Asteroids strategyASTEROIDS FOR PLAYSTATION FAQ, V1.0 By Michael T. Tyler Unpublished work Copyright, June 3, 1999, Michael T. Tyler This Asteroids for Playstation guide is for private and personal use only. It can only be reproduced electronically, and if placed on a web page or site, may be altered as long as this disclaimer and the above copyright notice appears in full. This guide is not to be used for any commercial, profitable and/or promotional purposes; this includes being used by publishers of magazines, guides, books, etc. or being incorporated into magazines, etc. in ANY way. This includes such gaming magazines such as Expert Gamer, Game Cave or the likes. This guide was created and is owned by me, Michael T. Tyler . Any and all copyrights and trademarks are acknowledged that are not specifically mentioned in this FAQ, including those belonging to Activision and Atari. Anyone else other than Michael T. Tyler claiming this FAQ as their own work will face a serious lawsuit. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1) FAQ History 1.1 Version 1.0 2) Introduction & His Story 2.1 Introduction to Asteroids (Asteroids 101) 2.2 His Story... So Far 3) Controls 3.1 Button Configuration 4) Starting the Game 4.1 Difficulty levels 4.2 Ships 5) Powerups, Enemies and Scoring 5.1 Powerups 5.2 Wildcard Weapons 5.3 Types of Asteroids 5.4 Types of Enemy Craft 5.5 Scoring 5.5.1 Classic Asteroids 5.5.2 Updated version 6) Blastthrough 6.1 Zone 1: Sigma Delta 6.1.1 Objective 6.1.2 Screen Description 6.1.3 Level Descriptions 6.2 Zone 2: Black Hole 6.2.1 Objective 6.2.2 Screen Description 6.2.3 Level Descriptions 6.3 Zone 3: Sun 6.3.1 Objective 6.3.2 Screen Description 6.3.3 Level Descriptions 6.4 Zone 4: Worm Zone 6.4.1 Objective 6.4.2 The Plot 6.4.3 Screen Description 6.4.4 Level Descriptions 6.5 Zone 5: Save the Earth 6.5.1 Objective 6.5.2 The Plot 6.5.3 Screen Description 6.5.4 Level Descriptions 6.6 Final Battle 6.6.1 Level Description 6.6.2 The Boss 6.6.3 The Ending 7) Secrets & Codes 7.1 Earned Secrets 7.2 Codes 7.2.1 In Game Codes 7.2.2 Game Shark Codes 8) Upcoming Works 8.1 Next Version of Asteroids FAQ 8.2 Upcoming Works 9) Credits 9.1 Credits 10) Special Thanks 10.1 Special Thanks 1) FAQ History 1.1 Version 1.0 --------------- Everything that is not included in later editions! 2) Introduction & His Story 2.1 Introduction to Asteroids (Asteroids 101) --------------------------------------------- Asteroid history and introduction to be included in next update. 2.2 His 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 opportunity, the biggest mining corporations merged into a single mega-corporation, the Astro-Mining Corporation. More and more, surveyors have discovered dangerous asteroid fields. In order to make the big money, the corporation hires pilots to blast asteroids to 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 socities. 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 occupation. The corporation realized that not only could it mine for valuable ores, but it could also provide a clearance service for debris-infested areas of space. Since the military has been engaging in wars against hostile extraterrestrials, they have needed an efficient way to clear the interstellar highway of any potential hazards... such as asteroids. One small asteroid can have a devastating effect on everything from a transport to a battle cruiser, particularly 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 planet are being recruited by Astro-Mining to clear areas of space for equipment to be moved in and provide safe passage for military and civilian life. These pilots must be talented dogfighters who can dodge and weave among the constant threats found within an entire asteroid belt. In addition, they must be skilled shooters who can pulverize asteroids into dust with a well-aimed shot and can fight fiercly against enemies they might encounter. You have been selected. Good luck. * Above four paragraphs Copyright 1998 Activision. 3) Controls 3.1 Button Configuration ------------------------ LEFT, RIGHT = rotate UP = 180 degree flip DOWN = thrust SQUARE = shoot X = thrust O = use wildcard TRIANGLE = shield L1 = hyperspace (teleport to another part of screen) L2 = 180 degree flip R1 = thrust R2 = shoot 4) Starting the Game 4.1 Difficulty Levels --------------------- * Normal - Not too difficult. Many powerups and wildcard weapons are found here. * Expert - Souped up version of normal difficulty. * Hardcore - No wildcard weapons found here! Truly for the hardcore gaming shooter! 