The NES game American Gladiators is (c) 1991 by GameTec
Inc., all rights reserved.
This FAQ is property of Aspie Giraffe, Copyright (c) 1/3/04, all
rights reserved. Any relation to guide books or other websites
dedicated to American Gladiators are purely coincential, for this
FAQ was put together by experience of playing the game without any
form of manual or other FAQs. Feel free to distribute this FAQ or
link this FAQ to your website. Just be sure to give the proper
credit where it's due.
Last Updated: 3/2/08
VERSION UPDATES
Version 3.0 -- Watching the return of American Gladiators on NBC
gave me the ambition to finally complete this FAQ. HOORAY American
Gladiators! I've updated my contributor info, and removed my
e-mail. I don't have time to answer questions about video games
anymore. Best consult another FAQ if you have questions regarding
American Gladiators. I've added step-by-step button instructions
to getting past the difficult part of the Level 4 Wall.
Version 2.0 -- Completed strategies for Level 3 Wall and
Level 4 Human Cannonball as well as The Eliminator. I have
also created a brief 'special thanks' section, something
that I completely forgot to do in Version 1.0.
Version 1.0 -- This FAQ is created.
This is the 'FINAL' version of this FAQ. I believe everything has
been covered.
THE GLADIATORS WANT YOU
I grew up watching the original American Gladiators show.
I dreamt that one day, I would compete on the show and
defeat all my opponents. But after watching the remake,
I realized that my scrawny self would get squished real
quick (the new Eliminator is very unfriendly to the
atheleticly ungifted.) So instead, I get my taste of victory
by playing the NES game that was based on the original show.
You will be challenged in five events: The Human Cannonball,
Assault, Powerball, The Wall, and Joust. You will do these
courses over a span of four difficulty levels. If you succeed
in defeating all four difficulty levels, you will be tested
on The Eliminator. Only then can you achieve victory. Are you
ready to compete against the American Gladiators?
All controls and definitions of the events are explained
in the Level 1 versions of each, explained below.
----------LEVEL 1----------
The easiest of the difficulties. Use this level to get used
to the game. I will also use the first difficulty level to
explain the events, the scoring, and the controls. Scoring
and controls are skipped in the walkthroughs to the other
levels, as I assume that you have mastered them by the later
levels.
---POWERBALL---
DEFINITION: You take game balls and try to shoot them in
the floor baskets. Gladiators will try to corner you or
knock the ball from your hands.
This is the only game where you can't lose lives. I usually
do this event first.
Key:
____
---- You get your game balls from these baskets.
1: Gladiator 1's domain. He chases you in the upper area.
2: Gladiator 2's domain. He is responsable for guarding
the center basket.
3: Gladiator 3's domain. He chases you in the lower area.
B: Outer baskets.
CC: Center basket.
-CONTROLS-
DIRECTIONAL PAD: Move right, left, up, or down.
START: Pause button
A BUTTON: Pick up game balls, put them in baskets.
The strategy is to do one of two things:
--Score as many points as possible.
--Get one ball in every basket to earn a 1-up.
The gladiators are slow and clumsy. If you run back and
forth before charging in, you can get by them easily.
Sometimes, you can get them caught behind the baskets
and they will just bounce off them like morons.
Be careful not to let them touch you or they will knock
the ball from you. Then you will have to go get another
one.
POINTS SCORED:
10 pts for putting a ball in the outer baskets.
20 pts for putting a ball in the center basket.
Level 1 is 60 seconds long. It is possible to get two 1-ups
with spare change remaining.
---ASSAULT---
DEFINITION: You are running up a course while a gladiator
is firing game balls at high speed. You win by getting
to the finish line or by defeating the gladiator with
the missile launchers you pick up on the way.
Here's a layout of Level 1. It has been overlapped to
conserve FAQ space.
M: Missile launcher. Each one contains 3 ammo. Use
these against the gladiator.
|: A wall. The gladiator can't hit you if you hide
behind these walls.
-CONTROLS-
DIRECTIONAL PAD: Move up, down, left, or right.
START: Pause the game.
B BUTTON: Picks up missile launchers.
A BUTTON: Fires missiles.
