Legality:
This Guide is Copyright, 2005, Matthew McIntyre
This guide may not be used on a website or in any public forum
where it is protected by copyright without the consent of the author.
To contact me: entropiclobo(at)yahoo(dot)ca or chaos(dot)wolf(at)gmail(dot)com
Websites with permission to use this Guide:
www.GameFAQS.com
www.neoseeker.com
faqs.IGN.com
www.1up.com
www.honestgamers.com
MagMax is copyright Nihon Bussan.
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Table of Contents
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*How to use Table of Contents:
Bring up your search box (Control key + F), then type the code given beside
the listed section into the search box. Searching for the term will jump you
to the appropriate section.
The NES, a system ripe with games similar to MagMax. Games that can be used in
quick and dirty gameplay sessions, and even the shootemup category to begin
with. While the NES has had quite a few games in this vein, many carry a feel
all their own. LifeForce was a true classic, Gyruss had an interesting view
and great gameplay, while Captain Skyhawk is more typical the challenge more
than makes up for it. Of course, most of these games had a run in the arcades
first, resulting in the NES getting stripped down versions. Though they still
had their charm.
MagMax maybe suffered a bit in it's conversion to the NES. It's not a great
game particularly, but it's not downright bad either. I must respect the bit
of variety the game throws at you in the sense of gameplay however. The actual
playing field is pretty cool, and you get to drive a robot eventually. So, the
game interests me. Not to mention I can remember Babylon leering at me from
the pages of Nintendo Power in my youth, and I always thought he was a crude
rip on one of my favourite monsters in Godzilla films, King Ghidora. So I
guess my little grudge is making me visit this game for FAQ purposes as well.
Interest and intrigue, surely that's a good combination?
The point is, I'm giving the game a chance. It deserves something written about
it, even solely on the virtue that it's recreation for me. I don't anticipate
many people will read this, afterall how many people have read my material on
Exerion? That's not why I write the guides I do, MagMax is a fairly fun game,
and thus a guide will be a fun endeavour as well.
Oh, and if you're looking for Mad Max, I'd have hope you've realized you're
in the wrong area by now!
===/===/===
MagMax Story (MMI1)
===/===/===
(From the Manual)
A highly civilized group of aliens has conquered earth and put the human
beings under the control of the Computer Babylon which has begun to kill the
human beings. In order to stop the aliens, the people developed a transformable
mechanical robot named MagMax. They also chose a brave man for their rescue.
The brave man is about to depart to the ultimate battle with the aliens in
order to save the human race.
MagMax is an action game fought with a transforming robot. The player can
transform himself into a robot, increasing his power as he builds the robot to
fight more than 30 different enemies. Now get ready for the ultimate battle
against the gigantic mechanical monster Babylon.
A and B buttons: Shoot
Control Pad: Move the MagMax
Start: Pause the game
MagMax plays a little differently than the standard shootemup. For one, you'll
notice that the MagMax moves pretty slowly. This isn't a problem because few
enemies are very vicious. However, the screen can get cluttered.
===/===/===
Screen (MMG1)
===/===/===
In the top left corner of the screen is a flashing text "1up," below this is
the score. In a two-player game, 2up will be displayed in the top-right corner
and the second player's score beneath this.
Note that your lives are not visible onscreen. You can see them if
you die and when you start. As the game starts, the following will be on
display:
X
PLAYER
Y
MAGMAX
LEFT
X represents which player, and Y the amount of MagMax remaining (ie: 1 PLAYER
2 MAGMAX LEFT)
Pausing the game will make any sprites vanish and the word "pause" appears in
the middle of the screen.
The actual gameplay screen and kind of scroll up and down slightly. You can
see the top of the below areas from above, and the bottom of the above areas
from below. Pretty cool.
===/===/===
Why Score? (MMG2)
===/===/===
Right, so teh game keeps track of a score. What's the point? Well, besides the
right to brag, a prize in itself, you also gain extra lives for gaining high
scores.
You start with "2 MAGMAX LEFT," 3 lives. That's pretty standard and there are
no continues. So earn those lives!
You will gain your first life at 30000 points.
+1 life at 30000
+1 life at 80000
+1 life at 130000
+1 life at 180000
+1 life at 230000
Get it? After the first 30000 extra player, you will earn one new one every
50000.
The enemies don't give many points? There are plenty, especially below, and
Babylon gives 5000 points + the points you earn fighting him. Points aren't
too hard to come by in this game.
