke. These can be instantly phased through from any direction and do not regenerate. Map representation: X -FANCY STUFF- TELEPORTERS: Blue, green, or yellow platforms that quickly transport you from one platform to another of the same color. You are sent randomly to another platform of the same color if more than two exist in a level. Teleporters are activated by pressing DOWN while standing or walking on them. Because I am partially color-blind and find it easier to do things this way, each kind of teleporter in a level is assigned a number. The first teleporter you should use in a level will be called Teleporter 1, and all teleporters of the same color will also be labeled 1, etc. Map representations: 1 2 3 BARRIERS: Solid blocks that appear and disappear at the control of a switch. These come in three colors: red, blue, and green. You cannot phase through these at all. Map representations for red, blue, and green, respectively: R B G SWITCHES: Switches that turn the colored barriers on and off. One variety is activated by moving over it and pressing DOWN (you cannot do this while flying or phasing), while another variety is activated simply by touching it; this variety can also be activated by enemies. Map representations for red, blue, and green, respectively: r b g ENERGY CHARGERS: Areas you can move through that resemble interlocked square tubes with gray liquid flowing through them (sorta). Your fuel tank is filled at a steady rate when you are in an energy charger. When flying through an energy charger it is impossible to run out of jetpack fuel. Map representation: } ENERGY DRAINS: Areas you can move through that resemble interlocked square tubes with gray liquid flowing through them in the opposite direction (sorta). Your fuel tank is drained at a steady rate when you are in an energy drain. Jetpack fuel depletes disasterously quickly when flying through an energy drain. Map representation: { SPIKES: Jagged white rocks, generally found along the surface of bricks or stone blocks. Touching them from any directions kills you. Enemies can move over these safely. Map representation: + HIDDEN SPEARS: Seen on the map as nothing more than a while dot, touching these will cause a sharp spear to burst from the floor, killing you. Enemies can move over these safely. Map representation: ! -DECORATIONS- PILLARS: White poles that you can move through. Both you and the enemies move behind pillars, completely obscuring your view. Map representation: I FENCES: White fences that you can move through. Both you and the enemies move behind fences, slightly obscuring your view. Map representation: = VINES: Criscrossed jungle plants that you can move through. Both you and the enemies move behind vines, majorly obscuring your view. Map representation: % -ITEMS- EMERALD GEMS: Green gems (which, to me, look like the Metall/Hard Hat enemies from the Mega Man series) on pedestals. I will usually refer to these simply as "gems." Once all the gems in a level have been collected, the exit door will open. Worth 5 points. Map representation: * TANK OF FUEL: Adds half of a bar of fuel to your reserve. Sometimes appears at random in a level. Worth 10 points. Map representation: t DOUBLE TANK: Fills your fuel reserve to maximum. Sometimes appears at random in a level. Worth 20 points. Map representation: T GOLD COIN: Optional treasure. Worth 10 points. Map representation: c PILE OF GOLD: Optional treasure. Worth 25 points. Map representation: p GOLDEN VASE: Optional treasure. Worth 50 points. Map representation: v EXTRA LIFE: A golden man resembling your character. Optional treasure, but (duh) gives you an extra life. Worth 100 points. Map representation: e STUNNER: A swirling gray disc. Causes all enemies in the level to briefly stop in their tracks. You may pass through enemies unharmed while the stunner is active. When the stunner is about to expire, all enemies will flash red. Sometimes appears at random in a level. Worth 25 points. Map representation: s SHIELD: Resembles a glowing yellow and orange cross... with legs? I'm not exactly sure whether or not this is supposed to look like anything, but it makes you invincible and flashing for a short time. Once the flashing stops, you are no longer invincible. Worth 25 points. No map representation, as it only appears randomly. -------------- - 6. Enemies - -------------- TRACKBOT: A silver robot with tank treads that kinda resembles the robot from Lost in Space. Trackbot follows you persistently by moving on ladders, moving across solid ground, and falling from ledges. However, once it starts moving horizontally, it will not change direction until it reaches a ladder, hits a wall, or falls off a ledge. You can lure Trackbot from one part of a level to another by moving around, even if you're far away or separated by solid objects. Trackbot is slower than you are. (No, I'm not insinuating anything about your intelligence.) SPIKES: A spinning, spiked pinwheel that bounces off of solid objects in a predictable pattern. Not to be confused with the stationary pointy objects called spikes (note the lowercase). Spikes are easy to avoid in open spaces but are extremely dangerous in confined spaces. Spikes is very slow, but that doesn't matter if its change in direction takes you by surprise. STEEL BALL: Essentially a large silver boulder that constantly rolls across solid objects and falls off of ledges. Steel Ball always starts out going left and will begin moving in the opposite direction when it hits a solid object. Steel Ball is a little faster than you are. SPRING: A coiled spring that eternally bounces up and down, changing direction when it hits a solid object. Spring pauses for a moment when changing direction. Spring is a little slower than you are when falling. MISSILE: A rocket that moves through the air in a straight line and turns to its right when it hits a solid object. Missile is faster than you are. BATBOT: A bat that looks like a flattened letter V. Batbot flies and cannot pass through solid objects. It tracks you to a certain extent, but bounces a little, as Spikes does, when it can't get a good lock on you. Batbot is slower than you, and it is even slower when it is pressed against a solid object. FLITZER: A blue asterisk blob. Flitzer changes direction at random and cannot move through solid objects. Because of Flitzer's random movements, it is very difficult to trap it, so it's better just to be patient and wait until it moves out of your way. Note that different parts of Flitzer glow red to signify the direction in which it is moving. Flitzer's speed varies, but it never moves very far in any direction. HOMER: A glorified speck that moves through the air and solid objects toward you. Homer constantly tracks you and will always catch up with you if you wait long enough, no matter where you are. Homer is much slower than you are, and you can use this to your advantage if you are patient; if the area you need to explore does not allow for you to quickly escape from Homer, you can sometimes lure Homer to one side or corner of the level (if you are patient) and then rush into the area you need to need explore while Homer slowly makes its way back. ---------------------------- - 7. General Tips & Tricks - ---------------------------- -JETPACK CONTROL- Even after you've gotten used to maneuvering with your jetpack, some situations make it extraordinarily easy to fly out of control, especially when you're under pressure. The best way to fly is usually using shorter thrusts and holding the DOWN key when you need to move horizontally or hover in place. Only hold down the thrust key for extended periods if you're hovering or trying to cover a long distance. You can keep moving even after you let go of the thrust key, so you can often get away with letting go before you reach your destination and using your momentum to carry you the rest of the way. Along those same lines, take care when you need to make a precision landing; until you've mastered the jetpack, slow yourself well in advance of your landing point and carefully touch down. When trying to reach a certain height without overshooting (for example, if you need to fly close to a spiked ceiling), hold the DOWN key when you get close to the desired height, then quickly release and re-press DOWN until you have eased yourself up to the right height. -PHASING- Each kind of phasable object must be phased constantly for a set amount of time before it disappears. If you let go of the phase key or turn away from the object before you phase through it, any phasing progress will be lost and you will need to start over. Crates do not reappear after being phased. Consider carefully before you phase any crates, for you might doom yourself to failure if it turns out one or more of the crates in a level need to be intact for you to get all the gems and reach the exit. All other phasable objects reappear after a set amount of time. This can be fatal to you if you get caught, but by the same token, you can trap enemies in walls and floors as they reappear, if your timing is just right. You can also create holes for enemies to go through, trapping them in another section when the phased object reappears. -BONUS TREASURE- Treasures almost always appear next to traps or in places guarded by enemies, so if a treasure horde looks too good to be true, it probably is. Greed will get you killed about as often as not, so choose your treasues carefully, and be willing to admit that sometimes you just can't get all the treasures in a level. Of course, if you can't admit that by Level 19 and you keep trying, then you're alarmingly determined, or quite possibly insane. -EXTRA LIVES- You gain an extra life for every 1000 points you score. Taking into account that beating a level is worth 100 points, that each gem is worth 5 points, and that dying incurs no point penalty of any kind, you can gain loads of extra lives throughout the course of a regular game of Jetpack without ever picking up a single piece of bonus treasure. If you see an extra life in a level, it's almost always worth it to go for it. Even if you die shortly afterward, you retain any points you had collected since starting the level, so you end up with the same amount of lives you started with, but you gained more points to put toward another extra life. -TELEPORTERS- When you activate a teleporter, you'll notice your character take on a sort of scrambled glow. As long as you're all scrambled while entering and exiting a teleporter, you are invincible, as you are when using the Shield item. You can activate a teleporter while you are still scrambled, however, which is good to remember when a teleporter with multiple destinations spits you out somewhere you didn't want to go that is teeming with enemies. All enemies except Homer can use teleporters, so watch for enemies on both sides of a teleporter before entering one. You don't need to wait until you're on a teleporter to activate one. Hold DOWN, and when you walk over it you will automatically teleport. In fact, you continue to teleport until you let go of the key, which means that you can hold yourself in a sort of invincible suspended animation indefinitely. If you do, I'll just start calling you Scotty. Scotty. -USING DEATH TO YOUR ADVANTAGE- If you've just saved, feel free to experiment with various tactics for getting through a level, regardless of how dangerous they seem. After you have a good idea of what to do, quit to the menu and then reload your saved game. This way, any lives you lost in the experimentation process are restored. Remember that you don't lose points for dying; if there's an easy-to-reach extra life placed in a level, consider grabbing that extra life, racking up as many points as possible by picking up treasure, gems, and other items, and then dying before you beat the level. The extra life you picked up in the level will make up for the one you just lost, but the points you've gathered will keep adding up toward a bonus extra life. The odds of this happening are so slim that it's almost not worth mentioning, but if you die above an open doorway and your body (or exploded remains) happens to fall into an open doorway, you still beat the level, despite the fact that you're dead. --------------------------------- - 8. How To Use The Walkthrough - --------------------------------- Each level is identified by its number and name, so you can use the search function in your browser to quickly locate the level you need. Two kinds of help are given: GENERAL and SPECIFIC. General help covers things that are important to keep in mind while playing the entire level. Specific help gives a detailed, step-by-step explanation of how to complete the level. Keep in mind that there are several ways to complete most of the levels; what I describe is what I did to complete the level, though you could very well figure out a better way to do it. If you come up with a better solution (I.e. one that is notably faster or incurs a lower risk of dying), e-mail it to me at Laffman85 [at] aol [dot] com, subject line: "Jetpack FAQ Suggestion" and I'll probably put it in the next release of this guide, with full credit to you, of course. Below the level number and title is a crude map of the level filled with symbols that signify level objects and your starting position. For ease of use, enemies are not included; specialized objects, such as icy bricks and moving ladders, are not specially identified and are indistinguishable from regular bricks and regular ladders on the map. There are many reasons for choosing to do things this way, which I'll only bother to explain if you ask me. A blank sample is posted below: ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 | | 1 2 | | 2 3 | | 3 4 | | 4 5 | | 5 6 | | 6 7 | | 7 8 | | 8 9 | | 9 10 | | 10 11 | | 11 12 | | 12 13 | | 13 14 | | 14 15 | | 15 16 | | 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ As you can see, the map is split into sixteen numerical rows and twenty-six lettered columns. I will often refer to locations by their position on the map. For example, a gem at Z-16 would be found in the bottom right corner of the map. I break up the areas of a level as follows: LEFT CENTER RIGHT -------------------------- TOP | | | | |--------------------------| MIDDLE | | | | |--------------------------| BOTTOM | | | | -------------------------- So, if I say that for example, there are three gems in the top center, I'm referring to a specific area of the map, not a toy manufacturing plant called the Top Center. That would be an odd place to hide gems. For easy reference, here is a complete list of the meanings of all the symbols you will see on the map: -BASIC OBJECTS- /\ || Exit Door $ Start Position H Ladder # Brick Block (any variety) @ Stone Block, Solid Block o Steel Barrier X Crate -FANCY STUFF- 1 Teleporter 1 2 Teleporter 2 3 Teleporter 3 R Red Barrier (whether on or off) B Blue Barrier (whether on or off) G Green Barrier (whether on or off) r Red Switch (either variety) b Blue Switch (either variety) g Green Switch (either variety) } Energy Charger { Energy Drain + Spike ! Hidden Spear & Chozo Statue -DECORATIONS- I Pillar = Fence % Vine -ITEMS- * Emerald Gem t Tank of Fuel T Double Tank c Gold Coin p Pile of Gold v Golden Vase e Extra Life s Stunner (no map representation for Shield) ------------------------------------ - 9. Walkthrough (Regular Jetpack) - ------------------------------------ LEVEL 0 - WELCOME TO JETPACK! ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 |* * /\| 1 2 |#H H#####H ||| 2 3 | H #H#####* H H###| 3 4 | H* H ###H H H | 4 5 | H# H * H #######H | 5 6 | H ###H### H | 6 7 | H H * @@@@@| 7 8 |H######H###########H @v v@| 8 9 |H * H * H @@ @@| 9 10 |H H## H ##H H @* *@| 10 11 |H### H H * H @@H@@| 11 12 | H H##### H* H | 12 13 | *H##### H ######H| 13 14 | #H# *H* H| 14 15 | H ### H| 15 16 | H $ T H| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: There's not much of a trick to this level; get a feel for how you move without and with the jetpack, learn how you move over different kinds of terrain, learn what you can and cannot phase, learn how long it takes to phase bricks, and dodge enemies. It's really just a training level, so take the time to learn the ropes. Fuel conservation is not necessary in this stage, so don't feel compelled to use the ladders if you don't feel like it, unless you want to practice using minimal jetpack fuel; you'll need to get good at it for the later levels. SPECIFIC: Collect the Double Tank to the right of the start. Grab all the gems on top of the sludge-covered bricks in the bottom center (starting with Q-11), using short bursts of flight to help you collect them faster. If Trackbot isn't hanging around there, fly right and climb up into the stone enclosure in the middle right to collect gems W-10 and Y-10 as well as (if you're feeling a little gutsy) vases W-8 and Y-8. Move quickly and only go after the vases if you have the time, or else you may find yourself trapped by Trackbot. If you try several times and keep getting trapped there, go to the other side of the map to collect gems, lure Trackbot toward where you are, then fly and climb your way back to the stone enclosure before Trackbot can catch up. Which gems you should collect next depends on where the enemies are, so practice basic enemy avoidance to finish off the level. Stay as far away from Trackbot and Spikes as possible as you collect the remaining gems, and don't hesitate to use your jetpack to cover ground more quickly and to lose Trackbot. Just keep moving, and don't waste time phasing bricks unless you're testing out how phasing works; regular movement will get you through the level quickly enough. Once the door opens up, make a break for it, using the jetpack if you've got enough fuel left (which you really should). LEVEL 1 - THE TELEPORTER ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 |2 1 H*H * | 1 2 |# H#H## HH#HH ####H##| 2 3 |# H #* H* *H H | 3 4 |##H ### H## ##H H | 4 5 |##H #/\ H # # H H | 5 6 |##H# #||$ H I*I H ###H| 6 7 |##H# #### #H###H# 1*I H| 7 8 |##H# H I H * ####H| 8 9 |##H###H# HH#HH *#* # H| 9 10 |##H * H##H H#H *# # # ##H| 10 11 |##H######H H#H # # *#H| 11 12 |##H#s H#H H#H # ##H| 12 13 |##H####H#H H#H H#H#H# #*H| 13 14 |##H H H HHH H#H H# ##H| 14 15 |##########H H H##tH# H| 15 16 |#pppvvv e#H H H2#######H| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: Each section of this level requires a slightly different strategy. Tackle one section at a time, move quickly through each section, and find a safe spot to rest and plan how you'll take on the next section. Use the ladders as much as possible, phase through blocks to make shortcuts and throw off Trackbot, and only use the jetpack to cover short distances. SPECIFIC: From the start, do a quick little jetpack hop to the right and take gems N-1, M-3, O-3, and N-6 from the central tower, using the ladders as much as possible. Drop down to the right and grab gems S-8, T-9, R-9, and Q-10 from the four blocks floating in the air. Note that this is the second-safest spot in the level; return here if you ever feel like you need a moment to think about what to do next. Personally, I prefer to stand on the farthest block to the right, but it's really up to you. It is technically possible for Trackbot to climb the ladder on the top right and drop down on you from far above, but in practice, that just doesn't happen. Wait until Trackbot is on the top left, preferably right after having gone through a teleporter; then, drop down again to collect the tank of fuel. Move on to grab gem Y-13 next to the ladder, then climb up and phase through brick Y-11 to snag gem X-11. Keep climbing up and grab gems W-7 and V-1. By this time, Trackbot might be gaining on you, so drop back down to your safe spot if you need a breather. Use the ladder tower in the middle to climb your way to gem E-10, making sure the Steel Ball is below you before you leave the tower. Phase through the block below the gem to collect the Stunner, which isn't entirely necessary but is a good precaution nonetheless. Phase through the left wall and climb to the top of the ladder. At this point, you can either dash right to collect gem G-3 that's over the door and end the level, or you can go after the treasure on the bottom left. If you decide to go after the treasure, you'll need to move very quickly; because of the teleporters, there's a very good chance that the enemies will be on top of you alarmingly fast, and the Stunner doesn't last all that long. To get to the treasure, phase through brick A-3 and continually phase down through every brick until you reach the bottom. Don't let up on the phasing, or else you'll get squished. Also remember that Trackbot can follow you into the hole you're digging, so I again emphasize to be fast. After you collect the treasure, stand to the far right where the extra life was (I-16). Wait until until Trackbot is out of the bottom center, and Steel Ball is close to one of the teleporters (either entering or leaving). Phase through the right wall (J-16) and scramble up the ladder tower in the center. Once you've reached the top or are close to the top, fly over to gem G-3 and dart down to the door below you to end the level. LEVEL 2 - THE MARBLE WORM ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 |2 @@* *$1 * * | 1 2 |@* @@* @ @@@@@@@@@B#%%%%@ | 2 3 |@@* @@ @*I @%%#%%%@ | 3 4 | @@* @ @@@@@@@@@ @#%%%#%@ | 4 5 |* @@* @ I*@%%#%%%@ | 5 6 |@* @@* @ ########@%#%%%%@ | 6 7 |@@* @@ @*I @%%###%@ | 7 8 |*@@* *@@@@@@@@@ @@%%%%%@ | 8 9 | ** *@?t I*@%%%%%#@ | 9 10 |*@@ *@??@@@@@@@@@@%#%##%@ | 10 11 |@@ *@??@ 3 **** @%%b%%%@ | 11 12 |@ *@??@@ @ *@@@@*@##3%%%@ | 12 13 | *@??@/\ @ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@ | 13 14 | @??@@|| @ ******I******I*| 14 15 | @?