Welcome to MAMEbowl XXXVIII!
We're going to have a new thread twice a month to see who can get the high score on 4 different arcade games in MAME.
Download MAME (http://www.mame.net/downports.html) to play the games.
New to MAME? Feel free to ask questions here or read the tutorials (http://www.mameworld.net/easyemu/)
I am going to host the current ROMs and list of all the past winners and high scores here. (http://dvdtalk.home.comcast.net)
The Rules:
To enter, you just play one of the games and post a screenshot (http://www.imageshack.us) (F12 key in MAME) with your score.
The deadline to post your high scores will be 11:59 PM on the 30th of the month.
Any games should be played with one credit and no continues or any features that you wouldn't get by playing the actual machine.
Submitted scores should be played during the designated time period, not scores you've gotten in the past.
The winner can pick any game from MAME that we haven't already played for the next thread. Sequels are ok, but clones are not.
If the winner doesn't pick a new game before the new thread starts, we will continue to play that game until someone else wins or the winner returns to choose a game. If a new game isn't chosen after 3 days, then the person with the next highest score gets the pick.
If you play and beat any of the high scores from the previous games we've played, you can submit them here for the All Time Top Scores.
The Games:
(click the games for info and how to play)
The Prize:
Whoever gets the high score for one of the current games picks the next game that replaces it. You also get your name <s>engraved</s> permanently etched onto this eye catching trophy with a genuine Sharpie!
The Champs:
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~dvdtalk/trophy.jpg" align="top"/><img src="http://img83.echo.cx/img83/6370/engraving385pd.jpg" height="320"/>
I just wish I could reverse the mouse, so that when I move up the display goes up and not down. :brickwl2:
Roto
05-16-05, 02:01 PM
I just wish I could reverse the mouse, so that when I move up the display goes up and not down. :brickwl2:
I'm pretty sure you can do that. I'll see if I can figure it out when I get home. You managed to get the 400,000 bonus with the mouse the way it is, so it must not be that tough. I don't think an analog joystick is any easier.
~M~
05-16-05, 02:36 PM
You managed to get the 400,000 bonus with the mouse the way it is, so it must not be that tough. Hmm... don't know how to take that sentence. :duel: or :foot:
;)
Also, I just realized that I did start with the medium bonus. Is that okay, or do we start at lvl 1?
~M~
devilshalo
05-16-05, 04:51 PM
I think it's start wherever you want. I would think most of us playing VS Excitebike started at level 3.
Roto
05-16-05, 04:57 PM
Start wherever you want for Star Wars. That is usually how it works. We made an exception for Klax because it had a stupid scoring system and warps all over the place. I don't remember if there were any others, but Star Wars is pretty straight forward.
Roto
05-16-05, 05:05 PM
I just wish I could reverse the mouse, so that when I move up the display goes up and not down. :brickwl2:
OK, here's how:
Run the game
Press Tab and go to Analog Controls
http://img260.echo.cx/img260/9131/star00040li.th.png (http://img260.echo.cx/my.php?image=star00040li.png)
Set Reverse Y Axis to On
http://img260.echo.cx/img260/7254/star00039sn.th.png (http://img260.echo.cx/my.php?image=star00039sn.png)
Press Esc twice and it should work the way you want.
Roto
05-16-05, 05:33 PM
Fine, I'll post my Pac-Man score if nobody else is going to.
http://img260.echo.cx/img260/8150/pacm00075bg.png (http://www.imageshack.us)
DarkLord23
05-16-05, 09:07 PM
how do i get the mouse to move up and down? what are your inputs?
Roto
05-16-05, 09:29 PM
how do i get the mouse to move up and down? what are your inputs?
~M~ answered that already
Right click Star Wars and go to Properties, then go to the Controller tab.
http://img260.echo.cx/img260/9489/mouse3lh.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
~M~ answered that already
Right click Star Wars and go to Properties, then go to the Controller tab.
http://img260.echo.cx/img260/9489/mouse3lh.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
no when i do that all i can go is left and right i cant go up and down.
Roto
05-16-05, 10:49 PM
I don't know then. Make sure the joystick is disabled and try checking the analog control settings.
http://img260.echo.cx/img260/7254/star00039sn.th.png (http://img260.echo.cx/my.php?image=star00039sn.png)
DarkLord23
05-17-05, 09:26 PM
i need some help on gladitor how do i pick up the swords? Also how do i hit the stuff up high without using my shield?