4.2 Ships --------- * Dagger - Has equal ratings in shields, firepower and speed in rotation. * Excalibur - Found only after implementing code at start screen or defeating game set at expert of hardcore difficulty. This momma has tremendous firepower, shields and speed! * Longsword - Increased firepower and shields with slower rotation. * Rapier - High speed in rotation and high firepower. Shield duration is much more limited. 5) Powerups, Enemies & Scoring 5.1 Powerups ------------ * Bonus points - green * Extra ship - yellow * Recharge shield - light blue 5.2 Wildcard Weapons -------------------- * Armageddon (purple) - Similar to smartbomb. When activated, it causes lasers to be disabled momentarily. * GunSat (green) - A small satellite that rotates around ship and shoots nearest enemy. The GunSat is destroyed once it or the ship has been hit. A GunSat will only stay with the ship for that stage. A new one must be activated, in any are remaining, to use in the next stage. * Homing Missiles (light blue) - Plasma missiles attacking nearest enemy. * Laser (light blue) - Self explanatory. * Mines (red) - Ejected from rear, explode upon impact. * Missile Armageddon (purple) - 360 degree spin weapon. Similar to Armageddon. * Plasma Drill (light blue) - Short powerful laser. * Plasma Sword (red) - Deadly liquid plasma sword fired from back of ship. * Ramming Shield (red) - Allows ship to be used as a battering ram against enemies. When activated, it causes lasers to be disabled momentarily. * Robo Wall (light blue) - Stationary barrier. * Smartbomb (dark blue) - Destroys basically everything around ship. * Trigger Bombs (dark blue) - Similar to mines except trigger bombs are activated once the wildcard button is released. Bomb will explode if impacted by an enemy. * Wide Shot (green) - Allows ship to shoot three shots at once. 5.3 Types of Asteroids ---------------------- * Ancient energy asteroid - once fired upon, they absorb energy from shots and redirect towards ship. Found exclusively in Zone 3. Never destroy from close range. * Alien egg asteroid - Three small worms are released when shot. Found exclusively in Zone 4. Also known as an eggsteroid! (OK! I know, bad humor! :-)) * Classic (regular) asteroid - the typical asteroid! * Crystal asteroid - blue bizarre extraterrestrial organisms found throughout the galaxies. Crystal asteroids split into three small pieces after being fired upon. Unless destroyed, the smaller pieces will grow to full size crystal asteroid form. Found exclusively in Zone 1. * Fireball comets - shot from sun in Zone 3. * Indestructible asteroid - self explanatory. Seen exclusively in Zone 2. * Mined asteroid - asteroids surrounded by cage that contains high-level explosives. Never destroy from close range. * Space debris - satellites, ships and other fabulous space junk that clutters the play screen. 5.4 Types of Enemy Craft ------------------------ * Asteroid tug - enemy ship that can only be destroyed once it captures an asteroid. * Crystal Ice Ship - shoots cold plasma bolts that temporarily paralyzes ship. Found exclusively in Zone 5. * Feul transporters - composed of three section and heavily armed. Must shoot from section to destroy. * Hex - Hexagon shaped enemy craft. The hex slips into two Battle Stations. The Battle Stations turn into Squad Fighters once shot. Similar to pods in Defender and Defender II (also known as Stargate.) * Kamikaze - self-explantory! * Living Turret Cruiser - Beware of these babies. * Nuke drivers - leaves deadly exaust trail from behind. Avoid following at all costs. * Regenerator - Edward Scissorhands anyone? Shoot the spinning quad-bladed ship or face immediate disaster! Found exclusively in Zone 4. * Repulser beam - shoots beam that repulses your ship. Avoid shooting at close distance. * Standard saucer - Giant round saucer. * Super saucer - smaller and more powerful version of standard saucer. * Vulteroids - look like birds leaving a volcano. Vulteroids like to strike from behind and avoids face to face confrontations. Very deadly. 5.5 Scoring ----------- 5.5.1 Classic Asteroids Enemy Shot Point Value ===================================== Big Asteroid 20 Medium Asteroid 50 Small Asteroid 100 Large UFO 1000 Small UFO 200 5.5.2 Updated Asteroids * Section to be completed upon next FAQ release. 6) Blastthrough 6.1 Zone 1: Sigma Delta ----------------------- NOTE: Each level description details the number of each type and number of asteroid and enemies encountered. 