@@@@@ @ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@| 15 16 | 1 I t2I| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: Most of the level consists of solid stone, which cannot be phased. This means that your job is primarily to dodge the Marble Worm (that is, the line of Steel Balls) that teleports around the level and rolls over almost everything at one point or another. To succeed, you'll need to find the few safe spots around the level, watch the pattern of the worm closely, and move from place to place whenever there's an opening. There are many ways to do this level; the way I'm about to describe will take you through without a jetpack for as long as possible, but this level can certainly be beaten using a jetpack for most of the time if you're very careful about your fuel consumption. SPECIFIC: It should be noted that, although I include many safe spots in which you can rest, this level can be beaten with little or no resting if you're fast enough. Before the level even begins, hold left so that instead of falling, you'll end up on stone H-2. Be careful not to hold for too long, or else you'll overshoot and fall of the edge. This isn't fatal, but it throws off the flow of my walkthrough and causes some unnecessary backtracking, and therefore I forbid you from doing it. Jump to the left to collect gems F-2 and E-1. Remember that even though you're already pressing against the ceiling, holding down the jump key will keep you in the air longer. This isn't like Mario where you hit the ceiling and then fall right back down. Drop down and swing left as you fall to collect the diagonal line of gems starting with F-6. It's easy to get caught on the ceiling when jumping through places like this, so just keep jumping if you get a bit stuck. Drop down again to snag half of the gems on this diagonal line (G-8, F-9, and E-10), then jump up to the left to collect gem C-9 and the other three gems with it in the nook, which is a SAFE SPOT. In order to nab gem A-8, you'll need to stand at the edge of the stone, then run and hold down the jump key as you move left. Wait for the worm to move past the entrance to your nook, then run after it, collecting the three remaining gems on the diagonal line along the way. Hop into Teleporter 1 to teleport to the top of the screen. Quickly run to collect gem Q-1, then scurry back past the teleporter and into the little maze in the center to collect gem I-3 and the three that follow it. There is a secret passageway through the wall to the left of the tank of fuel at the end of the little maze; you might have noticed the worm moving through it earlier. Wait until the worm passes underneath the door and through Teleporter 1 to go through the secret passageway (just hold left and you'll keep dropping down until you reach the bottom). Stand on or just to the right of Teleporter 1 and wait for the worm to appear from Teleporter 3. After it has moved past you, fly up to the dead-end with the six gems (starting with gem L-12) and collect them all. This is another SAFE SPOT. Wait for the worm to appear from the lower Teleporter 3 again, and drop into the tunnel below you with the long line of gems on conveyor belts (starting with gem L-14). Use the jetpack a little bit to boost yourself into the tunnel. Run through to collect all the gems, then jetpack straight up to gem Y-1 and wait there. This is yet another SAFE SPOT. If everything went well, your fuel meter should be at about 1/4. Wait until the worm enters the vines and follow after it. Go through Teleporter 3 and continue to follow the worm into Teleporter 2, picking up the remaining tank of fuel along the way. Continue following the worm down the first set of steps after the teleporter, but fly up to collect the four diagonal gems starting with D-8. This is also a SAFE SPOT. Now, wait for the worm to pass by you, then chase after it. Once it enters Teleporter 1, fly up to the door and end the level. LEVEL 3 - RIDE THE SNAKE ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 | | 1 2 |* *| 2 3 |@@@@ #@@@ * @@@| 3 4 | *# # # #@@ | 4 5 | ## # *# # | 5 6 | # # ## *# * | 6 7 | #* # #* ##@@@@ #@@@| 7 8 | #@@@@ #@@@@@ # | 8 9 | *# | 9 10 | * * #@@@@@ | 10 11 | @ # #@@@@@@ #* | 11 12 | *@@* # /\ # ## * | 12 13 | @@@@@@@ || # *# ### | 13 14 | @ @@ #@@@@@ | 14 15 | | 15 16 | | 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: Although there's a lot of open space to cover, you'll hardly use 1/4 of your fuel if you use phasing to your advantage. Unless you mess around too much with the bricks near them, the Spikes stay confined to specific sections of the level and bounce around with a pattern that's predictable enough to dodge if you end up getting too close to them. Take your time, wait for Spikes to move away before you move in, and you'll do just fine. SPECIFIC: Right off the bat, fly upward to grab gem X-12. Fly over to gem S-11 and phase through the left wall. Drop down and grab gem R-13. If Spikes is bouncing around to your left (boy, that sounds gramatically awful) wait for it to either pass over you or move farther left, then fly up to gem L-10. Avoiding Spikes if it's still there, move left to get gems F-10, E-12, and B-12. Fly straight up the left side to get gem C-4 (don't worry; it won't explode, har har). There will probably be a spikes bouncing around on the other side of the wall to the right; if so, wait until it starts to move upwards and phase through the brick to your right, then collect gem D-7. If you see a Spikes moving up the left side of the screen toward you as you're waiting to phase through, don't panic; it's extremely likely that, because of the angle at which it is bouncing, it will hit the block you're standing on, but not you. If not, then oh, well. This part might need to be handled differently depending on where Spikes is, but the next gem to get is A-2. The best way is to fly up and to the right, standing on top of stone H-3 or thereabouts, and to wait for Spikes to go back down to where you just collected the gem. Fly over the hole, snag gem A-2, then rush back over the hole to where you were standing before Spikes returns. To the right should be another spikes that is bouncing around the open area in the top center. Wait until it starts moving away, then drop down to collect gem J-7. Phase through the wall to your left and fly up to collect gem I-5. Once again wait for Spikes to move away, then quickly collect gems R-6 and T-3, but drop down to the right to grab gem Y-6; Spikes will probably be too close to the top right corner for you to grab the next gem safely. Once Spikes heads left again, fly up to get gem Z-2. Drop down to collect gem V-9. Scurry down to brick N-13 and phase through it if the coast is clear, then fly to the exit. LEVEL 4 - THE COMPLEX ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 |s H *H H | 1 2 |@########@@@H H### *H | 2 3 |@/\ *@ RH H*H ### | 3 4 |@|| @@@@ @H ### H* | 4 5 |@@@ @ @@H H ### | 5 6 |@* 2 @ @2H H * H | 6 7 |@@@@@@@@H@ @@@@@@@@ ###H | 7 8 | * # HR 1 * R H H | 8 9 |H###H#H@@@@@@@@@@@@ H*H | 9 10 |H# H#H@ B * ### | 10 11 |H#####H@** B b#### H | 11 12 |H# * #H@@@@@@H###H * H###| 12 13 |H#H#H#H 1 H$ H####H# r| 13 14 |H#H#H######H#######H*#H#H#| 14 15 |H#H#H # * #H#e#H*H#H#FH H | 15 16 |H H##H H#H H###H#* H #H#H*| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: You'll be using the phase shifter here as much as the jetpack, if not more, so fuel shouldn't be a problem. Unless you want to constantly phase through walls and run away from enemies in tiny spaces, it's best to trap Trackbot as early on as you can. After that, it's just a matter of patience and awareness: make sure that you know where Spikes and Spring are going and wait long enough for them to get out of your way, and watch out for being crushed by bricks reappearing after you've phased them. SPECIFIC: Immediately climb up the ladder to your left and hit the blue switch to turn off the blue barrier and grab the two gems behind it. Then climb back down the ladder, wait for Trackbot to get off the long ladder to the far right and start heading your way, and phase through the brick above the Extra Life. This is a SAFE SPOT, as soon as the brick above you reappears. Wait there until Trackbot turns around and heads back into the maze in the bottom right. Follow it, collecting gems I-15 and D-12 as you go. As Trackbot ascends the long ladder on the far left, phase through the ceiling above and to the left of gem D-12 (brick C-11). As soon as Trackbot reaches the top of the long ladder, climb down the ladder you're standing on, up the long ladder to the left, and collect gem B-8. How you get out of the maze depends on what the enemies are doing at this point. If Trackbot is right behind you, drop down the hole you made by phasing the brick--it should close up just before Trackbot gets there--and then phase through brick F-12 to get out of the little maze. If Trackbot is far enough away, phase through brick F-8 to exit the little maze. If Spikes somehow gets involved, use your best judgment to determine where you should phase through the wall, or if you should phase through brick C-11 one more time and do another loop around the ladders until Spikes goes away. Once out of the maze, lure Trackbot to the area where the blue switch is and the blue barrier used to be. Collect gem Q-10 as you wait for Trackbot, and then hit the blue switch to trap Trackbot behind (or in) the blue barrier. You may now take your time throughout the rest of the level. Wait until Spring is bouncing up and collect gem T-12. Climb down into the bottom right to collect the four gems and the Double Tank there, phasing through bricks as necessary, and hit the red switch. Climb and use short jetpack bursts to grab the gems on the ladder towers in the top right (gems W-9, V-6, X-4, W-2, S-1, and R-3). Wait until Spikes is out of the enclosed section where the door is, then climb or fly up to the top left and get the Stunner to freeze Spikes in some location that's far enough away from the door. Enter the stone section via L-3 (where the topmost red barrier used to be), and move into the enclosed section where the door is to take gems B-6 and I-3. Fly up to the door and complete the level. LEVEL 5 - ESCAPE FROM THE 64 ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ ---------------------------- 1 | @ /\ @ | 1 2 |* *@ || @* *| 2 3 |@@@@@@@@@@H@@@@H@@@@@H@@@@| 3 4 | pH * H * H H p | 4 5 |@ @@@@@@@@@@H@@@@@@H@@@@ @| 5 6 | p * H* H p* | 6 7 |@ @H@@@@@@@@@@@@H@@@@@@@ @| 7 8 | H p * H p p | 8 9 |@ @@@@@H@@@@@@@@@@@@H@@@ @| 9 10 | *pH *p H | 10 11 |@ @@@@@@@@H@@@@@H@@@@@@@ @| 11 12 | p p H * H * p | 12 13 |@ @@@H@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@H @| 13 14 | *H p * p * H | 14 15 |@ @@@@@@@@H@@@@@@@H@@@@@ @| 15 16 | H $ H | 16 ---------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: In order to beat this level, you'll need to wait at the top of each ladder for the Missiles to pass by. When they do, you'll need to quickly pop out, grab a gem or a pile of gold, and then dart back to the top of a ladder. Falling off one of the ends of a row is an acceptable strategy if you can't make it back to a ladder in time, but it becomes less advisable the higher up you go due to the increasing chance of hitting a Missile on your way down. There's nothing more to this level than patience, timing, and quick reflexes. The biggest advice of all is this: don't be greedy. If you're feeling like a hotshot, then by all means, try and grab all those piles of gold. However, if you're just trying to get through the level, don't even bother with the piles of gold and just focus on the gems. Also keep in mind that you don't need to clear out the gems one row at a time; you can always come back down to pick up what you missed. A few hints: - In general, never go after a treasure unless it is within three spaces of the ladder you're on. - You don't need to be exactly centered on the top half of each ladder; your head can stick up above the stone blocks a little bit, and your feet can dangle below the stone blocks a little bit, as long as you aren't sticking out too far. - You can hold UP or DOWN while running so that you automatically grab a hold of a ladder and start climbing when you pass one. - Once you're in a safe spot at the top of a ladder, you can take as much time as you need to plan your next move. It's OK to wait for a good opening. - Based on the movement of the Missiles, plan in advance whether you are going to move to another ladder or return to the current one. - Wait until a Missile has passed directly overhead to move out; this will give you the longest possible amount of time to move. SPECIFIC: The only specific help I can render concerns the two open chambers at the top. The strategy is the same for both rooms: Wait until the Missile passes by you, follow it to pick up the first gem, return to the middle and jump over the Missile when it approaches you (jump when it's about a one-block space away), then run to the second gem and then back down the ladder. Oh, and don't forget that you can use the platform with the door as a safe place to cross part of the top row of Missiles. LEVEL 6 - LADDER MAZE ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ ---------------------------- 1 | * * * * /\ | 1 2 | #H H#H ##H * *H### || | 2 3 | ##HH#H #HH##H#H # H## | 3 4 | # H### ##H# H#H* *H # | 4 5 | # H# # ##H#* #H* | 5 6 | H# H## H##H ####H| 6 7 | * H# **H # H# H H| 7 8 |H#*H **H##H H#*H* H# H| 8 9 |H### ##H #H *** ##### H#*H| 9 10 |H**H #*H ## ### H##H| 10 11 | ##H ##H # * *H # | 11 12 | #*H H H##### #H | 12 13 | ###H *H *H * * ## | 13 14 | * HH#H *#H #*H#H #* | 14 15 |## H##H ###H##H#H ###H| 15 16 |#$ H####H H H#H H| 16 ---------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: The Trackbots won't be much of an issue if you move quickly at the start to distance yourself from them. Try not to stay in any one section for too long, or else a Trackbot is likely to get you; it's better to leave a single gem behind and come back for it later than to grab all of them in one section and get trapped. Though there is technically only one safe spot in the level (O-13), it is possible to get the Trackbots caught in a harmless loop if you maneuver correctly, making many other places into safe spots. The floating island in the middle center is almost always a good place to go if you need a breather. Remember that you can jump from ladders, that you can hold UP to automatically start climbing ladders when you pass them, and that you can climb diagonally when two ladders are next to each other. SPECIFIC: It won't take long for the Trackbots to make it to your starting point, so move upward as quickly as you can. Try to collect gems G-13, C-12, C-10, and B-10, but don't be afraid to skip one if you find you can't move quickly enough. DO NOT get gem B-14 above the start just yet; if you do, you're very likely to get trapped by the Trackbots. Continue up the left side of the level, collecting gems B-7 and C-8 as you go, and then climb up to get gems B-1 and F-1 along the top. You'll want to stay along the top to stay out of the Trackbots' way, so jump across to gem I-1. (If you have trouble jumping across, climb a little bit down the ladder at G-2 and jump right from there.) Staying along the top, grab gems M-2, P-2, and T-1. Fall or jump toward the door and collect gems V-4 and X-5. This next part requires a lot of coordination, but it's a skill you'll need later on. Climb all the way down the ladder on the far right side, nab gem Y-9, and then drop down to get gem X-14. Here's the tricky part: you need to phase through brick W-13 to be able to jump up to the ladder and get out of the way of the incoming Trackbots. To do this, continually hold left so you are pressed against the brick wall, jump, and as you start to jump, hold down the phase key so that you phase through brick W-13 while you are in the air; if it doesn't work on the first jump, let go of the phase key when you come back down so that you don't accidentally phase brick W-14. If you've come this far as quickly as I did, you'll have about 3-4 tries before the Trackbots catch up with you. (If you can't get this strategy to work, you'll need to lure the Trackbots away first or phase through brick W-13 and try to outrun them as they come up the ladder, but that will change the order of things.) Get gem V-11, climb back up, and head left to clean out the rest of the gems in the top right and top center (gems U-8, S-8, S-5, and R-4). Make your way over to the floating platform in the middle center to collect gems O-9, N-9, and M-9. This is a SAFE SPOT unless the Trackbots are above you. If everything went well, the Trackbots should be caught up somewhere in the bottom center, moving around in a loop (or getting ready to). If not, I have no idea what you've been doing. Once the Trackbots are looping, drop down to the right to pick up gem R-11, then run left and drop down (don't use the ladder) to get gems L-13 and K-14. Jump left and climb up the long ladder to grab gems G-10, I-7, J-7, G-8, and F-8. Now is the time to collect any of the gems you skipped at the beginning. Finally, get gem B-14 either by dropping down to it from above or by jumping up to it from on top of ladder D-16 (I prefer the latter). The Trackbots will most likely be after you by this point, so be ready to dodge and rush back toward your floating safe spot in the middle center via whatever route you like best. There should only be three gems left, and of course, they're all right where the Trackbots loop. If the Trackbots are far enough away, follow through with the next part; otherwise, wait for the Trackbots to go back to looping, then try to lure them to the far left side before continuing. Either way, you need to make sure that the Trackbots are far enough away and moving in such a way that they can't immediately turn around and follow you. Run to collect gem R-13 (entering from the right side) and then go after gems P-14 and O-13. O-13 is a SAFE SPOT. Now that the door is open, it's just a matter of looking for a clean getaway. Wait there (it might take a little while) for the Trackbots to go back into their loop. If you get impatient, rush for the exit at your own peril. Once the Trackbots get into their loop, run left, jump to the long ladder starting at H-15, and climb and jump your way to the door! LEVEL 7 - TO GRANDMAS HOUSE WE GO ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ ---------------------------- 1 | | 1 2 | * | 2 3 | @}}}@@##@@@@@#@@ | 3 4 | }}}}# @ | 4 5 | }}}}# # | 5 6 |r }}}}B *** ***@ $ | 6 7 |#R@#B@@@B@@@##@@@@@@@@#@@@| 7 8 | @ @b@ ***#** @@# @+| 8 9 | #** B @@@@@@B@#@ # | 9 10 | @@@@@@ B B**@+| 10 11 | }}}@@ @@@B@@#@B@@@@+| 11 12 | #}}}/\ @ #@@@ @+| 12 13 | #}}}||****@***@@******# | 13 14 | #}}}@@@##@@@#@@@#@@##@@+| 14 15 | ++ + + ++ ++ | 15 16 |#* *#| 16 ---------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: You can pretty much take your time on this level, and you can be almost careless with your jetpack use. Try to keep Spikes in the open areas along the top, stay clear of the Missiles, and don't forget that you can phase while you're using your jetpack. Oh, and note that the direction Spikes moves at the beginning depends on how you move at first. SPECIFIC: Fly to the top center and get gem M-2. Phase down through whichever brick in Row 3 strikes your fancy and fall through the resulting hole to collect the gems in Row 6 (gems J-6, K-6, L-6, O-6, P-6, and Q-6). Do your best to keep from allowing Spikes into the chamber with you. Phase through brick M-7 or N-7 to get gems M-8, N-8, and O-8. Drop down to get the four gems next to the door (gems I-13, J-13, K-13, and L-13). Wait for Missile to pass by and head right, fly through the energy charger, and then up to phase through brick C-9 (remember to hold the jetpack key and the phase key and RIGHT at the same time). Collect gems D-9 and E-9, and hit the blue switch. Fly up and hit the red switch, then wait for Missile to pass by again before dropping to the bottom to get gem B-16. Go right and snag gem Y-16. If Missile is nearby, either run under it if it's above you, or hover against one of the bricks in the ceiling until Missile passes under you. Fly up and phase through either brick V-14 or W-14 (watch the spikes, and make sure Missile has already moved to the left somewhere) and collect the line of gems (gems S-13, T-13, U-13, V-13, W-13, and X-13). Casually fly around the various chambers to collect all of the remaining gems, and then go to the door. Easy! LEVEL 8 - CHUTES AND LADDERS ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 | H H H H H H /\| 1 2 |* H H* H H H* H ||| 2 3 |# *H H# H H *H# H###| 3 4 | #H* *H H H #H H | 4 5 | H# #H H H* H H | 5 6 | H H H H# *H H | 6 7 | H H *H H #H H | 7 8 | H* H #H *H H H | 8 9 | *H# H* H #H H* H | 9 10 | #H H# H H *H# H | 10 11 | H H H H #H H* | 11 12 | *H H *H H H H# *| 12 13 |* #H H #H *H H H* #| 13 14 |# $ H H #H H H# | 14 15 | # H H | 15 16 | | 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: The key to success here is mostly exercising good platformer skills. Climb ladders moving in the same direction as you want to go whenever possible, and use them to quickly escape Batbot if it gets too close. To avoid being thrown off, jump as soon as you land on a conveyor belt, or hold DOWN and hit the phase key to halt your movement for as long as you're phasing (be careful not to phase through the brick this way). Remember that you can jump while climbing a ladder, especially the downward-moving ones, to climb faster. Also remember that you will automatically grab on to the ladders as you pass them and start moving in the same direction. Stay as high as you can to move from ladder to ladder, as jumping and falling to one side won't get you very far without the height. SPECIFIC: Depending on where Batbot is and how well you're doing at jumping and climbing, the specific strategy for where to go and when to go there will vary. However, to get started, climb all the way to the top of the first ladder and collect the gems in the top left (gems A-2, C-3, and E-4). Jump right to get gems G-5 and I-2. After this point, do your best to avoid Batbot and stay off the Trackbot- -infested floor. If you happen to fall there, or if you get trapped by Batbot and have no other place to go, jump over the Trackbots and head for the ladders in columns L and T as soon as it's safe to do so. For the gems in the bottom right, collect gem X-11, phase through the brick below to get gem X-13, then jump to gem Z-12. Jump left to get back on the ladder. Good luck; even after you've gotten the hang of this level, it still might take several tries to get it right, for even a small mistake can spell your doom. LEVEL 9 - EUREKA! ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 | c c c | 1 2 | c c c | 2 3 |c c c c c| 3 4 | c c c c c | 4 5 | c c c c c | 5 6 | c c c c c | 6 7 |c c c c c c c| 7 8 | cc c ========== c cc | 8 9 | cc c=@@XXXXXX@@=c cc | 9 10 | c=@XXX@00@XXX@=c | 10 11 |cccccc@XX@@@ @@@XX@cccccc| 11 12 | c@XX@t?**?t@XX@c | 12 13 | cc @XX@@@@@@@@XX@ cc | 13 14 | cc c@XXXXXXXXXXXX@c cc | 14 15 |c c @XXXXX/\XXXXX@ c c| 15 16 | c $ XXXX||XXXX T c | 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: At the end of every group of ten levels is a level that is meant to be far more relaxing and straightforward than the ones preceding it. Level 9 is the first of these (remember that we started with Level 0, so this is the end of the first group of ten; I'm not crazy). Be as greedy as you like initially (keeping a good distance away from the Batbots), but don't stress yourself out trying to get everything, especially around the Flitzers. SPECIFIC: Phase through the Boxes to geth to the Double Tank on the right. Fly up to the top of the structure (which, now that I look at it, looks like the head of the Jetpack guy, and I didn't realize that until just now--wow), collecting some coins on the way up, and phase through the two Boxes in the middle and either of the Steel Barriers to collect the only two gems in this level. Then, fly around as much as you please to get however many coins you can. To get the diagonal coins, use a series of quick jetpack thrusts to ascend or descend rather than holding the key the whole time. Remember that you can also hold DOWN while flying left or right to maintain your current altitude; this will help for the horizontal coins. Come back to the middle for fuel when you're at about 1/4 energy, and then continue your flight routine until you run out or have everything or give up; then go to the door and beat the level. LEVEL 10 - ICE CAVERN ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 | *** ## * | 1 2 | ### # @@@* | 2 3 |* ** *@ @@@ * @@@@@ | 3 4 |# ## @@@ * @**@@@ @ecc@* | 4 5 |# $@ # @@@@ @ @@cp@@ | 5 6 |# @@@ * #* *@ p@ccc@ | 6 7 | * @T # ##### @@ p@cpv@ | 7 8 | # @@@ *** @*pv@#@@@ | 8 9 |* *1 *@* ##### @@@@@ @T | 9 10 |# ## @@@ * * @@ | 10 11 |# # *@ #### ####@@ | 11 12 | 1* @@ ##* * @ | 12 13 | ## @ *##### ####### @*1| 13 14 | # *@### * * *@@@| 14 15 | @@ ######## ####@/\| 15 16 | * #||| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: If you take your time, practice the basics of ice survival, keep an eye on Spring when you're near the teleporters, and don't try too hard to get all of the treasures guarded by Flitzer, this level is a pushover. Clean out one section of the level at a time to ensure you have enough fuel to finish. SPECIFIC: You start the level with a full tank of fuel. Fly up and get all the gems in the top left (gems B-1, C-1, D-1, A-3, C-3, and D-3) in any order you like. You can save a little bit of fuel by phasing through brick C-2 or D-2 to get to the gems below them. Watch Spring and wait until it's safe to get gems C-7, C-9, and A-9. Keep out of columns B and D as much as possible by phasing through bricks to avoid Spring. Phase down through bricks C-10 and C-11 to get to gem C-12, fly right to pick up gems E-11 and F-9, then drop down to grab gem D-14. The gems on the left side should now be cleared out. Wait until Steel Ball bounces off the left wall and starts moving right again to get gem E-16. The center section is the titular ice cavern, so you'll need to get used to the different terrain. Fortunately, the platforms are fairly long and it's not very dangerous, so you have enough of a chance to become accustomed to the ice. Work you way up level by level. Fly up and across gaps to grab gems K-14, P-14, W-14, and T-12, in that order. Fly up to get gem U-10, and if Flitzer isn't too close to the entrance, phase through brick V-8 (it's made from real vegetable juice) and plunder whichever treasures are safe to plunder. Be careful not to get caught in the reappearing brick you phased through if you go through here quickly. This is one of the easier extra lives to get, so it wouldn't hurt to wait a while or come back later to get it. Slide left and right on the platform where gem U-10 was until Missile passes by, then jetpack across the gap to snag gem N-10. Slide left and drop down to get gem J-12. Wait until Missile passes overhead and enter the little nook to take gem G-13. Fly back to where gem J-12 was, hold left so that you're against the wall, and wait for Missile to pass by again. Fly up to gem H-9 and then up to take the Double Tank. Again wait for Missile to pass by, then take gem I-6 and quickly drop down to get gems K-8, L-8, and M-8 before Missile returns. Fly up and right to get the remaining gems along the top of the cavern interior: gems Q-6, L-6, and K-4. The interior of the ice cavern should now be cleaned out, so take whichever route you prefer down to the bottom, and feel free to go back to Flitzer's treasure horde if it looks like you can safely get anything more. Avoid Steel Ball and fly up to the lowest of the teleporters on the left side. It's best to stand on top of brick C-13 and wait for Spring to emerge from the teleporter before you enter, to avoid any mishaps. Keep Teleporting until you end up on the right side of the level, then run to gem Y-13, next to the teleporter. Fly up to get the Double Tank above you and wait for Spring to emerge from the teleporter and head back down. Fly up the right side when the coast is clear to get gem Y-4, then fly and run along the top of the cavern to collect the remaining gems and the few treasures there. Using the same strategies as before to avoid Spring and Steel Ball, make your way back down and into the first level (row 14) of the ice cavern. Slide around on whichever icy platform you prefer until Steel Ball starts heading left, then drop down and phase through brick X-16. Keep holding right to get to the door before Steel Ball catches up with you, and you're all set! LEVEL 11 - WIZARD OF WOR ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 |$@???