GUIDE TYPE ..................................... FAQ
FILE SIZE .................................... 17 KB
FIRST RELEASED ..................... August 17, 2000
LAST UPDATED .................... September 26, 2004
LATEST VERSION ................................ 1.21
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=~ 1) VERSION HISTORY ~=
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VERSION 1.21 - SEPTEMBER 26, 2004
Updated e-mail address.
VERSION 1.2 - SEPTEMBER 13, 2003
Revised the file's format, adjusted the number of characters per line, and
added new sections.
VERSION 1.1 - OCTOBER 14, 2002
Updated contact information and made a few other changes.
VERSION 1.06 - JULY 25, 2001
Changed posting notice.
VERSION 1.05 - JANUARY 17, 2001
Updated site list at the bottom of the FAQ and made some minor changes.
VERSION 1.0 - AUGUST 17, 2000
First version of the guide.
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=~ 2) INTRODUCTION ~=
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Asteroids is one of those video games that has been around since the dawn
of time, and in 1998, Activision revisited the olden days by publishing a
enhanced version of Asteroids, complete with brand new graphics, enemies, and
an arsenal of weaponry to blast apart those pesky space rocks.
The classic gameplay remains the same: move from level to level by taking
out all of the asteroids on the screen. Activision and crew has thrown in a
few twists, such as crystal asteroids that constantly regenate and ships that
unleash a nuclear explosion.
All in all, this rendition of Asteroids is decent; however, once you go
through the game, chances are you will put the game away and be done with it
forever...
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=~ 3) STORY ~=
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Asteroid's storyline, from the instruction manual...
THE STORY SO FAR...
The galaxy is filled with valuable commodities. If a company wants to keep
their business up-to-date, they must compete on the ground and in the heavens.
Interstellar mining has made people rich overnight. Seizing this great oppor-
tunity, the biggest mining corporations merged into the single mega-corpora-
tion, the Astro-Mining Corporation. More and more, surveyors have discovered
the most valuable deposits deep within dangerous asteroid fields. In order to
make the big money, the corporation hires pilots to blast asteroids into a
reasonable size, then sends in their massive mining machines to capture
valuable minerals in the quadrant. The corporation's efforts in space support
entire off-world societies. The rule is simple: Make the company rich, and it
makes you rich in return.
The bulk of the Astro-Mining Corporation contracts are from the military,
which explains why mining has become such a dangerous, yet lucrative occupa-
tion. The corporation realized that not only could it mine for valuable ores,
but it also could provide a clearance service for debris-infested areas of
space. Since the military has been engaging in wars against hostile extra-
terrestrials, they have needed an efficient way to clear interstellar highways
of any potential hazards...such as asteroids. One small asteroids can have a
devastating effect on everything from a transport to a battle cruiser, par-
ticularly since these craft normally travel at half the speed of light. An
entire asteroid field is a deadly obstacle, indeed.
Talented pilots from all over the plant are being recruited by Astro-Mining
to clear areas of space for equipment to be moved in and to provide safe
passage for military and civilian life. These pilots must be talented dog-
fighters who can dodge and weave among the constant threats found within an
asteroid belt. In addition, they must be skilled shooters who can pulverize
asteroids into with a well-aimed shot and can fight fiercely against any
enemies they might encounter.
You have been selected. Good luck.
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=~ 4) CONTROLS ~=
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This section describes the default controls.
A -> Rotate ship left
D -> Rotate ship right
V -> Fire weapon
G -> Thrust
W -> Use wildcard weapon
E -> Hyperspace jump
S -> Activate shield
X -> Flip ship
Escape -> Menu
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=~ 5) WEAPONS ~=
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This section contains information on the weapons.
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Plasma Gun
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Maximum Amount: N/A
Your basic weapon. It has an unlimited amount of ammo, so you will be using
this weapon during most of the game. While it is not very strong, it gets the
job done.
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Gun Satellite
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Maximum Amount: 4
When you use it, a small satellite rotates around your ship. This satellite
fires at nearby asteroids and enemies. You can also use it as a shield.
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Mines
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Maximum Amount: 5
A small mine drops out the back of your ship. Whenever an object gets near
the mine, it explodes and damages the object. Remember that mines self-
destruct if nothing comes by it after a certain length of time.
