Lode Runner II: The Bungeling Strikes Back Arcade FAQ
version 1.0.1
copyright 2006 by Andrew Schultz
[email protected]
Please do not reproduce this FAQ for profit without my prior consent.
However, if you write a polite e-mail to me referring to me(and this FAQ) by
name, then I will probably say OK. But if I ignore you that means no--and I
am bad about answering e-mail. Sorry.
**** AD SPACE: ****
My home page:
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Exhibit/2762
================================
OUTLINE
1. INTRODUCTION
1-1. BASIC LODE RUNNER
1-2. DIFFERENCES FOR THE ARCADE GAME VS EARLY PC
2. CONTROLS
3. SCORING AND LEVEL DIVISIONS
4. WALKTHROUGH
(search for 4-(level #) for a particular walkthrough)
5. VERSIONS
6. CREDITS
================================
1. INTRODUCTION
1-1. BASIC LODE RUNNER
Lode Runner's a simple old game. You are equipped with a gun that can dig
holes in soft ground, which allow you to fall through them or trap enemies
who chase you albeit at a slower pace. If the hole closes over the enemy, he
regenerates at the top. Your object is to pick up all the gold in a level
full of ladders and ropes and hard ground and even false ground and climb to
the top of the level(a flashing ladder in the Arcade case.) If the bad guys
catch you or you fall into your own trap and get swallowed up, you lose. The
game is grid based so there are only exact spots where you can dig. It was
originally created by Doug Smith and has gone through several incarnations on
different platforms.
Some feature very similar levels across platforms; for instance the NES
version takes 50 levels, most of which map to an Apple II level(where the
game was originally ported) minus a few rows. The SNES and Turbografx appear
to pretty up some old levels without offering new challenges. All ports that
maintain the grid structure and basic icons have slightly different AIs and
some have completely different levels or neat new power-ups(the PSX version--
LR and LR extra--has bombs which permanently destroy part of a level, or a
stun gun), some are wickedly tough(GBA Lode Runner, Apple Championship Lode
Runner--not a port, but just a shifting of levels) and some go off in
different directions entirely(Lode Runner 2(PC) is 3-d isometric and looks
like Q*Bert; Nintendo 64's has you walking almost on wire structures and has
some vicious plants that attack you. But it works.)
The arcade versions have some old levels and some new ones, but given that
the monsters are faster and smarter there's enough fresh air that many that
were trivial in old versions of Lode Runner are challenging--especially when
you get point bonuses for efficient form.
1-2. DIFFERENCES FOR THE ARCADE GAME VS EARLY PC
Of course the arcade version doesn't allow you to create levels, sadly. It's
there to eat your money. So it has a selection of pretty tough levels. Lode
Runner I has 24 of them; II-IV have 30. Each group of 3 levels has a
different set of monsters but the only difference is visual. They don't work
together, and they all have the same AI, so they do tend to clump together
for your advantage.
First thing you'll notice is that your enemies are much faster than in the PC
version. Also, aren't stupid. They try to get horizontally level with you and
run at you. If you climb up the bottom of the ladder, they won't run away.
Hey, it was an arcade game, they needed as many quick deaths as they could
get.
The icons are arranged a bit differently. The board is 24x32, with people and
gold being 1x2 icons. The result is that some platforms that look like they
are level with each other, aren't. This means that sometimes when you dig you
will have a pit half your size. You can't jump out of it. You have to avoid
it.
This gets sticky but on the other hand you can grab gold while on a rope if
the gold is right below the rope--and you can dig under a rope, although
enemies won't fall into the holes you dig. It's more for escape.
~
$
$ <i gold piece actually. You can grab it.
XXX*
XXX*XXXX <i dig looks like this.
XXXXXXXX You fall in.
You also get bonuses at level's end for winning quickly and/or without
trapping or killing enemies. And sometimes you get a break with regard to
enemies not being killed. You and enemies both walk over healing holes, while
in most other installations it is death to do so. This is more immediately
risky for you if you've laid out a few holes in a row hoping to trap enemies
but makes the no-kill bonuses easier to achieve for a skilled player.
2. CONTROLS
If you are playing from MAME the controls may be a bit tricky, with the left
CTRL and left ALT being used to dig. I set P1 button 1 to Z and P1 button 2
to X, so you can use those to dig left and right respectively.
If you try to move diagonally, up/down override left/right. So if you want to
get on that ladder, it works, but to get off it you have to push left/right
explicitly.
If you want to dig or fall, note that your movement is quantized. A Lode
Runner board is 24x32 with your icon being 1x2 and there's no way to, say,
fall in the middle of a column. You'll automatically shimmy to the nearest
one and fall. Also note it takes time to dig, so if an enemy is too nearby,
he'll walk over what you dug and get to you.
You should also note that it takes time to get off a ladder. So if an enemy
is in too-hot pursuit you may be out of luck, and you need to take that into
account when approaching an enemy. In fact it can be tough to get off a
ladder sometimes RIGHT when you want so you may want to fall from above.
You'll also notice that you can jump up a bit for the rope. Icons are now
every half-human-height, so the rope may not be right where you can grab it.
yes yes no
~
~
~
H H H
The whole thing about icons not being the same size as you or your enemies is
very important also when dealing with where to dig holes or walk. For
instance, if you have this:
HXX
HXXXX
HXXXX
Digging right from the ladder won't let you go right. It will create;
H
H XX
HXXXX
3. SCORING AND LEVEL DIVISIONS
You lose a man if you run out of time, touch an enemy, get killed in a hole
you dug, or wind up in a space you can't get out of. The game can detect when
you are trapped, sometimes, too. "YOU ARE BOUND TO DIE" and you restart from
there.
You get 200 for each chest, 100 for each guy you entrap, and 100 for each guy
you kill.
Extra men at 50000.
You get bonuses for various tricks.
--walking over a group of 3 guys in a row you entrapped=3000
--landing on a guy after falling=1000
--sealing off your enemies where they can't get to you=1000 per sealed enemy
and it can be redone.
If you complete a level with more than half the original time remaining, you
get double the bonus time amount. When you have 1/4 of your time remaining, a
tune plays every 100 points to remind you. You lose about 50 bonus points per
second.
Without entrapment(i.e. digging to trap a guy): 20000
Killed no enemies(no one gets stuck in a hole): 10000
This allows for interesting sub-puzzles for handling levels efficiently. Of
course it's not always possible to get whichever bonus, but you can try.
Each block of 3 levels gets you a new group of enemies. They think the same
and are just as fast, but they look different. They're all about equally
weird and lethal.
Levels 1-3 have robots with wire hangers on their backs.
Levels 4-6 have dinosaur-machines with weird leg warmers.
Levels 7-9 have crabs with weird claws running around.
Levels 10-12 have pastel redbeard pirates.
Levels 13-15 have spinning multicolored cubes.
Levels 16-18 have bug-eyed hunchbacks.
Levels 19-21 have crackers that flip end-to-end.
Levels 22-24 have yet more cubes.
Levels 25-27 have kangaroo elfbats, or something.
Levels 28-30 have octopi on beady tentacles.
The default high score list:
99800 IIO 5 68900 KHO 03
94600 RKG 4 64250 OIW 03
90400 EIA 4 63360 NRA 03
88600 MKM 4 60000 OAY 03
85300 KAE 5 58460 GNA 03
84200 AIW 4 55740 AAT 02
82500 BSA 4 52300 MIT 02
81200 UHY 3 50010 EHE 03
77700 SAO 3 49620 OIN 02
76500 HNI 3 48540 STE 02
(equivalent to LR3's actually)
4. WALKTHROUGH
The level map ledger is as follows:
- = them
+ = you
h = ladder on level complete
X = ground(can dig)
* = cement(no dig)
~ = rope(can climb across)
$ = gold
v = fake ground(fall through)
! = bad guy when you dig him up(max 5)
4-1. LEVEL 1
h
h
$ ~~~~~~~~~~~~h $ -
$ h $ -
XXXXX HXXXXXH
XXXXX HXXXXXH
H H
H H
H H
XXXHXXXXXXHXXXXXH H
XXXHXXXXXXHXXXXXH H
H H H
H $ - H H
H $ - H H
HXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXHXXXH
HXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXHXXXH
H H H
H ~~~~~ H H
H H H
HXX $ HXXX$ HXXXXXXH
HXX $ HXXX$ HXXXXXXH
H XXX H XXX H $ H
H XXX H XXX H $ H
H XXXX XXX H HXXXX
H XXXX XXX H HXXXX
H H H
H-$ + H H $
H-$ + H H $
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
************************
Assuming the best-case scenario you can get the full 20000 here. However you
may have to bow to time limits and dig a hole for the last pesky enemy who
won't let go of his gold. Go into the DR corner and get the gold and wait
under the ladder. When the enemy gets near, climb up. You may have to wait at
the ledge above to distract another guy. Then at the top, head all the way
left. Dig left in the UL and then get the gold on the zigzaggy platforms
below. If you stay on the bottom the enemies will run at you, and you can run
up to the top for any stray golds. The downside is that enemies may still be
holding gold and you may have to get them to run all over the place to get
near you.
