-----------------
S T I N G E R
-----------------
GAME: STINGER
PLATFORM: ARCADE
GENRE: SHOOT 'EM UP
CREATOR: SEIBU DENSHI Copyright 1983
AUTHOR OF THIS FAQ: erling1000
E-MAIL: erling1000(at)gmail(dot)com
FAQ VERSION: 1.00
_______________________________________________________________________________
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction
1.1 The Controls
1.2 Friends
1.3 Small Flying Enemies
1.4 Big Flying Enemies
1.5 Enemies On Platforms
1.6 Boss
1.7 Bonuses etc.
2. Walkthrough
2.1 Stage 1
2.2 Stage 2
2.3 Further stages
3. Conclusion
3.1 Legal Stuff
3.2 Version Information
3.3 Acknowledgements
3.4 Links
_______________________________________________________________________________
1. Introduction
================
Stinger is a horizontally scrolling shooter with a vertically oriented screen.
It's a 1- or 2-player (2-player game is alternating) arcade game.
The game features background music besides the sound effects - the music is a
bit hectic and looping - a bit like Spanish or Irish folk music, but very nice.
At Endbase the music becomes more like electronica drums.
You control a spaceship through space and along space stations. Your goal is to
shoot up as many enemies as possible, fuel energy and at the end: kill the
Boss. There's a lot of enemies and different types of enemies. Each with its
own behavior.
This FAQ covers how to deal with the enemies, how to fly safely through the
different areas and the rules of the game. Most of the names are my invention,
there are no names to be found (except Bongo and Sting Wolf), so things are
named as to what they look like, and the order of the list is like the order of
appearance in the game.
_______________________________________________________________________________
1.1 The Controls
=================
You control your spaceship (Sting Wolf), using the joystick. The game scrolls
and you fly through the areas, moving to your right. You fly through space,
bypassing space stations and along spaceports. You shoot your 2 lasers with
button 1 and release your power-item ("Bongo") with button 2. If you have 5
Bongos and a full tank of energy, your lasers will fire wide backfire as well
as forwards. Backfire can destroy enemies as well as bullets from enemies.
There's no auto fire, which means if you push and hold the fire button nothing
happens.
You will pass several landing platforms. These are different parts of the
gameplay, where you hover above the platforms, controlling your spaceship and
still scrolling. While hovering you can bomb enemies at the platform, aiming
with your crosshair and pushing button 1. You can also use your Bongo here,
pushing button 2. You can't hit flying enemies, when hovering.
_______________________________________________________________________________
1.2 Friends
============
Crab - 600 p
A yellow refuel-robot, with a pinging sound. When hovering above the
platforms you refuel your energy when touching the crab, but beware of
enemies on the platform - they harm both you and the Crab. The Crab can also
disappear when you scroll - or fall of the platform, if it turns to much to
the left. You must refuel 16+1 marks on the fuel meter: 13 yellow, 3 red,
and one more to get a Bongo - then the fuel meter resets to 0 and you get
600 p, and a small fanfare. Max. number of Bongos you can have is 5. If you
refuel more you will fill your tank double-up: 13 yellow+3 red, then
backwards: the 13 yellow ones becomes red, in all 29 blocks on the fuel
meter, and the fanfare sounds twice. Now you have backfire for a while.
It's impossible to say for how long - maybe until you die, maybe very short
time, maybe longer. Then the fuel meter resets to 13 yellow + 3 red, and you
have to refuel 13 blocks again, in order to regain backfire. Maybe it's an
error in the game - hard to say, as it's so random when it resets, sometimes
just as you have refueled. Sometimes an extra refuel when already full tank
gives a "blip", sometimes the single- or double-fanfare. Refuel every time
it's possible, even if full, is my best advice. You can't shoot or bomb the
Crab.
Bongo - power item
Bongo can be used as a weapon. When pushing button 2, it will fly around the
screen, killing enemies for some seconds, and then fly away. Only use Bongos
if in real hard danger, save them for backfire and Bonus instead.