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Armageddon
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Maximum Amount: 1
A useful weapon. When you activate it, your ship spins around while firing
lasers all over the screen. Any nearby objects take a lot of damage.
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Homing Missiles
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Maximum Amount: 6
The name says it all. Fire it towards a target, and the missile takes care
of the rest.
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Plasma Drill
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Maximum Amount: 3
This weapon fires a powerful laser in front of you. Make sure you aim
correctly because the beam disappears quickly!
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Trigger Bombs
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Maximum Amount: 5
A fun weapon to play around with. Hold the Special key, and the bomb moves
forward. Once you let go of the key, the bomb creates an explosion.
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Laser
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Maximum Amount: 10
This weapon simply fires a laser. This laser is powerful and can go through
just about anything.
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Ramming Shield
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Maximum Amount: 2
This is very useful for clearing out the level. Activate it to create a
fiery shield around your ship. Whenever you run into an object, it takes a
ton of damage. This shield doesn't last very long, so make use of it!
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Robo Wall
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Maximum Amount: 5
The Robo Wall isn't too useful. It creates a barrier that rotates in one
spot. This barrier damages an enemy that attempts to go through it.
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Missile Armageddon
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Maximum Amount: 1
A rare and powerful weapon. Like the normal Armageddon, your ship spins
around. But this time it fires several plasma missiles instead of lasers.
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Smartbomb
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Maximum Amount: 2
I would consider the Smartbomb to be the best weapon in the entire game.
When you use it, it creates a huge explosion that severly damages any object
in it.
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Wide Shot
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Maximum Amount: 50
The Wide Shot fires three plasma shots at once. Since it comes with a plen-
tiful ammo supply, it is useful for destroying things, especially asteroids.
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Plasma Sword
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Maximum Amount: 3
This weapon creates a large beam of plasma behind your ship. It comes in
handy for destroying any enemies that are following you. It is also useful
for eliminating asteroids.
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=~ 6) ASTEROIDS ~=
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This section contains descriptions of the asteroids.
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Classic Asteroid
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This is the asteroid you'll run into the most. If you shoot them, they
splits up into smaller rocks. You won't have a problem destroying them.
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Mined Asteroid
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This asteroid is contained in a cage that has explosives. Shooting the cage
results in a large explosion, which can take out your ship. So, try attacking
them from a safe distance!
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Space Debris
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The debris you encounter comes in a wide assortment, but each chunk is
difficult to destroy. Instead of using your ship's gun, try using a wildcard
weapon.
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Indestructible Asteroid
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As the name implies, no weapon can even damage this special asteroid. While
you can't destroy it, you can move around by just shooting at it.
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Fireball Comet
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When you blow up some Classic Asteroids, they turn into this. A Fireball
Comet moves very quickly but eventually slows down.
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Crystal Asteroid
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Possibly the most annoying asteroid in the entire game. When you shoot at
one, it splits up into smaller shards. If you don't completely defeat these
shards, they grow back to full-size.
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Alien Egg Asteroid
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You'll only encounter these in the Worm Zone. Whenever you attack an egg,
small worms come out and follow you. They move slowly, so you can take them
out without a problem.
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Ancient Energy Asteroid
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This one looks a lot like the Crystal Asteroid but orange. If you shoot it
a couple times, it absorbs the weapon and fires it back at you. This asteroid
does not split up like its crystal cousin, so it makes things a lot less
troubling.
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=~ 7) ENEMIES ~=
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This section contains information about the enemies.
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Standard Saucer
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Your typical big UFO. This enemy fires small red bolts. While it's large,
only one shot is required to destroy it.
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Asteroid Tug
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An Asteroid Tug captures asteroids, which prevents you from destroying them.
Its shield is always activated except when it is capturing an asteroid. So,
destroy the Asteroid Tug when that happens.
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Crystal Ice Ship
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You can find this annoying alien craft towards the end of the game. It fires
small bolts of plasma that can freeze your ship for a few seconds. But these
bolts are quite easy to avoid since they move only in one direction.
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Fuel Transport
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The Fuel Transport has three different sections. Two of them are heavily
armored and cannot be destroyed. The front section (shaped like an arrow) is
the weakpoint. Shoot it to defeat the entire thing.