4-2. LEVEL 2
h h
h h
hXh
hXh
HXXXXXH hXh HXXXXXXH
HXXXXXH hXh HXXXXXXH
HXX$XXH***X***HXXX$XXH
HXX$XXH***X***HXXX$XXH
H H $ H - H
H H $ H - H
H - HXXX**XHXXXXXXH
H - HXXX**XHXXXXXXH
HXXXXXXHX$ HX$ H
HXXXXXXHX$ HX$ H
H XHX**XXXHX**XXXH
H XHX**XXXHX**XXXH
HXXX**XH - $XH $XH
HXXX**XH - $XH $XH
HX$ HXXX**XHXXX**XH
HX$ HXXX**XHXXX**XH
HXXXXXXH $ HX$ H
HXXXXXXH $ HX$ H
HXXX$XXHX**XXXHX**XXXH
HXXX$XXHX**XXXHX**XXXH
H $ H + H $ H
H $ H + H $ H
XXXXX***XXXX***XXXX***XX
XXXXX***XXXX***XXXX***XX
************************
Go right for the gold and back left and up the ladder. At the top, run left
for another gold. You should be able to run over a guy coming in from the
left. Go to the top and dig over the suspended gold and fall in. Now you
should be able to walk down and dig over the gold on the left, then over the
suspended gold. Wait below the left ladder and then go 2U when the first
enemy is near the bottom. Everyone will come across the top. Now go across
the bottom and up--dig through the right S and when you are at the bottom,
the enemies should line up on the second-left ladder.
Now go up 3. The enemies will go way off to the left. You can go to the very
top, get the gold, and head back down the S's.
If all this doesn't work, then just get rid of the enemies and work on the
S's one at a time.
4-3. LEVEL 3
h
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~h
- h
H
H
$ $ $ H
XXXX XXXX XXXX H
XXXX XXXX XXXX H
H
$ $ $ H
XXX XXXX XXXX X H
XXX XXXX XXXX X H
H
$ $ $ H
XXXX XXXX XXXX H
XXXX XXXX XXXX H
H
$ $ $ H
XXX XXXX XXXX X H
XXX XXXX XXXX X H
- + - H
- + - H
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXhXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXhXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXhXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXhXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX h X
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX h X
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX -h X
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX -h X
************************
There's really no hope of getting the 20000 bonus given how you're trapped at
the start. But 10000 is possible. Pick off the four golds on the right by
falling strategically at the start. Also note that if you are on the bottom
and an enemy is on the rope, he will fall to get at you instead of taking the
ladder.
The next part is the chanciest bit--get four more golds and hope your enemies
either cough up the gold pieces or are right there for you to dig them up.
Wait if you can until enemies get close to dig holes for them, so they don't
get stuck. If the one with the gold is behind two others, then don't worry
about him.
There may be an awkward moment near the end digging the guy that was
originally in the pit, but you can dig near the ladder and go right up. Even
if someone else falls in, you'll get the 10000 bonus because he wasn't killed
yet.
An alternate solution is to dig holes for everyone, getting a few 1000
bonuses for entrapment, but you'll want to start from the left and work
right--this because the ladder gets the enemies out of the pit. Don't try to
get all the 1000 bonuses though. Eventually you'll get in time trouble and it
will take more time to get the 1000 bonus than it's worth.
4-4. LEVEL 4
h
h
$ - h $ - $
$ - h $ - $
XXXX***XXXXXXH***H**H***
XXXX***XXXXXXH***H**H***
H H H
~~~~~~~~$- H $ H H
$- H $ H H
HXXXXHXXXHXXHXXH
HXXXXHXXXHXXHXXH
H H H
H $ H H
$ $ H $ H H
$ $ HXXXXXXXXH XXH
XXX - X HXXXXXXXXH XXH
XXX - X H*** HXXXXXH
XXXXXXX H*** HXXXXXH
XXXXXXX H XXXXH $XH
H XXXXH $XH
$ $ H*** $XX$H XH
$ $ H*** $XX$H XH
XXHXXXXXH****XXXXHXXXXXH
XXHXXXXXH****XXXXHXXXXXH
H H h H
H H $ h $ H
H H $ h $ H
XXXXXXXXXXX*******XXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX*******XXXXXX
************************
Go right for gold, wait for everyone to fall, then go to the UR corner. Go
all the way left and wait for the other guys to catch up. Dig left and fall,
then fall from the rope. Wait some more. Everyone will fall into the pit to
the right. Now you just need to get the rest of the gold before releasing the
bad guys. For the gold on the right, dig the two squares above it. Then work
your way back left.
Now fall onto the enemies in the pit. Dig right, wait a second, and run right
over them. You shouldn't have more than two enemies with gold pieces, so if
you go up and then dig left 4x as you move right, you can nip in to get the
last two golds. If this doesn't work you may have to run a merry little chase
around the board, until the enemies release the gold--or you can dig 4 in a
row again.
The next-level ladder appears from top to bottom and you shouldn't have any
problem getting there. Even if you are on the side you can just goad them to
follow you directly instead of shielding the stairs.
4-5. LEVEL 5
h
h
h~$
h $
$ ~~ H XX $
$ H XX $
XXX H H HXX
XXX H H HXX
$ HXX H -$ H
$ HXX H -$ H
XX H~ ~~-$~H HXX H
XX H -$ H HXX H
H XX h H ~H
H XX h H H
XX H h H XX XX
XX H XXH XX XX
~ $H XX XXH XX$
$H XX H XX$
H XXH XX $ H $XX
H XXH XX $ H $XX
$ H XX$XX H XX$H
$ H XX$XX H XX$H
HXXH $ XX H H
HXXH $ XX H H
H XX HXXXH HXXH
H XX HXXXH HXXH
H + H H H
H + H H H
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
************************
While the 10000 bonus is not guaranteed, proceeding as if
Run to the lower left, wait for the enemies to fall, and work your way UR.
Fall right and then work to the UR again. On the zigzag stricture, dig 3
times down through the center and fall left. Then dig through the zigzag
again, but this time dig over the gold chest.
Now you need to get back to the left--maybe you can sneak the gold 1U1R of
the entombed gold, but you need to take the main ladder all the way up, wait
for enemies to follow you up, and then go down. Let the enemies fall to your
right--here you may have a problem with them on each side, and if so, dig and
forget about the bonus. Dig as follows to get another gold.
X1
2X
X3$
You'll need to mop up the UL after this. Again, you may have to dig your way
out, but the enemies should be lined up enough that once you do it's an easy
way to the top.
4-6. LEVEL 6
h
h
$ h
$ h
$HXXXXXH$
$HXXXXXH$
$HXXX XXXXH$
$HXXX XXXXH$
HXXX XXXXXXH
HXXX XXXXXXH
HXX- $ - XXH
HXX- $ - XXH
H HXXXXH H
H HXXXXH H
H $ HXXXX XXXXH H
H $ HXXXX XXXXH H
HXXX XXHXXXX XXXH
HXXX XXHXXXX XXXH
X X X XH ~~~~~~~H
X X X XH - H
X X XXH - H
X X XXHXXXXH $ $ H
X X X XHXXXXH $ $ H
X X X XH XXXXH H
X$X H XXXXH H
X$X H XXHXH H
H XXHXH H
H + HX$XXH H
H + HX$XXH H
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
************************
While it's possible to get the 20000 bonus here it's another case of don't
hold your breath. In fact don't waste much time at all as you can easily run
out if it. Fortunately there's an easy(conceptual) way through this. It
involves trapping enemies in the hole at the bottom. Of course you have to
make sure they release their gold first. Once you do, you can pretty much
tear through the rest of the level.
And trapping the enemies isn't so hard. Get the gold by digging the two
squares right of it. Fall down. Wait at the bottom ladder. Don't let two
enemies get too close together. Climb up and, when the enemy starts to get
close, down. Now you have to get the next guy to release his gold. It might
be easier just to dig a hole for him and then sucker him the same as the
other guy.
Now you have to bring the third guy over. You will need to go to the top and
have him follow you back right and down. Then you can go to the edge of the
rope, let him follow you, drop and go right and up--to 1 above the rope. That
will make the enemy fall into a pit he can't get out of.