STRATEGY: Try to dodge the gladiator and his shots.
Pick up missile launchers on the way and use them
to try to take him out. If you are a lousy shot, try
to get to the finish line. As far as I know, his
shooting and moving patterns are always random.
POINTS SCORED:
1 pt for each second left on the clock
0 pt for finishing the course
10 pts for hitting the Gladiator
50/100 pts for defeating the Gladiator (it depends on
how early you defeat him).
It takes three hits to defeat the gladiator on Level 1.
You will lose a life if you take three hits or if time
runs out.
---JOUST---
DESCRIPTION: You fight against four gladiators with jousting
sticks. The goal is to knock all four of them off their platform.
CONTROLS
DIRECTIONAL PAD: move left or right, positioning of your jousting
stick.
A BUTTON: jump in-between battles, attack with jousting stick at
mid-level.
A BUTTON + DOWN: attack with jousting stick at lower level.
A BUTTON + UP: attack with jousting stick at the head.
B BUTTON + LEFT: guarding position.
STRATEGY: In each difficulty level, each Gladiator has an attacking
pattern. Use these patterns against them. Here's how to score hits:
--If the Gladiator attacks low, you attack at the mid-level.
--If the Gladiator attacks at the mid-level, you attack high.
--If the Gladiator attacks high, you attack at the low level.
Here are the patterns to the Level 1 Gladiators:
Gladiator 1: Always attacks low.
Attack at mid-level, and he'll fall eventually.
(Don't you just love it when they scream in pain?)
Gladiator 2: Always attack at the mid-level.
Attack high, and he'll fall eventually.
Gladiator 3: Attacks in a middle, low, low pattern.
You should attack at a high, middle, middle pattern.
If you beat the first three gladiators, a flashing jousting stick
will fly from the floor, collect it, and you can defeat the next
gladiator in one hit. If not, here's the pattern to the next:
To collect the stick on level 1, wait on the 3rd Gladiator's
platform, and jump right to collect it before it falls to the
floor.
Gladiator 4: Low, medium, medium.
You attack medium, high, high.
POINTS SCORED:
You score 5 pts for defeating the first gladiator.
You score 10 pts for defeating the second, third, and fourth
gladiators.
You score 10 pts for collecting the flashing stick.
You score 1 pt for each second left on the clock.
Getting knocked off the platform will cost you a life.
You have 99 seconds to defeat all four gladiators.
OTHER NOTES: If you know where the gladiator will attack next, you
can charge forward one step, and attack aggressively to speed up
the battle. To execute this procedure, get into the guarding position
and watch the pattern. Then step forward each time you attack. You
will get multiple hits in and knock the gladiator off the platform
faster. Try it on the first two gladiators and you will know
what I mean.
---HUMAN CANNONBALL---
DEFINITION: You jump on ropes and try to knock four gladiators
off their platforms. This is a game of timing and precision.
In each level, you have two platforms and a rope. You are
positioned on the left platforms, and the gladiator on the right.
His goal is to not get knocked off. The platforms move up and
down during the course of the event.
-CONTROLS-
DIRECTIONAL PAD: Move right and left on the platform. Move up
and down on the rope (when you get the Clenched Fist item).
A BUTTON: Jump on rope, charge off rope.
STRATEGY: Another game of timing and precision. If you jump
too soon or late, you will miss the gladiator. If you jump too
slow, the gladiator will knock you away. You want to grab the
rope as low as possible, because it gives you your best chance
of being successful. If you stay square with the gladiator
(at the same level as him), you should be able to knock him
off every time.
The rope and the platforms move at different speeds when
fighting each gladiator. I will list their speeds and when
to jump on and off.
Jump from the right edge of your platform when you are half-way
down. You should grab the rope at the lowest level. Let go
when the rope is slightly to the right (one or two notches).
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT that you are accurate in grabbing the
bottom of the rope. If you don't, these strategies probably
won't help you much.
GLADIATOR 2
Your platform speed: Medium
Gladiator platform: Slow
Rope speed: Slow
Jump from the center of your platform when you are to the top.
Again, you should grab the rope at the lowest level. Let go
when the rope is slightly to the right from center (one or two
notches).
