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++++++++++++++++++++++ Dimahoo FAQ V1.0 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ X
This FAQ is best viewed full screen X
Created By :Vincent Nguyen
E-Mail :
[email protected]
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Table of Contents
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I. Introduction
II. Items needed to play and disclaimer
III. Controls and Game Mechanics
IV. Character Overview
V. Personal Ranking
VI. Medal System
VII. Secrets
VIII. Credits / Thanks
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I: Introduction
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[[[ This info taken from
http://www.vsa-ag.ch/r8zing/Dimahoo/dimahoo.htm by [the sheep] ]]]
Great Mahou Daisakusen (The Great Magic War), or better known as Dimahoo, is the third part of
the Mahou series,that startet it all for Raizing. In this fantasy shoot'em up adventure, the
underground gobligan empire will take over the world, and we have to stop them.
"ARE YOU GREAT ?" is the slogan used for the promotional paperwork of Dimahoo and it's also the
question on the screen of this game while running the attract mode. So it's a provocation for
the player who thinks about throwing some quarters into the arcade machine of Dimahoo...
At the game start we choose one of four characters: A warrior, a sorceress, the wellknown
dragon Myamoto and a group of funny looking necromancers. Each one comes with it's own fighter
ship, which all look very special. Some remind me at dragon skulls, others look like giant
medieval combat weapons.
In Dimahoo, the player is able to collect myriads of items. You do this by using a special weapon
system. Since Dimahoo is a fantasy game with magic and all that stuff, your ship can be charged
by holding the [A] button to throw a magic firework towards the enemy. That's not new so far, but
if you keep holding the button, your kind of magic changes between two different colors: red
(Fire Magic) and blue (Ice Magic). So you have two different elements you can use for tactile
attacks during the game, then each enemy belongs to one of these elements. If you shoot an enemy
with charged magic of the same element, you are able to stop some of the enemy's bullets. If we
shoot with the opposite color, your attack is more powerful and you can obtain dozens of items.
Furthermore there are lots of secret challenges in this game: By shooting specific enemies with
specific attacks under specific circumstances, you can find very valuable items. They give you
lots of points, and maybe you will be able to access some hidden stages this way. Since it's very
difficult to catch such things, I was not able to verify it yet. Btw. If you keep holding the
charge button, you can see your magic level rising up. The success of finding some of the special
items depend also on the value of this magic meter. Like in Spawn and some other later games,
Capcom had a hand on it, all collected items are listed on a scrolling page once the game is over.
Dimahoo was written by Raizing / Eighting, and produced by the major company Capcom. The
promotion was big, and so was the number of game boards released. The game runs on the CPS-2
system of Capcom and I think it's the most common Raizing game so far. - [the sheep] in 2001
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II: Items needed to play and disclaimer
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Until recently Dimahoo was only playable in the arcade or if you actually owned the PCB.
Thanks to the work of some dedicated people, the game is now emulated and can be played in your
home computer. You're going to need the following to play this game.
1) A emulator that supports the Cps-2 system.
2) The dimahoo rom
3) The dimahoo xor (A file that decrypts the game)
4) A complied single zip file of the dimahoo rom and the dimahoo xor file. (This is the
actual game the emulator will use)
4a) The zip file should be named "dimahoo" and contain the following files
4b) gmd. 01 / gmd. 02 / gmd. 04 / gmd. 05 / gmd. 06 / gmd. 11 / gmd. 12 / gmd. 13 /
gmd. 15 / gmd. 17 / gmd. 19 / gmdu. 03 / gmdux. 03
For the emulator itself, I suggest you use the program Nebula. [
http://nebula.emulatronia.com/]
It has a user friendly windows interface and can easily be set up on the fly before and during
actual usage. The website link is the offical website of people who make it, and is current at
the time of this FAQ's creation. Any other emulator out there that supports emulating Cps-2 type
*** DISCLAIMER ***
Downloading and using the rom is illegal unless you actually own the game itself. Please delete
any rom image you have within 24 hours of downloading. Any rom images you contain should
strictly be used for back-up purposes only. I do not support nor will offer information on
where to download the rom or any rom for that matter. I am not responsibe for any actions you
or anyone may take. All information in this guide is strictly for entertainment and informative
purposes only. All other issues with roms are at the sole discretion of anyone who uses my FAQ,
but not of my own. Please acknowledge this disclaimer and use your discretion.