@ @ @@ @ @???**| 1 2 |??@?@@ # # @?@?@*| 2 3 |@???? #### #### @???@| 3 4 |@@@@ ### ### ?@@@| 4 5 |D ## ## D| 5 6 |@####### #######@| 6 7 | @@ | 7 8 |@ @/\@ @| 8 9 |@ @|1@ @| 9 10 | @@ | 10 11 |@####### #######@| 11 12 | ## ## | 12 13 |@@?@ ### ### @@@@| 13 14 |@???@ #### #### @@???| 14 15 |*@@??@ # # ??@?@?| 15 16 |**??@@ @ @@ @ @???@1| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: Though the Missiles pose a mild threat, the real danger here is running out of fuel. Planning ahead, knowing which bricks to phase, and knowing where the secret passages are will help you more than quick reflexes. Some advice on finding your way through the secret passages: Don't use short jetpack thrusts; hold down the thrust key in one direction for about a second, and if you don't emerge on the other side of the passage, alternate between left and right about every second or so until you finally work your way up. The same is true for the reverse: When going down through a secret passage, alternate between walking left and right until you find your way out. If this does not work (specifically, if you get caught in the top right, use your jetpack to bring you back to a place where you can see yourself. If you get totally lost, try phasing in different directions--your phase beam can be seen at the edge of a secret passage. SPECIFIC: From the start, hold right until you're through the secret passage. Grab the Double Tank to the left and fly up to brick I-3 and phase a tunnel straight down through the bricks. As you phase through each brick you can wait a moment for the Missiles below you to pass, but be careful not to wait too long or else you'll get crushed. It's safest to drop into the middle when the top Missile is moving right and the bottom missile is moving left. If you timed it right, you'll be able to fall in a straight line without needing to worry about the Missiles. Phase through brick I-12 and then left through brick H-12), then drop down to the top of the stones in the bottom left. The secret passage in in the middle; drop into it, walk right for a while, then walk left for a while. Grab the three gems there (gems A-15, A-16, B-16). Reenter the secret passage and walk as far as you can to the right. Fly straight up for a litte over one second and then hold left--you should emerge from the top of the maze. If not, either try to figure out where you are or just drop down and start over again. Fly right and phase through bricks H-12, I-12, and J-12, wait for Missile to pass by, then drop down to the two stones in the bottom center. Wait for the Missile to your right to pass by, then fly up and stand on top of brick R-12 until the bottom Missile moves right past you and the top Missile moves left past you. Fly up to brick R-5 and phase a tunnel through the bricks straight up to the top. Get the Double Tank if your fuel is in the red or close to it; otherwise, wait until you've gotten the gems here. Fly up into the secret passage at W-4. Because we can afford to be wasteful with our fuel now, hold down the thrust key and move right for about one second, then left for one second, then right again for one second. It's easy to get stuck in this one, so use whatever strategy you prefer to get through here. Either way, this should pop you out at the gems (gems Y-1, Z-1, and Z-2). Once you've collected them, reenter the secret passage and just hold left to drop down and out of it. Fly up to brick R-3 and phase a tunnel down into the middle; wait until the top Missile is heading right and the bottom Missile is heading left. Then, phase through bricks R-12 and S-12 and hold right to fall into the secret passage below. Walk right for a while, then jetpack right for about a second or two, then drop down to the teleporter. Enter the teleporter and you will be taken to the door! LEVEL 12 - FUEL SHORTAGE ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 |@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@| 1 2 |@ # @| 2 3 |@H######H* #H #H# #H ###H@| 3 4 |@H ###H#H #H# #H # H@| 4 5 |@H####H #H*#H# #H #H# @| 5 6 |@* H * ####H# #H*#H# @| 6 7 |@@@@@@@ @H# *H# ####H# @| 7 8 |@ @ #H##H# H# @| 8 9 |@ * H* @ H # H#### @| 9 10 |@ #H# #H @ H@ #H@ H @| 10 11 |@ * * @*H@ H@H###H @| 11 12 |@ #H# # @@H@ $H@H## H#H@| 12 13 |@ * H* @ H@ ##H@H##H##H@| 13 14 |@H# # #/\@H@@ ##H@ ##H##H@| 14 15 |@ || H #*H@* H#*H@| 15 16 |@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: As the name suggests, you'll be doing this level without any fuel, though this isn't anywhere as challenging as your previous outings without fuel. Aside from the bit of jumping you'll have to do in the bottom left, this level is really quite easy once you get the Missile on the right out of the maze there. SPECIFIC: "Always do the most difficult stuff first" is my motto for this game (well, that, and "Don't get eliminated!"). So, avoid the Springs and go to the bottom left. Jump and climb ladder B-14 and get all the gems in this corner (gems C-13, G-13, E-11, G-11, C-9, and G-9) in whatever order you can. Either jump up to ladder D-12 or jump across the gap to brick E-14; after you do so, just stick to climbing, walking across ladders, and doing as little jumping as possible to get the gems without running into the Missile that will soon enter the area and fly around the edges of the square. Once you've cleaned up the gems in the bottom left, watch for an opening and dash to the ladder to the right of the door (starting at K-15). Follow the ladders (don't worry about phasing through bricks) to grab one gem after another (gems K-11, O-7, N-5, J-3, B-6, and J-6; climb down to J-6 instead of jumping over to it to avoid any accidents). Move to the top of the ladder in the middle, standing next to brick Q-2. Wait for the Missile on the right to enter the bottom-right corner of the screen (around when it passes through Y-15 or so) and then phase through the brick. Climb a little bit down the ladder for safety and wait for Missile to pass overhead; if you time it just right, it's also possible for you to trap Missile in the brick as it reappears. If not, Missile will now work its way down to where the other Missile is; either way, the right side of the level will now be completely open to you. Phase right through whichever brick in the Q column strikes your fancy and claim the remaining gems in the level (gems U-6, X-15, S-15, and P-15). Avoid the Springs and the two Missiles that are now cruising past the door and end the level! LEVEL 13 - GET THE PICTURE ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 |1 H@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@H 1| 1 2 |ooooH@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@Hoooo| 2 3 | H@@**BR*BR*BR**@@H | 3 4 | H@@**BR*BR*BR**@@H | 4 5 |HBBBB@@BBBBBBBBBBBB@@BBBBH| 5 6 |HRRRR@@RRRRRRRRRRRR@@RRRRH| 6 7 |H @@**BR*BR*BR**@@ H| 7 8 |BBBBH@@BBBBBBBBBBBB@@ H| 8 9 |RRRRH@@RRRRRRRRRRRR@@HBBBB| 9 10 | H@@**BR*BR*BR**@@HRRRR| 10 11 |BBHBB@@BBBBBBBBBBBB@@H | 11 12 |RRHRR@@RRRRRRRRRRRR@@BBHBB| 12 13 | H @@**BR*BR*BR**@@RRHRR| 13 14 | H @@**BR*BR*BR**@@ H | 14 15 | H @@@@??@@??D?@@@@ H/\| 15 16 |$ H @@@@@b@@r@@2@@@@2 H||| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: Unfortunately, this level relies mostly on reflexes and cautious jetpacking. Watch your fuel consumption once you get the Double Tank, use the switches to trap the Spikes if it's helpful, and remember that you're invincible for a moment when entering and emerging from a teleporter. SPECIFIC: Follow the ladders up to the teleporter, obviously avoiding the enemies as you go. It will probably take more than one try to get the timing right, as you have a very small margin of error for moving past Steel Ball and Spring. If you hold RIGHT (or LEFT, for that matter, but you don't want to do that here), you'll automatically align yourself so that you're squarely in the middle of a particular section of ladder. This will also nudge you to the right side of the ladder so that you have a few extra pixels of breathing room when you make a break for it. So, when you reach the top of the first ladder, hold RIGHT and wait for Steel Ball to roll past you to the left, then continue holding RIGHT and hold UP. This will allow you to make a break for the second ladder, automatically climb it, and stay aligned to the right side and thus slightly farther away from Steel Ball. Climb up next to Spring. Get as close as you can to it--to give you an idea of how close you can get, hold down the phase key; if the end of your phase beam is touching and actually overlapping with Spring at least a little bit, then you're about as close as you can get. Wait until Spring touches the ceiling or is a few pixels away from touching the ceiling, then run. Enter the teleporter in the top left. The next Spring is easy to avoid; just phase down through steel barrier Y-2. Climb down the ladders and get ready to do the same trick to avoid Steel Ball that you used on the left side, except completely in reverse. Go to the middle of the ladder (V-10) and hold right, then when Steel Ball moves past you to the right, keep holding RIGHT and then hold DOWN until you're safely on the next ladder. Go through the teleporter at the bottom of the ladder and jump up through the secret passage (consult the map for secret passages in this section) to get the Double Tank. Move left and turn off the red switch. Now, how you handle this next section hinges upon how fuel-efficient you are with the jetpack and how good you are at dodging enemies in midair. The safest thing to do, if you can do this without using too much fuel, is to collect all the gems at the bottom of this "picture" you're in (all the gems in Rows 13 and 14). If you look at your fuel meter when you're done with this part, it should line up with the right edge of block I-16 at the very least. You'll need to act quickly for the next part, and anticipate where the Spikes are going to move before you fly into them. Hit the blue switch and scoop up all the remaining gems in the level. I find that it's easiest to move vertically as much as possible to collect the gems, limiting horizontal and diagonal movement to better avoid the Spikes. To save both fuel and time, try not to drop too far below the lowest gems you have left to pick up; at the very least, try not to land back on the ground until you have all the gems. Once you've collected everything and the door begins to open, drop down and hit the blue switch to safely trap all the Spikes. You might need to attempt this multiple times, but keep at it until all of the spikes are back where they belong so that they don't kill you as you run for the exit. More than anything else, you want to avoid allowing a Spikes through the teleporter. If you're really looking to challenge yourself, try to trap all four Spikes in the blue barriers, not allowing any of them to bounce around. The last part can be tricky, and it's again just a matter of reflexes. Position yourself on the right edge of block P-16, and ready yourself to fall onto the teleporter. Wait for Steel Ball to appear momentarily in the teleporter, then hop on and activate the teleporter just after it leaves (it might be prudent to wait for a split second). You will be invincible for a moment as you emerge on the other side, so just hold RIGHT to make it to the door before the invincibility wears off, or else you'll be flattened by Steel Ball. LEVEL 14 - CONUNDRUM ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 | @?/\ ?@ ****| 1 2 | ** **** @?||2?@ ****H###H| 2 3 |H##H#### @@@@@@@ ####H # H| 3 4 |H * H ***H #*H| 4 5 |H # *** *H*** ###H #H#| 5 6 |H * H######### H #H | 6 7 |H # H !* * ** H #H*| 7 8 |H #H##c##c##cH#c## H ##H| 8 9 |H $D H** ** ** H* !* H #*H| 9 10 |H #####H############## #H#| 10 11 |H Hb !| 11 12 |@@@@@@ H## ### ! ! ######| 12 13 |@D @ Hv# #v# ######v***v| 13 14 |@ B H # # #v#v # ?#? | 14 15 |@?2 1B H #v# #H# # #?# | 15 16 |@@@@@@ H ???b H #v 1 v| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: Conundrum, indeed. You've got three Trackbots, a little bit of ice, the first appearance of Hidden Spears, few safe spots, some secret passages, teleporters, and an on-again/off-again blue barrier, and the temptation of extra treasure to deal with... basically, a little bit of many of the things you've dealt with so far. The biggest challenge is to constantly dodge the Trackbots across the different areas of the level, so use your best judgment in deciding when to go after gems, which gems to skip and come back to later, and how long to stay in any one area. Don't worry too much about fuel consumption; unless you're always in the air, the two Double Tanks should be more than enough. Remember that the Trackbots can pass over Hidden Spears safely, but you cannot. Note that the only SAFE SPOTS are in the middle center (bricks J-8, K-8, N-8, S-8, and T-8) and in the bottom right bricks W-15, X-14, and Y-15). As usual, going after extra treasure is likely to get you killed, so I would highly recommend ignoring the golden vases in the bottom middle; everything else can be acquired relatively safely. SPECIFIC: Get the Double Tank to the right of the start. If you do this level the way I suggest, you'll never come close to needing the second Double Tank. I got through this whole level, even getting all of the treasures, on 3/4 of a tank, and I'm sure you can, too. Heck, maybe you can do even better than that. I dare ya. Anymonkey, jet over to the long ladder on the left. Climb up and collect all the gems in the top left (the six gems in Row 2 as well as D-4 and C-6). Climb to the top of the same ladder on the far left and wait for two, if not all three, Trackbots to start climbing it. The Trackbots can be kinda finnicky here, so you might need to do some moving around in the top left to lure them all to the area. Once they're coming up the ladder (or are really close to it), run right and drop down to the long platform in the top center to get the gems in Row 5. Keep running right and drop down to collect gems S-7 and T-7, then climb up the ladder to the right. Hurry to the top and grab the gems in the top right corner (gems W-1, X-1, Y-1, and Z-1), then climb down the series of ladders to collect gems Y-4, Z-7, and Y-9. With any luck, the Trackbots will have chased you part of the way and fallen down onto the ice. If any of them have followed you up the ladder, ignore the first part of the next sentence and then follow the rest of the instructions as you try to stay ahead of them. Wait for them all to slide left off the ice, then drop down onto brick Y-12 and phase down as you fall so that you don't slide and so that you break through the brick and gain access to gems W-13, X-13, and Y-13. Quickly do a loop around this little room to collect the golden vases as well and fly back up through the brick you phased before it reappears. Retrace your steps and climb back up the ladders on the right side. The Trackbots should be buzzing around the bottom center and shouldn't be a threat quite yet. Collect as many of the remaining gems as possible, and grab any gold coins you want. Beware of the Hidden Spear at M-7; it's really easy to fly across the gap and move right into it before you can stop, so be gentle with your jetpacking there (phase through the brick under the gem and fly straight up if you're having problems with this). You should be able to get lost everything before the Trackbots figure out what you're doing and go after you, but you'll probably encounter one Trackbot coming up the ladder by the time you get to gems G-9 and H-9, so stay sharp. If you want to lose the Trackbots you can either go to one of the aforementioned safe spots or pull the same trick again where you lure the Trackbots onto the ice. Once the exit door is open, you have a choice: go after the golden vases in the bottom center or just beat the level? If you're going to play it safe, make your way to Teleporter 1 in the bottom right, then zip through Teleporter 2 and waltz on over through the door. However, if you're going to be greedy, do your best to lure the Trackbots away from the bottom, don't try to go after all the vases at once, and watch out for the deceptive secret passage under vase K-15. Snag the Double Tank if you need it, but be careful of passing through the blue barrier area, because a Trackbot only needs to roll over the bottom blue switch to close it on top of you. LEVEL 15 - WHIRLPOOL ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 | *** * ###***** **/\| 1 2 | ### # ######**** ##||| 2 3 | ***** t ##### ###| 3 4 | **@@@@@* # ********* | 4 5 | *@@@ @@* **@@@@@@@@@* | 5 6 | *@@ *** @ @@@ ** @@*| 6 7 | @@ *@@@* @*@ **@@ ** @@| 7 8 | @ @@t@@* @@@ @@@ *@@ @| 8 9 | @* @** @@ @ *@@ @@ * @| 9 10 | @@ @@@ *@ @ @@@ @ @ @| 10 11 | @* **@@ *@ @ @ @ *@ @| 11 12 | @@**@@@ *@@ @ @* *@@ *@| 12 13 |@ @@@@ *@@ *@ @@* @@ *@@| 13 14 | *****@@ *@@* @@* *@@ | 14 15 |@ @@@@@@ *@@@@ @@ @@ *| 15 16 |$ t@@t @| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: Wise fuel use, attention to conveyor belts, patience, and general enemy avoidance are the order of the day. Ultimately, though, if you can avoid the Spikes, then the rest of the level is easy. SPECIFIC: Though it's tempting to rush right into the "whirlpool," your chances of survival are better if you have more fuel to work with. Run right and collect the tank of fuel, then run back left and fly up the left side of the level to collect gems B-1, C-1, and D-1. Fly over to collect gem G-1, then drop down and jet over to collect the tank of fuel at M-3. While you're up there, collect all of the gems along the top of the stone blocks (don't get the gems on top of the bricks just yet) and then make your way to the bottom of the level. You should have roughly 3/4 of a tank at this point. Run right along the bottom of the level and fly up into the right side of the "whirlpool," collecting gem L-15 and all the ones after it. After you make it to gem S-6, go after all the gems in the middle right in whichever order is safest, depending on where Spikes is. Use your own judgment. Once you've gotten all of them, wait for Steel Ball to roll by and go after gem Z-15, gem P-14, and the tank of fuel at N-16 one at a time. Fly up out of the way of Steel Ball when you need to; don't try to outrun it if you're going from one side of the bottom to the other. Now, fly out of the right side of the "whirlpool" and make your way back to the starting position. The left side of the whirlpool is actually the easier of the two as long as you pay attention. Wait below the entrance for Missile to pass, and when it goes back in, fly up to collect gem E-14 and the ones that follow it. Get all the gems that are in a row here and stop on gem L-11 and wait for Missile to pass by you again. This is a SAFE SPOT, as long as you're holding RIGHT against the conveyor belt. Fly up to collect whichever gems you can get on top before Missile returns, and hide out at gem C-9. This is another SAFE SPOT. Wait for Missile to pass by you twice (once down and into the middle, then up and out of this section), then claim the remaining gems in the middle as well as the tank of fuel. Hide out at gem I-10 until Missle returns and leaves again; this is another SAFE SPOT (hold RIGHT). Make your way out of the left side of the "whirlpool," avoiding Missile, hiding in the aforementioned safe spots, and collecting any gems you missed. Once out, fly back up to the top of the level, grab all the gems on top of the bricks, and end the level. If everything went smoothly, you'll be at about 1/2 fuel, and you won't have ever come close to running out. LEVEL 16 - TREASURE ISLAND ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 |BBBBBBBB@@@@@@@@@@BBBBBBBB| 1 2 |BBBBBB@@@vpvpvpvp@@@BBBBBB| 2 3 |BBBBB@@1 @@BBBBB| 3 4 |BBBB@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@BBBB| 4 5 |BBB@@ @@@ @@BBB| 5 6 |BB@ @r @@ @ @BB| 6 7 |BB@ @@@@@@H@@@@@ 2@3 @ @BB| 7 8 |BBX H @ @@@ @G@BB| 8 9 |BB@R@@ H * @ @@@ @ @BB| 9 10 |BB@ @@@ H It@ @ @ @BB| 10 11 |BB@+@@@@@@@@@@@@ 3@2 @b@BB| 11 12 |BBB@@g @@@ @@BBB| 12 13 |BBBB@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @BBBB| 13 14 |BBBBB@@1$ @BBBBB| 14 15 |BBBBBB@@@@@@@@@@@@@@BBBB/\| 15 16 |BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB||| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: This level is surprisingly easy. The only real danger is the Batbot, especially if you wait too long and it moves out toward the teleporters. Stay ahead of Steel Ball at the beginning and stop the Spring from bouncing on the blue switch, and try not to dilly-dally anywhere for too long. SPECIFIC: Immediately go through Teleporter 1, directly to your left, or this will be a very short ride. On the other side, move to about the middle of the row of golden goodies and wait for Steel Ball to emerge from the teleporter; jump over it as it passes by and jump to grab all the treasure. If you're having problems jumping over Steel Ball, resolve them now; you'll need to be good at it later on, so it's best to practice now when it's easy to do so. Run all the way to the right, start falling down the shaft, and press against the left wall to swing into the nook where Teleporter 2 is. Go through it, drop down and hit the green switch so that you trap Spring in or above the green barrier (making sure that the blue barrier is switched off when you do), then go through Teleporter 3. You'll now be back in the shaft, so wait for Steel Ball to drop by you before hopping back into Teleporter 2. If you got confused with all that, you should now be standing on the teleporter in R-7. If Batbot came up the ladder and is now headed toward or hanging around the teleporters, try to drop down as if you're headed toward the green switch and try to lure Batbot through the teleporter and down into the path of Steel Ball around where you started the level. Once it's out of the way enough, continue with the level. Jump up to the left and hit the red switch; if you can't make the jump, go back through the teleporters as before and try jumping from exactly the spot where you appear on the teleporter, rather than from the edge. Sneak by Batbot to get the tank of fuel and the only emerald gem in the level, then go left and phase your way through the crate. Drop down, go right, and end the level! Easy! LEVEL 17 - WOOF ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 | 2 @@ | 1 2 |3 * *#####* @@@1 | 2 3 |@@@@ ##}}}## @@@@* | 3 4 | @* #}}}}}# @@@* | 4 5 |1* @@@* c#}}}}}#c @@@*3| 5 6 |@@ @@ c##}}}##c @@@@| 6 7 | *** B c#####c @ @@@| 7 8 |*2@@@B@ ccccc #@# @@ | 8 9 |@@@ #@@@# /\| 9 10 | T ###@@@@@@ ||| 10 11 |H@H @@@##@@ @@@| 11 12 |H@H #@##@@@@t @ | 12 13 |H@H @ @@###@@@@@ b| 13 14 |H@H # ##@###@ @@@ @ | 14 15 |H@H ##1####@ @@ @@@| 15 16 |$@H #####@@@@**@@@ * 3| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: There are many different sections of this level to tackle, so find the one that's hardest for you and go after it first. Spikes is a nuisance, but Steel Ball is more troublesome because of its ability to teleport somewhat randomly to the different sections. If you're feeling lucky, try to trap Steel Ball in the energy charger circle (well, it's sort of a circle) in the top