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C H A L L E N G E
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Challenge
for the Atari 2600
Full FAQ
Last Updated 9/24/03
Version 1.0
Written & Compiled by "TestaALT"
Email address
[email protected]
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Table of Contents
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1. What's New?
2. Introduction
3. Dedication
4. Controls
5. Map Overview
6. Overview
7. Winning Strategies
8. Credits
9. Legal Disclaimer
10. Contact Information
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1. Hightlight the section name in the table of contents (Look up).
2. Press Control-C.
3. Press Control-F.
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5. Press Enter.
You should now be at the beginning of the appropriate section.
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1. What's New?
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Version 1.0 -- 9/24/03 -- Original version of guide.
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2. Introduction
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Welcome to my twenty first walkthrough on the Atari challenge, Challenge! This
guide will cover the basics of the game, as well as strategies on how to get
past those blasted bugs. This marks my fourth walkthrough in the Atari 2600
gaming system of hopefully many more to come. I really like Challenge because
it tests your ability to dodge things and, at the same time, it is fun. If you
have this game, then you know what I mean. If you don't, then I can recommend
you to it, as it is very fun.
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3. Dedication
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I decided to dedicate this guide to all Atari 2600 gamers out there. They
really keep this system alive, even though it seems "dead." Atari 2600, in a
lot of people's minds, was the first gaming console ever created. This really
isn't true, as there were other obscure systems before it. However, this was
most people's first video game system. This system is what brought them into
gaming. What lead most of them to all those sleeplessly fun nights. And so, I
dedicate this guide to the Atari 2600 gamers that still play this old system
and keep it alive.
This guide is also dedicated to Brian P. Sulpher and AboveAverage. Brian for
showing me that you can write for very old systems. AboveAverage for showing
me which system to write on... the Atari 2600!
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4. Controls
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Joystick: Allows you to move the character up, down, left, or right.
Fire Key: No usage.
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5. Map Overview
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Here is the field screen that you will see throughout the game:
Points -> 0 0 0 0
__________________________________
Finish -> | | | | |
|----|----|----|----|----|----|----|
Lanes -> | | | | | | | |
|----|----|----|----|----|----|----|
| | | | | | | |
|----|----|----|----|----|----|----|
| | | | | | | |
|----|----|----|----|----|----|----|
| | | | | | | |
|----|----|----|----|----|----|----|
| | | | | | | |
|----|----|----|----|----|----|----|
| | | | | <- Start
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
^
Rows
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6. Overview
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Your main objective in challenge is to get to the end of the maze without
getting hit by a bug. There will be seven lanes, each with a bug that goes
back and fourth. You have to dodge the bugs will you go up and down the rows
making your way to the end. It seems pretty easy, when you word it, but it is
a lot harder then it seems. Once you get past the first level, more levels
await. These level's have the same basic design and emphasis, but there will
be more bugs in the lanes. If you go even further in the game, the bug's
speeds will become almost completely unpredictable. Playing this game with
a friend is pretty fun, because you can battle to see who can make it farthest
in the game without losing all there lives.
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Lanes
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These are the things that go horizontal (left to right). There are bugs on
them that go back and fourth.
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Rows
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There is one bug in each row, and you have to get across seven lanes to make
it up a row. From there, you have to go back down.
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Bugs
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These are the things that constantly go left to right. If you get hit by one
of them, you will lose a life. The object is to find there pattern and move
up, dodging them along the way. As the level's progress these bugs will get a
lot harder, coming in packs and unpredictable speeds.
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Lives
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You have six lives in the game. They will deplete as you get hit by a bug.
Once you reach zero, you will get a game over and the game will start over.
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Scoring
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Making it past the level nets you more and more points each time. Losing on a
level nets you 1 point in the loss column. Fairly simple point system.
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7. Winning Strategies
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a) When the game starts out, sit there and look for a pattern in each of the
bugs. You will see it after a little while. Then find your opening.
b) Always remember to "look before you leap." This means that you should make
absolutely sure that you do not get hit when you find your opening. If you
are hesitant, then just wait until your opening comes by again. It will.
c) Trial and error is one of the best techniques in this game. See what works,
and what doesn't. Once you get the first row down, try to tackle the next.
When/if you don't get past it, don't freak out. Doing the first row over
again is a good thing, as it will sharpen your skills even more.
d) Once you get down to the second "safe area," take your time in finding
a pattern and opening. The pattern usually is a little different everytime,
but don't let that stop you from marching right through.
e) Always remember that the top area is not a safe area, and you will get hit
by a bug unless you act fast enough. Therefore, try to plan out the top-
down section on the safe area.
f) Your character can only go so fast, so don't expect him to zoom by when you
get a "straight opening." A straight opening is when it is all clear for a
little while, and that there are no bugs at you path currently.
g) Dodging is another big factor in this game. If you "don't want to go down"
at the first corner, you can always go back and fourth between to lanes,
dodging the bugs. This is also good if you don't have an opening on any
other lane currently.
h) As level's progress, the game will start to get more sporadic. The first
thing you will notice is that there will be different/more types of bugs
in the lanes, and the second is that they will go at sporadic speeds. Don't
let this get to you, even if it is harder, there is always a pattern.
i) Always makes sure the enemy is passed the row before you go into it. I
wouldn't begin to count how many times I thought it was "all clear" in a
lane, and then see myself hitting the back of a bug.
j) The easiest way to win is to observe.
k) When playing a friend, look at there strategy. It will most likely be some-
thing different then what you have. Try that out and see how it works.
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8. Credits
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CJayC - For making a wonderful site.
[ ? ] - Your name could be here! In lights!
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9. Legal Disclaimer
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This document is Copyright © 2003 Andrew "TestaALT" Testa. All Rights
Reserved. This document may not be reproduced or retransmitted in any form and
under any circumstances without the complete consent of the author. It may not
be sold, altered, or published in any way without the advance permission of
the author. All sources, which have contributed to this document, are cited
and/or credited in some form. The only sites I allow this document to be
viewed at are:
GameFAQs <
http://www.gamefaqs.com>
IGN <
http://www.ign.com>
If you see this document at any other sources email me telling so as I do
not allow this document to be published at any other sources. Please do not
ask me if you want this document on your website, as the answer will most
likely be no. These terms have become binding once the recipient (or reader)
opened this document. Violation of these terms is strictly prohibited and will
result in a lawsuit. Please do not take these terms as threats and/or not read
them as they are all very much true. I can sue you for an act of plagiarism
and will not hesitate to do so. Thank you for reading this legal disclaimer
and have a nice day!
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10. Contact Information
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This section will tell you how to contact the author regarding work that he
has done. Questions you have can be sent to
[email protected]. I have only
two rules when it comes to sending me an email. They our: The question should
not be answered in this document and put the game name in the subject line. If
you do not follow these rules your email will be ignored. The question might
be added in the next update as I see fit. I will try my best to respond to
your question. Thank you for reading this information.
Did you like this guide? Rate my guide then see some of my other work at:
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