Popeye for the NES FAQ
by Andrew Schultz
[email protected]
copyright 2001 Andrew Schultz
This document was made for fun. Please do not repost for profit without
my permission. A nice letter addressing me by name will probably
suffice.
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AD SPACE
I've got a page dedicated to (mostly) Apple games at:
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Exhibit/2762
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--OUTLINE--
INTRODUCTION
GENERAL
TERMINOLOGY
CONTROLS
MOVEMENT AND QUIRKS
FASHION STATEMENTS
PURPOSE
ADVANCED LEVELS
SCORING ON ALL LEVELS
LEVEL 1
PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION
SCORING
STRATEGY
MISC
LEVEL 2
PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION
SCORING
STRATEGY
MISC
LEVEL 3
PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION
SCORING
STRATEGY
MISC
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INTRODUCTION
There was a request for a FAQ about this at GameFAQs, and although
the FAQ for the Arcade version(which I believe is strongly similar to
the NES) seems quite good, hopefully this (a mere 18 years later) will
help to touch up some details that were wanting. I've always liked this
game even if it doesn't seem to have the range it used to, so I thought,
why not? It didn't take long to write...
Overall, this game is a bit too simple in retrospect and you'll
probably wind up losing an extended game due to fatigue much more than
lack of skill. But it's neat in its way and deserves something written
about it.
GENERAL
TERMINOLOGY
I refer to the top platform as the fourth, the bottom as the
first.
CONTROLS
This game uses the four directions and the a button for Popeye to
punch. Popeye can jump safely off the platforms as long as Bluto isn't
waiting under. Selecting Game B gives you the same difficulty as
starting with Game A and getting to level 4(2nd hearts level.) You
still get an extra guy at 20000, but the Sea Hag, the main difference,
appears earlier.
MOVEMENT AND QUIRKS
Popeye must walk to a heart--he cannot punch it.
Eating spinach causes the items to freeze. So the more that are
out there, the better.
It's better to go down to avoid bottles than climb up--and, as I
learned from experience, never jump onto the see-saw on level 2. You
might avoid the first bottle but not the second.
If you climb up/down a vertical ladder you can't stop in the
middle. However, on the diagonal ones you can change direction.
Even if Popeye is on the stairs, if he touches Bluto or a bottle,
he dies.
The Hag won't drop skulls if Popeye is under her. (Not smart of
her, but fair of the creators!)
Bluto can jump up or reach down and rub around for a second on the
first three levels. On the next three(or game B) he can jump down two
or jump down one and reach down. He never winds up on the fourth level
and generally tries to alternate between the second and third levels
when he can.
Popeye's about twice as fast as Bluto.
Bluto will always run away from Popeye, get off the same level,
and go back and forth. This predictability allows you to sock 'im. A
bug on the second level can have him running into the see-saw and then
running back and forth in place.
Bluto always throws four bottles in a row, and when he does, he
can't interrupt to jump after Popeye and doesn't move. But he may get
closer to Popeye while Popeye punches the bottles.
When Bluto jumps down, it's always slightly to one side. It's
best to run AT bluto(horizontally) when you're under him. You'll whiz
by him. When he looks around, be wary. He may be about to jump.
Bluto's reflexes may be slow on the first level. He may run
toward you just after you've eaten the spinach for a half-second, which
may get him a soaking if he's close by.
Losing a guy on a level replaces the spinach for another try.
Nice consolation gift.
The letters appear to be dropped in random directions/paths.
FASHION STATEMENTS
Bluto wears purple, bright orange and red respectively in this
game. That's some clashing colors.
PURPOSE
This game consists of three levels that go in a cycle: first,
Olive drops hearts to Popeye which he must catch(24) and then notes(16)
and then letters(H, E, L, P)--24 total.
ADVANCED LEVELS
The Sea Hag appears in the upper right after level 4, or if you
start with game B. She drops deadly skulls that are worth 100 each if
you punch them and follow a random path(and rarely each other) down and
left. Each time they disappear she drops two new ones. If you are
below and to the left of them, wait for them to bounce up before running
across.
SCORING ON ALL LEVELS
You get 3000 for knocking Bluto into the water. However, if you
complete the level after you hit him but before he falls in, you get no
points.
Depending on how high up the heart/note/letter is, you get a
different amount of points. If Popeye collects it on the top level, he
gets 500, then 300 for the second, 100, and then 50. If an item reaches
the bottom Popeye has ~10 seconds to pick it up before it breaks and he
loses a life.
You get no points for taking the spinach, but you can hit Bluto,
and you get double points for any item you pick up.
