+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
| S C R A M B L E |
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GAME: SCRAMBLE
PLATFORM: ARCADE
GENRE: ARCADE SHOOTER
CREATOR: KONAMI Copyright 1981
AUTHOR OF THIS FAQ: Kevin Butler AKA War Doc
E-MAIL: kevinb(at)technologist(dot)com
FAQ VERSION: 1.01
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
UNIT I: INTRODUCTION
1. Legal Stuff
2. Version Information
3. Acknowledgements
4. Welcome
5. Overview
UNIT II: GAME INFORMATION
6. The Game
6.1 The Controls
6.2 The Playing Fields
6.3 Scoring
UNIT III: STRATEGIES
7. Playing the Game
7.1 1st Area
7.2 2nd Area
7.3 3rd Area
7.4 4th Area
7.5 5th Area
7.6 Base
UNIT IV: CONCLUSION
8. Conclusion
_______________________________________________________________________________
To find a particular chapter or subchapter do the following:
1. Highlight the chapter or subchapter name you wish to find.
2. Press CTRL-C
3. Press CTRL-F
4. Press CTRL-V
5. Press CTRL-F
5. You will arrive at the desired chapter or subchapter.
_______________________________________________________________________________
**************
********************************* U N I T I **********************************
**************
+=================+
| 1. LEGAL STUFF |============================================================
+=================+
This guide may not be reproduced under any circumstances except for personal
private use. It may not be placed on any web site or otherwise distributed
publicly without advanced permission from the author. Use of this guide on
any other web sit or as part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and
a violation of copyright. All content in this guide is Copyright 2003 by
Kevin Butler. Only the sites listed below have permission to publish this
work or to display it:
www.gamefaqs.com
www.cheats.de
faqs.ign.com
If you wish to put this guide on your site, e-mail me and ask. Save yourself
the headache of putting up with lawsuits and whatnot because you failed to ask
a simple "Can I post your guide on <insert site>?". If you wish to use info
in this guide, please acknowledge that you have done so.
If you see this guide on any other site then the one listed above, please
e-mail me. If you wish to ask questions or give input to this guide, please
e-mail me. Just have Scramble as the subject so I know it isn't another kooky
vendor trying to sell me hair gel or another XXX site telling me I have new
friends.
+=========================+
| 2. VERSION INFORMATION |====================================================
+=========================+
Version 1.0 8/12/03: A guide is born.
Version 1.01 8/28/03: Fixed a couple of errors.
+======================+
| 3. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS |=======================================================
+======================+
The following are a list of people or organizations that have made this FAQ
possible:
My wonderful family (who has had to put up with the tapping on the keyboard)
Konami for making a great arcade game
GameFAQ's for putting up this FAQ
+=============+
| 4. WELCOME |================================================================
+=============+
Welcome to my FAQ for Scramble. Since the game has you continuously going
through six areas until all your men are killed, there is no walkthrough per
se. Instead it will be broken up into the game itself and strategies for
survival. Input is appreciated along with constructive criticism. If you wish
to e-mail me thoughts on this FAQ, better ways of doing things, other
strategies, etc., feel free. Make sure you put Scramble as the subject. If
you don't, I'm liable to discard the e-mail as spam.
+==============+
| 5. OVERVIEW |===============================================================
+==============+
Scramble was Konami's first successful video game breakthrough. Although it
still dealt with the lone starship in battle with the aliens, this game had a
different twist to it. You go through different areas that not only have enemy
hazards, but terrain hazards as well. In addition, a little piloting skill is
required to get through some areas. This game, along with Super Cobra, put
Konami on the map in the area of arcade games. Konami, of course, would go on
to expand into the home game arena. Good luck in penetrating the Scramble
system.
***************
******************************** U N I T II **********************************
***************
+==============+
| 6. THE GAME |===============================================================
+==============+
Scramble is a two-dimensional, scrolling shooter style game. You are the pilot
of a rocket that must penetrate the Scramble system. The system consists of
five areas before you get to the base. The areas you are going through,
though, won't be easy. With danger from all sides, both enemy and terrain, you
will have to keep a sharp eye and have quick reflexes to get through some of
the more difficult areas of this game. In addition to worrying about danger,
you must constantly keep your rocket fueled or it will crash. This means you
will have to devise tactics that keep your rocket somewhat out of danger while
at the same time getting the fuel tanks. Of course, after you get through the
Scramble system, many more are behind it. Looks like it's time to ask for a
raise.
____________________
/ 6.1 The Controls /__________________________________________________________
--------------------
The controls on this game are very easy. It may, though, take just a little
bit of time to get used to them.