*** END DISCLAIMER ***
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III: Controls and Game Mechanics
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Dimahoo isn't an amazingly difficult game to control, similar to most games of this genre out
there. There are only two buttons to worry about, a fire button [A] and a bomb button [B].
Movement is your standard directional joystick in a 8 way fashion. Up, down, left, right,
horizontal movement in all directions. Pretty basic stuff, and nothing too complicated.
~~~ Charged Shot ~~~
This is accomplished by holding down your fire button [A] until your character begins to glow.
Releasing the fire button [A] will release a special attack unique to your own character.
~~~ Elemental Shift ~~~
This is accomplished by doing a charged shot, but prolonging your hold. Hold down your fire
button [A] until you character begins to glow. Afterward, keep holding down the fire button
[A] until your character flashes a second time, changing theircolor to either Blue or Red.
( Ice or Fire )
+++ Game Mechanics +++
Dimahoo contains the standard system of powering up your character by the collection of power-ups.
In dimahoo, you get 3 types of power ups. One powerup will increase your standard shot [P Coins],
another will increase your side weapon shot [Magic Tomes] and the third will increase your bomb
guage until you reach 100%. [Yellow Diamonds]
Dimahoo uses a elemental system that makes you switch during combat. There are 3 types of
elemental systems, so nothing too hard to understand. Within the 3 elemental systems are Neutral,
Ice, and Fire. Enimies and their shots can be affected by your element. For instance, if you
are in Fire mode, then your shots will neutralize enemy fire shots. However, your enimies who
are red or have a fire element, will either take less damage from your shots or be completely
immune to them. This works the same way with the Ice element.
~~~ Neutral Element ~~~
The neutral element can be signifed by your character's color as being either gold, or a
combination of colors. In neutral mode,your character will do average damage to all enimies on
screen, but their shots will not be able to absorb any enemy elements. Being in a neutral element
only happens when you begin the game, and when you die and respawn. Once you switch your element,
it will only allow you to switch to either ice or fire but never neutral again. Don't worry
though, because you usually want to be either one of the elements than be in neutral mode.
~~~ Fire and Ice Element ~~~
Whenever in fire and ice mode, you will do more damage or any damage to the enemy of the opposing
element. Fire shots will do 200% damage to ice enimies and 50% damage or no damage to fire
enimies. Vice versa for the ice element. Please note that your bomb is also affected by your
element! If you are in fire mode, then your bomb is in a fire element.
~~~ Bosses have elements ~~~
Bosses in dimahoo have their own element, and can usually be seen by their color. For instance,
the 1st boss in the game is a giant red turtle, which signifes he is a fire element boss.
Sub-bosses and mini-bosses work the same way, giving off a significant color to notify you of
their element. It would be in your best interest to shift to the appropriate element for
maximum damage.
Every character in dimahoo has their own type of charged shot. As well, these charged shots also
inherit the element that your character is in. At the bottom of the screen, you will notice two
bars. One bar will be your charged shot indicator, which is signifed by a number next to it,
while the second bar is your bomb meter. The charged shot meter increases as you continue to
hold the fire button [A] untill you reach level 8. When you relelase a level 8 charged shot,
the special attack will do slightly more damage and last a little bit longer than for instance,
a level 1 charged shot. However, the most notable difference is that a fully charged level 8
attack will yield more special bonus items when enimies are killed. So for those point chasers
out there, the best way to score a lot of points and collect a lot of the items in the game is
to charge frequently.
~~~ Items ~~~
In a mocking way to RPG games, dimahoo uses a collection of items you can get in-game. These
items do nothing more than add points to your score, but they give you an extra thing to achieve
by letting you perhaps try your best to collect all the items by the end of the game. The more
level 8 charged shots you release, the better yield of items you will get, and ultimately the
higher your overall score.
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IV: Character Overview
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Here is a list of all the characters in dimahoo, with the actual in-game ranking and my own
personal ranking with comments.