Pick up the rest of the gold and dig left while over the enemy, right, left
and left. You can just dig a hole to trap the guy and get the gold and exit,
or you can wait a bit here if you're still trying for 20K. Fall left and then
go up the stairs. Run around and try to get him to give up his gold, but you
may be short of time by now. Once you get the gold it's easy to get to the
top.
4-7. LEVEL 7
h
h
h $ $ $
h $ $ $
hXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXH
hXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXH
h $ - - $ $ H
h $ - - $ $ H
HXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
HXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
H $ $
H $ $
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXH
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXH
$ $ $ H
$ $ $ H
HXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
HXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
H $ - - - $
H $ - - - $
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXH
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXH
$ $ $ $ H
$ $ $ $ H
HXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
HXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
H $ $ +
H $ $ +
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
************************
This level looks pretty straightforward--just zigzag back and forth and dig
holes as the enemies come. But the problem is that they tend to appear and
block you more quickly at the top. For the first wave, just dig six holes.
Keep climbing, and there'll be two guys. Just dig twice to dispatch them.
They key thing to remember is that if you are at the top and the enemies
aren't regenerating, they're behind you. Obviously you need to watch out for
enemies behind you but there's no law against backtracking, digging a couple
holes and going forward. One critical thing to remember is that enemies will
fall left if you are not at the 2nd-top of the rows, but they will walk right
otherwise. So you can make a break when appropriate.
You also may need to back up a bit if things get too crowded. Remember you
don't have to kill everyone and eventually you'll wind up leaving a few
chasing you. Once all gold is secured, watch out for enemies materializing
above you if you must run along the top, and dig holes where appropriate.
However, you may have an easy out by running to the left and up. The basic
law: sink guys ahead of you, leave guys behind you in limbo.
No bonuses are really possible of course.
4-8. LEVEL 8
h
h
h
h
~~~~ h ~~~~ ~~~~
$$ $$h$$ $$$ $$
XX XXHXX XXX XX
XX XXHXX XXX XX
XX XXHXX XXX XX
XX XXHXX XXX XX
XX XXHXX XXX XX
XX XXHXX XXX XX
XX XXHXX XXX XX
XX XXHXX XXX XX
XX XXHXX XXX XX
XX XXHXX XXX XX
XX$~~ XXHXX$~~$XXX$~~$XX
XX$ XXHXX$ $XXX$ $XX
XXX$$XXXHXXX$$XXXXX$$XXX
XXX$$XXXHXXX$$XXXXX$$XXX
XXXXXXXXHXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXHXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXHXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXHXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXX H XXXXXX XXXXXX
XXXXXX H XXXXXX XXXXXX
- +H -
- +H -
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
************************
This is one of the more straightforward levels you'll see. Dig each way and
go up. Then go right, and when both enemies are at the top of the ladder,
fall into the right part of the W.
$~~$
1$$2
345X
67XX
8XXX
Dig as follows to get out safely. Then go up the big ladder and off to the
left and repeat the dig procedure. Go back to the top of the ladder and dig
2-R each time until you need to dig 3-R to release the enemies. At the top,
go left and dig right twice. Let the enemies fall in and then fall over to
the right, i.e. the left side of the W. The enemies fall into the U, and you
can complete the level without obstruction.
4-9. LEVEL 9
h
h
-$$H$ h -
-$$H$ h -
XXXXXHXX XHXXXXX$XXH H
XXXXXHXX XHXXXXX$XXH H
~~~~~~~H XXXXHXH
H XXXXHXH
HX H **H
XHX H $ - **H
XHX XXH $ - **H
HX XXH $XX*HXXX H
HXXXXXXXXXXXX$XX*HXXX H
HXXXXXXXXXXXX * * HH
H $ $ $* * HH
H $ $ $* * HH
XHXXXXXXXXX*HXXXX*X X$HH
XHXXXXXXXXX*HXXXX*X X$HH
H *H H
H *H $ H
H* *H $ H
H*$$ -$ *HXXXH**XXX*H
H*$$ -$ *HXXXH**XXX*H
HXXXXXXXXXXXH H H
HXXXXXXXXXXXH $ H H
H H $ H H
H- + HXXXH H* H
H- + HXXXH H* H
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX* H
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX* H
************************
You have to kill enemies to solve this, but you'll get a lot of 1000 bonuses
to make up for it. You also are at the mercy of some random numbers since you
need an enemy to appear in the very UL to get that one gold piece. For
starters you can go right for one gold, back LUR for another, and LUR for a
third. Just start digging holes to sink enemies whenever you can, as you need
them to die early and often.
Dig 1R of the trapped UR gold, dig below it and fall left. Dig over the DR
golds and you can trap the enemy in that pit. Dig out of there before he gets
up and now he's another one you can trap until you've got what you want.
Now a lot of enemies will fall in the UL pit. You can just dig them out, go
down, and go right and dig to catch them again. If too many enemies get
outside the pit, go get them and bring them back to get killed. If one gets
stuck in the UR, dig the two squares to his left.
Once you get all the gold a ladder appears to link you to where they were--
uh, thanks for the thought, sort of.
4-10. LEVEL 10
h
h
$ $ ~- $ h
$ $ - $ h
HXXXXXXH XXXXXXXXH
HXXXXXXH XXXXXXXXH
H H H
H H - H
H H - HXXXXX
XH HXXXXXXXHXXXXX
XH HXXXXXXXh X$XX
XXXXXXXXH HXXXX$XXh X$XX
XXXXXXXXH HXXXX$XXh XXXX
XXXXXXXXH HX$XXXXXH XXXX
XXXXXXXXH HX$XXXXXH
XXXXXX$XH H H
XXXXXX$XH H +$ H
XXX$XXXXH H +$ HXXXXX
XXX$XXXXHXXXHXXXXXHXXXXX
XXHXXXHXXXXXH
XXH H H $
$ XXH H $ H $
$ XXH H $ HXXXXX
XXXXXXXXHXXHXXXXXXHXXXXX
XXXXXXXXHXXHXXXXXXH
H H H
$ $ H H $ H -$
$ $ H H $ H -$
XXX XXXXXXXX************
XXX XXXXXXXX************
************************
By getting your enemies glued together it's possible to get the 20000 bonus
and, in fact, it can be rather easy if you do it right. Get the gold to the
right and go left. Wait over the ladder. Go down when one enemy is 2L of you.
Go right and get half on the ladder. Go down when enemies get close. If all
goes well everyone will be chasing you. If one enemy goes left, you need a
different plan, even if it is just running a bit further to the left in the
UL pit.
Now note that if you fall over the wall in the UL they will follow you--
unless you dig a pit and drop. So if you work as follows:
321X
45XX
6XX$
$XXX
Everyone will get trapped in the upper pit but they won't go anywhere.
That'll allow you to get most of the gold. Then you can release them from the
pit, lead them on a wild goose chase to the DR, and go back to the UL...where
you strike again.
321X
X45X
XX6$
7X
Now dig to the DL for the gold that was on the island, as there's now a
ladder you can walk across. Wait for everyone to come down, and then you can
walk across them to the top. It's possible even to get the 3x bonus.
Getting the suspended and trapped golds in the UR shouldn't be a problem so I
didn't detail them much. Basically you can do a 2-1 dig to get next to them
and then dig to get out--or for the suspended, a 2-1 over it.
4-11. LEVEL 11
h
h
h~~~ ~~~
h
XXXXXHH X--X HHXXXXX
XXXXXHH X--X HHXXXXX
X-XXHH ~ XXXX ~ HHXX-X
X-XXHH XXXX HHXX-X
XXXHH ~ XXXXXX ~ HHXXX
XXXHH XXXXXX HHXXX
XXHH~ ~ XXXXXXXX ~ ~HHXX
XXHH XXXXXXXX HHXX
XHH ~ XXXX$$XXXX ~ HHX
XHH XXXX$$XXXX HHX
HH XXXXXXXXXXXX HH
HH XXXXXXXXXXXX HH
XHH ~ XXXX$$XXXX ~ HHX
XHH XXXX$$XXXX HHX
XXHH ~ XXXXXXXX ~ HHXX
XXHH XXXXXXXX HHXX
XXXHH ~ XXXXXX ~ HHXXX
XXXHH XXXXXX HHXXX
XXXXHH ~ XXXX ~ HHXXXX
XXXXHH XXXX HHXXXX
XXXXXHH ~ ~ HHXXXXX
XXXXXHH HHXXXXX
XXXXXXH HXXXXXX
XXXXXXH HXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
************************
Another level where 20000 is possible. But you may run into time difficulties
if things don't break your way, even though they should. On top of the
monsters, dig left and go right and dig left. Now you should be able to
barrel through and get the gold.