center. Otherwise, just keep dodging as you go. Either way, you can use your fuel pretty frivolously, as the energy charger is easy to reach, and there's an unnecessary tank of fuel near the exit. SPECIFIC: Climb up the ladder to get the Double Tank, then fly to the top center and collect a few of the gold coins. It is possible to trap Steel Ball in the energy charger area, which will make the rest of this level much easier, but it's also risky. If you want to try it, phase through either brick L-2 or both bricks K-2 and K-3. Or all of them. Fly around the top center to collect the other gold coins and gems J-2 and P-2 while you wait for Steel Ball to appear from the teleporter and drop through the hole(s) you made. Because of the random nature of the teleporters, this might take a while, so keep phasing through the bricks (preferably from underneath, where it's a little safer). Of course, there's always the possibility that Steel Ball will appear and squash you while you're trying to phase, but that's a risk I'm willing to have you take. From here on out, go wherever it is safe to go, and don't worry too much about where the teleporters spit you out; you can always reenter them while you're still invincible if you appear somewhere bad. Try to clean out the gems inside the stone structure in the top left as early as possible, because once Spikes gets in there, it is very tricky to clear; you'll need to teleport in to grab the gems on the left side, and fly in through one of the deactivated blue barriers to get the gems on the right side. If the level name wasn't a clue, perhaps by now you've noticed that there's a dog theme going on in this level. I'm not sure if this was intentional or not, but you need to burrow through the hind end of the dog in the bottom center to get two of the gems. Don't ask. I would suggest recharging your fuel before you go in, because you'll need to do some phasing while flying. Make sure that you're constantly holding down the phase key or else you'll probably get trapped and squished. Start with either brick H-14 and I-14 or H-15 and phase right through the bricks in Row 15 and then the bricks in Row 14. If Steel Ball is still on the loose, wait until it is heading toward the teleporter on the dog's tail before you start phasing. Then, wait until all of the bricks have returned before you phase your way back out. LEVEL 18 - TAKE A GOOD LOOK ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 |1 @ @ +@@@ * @ *b | 1 2 |## * ## * # @@ @@@ * ## | 2 3 |############# @@ ###### | 3 4 |### * # @@@*## *# | 4 5 |## @@ ! $ @@@ v@@ *#*### | 5 6 | @@@@@@@@@@@ +@@ ## ## | 6 7 | @@@@/\@ v# *@ @@* @@@ # | 7 8 | @@@@||@ * @@ @ @@@@@ # | 8 9 | {{{{BB@ # @@@ @@@@@@ # | 9 10 | ++++# @v # @@ *| 10 11 |*####### @@@+@ #### *# @| 11 12 | t @@@@ ######### @| 12 13 | +######+ @@ vt### *### | 13 14 | ## * @@ + *@ ### | 14 15 |v## # @@@@@ @@@ v@@ ## | 15 16 |+## *t@* @@@@@+@@@ 1| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: This level is aptly named. There are hidden spears about, and you'll need to plan your movements carefully because you will run out of fuel very quickly if you don't go about things in the right order. The spikes and spears are your only enemies, so you can take as much time as you need to sit and think, but when you do start moving you need to stay sharp, lest you fall into something sharper. Fuel conservation is key, so phase through blocks as often as possible, ignore most or all of the vases, and use small, quick jetpack thrusts whenever you can. For safety's sake, try to limit your movements to vertical and horizontal only; moving on a diagonal is risky around the spikes, so wait until you hit a roof before changing directions, and hold DOWN to lock yourself in at the current flight height. SPECIFIC: The first order of business is to procure as much fuel as possible. Jump left over the hidden spear and get gem F-4. Drop down to collect gem A-11. As soon as you do, hold right (trust me; you won't hit the spikes) to land on stone B-15. Collect gem E-16, the tank of fuel, and gem H-14. You can afford to use up a little fuel at this point, so fly up to get vase J-7 if you want, then go after gem M-7. Move left and phase down through brick G-11, take the tank of fuel, and fly up to the starting point. However, if you really wanna go after the vases, get vase A-15 before you leave; just remember to hit the thrust key before you collect the vase so you have time to change direction before reaching the spikes. Fly over the hidden spear and make your way toward the shaft in Column O. Vase P-5 is tricky to get, so feel free to skip it, but vase M-10 is easy enough to get. Enter the mazelike section on the right through space P-9, in the middle of the shaft, and go right to get gems W-11 and Z-10. Fly straight up and flip the blue switch, grab the three gems along the top (gems X-1, V-2, and T-1). Phase down through brick W-3 and take gems X-4 and V-5. Phase left through bricks U-6 and T-6 and grab the three gems on the other side (gems T-5, S-4, and R-7). Phase left through brick P-10 and fall down to the tank of fuel at O-13. Carefully fly left over the spikes (holding DOWN here is helpful), collecting the vase, and get gem H-16 that is hiding in its little tunnel like a coward. Fly out of the tunnel and go right to get gems S-14 and U-13, and also vase S-15 if it won't get you killed. Hop in the teleporter and nab gem D-2. Phase through the bricks to get to gem I-2, then rush back left and phase down through whichever bricks you please. Retrace your steps through the bottom left and fly up to the door, which is no longer guarded by the blue barrier. While the route through the energy drain is quicker and more direct, it's generally more dangerous to enter and should not be attempted if you're low on fuel; use your own discretion. LEVEL 19 - THE PRICE OF GREED ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 | | 1 2 |@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ | 2 3 | | 3 4 | @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@| 4 5 | r | 5 6 |@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ | 6 7 | @ | 7 8 |RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR| 8 9 | v# cp#p H p# #pc p cc| 9 10 |HH#H H HHpH## pp ##Hpc#H##| 10 11 |#H ppHp#HHH Hp#H pH#HvHpv| 11 12 |cHc###HHHvcHH###pH#H#H####| 12 13 |#HH Hp H ##Hv HHH#HpH#pcc| 13 14 | H H H## H#Hc#H## #HH H##| 14 15 | H#HHpHH cp# H pcH HH H/\| 15 16 | H##H#HHpHvpH#Hp$HpH#HpH||| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: Once again, the level's name says it all. You have time to safely grab a few treasures, but the longer you hang around, the more likely it is that you're gonna pay for your greed. Take what you can and get out. SPECIFIC: Watch the Steel Ball at the top. Once it reaches the red switch, the fleet of Spikes will be unleashed, which initially makes the treasures along the top all but impossible to reach, but they will work their way into the lower portions of the level if given enough time, at which point there's basically no hope of surviving. Add to that the Trackbot roaming around, and you've got a dodging nightmare. Fortunately, you don't have to take anything if you don't want to. You can go right to the exit from the beginning and not take a single thing. But where's the fun in that? How much treasure you can take really depends on how quickly you can move, how skillful you are at dodging enemies, how well you plot your course through the maze, and how lucky you are with the movements of the enemies. If you have the chance to choose, remember that golden vases are worth the most, and golden coins the least. Phasing through the bricks, even though they don't take long to phase through, is usually more trouble than it's worth. Just keep running and climbing as much as possible through whatever section you like best, saving the treasure around the door for last. Make a mad dash for the exit when it gets to be too much for you to handle. LEVEL 20 - BEGINNER'S LABYRINTH ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 |/\@ vv@ # | 1 2 ||| @@@ @@@@@@@ # ####### | 2 3 |@@@ @ * *# #* # | 3 4 |b @@@@@@@ ? ##### ##### | 4 5 |@ * # t###o| 5 6 |@@@@@@@ ##B## ########### | 6 7 | @@ #* * #e# | 7 8 | @o# * ############ # @| 8 9 | @ ###### * # ### @| 9 10 | @ ## @@@@@@@@ #* # | 10 11 | @@@@@* @ * @ ## ## | 11 12 | @@@@ @ @@@o@@ # *# | 12 13 | @@@ @ @ @ @ # ## @| 13 14 | @@@**@ @v@ @ ## *#* *# | 14 15 |$ @@@@ @@@ @ ###########o| 15 16 |@@ @ | 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: As you might have guessed, there'll be more labyrinths to come; this one's just a warm-up. You'll need to start out moving quickly so that you don't run into trouble with Batbot. After that, you've got plenty of time to plan your moves, so don't hesitate to... uh... hesitate every once in a while. Know the paths of the Missiles, think carefully about how to get past Spring, and don't worry too much about your fuel use. SPECIFIC: You start on top of a Double Tank, so let's start off with putting that jetpack to use. Fly up three squares and enter the area with the two gems (gems E-14 and F-14). After you take them, stand on the edge of block G-13 and drop to the floor once Steel Ball passes you to the left. Dash right, fly up and claim gem N-11, then phase through steel barrier P-12. If you don't get there quickly enough, Batbot will be waiting for you, which will throw off the whole plan for this level, so you'll either need to restart the level or try out your own tactics. Once you've phased through the barrier, move right and follow the tunnel to get gems S-14 and Q-9. Missile should be coming up behind you quickly. Get gem G-11 and wait for Missile to turn around before you get vase J-14, unless you're feeling pretty slick and think you can grab it and get to safety before Missile catches up with you. Go left and phase up through steel barrier C-8. Get gem F-8 to the right and wait for Missile to pass over you toward the right. Fly up, hit the blue switch on the left after you grab the gem that's in the way, and then drop into the area that's now accessible with the blue barrier gone. Start with the lower path and grab all the gems there. Your safest bet for surviving the little chamber with Spring is to grab a gem, wait for an opening, grab another gem, wait, etc. Starting at gem U-10, I prefer to jetpack right, drop down and wait for Spring to move up, drop down and get gem W-14 on the right, wait again, get the gem to the left, jetpack straight up against brick U-11, move right when Spring passes down, wait on the right side, and then fly left when it's safe. You can do whatever you want. Then, head to the upper right to get the tank of fuel and the other gem. You should probably have just about a full tank of jetpack energy, and that'll be more than enough to last you the rest of the level. Wait for the Missile in the middle right to turn around and head down before phasing through steel barrier Z-5. Fly into the cranny to collect the extra life, wait for missile to pass down by you again and fly up, making your way back to where the blue barrier was. Wait for Missile to fly left over you to fly up through the fake block to get the gem there, fly right to grab your last gem, then navigate to the door. If you're still feeling pretty slick, go after the two golden vases first, but it's really a better idea to wait just to the right of the door until Missile leaves the area before getting them. This level is over! LEVEL 21 - UNDERGROUND ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 | | 1 2 | HHHHHHHHHHHHH # # | 2 3 | H # # | 3 4 | #### # # # # # H # # | 4 5 | #* # #*# # # #H /\ # # | 5 6 | ## # ###*# # #H # || # # | 6 7 | # # ###*# #H # ## # # | 7 8 | *# # #H ###*#*H ## # # | 8 9 | ##$ #H ####H #*# | 9 10 | ####H #H ######H### | 10 11 | @ H@ H | 11 12 | @H@@@@@@@@@@HHH@@@@@@@@@@| 12 13 |+@H @@####@@@@ @#evvv@vp | 13 14 |@@@@ @}##@@@pvp@H| 14 15 |@* @@@@@@@@@@H@@ ?@@@@H| 15 16 |@@H * * * H *H@@@?????H| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: Do the underground section of this level first; it's harder than most of the other sections you've had to do in previous levels. After that, just be careful. The bouncing Spikes will pretty much stay confined to one area, so you at least shouldn't have to worry about that danger. SPECIFIC: Make friends with that energy charger, because it's a place that you'll be returning to a few times. Go there first when it's safe and charge up. Wait for an opening and zip back toward the starting point (going across the ice or climbing the ladders and running over the bricks are equally valid) and crawl down the ladders to where Steel Ball is rolling back and forth on the conveyor belts. Wait for Steel Ball to start heading right. Follow it, and when it hits the right wall, start phasing up through brick I-13 and hover in its place. You can either start phasing through the brick to your right or just wait there a moment, but once Steel Ball passes underneath you, drop onto the conveyor belt and run to the ladder. For some, this part here might be the hardest part of the level. The top half of the ladder moves up and the bottom half moves down, so you'll need to climb against the direction of the ladder as you wait for an opening so that you don't get pushed into either of the Steel Balls. Rapidly tap DOWN to stay on the top half of the ladder and wait until the lower Steel Ball has moved past you to the right. Alternately, you can phase through the leftmost brick in the row after Steel Ball starts heading back toward you and phase through each brick to the right when the one you're hovering in is about to reappear, and then climb down the ladder, dash right, and climb up ladder Q-16 to a SAFE SPOT, although this takes longer and is potentially just as risky. Either way, collect all the gems in the underground tunnel when it is safe to do so. The corner on the far left, where you should end up, is a SAFE SPOT. Stand on top of the ladder and wait for Steel Ball to hit the left wall, then run after it and climb up the moving ladder you just came from at N-16. If you timed it right, you'll be able to climb straight to the top and you'll just miss Steel ball; if not, try adjusting how long you wait to run for the ladder on your next try. When the Steel Ball below is out of your way, make your way into the hidden passageway in the bottom right (see map) and enter the treasure trove that seems too good to be true. No traps, though; I think this area is a sort of reward for surving the last area. Phase through the bricks to the left of the extra life, and hit the thrust key when you go to phase the last brick (brick Q-14). If you don't, you'll fall onto the conveyor belt and will probably get yourself smooshed if you try to fly back up and phase through the brick, or else you'll have to climb up the ladder and try again. Enter the energy recharge and fill your tank. Again, wait until it's safe to exit and then go back to the starting point. Fly up to get gem C-5, phase through the brick to your left, and fall toward the spikes to get gem A-13. Hold DOWN and hit the thrust key to slowly bring yourself down without risking a dip into the spikes. Once you've gotten the gem, fly up to the other gem above you (gem B-8). When you do this, remember to release the DOWN key, not the thrust key; this was a fatal-yet-humorous mistake that I made the first time. Phase through the brick wall to your right and go back again to the starting point. Refill your fuel if you want to, then fly up to gem H-5, being especially watchful of the enemies at this point. Phase through one brick wall after another until you've collected all the gems in the center. Climb down the ladder next to gem P-8, and run under the first Spring so that you are standing under the door. Wait for the next Spring to bounce up past you and phase through the right wall to get the last gem, gem X-9. Once you have an opening, phase through the wall again if you have to and stand beneath the door once more. Fly and phase your way through the bricks and enter the door from underneath. LEVEL 22 - JET-PAC ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 |**************************| 1 2 |**************************| 2 3 |**##**######**######**##**| 3 4 |**##*****###**###*****##**| 4 5 |**************************| 5 6 |s*****#************#*****s| 6 7 |####**#**@BBBBBB@**#**####| 7 8 |/\ o**#**@ @**#**# | 8 9 ||| o**#**@ @**#**# | 9 10 |####**#**@t @**#**# b| 10 11 |s********@@@@@@@@**#**####| 11 12 |**************************| 12 13 |**##**#*****$T*****#**##**| 13 14 |**##**####**##**####**##**| 14 15 |************##************| 15 16 |************##************| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: If the title didn't give it away, then the level design should have given it away: this is Pac-Man, Jetpack-style. If neither the title nor the level design gave it away, then perhaps we should give YOU away, for you should be ashamed that you did not instantly recognize an obvious adaptation of the arcade classic that every gamer should have played, or at least heard of. ...But I digress. This might be the hardest level so far because of two factors: one, the fact that there are so many gems to collect; two, because the enemies are a constant danger and just get worse the longer you take to beat the level. Despite the fact that there are two Double Tanks and one regular Tank of Fuel on the board, running out of fuel is a very real concern because you'll spend almost all of your time flying. Conserve fuel as much as possible (flying in straight lines can help this) and stretch your fuel as long as you can before picking up an extra tank. Enemy avoidance is absolutely key, so you may need to adjust your flight path in order to stay away from areas congested with enemies. I prefer to clear out the top part of the level as soon as possible to avoid wasting fuel on flying back up there, but you ultimately need to do what works for you. SPECIFIC: Unfortunately, the very nature of this level keeps me from being able to write a useful step-by-step walkthrough, so I can only offer two points of advice. First, The Official Jetpack Hintbook (TOJH, for future reference) suggests saving the Stunners until you are surrounded by enemies. This works in Pac-Man, and, as it turns out, it works here as well. So, if you've cleaned out a section of the level and are about to leave the Stunner behind, wait around until you've got some Batbots closing in, then hit the Stunner and carry on with your gem collection. Second, only go after the Tank of Fuel in the middle center when your jetpack energy is at or below half, when a Stunner is active, and when the blue barrier is down (which makes sense, because you can't get in there otherwise). It's a waste to get it when your energy is more than half, and the box becomes a deathtrap if the barrier is activated while you're inside of it: enemies tend to congregate above you or get caught in the barrier so that even if you do survive against whatever is likely to be trapped in the box, you'll probably get torn apart when the barrier goes down. Try to plan your movements so that your fuel is spent getting gems more than avoiding enemies, and save enough to get you to the exit. LEVEL 23 - SCATTER BRAIN ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 | B R 3R*| 1 2 |e!v!v B R @@@| 2 3 |@@@@@@@H@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@/\| 3 4 |{{{{{{{H{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{@||| 4 5 |{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{@H| 5 6 |{{{{@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@H@H| 6 7 |@@@H@@@ H@H| 7 8 |2 H @H######## ***** H@H| 8 9 |###H##@H #########@H| 9 10 |r H *@H ***** H| 10 11 |@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@| 11 12 | @2 1| 12 13 |H###########H######## @@@@| 13 14 |H 3#** H | 14 15 |#H###### #######H####c#c#c| 15 16 |$H **#1 b **#+**H**+#*#*#*| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: This level really isn't so bad if you think it through, but if you run in without a plan you're almost certainly going to get yourself killed. Smart teleporter use and prudent switch flipping are the roads to success. SPECIFIC: Clean out all the gems in the bottom section of the level (in Rows 14 and 16) in whatever order you please, but save gems K-16 and L-16 and the blue switch for last. I prefer to grab the two next to the start and then work my way from the far right to the left, but whatever. If you are careless enough to run into either of the spikes in Row 16, I'm disowning you. Wait at the edge of either brick H-15 or J-15 for Steel Ball to appear from the teleporter. Once it passes under you to the left, drop down to collect the two gems, but do not hit the blue switch yet; we'll come back later when it's safer to release Trackbot. The bottom should now be cleared, so it's time to move on to the next section... carefully. This part requires you to be attentive about where the teleporters go. Stand on top of Teleporter 1 and wait until Steel Ball appears from Teleporter 2 at X-12. As soon as it starts rolling through that tiny tunnel, activate your teleporter so that you teleport just before Steel Ball comes in on your end and ends you. You'll be invincible for a moment as you materialize, so dash for Teleporter 2 when you emerge so that you come out at A-8 unscathed. Climb down the ladder to get gem F-10, and wait for Steel Ball to make a pass above you before hitting the red switch and climbing up into the energy drain area. Trackbot, now released from its prison, will head toward the ladder and drop into the energy drain area. Though this seems like a bad idea, wait there in the energy drain for Trackbot; you actually don't need any fuel to complete the rest of the level. Fly above Trackbot when it enters the energy drain and then grab onto the ladder. Climb up, go right to pick up gem Z-1, but be careful moving past where the barriers were if Trackbot is near the red switch; it's very easy to forget that Trackbot can kill you even though you're far away. When it is safe to do so, enter Teleporter 3 and make your way back to the blue switch, using the same tactics to avoid Steel Ball as before, as well as the Trackbot that might get involved. Once you've hit the blue switch, you can claim the treasures in the top left. If you're not feeling daring enough to go after them, then don't hit the blue switch and just skip this paragraph and the one that follows it. Anywho, once you hit the switch, the safest way to the treasures is back through Teleporter 3 (be sure to watch for the red barriers reappearing), though you can still get back there (at much greater risk to yourself) through Teleporters 1 and 2. You might need to move around the level to lure the Trackbots back to the red switch if you get locked in when you go through the teleporter again. The vase on the right and the extra life are easy enough to get, but be careful of the vase in the middle if you're flying, as those hidden spears are unforgiving if your jetpack control is a little loose. Wait around the treasure area until both Trackbots are on the left side of the level; once they drop down to the ladder on the left leading to the red switch, they won't be able to get back up to bother you. Enter the energy drain area and climb down the far right ladder. Get all the remaining gems and climb up to the exit. No problem! LEVEL 24 - DIAMOND OF DEATH ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 | ## ## | 1 2 | ## ## ## ## ## ## | 2 3 | #* ## *## ##* ## *# | 3 4 | ## *## ##* ## | 4 5 | # *## ##* # | 5 6 | s## ** ##s | 6 7 | ## *??* ## | 7 8 | # *????* # /\ | 8 9 | $ # *????* # || | 9 10 | XX ## *??