The only extra life allowed is at 20000.
LEVEL 1
PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION
Collect all 24 of the hearts. They tend to give the impression
they're blowing in the wind, but they curve less than the notes or the
letters. Your progress is charted in a 6x4 box in the upper left.
SCORING
30 each time you hit the punching bag(jump off the right platform
and punch) even if you've dropped the bucket. It's only 30 if you've
eaten spinach at the time. 1000 for knocking the bucket on Bluto when
he's on the third platform, 2000 if he's on the second, and 4000 if he's
on the bottom. This is not doubled when you've eaten spinach.
STRATEGY
The "through" is nice here but not terribly useful. One strategy
is to wait until you can pick up a lot of hearts, grab the spinach(it is
on the left side, alternating between the second and third platforms)
and sock Bluto and pick up the hearts. This isn't particularly hard;
remember that when Bluto stops, it can mean bad news from you if you're
above or below him, even if you're on the top platform. The main neat
strategy in this scene is getting the bucket on Bluto's head. If he's
on the first or second level, it's not too bad. Just jump off the top
right platform and PUNCH before he walks under and he'll get nailed.
You can walk by him when he's blinded, but don't push it. One thing I
recommend is to eat the spinach and hit Bluto. Then, when he comes out
of the water(lower right) wait at the edge of the top right platform
until he's just passed the right center stairs and punch the bucket
down. It's tough to time it, but it's a neat part of the game, and it's
4000 points, the most you can get in one swoop. Drop it too soon and he
walks up the stairs to foil you.
MISC
If you lose a guy on this level, the bucket is replaced.
LEVEL 2
PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION
Pick up all 16 notes Olive Oyl drops. Your progress is gauged by
how many of the 16 notes turn purple. They're a bit tougher to catch
than the hearts, but there are fewer. There's a hole in the middle of
the third platform and a see-saw in the lower left that you can use to
get to the top(in lieu of stairs.)
SCORING
You get 500 touching Wimpy when you bounce on the seesaw(fall off
the second platform) and 1000 if you've eaten spinach. Wait for him to
start going down, although you'll get him if he's right at the bottom
when you jump. Bluto, when he jumps on the seesaw, only goes to the
third level.
STRATEGY
The THRU on the third level is quite useful. You're going to miss
a few notes due to the gap in the middle, but don't worry, it's pretty
easy to fake Bluto out on the bottom two levels.
To deck Bluto, simply get the spinach on the second level. He'll
go back and forth on the third/first level(if he heads for the see-saw,
have fun following him and DECK 'IM when you both jump!) and all you
have to do is climb up/down some stairs for a little surprise visit.
MISC
Olive never seems to drop a note that you could pick up via the
seesaw.
LEVEL 3
PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION
Pick up all the letters to make a ladder on the sailboat(from the
bottom of the 2nd platform to the top of the 4th, at 8 rungs per level)
that will rescue Olive from the Crow's Nest. Avoid Bluto, and make sure
you punch the buzzard and avoid its rather nasty(but fortunately
straight-line) swoops. The letters curve a lot, so you may spend a lot
of time scavenging on the bottom, which is actually pretty safe because
it's the largest area. This is the only level without a THRU.
SCORING
1000 for the buzzard. You don't have to punch it under the
influence of spinach. Punching it or no, it's only worth 1000 while
you've eaten spinach.
STRATEGY
Note that the three top platforms have holes you can jump down.
Don't fall in love with the moving platform, which will wait for
you to step on it before zooming from one side of the fourth platform to
the other. It's dangerous, and you can be a very easy target on the top
when Bluto jumps. The third platform is similarly dangerous. Although
you may get a few extra points waiting up there, it may be best to go
directly to the bottom.
It's tough to figure out how to nail Bluto, but once again I
recommend eating the spinach and staying on the second platform. When
he's about to walk under the stairs, deck him.
To fake Bluto out when you're both on the bottom, wait for him to
get close, climb up, and run past him. Jumping down the hole is very
convenient, as he'll follow you. You'll have made it around him. You
can pretty much repeat this to complete a level, with allowances for
occasionally punching the buzzard.
MISC
If you die on this level, the letters will start with "H" then E,
etc. So you may not pick up 6 of each if you die.
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VERSIONS/CREDITS
1.0.0 1/29/2001 submitted to GameFAQs.com. I don't plan on future
updates.
Credits:
RGuerra's original FAQ on GameFAQs.com--inspired me to fill in a lot of
details.
And of course the person who requested this FAQ.