_______________________________________________________________________________
1.3 Small Flying Enemies
=========================
Bullets - 160 p
Shots fired from different flying enemies. Can only be shot with backfire.
Flowers - 30 p
In flocks, slowly zigzagging towards you, rarely shooting.
Purple Clam UFOs - 30 p
Few, looping, hovers and fly away, regular shooting.
Purple Flashing Probes - 80 p
Few, fly horizontally, changes direction, often towards you, regular
shooting. There will be no more than 4 Purple Clam UFOs and Purple Flashing
Probes together.
Cubes - 50 p
6 at a time, Fly in horizontally formation from top right corner, expands
to the middle and fly away in bottom right corner. Rarely shooting. Or fly
in vertically formation from top right corner, expands to the middle and fly
away going up and left. Regular shooting at you when flying away.
Sinus Probes - 110 p
Fly to the left in sinus waves. Can lock on to you if they get too close,
changing color from white / yellow to white / red. Will hang on for some
seconds above or below. Often shooting, straight down.
Pearl Necklaces - 500 p
Fly in from the right, flying up and down at the right hand. Explodes when
shot and shoots up to 6 bullets at you, in fan shape. They can't fill up the
screen with bullets - max. number they can shoot together is 6, so shoot
them all together, then some of them won't shoot.
White Spinners - 100 p
Fly in small flocks, horizontally to the left. They shoot a lot, the bullets
fly straight to the left too. Beware of standing in their way, they can
shoot more often when coming closer to left side of the screen, because the
bullets disappear faster, at left side.
Red Hail - 50 p
Fly fast in flocks, directly in lines at you.
Silver Energy-bullets - 100 p
Birdbase cannons them at you in trajectory showers. Shoots only when you are
medium or close range from the Birdbase. Can be shot with laser or backfire.
Small Magnet-Eggs - 400 p
Few, fly homing at you, shoot them when their shields open. Shots reflected
from the shields can kill other enemies.
Grey Hedgehogs - 80 p
Fly diagonally in flocks to the left. Changes direction, crossing in before
you steeply up or down. Shoots a lot, bullets fly horizontally to the left
if fired at top of the screen, or diagonally down-left if fired at bottom of
the screen.
Pearl-missiles - 300 p
Fly in flocks, horizontally to the left, stops, fires a bullet and fly away
to the right (or through the screen to the left).
Atom-serpents - 300 p
6 in formation. Fly in from top left corner to the right, then down and out
at bottom right. Or from top or bottom right corner, flying up and down
once, then leaving from where they came in. Regular shooting, when flying
out. Because of them, Big UFOs and Guardians you should never be at top or
bottom left corners, if not necessary, as these airborne enemies can appear
from the left (Energy-bullets, that can be fired in many directions, also
can appear from behind).
Atoms - 200 p
Fly singularly in from the right, zigzagging horizontally and going
downwards. Shoot a lot: 2 shots at a time. The bullets fly to the left and
diagonally left-up.
Purple Energy-bullets - 50 p
Comes up the missile siloes at the Endbase after the missile has peaked up
(aiming at you?) Fly in straight lines at you. Can be shot with laser and
backfire. (The missiles that peak up aren't dangerous.) They can't aim in
all angles, meaning you can find blind spots at the end after shooting the
Guardians and the other flying enemies. Then you can leech points forever,
exploiting the error. It's not cheating, you follow the rules, but it's
regarded as poor sportsmanship! (If interested, se my screenshot of Blind
Spot uploaded to GameFAQ's)
Blue Runners - 80 p
Fly in flocks, fast, diagonally from bottom right to top left corners. They
shoot a lot, bullets flying diagonally down-left.
_______________________________________________________________________________
1.4 Big Flying Enemies
=======================
Big Magnet-egg - 2550 p
Appears from the right upper corner, stops, uses a tractor-beam to pull you
in, crushing you against it or at other flying enemies. Shoot it when the
shield opens. Shots reflected from the shields can kill other enemies. Don't
fight against the tractor-beam, you will crash into other enemies. Fly with
the beam (or faster than the beam) towards the egg, give a precise shot when
real close and the shield is open, stopping before crushing into the egg.
