Conference rusure::nintendo

    Does anyone out there besides Maj have this game? Has anyone played
    this game? Quite honestly, the instruction book was so confusing
    that I have no idea how to play this game (not having played any
    arcade version). Any useful information and all spoilers welcome.
    		Thanks!!!!
    					Mich

   RE: .1 
    
    ANY PROGRESS YET ?
    
    "My sons" just got one recently, and so far have concluded that part of
    the puzzle is figuring out how to play it. 
    
    What we've discovered thus far is that: The Map is the key. We did get
    the "hyper drive"(which saves on fuel when 'Warping' across the
    galaxy). 
    
    If your Base Station (bluish, upper left corner of the star map) gets
    destroyed; that ends the game. 
    
    The symbols: A white open square is your current position, and the
    orange blob is where you want to go when you  warp. 
    
    Warping takes a lot of fuel ... like most of it, so be sure to "fuel
    up" after you warp someplace, at a subspace station. 
    
    So far we've discovered the "Laser Cannon" ( blue trace instead of
    orange trace), and the "Hyper Drive" (When you get the hyper drive, the
    "console screen" gets four new "buttons". 
    
    When approaching the "planets" (green spheres), they chnage to a
    colection of orange/yellow dots (looks more like sun). 

    Unless we 're missing something, it sems like a fairly basic game of
    crapshoot and hide-and-go-seek. 
    	
    What is not quite clear yet, is the relationship between the "warp
    distance" scale, the warp speed, and the Map (which is not
    crosshatched) into a logical grid (as shown on the "Map" in the
    booklet). 

    Bob
            
    Spoilers follow 
    
    
    
    When approaching the planets, go at "two blue dots" speed. Too fast
    and you overshoot it; to slow and you don't get there. I found the
    hyper drive on one of the planets. The "booklet" says they are on
    the 'monoliths'.
    
    The "improved" laser cannoon was on one of the planets, also.
    
    Remember: Everything is in orbit, so even as a you are "warping"
    to your destination, it is moving. Be sure to go to MAP mode
    and reposition the 'orange' blob on your destination (using the
    up/down-Left/Right control buttons).
	
    When you approach the sub space stations, they are 'orangish' in
    color, and as you come close to them they'll turn "bottom end" toward
    you, make some whiring noises (no its not a circular room with many
    doors), and you'll lose control. Then the station moves away, the
    screen repaints the control panel, and the "fuel tank fills from
    the bottom up" until the "fuel cell" indicator is filled.    
    
   
    
    

    Is this a password game? It sounds like fun...
    
    Jim

    (My previous entries deleted and combined, Thank You) 
    
    Password Game ? Like "Metroid" ? No, boring like DND during the opening
    phases. The game is "sort of  timed", in that if you don't find the
    Star Bomb and use it, the base station is destroyed in about 45 mins.
    Also, thre is about 75 blank squares to search, so some "luck" is
    required. 
    
    I tried it again last night,and even though my sons "conquered" metroid
    in 2 weeks; they gave up on SV. (Do find it normal to have to guess at
    what the instructions might be for playing 'Nintendo' games ?) 
    
    I "visited" three planets (can't tell which is which .. sort of like
    shooting chickens with a blindfold on) . Thre's no "score" tally yet
    discovered ... the additional weapons (already disclosed) are basically
    simple. 
    
    Corrections to the manual: The Star Bomb is found on THE monolith (a
    rectangular object), which turns. The second controller is needed to
    activate getting the "bomb". 
    
    Landing on Planets:
    
    Normally, you just sight onto the planet, drive toward it at "2 blue
    squares",and bingo .. it locks onto your ship,and you land
    automatically. Its also sends you off after a  few seconds. Its also
    "slow" doing all this .... 

Location		Device 
    Planet	- 	Hyper  Drive 
    Planet  - 		Super Laser (shoots blue instead of red beams) 
    Monolith- 		Star Bomb
    Space Station	Fuel and minor repairs (you don't land on these.
    Base Station	Fuel and Major repairs  just get close until
    					they "turn and rotate". Also
					you 'lose control' during all
    					landing/fueling sequences.
    
        
    After the current invasion force is wiped out, new screens will appear
    (so says "Brian" at Nintendo HQ).
    
        I called Nintendo Games Counselor. Yes, the game is very complex; isn't
    easy. It is necessary, to win, to have: 
    
    Possible Spoiler follows:
    
    
    The Star Bomb is found on the Monolith, which keeps moving around.
    
    There is no visible token to where the monolith might be. It is usually
    found in remote UNoccupied space. When the Computer Message "FAINT
    SIGNAL " is seen; check around for the Monolith, land on it, and pick
    up the Star Bomb. 
    
    Following the FAINT SIGNAL message are the ONLY instructions on
    actually using the bomb,so be prepared to press the 'pause game' button
    to carefully read the instructions, write them down, and reply to this
    note with what is said. :^) It IS necesary to get ALL the weapons;

     

    Bob    
    
    
    

    
    

    re: .0
    
    Star Bomb, possible spoiler follows:
    
    
    The Star Bomb is found on the Monolith. You need to approach the
    Monolith squarell on, until it begins to revolve about its vertical
    axis. Then the message "use the second controller to fire the Star
    Bomb".
    
    The Star Bomb is only "active" while in the presence of the enemy
    fleet. That is, its possible to fire the Laser Cannons off into space.
    The Star Bomb doesn't launch into "empty space". 
    
    Also, it doesn't launch very many, either. Its got like a "few seconds"
    cycle time between Launches. Its not very magical either. I had
    expected that "when launched at a enemy cruiser, it would destroy all
    around it". Well, I launched several and still got  beat up by the
    "enemy". 

    Finding the Monolith is still very "chancey", but my best luck was
    in the region around the "Base Station" in the early phases of the
    game.
    
    

    
    
    I have had this game for a few months but rarely play it because I keep
    getting my butt kicked real fast.. One thing I haven't figured out, is
    there a way to defeat the enemy ships without finding the star bomb?
    I haven't found the star bomb yet but when I enter an enemy quadrant
    and start fighting them with my lasers, I am history real quick.. 
    I may knock out quite a few of the enemy ships but I've never cleared
    the quadrant. It would also be nice to know how many enemy ships are in
    the quadrant before you enter it so you have some idea of what you are
    getting into.. Do I neeed to spend more time looking for the star bomb?
    Is finding it quickly essential for winning? Any help would be greatly
    appreciated..
    
    For old Intellivision players, this game reminds me alot of Space
    Spartans but alot harder.. 
    
    Steve