===/===/===
Parts (MMG3)
===/===/===
The main factor that makes MagMax somewhat easier than other shootemups,
however, is the fact that you can constantly build your player up. Proceeding
through the game, you will encounter various pieces that look like robot
components.
These are:
***A torso with a head and arms. (Head)
***A gun which is blue. (Wave Beam Gun)
***Legs with a platform on top.
These cannot be destroyed by your fire. Rather, you may drive over them,
causing the MagMax to upgrade right then and there. You need to get the torso
in order to use the gun. The gun will have different features based on which
mode you are playing in (explained shortly). The legs are next. The legs and
torso add one hit extra to you, meaning when you are hit one of these
components will be destroyed. The torso and gun will be destroyed together.
Legs can be added before torso and vice versa.
How does this make the game much easier than it could have been? Well, once
you lose a part you just have to hold out for a little while until another
comes along. So essentially the game will involve shooting enemies, avoiding
obstacles, and gaining parts.
Also note that when attaching a part, you can bypass enemies. It's not much,
but use everything you've got!
Indeed use this feature of the game, or don't use it if you want a harder
experience. I've actually seen this mechanic listed as a "cheat" on some sites.
A final note on parts, as a MagMax try walking over parts you already have,
they will become a bouncing energy sphere which can be destroyed for 1000 pts.
===/===/===
Above (MMG4)
===/===/===
You'll begin playing above ground. You'll notice that your MagMax hovers a bit
above the surface. Enemies will skim the ground and fly in and such. They will
more or less fly in to attack you and either persist on the screen or fly off
following attack. The enemies have fairly preictable patterns here, but there
are many turrets and bunkers on the ground to slow you down. You'll need the
gun part to destroy them.
MagMax is most vulnerable at the base of the vehicle - that is where the
shadow is. The full robot towers over the level and seems vulnerable, but
again I'd concentrate mostly on moving the shadow.
When you have only the torso and gun, the gun will constantly fire forwards,
like a laser blade of sorts. Ram this into enemies and structures to damage
them.
As a full MagMax, the gun's laser stream will fire down on a diagonal. It's
not as effective but it serves the same purpose more or less. Your legs will
always be destroyed first in the above-ground game.
===/===/===
Below (MMG5)
===/===/===
You can travel underground via the large black ovals on the playing field.
Consequently, you take the same structures abck to the surface though they can
be on the ground or in the ceiling. (The holes are known as Warp Halls)
Enemeis are much more random and much more frequent down here, and generally
the obstacles are more menacing.
The MagMax does not fire a constant stream from the gun in this mode, instead
it launches a fireball in place of normal fire. It seems to travel through
multiple enemies and is the only weapon which can destroy Gaus.
As a MagMax with torso and legs, your shots will be more spread out - that is
you'll shoot high, medium, and low shots from your upper torso, middle, and
legs. However, to compensate you're also a much bigger target. The enemies are
not limited to merely where your shadow falls in this mode but can hit any
part of you. So the legs won't always be the first to go.
===/===/===
Two-Player (MMG6)
===/===/===
MagMax has a two-player mode. It is the typical two player alternating mode.
This is kind of sad because the game could benefit from simulataneous action,
but this isn't NARC and no one had the guts until then. Erm, that is maybe the
game would have too much flicker or slowdown. Not likely, but the two-player
mode is just a competition for points. Having a game each at the one-player
game seems like a better alternative imo.
MagMax is almost two games in one - but not quite. You can travel above and
below ground via large grey ovals in the ground or ceiling, depending on which
strata you currently occupy. MagMax has no end - there is no need to ever
switch game modes.
This section breifly explains level progression and the obstacles therein. To
find out which enemies are in each section, see the Enemies section below.
===/===/===
Above (MML1)
===/===/===
The above levels are pretty mundane, they only serve as a means to change the
enemy stock every once in a while. The changes between levels are smooth and
they are really just sections of the game and aren't discretely broken into
levels at all. But I digress, it is easy enough to treat them as such because
there is some enemy turnover, and establishing the terms I use will be helpful
in understanding the Enemies section.
Level 1: Forest
The first section is a an area with patches of green and brown that could be
equated with grass and possibly roads. The green could also be patches of
trees. It's not resolute enough to say for sure.
There is a sense of organic in it.