- An eight-way joystick
- A fire button
- A bomb button
__________________________
/ 6.2 The Playing Fields /____________________________________________________
--------------------------
Scramble actually consists of three playing fields although there are six
areas. It's the way the terrain changes and the enemies encountered make for
unique screens. I have put examples of the four basic screens below (and also
given them my own names since there aren't really names assigned to them).
Also note the screen shown here is bigger then the actual display.
+-------------+
| MOUNTAINOUS |
+-------------+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| +------+------+------+------+------+-------+ |
| | 1ST | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | 5TH | BASE | |
| +------+------+------+------+------+-------+ |
| | | | | | | | |
| +------+------+------+------+------+-------+ |
| _ |
| \_____|\ |
| -----|/ |
| /_ |
| |
| |
| |
| _ MYSTERY |
| / \ /\ BASE |
| _____ / \ / \ | |
| FUEL -> /FUEL \ / \/ \ V |
| TANK \_____/ / \ /\ |
| _/___\_____/ \ /__\ |
| / \_/__\__ /|
|\ / \ / |
| \ + <-MISSILE / \ / |
| \ + /\ / \/ |
| \_/_\_____/ \__/ |
| |
| |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------+
| CITY |
+------+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| +------+------+------+------+------+-------+ |
| | 1ST | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | 5TH | BASE | |
| +------+------+------+------+------+-------+ |
| | | | | | | | |
| +------+------+------+------+------+-------+ |
| _ |
| \_____|\ + |
| -----|/ + |
| /_ / \ |
| |
| +----+ +------+ |
| | | + | | |
| | | + | | |
|----+ + +---+ /_\_ | _____ +-----+ +---|
| | + | + | | / FUEL\ | | | |
| | + | + | | \_____/ | |____| |
| _/_\_ _/_\_ +--/---\---------+ |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
+-------+
| CAVES |
+-------+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| +------+------+------+------+------+-------+ |
| | 1ST | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | 5TH | BASE | |
| +------+------+------+------+------+-------+ |
| | | | | | | | |
|-------- +------+------+------+------+------+-------+ -----------|
| _ | | |
| \_____|\ | | |
| -----|/ | | |
| /_ | | |
| | | |
|------------------+ | | +----|
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | +-----------------+ | |
| | ____ ____ ____ ____ | |
| | /FUEL\/FUEL\/FUEL\/FUEL\ | |
| | \____/\____/\____/\____/ | |
| +----------/--\--/--\--/--\--/--\-----------+ |
| |
| |
| |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------+
| BASE |
+------+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| +------+------+------+------+------+-------+ |
| | 1ST | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | 5TH | BASE | |
| +------+------+------+------+------+-------+ |
| | | | | | | | |
| +------+------+------+------+------+-------+ |
| _ |
| \_____|\ |
| -----|/ |
| /_ |
| KONAMI +----------+ |
| +-------+ | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | +--------+ BASE | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | V | | |
| | | | | +----+ | | |
| | | | | |____| | | |
|---+ +------+ +----|----|--------+ +---------|
| |
| |
| |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
You control your rocket through all six areas.
_______________
/ 6.3 Scoring /_______________________________________________________________
---------------
Scoring in this game is pretty simple:
Missile on ground: 50 points
Missile in air : 80 points
UFO : 100 points
Fuel Tank : 150 points
Mystery Base : 100, 200, or 300 points
Main Base : 800 points
10 points/second of flying
You start with 3 rockets and get a bonus rocket at 10,000 points.
****************
******************************** U N I T III *********************************
****************
+======================+
| 7. PLAYING THE GAME |=======================================================
+======================+
When you start the game, your rocket will be at the left side of the screen.
Keep in mind, this is a scrolling game. This means you can go no faster then
the right side and no slower then the left side. You can, however, vary your
speed in-between by pushing the joystick back and forth. The biggest key in
getting through this game is learning how to use the joystick to speed up and
slow down because you will sometimes be put into some very tight areas that
will require precision joystick control. What I have done is break down the
areas and some strategies for getting through them. There is no break between
the areas, but you can pretty much tell what area you are in by the landscape
and/or the enemies.
________________
/ 7.1 1st Area /______________________________________________________________
----------------
This is a basic introductory area. It will allow you to get used to the
controls while the threat level remains relatively low.
- Learn how to vary your speed and you can drop bombs with pinpoint precision.
You can only have two bombs on the screen at any one time. You will have to
go close to the surface to really make a difference. The biggest threat is
the missiles that rise up to meet you.
- Fuel is a very precious commodity in this game. Don't take a chance trying
to bomb a fuel tank. It's better, if you have a flat section, to take out
what's under your rocket, and strafe the rest of the way. This way, you
ensure you can hit the fuel tank or tanks.