* ## XX | 10 11 | ## ** ## | 11 12 | #* ## ## *# | 12 13 | ##* ## ## *## | 13 14 | #* ##* ## ## *## *# | 14 15 | ## ## ## ## ## ## | 15 16 | ## ## | 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: If Jet-Pac didn't give you a chance to show off your mad jetpacking skillz, then this level will. If you can fly around in a pretty tight circle with your jetpack, then this level will be a cinch. Due to the large number of Missiles on the screen, you may experience a little bit of slowdown. This is a good thing, because it makes the Stunners seem to last longer than they should so that you don't feel as though you need to rush as much. Maybe. You shouldn't have to worry about fuel unless you're still having trouble with flying; ending with anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 energy is perfectly normal. SPECIFIC: I'm going to assume by now that you can handle basic Missile avoidance (whether by flying or phasing), so I won't bother telling you to do any of that. Collect all the gems on the left side of the level before entering the diamond; save the Stunner for last. I prefer to wait for all the Missiles in the diamond to be in the middle center before hitting the Stunner so that, if I need to make an escape, I have just a little more time to get phasing before they come after me. However, you shouldn't have to worry about the Missiles at all if you're good with the jetpack. Do your best to fly around in a circle to collect the gems in the center; very short thrusts the whole way around oughta do it. If it doesn't look like you'll be able to collect them all before the Missiles start moving again, there is a Stunner on the other side which you can use to finish the job, but it's easier to get the job done right the first time. Phase through any of the bricks on the right side of the diamond to get to the right side of the level, though the higher up you phase, the safer you're likely to be. Grab all the gems over here as well as the Stunner and end the level! Not too bad, eh? LEVEL 25 - ITS NOT RAINING RAIN ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 |1* 1* *1 *1| 1 2 |#### ####### ######### ##| 2 3 |# 1I * I I * I *I *| 3 4 | ####### ####### ##### #| 4 5 | I #I # # I # I | 5 6 |* I I*1 * 1 I* *I | 6 7 |#### ##### ######## ### | 7 8 | I # # # # #/\ | 8 9 | I * I* I* 1I I||*| 9 10 | ##### #### ######## ####| 10 11 | * 1I I* *I * I*| 11 12 | ############ ####### ##| 12 13 | # # I # # I # # | 13 14 | * 1*I* I * I | 14 15 |#### ########## ######I | 15 16 | $I * I I 1* I I I | 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: No, no it decidedly is NOT raining rain. You'll need to move fast at the beginning and head for the top, then collect the gems row by row. Being attentive and having quick reflexes will help to preserve you, but the whims of the random teleporters will have the most say over your ultimate fate. Though I suppose you could do this level a few different ways, I feel that the longer you take to beat it, the more likely it is that you will get killed by a Steel Ball, so I recommend getting through this level as quickly as possible, favoring recklessness over patience and caution. The wacky teleporter situation makes it unwise to do a step-by-step walkthrough, so I'll just point you in the right direction. SPECIFIC: Before you do anything else, get off the ground floor as quickly as possible, either by phasing up through one of the bricks above you or by flying up to the next row of platforms. If you want, grab a few of the gems in the bottom left corner so that you don't need to worry about them later. Then, make your way to the top as safely as possible; flying up the left side and phasing through blocks if it seems appropriate usually works, or you could attempt a teleport. The simplest way to do things, which is the way I prefer, is to slide from one side of a row to the other, collecting gems and dodging Steel Balls along the way, and then moving to the next level down. You'll need to use very tiny jetpack thrusts to cross the gaps, and you might need to change course or wait for a moment if a Steel Ball gets in your way, but quickly sliding from one side to another works surprisingly well. If you're moving fluidly enough, there is a high probability that you'll never get hit by a Steel Ball emerging from a teleporter, even though you'll be running over almost every teleporter in the level. Still, there is a risk. If that doesn't work for you, you might try constantly using the teleporters so that you're frequently invincible for short periods of time, but that requires you to look all over the level to see where you appear each time, which generally puts you into even more danger. LEVEL 26 - WHIPLASH ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 |@@@@ * g * @ @@@@| 1 2 |*G X @@@@@@@@@@@@@@H@ X G*| 2 3 |@@ @ @ @H@H@ @@| 3 4 | @ @H@@@@@@@@@@ @H@H@ | 4 5 | @ @H@ *@ @H@H@ | 5 6 | @ XH@H@@@@@H@@ @HXH@ | 6 7 | @ @H@H@ H @ @H@H@ | 7 8 |* @ @H@H@*pppHD@ @H@H@ *| 8 9 |@@ @ @H@H@@@@@@@@ @H@H@ @@| 9 10 | @ @H@H @H@H@ | 10 11 |b @ @H@@@@@@@@@@@@H@H@ r| 11 12 |@@ @ @H H@H@ @@| 12 13 |*R @ @H *H@H@ B*| 13 14 |@@ @ @@@@@@@@o@@@@@@@H@ @@| 14 15 | @ * H@ /\| 15 16 |$ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ ||| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: Patience, my friend. Patience. Take things one step at a time, wait, and think. Plan your movements through the center carefully, and don't be too concerned about your jetpack fuel. SPECIFIC: So that I don't need to keep repeating this, any time I write "wait," that means that you should wait for whichever enemy to pass before moving on. That being said, wait, then fly up to hit the blue switch. Wait. Grab gem A-8. Wait. Phase through crate D-2. Wait. Fall down the shaft to collect gem F-15 and move right to phase through crate W-2, and wait.. On the way there, feel free to phase through steel barrier N-14 to drop Steel Ball to your level, as it might be handy to have it out of your way for later. It should be noted that any place where a crate is located is a SAFE SPOT. Fall to gem Z-8. Wait. Drop down and hit the red switch. Wait. Swing around to get gem Z-13 below you. Wait. Fly back up to W-2 and, if it's safe, phase through crate U-6 and wait there. Climb up the ladder to get gems F-1 and S-1 on top, and hit the green switch on your way across. Fly over to gem A-2 when it's safe, wait, and go after gem A-13. Wait again and get back up to D-2 when you can. Once it's safe, phase through crate F-6. Wait until Missile passes you going down the ladder before you climb up and work your way around into the middle. Collect the two gems, the piles of gold, and the Double Tank, and wait at the top of the ladder at O-6 for Missile to return. After it turn around and starts leaving the central spiral, and then hide out at F-6 for a bit until the other Missile passes by you going up the ladder. Go after gem S-13, avoiding Steel Ball if you left it there. Make your way to gem Z-2. Wait. Drop down to where gem Z-8 was, wait, and then end the level! LEVEL 27 - SPACE-BALLS ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 |*#{ {#{ { * {#{*{ {*{ {/\ | 1 2 |#{ { { { {#{ { # { # { ||{| 2 3 |{ { { { { { {#{ { { { +## | 3 4 | 2#{ { + + { { { { { *#++{| 4 5 |{#{*{ {#{#{ { {#{#{*{## {1| 5 6 | { # { # # {#{ { { # { { #| 6 7 |{ { { {+{+{ # { { { { { {+| 7 8 | { { { { { { 3 { { { {*{ *| 8 9 |##########################| 9 10 | * # 3 #*# | 10 11 | # * * # # *| 11 12 | #* # #* * #| 12 13 | * # # # #* | 13 14 | # # #* ##* * * | 14 15 |$ *# *#* ## # # #! | 15 16 |# #* ####}}}1}}}}}}}}2#*| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: Even using a walkthrough, I wouldn't expect many people to get this on the first try. Save before you go in and practice a few times to get a feel for the enemy patterns and how to manage your fuel. You can take your time and waste as much fuel as you want, but you need to be constantly on guard when you're near the teleporters, at least at first. You can certainly rely on your reflexes the entire time, but there is an easier way if you're willing to do a little planning. The key is to burrow in all the right spots to get the enemies into places where they can do you no harm. May The Schwartz be with you! SPECIFIC: Start by cleaning out all the gems in the bottom right quarter of the level (so, everything you can get up until the teleporters). Try to sneak away with gem B-10 first unless Flitzer's in the way, in which case you should wait a little for it to move away. I prefer to get the gems in this order: B-10, D-13, E-11, F-12, H-15, F-16, I-11, J-15. You don't have to do it this way, but I find it's the quickest way and helps with the timing of the next section. Watch the movements of the Steel Balls and Spring as they go in and out of the teleporters, and keep an eye on Batbot. The first step to making this level easier is to trap Batbot, so let's do just that. Wait at J-15, where the gem was, for Batbot to come at you from the Energy Charger section. Hop into the energy charger to refuel, but be careful. Once both Steel Balls have come out of Teleporter 3 and Batbot is almost on you, fly up and over Teleporter 3 and phase through brick S-10. Grab gem T-10 and wait there; Batbot should follow. If your timing is similar to mine, the brick should reappear just before Batbot gets there, and Batbot will be pressed against the brick in a futile effort to get at you. (If you're lucky, you might actually trap Batbot in the brick as it reappears, but we can't count on that.) Phase through brick U-10 on your right, wait about 4-5 seconds, then phase through brick S-10 on your left. Quickly fly right to gem Z-11 and wait for Batbot to get trapped. If for any reason this doesn't work, you can return to J-15 and try it over again; just remember to refuel if you need to. Being careful of the hidden spear, pick up gems Z-16 and X-14. You might have picked up one or more of the following when trapping Batbot: gems Q-12, R-13, and T-14. You might as well make sure you have all of them now, but you can always come back later. Now, let's get those Steel Balls out of the way. First, max out your fuel in the energy charger area and then go through any teleporter you please to get to the top half of the level. Get to the long brick floor that spans the middle, avoiding enemies as necessary, and then phase through any brick from A-9 to H-9 so that one Steel Ball will fall through the hole, dropping into the section that you already cleaned out. I find it's safer to drop through the hole after you phase and then use a teleporter to get back to the top, but you may do as you please. Next, still avoiding enemies, phase through any brick from O-9 to X-9 to change Steel Ball's pattern and then repeat what you did to get rid of the first Steel Ball. Alternately, you could phase through brick Y-9; this will plunk Steel Ball down into the nook to the right of the hidden spear (just be careful that you don't fall into the spear yourself!). If you do it this way, wait under the spikes at space Z-8 for Steel Ball to pass by before phasing through. Now that Batbot and the two Steel Balls are out of the way, this level should be a piece of cake. Get whatever gems remain on the bottom half of the level, but be very patient when getting gem N-14, as you should only move just after you see Spring go back into the teleporter. Or, of course, you could always just phase through brick M-14. Once the bottom is finished, teleport to the top and take your time scooping up the rest of the gems. If you run out of fuel, just go through Teleporter 2 or 3 back to the energy charger. Before you know it, you'll have everything and can beat the level! ...Just make sure you don't run out of fuel while flying over any spikes. That would be sad. LEVEL 28 - CONTRAPTION ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 |##* # g@ @r@b@ @ | 1 2 |H * #H#@ @@@@@ G *| 2 3 |H# # R *B *G #| 3 4 |H########@XRRRRR@XBBBBB@ | 4 5 |H s +++++++++++++++ *| 5 6 |H X * * X| 6 7 |H X * * X | 7 8 |H X * * X | 8 9 |$ X X | 9 10 |@@@@@@@HH@@@@@@@@H@@@@@@@@| 10 11 |@?????@@HH@@@@@@HH@???????| 11 12 |@?@@@?@@@HH@@@@HH@@?@@@@@?| 12 13 |@?@o??@@@@HH@@HH@@@??@@o??| 13 14 |v?@?@@@@@@@HHHH@@@@@??@?@@| 14 15 |v@@??@@@@@@@HH@@@@@@@?@?/\| 15 16 |vvv@vGr bGT@@||| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: The initial challenge of this level is figuring out what to do. The secret passages can be tricky, the constantly alternating barriers are a nuisance, and the unpredictable Flitzers are almost certain to cause you trouble, especially when Spikes gets involved. It's really not that difficult of a level when compared to some of the other ones you've faced recently, but don't be surprised if it takes you a few tries to get it right. SPECIFIC: Start off by collecting all the gems on top of the boxes in the middle, but feel free to skip gem Z-5 if the spikes or the Spikes make you nervous. Don't get the Stunner quite yet. Climb up the ladder on the far left to get gems C-1 and E-2; watch out for the blue barrier. Hit the green switch, then head back to the starting point. Clamber down through the V-shaped ladder section to the bottom of the level and grab the Double Tank when it's safe to do so. As soon as you get it, fly up and left into the secret passage to hide from Steel Ball. This is a SAFE SPOT. After Steel Ball bounces off the right wall below you, drop down and go back to the ladders in the center and climb up to the middle. Return to the green switch and activate it when both the red and blue barriers are down so that you trap Steel Ball and keep the barriers from their hazardous alternating. Phase down through brick G-4 and drop onto the Stunner. Fly back up and fly horizontally (holding DOWN to avoid any catastrophes) to get gems P-3 and W-3 along the top; fly back immediately after getting them. If you can conserve fuel through here by running along the little bit of floor in the middle, good for you, but don't try too hard, as it's very easy to lose track of what you're doing and suddenly fall through the spikes or start flying upward. The Stunner should wear off shortly, so phase down through any one of the bricks in the top left so that you can quickly get back to the middle. Phase through the two crates along the ground as well as any crates that are blocking Spikes from leaving the right side of the level (if it's stuck there). Go right to pick up whatever gems remain. Just fly straight up to get gem Z-2; don't try any fancy diagonal flying around the crates. Climb down to the bottom of the level. If you want to go for the treasure and think you can budget the fuel to do it, rush all the way left to the golden vase at E-16. Fly up into the secret passage to your left. This is a SAFE SPOT. Fly up, phase up through the steel barrier, and immediately fly right before the barrier closes on you. Fly up and around and drop down to get the golden vases. Go back the way you came and wait at the aforementioned safe spot for Steel Ball to bounce off the left wall. Follow behind it to the ladders in the center and climb up out of the way. Enter the secret passageway above where the Double Tank was as you did before, but this time follow the passageway to the end (consult the map if you'd like). Phase through the steel barrier and drop down to the exit! LEVEL 29 - MISSILE CITY ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 | *pp*ppppp ppp*ppppp1 | 1 2 | @@@@@@@@@H@@@@@@@@@@ | 2 3 |v @$ppp*p pHpppppppp*@ | 3 4 |@ @@@@@@@H@@@@@@@@@@H@ | 4 5 | *ppp ppHppp*pppp pH* v| 5 6 | @@@@H@@@@@@@@@@@H@@@ @| 6 7 | @*ppHppppppp *ppHp*@ }| 7 8 | @H@@@@@@@@@@H@@@@@@@ @| 8 9 |v *Hppp *pppppHpp ppp* | 9 10 |@ @@@@@H@@@@@@@@@H@@@@ | 10 11 |} @*pppH pp*p pppHpp*@ | 11 12 |@ @@@@@@H@@@@H@@@@@@@@ | 12 13 | * ccccHccccHcccccc/\ v| 13 14 | @ pp*pHpp pHpp*ppp|| *@| 14 15 | @H@@@@@@@H@@@@@@@@@@@H@| 15 16 |v1v@H*ppppppHppppp*pppppH*| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: This one's a lot like Level 5 (remember Level 5?), except with a more complex layout, the ability to use your jetpack, and a Trackbot thrown in for good measure. The energy chargers are SAFE SPOTS, so don't hesitate to go there if you need to regroup. This level isn't all that difficult, so as long as you stay far enough away from the enemies, you should be fine. SPECIFIC: From the beginning, try to clear out one row of treasure at a time, making sure to get everything in the row before moving on. You'll at least be able to get everything in the first few rows before Trackbot potentially closes in on you. Do your best to continue the sweep of one row after another as best as you can, but take evasive maneuvers to ensure that you never get too close to the enemies. Move quickly and always have a plan of where you're going next, even if you have to detour. As usual, keep a close eye on the enemies any time you come near a teleporter. Fuel is a non-issue here because you technically don't need to fly to beat the level, and the energy chargers will keep you supplied. I prefer to use the ladders whenever possible, but you may fly to your heart's content. There's a lot of bonus treasure, and as long as you keep your distance from the enemies, there's really no reason not to go for it. The most dangerous treasures are the ones next to the teleporters and the floating gold coins, so stay especially alert if you go after those. LEVEL 30 - MISSION POSSIBLE ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 | c@@ | 1 2 |r H@@#####H| 2 3 |* H@@ H@#####cH| 3 4 |@@@@@@@@H H@@@c H@####@ H| 4 5 | c@@@@@c H@@###@@ H| 5 6 |H@ X X H@####@c H| 6 7 |HH X X X H@@c## R H#| 7 8 |HH@@@H XX H@@c c##@ H#| 8 9 |HH c@@@H @@@@@c H@@ H#| 9 10 |HH c@@@@@@c H@@@c H#| 10 11 |HH H@c H##| 11 12 |@@@H X X H@@@ H##?| 12 13 |/\@@@@@H H@@@c H##?o| 13 14 ||| c@@@@@@@@@@c H##?o?| 14 15 |@@ H##?o??| 15 16 |$B X H###?o??b| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: Yes, actually, the mission is possible, despite the Spring infestation next to the red switch and lone emerald gem. Patience is really the key there; everything else is straightforward. The bonus treasures require some good jumping skill, but are worth pursuing because you can take as many tries as you need to get them, provided you aren't careless with your phasing. However, you might wish to wait until after collecting the emerald gem to go after the treasures to save yourself time if you happen to die among the Springs. SPECIFIC: Use crate F-16 to get the coin above it, then phase through the crate. (NOTE: Don't phase through any other crates unless you're sure you don't need them to get golden coins.) Jump over Steel Ball and phase your way to the blue switch. Wait until Steel Ball is on the far left to trap it in or behind the blue barrier. Phase back out and grab all the coins as you ascend the ladders. This is cute. There are Spikes trapped in the bricks, so you'll need to phase a tunnel around them, which is very simple. Phase down through brick V-2, left through brick U-2, and then straight down. To get coin S-7, you'll need to phase left through brick T-7 and jump for it. Collect all the coins here, and you might wish to phase through crate M-12 (after getting the coin above it) for an easier time avoiding Steel Ball when you return this way. Jump over Steel Ball, get the next two coins, and climb one of the ladders. Yay moving ladders. Run under Spring and climb/jump your way through this section to get the coins, but don't phase the crates because you need them to get some of the coins. To get to the top left where all the Springs are, jump left from the last ladder when you are almost (but not quite) at the top; this might take a few tries. The challenging part of the level is, of course, after all the easy stuff. If you wait and watch, though, this part isn't as impossible as it seems. You should notice that the Springs aren't exactly synched up; as time goes on, the gap between each Spring in a pair gradually grows or shrinks. So, if you wait long enough, each pair of Springs will eventually bounce more or less together so that you have enough time and space to slip under them. This is easier to witness than for me to explain, so just watch for yourself. Anyhow, run under each pair when there's enough of a gap to do so. This will take a bit of patience. On the other side of the Springs is the red switch, which you should flip, and the only emerald gem of the level, which you should probably leave alone just in case it's booby-trapped. Nah. Grab it, cautiously make your way back to the start (use the passage where the red barrier was), and you're done! LEVEL 31 - DOUBLE WORMAGE ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 | p*p v1v v2v v3v p*p | 1 2 | @@@ @@@ @@@ @@@ @@@ | 2 3 |p*p * p*p p*p * p*p | 3 4 |@@@ *@ @@@ @@@ @* @@@ | 4 5 | * @ *p p* @ * | 5 6 | @* @@ @@ *@ | 6 7 |p*p @ * p* *p * @ p*p | 7 8 |@@@ *@ @@ * @@ @* @@@ | 8 9 | * @@*p * @ * p*@@ * | 9 10 | @* @@@ @* *@ @@@ *@ | 10 11 |p*p @ * @@ @@ * @ p*p | 11 12 |@@@ *@ * @* @@@ | 12 13 | * @ * @ * @ * | 13 14 | @* p* p@p p@p *p *@ | 14 15 |/\ @ @@ @@@ @@@ @@ @ | 15 16 ||| 1 t 2 t 3 | 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ [NOTE: Starting position is M-16, on top of Teleporter 2.] GENERAL: Yeah, that's right. The Marble Worm (I.e. line of Steel Balls) from Level 2 is back with a buddy. Fuel conservation, attentiveness, and (sometimes) quick reflexes are what you need. Use the teleporters to get around as much as possible, and pause frequently to plan for the movements of the Marble Worms. There isn't a set order in which you should get the gems, but do your best to fly as little as possible and stay out of the way of the Marble Worms as best as you can. The Marble Worms do move in a set pattern, so it is possible to predict their movements is you're paying close enough attention. There are many safe spots, so you may wish to sit back and observe to find the best places to stand if the worms get too close. SPECIFIC: If you keep standing where you are, you're going to have an awful headache. Pick up one Tank of Fuel, wait for the Worms to go through Teleporter 2 (or just make a run for it), then get the other Tank of Fuel. Unless another tank randomly appears, this is all the fuel you'll get. Take either Teleporter 1 or Teleporter 3 to the top of the level. Quickly fly to Teleporter 2 at the top to get the golden vases. Wait there for the Worms to emerge from the other teleporters, then fly to either the left or the right side after they're gone. Collect all of the gems and treasure on that side of the screen (roughly, everything in columns A-H on the left side and everything in columns R-Z on the right side, though you can branch out and get more if it's safe). Try to fall onto as many gems as possible to conserve fuel, but do a little bit of flying if you need to. Then, clean up all the gems and treasure in the bottom center (gems K-13 and O-13 and the piles of gold around them). Hop into either Teleporter 1 or 3, whichever one you didn't use the first time. Clean out the other side of the screen. Now, it's time to tackle the center. Teleport back up to the top via whichever teleporter looks to be the safest and get all the gems and treasure that remain. You need to be especially aware of where Steel Ball is going at this point, so find a good place to stand (for example, M-8 is a SAFE SPOT) and wait until the Worms are away from the center to go after everything. Unless you're keenly aware of where they're going, wait in a safe spot every time they're about to go through a teleporter. Once you have everything, wait for an opening (I prefer to wait until the Worms are falling down the center) and head to the exit! LEVEL 32 - WORLDS COLLIDE ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 |XX*XXXXXXXX@@@@@@ooooooooo| 1 2 |XXXXXX*XXXXX@@@@oo*ooooooo| 2 3 |@XXXXXXXXXXXX@@oooooo*oooo| 3 4 |@@XXXXXXXXX*X@@oooooooo*oo| 4 5 |@@@@@@@@@@XXX@@ooooooooooo| 5 6 |@@@@@@@@@@XXX@@oooo**ooooo| 6 7 |@@* HHHHHHH@@o*ooooooo*o| 7 8 |@ @ *HHHHHH*@@ooooooooooo| 8 9 | * * @@@HHHHHHH ooooooooo@| 9 10 |*@ @ *@@H*HHHHH *******D@@| 10 11 |@ **@@@HHHHH*HH@@@@@@@@@@| 11 12 | * @@ @@HHHHHHHH@@@@@@@@@@| 12 13 |*@ * @@HH*HHHHHHHHHHHHH@@| 13 14 |@**@ *@@HHHHHHHHHH*HHHHHH@| 14 15 | @@ *@@@@HHH*HHHHHHHH*HH/\| 15 16 |$ @@@@@@HHHHHH*HHHHHHH||| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: All you need for this level are skill with jumping and the coordination to phase while flying and changing directions. The steel barriers are the only real threat here; if you can figure out how to get the rest of the gems without using the jetpack, or if you can conserve enough fuel to get everything without any extra jumping, you'll be fine. I do encourage you to use eschew the jetpack in favor of jumping as much as possible, for this level provides great practice for your jumping skill, which you will be using more in the future. SPECIFIC: Anybody familiar with platformer games knows that jumping puzzles featuring blocks or ceilings directly overhead are some of the toughest ones around. Lucky for you, the first area of this level is very forgiving if you mess up. Show off your jumping ability by collecting all of the gems in the first area (everything you can reach before the ladders). A few of the gems, most notably gem C-7, might seem impossible to get without a jetpack, but that isn't so. Even if you know this already, it doesn't hurt to reiterate: as you run across a