Fitting - the game will get less and less organic as it proceeds.
Level 2: Desert
A pretty barren and dull area, mostly dirt and rock. At the end of this level
you will fight Babylon.
Level 3: Ocean
An area over water, semi interesting how the coast of the desert leads into
this area.
Level 4: Automated City
Totally inorganic area marking the dire conclusion of the game. I like the
design of its coast and it is probably the better looking area in the game.
Babylon waits at the end.
The game will then return to area 1 and some late renemies will greet you, but
this is mostly transitory and the game will loop.
===/===/===
Below (MML2)
===/===/===
The areas below ground are much more detailed, yet contain much more danger.
The environment is also used as a means of deterring the MagMax.
Level 1 and 2: Cave
A detailed cave with discernable rocks in the background. Note that while the
level has many stalactites and stalagmites, the lighter ones will not harm you
as theya re decoration. The darker brown rock icicles will harm you, however.
This level strecthes over the forest and desert areas, and you will face
Babylon at the end of the caves.
Level 3: Underwater
A very dangerous area, basically underwater. There are water currents that can
severely mess you up. Combined with the unpredictable snakes called Sneaky and
generally difficult enemies to begin with, this is the hardest area in the
game.
Level 4: Beneath the Automated City
Similar to the other Automated City in overall style. The enemies here get
very thick. You will fight Babylon at the end of this level, and the game will
loop after this.
As with any shootemup, MagMax throws a wide variety of enemies at your player
with malicious intent (as if there were any other kind). The enemies vary in
function and ferocity, those above ground seem far less hostile than those
beneath. Surely, if you want a greater challenge then dive into the abyss.
Point values are given though they could be wrong in some cases.
Two items of note: Though I list the enemies under certain headings for the
sake of simplicity, they can appear at any point during the game - this is for
my benefit in keeping them ordered. Next, the MagMax manual has enemy names.
I've tried my best to match enemies with the pictures in the manual. There may
be some error, so please correct me if I'm wrong.
*****Enemy Key*****
*Classification: I give the enemy a class or one-word description.
+Point total
Manual Name: The name given in the manual.
Description: Description of the enemy
*******************
===/===/===
Above (MME1)
===/===/===
***Forest
*Bunker 1:
+100 points
Manual name: Investigation Fortress: Rick
A bunker shaped somewhat like a bottle, with orbs around the top. It's likely
the first enemy you will see. It does nothing to attack, you may just shoot
and destroy.
*Bunker 2:
+100 points
Manual name: Motionless Obstacle: Pot
Smaller than Bunker 1 but also invulnerable to your normal shots. The bunker
is small and grey, shaped somewhat like a rock. You need the gun upgrade to
destroy it. It is nonoffensive.
*Volcano
+300 points
Manual name: Missile Fortress: Gilburn
A stationary enemy not unlike the bunkers, but it will open and close to fire
a shot at the MagMax. It is relatively easy to destroy, as at this point there
is not a whole lot of intervention from other enemies. They appear as red
craters.
*Saucer 1
Manual name: High-Speed Airport: Machinery
+200 points
It appears as rotating blades suspended on a disc. It will travel to the far
left of the screen, shoot, and retreat back off to the right. Be careful not
to be kept at bay by this enemy, shoot them before they reach the side of the
screen if possible.
*Saucer 2 (Drill)
Manual name: Heavy Mobility Mechanism: Revolver
+300 points
A rather frequent topside enemy, this appears as a large drill on top of a
disc. It will move towards the left side of the screen, and may take a sudden
diagonal movement. When it does this, three fireballs will be launched forward
with the outside two spreading out. A dangerous attack, yes, but it can be
easily avoided.
*Balloon
+300 points
Manual name: Multi headed Cannonball
A red orb with a star in the middle, relatively nonthreatening. Yet, it is
great for the points. Shooting it will cause it to burst releasing six black
orbs. If these orbs hit another enemy, you will get an additional 1000 points
for each enemy hit.
***Desert
*Mole 1
+300 points
Manual name: Mobile Underground Fortress: Liser
Not a mole in the sense that it looks like an animal, becauseit is rathr like
a building instead. This will peek out of the ground and shoot at you, then it
will retreat. Take note that you can destroy it while it is underground. Easy.
*Saucer 3
+200 points
Manual name: Flying Offensive Pot: Oja
A large, pulsating disc. It will float around the screen and shoot. It is a
persistent enemy, so dispatch it quickly.