Roto
05-17-05, 10:29 PM
Gladiator uses 3 buttons for the sword up, middle, and down. Hit tab and go to "Input Settings (This Game)"
Yeah, the mouse is such a pain. -rolleyes- I should've never showed you how to reverse the controls :p I don't think I'll get close to that score because of those see through walls in the Deathstar.
~M~
05-18-05, 09:07 AM
Yeah, the mouse is such a pain. -rolleyes- I should've never showed you how to reverse the controls :p I don't think I'll get close to that score because of those see through walls in the Deathstar.
Heck, I'm waiting for D300 to show up and destory my score. He tell stories of rolling the score over... blah blah blah.
Especially, the time when he played one handed, blindfolded, while hanging from his feet. :rolleyes:
Didn't beat my high score (as you can see), but I'll keep trying. Great game!
D300
05-18-05, 04:25 PM
Heck, I'm waiting for D300 to show up and destory my score. He tell stories of rolling the score over... blah blah blah.
We actually had Star Wars at the bowling alley my parents owned. I didn't really play it that much then, and I still don't like it. But if you keep talking smack, I might go and spend $500 on Ebay and buy a yoke just to beat your score. :)
Roto
05-18-05, 04:51 PM
You can get a yoke for $500? :lol:
dreading the possibility of having to write IgnatiusReilyII on the trophy.
D300
05-18-05, 07:13 PM
There was a really nice one that went for $540. (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6162270601) Too bad the pics are gone. Those bidders are crazy, I wouldn't pay that much even if I liked the game. It probably wouldn't help my score anyways. I barely won Pole Position, and I didn't say anything then because it would have been embarrassing if I lost, but I was using a real Pole Position wheel :)
Roto
05-18-05, 07:57 PM
Real nerds build their own. (http://www.arcadecontrols.com/hosted/yoke/)
Didn't beat my high score (as you can see), but I'll keep trying. Great game!
holy jesus thats high i can barely beat stage 1-1 with getting a game over. :/
~M~
05-18-05, 09:49 PM
We actually had Star Wars at the bowling alley my parents owned. I didn't really play it that much then, and I still don't like it. But if you keep talking smack, I might go and spend $500 on Ebay and buy a yoke just to beat your score. :)
Guess I shouldn't say I'm using a two button ball mouse with no mouse pad. :rolleyes:
Also D300, don't mean to talk smack. You truly are a great arcade game player. :toast:
D300
05-19-05, 04:48 AM
I don't mind the challenge, I enjoy the challenges.
I'm just pissed that I can't even come close to your scores. Now I know how you feel every week :)
After playing the game many times, I don't think I could beat your score :thumbsup: even if I had a yoke.
Roto will be happy that he only has to write M on the trophy now.
~M~
05-19-05, 10:38 AM
I've noticed that some games don't keep my scores. Is there a setting in MAME to keep a record of your high scores?
Thanks
~M~
D300
05-19-05, 02:08 PM
A lot of the games keep the high scores, but there are games where you need a hiscore.dat, you can get it here (http://www.mameworld.net/highscore/). But not every game will keep a high score.
Roto
05-19-05, 03:03 PM
I don't mind the challenge, I enjoy the challenges.
I'm just pissed that I can't even come close to your scores. Now I know how you feel every week :)
After playing the game many times, I don't think I could beat your score :thumbsup: even if I had a yoke.
Roto will be happy that he only has to write M on the trophy now.
Yeah ~M~ needs to win more! That's one thing I don't mind about D300 winning every week.
I'm surprised nobody's posting Gladiator scores. I only played the game about 3 times. The score I posted was the first time I figured out that you could move the shield.
~~ PAL ~~
05-19-05, 06:14 PM
My score so far...
http://img148.echo.cx/img148/9505/glad00008uy.png
A tip about Gladiator: Except for the golden shield, the enemies' as well as your own shield can be bashed down to almost nothing when it takes enough hits. After that, 10-15% of hits will go right through the shield.
Roto
05-19-05, 06:22 PM
Finally, someone else uses the artwork besides me! :up:
I'd be surprised nobody's posting Pac-Man scores, but if Ms. Pac-Man wasn't popular... Still, I'd expect someone to remember or try to figure out the patterns before the end of the month.
DarkLord23
05-19-05, 06:22 PM
Yeah ~M~ needs to win more! That's one thing I don't mind about D300 winning every week.