platform, jump at the last possible moment before you fall off, and keep holding in the direction you're moving. Keep trying, but if you're really getting frustrated, come back after you get the Double Tank. Still, there's something satisfying about doing it all without jetpack assistance. Anyturkey, once you get to the section with the ladders, head to the area with all the crates in the top left. The Springs in the ladder section are somewhat difficult to see, but they're easy enough to avoid. Here's another good opportunity to practice: selectively phase through the crates in a zigzag or stairway pattern to get to all the gems; start off by phasing through M-6, M-5, and L-5 (you'll need to jump and briefly hit the phase key) to start. Instead of creating a zigzag pattern through the middle of the crates, you could also run left along the solid ground, phasing through all the crates in your way, and then climb the little staircase made by blocks A-3 and B-4, phase a path to gem C-1, and then phase horizontally until you drop down to gem G-2. If all that's too complicated for ya, then just come back with the jetpack and make sure you don't run out of fuel too early. Now, for the tricky part. Getting through the area with the steel barriers is more a matter of coordination and speed than anything else. Run through the line of gems to the Double Tank and plot out in advance the route you'll take through the steel barriers. Because a moment of hesitation or getting stuck can be fatal, try to stick with straight lines whenever possible. There are numerous ways to get through this area, so experiment with different plans. Mine goes a little something like this: from where you get the Double Tank, phase straight up to the very top of the level, collecting gem X-4 along the way. As soon as you reach the top, phase left until you drop down onto gem S-2. Wait a moment until all the steel barriers seal back up if you need to catch your breath. Phase right until you drop onto gem V-3, then straight down until you're next to gems T-6 and U-6, which you should collect. Wait for the steel barriers to seal back up, then phase right until you drop onto gem Y-7. Phase left to gem Q-7, then down and out of the steel barrier area. Phew! The rest is a cakewalk. Continue to move in straight lines through the ladder section to avoid calamity as you scoop up the remaining gems. A good strategy is to move along the very bottom of the level, climb up to grab a gem, and climb back down to the bottom to continue moving forward. The door is just ahead! LEVEL 33 - DONKEY PACK ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 |/\XXX1 **** | 1 2 |||XXXX H####H | 2 3 |############ H H | 3 4 |#######H#############H | 4 5 | H H | 5 6 | H ########| 6 7 | ###############| 7 8 | H############## | 8 9 | H | 9 10 |######## | 10 11 |############### | 11 12 | H ##############H | 12 13 | H H | 13 14 | $ #########| 14 15 | + H ################| 15 16 |+1+#######################| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: Nothing good will come of you if your name is "Donkey Pack," unless you're a Jetpack level paying homage to (or spoofing) the immortal Donkey Kong. Instead of dodging an endless supply of barrels, you will be dodging five Steel Balls that just keep coming thanks to a clever teleporter setup, but your phase shifter gives you an option that Mario never had when going up against Donkey Kong. SPECIFIC: There are two ways to handle this level: the traditional, Donkey Kong way or the crafty Jetpack way. The traditional, Donkey Kong way is as follows: Make your way up the ladders to the gems while jumping over the Steel Balls. Whenever you come to a narrow tunnel with no room to jump, wait a few spaces away from the mouth of the tunnel for a Steel Ball to arrive, and when it does, jump over it and scramble through the tunnel. You'll need to move very quickly, so leave only as much space as is absolutely necessary to jump over a Steel Ball. Once you reach the top, wait for a Steel Ball to emerge from the teleporter, then phase through the bottom crates quickly before another Steel Ball pops out. The crafty, Jetpack way is as follows: Trap all of the Steel Balls in bricks to give you a clear path to the exit. Phase through any brick in an area with enough room to dodge, jump out of the hole and stand back, and wait for a Steel Ball to drop in the hole and become trapped; you might actually trap two. Then, move on to a different brick and repeat until all the Steel Balls are safely encased in brick. These bricks take a while to phase, so you'll need to start immediately after a Steel Ball passes by for the best chance of success. LEVEL 34 - BAT CHAMBER ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 | @@ | 1 2 | vv!*@ *@* | 2 3 |H@@@@@ @@ @@@@ /\ | 3 4 |H *@* @ @ * ||*| 4 5 |H @@ @@@@ H@@@H| 5 6 |H *@* @ @ H H| 6 7 |H @@@@ @@ H H| 7 8 |H @ @ @@ *@* H H| 8 9 |H *@* @@@@ H H| 9 10 |H @@@@ @ @ H H| 10 11 |H @ @ H H| 11 12 |H * H H| 12 13 |H @@H H| 13 14 |H$ t! t * *! *t! @@H H| 14 15 |H@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@H@@H ! H| 15 16 |H v * v * v * v H@@@@@@@| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: This level is all about dodging enemies. There should be enough fuel available to get you through the level with energy to spare, and you'll likely use just as much fuel getting to the gems as you will dodging enemies. Keep moving and do your best to lure the Batbots away from areas you need to visit. The sludgy terrain isn't too much of a problem, but the hidden spears are if you're not paying attention. Don't hesitate to phase through a brick if you get into a tight spot, but don't bother trying to trap anything. You might succeed at getting a Batbot caught below the long brick platform that you start on, but that will only buy you a little bit of time before it escapes via a ladder. You can get Batbots stuck in the little nooks underneath each of the floating rock formations in the center by standing above them; remember that the Batbots follow a straight line to you and get caught up on anything other than flat terrain. As usual, if you're getting swarmed by enemies, retreat to a position away from where you want to go to lure them toward you, then make a break for it. SPECIFIC: The many Batbots ruin the effectiveness of a step-by-step walkthrough, so you'll have to judge whether or not it's safe to do things in the order I suggest. As long as you've got fuel to spare, use your jetpack as much as possible to speed your way through this level. Start off by collecting the two Tanks of Fuel in front of you, then swing around and climb up the far left ladder to get the two golden vases and the gem (gem E-3) in the top left. Fly up and into the center and pick up whichever gems are most accessible to you. As soon as it looks safe enough, go down to the very bottom of level and run through the line of three gems and four vases. Leave the bottom by the safest route, which might be phasing through one of the bricks above you. Do what you can to collect the remaining gems in the level, and go after the third Tank of Fuel when you drop below half energy. There's no set order to how you should do it, so go for whatever you can without risking your neck too badly. Just watch that there aren't any Batbots lying in ambush for you when you go for the exit; they sometimes get caught where gem T-3 was and can tag you at the last minute if you're not careful. LEVEL 35 - PLAY SQUAREZ! ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 | * {{{ G* #* *# #* | 1 2 | ### * {{* G## *## ## ##*| 2 3 | # *# #*G# ## * ##| 3 4 | ## *##G# * #* | 4 5 | # *#*#G {{### ## | 5 6 |#* * ### G {{# ** # | 6 7 |## ## # G {{{ ## *#*| 7 8 | # # G ### ## ###| 8 9 | # ## G## ## # | 9 10 | * ## G#* * | 10 11 |* #* #*G## *# *# #*| 11 12 |## ## *###G * ###*### ##| 12 13 |# @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ # | 13 14 |# @ t t t s s t t t/\@ | 14 15 | 1 @$H H H H1H H H H||@ 1 | 15 16 |@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: This level is based on Squarez Deluxe, which is a puzzle/strategy game that is somewhat similar to Tetris (emphasis on "somewhat") that you might find bundled with your copy of Jetpack, depending on how and when you got it. This is another level where patience pays off. Keep your distance from the Spikes, save the Stunners until you need them, and don't worry too much about fuel conservation. SPECIFIC: Grab any two Tanks of Fuel and hop into the teleporter. Get as many gems as you can from the side you end up on, and phase through bricks whenever you think it will be helpful to do so. If there are any gems that you can't get to safely, teleport back to the center (don't be discouraged if you keep teleporting back and forth between the teleporters on the far left and far right; you'll get there eventually). Refuel if you need, then repeat all this on the other side of the level. Once you've gotten as much as you can without putting yourself at unnecessary risk, return to the center and grab a Stunner. Quickly use the teleporter and claim the remaining gems in whichever section you end up in. If necessary, use the other Stunner when the first one expires to finish the job. You'll probably waste some time randomly teleporting to the wrong place, so do your best to get as many gems as possible on the first time through. Return to the center and pick up any powerups that remain to get the extra points, then strut through the door. LEVEL 36 - ESCAPE FROM THE PUPIL ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 |* @@@@@ @@* *| 1 2 |@ *@@ ########## @ * @| 2 3 |@ @ ############## @*@| 3 4 |@* #####%%%%%%%%##### @@| 4 5 |@@ ####%%%######%%%#### @@| 5 6 |@ ###%%##########%%### @| 6 7 |@ ###%%#### $####%%### | 7 8 | ##*%#### T ####%### | 8 9 |* ##*%#### ####%#e# *| 9 10 |@ ###%%#### ####%%### @| 10 11 |@* ###%%##########%%### *@| 11 12 |@@ ####%%%######%%%#### @@| 12 13 |@@* #####%%%%%%%%##### *@@| 13 14 |@@@ * ############## *@@@| 14 15 |@ **@** ########## ** @ /\| 15 16 |**@@@@@ @@ ||| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: Whoa! Somebody's got a serious case of red-eye! This is the easiest level to come along in a while, and if you disagree, then you need to rethink your strategy for this level. Just keep moving, except when you stop to hide from Missile. SPECIFIC: For the timing on all this to work correctly, you'll need to move constantly unless I tell you otherwise. Hold LEFT from the start, Ignore Flitzer, and phase through brick K-10; it probably won't get you if you act quickly enough. Keep phasing left until you get into the vines; Missile should be just passing you as you phase through the last brick. Fly up to gems E-8 and E-9, then go around the top half of the vine area to get to where the extra life is sealed away. Missile will be on your tail, but you should have a good head start and shouldn't need to worry. Phase through bricks V-9 and W-9, get the extra life, and then phase through brick X-10 on your right. You should come out a little bit ahead of one of the Missiles, and the brick you phased will throw off its pattern for a moment, which will give you time to get out of the way. Collect all of the gems you can along the bottom half of the level, and find a spot to hide when Missile comes back after you. You should be able to make it to gem A-9, which is a SAFE SPOT, before you're in danger of Missile catching up with you. Wait for both Missiles to pass, then collect all the remaining gems; you shouldn't have to worry about fuel or Missiles if you keep moving and don't get caught up anywhere. Easy! LEVEL 37 - GOLDEN SLUMBERS ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 |@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@| 1 2 |2}} @@ R*1| 2 3 |@}}* @@* c * c *H@@@| 3 4 |@@@@@H @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@H | 4 5 |@* c H1@@ G rH | 5 6 |@@@@@@@@@ c G c * c cHct*| 6 7 | @H@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@| 7 8 | BH | 8 9 |b$ p p pBHp p* p p g* c * | 9 10 |@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@HH@@@@@H| 10 11 | @ HH s H| 11 12 |2cc*@ HH H| 12 13 |@@@@@ HH H| 13 14 |vvvvR HH H| 14 15 |vvvvR HH /\H| 15 16 |evvTRp*pppp*pppp*pHHp*p||H| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: Yuck. As if to make up for the easy level before it, Level 37 is a frantic scramble for survival based on luck and quick reflexes. Keep trying, and don't even bother with picking up all the bonus treasure unless you're some kind of hotshot or something. Be careful near the blue and green barriers because Trackbots can trigger them when you least expect it and destroy you. Avoid the side-by-side ladders leading to the bottom if Trackbots are nearby, because they get unpredictable when they can go back and forth between the two ladders. Remeber to hold UP when walking over top of moving ladders to not get dragged down by them, and DOWN when walking below them to not get dragged up. SPECIFIC: Lift off immediately so Trackbot doesn't run you over, pick up the piles of gold, and dash right once Trackbot deactivates the blue barrier. There are many approaches to tackling this level, but I find that the following one has an acceptable rate of success: Collect the rest of the treasure and gems that are on this level, then climb down to the bottom via the far right ladder. It goes without saying that you should be dodging Trackbots all the way. Grab all the gems and piles of gold along the bottom, then fly up to get the Stunner. (Alternately, you can wait until the red barrier is down to use the Stunner so that you can get through Flitzer's treasure hoard safely, but let's focus on just trying to beat the level for now). Make sure the green barrier is down, climb up and collect everything on that level (level as in "platform," not "video game stage") and hit the red switch. Leave the Tank of Fuel alone until you're headed for the exit; I'll explain why in a moment. Climb to the top, collect the gems and coins there, and wait for Trackbot to emerge from Teleporter 1. Enter the teleporter once you can do so safely. You'll be teleported to the room in the top left, and if you are in no danger of having a Trackbot follow you through, get coin D-5 and gem B-5; getting trapped in that dead-end is no fun. Grab gem D-3, use the energy charger, and go through Teleporter 2, get the two coins and the gem from the little room you end up in (which is a SAFE SPOT, by the way), then head back toward the exit, still dodging Trackbots. On your way back, be very careful about the green barrier, as there's a good chance a Trackbot will activate it, either trapping you in the top right area or just crushing you like a squishy bug. If you get trapped, move around the area and do your best to stay alive until a Trackbot shuts down the barrier. The Tank of Fuel I told you to leave alone might come in handy if you need to do a lot of flying to avoid Trackbots, so take it now if you need it. Move out when you can. If you're feeling adventurous, Steal all that treasure from Flitzer in the bottom left. If nothing else, try for the extra life. It might take a bit of waiting until Flitzer gets out of the way, but it's easy enough to avoid the Trackbots that should now be swarming the bottom of the level. LEVEL 38 - LOGO ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 | | 1 2 | ### ## ### ### ### ## #v#| 2 3 | # #c # #e# #c# # ###| 3 4 |p # ## # ### ### # ###| 4 5 |#v# #p # # # # #1 # #| 5 6 |### ## # # # # ## # #| 6 7 | * ** * | 7 8 | ###H H####H H#### | 8 9 | H1 H## /\ ##H H# | 9 10 |}}@ ## *H *||* H* ## @@@| 10 11 |@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@ # @%g| 11 12 |bG @*** ** ***@ @@%@| 12 13 |@@@@ @@@@B@@B@@@@ @s%%| 13 14 | @@ ======== @@ @@@%| 14 15 | X ######## @%%| 15 16 |$XXt ???????? o%@| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: Aha! At last, you get the play the demo level you see if you wait too long at the menu screen! Okay, so maybe it's not all that exciting. Pay attention to the enemies and don't be careless with your fuel and you'll be fine. And no, you can't get that extra life or that gold coin. Knock it off. SPECIFIC: Wait a moment for Missile and Steel ball to bounce off the stack of crates in front of you, then phase through the crates; doing so will make the patrol path of both enemies a little longer, slightly decreasing the chance of running into them at a bad time. Fly up to the energy charger and fill 'er up. Watch for Missile and fly to the gem above you (gem C-7). If you want to try for the pile of gold and the golden vase on the letter J, hover between the J and the E and wait for Missile to pass overhead to the right. Grab the treasues and quickly get out of there, because it's a bit tricky to dodge Missile if you get trapped. If you do get trapped, hover in space B-3, and as soon as Missile passes under you, land where the pile of gold was/is, at A-4. Something you might consider to make your life a little easier for later: phase through brick E-10 to trap the Spring on the left in the top half of the level when the brick reappears. Go after the treasures on the letter E, then refuel. Grab the six gems surrounding the exit, being aware of the patrolling Missile. Go right to get gem X-7. Fly up for the vase on the K, and that there's a SAFE SPOT. Now you might consider getting the Spring on the right out of your way: phase down through bricks V-8, V-9, and V-10 to trap Spring. Your best chance of success is to start phasing when Spring is on the way back up and passing the Stunner. Watch out for Missile, because things can get complicated pretty quickly if it's around. Drop to the bottom; watch out for Steel Ball coming out of the hidden passage. Phase through the steel barrier in the bottom right, fly up to hit the green switch, grab the Stunner, and phase back out. Run along the bottom through the hidden passage and fly to the blue switch. If you're fast enough, you should have just enough time to get into the previously sealed row of gems before the Stunner wears off. After collecting the gems, it's only a matter of avoiding enemies on the way to the exit. Onward! LEVEL 39 - GOLDEN PYRAMID ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 | * * * * * ## * * * * * | 1 2 |H#########H H#########H| 2 3 |H#cc# v## H T$ H ##v #cc#H| 3 4 |H#c v## H ## H ##v c#H| 4 5 |H## v## H##v#H ##v ##H| 5 6 |H# v## ###### ##v #H| 6 7 |H#v## ###*#### ##v#H| 7 8 |H### ###v###v## ###H| 8 9 |H## #########*## ##H| 9 10 |H# ##*#v###v###v# #H| 10 11 |H #########*###### H| 11 12 |H ###v#*######v#*### H| 12 13 |H ########*#v#######v# H| 13 14 |H ##v#*###########v#*### H| 14 15 |H##*######v#/\##T########H| 15 16 |######T##*##||#v###*###v##| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: There's a lot of treasure here, and you can get it if you're careful and patient. You can trap both Missiles fairly easily, but you'll need to keep your distance from the Spikes and Flitzers, as trapping them is more trouble than it's worth. Note the mix of brick types, and think about how long it will take for the bricks to be phased and reappear before you proceed. SPECIFIC: Grab the Double Tank to your left and fly up to either the top right or top left side to escape the impending Missiles. Whenever you're dodging enemies, try to climb the ladders in the same direction that they're moving, and either keep moving up and down the ladders in a loop or else wait at the starting point until you've escaped. If you're after bonus treasure, phase down into Flitzer's lair from above and get whatever you can; phasing through the nubs (bricks C-5, E-3, V-3, and X-5) helps to open the area up to allow both you and Flitzer more room to move. And, if you're extraordinarily lucky, Flitzer will get trapped in a reappearing brick. Once you've gotten all the treasure you can, phase through any brick and head over to the area with the other Flitzer, repeating the strategy above. Remember that these bricks take a little while to phase through, so exit when Missile and Spikes are headed away from you, in a place that isn't close to Flitzer. Now is a good time to trap the Missiles in with the Flitzers, because dodging both Missiles and Spikes at the same time can be tricky. Start with whichever area is free of Spikes (or wait until the Spikes leave an area) and phase through bricks G-4 and H-4 (for the left side) or bricks S-4 and T-4 (for the right side) when Missile is getting close to the bottom part of the ladder on the long ladder on the far side of the screen. It doesn't matter whether you phase the bricks from the inside out or hover to phase them from the outside in, as long as there are no enemies close to you. Anyhow, Missile normally bounces off of the bricks mentioned, but with them phased out, it will enter Flitzer's chamber and get trapped there. Needless to say, you should get out of the way (moving to any place where enemies are not present) so that you don't get hit by Missile when it comes through. Do this for both sides to trap both Missiles. Once again, when there are no enemies nearby, phase down into the pyramid, and keep in mind that most of the bricks on the inside can be phased through quickly and reappear fairly quickly. You can phase your way through the pyramid any way you like, but don't carelessly phase through bricks containing Spikes, have a clear stopping point (safe spot) in mind before you begin phasing through so that you don't get trapped in a moment of indecision, and don't backtrack through phased bricks unless you know for certain that you have enough time to pass through without getting crushed. If you're really having trouble navigating the pyramid, try going through it in this order, moving through each space I list, phasing through the bricks that are in your way and flying when necessary (periods denote SAFE SPOTS): N-4, N-5. N-6, O-6, O-7, O-8, P-8. Q-8, Q-9. Q-10, P-10, O-10, O-11. P-11, Q-11, Q-12. R-12, S-12. S-13, S-14. T-14, U-14. U-13, V-13. V-14, W-14, W-15, X-15, X-16. W-16, V-16, U-16, T-16. S-16, R-16, Q-16, P-16. P-15, Q-15, Q-16, P-16. O-16, N-16, N-15, N-14, N-13, M-13, L-13. (The right half of the pyramid should be cleaned out now.) L-12, L-11, L-10, K-10. K-9, K-8, L-8. L-7, M-7. M-8, L-8. L-9, L-10, K-10. J-10. I-10. I-11, J-11, J-12. I-12, H-12. G-12, G-13, G-14. F-14, E-14. D-14, D-15. E-15, F-15, G-15, G-16. H-16, I-16, J-16. J-15, K-15. L-15, exit! LEVEL 40 - THE GAUNTLET ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 | @2 @@ /\| 1 2 | @@ 1@ ||| 2 3 | 1@@@@@@@@@@@@@2 @@@@| 3 4 | @@@ @@@@@@@@ | 4 5 | | 5 6 |* @@@@H * @@@@@@H | 6 7 |@@@t@*R @@@@@@@@@@@ @@H| 7 8 |* @@@@@H b r* H| 8 9 |@ H@@@@@@@BBBBB@@@@@@| 9 10 |+ @@@ H@{***{@+++++@ | 10 11 | ++@@@@{@@@{@@@@@@@ | 11 12 | {{{{{@@@{{{{{ | 12 13 |*++++@@@@@ @@@@@**@@@@@ | 13 14 |@@@@@@ @H@H @@@@ t| 14 15 |$ H#HHHH@H#H #*@ H H@| 15 16 |@@@@@ H*H@*H@H*#H H H#*H@@| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: Quick reflexes and very careful fuel use will save the day. Good luck. SPECIFIC: You'll need to perform a fast dodge to get away from Trackbot at the beginning. Collect the first gem, H-16, and wait at space G-15, on the ladder to the left of the brick. When Trackbot gets on the ladder to the right at space I-15, it will climb up if you're a little higher on the ladder or down if you're a little lower on the ladder. Climb in the opposite direction that Trackbot goes, keeping the brick between the two of you, and head for gem K-16. Alternately, you could go for gem K-16 directly after getting gem H-16; it's up to you. As soon as you have it, jump up, climb the ladder, and scramble to the right to get the three remaining gems along the bottom of the level. If you acted quickly enough, Trackbot should be trapped in a loop on the left side; if not, Trackbot will follow you, but you should have enough of a head start to outrun it. Grab the Tank of Fuel and make a short flight up to the level with the Springs. As far as I'm concerned, this is the hardest part of the level, so don't be surprised if it takes you multiple tries to make it through here. Remember what you learned in Mission Possible: wait for at least two Springs to synchronize bouncing so that you can either run right under all of them or pause for just an instant to wait for the third one to bounce before the other two come down on you. If timing isn't your strong suit, blindly running and hoping for the best sometimes works. Collect the two gems in front of you, then quickly move through the Energy Drain tunnel, picking up the next three gems as you go; flying seems to consume a