XX1
XX23
XX456
$$789X
XXdcbX
$$efXX
XXhgX
XXXi
XXX
Now you will want to drop the bad guys back in the hole. Go to the top and,
once they're there, go down the ladder once.
Now you will want to release one enemy at a time. In the UR dig the 5 bricks
UL of the trapped enemy. Fall to the bottom and wait on the left. Let your
enemy follow you. Climb up the stairs. If he releases the gold, then climb a
bit further up and shake him by going to the right after climbing to the left
edge. Otherwise, repeat having him chase you to the right until he drops the
gold.
The trick with climbing to the top and then down a rung will work to re-trap
the enemy. You can repeat this with the final enemy only of course you don't
have to trap him. If you get in time trouble, just dig a hole for your enemy.
You should still get the 10000 bonus.
One thing to watch out for here though is that you may wind up losing time by
climbing to the top of the ladder--be sure to walk among the ladders until
you are at the top of where you want to be.
4-12. LEVEL 12
h -
h -
h - $$$XX$$$-
h - $$$XX$$$-
h $$$$$-*** *** $$$$$
h $$$$$-*** *** $$$$$
h XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
h XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
h
h
h
h
h
h
h
h
h
h
h
h
h
h
h
h
h $
h hp $
*XXXXX*XXXX**XXXX*XXXXX*
*XXXXX*XXXX**XXXX*XXXXX*
************************
This level is not conceptually difficult, but it can grind you down if you
don't pay attention. Basically you need to catch enemies as they take the
gold above and fall--dig two holes for each one that falls. The top right
gold are the trickiest as you need an enemy to regenerate in exactly the
right spot. Of course there are timing issues too--you may only need to dig
one hole, or enemies may fall too much down the left or right.
In general you want to keep in the center and, if there are too many enemies
on one side, hurriedly go there and dig and come back later. If you get
trapped on one side then you may not be able to back out of a mess. When
possible, run at a single enemy instead of away from him. A lot depends on
chance here but you should be able to win the level before the red timer. The
ladder to #13 appears up the left.
4-13. LEVEL 13
h
h
- h
- h
HXXXXXXXHXXH
HXXXXXXXHXXH
XXXXH H HXXXXXXXX
XXXXH H HXXXXXXXX
H - H H
H - H H
H HXXXXX H H X**XXXH
H HXXXXX H H X**XXXH
XXXXHXXX XXX HXX XXXXH
XXXXHXXX XXX HXX XXXXH
HXXXXXXXX XXX XXH
HXXXXXXXX XXX XXH
HXXXXXXXXvX -H
HXXXXXXXXvX -H
HXXXXX HXXXXXXX
HXXXXX HXXXXXXX
H XHXXXXXXX
H XHXXXXXXX
H XXXXXXXXXH*XXH$XX
H XXXXXXXXXH*XXH$XX
HXXXXXXHX HXXXXXXX
HXXXXXXHX HXXXXXXX
XH $X$ HX$ + H HX$XXX
XH $X$ HX$ + H HX$XXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
************************
Those spinning cubes chasing you are pretty cool. They might be cool to meet
up with if they didn't kill you on touch, and sadly there's nothing cool
about how they lump together in the left leaving you no recourse to the
bonus. Still you can marginalize them easily enough. Go left for a gold and
right and dig a hole. Then go up the ladder and dig left. Wait for the cube
to follow you, dig left and fall through. The cube will go off to the left
after it gets out of the hole. Now you have time to get some of the buried
gold.
H123XX
H654XX
H*87H$
HX9aXX
H Hb$X
Then for the UR,
1**34X
X2 X5XX
XX$ $XX
Fall left into the pit to get one gold--note the false bottom that forces you
to do it this way. You can then get one of the gold pieces in the DR.
12
XXH3
$ HX
Then clear off the top. Then for the suspended UL gold, dig over it to fall
and:
XX1$
X$23X
XX54XX
XXX6XXv
Go back to the top. Dig left as you head right and go down 1. Let the one
enemy fall in a hole, and the other two will stand there and get stuck.
That's your cue to motor down to the bottom, dig the DL square, get the gold
and run out. An enemy or two may come out to meet you, but he should be easy
to shake.
4-14. LEVEL 14
h
h~~~~~~~~~~~
h
H
- X XXH
- X XXH
HXXXX XXH X*X*X*X*X*
HXXXX XXH X*X*X*X*X*
HXXXX XXH $ $ $ $ $
HXXXX XXH $ $ $ $ $
HXXXX $ - XXHXvXvXvXvXvX
HXXXX $ - XXHXvXvXvXvXvX
HXX$XXXXXXXXH~~~~~~~~~~~
HXX$XXXXXXXXH
HXXXXXXXXXXXH
HXXXXXXXXXXXH
H + - H * * * *
H + - H * * * *
HXXXXXXXHXXXXXXHXXXXXXXX
HXXXXXXXHXXXXXXHXXXXXXXX
HXXXXXXXH XXXH XXXX
HXXXXXXXH XXXH XXXX
HXXXXXXXHXX$ XHXXXHX*XX
HXXXXXXXHXX$ XHXXXHX*XX
HX*XX$ H - H*X**
HX*XX$ H - H*X**
$ $ H*X**XXHXXXHXXX*
$ $ H*X**XXHXXXHXXX*
XXXXXXXXXX**X**H$ $H**XX
XXXXXXXXXX**X**H$ $H**XX
************************
If you see a cool trick at the beginning then this level is a breeze. Go left
and to the bottom of the ladder, so you're halfway off it, and everyone else
will go up. Wait for them to lump up there and then you can fall down. Go to
the right and once they've all fallen, go up the stairs and fall to the
right. You may need to stand at the second-bottom rung to stabilize the
enemies before you sweep across the bottom.
Now climb up the stairs and go across the lower rope. When you're over the
second-left cement brick and the enemies are on the rope, fall down. They'll
fall into the hole next to you. From the top rope, fall and dig down to get
each gold piece(over the false brick.)
Release the final enemy digging 2L, dropping down, etc. Drop him in the same
pit the others are in and go to the left edge. Again a sequence of 2-digs
should get you to the entombed gold. Take the ladder to the top.
4-15. LEVEL 15
h
h
- h
$- $ $ $ h
HXXXXXXXXvXXXXXXXXXXHXHX
HXXXXXXXXvXXXXXXXXXXHXHX
HXX - XHXHX
HXX $ -$ XHXHX
HXXHXXXvXXXXXvXXXXHXHXHX
HXXHXXXvXXXXXvXXXXHXHXHX
HXXHX XHXHXHX
HXXHX XHXHXHX
HXXHXHX - XHXHXHX
HXXHXHX$ - $XHXHXHX
HXXHXHXXvXXXXXXvXXHXHXHX
HXXHXHXXvXXXXXXvXXHXHXHX
HXXHXH HXHXHX
HXXHXH $ $ HXHXHX
HXXHXXXXXXvXXXXXvXXXHXHX
HXXHXXXXXXvXXXXXvXXXHXHX
HXXH HXHX
HXXH $ $ HXHX
HXXXvXXXXXXvXXXXXXXXXXHX
HXXXvXXXXXXvXXXXXXXXXXHX
H - + - HX
H - + - HX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
************************
This looks like an easy level until you notice the false bricks. You only
need a few trips back up to the top, though. Wait a bit, then dig left/right
and head left and dig to get by the next enemy. At the top, dig over the one
gold just below, then dig left and go down the stairs. Get the gold and dig
left and fall through.
Now you'll need to go to the right. Get the gold at the top. You will want to
dig over the ladder below and dig left as you climb down it. The enemies will
fall out of the central area when you have access to the one gold. Get that
gold, fall left through a false brick and fall right and left.
All gold pieces should be off the board or on an enemy, except maybe the top
center one. If the top center one is still there, then go back up and dig
your way through.
From here you need to either force enemies to the left or go to the UL and
then head right, falling through everything and suckering enough enemies to
the bottom. Then fall through so they are following you back up the ladder.
Which strategy you use depends on where the enemies fall.
4-16. LEVEL 16
h
h
~~~~~~~~~~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~h
- h
X$X H
X$X H
X$XXXXX$X H
X$XXXXX$X H
X$XXXX XXXX$X H
X$XXXX XXXX$X H
XX$XXXX XXXX$XXH
XX$XXXX XXXX$XXH
XXXX XXXXH
XXXX XXXXH
~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ ~ H
H
XX$X H H X$XXH
XX$X H H X$XXH
XXXXX$X X$XXXXXH
XXXXX$X X$XXXXXH
XXXX$X X$XXXX H
XXXX$X X$XXXX H
XXXX$XXXX H
XXXX$XXXX H
XXX H
XXX H
H
H
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
************************
Here you need to deal with enemies that are flashing even though they don't
cough up any gold. The first thing to do is to go right and up the ladder so
you are level with the 2nd-top hole. An enemy will fall in the 3rd-top hole
on the right, and that's good. Go to the top and now
X$1
XXX2$X
3XX
That clears out part of the left side, and now you can attack the bottom
right as follows: dig left over the top gold, then left over the next gold
down. Dig left over the enemy, go right, and go back left. Dig the two
squares right of the potted enemy. After they fall through, fall down and run
left and dig holes for them.