Solo-Bang [The Warrior] Vincent's Ranking Weapons Used
Speed [][] Speed [][] V-Shot Spread Shot
Power [][] Power [][][] Flame Side Shot
Range [][] Range [][] Floating Sword Charged Shot
Bomb [][][] Bomb [][] Spell Bomb
Solo-Bang the warrior is the true average character in dimahoo. With a complete balance in all
fields, you can't really go wrong with getting through the game with his versatility. His main
gun is kinda weak, but it spreads out in a V-shape that gives good cover for smaller ships flying
in formation at you. His side flame shot which shoots in a direct line is quite strong, and is
one of the best side guns in the game due to the fact that it absorbs enemy shots of
corrosponding elements so well. The flaoting sword charged shot is very strong, but has a very
small area of affect, and only hovers in front of your ship where you release it. Due to the
ship's average speed, it is kinda hard to release it up close without getting yourself into a
horde of bullets. As well, the spell bomb is average but also has a limited area of effect.
A big minus on my part.
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Karte [The Sorceress] Vincent's Ranking Weapons Used
Speed [][][] Speed [][] Foward Shot
Power [] Power [] Homing Side Shot
Range [][][] Range [][][] Homing Wizards Charged Shot
Bomb [][] Bomb [][] Forward Wave Bomb
Karte is considered a newbie's ship, and for good reason. Her weapons rely on their homing
capabilities, and they aren't that powerful at all. Her forward shot power is average, while
her side shot and charged shots do considerably less damage than most ships. Typically, the
first few stages will bid Karte well off, but later on it's a uphill battle with the stronger
enimies and bosses. Although Karte got a in-game rating of a extra bar to speed, I felt her ship
was not considerably faster than Solo-Bang's ship whatsoever, so I felt they were the same.
Overall, average speed, average to weak damage, Karte is definately a ship used to feel the game
out, but probably won't be netting you any high scores.
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Miyamoto [The Dragon] Vincent's Ranking Weapons Used
Speed [][][][] Speed [][][][] Foward Shot
Power [][][] Power [][][][] Fan Spread Side Shot
Range [] Range [][] 45 Degree Spread Charged Shot
Bomb [][][] Bomb [][][][] Wind Cutter Bomb
Miyamoto is hands down, my favorite character in the game. He has excelent speed compared to
most of the other characters in the game, and his overall power is awesome. The in-game ranking
gave Miyamoto a 1 bar rating to range, but in reality his side shot spreads out quite well. His
forward shot is quite powerful, although limited to a strait line, he more than makes up with his
excelent speed. The only gripe I have with Miyamoto is his charged shot, which is considerably
limiting and weak. It doesn't spread much, and the damage is fairly weak, making you wonder why
you wasted your time charging it! However, to offset this Miyamoto has a extremely cheesy bomb.
I say cheesy because it's the strongest bomb in the game, and only unique to Miyamoto. The bomb
has tremedous power, spreads out throughout the entire screen, and makes Miyamoto invincible
while using it, allowing you to hover over a sweet spot on a boss and unleash 100% damage. You
should be able to kill the 1st boss with 1 ice element bomb from Miyamoto! Overall, I suggest
that Miyamoto is one of the best characters in the game.
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Grimlen [The Necromancers] Vincent's Ranking Weapons Used
Speed [] Speed [] V-Shot Spread Shot
Power [][][][] Power [][][][] Directional Side Shot
Range [] Range [][] Boomerang Charged Shot
Bomb [] Bomb [] Spreader Bomb
Grimlen is a niche character. I say niche because Grimlen relies on pure power. If you are one
of the people who try to destroy enimies before they attack you, then this character fits more
of your play style. With the slowest speed possible, Grimlen usually is stationary in one spot
and moves only if needed to dodge bullets. Grimlen however has a dreadfully powerful forward shot
that not only spreads out in a V shape, but can usually make up for his lack of speed. Unless you
know where to be most of the time, a boss can usually zap you with their fast large cannons most
of the time. To make things worst, Grimlen uses directional side shots, in which the shots will
only fire in the opposite direction that you are moving along the Y-Axis [Up and down]. Since no
enimies in this game come from behind, this is extremely limiting, and you will find yourself
hugging the bottom of the screen. The bomb Gremlen uses is also extremely weak. It is more of a
bomb used to neutralize bullets than to do any real considerable damage. The charged shot
releases a boomerang that does massive damage to anything that touches it, but careful aiming is
required and usually enimies weave left and right so fast, they barely touch it, limiting it's
overall potential.