***Ocean
*Bunker 3
+100 points
Manual name: Marine Investigation Base: Gippo
A large, somewhat pyramidal bunker. It is the same as Bunker 2.
*Mole 2 (Submarine)
+300 points
Manual name: Mobile Cannon: Sathern
The same attack pattern as Mole 2. Dispatch it quickly before it can hinder
your progress.
*Saucer 4
+300 points
Manual name: High-Speed Marine Boat: Jetler
A more erratic saucer enemy, it will fly around the screen and shoot. It is
quicker than Saucer 3 and is thus a larger threat. Handle accordingly. It
looks like a disc turned to the side rotating.
***Automated City
*Walker
+200 points
Manual name: Two-Legged Walking Pot: Eaglam
A robot or mech enemy, with legs and arms. It walks in, while taking diagonal
steps at time to shoot. It may shoot multiple times before it leaves. Take
care not to allow too many on the screen at once.
*Saucer 5 (Porcupine)
+300 points
Manual name: Investigation Mecha: Bigg
A dangerous enemy, they will again loop around and shoot. They often arrive in
formation as well, meaning you will need to contend with multiple at a time.
I have had the pleasure of having a few onscreen during the second Babylon
fight - don't let that happen to you, take them out quickly. They appear as
white objects. First smooth, they will pulsate to become spikey and back to
smooth. Weird, but rather cool.
*Bunker 4
+100 points
*Saucer 6 (Blade)
+300 points
Manual name: Floating Observation Radar: Balvara
It kind of looks like a ceiling fan. It will travel on a diagonal down, taking
shots at the MagMax along the way. Not too much of a problem, but more of a
threat when other enemies occupy the screen.
===/===/===
Below (MME2)
===/===/===
NOTE: You will see that the enemies beneath the ground have on average a lower
value than those above, yet are more threatening. Why? Well, there are a lot
more enemies down here, meaning you'll be destroying more. It's a compensation
but on average if you can survive down below you'll be getting more points.
***Cave
*Umbrella
+100 points
Manual name: Underwater Disc Boat: Dromae
An enemy that looks much like an umbrella. These appear in large groups, take
them out quickly. They do not shoot, rather they fly at a diagonal when they
reach a portion of the screen. You can avoid the entire group by moving to the
right of them.
*Rotate
+200 points
Manual name: Transformable Floating Body: Combatler
An odd enemy that appears to be some kind of rotating rectangle... They are
very persistent enemyes and will fly around the screen for an extended time.
A simple mechanism, but often troublesome. If you look closely, it is actually
an orb, though it is swinging so fast that it looks rectabgular. But I
digress...
*Volcano (Large)
Manual name: Underground (underwater) volcano
A more classical styled volcano, it is more an obstacle than enemy. It will
launch a tower of lava into the air. In the Cave, you can clearly see a dark
rectangle which outlines the extent of the lava. In other words, it is very
easy to avoid. Later, when the volaconoes don't have this rectangle near them,
you should be familiar with the extent of the lava because the volcanoes occur
through the entire Cave area, and the cave spans the grass and desert areas of
the surface.
*Stalactite
+100 points
Manual name: Rock Icicle
A common obstacle in the cave is the dark brown stalactites. Shooting one will
cause it to drop. Any enemies it punctures will land you an extra 1000 pts.
*Bird
+100 points
Manual name: Winged Mobile Armor: Speeder
These simple enemies, which look like aircraft with birdlike wings, fly in and
shoot. they have a bit of diagonal movement but they are mostly lateral.
*Diamond
+100 points
Manual name: Underground Submarine: Mangler
A simple enemy that will fly in and shoot. Again, don't let them crowd you. It
can be somewhat persistent. Looks like a pulsing diamond.
*Flipper
+100 points
Manual name: Underground High-Speed Boat Challenger
A fairly erratic enemy, it will move randomly around the screen. It kind of
looks like a square with protrusions at each corner. IT flips towards the
screen. TAke these out with priority because they will linger.
*Orb
+100 points
Manual name: Underwater Investigation Boat: Bagos
Quite similar to Mangler in attack pattern. They like to appear in groups,
stop at the same time, and unload their shots. Bagos will depart from the
screen after firing. It apears as a cross with wedges in each angle, giving it
a circular appearance.