Now you have several things to do. You need to get the top of the UL gold
pieces the same way you got the one to the right. You also want to stand 1U1L
of the 2nd-left gold piece. An enemy will fall in that hole, and you can dig
left over him, then dig the two squares right of where he falls. Then after
running left, dig right, go right and dig left. He won't be able to see you,
so you can dig right from the left edge, drop in and dig left.
That leaves the DL to complete much as you complete the DR, but you may want
to clear the UR first. Dig right on top of your enemy, then dig the two
squares left of where he falls. You have lots of ways to re-trap him.
Once you've released all the enemies the ladder on the right will extend.
I've just missed the 3x bonus.
4-17. LEVEL 17
h
h
~~ h -
h -
H ******h ********H***
H ******h ********H***
H ~~~~~~~~~ H
H~~~~~~~~ H
H H
H H
- HX H
- HX H
H**************X ****H
H**************X ****H
H HH
H HH
H - * H
H - * H
***XX****H X**X***** H
***XX****H X**X***** H
H H
H H
+ H H
+ H H
H********* ****** H
H********* ******~~~~~H
H H
H
H -
H -
************************
With all that cement this looks like a tough level but the staggered rope in
the UL makes it much easier than it first appears. Immediately go R-U-L and
dig left. then go L-U-R-U and when you go left you'll fall a bit. This causes
monsters to your right to loop confusedly. At the top you can get the gold
piece and then you can fall down on the left hand side and go down the
ladder. Fall to the right and go into the left corner. The enemies won't
climb down the ladders to look for you--they'll fall to the right! So you can
just climb back up after everyone falls. Go right at the rope instead of
left.
Fall down, dig left and then head to the UR to get all the gold. Fall left
and go all the way left, up and right to the ladder to the next level. You
should get the 3x bonus, too.
4-18. LEVEL 18
h
h
h
h
H~~~HXXXXXXXX-X *
H HXXXXXXXX-X *
~~~~H X $ X X *
H X $ X X *
XH h X XXXX * X
XH h X XXXX * X
X*H h - X $ X *
X*H h - X $ X *
*XXH h $ X ~ * X
*XXH h $ X * X
*X*XH h~~~~X$ $X H
*X*XH h X$ $X H
XX****H XXXXXX H~
XX****H XXXXXX H
H XXXXXX H XXXX
H XXXXXX H XXXX
H XXXXXX H X$-
H XXXXXX H X$-
H XXXXXX H XXXH
H XXXXXX H XXXH
~~H H H
H H H
X H - H H
X H - H H
XXXX HXX XXXXXXXXH XXH
XXXX HXX XXXXXXXXH XXH
************************
The order in which you take care of business is most important here; there's
a good deal of repetition otherwise. Go right and down. When the enemy on the
left falls in to the gap with the gold, go up and right. Dig right and fall
in just as the enemy to the right is near to completing his climb. Fall right
and dig immediately. R-D-L and you should now dig out the one enemy who fell
into the pit. Get the gold in there and fall right. Then go left and dig
right to get the gold he has. Go across to the left. He'll fall back in his
area. Now you will want to dig the DL guy out of his hole and go to the UL.
Then go UR from there. Wait for him to get one square away and climb to the
top. Dig a hole and go back up to the right. If the guy follows you, dig to
the left while on the right edge and stand on him and dig left. Dig right
after getting the next gold. Your enemy will fall off to the right.
Now for the last bit. Dig the two squares left of the guy at the bottom(from
the left) and climb to the top. You can dig the leftmost square at the top to
trap him. Then fall left. Hang on the rope. He'll fall to the right, and you
can go left and climb up.
4-19. LEVEL 19
h
h
h $
h $
HX!X!X!H
$ HX!X!X!H
$ H H
~~~~ H*!***!**H H
H*!***!**H $ H
HHH ~H******H
HHH H******H
!X!XH X!X!X!X h H
!X!XH X!X!X!X h $ $ H
XXXXXH X*XXXXX h $ $ H
XXXXXH X*XXXXXH***!*XXH
XX$XXXH XXXXX*XH***!*XXH
XX$XXXH XXXXX*XH~ H
XXXXXXXHXX*XXXXH H
XXXXXXXHXX*XXXXH X!X! H
HXX$$$XXH X!X! H
HXX$$$XXH XXXX H
H!X!HXXXXXXXH XXXX H
H!X! XXXXXXXH X$$X H
HX$X~ $ H X$$X H
HX$X $ H XXXX H
HXXX !X!X!X!H XXXX H
HXXX !X!X!X!H H
H + H H
H + H H
H H H
************************
It looks so easy at first, but those little weird squares denote places where
enemies pop out if you dig them. Fortunately there is a maximum of five
monsters that can pop out, although these guys are pretty frisky and can
climb up stair gaps. So pick up the gold that's available, and in the DL, dig
the UR and U squares. When the enemy goes left and falls, run over him, fall
and dig left to get that first gold.
The secomd gold to get is in the DR. Make sure you've shaken the one enemy
and then dig the 3 left squares on the DR structure(run left to right) and
when the enemy gets up and falls, dig to get the gold-pair.
The next gold is tougher. You need to get to the UL and fall from the rope.
Then dig from left to right. Climb down the stair so that the enemies will
follow you to the bottom. Leave two digs behind and, in the UL, work as
follows:
123XH
45XXXH
X6$XXXH
XXXXXXXH
Now there is one more enemy to get to scrunch up. Dig him from wherever you'd
like, and then you can probably lead enemies to the UR and then run off to
the left and lose them above the UL gold as before. Then fall to the bottom
and they will follow. Climb back up when in the DL and they won't be able to
catch up with you. Dig onto the big square. Then dig as follows.
X1234
X567X
X89X*
X*aXX
X$$$X
Enemies may be tracking you down now but I think you should be able to go to
either corner, wait for them to go by, and go up the stairs.
4-20. LEVEL 20
h
h
h
h
XXXXXHXXXXXH H
XXXXXHXXXXXH H
X $XH $XXH**** HX XH
X $XH $XXH**** HX XH
XX XXH XX XHX$ ~HXX$X*H
XX XXH XX XHX$ HXX$X*H
XX XXH~$ XXHXX** H* v XH
XX XXH $ XXHXX** H* v XH
XX XXH X XXHX $ HX$ XH
XX XXH X XXHX $ HX$ XH
H $XH XX$XH***XHHX XH
H $XH XX$XH***XHHX XH
HXXXXHXXXXHH+ H - H
HXXXXHXXXXHH+ H - H
H~- ~H~- HXXXX*HX*X*XXH
H - H - HXXXX*HX*X*XXH
H XX H XX HX~ $XHX $XXH
H XX H XX HX $XHX $XXH
HX XHX $XHX **$HX XX XH
HX XHX $XHX **$HX XX XH
HX$ HX XH*~$ XHX XXH
HX$ HX XH* $ XHX XXH
HX $XHX$ XHX X XHX HXXXH
HX $XHX$ XHX X XHX HXXXH
H XX H XX HX XX$H*$HXX$H
H XX H XX HX XX$H*$HXX$H
************************
Clear out the E first, climbing the ladder and falling right. Then fall
through the center of the M and dig the UL and the square 1D1R from there.
You need to reverse your enemies now, so head to the right, wait for them to
get close, and climb and fall left when they're on the ladder. Go between the
R and E and go two levels up. The enemies will go up the ladder between the E
and M. Then go to the top. Dig over the top gold, fall, dig right, then 1L
dig-R R dig-R, get the gold, dig left.
From here you can dig to fall on the suspended gold and then dig left to get
between the C and O. Go to the top and dig left to fall on the gold in the I.
Get the gold below that. Your enemies should be on the right, so you can
clear out the C. Dig the top of the O, then go between the C and O, down a
bit so that the enemies can "see" you. Wait 'til they've all moved. Fall in.
Move right, dig left and go 2L-U and wait. If you did it right they'll all
fall in. If not you may have to use a similar method to trap the other guy in
the C.
In the lower R, dig to get one gold, then from the rope dig-R fall-R dig-R.
The P is the toughest letter.