That way the danger is gone, fast. Start at a low position, trying to lure
enemies at you / away from the egg, before it starts pulling, giving you a
more secure route to the egg. When it pulls, fly up and right, passing real
close by in front of the egg and finish it off.
Big UFO - 2000 p
Appears at certain places (see walkthrough), sometimes a bit random if it
appears or not, but it seems like it only appears if you aren't at the top
part of the screen. It appears from left or right at the top of the screen,
horizontally. If from the left (not by platform), it moves fast through to
the right and you must hurry to shoot it. If from the right (by platforms),
it'll fly slowly in, pauses, shooting bullets in many directions, and even
releasing Small UFOs that lands onto the platforms. If you go for it, it
flees fast to the right. If not, it flyes slowly through to the left. If it
flees before it comes to center-position from the right, it might reappear
after a short while. It gives a sirene-sound while on screen.
Guardians - 200 p
6 of them appear when you arrive at the Boss. They fly in from left top and
bottom corners. Kill them quick, they have speed and changes direction fast.
_______________________________________________________________________________
1.5 Enemies On Platforms
=========================
Tower - 300 p
Lethal obstacles. Bomb them or fly along the platform, shooting them with
laser.
Small UFO - 80 p
Hovering / patrolling the platform, tries to kill you and the Crab. It might
take a while before it reacts, flying in straight lines, then changing
direction. They can be almost hidden, in right edge of screen, and still
kill off your crabs. Sometimes you can fly up in space / off the platform,
to gain speed and overtake it if it hides in the right edge. Bomb or shoot,
like against Towers.
_______________________________________________________________________________
1.6 Boss
=========
The Boss is a big Plasma ball, resting high on a big tower. When you reach the
Boss, the game stops scrolling and the 6 Guardians fly in from the left - 4
from above and 2 from below. Shoot the Guardians (the top 4 first, then you get
rid of them faster), minding the other enemies. Shoot the Boss many times,
until it changes color to dark red. Then it dies and the game slow motions,
flashing with red, the last enemies fly away / towards you and the bonus screen
comes up, before next stage starts. Note: You die by touching the Boss, but not
by touching the tower. When the Boss is dead you can touch it without dying.
_______________________________________________________________________________
1.7 Bonuses etc.
=================
Normal end-of-stage-bonus
10.000 p for completing stage
10.000 p for every Bongo you have
Max bonus is 60.000
Big end-of-stage-bonus
after every 2nd stage 8 Crabs crawls in on a black screen, dragging a golden
sign with your prize:
100.000 p and
one bonus life
Bonus-lives
You get bonus life at
20.000 p
50.000 p
and after every Big end-of-stage-bonus (every 2nd stage).
You start the game with 2 Bongos (and 3 lives).
Next stages with the number of Bongos you have at end-of-stage, meaning
backfire is easy to achieve yet again.
_______________________________________________________________________________
2. Walkthrough
===============
The walkthrough covering the areas will list what enemies you will encounter
there, and some strategies. After dying it you start off with flowers as 1st
enemy.
_______________________________________________________________________________
2.1 Stage 1
============
Before 1st platform
Enemies: Flowers, Purple Clam UFOs, Purple Flashing Probes, Big Magnet-Egg.
Strategy: Keep center-left, except against Big Magnet-Egg, see above.
1st Platform
Enemies: Towers, Small UFOs, Sinus Probes, Atom-serpents, Flowers, Cubes
Strategy: Generally on platforms: Land instead of flying. You'll be safe
from flying enemies and bullets there. Note: Sometimes there is an error in
the game and you WILL be hit by a bypassing enemy or bullet - this happens
rarely, but keep away from them anyway. Avoid enemies on platform. Best
position is at the top-center of the platform. Bomb Small UFOs and Towers.