- Watch the terrain. Sometimes you may be cruising when a mountain will
appear suddenly requiring quick reflexes and space you may not have.
________________
/ 7.2 2nd Area /______________________________________________________________
----------------
This is probably one of the easiest areas to go through. You will have to deal
with a "chain" of UFO's in your path.
- This involves more of a timing pattern then anything else. Get into a
omfortable position relatively close to the lands surface. This way, you
can bomb fuel tanks and also shoot down UFO's. If you get the timing
correct, no UFO will ever get close to your rocket.
- Another nice thing about this area is that the missiles do not fire so you
don't have to worry about them.
________________
/ 7.3 3rd Area /______________________________________________________________
----------------
This area is a little trickier since you now have fireballs coming at your
rocket. They cannot be shot down.
- You will be staying in the valleys most of the time in this area. This is
a good time to shoot things up on the ground since again, the missiles won't
fly up at your rocket.
- Timing again is important in this area since there are hills in the valley
you must cross over. Of course, the tops of these hills are exposed to the
fireballs. Time it so that right after a fireball passes over a hill,
accelerate and drop into the next valley. Then decelerate in preparation
for the next hill.
________________
/ 7.4 4th Area /______________________________________________________________
----------------
Now things become more of a challenge. You get to go through a city with
missile silos.
- Sometimes, the tops of the buildings are scraping the bottom of your rocket.
Unfortunately, missile silos are also directly under your rocket.
Accelerate and decelerate frequently to force the missiles to rise either
before or after you pass the silo.
- You will have to be extremely precise with your bombs if you hope to hit a
missile in its silo. It can be done but it requires a lot of patience and
practice.
- Again, fuel is a precious thing and sometimes fuel tanks are located on the
other side of tall structures forcing you to both decelerate and drop down
at the same time. A very hard maneuver to perform. Its best to stock up
on fuel where the buildings flatten off a bit and don't get into a
desperate situation where you have to get fuel as I described above.
________________
/ 7.6 5th Area /______________________________________________________________
----------------
This is the area that will get most players. The movements have to be precise
in the caves or you will end up part of the wall.
- Learn quickly when to accelerate and decelerate within the caves. Right
when you come to a ledge, push the joystick all the way back and start
lining up for the next cave. Accelerate quickly through it, decelerate and
repeat this pattern.
- Don't worry about running out of fuel in the caves, there are plenty of fuel
tanks to top your rocket off. Plus, you will need all that fuel for not
only navigating through the caves, but also the base since it doesn't have
any fuel tanks.
____________
/ 7.7 Base /__________________________________________________________________
------------
This is the second hardest area that gets a lot of players. You have to be
very precise in your movement plus you need to plant a bomb at the right
instant to hit the Main Base.
- See my picture in Chapter 6.2. You will see the KONAMI sign atop one of the
buildings. Once you see this, you need to decelerate rapidly and drop down
quickly to the shorter building next to the base. Once you almost clear
that building, you will have to rapidly decelerate, drop down, toss a couple
of bombs, and rise quickly to avoid the building on the right.
- If you fail to destroy the base on a pass, the screen will repeat itself
until you either destroy the base or run out of rockets to use on it.
Once you have completed the Base, the action goes back to the 1st Area again.
Things, however, will speed up. Fuel consumption is quicker and the enemies
also are faster.
****************
******************************** U N I T IV *********************************
****************
+================+
| 8. CONCLUSION |=============================================================
+================+
I recall when this game came out, not too many of us were sure. It was an
interesting concept, side-scrolling that is. We were used to the "static"
space games such as Space Invaders and Galaxian. Once, though, you started to
play the game, once found it was quite addictive. Especially since it not only
required a certain degree of luck, but it also required a certain degree of
skill to get through the game. A lot of things on the game never seemed to
happen the same way. It all depended on how or where you flew you rocket.
Everybody had their own ways of doing things. Some worked and some didn't but
that was the challenge of this game and the replayability factor as well. Un-
fortunately, it is very rare to find this machine anywhere. However, through
the miracle of emulation, a whole new generation is realizing what we "old"
folks enjoyed those many years ago. In addition, www.shockwave.com is bringing
many of these classic games back. Check out their site to see what ones are
there. I hope this guide helps you in being able to get the most amount of
gameplay for this game. If you do have other ideas or thoughts, please e-mail
me and share them. Who knows, maybe I'll start a Q&A Chapter in this guide if
enough people ask the same questions. Anyway, thank you again for reading this
guide.
To see other FAQ's I have written please go to:
http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/recognition/32691.html
~~~ No trees were harmed in the making of this FAQ ~~~