X*8*12H
X $34H
X~9X 5H
X 67H
X HbaXH
*$Hdc$H
Wait a bit before digging 6 and 7. But everything else should be in the order
indicated. The only time-sensitive dig is A and if you dig right away you'll
get trapped before you can get to it.Go up the center ladder.
4-21. LEVEL 21
h
h
h
h
HHHHH h HHHHH
HHHHH h HHHHH
HHHXX$ h $XXHHH
HHHXX$ h $XXHHH
- HHHXX h XXHHH-
- HHHXX h XXHHH-
XX HHHXX$ h $XXHHH XX
XX HHHXX$ h $XXHHH XX
XXX HHHXX h XXHHH X$X
XXX HHHXX h XXHHH X$X
XX$X HHHXX$h $XXHHH XXXX
XX$X HHHXX$h $XXHHH XXXX
$XXX HHHXXh XXHHH XX$XX
$XXX HHHXXh XXHHH XX$XX
XX$X HHHXXXXHHH XXXXXX
XX$X HHHXXXXHHH XXXXXX
$XXXXXXXHHHHHHHH X X$XX
$XXXXXXXHHHHHHHH X X$XX
XX$X HHHHHH XXX XXXX
XX$X HHHHHH XXX XXXX
$XXXXXXXXXHHHH XH$XH$XX
$XXXXXXXXXHHHH XH$XH$XX
XX$X- HH XXXXXXXX
XX$X- HH XXXXXXXX
XX HXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XX HXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
************************
First thing to do is to get the gold out of the V. Go to the bottom of the
stairs and dig left. Then go up and left and dig left for another guy to fall
in. Race to the UL and fall right. Dig right. Climb to the bottom. The
enemies will come down again. When the one(s) on the right have fallen, go
UR.
Now you should be able to retreat to the DL and bag three with six digs. But
if they are on each side you may wish to pick them off one at a time--or
bring one into the upper corner and then go to the bottom and the left.
You'll rely somewhat on chance getting every one into the pit, but it'll
happen eventually, and it gets easier with fewer enemies, if more time
consuming.
X
1$
2XX
43$X
765XX
9H8$X
dcbHaXX
XH$XH$X
XXXXXXX
Dig as above, getting the gold when you can. The left side is a two-tiered
affair where you need to dig twice at the top, twice below that, and then
down the center all the way for the first time. The next time, your last dig
should be over the suspended gold. Now go to the UR and fall left to the 3rd-
bottom area. The enemies will fall left to try to get to you, and when
they're all in the air, make a run for it. You should be able to JUST cut in.
4-22. LEVEL 22
h h
h h
h + h
h + h
h -XXXX$ h
h - -XXXX$ h
h - XHXXXX$ h
h $HHHH XHXXXX$ h
h $HHHHHH XHHHXXX$h
h HHH HH XHHHXXX$h
h HHH HHHHH $HHH h
h ~~~H HHHHH $HHH h
h$ H $HHHX H$ h
h$H $HHHX H$ h
hHH $HXHHHX h
hHH $HXHHHX h
h HHH$ $ XXHHHXHH h
h HHH$ $ XXHHHXHH h
h HH $$ XXXXX HHH h
h HH $$ XXXXX HHH h
h$HH - HHXXHHHHXX HH h
h$HH - HHXXHHHHXX HH h
hHHH HHHHHXXHHHH $ $H h
hHHH HHHHHXXHHHH $ $H h
hHH HHHHHHHXXXHH~~HHHH h
hHH HHHHHHHXXXHH HHHH h
hHHHHHHH$$XXXXXX HHH h
hHHHHHHH$$XXXXXX HHH h
hHHHH HHHHHHX$ HH h
hHHHH HHHHHHX$ HH h
************************
A really maddening level. Wait at the top until the enemy is trapped on the
ladder just below you. Dig the 3 right squares and fall right to the bottom.
He will get trapped above and not run after you. Now you need to make it to
the left somehow.
This is accomplished by nipping left for gold and going back down, then
digging left and retreating, etc., until you are almost sick of it. Be sure
toy go down just as an enemy falls in the hole. Also, be sure to wait at the
ladder just to the right when enemies are at the left, and descend 2R2D of
there after potting an enemy. The enemies should be 4L of you before you dig,
which should give you enough time--if not, shuffle up nand down until they
are.
After clearing out all the gold--well, you can try to time things to dig 2L
but the surer way is to dig that same left square as beflre and then the one
below it. Climb up and fall left and hold left-down and run across the
bottom. This may leave a gold piece behind but your major concern should be
getting to the upper bit to unloose the UR guy. You can retreat left and fall
down and that'll leave the UR free once the enemy falls down. You can also
probably pick up the suspended gold on the left as you fall.
Next, you may have problems getting out of the mess in the center. You may
need to get everyone to chase you then. This will require baiting them a bit,
but once you have them chasing you, use the 2-wide to catch enemies and you
can probably pick up the gold they've hidden too. Remember you can always
escape by digging the one brick and the brick below, too.
4-23. LEVEL 23
h
h
- h +
- h +
XXXXXXHXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXHXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
H X $ X $ HXX$X
H X $ X $ HXX$X
H XXXXXXXXXXXXX
HXX-XXXXHXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
HXX-XXXXHX XH $ XHX X
HXXXXXXXH XH $ XHX X
HXXXXXXXH XXXXXXXXHX X
HXX$XX$XXXHXXXXXXXXHX X
HXX$XX$XXXH HX X
H X H- $ XHX X
H X H- $ XHX X
H HXXXXXHXXHX X
HXXXXXXXXXXHXXXXXHXXHX X
HXXXXXXXXXXH H HX X
H H H HX$X
H H H HX$X
H HXX$XXXXXHXXX
H HXX$XXXXXHXXX
HXXXXHXXXXXH XXXX H X
HXXXXHXXXXXH XXXX H X
HXXXXHXXXXXH XXXX$XXHX$X</pre><pre id="faqspan-2">
HXXXXHXXXXXH XXXX$XXHX$X
$XHXX$XXHXX$XXXXXXXXXXXX
$X XX$XX XX$XXXXXXXXXXXX
************************
This one isn't too tough to solve but getting the bonus requires a little
more trickery. And it will get you in time trouble too, probably. For the
first bit, dig as follows, getting all relevant gold pieces first:
321
H54
X76
XH8
XHX
At the top of the ladder, wait for the enemies to fall into a hole and then
continue digging to the right as you climb down. At the bottom, dig each side
so you can walk to get a gold piece, then get out. Climp U-L-U-L for a gold,
and go back to the top. There's a gold in a 3x1 compartment. Get that and dig
to get the gold in the compartment below. Dig left and fall twice again--make
sure you're on the left of the gold in the pit below. Dig right to get it,
and dig left to get out.
Now you have some tedious riffing on a theme. Let's take the DL of the bottom
golds.
123H
456H
H78$
Dig 1-2-3. Go to dig 4. Wait 4 seconds. Dig 4-5-6. Dig 1-2-3 right after and
then wait at 6. Dig 7-8 when 4-5-6 start to form. Then dig 4-5-6 again and
fall to get the gold. 7-8 will reform and you can walk over them and out.
Repeat this 6 squares left for the middle gold, and for the left gold, mirror
it, except make it shorter.
H21
H43
$5H
Dig 1-2, wait 4 seconds, dig 3-4, dig 1-2, wait for 3 to form and dig 5, then
dig 3-4 and get the gold and wait for 5 to re-form.
Over the suspended gold you can get, dig 2 at the top and 1 below to fall on
it. Now you can dig the 2 squares left of the enemies(as you head right) and
fall into the pit when one falls into the hole you made, then dig and fall on
the gold.
But you can also dig and wind up on the left. Climb down and go right. Dig
right, fall and go right. Wait by the stairs. When everyone's on the ground,
climb up. Dig to get into the pit above the gold and then fall in and dig.
Now you can shake the enemy for good by going left and 2D. They'll bunch up
right of the pit. Fall right. Right, then UL-wards gets you to level 24.
4-24. LEVEL 24
h
h
- h
~ - h
HHXXXXHHHHXXXXXHXXXX
H HHXXXXHHHHXXXXXHXXXX
HvXXHH X XH XH
HvXXHH X XH XH
HXXX H HXXXXXXXHXHXXXXXH
HXXX H HXXXXXXXHXHXXXXXH
HX$-X HX*X*XX$XXH$HXXXH$
HX$-X HX*X*XX$XXH$HXXXH$
HXXXXHXXX XXXXXXXHXHXHXX
HXXXXHXXX XXXXXXXHXHXHXX
H XH - H XH$
H XH - H XH$
HXXH HXXXXXHXXXX H HXH
HXXH HXXXXXHXXXX H HXH
HXXvH H $XH$HXXXH
HXXvH H $XH$HXXXH
HXX$XHXHXXXXXXXHXHXXXXXH
HXX$XHXHXXXXXXX XHXXXXXH
HXXvXX $H X$ HX H -X H
HXXvXX $H X$ HX H -X H
HXXvHXXXXHHXHHXXXXXXXHXX
HXXvHXXXXHHXHHXXXXXXXHXX
H H X
H H X
HHHXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
HHHXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
************************
My pattern here is to get the gold beneath the platform under the ladders and
then trap all the enemies there. So for the first bit, dig left to bag one
guy, then climb and dig left again. You don't need to leave any holes behind.