If they are near the top of the platform, leave the platform and shoot them
with lasers instead, flying a bit above the platform, minding flying
enemies. Land on platform again. If you hear a Crab pinging, leave the
platform, gaining speed and fly to the Crab, touching down. If possible get
in front of Crab, halt and push it back ALMOST until left edge of screen
(leaving space to watch out for Small UFOs from the left). Let go and
scroll, still refueling. That way you save some platform space and might
find more Crabs (1st platform can give you 3 Bongos), and you have an
overview over enemies. Beware of UFOs from behind. If necessary push your
Crab in front of you instead, or move it around enemies, still refueling.
Remember the Crab also dies when touching UFOs, Towers or falling of the
platform. Don't fly all the way above / along the platform, as it seems
there are more Crabs if you land / hover instead of flying. When you reach
the end of the platform, the crab won't refuel anymore, but the enemies are
still deadly.
Before 2nd Platform
Enemies: Sinus Probes, Flowers, Purple Flashing Probes, Pearl Necklaces,
Purple Clam UFOs, White Spinners. Big UFO short before 2nd Platform, going
right.
Strategy: You pass Birdbase (space station shaped as a rooster) in long
range, it's not shooting. Keep center-left near next spaceport, ready to
shoot the Big UFO.
2nd Platform
Enemies: Towers, Small UFOs, White Spinners, Sinus Probes, Cubes.
Strategy: General platform strategy.
Before 3rd Platform
Enemies: White Spinners, Red Hail, Silver Energy-bullets, Purple Clam UFOs,
Cubes, Atom Serpents, Flowers, Big Magnet-egg, Small Magnet-eggs.
Strategy: You pass Birdbase in medium range, it shoots at you. Keep low and
left.
3rd Platform
Enemies: Towers, Small UFOs, Cubes, Sinus Probes.
Strategy: General platform strategy.
Before 4th Platform
Enemies: Flowers, Cubes, Sinus Probes, Grey Hedgehogs, Atoms, Silver Energy-
bullets, Pearl-missiles, Big UFO.
Strategy: You pass birdbase at close range. Big UFO appears from the left
just at Birdbase / before 4th platform. Stay center-left.
4th Platform
Enemies: Towers, Small UFOs, Pearl-missiles, Sinus Probes, Small
Magnet-eggs.
Strategy: General platform strategy.
Before Endbase
Enemies: White Spinners, Pearl-missiles, Red Hail, Atoms, Flowers
Strategy: Stay center-left or lower.
Endbase
Enemies: Purple Energy-bullets, Purple Flashing Probes, Flowers, Guardians,
Boss
Strategy: Be awake, move around, making it difficult to aim at you, shooting
all the time. Don't try shoot all Energy-bullets, but kill of enemies
standing in your way. When you reach the Boss, stay center-left. Kill
Guardians first, starting with the top 4 and then bottom 2. Be awake, Kill
other enemies and some Energy-bullets, but focus on shooting the Boss
quickly in showers, then dodging / shooting Bullets. Remember you die by
touching the Boss if it isn't dead yet. And that you must dodge or shoot
final Bullets in slow motion.
_______________________________________________________________________________
2.1 Stage 2
============
Before 1st platform
Enemies: Grey Hedgehogs, Blue Runners, Red Hail, White Spinners, Flowers,
Pearl Necklaces.
Strategy: Stay center-left or lower.
1st Platform
Enemies: Towers, Small UFOs, White Spinners, 2x Big UFO.
Strategy: General platform strategy. Stay alert and be quick to kill the Big
UFOs, when it's in top-center. Dodging all the Bullets.
Before 2nd Platform
Enemies: White Spinners, Pearl-missiles, Blue Runners, Big Magnet-egg,
Atoms.
Strategy: Stay center-left or lower. And Big Magnet-egg-strategy.
2nd Platform
Enemies: Towers, Small UFOs, Flowers, Pearl-missiles, 2x Big UFO.