little less fuel than slowly walking through the sludge. Hold DOWN as you fly out of the tunnel's exit on the left; cease flying horizontally and drop down when you're over gem A-13. Your fuel level should still just barely be in the yellow, so be exceedingly careful. Fly up to gem A-8 in the nook above you, being very careful to avoid the spikes without swinging too wide. Then, hold RIGHT and hit the thrust key as you begin to fall so that you fly up into the tunnel to the right. You should have almost no fuel remaining. Climb the ladder, hit the blue switch, and run across the newly-formed barrier to hit the red switch. Grab gem V-8 next to the red switch and head back to hit the blue switch. Grab gem F-7 now that the barrier is down, then hit the blue switch again to return to the other side. Climb up the ladders and go over to gem P-6. Avoiding the Springs is especially dangerous on that icy floor; constantly and quickly change directions (LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT, and so on) to keep yourself sliding relatively in place, and then hold LEFT to slide under the Springs once they're on the way up. If you're feeling gutsy and have any jetpack fuel left, you might try to slide under the first one and immediately try to fly over the second one. It'll be a close call, but it can work. Drop onto the Tank of Fuel and then go after the last gem, A-6. Fly up to Teleporter 1, activate it, and then wait for all three Missiles to pass by before tailing them to Teleporter 2. Now, all that stands between you and the door are two pairs of Springs. Run under the first two, then jetpack to the ceiling and hover there until the next two start to go down, then fly over them to get to the door. LEVEL 41 - LUNCH BOX ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 |@*p*@@*pcv*@@}{}{@XXG b| 1 2 |@XXX@@XXXXX@@}{}{@XXG @@@H| 2 3 |@*p2@@*pcv3@@1{}*@XH@H * H| 3 4 |@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@XH@@@@@@| 4 5 |X*XXX*XXX*XXX*X@XXXH@cc@cg| 5 6 |X@XXX@XXX@XXX@XXXXXH@ccccc| 6 7 |$XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXH@ccccc| 7 8 |BXBXBXBXBXBXBXBXX*XH@ccccc| 8 9 |H@H@H@H@H@H@H@H@H@@H@ccccc| 9 10 |H@H@H@H@H@H@H@H@H HRccccc| 10 11 |H@H@H@H@H@H@H@H@H H@@@@@@| 11 12 |H@H@H@H@H@H@H@H@H H @@@cc| 12 13 |H@H@H@H@H@H@H@H@H H r p*| 13 14 |H@H@H@H@H@H@H@H@H H @@H@@| 14 15 |H@H@H@H@H@H@H@H@H *H*@ H/\| 15 16 |H2H*H*H*H*H*H3H@H1IHIX H||| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: With a little bit of planning, this level can be a cinch. The key is to phase through the right crates. SPECIFIC: Phase up through crates A-6 and A-5, then carve out a tunnel through crates C-5 to O-5, collecting gems along the way, until you hit the stone wall at P-5. Destroy crate O-6, then phase a tunnel right through crates P-6 to S-6, to the ladder on the right. Then, go back and phase down through crate R-7 to form a pit into which you'll be luring both Trackbots. Fly up out of the pit and position yourself on the ladder at about T-6. Once Trackbot starts following you on the ladder, fly over the pit you just made and stand to the left of it. Trackbot should follow after you but fall into the hole. If Trackbot doesn't come after you, wait toward the bottom of the ladder and climb back up to the pit once it starts to follow you. Now that the coast is clear, pick up the two gems on the pillars, hop through Teleporter 1, grab gem Q-3, recharge your jetpack fuel, and return through the teleporter. Destroy crate V-16 and climb up to get the loot above the door. Hit the red switch and climb up into the room in the middle right with the Spring and all the gold coins. You can get all the coins in the room easily, except for the ones in the central column where Spring is bouncing. If you're feeling daring, hovering in place and flying horizontally once Spring passes you is probably the safest way to get everything. Remember to go through Teleporter 1 to recharge you're fuel once you're done. Hit the green switch and run under (or fly over) Spring and climb to the top of the longest ladder. Wait until the Trackbot in the top right climbs down ladder V-3, then destroy crate T-2 and climb down/fly back to the left side of your pit trap. Wait there for Trackbot to fall in. Collect the gems Trackbot was guarding in the top right and hit the blue switch. Fly back to the starting point (don't phase through any crates) and climb down the ladder to get everything on the other side of Teleporter 2 as well as the several gems along the bottom of the level. Missile should be stuck in a loop going in and out of Teleporter 3 and should not hurt you. The safest way into Teleporter 3 is to clear a path through the crates to allow Missile to escape. Start with crate B-8 and phase a tunnel all the way right through crate L-8. Wait for Missile to be headed away from you on the ladder and destroy crate N-8. Scramble down the ladder to your left to get out of the way, then go into Teleporter 3 once Missile leaves the scene. After collecting the last of the loot, return through the teleporter and make your way to the exit. Note Missile's new pattern. Wait on the longest ladder above the two pillars until Missile passes below you and into Teleporter 1 before making a break for the exit. LEVEL 42: JETPACK INVADERS ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 |@ @| 1 2 | | 2 3 |@ * * * * * @| 3 4 |@ @| 4 5 |@ @| 5 6 |@ * * * * * @| 6 7 |@ @| 7 8 |@ @| 8 9 |@ * * * * * @| 9 10 |@ @| 10 11 |@ @| 11 12 |@ ### ### ### ### @| 12 13 |@ ### ### ### ###/\@| 13 14 |@D ||@| 14 15 |@########################@| 15 16 |@########################@| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: Another old-school video game tribute. :D SPECIFIC: Luck, patience, quick reflexes, and fuel conservation. Grab the Double Tank in the corner, and the rest is really up to you. To save fuel, collect as many gems as you can while you're in the air; moving in straight lines both vertically and horizontally might help, but don't be afraid to break formation to dodge Flitzers or to skip a gem altogether. Still, if you wait long enough, you should start to see areas open up where you can loot without too much fear of death. The only other advice I can offer is to never land on the ground level if at all possible; try to land on the floating bricks if you can help it, just to save fuel. LEVEL 43: NOVICE LABYRINTH ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 | @@@ @@@@@@@v@v@v@v@| 1 2 |?@@* @ *@@ @D @BBBBBBBB| 2 3 | @@ @ @@ @@@@@ @v@v@v@v@| 3 4 |/\@ @ @ @@ c @ @*@*@*@* | 4 5 |||c@ccc@ @@ c@* @@@@@@@@ | 5 6 |@?@@@@@@ @@ @@@@@@rcc @*c | 6 7 |?@*@ **@ * @@@@@ @@@ | 7 8 |e@ @ @@@R@ @@@@ @ c | 8 9 |o@ccc @@ @ @$ @ @ @@@@@*@ | 9 10 | @@@@ @@ * @@ @ @ @ c @@@ | 10 11 | **b@ @ @ @ @ cc@ | 11 12 | @@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@ cc@ | 12 13 | *@ G @* cc@ @ cc@ | 13 14 | @@ @ @@ @@@@@@R@g@ @@@@@ | 14 15 | @cc@ @ *@ @@@ @@@ | 15 16 | c@@@@@@@ * @@ @@| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: This may take you several tries to get through. There are a lot of close calls, and it's all about precise timing and quick reflexes. Knowing when to go for the fuel refill is essential as well, as it's all too easy to conserve enough fuel to get you through one area, only to realize that you've run out before you can get to the next one. Remember that, if you're trying to enter a tunnel or alcove by falling down and then flying left or right into it, you can conserve fuel by activating your jetpack just above where the entrance is so that your jetpack acts to slow your descent rather than compensate for you falling beyond the entrance. SPECIFIC: Start by heading directly to the red switch to turn off the red barriers. If you so desire, plunder the coin pit that Spring is guarding. Stand at U-10 and run right as Spring bounces back down; briefly hit the thrust key after a split second to help keep you from falling onto Spring. Grab the coins, then hover at W-11 (for as short a time as possible) until Spring moves down past you, then fly up and out. The next order of business is to clear out gems H-13, L-16, and N-15, near the green barrier. It's helpful to do this now because you'll have to dodge Missile after the barrier goes down. Just watch for the other missile when you enter column P. After you've collected the gems, wait at space O-13 for Steel Ball to hit the wall below you before dropping down and then quickly flying up into the nook with the green switch. Flip-a the switch. Perch on the edge of block S-14 and drop down just as Steel Ball rolls to the right underneath you. Run and fly to space J-13 and wait there for Missile to pass underneath you to the right, then drop down and quickly follow the path to get to gem B-13. Wait for Missile to pass up and then back down past you, then fly up to phase through the steel barrier at A-9 to grab the extra life. Hover against the ceiling for a moment until the barrier closes, then drop down and phase through it again. Swing into the alcove to collect the two gems and hit the blue switch, then wait at the left edge for Missile to return. Don't bother trying to trap it behind the steel barrier; if it's possible at all, it's such an incredibly call that it isn't worth trying. Once Missile passes by, drop back into B-13 and wait for Missile to pass by once again. As soon as it moves down past you, drop down and scramble back the way you came to return to space O-13. Missile will be directly in front of you, but don't worry about running into it, as it is faster than you are. Let go of the thrust key as soon as you get to the space where the green barrier was, and start holding the thrust key again at space H-15 so that you can let go of RIGHT when you reach the hole in the ceiling and fly straight up and out. There is not much of a margin for error here because Missile turns around pretty quickly, but there's enough. At this point you should have somewhere between a quarter and half a tank of fuel. If you go after the goods on the right side of the level, there's a chance that you'll run out of fuel prematurely, so instead clean up what you can near where you started. To make life easier for you, return to the red switch and flip it on so that Missile changes its route by bouncing off of red barrier I-8. After that, turn off the barrier and then turn it back on once Missile is beyond red barrier P-14 so that it is trapped on the right side. Flip the switch off and on again if necessary so that Spring gets trapped in or above red barrier I-8. Now your path for the next section should be clear. If your fuel level is still in the green, do Step A followed by Step B. If your fuel is in the yellow or red, do Step B first and then Step A. STEP A: Make your way to gem J-10. Move left and get gems C-7, F-7, and G-7, as well as the three coins in that area. STEP B: Enter the top center of the level, taking the two coins and the gem as you go, and grab the Double Tank. Now! Back together, everyone! Go back to the red switch and turn off the barrier. Once Missile passes by, drop back down to space O-13 and wait for Steel Ball to pass as it did before, and get to the entrance to the green switch nook. Wait until Steel Ball comes back at you and then quickly thrust up into the vertical tunnel just long enough for it to pass under you, then drop and dash right. Fly up and take all of the coins and gems that remain on the right side of the level. If you're concerned about your fuel consumption, ignore the four golden vases along the top of the screen; otherwise, go for them. You can save some fuel by holding DOWN as you fly to hover through Row 2 so that you don't keep falling into the holes where the gems were. Avoid Steel Ball as you did before and make your way back to the red switch for the last time. Like before, switch it on to trap Missile on the right side. However, this time make sure that Spring is trapped in or below red barrier I-8. All that's left is to collect the gems and coins on the path to the door! Just make sure to still be careful of your fuel usage so that you don't run out of gas moments before the exit. Oh, and don't freak out; the floor beneath the door isn't really a floor, but you won't fall to your doom or anything. LEVEL 44 - THE LOST CITY OF GOLD ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 |%%%%%%%%%%%%%@@@@@%@@@@@@@| 1 2 |%@@@@@%%%%%%%@*c*@%@ccccc@| 2 3 |%@ @%%@@@@%@@o@@%@ppcpp@| 3 4 |%@ @%%@cc@ @@@o@@@| 4 5 |%@@@o@% o *@ @@@@ %%*| 5 6 |%%%% @@@@*@ @ { @@@@| 6 7 |@@@@ * @ @ {{{ @p @| 7 8 |@c*@ @@@@@ @@@ o {s{ @X @| 8 9 |@ X@ @X* o @vvv@@ {{{ @@o@| 9 10 |@o@@ @XX@@*@@@@@ { %| 10 11 |% @@@@ @@@%| 11 12 |%@o@ @@@@%@o@@@ @@X@%| 12 13 |%@ @@ @@@@@/\@%@ @ @c*@%| 13 14 |%@*c@ o ||@%@c**@ oc*@%| 14 15 |%@@@@ @@@@@@@@%@@@@@T@@@@%| 15 16 |%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: This level isn't terribly difficult if you're just putting in the minimal amount of effort to beat it, but as soon as you start eyeing the bonus treasure, all of a sudden your fuel supply becomes a very serious problem. Unless you are an absolute master of timing and fuel conservation, don't attempt to get all the bonus treasure. (It is possible, though.) Grab what you can, for sure, but don't go out of your way--you'll almost certainly regret it. To save fuel: walk unless it is absolutely necessary to fly; be very careful when flying around the energy drain area; plan your route through the level to minimize backtracking; and remember that you only need to quickly strike the phase key to open steel barriers while flying. SPECIFIC: Run right and pick up the Double Tank, then immediately phase through steel barrier V-14, right above the Double Tank, while still holding down the thrust key. Use just a little bit of fuel to pick up the two coins and gems inside this room, ignore the crate, and phase through the steel barrier again. Drop down to the bottom of the level and scurry through the vines to get to the far left side. Once you hit the left wall, jetpack straight up and land on block B-12. From a standing position, hold UP and phase through the steel barrier above you, then quickly fly through and grab the coin and gem on the other side. Yes, you could phase through while flying, but this conserves just a teensy bit of fuel, and you might end up needing all you can get. Phase down through the steel barrier and then down again through the one immediately to the right. Grab the gem and coin, then fly and phase back up and out of the tiny room. Run right and do a quick horizontal thrust over space F-13. Run and fly up to gem K-10 and then phase through steel barrier J-9. Collect everything inside and then phase back out. Just ignore the crates, because if you phase through the ones on the bottom you'll need to waste fuel flying up out of the hole you will create. Fly up and left to collect gem I-7. Now, if the idea of doing something fairly stupid, dangerous, and potentially wasteful is appealing to you, read the next paragraphs. Otherwise, skip ahead. Fly up to steel barrier E-5 and phase it when the Missile in the room above just after it passes through the extra life. Hurry back to solid ground on top of the room with the three crates. Missile will hopefully leave the room and start jetting around the level, but if not, it will most likely get stuck in the steel barrier and block your entry. Or kill you. If it leaves, fly in and get the extra life, otherwise, just leave it alone and get on with the level. Fly up and phase through steel barrier I-5 and collect the gem and two coins. If you let Missile out of its pen, wait here until Missile returns and gets caught in a loop just outside this room you're in. The safe way to leave is to phase through the steel barrier and immediately fly up to the roof of the room you're currently in, but the fuel-efficient way is to phase out and drop down as Missile passes by and to then run right to get out of Missile's way before it hits you. Now collect gem M-6. Keep going up and to the right, then phase up through steel barrier P-3 and snag the gems and treasure in the room above. Phase through the barrier again to exit. Fly horizontally to the right until you hit block T-4, then let go of the thrust key and just hold RIGHT to collect the Stunner as you fall. Once you have it, hold LEFT to get out of the energy drain area and to land on the room where Spring is guarding two gems. Phase through the steel barrier to get into the room, grab the gems, and then quickly fly and phase out. Making sure to hurry, as the Stunner won't last much longer, run right from the top of the room where Spring is, do a short horizontal thrust over the gap, and then jetpack straight up through Column V until you hit the ceiling. As long as the Stunner hasn't worn off and Spikes isn't flashing, you can phase up through steel barrier W-4 and get as much treasure as you can in the room above. If you time it right, the Stunner will just be wearing off as you exit. It's a bit of a close call, but it's worth it if you're up to the challenge. Either way, be sure to grab gem Z-5. What should happen next depends on your fuel level. As long as your fuel is in the green, you can safely continue to collect the bonus treasure, but as soon as it reaches red, stop what you're doing immediately and head for the exit, or else you probably won't have enough fuel to make it! The easiest treasure that's left is the pile of gold at X-7, but it may not be worth the fuel it requires to get in there. If you want it, drop down Column V and fly into the path below the room before you hit the ground. Phase up and in, grab the pile, phase down and out. You know the drill. The next one requires some guts. Run left, do a quick horizontal thrust over the gap at U-12, then stand at the ready on top of block R-12. Timing's gotta be perfect on this one, or else you'll waste too much fuel or the Missile will waste you. Fly up and phase left through steel barrier Q-8 and either immediately or after a split-second's wait, run left and collect the three golden vases. You'll have to experiment with the timing on this, as your individual reaction time will affect the ideal strategy for you to use. To get out, wait at space O-9 for Missile to pass directly overhead, then fly up to the ceiling, fly right, fall down (following right behind Missile the entire time), and quickly phase through the steel barrier, being careful to fall straight down instead of falling right into the energy drain. That's it! Phase through steel barrier G-14 using as little fuel as possible to get there, and end the level! LEVEL 45 - BEWARE THE GUARDIANS ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 | c c c c X X v v v e | 1 2 |bI I I ItX X I I I Ir| 2 3 |@@@@@@@@@@GGGGGG@@@@@@@@@@| 3 4 | * $ * | 4 5 | * @@@@@@@@@@ * | 5 6 | * @ @ * | 6 7 | * ? @@oo@@ @ * | 7 8 | * @ @@BB@@ @ * | 8 9 | * @ oR/\Ro @ * | 9 10 | * @ oR||Ro @ * | 10 11 | * @ @@BB@@ ? * | 11 12 | * @ @@oo@@ @ * | 12 13 | * @ @ * | 13 14 | * @@@@@@@@@@ * | 14 15 | * I t t I * g| 15 16 | * I I I I * I| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: Thankfully, you don't have to be as cautious with your fuel in this level as you were in the last one. Don't be excessively wasteful, but don't try too hard to limit your fuel consumption. You only need to hit either the blue or red switch to be able to end the level, so unless you're planning on collecting all the bonus treasure, only go after the switch you think will be easiest to hit. SPECIFIC: Start of by jumping left and collecting all the gems in Column F as you fall. Just be careful not to land on Trackbot--you're not Mario, you know. Follow Trackbot and jump to get the Tank of Fuel on the left, but let go of the JUMP key once you get it so that you don't needlessly use up your fuel. Run left and fly in a vertical line to collect all the gems in Column E, then nudge yourself to the left a little bit once you hit the ceiling and then fall to collect the gems in Column D. Apply a little thrust to slow your descent if it looks like you're going to fall on Trackbot. Run right along the bottom of the level and fly up to collect the other Tank of Fuel. Needless to say, you should fly up and over Trackbot if it's heading toward you. Using essentially the same technique you did to get the gems on the left, collect the gems on the right side of the level by flying straight up through Column W and falling down Column V. Hit the green switch next, then fly up through Column U to collect the last of the gems. (Fly over Steel Ball if it comes your way.) Fly left to land on top of the big square in the middle. Alternately, you could try to fly in a zigzag pattern to minimize your fuel use, but you'll probably end up flying wildly out of control and using up even more fuel unless you're really skillful and careful. In this case, it's best to flip the green switch after you've collected everything so that you don't have to contend with Steel Ball. Anywidget, once the green barrier is off, you can take your pick about which switch to flip to open your path to the doors. Pick either Option 1 or Option 2 (or both, if you want to collect all the bonus treasure) and then go on to the "Ending the Level" section. OPTION 1: Fly up to space P-1, then stop flying and hold down the PHASE key as you fall to break through both crates to your right. Quickly retreat to the hidden passage at I-7 to hide from the Spikes as they bounce out of their cell; you could try to dodge them, but I won't be the one to clean up the mess when they shred you apart. Sit tight in your little secret square until all the Spikes have completely left the top portion of the level so that you can grab the golden vases, extra life, and then hit the red switch without endangering yourself. OPTION 2: First, fly or walk to the far left side of the level to lure Batbot as far left as it will go. If you've already loosed the Spikes, be very aware of how much fuel you're using to dodge them; once your energy bar turns yellow, you'll need to go after the remaining Tank of Fuel at the top immediately. Once Batbot is on the left side of its cell, fly up and phase through crate J-1. Grab the Tank of Fuel, and wait for Batbot to get closer to you. Run past it once it reaches about the third pillar from the left (use your own judgment) and flip the blue switch. Either fly up to get each individual gold coin or fly in a horizonal line to get them, whichever makes more sense based on how Batbot is moving. ENDING THE LEVEL: Enter the big square in the middle via whichever secret passage seems safest to you (you'll need a little bit of fuel to boost yourself inside) and wait for Missile to pass by you before flying to one of the steel barriers and phasing through to reach the door. If you're coming in from the secret passage on the left, phase through the left side if you hit the red switch, or through the bottom if you hit the blue switch. If you're coming in from the secret passage on the right, phase through the right side if you hit the red switch, or through the top if you hit the blue switch. Just remember to move AFTER Missile passes you. LEVEL 46 - WATCH THE BALL ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 | g b r b g r | 1 2 |@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@| 2 3 | | 3 4 |RRRR * * RRRR| 4 5 | GGGGG BBBBB | 5 6 | *BBBBBRGRRBRGGGGG* | 6 7 |BB RRRR *B/\G* RRRR GG| 7 8 |*B s GGGB||GBBB s G*| 8 9 |BB GRRB GG| 9 10 | | 10 11 |BBBGGGBBBGGGGGGBBBGGGGGGBB| 11 12 |GGGRRRGGGRRRBBBRRRBBBRRRGG| 12 13 |RRRBBBRRRBBBRRRGGGRRRBBBRR| 13 14 | G*G B*B RGBcGRBe| 14 15 |BRRBR GGG RRR BBB BcGBRpRG| 15 16 | $G*B R*R GBRpBRGp| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: Steel Ball rolls across the top, activating and deactivating all the barriers and constantly changing the landscape. However, this level isn't nearly as complicated as it first appears. Be patient and cautious at the start, and plan your route to make the best possible use of the Stunners. SPECIFIC: This first part requires a lot of waiting. Only move when the barrier next to you you falls, and look for safe spots where you can wait as the barriers come back up. From the beginning, hold RIGHT to collect gem D-16 as the green barrier falls, and move to underneath gem H-14 when the blue barrier falls. Wait under that gem and collect it the next time the green barrier falls, then fall back down and run for gem L-16 the next time the red barrier falls. Wait at gem L-16, and run under gem P-14 the next time the red barrier falls. Fly up to get the gem when the blue barrier falls, the drop back down. Ignore the bonus treasure in the bottom right for the moment (don't worry; you can come back for it) and head back toward the starting point on foot. So far, you should have used a very tiny amount of fuel. Don't worry about how much you use for the rest of the level, because the instructions I've mapped out should leave you with around a quarter of a tank by the end, even if you do waste a bit of fuel. Stop at about F-16, on the right side of the barrier surrounding the first gem you picked up, and wait for all the barriers to start to drop. Once they do, fly straight up, pressing against any barriers above you until they disappear. Hold DOWN to hover once you're just about to reach the Stunner; if you fly too high, you'll probably get squished by a barrier. Hover there until all of the barriers are off again and then grab the Stunner (preferably by holding DOWN and flying horizontally to pick it up). If you grabbed the Stunner at the right time, you should be able to clean out all the remaining loot before Steel Ball starts moving again. Fly left to get gem A-8, then diagonally to grab the next two closest gems, then fall a little and fly horizontally to get the two gems next to the door, then fly diagonally to get the two gems to the right, then fly to the right edge of the level and fall straight down to get the last gem and the extra life below it. At this point, you may wish to go after the bonus treasure in the bottom right, starting on the far right and working your way left by making short thrusts to reach the higher treasures, and then flying up to the exit. The most efficient path to take through the rest of the level is a very nice sort of loop around the edge of the level, but it will be necessary to grab the other Stunner to keep Steel Ball frozen, so you may need to divert from your course when the first Stunner is about to run out. I recommend that you go for the Stunner either just before claiming the last gem or just after taking that extra life, but that's up to you. (As is everything else you do in this game, really.) LEVEL 47 - SUPER JETPACK ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 | t cc ccc ccc c | 1 2 | x c c cc c cc c| 2 3 | x c cc c c c| 3 4 | x c c c c cc | 4 5 | x c ccc c c c cc | 5 6 | x cc cc cc c /\| 6 7 |1x ccc||| 7 8 |##########################| 8 9 |++++++++++++++++++++++++++| 9 10 | c c c c c c c c | 10 11 | c B c c c | 11 12 |c B B B B c @ cB B B | 12 13 | B ccc ccc c @@ c B c c| 13 14 |B c @b@ c B | 14 15 | B @@@ @@@ @??? c @??