Fall in and dig 2-1 to get the entombed gold to the right. Then bring your
enemies all the way to the right and dig two holes. Run left over them and
leave a hole behind before you climb the stairs. Dig as follows:
1HHH
2
34XX
5*XX
$
Now you can trap your enemies. You will probably have to dig a few holes for
them first. But when they are trapped you can head to the UR and then down
the ladder there and anyone who reappears should be safely dug and trapped.
Once that's done pick off the gold on the right. You need to do this in two
steps unless your movement is exact. For the far right one, just dig once,
and then for the one DL of it, a 3-2-1 dig works. It's possible to pick them
both off but I don't recommend it.
Let's trap the final bad guy now. From the top ladder, dig-L D dig-L. Fall
left and dig left so that the bad guy can be released. Step right of the 2-
ladder and dig left. Then climb up and trap the bad guy as before.
Now back on the left you can release that final enemy(dig to his right) and
pot him the same way you did the others. Dig to get the gold he guarded, dig
right and then climb down the ladder and through the false brick below.
Circle around and dig 1U1R of the leftmost gold. Then get out of that mess
and into the final one.
1
3H
XX2HX
$ HX
Dig 1, circle around and dig 2, then dig 3. You should fall left(saves time)
to get the gold near the bottom, then climb up and go right and left for the
final gold. It's a pleasant little stroll back to the UR part of the level.
4-25. LEVEL 25
h h
h h
h + h
h + h
HXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXH
HXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXH
HXXXX$XXXXX$$XXXXX$XXXXH
HXXXX$XXXXX$$XXXXX$XXXXH
H XXXXXXXHXXXXHXXXXXXX H
H XXXXXXXHXXXXHXXXXXXX H
H HXX$XX$XXXX$XX$XXH H
H HXX$XX$XXXX$XX$XXH H
H HXXXXXXXXXXXXXXH H
H HXXXXXXXXXXXXXXH H
H HXXXXX$$$$XXXXXH H
H HXXXXX$$$$XXXXXH H
H XXXXXXXXXXXXXX H
H XXXXXXXXXXXXXX H
H XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX H
H XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX H
H X-XXX-XXXXXX-XXX-X H
H X-XXX-XXXXXX-XXX-X H
H XXX$XXX$XXXX$XXX$XXX H
H XXX$XXX$XXXX$XXX$XXX H
H H
H H
H H
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
************************
This is not such a bad level once you've figured out how to neutralize your
enemies once you've started to spring them. I'm going to go through how to
get the right side, and then I'll detail how to catch your enemies up long
enough. So, right edge:
XX1234
X$567X
X89aX
$bcH
deH
fgH
hi
jkX
Xl-X
X$XXX
Right inside:
X1234
X567X
X8H9X
Xa$bX
XXdcX
$$eXX
hgfXX
XjiXX
XXk-X
XX$XX
In each case, wait for the enemy to fall, then dig a hole for him. When the
other enemies come down, what you'll want to do is to move to the top, dig
holes for them on each side and then dig behind a couple times before you
quickly dig down one level where they can't really touch you when you
regenerate. Time is somewhat critical here as if you mess up once there may
be problems with it running out.
Also, there's a weird little guy in the DR that you can dig up. He leaves a
party hat behind if you dig him up. Not sure what to do about him.
4-26. LEVEL 26
h
h
h $ +
h $ +
X*X*X*X*H XXHXXXXXXXHX
X*X*X*X*H XXHXXXXXXXXXHX
- $ $ H$XXH X$HX H
- $ $ H$XXH X$HX H
XXXXHXXXXXXX*** ** H
XXXXHXXXXXXX*** ** H
XXXXH $$ XXH $ H
XXXXH $$ XXH $ H
HXXXXX X$ XHXXXXX
HXXXXX X$ XHXXXXX
HXXXXH $ XH XX HXX
HXXXXH $ XH XX HXX
H XXXHXXH*X****HXHXXX
H XXXHXXH*X****HXHXXX
H $ H XHX HX H $
H $ H XHX HX H $
HX XXHXX$$XHXXXXXX$XH***
HX XXHXX$$XHXXXXXX$XH***
HX$X H XXXX$HX $XXX
HX$X H XXXX$HX $XXX
HX X XXHXXX XXXXH XXHXXX
HX X XXHXXX XXXXH XXHXXX
HX X$ H -XHX HXX$
HX X$ H -XHX HXX$
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
************************
I wasn't always able to finagle the 10000 bonus in such cramped quarters, but
I still think this level is painless enough. Go left for one gold. Dig 2L and
3L of the right edge and get the gold. Then fall down to the right. Now
you'll need to dig above the gold to the left in the O, then dig right. Now
you have a big dig to get to the DR.
H1
H2
H3
H4
6 5H <-note: waiting here may stick the monsters
789 in big trouble and allow the 10k bonus.
XXHbaX
c Hed$
Then dig to the left to get to the new place. We'll assume the enemies are
trapped; if not, then just pot them and they'll appear in the UR.
For the gold on the left in midair, dig 1U1L of it, wait 3 seconds, then dig
below, below and below. Walk over the regenerated block to get the gold.
For the entrapped gold you can walk over from west of the O. Dig between the
two cement blocks, then just dig 1U1R and 1U2R of it, then dig below it.
Now you only have the gold with the trapped enemies. You can just kill them
and get on with it, but if you want to try for the 10000, then you can stand
on the ladder above them, dig left, fall down when they fall left, and
retreat down and right. Way at the edge, dig left twice. Don't waste any
time. Run left and work your way up. If you did things right the second guy
will get out and walk over a fully formed ex-pit.
4-27. LEVEL 27
h
h
h -
h -
XXXXXXXXH HXXXXHXXXXH
XXXXXXXXH HXXXXHXXXXH
HXXXXH X$ H X H
HXXXXH X$ H X H
- HXXXXXX + HXXXXXXXX H
- HXXXXXX + HXXXXXXXX H
XXH XX$XXXXXHX XHX H H
XXH XX$XXXXXHX XHX H H
H X*XX HX$X$ XXH H
H X*XX HX$X$ XXH H
XXXXH XXXXX-X XXXX H H
XXXXH XXXXX-X XXXX H H
X$XXH XXXXXHX H H
X$XXH XXXXXHX H H
XXXXHXHXXX$ HX X$XH
XXXXHXHXXX$ HX X$XH
HHX H H HX*** H
HHX H H HX*** H
XXXHXXXXXHXXHXXXXXX$ X H
XXXHXXXXXHXXHXXXXXX$ X H
HX H X XXXX H
HX H X XXXX H
$HX X XH$XHX $ X$ HX H
$HX X XH$XHX $ X$ HX H
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
************************
This is a nasty level and there are big problems with time that you probably
won't resolve at the first try. Many gold pieces take a while to get as you
have to wait for holes to fill up. The first thing to do is to pot your
enemies. Dig right and climb over the bad guy to the UR and down. When
parallel with the trapped enemy, wait. One guy will get suckered. The next
will be on a ladder just above another hole. Move down a square to trap him.
Things are a lot easier to analyze now.
2L and dig right and drop for one gold. At the top, fall to get the one gold
and dig the right brick, fall, and dig left. Fall and dig the two left
squares. Dig right as you go down the ladder. Fall right at the bottom and
then dig the two left squares in the improvised 3-wide. Get the gold and dig
your way out to the right.
For the UL gold,
12X
X3$
X*
Fall down the 3-ladder, 1R and dig right and left to get the golds at the
very bottom. Then dig the two squares right of the enemy. Climb down and
right and dig left. Trap him and go 1U2L of the 1-letter. Then dig right. 2R
fall 2R D and the enemy will fall back in the hole, sans gold piece. Then dig
as follows:
1H
2-3
45
$ HH6
XXXH
H
$HX$
Reach in and grab the gold, and repeat again, this time digging the enemy
out. Leave immediately and once he gets on the 3-ladder, climb back down to
the bottom so he falls in, and then re-dig in the DL to get that gold.
For the last part, dig as below. 3 releases the enemies and then you may want
to wait a second before digging 6 so you can dig 7 right afterwards.