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Hex
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The Hex is capable of splitting into smaller ships. When you hit the first
time, it splits into two smaller stations. Hit one of them, and it splits
into three fighters. Be careful around this craft.
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Super Saucer
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A much more powerful version of the Standard Saucer. It's faster and also
has more armor.
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Repulser Beam
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This enemy can be very annoying. It has a yellow beam in the front that can
send your ship flying in the wrong direction. Destroy these as soon as you
can.
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Nuke Driver
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A Nuke Driver is operated by nuclear power (obviously!). When it moves, it
leaves behind an exhaust trail that can destroy your ship. But a Nuke Driver
is easy to defeat since it moves so slow.
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Vulturoids
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A quick and agile craft. The Vulturoid comes after you if you just stay in
one spot. So, make them leave you alone by flying after them.
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Regenerator
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A ship with four rotating blades. If you destroy one of its blade, it can be
regenerated. So eliminate them as soon as possible.
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=~ 8) ZONES ~=
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This section contains descriptions and some tips for the zones.
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Zone 1 - Sigma Delta
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Since this is the first zone, you won't find many obstacles to make things
difficult. Most of the asteroids in this zone are the basic kind but there are
some Crystal Asteroids, which can really bug you. Try to destroy them as soon
as possible so they don't grow back to full-size.
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Zone 2 - Black Hole
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Like the name says, there is a black hole in this zone. The black hole sucks
in your ship if it stays in the same spot for too long. If your craft stays in
the center of the black hole, it eventually explodes. So keep moving! This zone
introduces Space Debris. Try destroying them with Wildcard Weapons to make it
easier on you.
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Zone 3 - Sun
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This zone has a sun in the lower-right corner. At different times during
the level, the sun fires a solar flare. This flare always explodes in the
upper-left corner. You'll also find the Ancient Energy Asteroid in this zone.
Destroy them from a safe distance so their shot doesn't hit you.
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Zone 4 - Worm Zone
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This zone is the breeding ground for a group of alien worms. Instead of the
usual asteroid, you also have to destroy all alien eggs. Each time you destroy
an egg, little worms pop out. Destroy those too! Remember that the alien queen
comes out of the hole in the lower-left corner of the screen, and she always
moves in the same pattern when she exits.
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Zone 5 - Save the Earth!
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After invading their territory, the aliens are a bit ticked off...to say the
least! The aliens have now sent a large group of asteroids to Earth, so your
objective is to destroy the asteroids before they hit the planet.
Try to move your craft a little bit below the Earth. This helps you to
destroy the asteroids more easily. Remember that you only have to hit a large
asteroid once to prevent it from hitting Earth. The only enemy you'll
encounter is the Crystal Ice Ship. Try to destroy it as soon as possible so it
doesn't freeze you.
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The Final Battle
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Before you can celebrate, you have one final level to complete. In the first
part of the level there are several asteroids floating around, so destroy all
of them. Picking up an Armageddon weapon helps to make things less difficult.
Once you clear out all the asteroids, a large crystal ship comes in from the
upper-left. That is the aliens' mothership. To eliminate the first form,
destroy the small crystals that fire at you. Then the mothership changes to
another form. Just keep firing at it, and you'll eventually finish it off.
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=~ 9) CONTACT / LEGAL INFORMATION ~=
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Copyright Information
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(c) Copyright 2000-2004 Ryan "MetroidMoo" Ammerman
This FAQ cannot be distributed in books, magazines, etc. or in any other
form of printed or electronic media (CDs, etc.) in any way. It may not be
given away as some sort of prize or bonus with a purchase, and it may not be
used for promotional or profitable purposes.
Any characters, names, or other objects are copyright their respective
companies. This document and its author are in no way affiliated with any
company involved with this game.
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E-mail Information
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E-mail Address: ryanammerman[at]gmail[dot]com
Before you e-mail me a question, make sure you've looked through the FAQ to
see if your question is answered. If you send me a question that is answered
in the FAQ, it WILL be ignored.
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Posting Notice
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If you wish to use this guide on your site, you may post it without my
permission as long as this document is **NOT** changed in any way, shape, or
form. The latest version of this guide can always be found at GameFAQs
(http://www.gamefaqs.com).