I'm surprised nobody's posting Gladiator scores. I only played the game about 3 times. The score I posted was the first time I figured out that you could move the shield.
gladitor is pretty tough i got close to your score though.
~~ PAL ~~
05-19-05, 06:29 PM
Finally, someone else uses the artwork besides me! :up:
Unfortunately, some of the artworks are so big that it shrinks the game area down to 1/2 its original size. For example, I think I liked "1942" better without the artwork border.
~~ PAL ~~
05-19-05, 06:32 PM
I just remembered another Gladiator tip: If you keep swinging your shield up and down VERY FAST, you can create a full force shield right in front of you. Watch the arcade demo for the animation.
~M~
05-19-05, 09:02 PM
Finally, someone else uses the artwork besides me! :up:
I'd be surprised nobody's posting Pac-Man scores, but if Ms. Pac-Man wasn't popular... Still, I'd expect someone to remember or try to figure out the patterns before the end of the month.
Already tried. Here is a 5mb Acrobat version of How to Win at Pac-Man (http://www.classicgaming.com/rcatt/gametips/pacman_pdfcount.htm)
DarkLord23
05-19-05, 10:45 PM
Already tried. Here is a 5mb Acrobat version of How to Win at Pac-Man (http://www.classicgaming.com/rcatt/gametips/pacman_pdfcount.htm)
those tips really helped i got a few patterns down now just got to perfect my skill.
Heh. If you like, you can just shorten it to "Shub-Niggurath, The Black Goat." -wink-
And DarkLord...? Arigato gozaimasu.
BTW, an update. Let the church bells sing.
You know, I was thinking about changing my name from ~M~ to "Unblowupable"
Also, how the heck did you get a score like that. The highest score I've achieved, is one digit less then yours.
IgnatiusReilyII
05-22-05, 03:57 PM
All you need for Raiden is clean livin' and a steady hand. That, along with the fact that I've been playing the game since its debut in the early 90s, helps. (I used to barely make several college classes due to its alluring, dulcet call from the local rec room.)
The most I've ever scored on it was just north of 600,000. I've considered listing this on my resume...along with my coveted "Space Avenger" rank on Gorf. Think this will move me into a higher tax bracket?
Roto
05-22-05, 04:07 PM
I think we need to test you for performance enhancing drugs.
Mordred
05-23-05, 02:28 PM
I just remembered another Gladiator tip: If you keep swinging your shield up and down VERY FAST, you can create a full force shield right in front of you. Watch the arcade demo for the animation.I tried that but was never able to get it to work. I thought maybe I missed something about him having a different shield to get the force shield.
~~ PAL ~~
05-23-05, 04:40 PM
I tried that but was never able to get it to work. I thought maybe I missed something about him having a different shield to get the force shield.
No, it has nothing to do with the shield you use. But you really need to spaz up and down FAST. It's probably not easy to do with keyboard or gamepads, you'll probably need a joystick to pull it off.
Roto
05-23-05, 04:51 PM
Spaz up and down? Why am I not good at this game? :confused:
~~ PAL ~~
05-23-05, 06:31 PM
Spaz up and down? Why am I not good at this game? :confused:
Well, you've played the game. So you know that stick left and right moves your guy back and forward; and moving the stick up and down controls your shield hand up and down. By "spazzing up and down", I am referring to moving your shield up, down, up, down, up, down, etc. in a very rapid motion. Do this long and fast enough to create a force field in front of you; refer to the arcade demo (no credits after starting the game, if you watch the demo long enough you'll see it) if you still aren't sure what I'm talking about.
Roto
05-23-05, 08:06 PM
By "spazzing up and down", I am referring to moving your shield up, down, up, down, up, down, etc. in a very rapid motion.
You should've gotten the joke about halfway through that sentence :lol:
Just consider it initiation. Everybody's gotta get their butt whooped by D300 at some point :D Plus, he chose Pac-Man, so you had to know he was going to at least try to win that one.
DarkLord23
05-24-05, 06:01 PM
Just consider it initiation. Everybody's gotta get their butt whooped by D300 at some point :D Plus, he chose Pac-Man, so you had to know he was going to at least try to win that one.
dont worry ill beat him on the last day
D300
05-24-05, 07:15 PM
I'll beat you in the last few minutes :) Just ask Roto.