H17
H4
H5$
X23-6
8
$
4-28. LEVEL 28
h +
h +
h * H X$ XXXXXXXH
h * H X$ XXXXXXXH
h *XX XHXXXXHXXXXXHXXXH
h *XX XHXXXXHXXXXXHXXXH
h *$ XX HX~ ~~ X-X$HX$*H
h *$ XX HX X-X$HX$*H
h*XXHXXHXX X X X XXX*XH
h*XXHXXHXX X X X XXX*XH
h* H XHX X$ X X X$**H
h* H XHX X$ X X X$**H
h*XXHX H X X XXv**H
h*XXHX H X X XXv**H
h*X$ -X H X XX X X H
h*X$ -X H X XX X X H
h*XX** HX X$ X H
h*XX** HX X$ X H
h *X X XH ~HX X XHXXH
h *X X XH HX X XHXXH
h * XXHX*XX X X XH XXH
h * XXHX*XX X X X XXH
h *$XXH X$ X XXXXXH
h *$XXH X$ X XXXXXH
h ******X**XX X $*XH
h ******X**XX X $*XH
h $ $ X XXXXXXH
h $ $ X XXXXXXH
************************
You need to use the trapped guy in the center to get one gold piece, and in
fact you have to cha cha on his head before--digging a hole and killing him.
Well, apparently they're the evil people, and so it's OK even if you didn't
have Subway for lunch.
First if you spent a bunch of time trying to figure out how to dig the bricks
above the UR gold, then you will be very annoyed to learn there is a false
brick under it and it's fairly straightforward to dig down(2 on top, then 1R
of the ladder, then down) to get that one as well as the encased gold below--
which is tough enough to get that it could/should have provided a hint.
Next you want to get the DR gold. Dig left of the 1-ladder, fall left, dig
left. Go down, wait 3 seconds, dig left and climb back up. Wait for the 2
bricks to re-form and dig them. Then dig the brick left of the gold, get the
gold and run out.
Now to deal with the entrapped fellow.
a
cb
d-
e X
After a, get the gold and fall on top of the fellow. Dig d. Then dig e while
on the rope. Wait for him to fall to the bottom before falling to get the
gold. Then dig left from the rope, drop, dig left and go left. Spin back
right and dig left in the corner. You may get the guy, but if not, you can go
2U and R and dig a bunch of holes for him there. Now dig the DL bit:
a
bc
$ de
Then dig for one more gold:
Xa
$ bX
Finally:
XHa
$ -b <-run left after digging
Go to the DR of your area and dig and then fall and go UL. I just squeezed in
the triple-bonus time here with relatively accurate play.
4-29. LEVEL 29
h
h
+ h ~ -
+ h -
*HXXXXXXX HXH HXXXX
*HXXXXXXX HXH HXXXX
*HX XH X H*H XHX$X $-
*HX XH X H*H XHX$X $-
*HX$ X$ X H *$XHXXX XXX
*HX$ X$ X H *$XHXXX XXX
*H XXXXXX H X$
*H XXXXXX H X$
*HX$HX $X H XX XXX
*HX$HX $X H XX XXX
*H******* H~~
*H******* H
H X$* XXXXX
H X$* XXXXX
~~HXX H* $ X
HXX H* $ X
XXXXXX**HX HX XH*X*X*HX
XXXXXX**HX HX XH*X*X*HX
H HXXH $HX
H HXXH $HX
$ $ XHX hH H**X**X
$ $ XHX hH H**X**X
- H HXXH*$hH H $
- H HXXH*$hH H $
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
************************
The first bit is counterintuitive as the most direct approach seems to fail.
Basically you need to note that climbing to the top of a ladder costs you
critical time. So you need to perform one dig you needed to do anyway, but a
bit early.
aXXXbcX
d fH X
e g$ X
XihXXX
j$Hk $X
Dig a. Wait 3 1/2 seconds when over c to dig b. Dig c. Fall left and dig d/e.
Run across the re-formed a and dig it. Fall on b to dig f/g and drop down on
the gold. Dig h and i from the left, fall left and dig j. Now dig d and fall
right. Dig k and walk in for the gold and go left. If you don't dig a you get
caught by j just as you leave. I know. I tried it several times, trying to
optimize my movement. I'd seen a similar puzzle in previous lode runners but
here how you move definitely affects the solution. Pretty cute.
With the UL done it's time to move to the DL. This is much easier and you
just need to dig the square in the UR of the structure then dig the triangle
below. Go down and wait for the enemy to come at you and then go back up
quickly(when he reaches the next ladder.) Then you can dig the UR square when
it pops up to release him, go left and dig, then dig behind you. Get the gold
inside. If he regenerates somewhere you don't like, go to the bottom(digging
that square again) and wait a bit, but not too long of course.
For the gold in the center, dig as follows:
~~
X
1X H
2$3H
XXH
For the UR gold, dig 1U2L, 1U1L, 1L and then walk in. WAit for things to heal
and then fall on the next gold. From there, dig right and fall and dig left
and fall. Dig left immediately and fall. You can probably dig right, fall
left and dig and then retreat into the DR corner. You'll need all the space
you can get, but once you've got it you have all the time you need.
4-30. LEVEL 30
h
h
h
h
HXXXXXXXXHXXXX$ h
HXXXXXXXXHXXXX$ h
X$X HHX XXXXX h
X$X HHX XXXXX h
HX$ X$XH H
HX$ X$XH H
HXXXXXXX*X****XXXXHX H
HXXXXXXX*X****XXXXHX H
H XXXX$X HXX$H
H XXXX$X HXX$H
XHHXXXXX + - XX H
XHHXXXXX + - XX H
$HH XXXXXXH HXXXXX H
$HH XXXXXXH HXXXXX H
HXX$XHX $XH H HX$X H
HXX$XHX $XH H HX$X H
X$XHXXXXXXXX* H X H
X$XHXXXXXXXX* H X H
$XXH HXXX XXX* H
$XXH HXXX XXX* H
*X H XX H X X H
*X H XX H X X H
$XXH - XXXX H X$X$X H
$XXH - XXXX H X$X$X H
HXX$XXX$XXXXXXHX X X XXH
HXX$XXX$XXXXXXHX X X XXH
************************
A worthy last level if a bit weird looking. Dig the two leftmost bricks and
then fall and dig left and right. Get the gold to the right then the left and
dig out to the left side. You should release the enemy at this point. He will
have fallen into a pit on the left hand side. Lead him up the left, dig a
hole for him and leave two behind. The enemy may be pesky but eventually you
can shunt him off to the right(you can actually proceed as if he weren't
there for the next part but it's a bit risky.) He'll fall in the hole the
other did and you will be on your way.
X 1H
2XH
*3 H
$45H
H67$
Dig 1-3. Wait for 1 to reform. Dig 4-5 and loop around and dig again. Dig 6
and 7. 4-5 should reform soon so dig those. Drop down to the bottom for the
gold and climb back up. 6-7 will reform before 4-5, and you can escape.
Now for the next part either the bad guy's on the right or you'll need to put
him there. If he's fallen in, your task's easy. If not, go to the top, wait
to fall right, and do so when he's close. Dig left at the edge. Fall right.
Wait a second. Dig left. Then dig right all the way down the ladder but don't
fall to get the gold yet. Wait for the enemy to get out of his hole, go left
and dig right and fall into the hole you made. Then quickly go back left and
down the stairs a rung and your enemy will fall into place.
This allows you to get a gold DL of you.
abcd H
$efghijH
And now here's a baffler. Digging right/left is different from left/right.
But first you dig the two squares right of the trapped monsters. Dig right
and left. Then dig left of the left monster and right of the right. Go up the
right ladder, fall to get the gold, and climb again to finish the deal.
This time when you run by the big beast it crumbles to pieces.
"CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE PASSED THROUGH 30 DANGEROUS PLACES. BUT THERE ARE
STILL OTHER ENEMIES ON THE WAY."
Oh great, reruns. Not so fun the second time through. Maybe they mean Lode
Runner III.
End of FAQ proper
================================
5. VERSIONS
1.0.1 sent to GameFAQs 8/6/2006, with maps, descriptions and high score list
fixed
1.0.0 sent to GameFAQs 6/19/2006, all levels done
0.2.0 sent to GameFAQs 6/1/2006, basic outline done with level maps
6. CREDITS
CJayC for having GameFAQs.
Hugh Ho for motivation to finish this guide.
For all the people I've gotten to know since the Apple version of this guide
came out. There are too many to list off the top of my head. Here's a partial
list: bloomer, Retro, falsehead, Snow Dragon, Masters, Sashanan, Brian
Sulpher, ZoopSoul, AdamL, War Doc(who sets the pace for arcade guides,)
lisanne and many others I'm sure.