6.1.1 Objective Clear area of all asteroids and enemy craft. 6.1.2 Screen Description Ship begins in middle of stage. In bottom right hand corner of playfield is planet, similar to the Moon in view, rotates on its axis. 6.1.3 Level Descriptions Level 1 - One gigantic asteroid. Shoot several times, depending on difficulty level, to blast into two big asteroids. Level 2 - three regular asteroids Level 3 - three regular asteroids Level 4 - four regular asteroids Level 5 - four regular asteroids Level 6 - two regular asteroids, one crystal asteroid, super saucer appears Level 7 - two regular asteroids, one crystal asteroid Level 8 - one regular asteroid, two crystal asteroids Level 9 - one regular asteroid, two crystal asteroids Level 10 - three crystal asteroids Level 11 - one regular asteroid, two crystal asteroids, one mine asteroid, asteroid tug appears Level 12 - two regular asteroids, two crystal asteroids Level 13 - two regular asteroids, two crystal asteroids Level 14 - two regular asteroids, two crystal asteroids, super saucer appears Level 15 - two crystal asteroids, two mined asteroids, hex appears 6.2 Zone 2: Black Hole ---------------------- 6.2.1 Objective Destroy all foreign material in zone to provide safe passage for cargo ships. 6.2.2 Screen Description Ship begins in lower right hand corner of playing field. Black hole fills the entire middle portion of screen. It is OK to pass over black hole, but do no stand over the middle for too long or its bye-bye dry I'm giving Tone a try! 6.2.3 Level Descriptions Level 1 - two regular asteroids Level 2 - one regular asteroid, one space debris (takes 11 shots to destroy) Level 3 - two regular asteroids, one space debris Level 4 - two regular asteroids, one space debris, nuke driver appears Level 5 - three regular asteroids, vulteroid appears Level 6 - two regular asteroids, indestructible asteroid Level 7 - two regular asteroids, indestructible asteroid, one space debris (red capsule) Level 8 - two regular asteroids, indestructible asteroid, one space debris (red capsule), nuke driver appears Level 9 - two regular asteroids, indestructible asteroid, one space debris (red capsule), kamikaze appears Level 10 - two regular asteroids, one satellite, one red capsule Level 11 - four regular asteroids, nuke driver appears Level 12 - two regular asteroids, two indestrcuible asteroids Level 13 - two regular asteroids, two indestrcuible asteroids, one red capsule, vulteroid appears Level 14 - two regular asteroids, two indestrcuible asteroids, one tri-spike satellite Level 15 - two regular asteroids, two indestrcuible asteroids, two tri-spike satellite 6.3 Zone 3: Sun --------------- 6.3.1 Objective The Poseidon Corporation wants the area cleared to make vacation spot here. 6.3.2 Screen Description Ship begins in middle of playing field. Sun appears in lower right hand corner of screen. The Sun will shoot solar flares that will blow up in upper left hand corner of playing field. Avoid these explosions or perish! 6.3.3 Level Descriptions Level 1 - two regular asteroids Level 2 - three regular asteroids Level 3 - three regular asteroids Level 4 - two regular asteroids, one energy asteroid, first solar flare, repulser appears Level 5 - two regular asteroids, one energy asteroid Level 6 - two regular asteroids, one energy asteroid Level 7 - three regular asteroids, first asteroid/medium sized comet shot from sun Level 8 - one regular asteroid, one energy asteroid, one mine asteroid, repulser appears Level 9 - three regular asteroids, one mine asteroid, repulser appears Level 10 - four regular asteroids, repulser appears Level 11 - one regular asteroid, one crystal asteroid, one mine asteroid Level 12 - two regular asteroids, one crystal asteroid, one mine asteroids Level 13 - two regular asteroids, one crystal asteroid, one mine asteroids Level 14 - one two regular asteroid, one crystal asteroid, two mine asteroids, repulser appears Level 15 - one regular asteroids, two energy asteroids 6.4 Zone 4: Worm Zone --------------------- 6.4.1 Objective Military wants debris cleared. 6.4.2 The Plot What the military failed to tell you was that this zone is a breeding ground for aliens! 6.4.3 Screen Description Ship always begins in middle. The indestructable alien queen mother worm leaves from bottom left hand corner. She never will move along bottom left triangle of screen. 