Strategy: Like 1st platform, Stage 2.
Before 3rd Platform
Enemies: Blue Runners, Pearl-missiles, Silver Energy-bullets, Flowers, Red
Hail, Purple Clam UFOs, Sinus Probes, Pearl Necklaces, Small Magnet-eggs,
Cubes, Atom-serpents, Big Magnet-egg.
Strategy: Birdbase at medium range. Keep low and left. Big Egg-strategy.
3rd Platform
Enemies: Towers, Small UFOs, Pearl-missiles, Red Hail, up to 3x big UFO.
Strategy: Like 1st platform, Stage 2.
Before 4th Platform
Enemies: Flowers, Sinus Probes, Small Magnet-eggs, Silver Energy-bullets,
Pearl-missiles, Purple Flashing Probes, Grey Hedgehogs, Atom-serpents,
Atoms, Red Hail
Strategy: You pass Birdbase at close range. Stay low-left.
4th Platform
Enemies: Towers, Small UFOs, White Spinners, Pearl Necklaces, 1x Big UFO.
Strategy: Like 1st platform, Stage 2.
Before Endbase
Enemies: Pearl Necklaces, Pearl-missiles, Grey Hedgehogs, Blue Runners,
Sinus Probes.
Strategy: Stay left-center or low.
Endbase
Enemies: Purple Energy-bullets, Atoms, Cubes, Guardians, Boss.
Strategy: Like Endbase, 1st Stage. Beware of Atom-serpents from behind.
_______________________________________________________________________________
2.3 Further stages
==================
By now you have encountered all the different enemies, so now it's the
combination of enemies that makes it harder. It seems the pattern with the Big
UFOs repeat them selves from Stage 2 and on. The small enemies come rushing at
you. Be one step ahead of them all the time. Note that the Big Magnet-egg
appears other places, also by the landing platforms, which means you will be
pulled off the platform.
_______________________________________________________________________________
3 Conclusion
=============
When this came to the arcades it wasn't very popular. Not like Xevious (January
1983 by Namco) or other popular shooters. As I recall most people gave up on
it, because it was to hard to get past the Big Magnet-egg, so they were killed
off early in the game every time. And not many did get past Endbase at Stage 1.
Then they saved their coins for other arcade machines.
But if you take your time and learn the strategies, Stinger is an exciting,
fun, challenging and fast game.
Although there are some errors in the game, as mentioned, SEIBU DENSHI did a
good job on Stinger, especially when you consider, it's their 1. videogame.
If you want to try the game, I'll have to say it's almost impossible, unless
you buy the arcade machine (Stinger is very rare) or use an emulator like MAME
(see Links).
Please e-mail me if you have input or questions regarding this FAQ.
_______________________________________________________________________________
3.1 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 site or as part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and a
violation of copyright. All content in this guide is
Copyright 2013 by Erling Rohard / erling1000.
Only the sites listed below have permission to
publish this work or to display it:
www.gamefaqs.com
If you wish to put this guide on your site, e-mail me and ask. 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.
_______________________________________________________________________________
3.2 Version information
========================
Version 1.00 Nov. 27th 2013: 1st GameFAQ by erling1000.
_______________________________________________________________________________
3.3 Acknowledgements
======================
Kevin Butler AKA War Doc (author of the GameFAQ for the arcade game Scramble
and many others) - thanks for inspiration for the setup / layout of this FAQ,
as it's my first one.
Wikipedia's article on Stinger, for some info about the creators of Stinger and
trivia about the game, although I know it very well from back in 1983 and the
following years of arcade-gaming.
SEIBU DENSHI for making a great arcade game
GameFAQ's for putting up this FAQ
_______________________________________________________________________________
3.4 Links
==========
Wikipedia article on Stinger:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stinger_(arcade_game)
Killer List Of Videogames' info about: Stinger
http://www.klov.net/game_detail.php?game_id=9788
A huge portal for MAME emulator-stuff:
http://mameworld.info/