| 15 16 |$ H @@c@@ c @@1@| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: This is just a simple test of your jumping skill. This really isn't a challenging level unless you fall for the lure of those coins... oh, those shiny, precious coins... It is possible to snag all of the coins, but you'll need to have good reflexes and excellent jetpacking/fuel conservation skills to do it. Even if you collect every single coin in the level, all those points put together will only earn you 3/4 of an extra life, so don't put yourself at unnecessary risk to pick up one or two coins. It's okay. You can leave them behind. Life goes on. ...Unless you're greedy like me. SPECIFIC: The first priority is to trap Spikes; if at any time Spikes gets even a little bit close to you, just back off and keep your distance until it's safely away from you and where you want to be. Also, don't worry about getting gold coins for the moment; after Spikes is trapped, you can take your time to get them. Immediately climb up the ladder so Steel Ball doesn't flatten you, then jump onto the platforms to the right. Wait at the edge of the second platform (at K-14), and when Spring is about halfway to the ceiling, jump right onto the staircase. Wait between the two Springs for the Spring on the right to hit the ground, then run and jump right just after it starts heading toward the ceiling. Drop down and enter the secret passage under the staircase. Now you can use the blue switch to trap Spikes. Either look at my map or flip the switch on and off to see where the blue barriers appear, then jump and hit the switch to activate one of the blue barriers over top of Spikes. This may take a few tries, and leaving the barriers on will alter Spikes' trajectory, so I find it's best to switch them off as soon as possible unless you want to direct Spikes a certain way. Just be patient and keep trying, but remember that you can beat the stage without trapping Spikes if you get too frustrated. Once Spikes is out of the way, you can take your time to collect all the coins in the bottom half of the level. You can use the blue barriers as stepping stones, but don't worry if Spikes is sticking halfway out of a barrier; as long as an enemy is even a tiny bit trapped, it can't hurt you at all. Note that if you fall onto the teleporter, you can get out by jumping left from on top of block Z-16. Head toward the teleporter and jump up onto the barriers to reach the staircase with the springs. Going down the staircase is easier because you only need to wait until the Springs are above your head to go down a step--no jumping required. Go all the way back to the starting point and start jumping on the blue barriers there to grab the coins. Then swing back to the right side and get everything else. Once you've satisfied your lust for gold (or for hopping on blue barriers), make your way to the bottom right and use the teleporter. At this point, you can just make a beeline for the exit, dodging Springs and jumping over Steel Ball. However, having the jetpack will make it easier to reach the door, and then you'll be able to get more (or all) of the coins. Big important thing to remember: Don't destroy the crates. Other wise you can't reach the fuel tank. Other big important thing to remember: Only jump when Steel Ball is moving away from you, or when it's no closer than the second spring from the left. If you fall down, you'll probably go smoosh. Hop onto the first crate, hold right, and jump at the last moment before you fall off the crate. This might take some practice, so just watch Steel Ball as you try this. If you fall, just scramble back to the bottom crate and try again. Get into a groove jumping back and forth between the columns of crates and claim your jetpack fuel. If you're just headed to the exit, fly along the top of the screen and wait for Springs to pass by if they're on their way back up as you're getting ready to go past them. You might also wish to destroy the crate next to the teleporter, which will give Steel Ball just a little more room to move, keeping it out of your way for just a little longer. Otherwise, collect the coins in whatever way you're most comfortable with. If you're a flying ace, you might try to follow the winding path of coins and collect them all in order, hovering momentarily if a Spring gets in your way. Or, you might just fly in a series of vertical or horizontal lines. Or maybe you'll just grab whatever you can and then make a run for the exit. It's up to you. Just remember that there's probably not enough fuel for you to get every single coin and dodge enemies at the same time, so you might leave the coins on the bottom for last because you can actually jump to reach those. And as a final advisory, be careful that you don't run out of jetpack fuel while trying to avoid Steel Ball. Lifting off, only to come suddenly back down in the way of rolling doom is a sad way to end this level. LEVEL 48 - DINO RIDER ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 |@@@@@@@@@@b/\ @@@@@@| 1 2 |@ G B R ? ||*vvvvv @+++++| 2 3 |@ G B RH@@@@H@@@@@H@+ | 3 4 |@ G B RH@@@@H@vvv@H@+s++ | 4 5 |@ G B RH@ @H@*vvRH@@@@@v| 5 6 |@ G B RH@ @H@@@@@HXXXXXv| 6 7 |@ G B RH@* @H* H@+ +@v| 7 8 |@@@@@@@@H@@ @@H* H@+ +@v| 8 9 |@I I I IH@ @*?H* H@+ +@v| 9 10 |@I I I IH@tt@@*@H* H@+s+@t| 10 11 |@I I I IH@GG@@??@H*H@@@@@X| 11 12 |@I I I IHH @@r?T@HH | 12 13 |@I I I IHH @g@??*@H* | 13 14 |@I$I*I*IHH ??*@*@@@H* | 14 15 |X@@@@@@@@H @?@???*@@@H****| 15 16 |evcpvcpvXH?*??*@@@@@@@@@@@| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: If you look really closely at the middle of the level, you can see the shape of a dinosaur. No? "Just get me through the dang level," you say? Okay. There's a lot of fuel available, and you probably won't need it all once you get a feel for the level. Familiarize yourself with the secret passages, then plan a route through the level, trapping Spikes and the Trackbot if it suits you. Avoid the Stunners unless you really need them, because ice, spikes, and flying are highly dangerous together in narrow spaces. SPECIFIC: You'll start sliding immediately and will pick up gems E-14 and P-14, which is totally cool because that's what I was going to tell you to do anyhow. Then climb the ladder down and blast through the crate below to claim the wondrous treasures in the bottom-left corner. Blow up the crate above the extra life and wait there a moment; Trackbot should be moving overhead on the ice at this point, but in case it followed you into the treasure tunnel, you can fly into the gap above the extra life to hide out until Trackbot leaves. Now it's time to enter the dinosaur; check my map to see where all the hidden passageways are. Start off with the gems on the floor, L-16 and O-16, then get gem O-14 on your way up to flip the green switch. There's a platform directly below it that is a SAFE SPOT. Fly out of the secret passage at M-14 and fly straight up for gem K-7. Pick up only one of the tanks of fuel right now and save the other one for an emergency, unless you know for a fact you won't need it (in which case you'd be picking it up for the sake of points, as it'll be harder to safely get later). Make sure that Trackbot isn't below you and then head right for gems R-15, Q-14, and R-13. Now flip the red switch; really, you should avoid picking up the Double Tank so soon, but don't worry if you happen to get it because there's plenty more fuel, and you won't be using it all. At least, you'd better not. Fly straight up from the red switch and get the last two gems inside the dinosaur, O-10 and N-9. Now fly up and out of the dino and head toward the exit to get the gem next to it (N-2), all the gold vases in the top center, and gem P-5 that's in the midst of all those vases. BUT don't hit the blue switch yet. Collect all of the gems that are sitting atop those diagonal ladders along the dino's back. Wait at the top of the last ladder (V-14) before going after the four gems guarded by Steel Ball. There are two ways to get these gems; the first is to just dodge Steel Ball and grab what you can, while the other involves very carefully picking up a stunner. Personally, I find it much easier to just dodge Steel Ball, but I'll tell you how to do it both ways. OPTION #1 - DODGING: Wait at the right edge of the ladder and drop right behind Steel Ball as soon as it moves past you to the right. Grab the first two gems in line and then quickly run back to the top of the ladder--climbing or flying should be fine. Then hover over either of the middle two gems and drop to the ground as soon as Steel Ball passes to the left. Run right to grab the last two gems and then immediately fly straight up. Blow up the crate above you to grab the line of vases and that tank of fuel, but don't go for the stunners unless you REALLY need to show off. OPTION #2A - UPPER STUNNER: Break through crate Z-11 and fly through the vases and tank of fuel, but start to hover before you reach the spiked ceiling. Cautiously fly to the left while still holding DOWN until you are over the stunner. Continue to hold DOWN, but let go of the thrust key just long enough to pick up the stunner. The moment you do, start holding the thrust key while still holding DOWN. Now, keep holding the thrust key and release DOWN for just a split second at a time until you're high enough to fly horizontally to the right without hitting the spikes. Once you're all the way to the right, just drop down and pick up those gems while Steel Ball is still frozen. So, to recap: Constantly hold DOWN while carefully thrusting into place to get the stunner, and constantly hold the thrust key while carefully releasing the DOWN key to get back out. DO NOT touch the ice, because you will immediately slide into the spikes. OPTION #2B - LOWER STUNNER: This is really the safer stunner to pick up; burrow through the line of five crates while flying, then hover directly over the stunner. Keep holding the thrust key while releasing DOWN for a split second a few times in a row until you're low enough to get the stunner. Don't touch the ice, for it is slippery and leads to spikey doom. Once you've got the stunner, fly straight up into the ceiling, fly all the way right, then drop down to get those four gems while Steel Ball is still out of commission. ...And we're back! All that remains is to hit the blue switch and claim the last three gems on the left side. If you've got enough time left on the stunner after getting the four gems guarded by Steel Ball, climb or fly as fast as you can up the dinosaur's back to flip the blue switch, and then run through the secret passage at J-2. Fall down and grab the three gems, then quickly climb or fly back to the exit. If you've run out of stunner time or didn't get a stunner at all, wait a little while for Spikes and Trackbot to clear out of the area with the gems. Swoop in when the coast is clear and fly out of the way if Trackbot returns; Spikes will most likely leave the area entirely and stay out of your hair. If you're really having trouble here, consider going after a stunner first. LEVEL 49 - THIS GOLD IS SPIKED ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 |/\R B pXXp g| 1 2 |||RgB p p p p p pXXXXp?| 2 3 |####### ##B##############?| 3 4 |# G + @ @++++++ vvvv?| 4 5 |# G pp@***@pp c +@@@@@| 5 6 |#** # @@@@@@@@@+ c +@p p@| 6 7 |###G# +++++++++ +@@H@@| 7 8 |# # v c c+@vvv@| 8 9 |# # c # c +@2vv@| 9 10 |#** #v # c +@@@@@| 10 11 |###G##+ # c v +@1b2@| 11 12 |#** #v # v# +@@@@@| 12 13 |###G##+ # c v # c {{{1@| 13 14 |#r#G# c # # v H{@@@| 14 15 |#** #e#++#+ $TTT# #H{{*@| 15 16 |#####################H{@@@| 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GENERAL: It's dangerous to go at this level without a plan of attack in mind, so figure out in advance how greedy you want to be and the order in which you'll collect everything. There's plenty of easy treasure available, so don't hesitate to go a little bit out of the way, especially for that extra life. SPECIFIC: You start off in a big, open chamber with spiked walls and ceilings. Grab whatever treasure here you're comfortable with getting (don't wait for Flitzer to get out of your way, though; just come back later). For the two piles of gold in that spiky nook (N-5 and O-5), fly up toward the spiked ceiling above the two piles of gold and start holding the DOWN key when you're a few blocks from the top. Quickly release and then re-press DOWN to ease yourself to a height between the spikes at P-6 and the spiked ceiling, then keep holding DOWN as you fly left into the nook. To get out, hold DOWN and then start flying right to avoid instantly rocketing into the ceiling. Once you're done with collecting treasure, grab a Double Tank if you have less than 3/4 fuel left (or if you just want to be safe), and then stand in the corner at T-15. Fly straight up to the ceiling and then fly right to collect the row of four golden vases. Keep moving right and you'll enter a secret passage. Fly up, hit the green switch, then land next to the crates. Phase through whichever crates you'd like and proceed left (collecting all the piles of gold as you go, of course). Drop down the first hole, grab the two piles of gold on the ledge, and cross the gap at F-6 by holding DOWN and then flying left (make sure that Spring is out of your way). Make a landing at gems B-6 and C-6. Phase down through every brick in Column B, grabbing the gems on each platform, until you reach the bottom. If you can, hit the red switch as you fall. Once you've cleaned up all the gems, fly straight up through the phased bricks, phasing through any that have returned. When you reach the top, hover there until Spring is out of the way, then fly right. For safety's sake, land on brick E-6 to avoid an unfortunate death on the spikes. Drop down the hole on the right and phase through both bricks in Column F to get the extra life. Fly right back up through the phased blocks. If you're up to the challenge, use very cautious flying and hovering to get coins G-9 and H-14. Ease your way up to the height of vase J-8 and fly horizontally right until you're back in the area where you started; drop down when you're far away enough from Flitzer. If you're having trouble with getting through all those spikes, instead fly back up to brick E-6, then fly horizontally right to the ledge of gray stones, then fly up and backtrack to the green switch. Fall back into the secret passageway, move left along where the four golden vases used to be, and fly very slowly left until you're almost touching the spikes at S-4 but are clear of the spikes on the right wall. Drop straight down. At this point you'll probably have no more than a quarter tank of fuel, so pick up another Double Tank. Grab any easy treasure you might have skipped because Flitzer was in the way and head over to gem Y-15. I find it's easiest to drop to the floor and fly up to the gem. Your next destination is the teleporter above the gem; you might be able to save a smidgen of fuel by dashing to the ladder, climbing it to the top, and then flying over to the teleporter, but just flying up to the teleporter works if you're lazy. Before you hit the blue switch, go through the second teleporter and grab as much treasure as you can (it's probably not worth it to wait for Flitzer to move away from the two piles of gold, so skip them if you're not an insatiable treasure hunter). THEN you should hit the blue switch. Note that dropping the blue barrier will release Batbot, so you might need to save some fuel for evasive maneuvers. Go back through the teleporters and use the ladder to get out of the Fuel Drain area; flying will just waste fuel, and there's the risk of hitting the wall spikes on your way out. Grab a Double Tank and make your way to where the remaining three gems are via the secret passage in the top right (you should know how to do that by now). Batbot should stay with the gems, so you'll need to lure it out. Stand on brick J-3, to the left of the opening into the gems' little cove, and wait for Batbot to rise out of the cove. You may need to move or fly just a little bit if Batbot doesn't leave. Now, the idea here is to lure Batbot into the area on the left side so you can trap it behind a green barrier. The moment that Batbot starts leaving the cove, run left and drop down the first hole, then fly left into the area where Spring is, resting on brick B-7. Batbot should follow you, dip down the hole at F-6, and then come back up after a moment to resume following you. This next part involves a bit of luck (if you believe in such a thing) and some quick action if you do it my way, so if you can't pull off what I'm about to describe, figure out a way that might work better for you, such as luring Batbot into the big main area where you started and then just moving quickly enough to the gems and exit before Batbot can catch up with you. Anyhow, the way I do it is to phase through brick B-7 as soon as I get there, fall through it, and wait for Batbot to eventually catch up with me. When Batbot is sitting on top of brick B-7, I fly toward the green switch at D-2 as quickly as possible, trying to keep out of the way of Spring and being careful not to hit the spikes at G-4 as I leave. Now, that's a little reckless, but if you can flip the switch in time to trap Batbot, you can collect the three gems and make your way to the exit at your own pace. If there's anything left in the level that you'd like to go back for, do it carefully, but I would really recommend just finishing the level. If my strategy really really doesn't work, and if you can't figure out a better way to do it, just lure Batbot away from the gems, position yourself on the long brick platform at the top where all the piles of gold were, and wait for Batbot to start bouncing diagonally toward you; run under Batbot when it reaches the top of its bounce, take the gems, and get to the exit before Batbot can catch up. <MORE TO COME> ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -------------------------- 1 | | 1 2 | | 2 3 | | 3 4 | | 4 5 | | 5 6 | | 6 7 | | 7 8 | | 8 9 | | 9 10 | | 10 11 | | 11 12 | | 12 13 | | 13 14 | | 14 15 | | 15 16 | | 16 -------------------------- ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ ----------------------- - 13. Version History - ----------------------- 05/14/09: Added walkthroughs for levels 40-49; fixed my color-blindness and relabeled gray switches/barriers as green; split the Legal Mumbo-Jumbo and Contact Info section into two sections; touched up the Level Objects, General Tips & Tricks, and Contact Info sections; made a few random tweaks elsewhere. 08/04/08: Added walkthroughs for levels 31-39; added permission for supercheats.com and updated Credits and Thanks section accordingly; put legal mumbo-jumbo at the end and added the quick start guide; made some minor proofreading edits and added a little bit of information here and there. 07/11/08: Added tips & tricks section and walkthroughs for levels 22-30; added permission for Neoseeker.com and updated Credits and Thanks section accordingly. Cleaned up a few random things. 06/18/08: Yay first post! Covered legal mumbo-jumbo, introduction, main menu, controls, game basics, level objects, enemies, how to use the walkthroughs, walkthroughs for levels 0-21, version history, and credits. -------------------------- - 14. Credits and Thanks - -------------------------- - Thanks to GameFAQs, Neoseeker, and Super Cheats for hosting this, and GameFAQs in general for accepting my other works! - Thanks to Adam Pedersen and everybody involved in creating Jetpack! - The point values of the items and most of the specific names listed in this document, including the names of items, enemies, and some level objects, came directly from the help screens within the Jetpack game itself. - The list of controls was compiled using the help screens within Jetpack as well as The Official Jetpack Hintbook and The Official Jetpack Manual (which were also useful in the preparation for writing this): http://www.adeptsoftware.com/jetpack/ - For some of the particularly challenging levels in which I struggled to come up with a truly sound strategy, I consulted The Official Jetpack Hintbook for inspiration; I did this as sparingly as possible, but ideas taken from there are credited in the walkthroughs themselves. - Inspiration for the presentation of level maps came from Entropic Lobo's FAQ for Eggerland: Meikyuu no Fukkatsu: http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/nes/file/578622/50244 - Inspiration for the legal mumbo-jumbo came from various other FAQs. - All trademarks and copyrights contained in this document are owned by their respective trademark and copyright holders. - If you feel that a credit or thanks has been omitted or incorrectly written, please e-mail me and I will correct the problem if it needs correcting. ------------------------- - 15. Legal Mumbo-Jumbo - ------------------------- OBLIGATORY DISCLAIMER: This document is authorized for personal, private, not-for-profit use only. It is not to be altered, reproduced, distributed, publicly displayed, or used in any other way without advance written permission. Unauthorized alteration, reproduction, distribution, and/or use of this document, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited and is a violation of copyright. This document has permission to be posted on the following sites: www.gamefaqs.com www.neoseeker.com www.supercheats.com -------------------- - 16. Contact Info - -------------------- Permission requests, notification of unauthorized use, suggestions for the next version, and fan mail can be sent to: Laffman85 [at] aol [dot] com Please include "Jetpack FAQ" in the subject line or else I'm liable to regard your e-mail as spam. If you like this FAQ, check out more of my work at Exfanding Your Horizons and GameCola: - Exfanding Your Horizons, a geek blog dedicated to introducting, demystifying, and discussing different fandoms: www.exfandingyourhorizons.blogspot.com - GameCola, a site filled with humorous video game reviews and articles: www.gamecola.net