6.4.4 Level Descriptions Level 1 - two regular asteroids Level 2 - regular asteroids, one egg Level 3 - two eggs (extra worms start to appear) Level 4 - one regular asteroid, two eggs Level 5 - one regular asteroid, two eggs Level 6 - three eggs Level 7 - three eggs, mother queen makes first appearance, repulser appears Level 8 - three regular asteroids, repulser appears Level 9 - two regular asteroids, one egg Level 10 - two regular asteroids, one egg, regenerator appears Level 11 - two regular asteroids, two eggs Level 12 - one regular asteroid, three eggs Level 13 - four eggs Level 14 - four eggs, regenerator appears Level 15 - one regular asteroid, four eggs, worm appears 6.5 Save the Earth ------------------ 6.5.1 Objective Save the earth from alien invasion and being blown to smithereens by asteroids. 6.5.2 The Plot Pilot XJ13 (an appropriate number) reports a massive alien invasion and has unleashed a plethora of asteroids towards earth! 6.5.3 Screen Description Ship always begins from middle of playfield. The earth is on the lower third of screen. If enough asteroids hit earth, life will cease to exist as we know it. 6.5.4 Level Descriptions Level 1 - 10 regular asteroids, crystal ice ships appear and shoot on all levels! Level 2 - 16 regular asteroids Level 3 - 16 regular asteroids, two satellites block shots Level 4 - 16 regular asteroids, three satellites block shots Level 5 - 19 regular asteroids Level 6 - 17 regular asteroids Level 7 - 18 regular asteroids Level 8 - 18 regular asteroids Level 9 - 27 regular asteroids Level 10 - 35 regular asteroids Level 11 - 35 regular asteroids Level 12 - 36 regular asteroids, three satellites block shots Level 13 - 37 regular asteroids, two satellites block shots Level 14 - 47 regular asteroids Level 15 - 52 regular asteroids 6.6 Final Battle ---------------- 6.6.1 Level Description Level 1 - eight regular asteroids 6.6.2 The Boss Boss - Blast away the shooters on wings. Then shoot orange triangle in middle to end battle. Be careful, the boss's ship can regenerate. 6.6.3 Ending Yes, you have saved the day and a futuristic fireworks display is provided for your entertainment. 7) SECRETS & CODES 7.1 Earned Secrets ------------------ * Unlock Classic Asteroids - Run into green asteroid on zone 1, level 15. * Unlock Fourth Ship - Defeat expert or hardcore level. 7.2 Codes --------- 7.2.1 In Game Codes The following codes must be entered at the title screen while holding SELECT. * Level Select & Toggle Collision Detection - SQUARE, TRIANGLE, CIRCLE, TRIANGLE, TRIANGLE, SQUARE, CIRCLE. An expolding asteroid will confirm correct code entry. Press SELECT + START during gameplay to gain access to menu. * Unlock Excalibur Ship - TRIANGLE, CIRCLE, CIRCLE, TIRANGLE, SQUARE. An exploding asteroid will confirm correct code entry. * Unlock Classic Asteroids - CIRCLE, CIRCLE, CIRCLE, TRIANGLE, SQUARE, SQUARE, CIRCLE. An exploding asteroid will confirm correct code entry. The following codes for classic Asteroids must be entered after pausing the game: * Pat Benetar I Am Invincible Code - DOWN, DOWN, UP, UP, CIRCLE, SQUARE, TRIANGLE, TRIANGLE. Can be deactivated by reentering code. * One Extra Life - UP, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT, CIRCLE, SQUARE, X, TRIANGLE. * 99 Lives - UP, X, DOWN, TRIANGLE, LEFT, SQUARE, RIGHT, CIRCLE. 7.2.2 Game Shark Codes Ability Code Infinite Lives P1 8011013C 0009 Infinite Lives P2 80110140 0063 P1 Ship Modifier 800DF7C4 000? P2 Ship Modifier 800DF7C8 000? Enable Classic Asteroids 80110428 0001 8) UPCOMING WORKS 8.1 Next version of Asteroids FAQ --------------------------------- * Introdcution and History of Asteroids * Strategies for survival * Scoring table 8.2 Upcoming works ------------------ * Bust A Move 4 (GBC) * Enduro (Atari 2600) * Midway Arcade Greatest Hits (PSX) * Pac-Man & Pac Attack (GBC) * R-Type DX (GBC) * Williams Arcade Greatest Hits (PSX) * Yars Revenge (GBC) 9) CREDITS 9.1 Credits -------------------- * Activision for His Story in Asteroids FAQ section 2.2. * Kao Megura for parts of copyright declaration. * Myself for playing through Asteroids to finish this FAQ. 10) Personal Thanks 10.1 Personal Thanks -------------------- * Special thanks to Activision for making an excellent updated version of Asteroids. * Special thanks to my brother for getting me hooker on Asteroids at age 7. I have been an incredible Asteroids fanatic since the Activision's re-release. * Special thanks to everyone who bothers to write such excellent faqs and walkthroughs. Without your help, I may not have finished several RPGs! * To everyone who decided to read through this small booger! (c) Unpublished Works, Michael T. Tyler, .