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Gain [The Battler] Vincent's Ranking Weapons Used
Danger [][][] Speed [][][] V-Shot Spread Shot
Heart [][][][] Power [][] Fan Spead Side Shot
Rapid [][] Rapid [][] Floating Sword Charged Shot
Speed [][][] Bomb [][] Spell Bomb
Gain is one of the 4 hidden characters you can use in dimahoo. Gain is nothing more than a
variation of Solo-Bang in my honest opinion. The only difference is that Gain has a significant
speed increase and his spell bomb last just a bit longer. Otherwise, Gain is a balanced ship
with no real extreme strengths or weaknesses. Overall however, the side shot Gain uses is too
thinly spead out, reducing his overall power level at enimies coming at you. In dimahoo, the
majority of strong enimies come direclty at you, limiting the use of side or rear shots on your
character.
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Ghitta [The Magic User] Vincent's Ranking Weapons Used
Cute [][][][] Speed [][][] Forward Shot
Spirit [][][] Power [][] Flame Side Shot
Soul [][][][] Rapid [] Homing Wizards Charged Shot
Speed [][] Bomb [][] Spell Bomb
Ghitta isn't that much better off than Solo-Bang or her counterpart, Karte for that matter. Her
forward shot resembles that of Miyamoto's, making it very strong, but her charged shot is very
weak. The delay in-between shots the wizards release is so long, that it adds to the already
snail pace of them floating from one enemy to the next. Another Spell Bomb user, her overall
effectivness is average at best. The only real positive is that with her flame side shot
combined with a strong forward shot, her frontal assault damage is pretty powerful, enough to
make up for other limiting factors.
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Birthday [The Criminal] Vincent's Ranking Weapons Used
Luck [][][] Speed [] V-Shot Forward Shot
Crime [][][][] Power [][][] 45 Degree Spread Side Shot
Rare [][] Rapid [][] Homing Charged Shot
Speed [] Bomb [] Spraeder Bomb
Birthday is slow. She is the slowest character in the entire game. Her snailish pace may be
upsetting for few, but it is counterbalanced with her tremendous charged shot. Birthday can
release a extremely powerful discus, similar to the floating charged swords, however with an
added element. The discus actually homes in and floats above enimies until they explode [which
is usually quite fast]. I would say Birthday is similar to Gremlin, but with a better rapid and
spread. Her side shot isn't powerful at all, but it covers more of the screen than Gremlin's.
Another niche character due to her slow speed, but tremendous attack abilities.
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Golden [The Prince] Vincent's Ranking Weapons Used
Love [][][][] Speed [][][] Forward Shot
Cash [][][] Power [][] Directional Side Shot
Peace [][] Rapid [][][] 45 Degree Spread Charged Shot
Speed [][][][] Bomb [][] Forward Wave Bomb
Golden is a pretty good character. He has a good balance of speed, power, and a pretty decent
bomb. The only gripe I have is his directional side shot, which is kinda limiting, but none
the less strong. Overall, he is pretty balanced with no real weaknesses, and has a slight bonus
to his strength and speed comapred to Gain or Solo-Bang.
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V: Personal Ranking
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Best -- Worst
Miyamoto -- Golden -- Gain -- Birthday -- Solo-Bang -- Karte -- Ghitta - Gremlin
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VI: Medal System
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Dimahoo uses a medal system that is based upon a list of available items for you to get. The
items you receive in battle will depend on your destructon rate based on your charged shot. You
will not be able to gather any items unless you charge your shot and kill enimies with it. The
higher the charge rating [from 1 to 8], the better your items will be. The more items you gather
the higher your score and the better chance of completing the list. It is rumored that if you
complete the list, then the 4 secret characters will always be un-locked for you to select rather
than inputting the code to use them.
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VII: Secrets
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Put your money in, then press the buttons ''UP, UP, LEFT, DOWN, DOWN, RIGHT, A, B, A, B, A''.
Then press start. Four new characters should be there.
[Thanks to Sprite4n and Arcade archive for this]
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VII: Credits
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Thanks to the following people
Yu-Horng - For being my supportive girlfriend and inspiration in my life. Nothing is
possible without her, and all she has done for me.
[the sheep] - For providing the information in my introduction to this faq
Sprite4n - For providing the secret information in my faq
8ing/Raizing - For making this shoot em up
GameFAQS - For hosting my faq, thanks a bunch folks:)
All of you - For reading this faq and spreading the word that Vincent finally starts making
FAQ's now. ;)
That's it for now. I hope you have found this FAQ useful, and hope to see you around sometime!
Until then, happy hunting.