The cabinet is in pieces right now! After months of playing with the j-stiks I decided I couldn't stand the way they handled 8-way with the square restrictor so I've had to re-design all my panels with new joysticks. I don't know if you follow anything at arcadecontrols.com but there was a new joystick interface released by groovygamegear.com which allows for software-based restriction with 49-way joysticks. Much better feel, although I do miss the physical restriction for 4-way games.
The casualties: No more 4 joystick panel, so no more 2-player Smash TV, and the red balltops. Balltop replacement sticks are in the works though which I plan to pick up once they're available.
Improvements: I've added artwork for the bezel and control panels which will go beneath a layer of lexan on each panel, but I've only been able to complete the bezel. The last two pieces of lexan I've attempted to cut for the panels have turned out bad. It never fails that the last cut I make is the one that I make a mistake on, thus making me scrap the entire sheet.
I fear that I will never finish it... I'm already eyeing the new translucent microswitch buttons and led drivers that will be coming out next month to add more color! If I wasn't so lazy I'd keep a better log at my site. Last thing I added was a picture of the bezel (http://www.twistedrails.com/mamecab) installed.
ok that just is to far away i dont think ill be winning this game
Roto
05-25-05, 07:53 PM
The cabinet is in pieces right now!
Oh noes! Casualties and compromises! :( I guess there is just never going to be a perfect MAME cabinet. I was really hoping you had it all figured out. The obvious solution is that you need two cabinets!
Thanks for the update.
D300
05-25-05, 09:27 PM
After months of playing with the j-stiks I decided I couldn't stand the way they handled 8-way with the square restrictor so I've had to re-design all my panels with new joysticks.
Good score on Pac-Man, it's going to take a lot of work for me to beat that score. You're right the j-stiks would be terrible for games like Smash TV and Robotron. You need the circular motion, that's why I got the Wico 8-way leaf joysticks, I use the j-stik only in 4-way mode. The 49-way looks like a great all-around stick, but they're pretty expensive with the interface.
In keeping with the Star Wars style of graphics. Let's go a tad older with Battle Zone.
D300
05-30-05, 01:08 PM
I choose Crystal Castles if this holds...
It will hold :thumbsup: , I can't touch that score. I'm amazed at how much you cleared out without using any of the power pellets.
trozkd
05-30-05, 01:10 PM
It will hold :thumbsup: , I can't touch that score. I'm amazed at how much you cleared out, without using any of the power pellets.
The only thing stopping me from higher scores are my fumbling fingers.
Learn the Pac-Man patterns (http://www.hanaho.com/pacman/). You've got two days! :)
D300
05-30-05, 01:43 PM
I used to use patterns, 25 years ago. But I'm too lazy to learn patterns now.
If you're fingers are hurting, does that mean you're using the keyboard?
Roto
05-30-05, 01:52 PM
The Gladiator score still looks beatable. The rest sure don't.
Gladiator --> Guardians (http://klov.com/game_detail.php?letter=&game_id=10984)
Pac-Man --> Crystal Castles (http://klov.com/game_detail.php?letter=&game_id=7456)
Raiden --> Toy Pop (http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?letter=&game_id=10179)
Star Wars --> Battle Zone (http://klov.com/game_detail.php?letter=&game_id=7059)
trozkd
05-30-05, 03:19 PM
If you're fingers are hurting, does that mean you're using the keyboard?
Yep, my cabinet is still out of commission.
You still win, I was just trying it out with the speed up cheat. :)
IgnatiusReilyII
05-30-05, 04:58 PM
Raiden --> Waiting for IgnatiusReillyII
Sorry. Duty called elsewhere. I say Toypop (http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?letter=&game_id=10179) , because "Pino and Acha are going to Majyo's castle to save friend." One can't argue with that.
Roto
05-30-05, 05:20 PM
Sorry. Duty called elsewhere.
That's quite alright. You're still plenty early :up: In fact you can always change your mind tomorrow, if you want...please? :lol:
~~ PAL ~~
05-30-05, 07:46 PM
The Gladiator score still looks beatable. The rest sure don't.
Gladiator --> Waiting for ~~PAL~~
Pac-Man --> Crystal Castles (http://klov.com/game_detail.php?letter=&game_id=7456)
Raiden --> Toy Pop (http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?letter=&game_id=10179)
Star Wars --> Battle Zone (http://klov.com/game_detail.php?letter=&game_id=7059)
Can you host a ROM that's nearly 14 MB? If so, I'd like to go with Guardians. If not, then I'll pick an older game (Gauntlet II).
Buy: