In 2004 the GameFAQs FAQ Writing Community started a Master System Completion
Project for which I wrote fifteen different FAQs before I moved on to other
projects. My urge to cover more SMS FAQs however has never wavered and that is
why I'm back today in the newest SEGA Master System Completion Project which is
hosted on the FAQ Contributors - General Board. After looking through multiple
unfinished projects, I discovered Woody Pop, an obscure Japanese game that is
essentially an Arkanoid/Breakout clone. I had never covered a game like that in
a FAQ so I decided to take it on as my next challenge. This FAQ won't contain a
step by step walkthrough for every level, because that wouldn't be helpful. I'm
choosing to describe the general gameplay and certain particularities of any
level. It is meant to learn you how to play the game and reach the end.
===============================================================================
2.1- General Gameplay [A201]
===============================================================================
Woody Pop is an Arkanoid & Breakout clone which requires you to break different
bricks using a wooden pallet and a ball. Your goal is to stop the ball from
falling down the bottom before destroying every brick on the top. This version
makes it a little bit easier because not the entire bottom of the screen is
open. On each side you have a little safe area where the ball can drop without
problems. The main strategy in this game comes from the way you bounce the ball
back up. Bouncing it off the middle is the safe way, but this way you can't
really change the way of the ball. By bouncing it off the sides, you can steer
it in a diagonal line in the hopes of getting it to pass the obstacles and
reach the bricks. Try visualizing the best spots to bounce the walls to get it
past the obstacles.
After different levels you will get the option to choose a path to the next
level. Usually you get only one choice which you need to pick using the D-Pad,
but sometimes you'll get two or three. Each has a different points value and
it is up to you which one you want. The highest value often brings you closer
to the last level which means you may end up skipping a few levels. In the end
this means you get a lower high score than someone who methodically picks the
lowest value. This is one of the few ways to influence your high score so it
is important. Every type of block is worth the same amount, regardless how
you play through to the game. Aside from the obstacles this is the only way to
differentiate yourself from another player.
Those obstacles are mostly little gray bolts which should be easy to bypass,
but there are also more challenging obstacles. For example, you will encounter
blocks with Question marks on them, who will unleash little robots or little
toy men depending on the coloring of the block. You will have to confront a
maximum of three little figurines at any time, but after destroying one they
will return if you hit the mark again. Consider it free points as they won't
do any real damage. They just make it harder to reach the targets, which
becomes more apparent in a level where all blocks are hidden behind a series of
almost impregnable Question mark blocks. The little figurines can also be taken
out using the pallet. Some obstacles can be bypassed using the holes on the
side of the level. You can send your ball through them to the other side.
Later on you'll also see toy trains appearing. They can also be used to bounce
the balls, both in your advantage and your disadvantage. These obstacles are
better used towards the end of the game. For example, you will encounter a
level where the bolts will form a small maze where you need to place the ball
by bouncing it just right and having a lot of patience. This kind of more
original levels is quite rare though, the game only counts three levels of this
variety. Most levels just use differing levels of wooden/normal blocks with one
or two obstacles to make it a bit harder. Often it pays off to bounce the balls
low to bypass the obstacles and reach the bricks.
_____________________________________________________________________________
/ | \
| Bolts | The bolts form little obstacles and two of them are as big |
| | as one block and can't be destroyed. |
|----------------|------------------------------------------------------------|
| Toy Men | The little toy men appear from checkered Question Mark |
| | blocks and appear three at a time. They can be destroyed. |
|----------------|------------------------------------------------------------|
| Toy Robots | The little robots appear from the regular Question Mark |
| | blocks and appear three at a time. They can be destroyed. |
|----------------|------------------------------------------------------------|
| Trains | The little trains will appear on the tracks, they can be |
| | used to bounce the balls which will give you extra points. |
\________________|____________________________________________________________/
The bricks bring little variety with them. You have a series of normal bricks
like the white and blue ones, with the last type containing power-ups, that are
destroyed with one hit. You also have special blocks, namely the wooden blocks
that require multiple hits. They do have a weakness, fire. Flaming balls will
not only destroy the blocks it touches, but also the one on top. This can help
you making quick work of a level if you handle it right. Make sure you don't
lose this power-up if you can get it. These power-ups are contained within a
rain drop that drops from the shiny blue bricks. You need to catch them to get
the power-up after which they are automatically applied to your ball. Most of
these power-ups can be combined with each other, like having multiple balls and
having bigger balls. Only the Yellow Battery can't be joined with any other
power-up. Catching a second power-up means losing the advantage of the battery
in this case.
_____________________________________________________________________________
/ | \
| Diamond | This power-up gives you bonus points for your high score. |
| | It has no visual effect and can be combined with others. |
|----------------|------------------------------------------------------------|
| Flame | Your ball is transformed in a flaming ball which burns |
| | wooden blocks after one hit and burns adjacent blocks. |
|----------------|------------------------------------------------------------|
| Hammer | This power-up makes your ball stronger, but can't be |
| | combined with any other power-up. It has no visual effect |
|----------------|------------------------------------------------------------|
| One Ball | This power-up takes your second ball away, but gives you |
| | an extra life. Catch this, even if you lose a multi-ball. |
|----------------|------------------------------------------------------------|
| Red Battery | This power-up enlarges the ball, which makes it easier to |
| | hit and more destructive. |
|----------------|------------------------------------------------------------|
| Skulls | This isn't a power-up, avoid them. They cause you to lose |
| | a life when you catch them. |
|----------------|------------------------------------------------------------|
| Smoke | This power-up returns your balls to normal, but lets your |
| | your pallet emit smoke which can destroy bricks easily. |
|----------------|------------------------------------------------------------|
| T Weight | This power-up gives you bonus points for your high score. |
| | It has no visual effect and can be combined with others. |
|----------------|------------------------------------------------------------|
| Two Balls | This power-up gives you an extra ball, and you won't lose |
| | a life for losing the second ball. Can be combined. |
|----------------|------------------------------------------------------------|
| White Tube | This power-up acts like glue, making your ball stick to |
| | the pallet for a little while, giving you more control. |
|----------------|------------------------------------------------------------|
| Yellow Battery | This power-up restores the ball to normal, but gives you a |
| | bigger pallet. This can't be combined with any power-ups. |
\________________|____________________________________________________________/