*Claw
+200 points
Manual name: Heavy Mobile Mechanism: Bazarmi
They often appear in droves. They will fly towards you after some time, so try
to stay to their right. They appear as four sickles protruding from some
centre point.
***Ocean
*Drill
+100 points
Manual name: Heavy Mobile Mechanism: Dahl
These will dire, dodge, and then continue moving. They look somewhat like a
drill, missile, or fish. Whatever you prefer really. While not an incredible
threat alone, they can become dangerous.
*Snake
+300 points
Manual name: Heavy Mobile Mechanism: Sneaky
One of the most dangerous enemies, it will swoop in and fire three shots. The
outernmost shots will spread out. It seems to swoop in from below you. It can
persist on the screen loopin for a bit of time. You want to take it out ASAP.
It appears as an upright snake.
*Current
Manual name: Underwater currents.
Huge threat underwater, try to avoid it at all costs. Flying through a current
will cause the MagMax to rock up and down, travel straight ahead, and prevent
your from shooting.
***Automated City
*Jumper
+300 points
Manual name: Two-Legged Hopping Pot: Hopper
This enemy can be tricky in groups. It hops along firing a horizontal shot.
The shot will start slow but accelerate quickly. They're fairly simple to
defeat. Just move out of the way when you see a shot appear onscreen.
*Flap
+100 points
Manual name: Flying Boat: Wing Balliber
These draw somewhat random arcs, shooting at you as they go. They look odd,
small and constantly spinning. Sort of looks like flapping of wings.
*Orb 2
+200 points
Manual name: Life Body: Huma
Yet another enemy that loops around teh screen firing. It looks like a core
enclosed in a cage of sorts. It's size makes it easier to destory than some,
but the numbers it appears in make matters worse. It will often appear on the
screen in lines at the top and bottom of the screen.
*Dropper
+I'm not sure of the point value, due to certain circumstances I could not get
this value. They were in a row and when they weren't I lacked the wave beam
gun.
Manual name: Mobile Base: Gaus
This enemy is just an underground bunker, with a twist. They line the floor
and ceiling of the undergroung automated city. When MagMax approaches, they
will launch vertically. Not a threatening attack, but they are numerous and
can only be destroyed by the wave beam gun.
*Orb 3
+200 points
Manual name: Investigation Boat: Beacon
They will curve onto the screen shooting. When they appear in formations, they
will draw an S on the screen. Sort of an orb with partial rings on either
side.
===/===/===
Babylon (MME3)
===/===/===
Manual name: Gigantic Mechanical Monster Babylon
You'll face this mechanical terror, the game's one boss, twice in one loop.
However it is not very adept at MagMax killing and it isn't even necessary. If
you think the fight isn't worth it you can just not fight Babylon - after a
bit of time the screen scrolls on. You just won't get any points or lovely
satisfaction - but hey, that's your choice to live with.
Babylon is a large, mechanical, three headed dragon. It is stationary and can
fire shots at you with moderate speed. The rearmost head does not move, but the
other two jig back and forth. Because the monstrosity is stationary, you can
hang back at the side of the screen.
**Babylon: Above Ground
If you do decide to face Babylon, it won't be too difficult. It is easy to
weave between the shots and pelt his multitude of chops with your own fire. I
tend to stay on level with his heads, but if that is too close for you then
strafe the body. Don't try to get up close, you'll only get damaged.
**Babylon: Below Ground
Still not much of a threat, but he is dangerous to a full MagMax in that you
are such a big target. Wail away with what you've got and if he reduces you to
your starting mode, fight him as per the surface Babylon.
***BAbylon on concurrent loops?
Well, it seems to fire faster but it is not really different.
:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:..:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.
Section 5: Codes and Secrets (MMS)
`:`:`:`:`:`:`:`:`:`:`:`:`:`:`:`:`:`:`:`:`:`:`:`:`:`:`:`:`:`:`:`:`:`:`:`:`:`:`:
The only secret I've come across to speak of occured when I was testing out
1up scores and gathering enemy data. After the third loop of the game, the
1up above my score changed to "MEIGETSU." I'm not sure what that means, but it
is in there anyways.
Some Game Genie codes for those who would want them:
1-Player influencing
SZVVYTVG Infinite Lives
2-Player influencing
AEEVITPA Infinite lives
AEKGKLZA Start with 1 life
IEKGKLZA Start with 6 lives
AEKGKLZE Start with 9 lives