GLADIATOR 3
Your platform speed: Slow
Gladiator platform: Very slow
Rope speed: Medium-Fast
Jump as soon as the rope is nearby. It shouldn't be too hard
to touch the bottom of the rope. Swing back and forth once,
and on the second swing, let go when you are slightly to the
right of center (one or two notches).
Jump from the left side of your platform when it reaches it's
top height. You should grab the rope at the bottom. Let go
when you are between one and three notches to the right from
center.
POINTS SCORED:
You score 5 pts for each gladiator knocked off.
You score 1 pt for each second left on the clock.
You lose a life if you miss or get knocked away.
---THE WALL---
Definition: You climb a wall to get to the top, while dodging
other gladiators who are trying to knock you off. For some
reason, this is the only event where the female gladiators
chase you. This is also the most difficult event.
-CONTROLS-
DIRECTIONAL PAD: Controls which direction you are gonna climb.
START: Pauses the game
B BUTTON: Controls left hand.
A BUTTON: Controls right hand.
BASIC STRATEGIES: You want to tap A and B in a repetitive pattern
while holding the directional pad. This will allow for fast
climbing. Gladiators will home in on you, not caring about
obstacles. To rid of Gladiators, have them follow you in such
a way that they will run into an obstacle and fall. BE CAREFUL!
Gladiators sometimes appear from above and get you while falling!
You can collect a Fist-type item, that allows for rapid climbing
without the need of tapping A and B repetitively.
Wall Key:
- A brick in the wall. You can climb these.
! When you reach this point, a gladiator will
chase you from below.
# When you reach this point, a gladiator will
chase you from above.
@ When you reach this point, a gladiator will
come at you from the sides.
W Impassable wall. If you touch, you fall.
(no space) blank space. Same as Impassable wall.
| Wall borders. I use these to correct errors
in the map.
FF: Clenched Fist item (climb without the need to
tap A and B repeatedly).
The Wall Key has been included on all the Wall walkthroughs
so that you don't get confused.
Here is a Map of the Level 1 Wall. Hints and strategies are
included on the right side. Read from the bottom to the top.
____________Finish____________
|----------------------------|
|----------------------------|
|----------------------------|
|----------------------------|
|----------------------------|
|----------------------------|
|----------------------------|
|----------------------------|
|----------------------------|
|----------------------------|
|----------------------------|
|----------------------------|
|----------------------------|
|----------------------------|
|----------------------------|
|----------------------------|
|----------------------------|
|----------------------------|
|--WW---------------- ------|
|--WW--------------- -----|
|--WW-------------- WW ---|
|--WW------------- WW --|
|------ -------- WWWWWW --|
|---- ------- WWWWWW --|
|---- WW -----WWWWWWWWWW--|
|--- WW ----WWWWWWWWWW--| From here on, you can climb
|-- WWWWWW ---- WWWWWW --| straight up and finish the
|-- WWWWWW ----- WWWWWW ---| level.
|--WWWWWWWWWW------ WW ----|
|--WWWWWWWWWW------- WW -----|
|-- WWWWWW ----------------|
|--- WWWWWW ---- ---------| You'll have to shift
|---- WW ---- WW ---WW--| diagonally and up to get
|----- WW ---- WW --WW--| past this point.
|------------ WWWWWW --WW--|
|------------ WWWWWW --WW--|
|!!!!!!!!!!!!WWWWWWWWWW------|
|------------WWWWWWWWWW------|
|----WW------ WWWWWW ------|
|----WW------- WWWWWW -------|
|----WW-------- WW --------|
|----WW--------- WW ---------|
|!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!| Shift to the middle and climb
|----------------------------| straight up. You should be
|----------------------------| able to out-climb the
|----------------------------| Gladiators.
|----------------------------|
|----------- -----------|
|---------- WWWW ----------|
|--------- WWWW ---------|
|######### WWWWWWWW #########| From here, climb down a little
|------- WWWWWWWW -------| and wait for the Gladiator to
|------- WWWWWWWWWWWW -------| fall.
|----- WWWWWWWWWWWW -----|
|---- WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW FF--|
|---- WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW FF--|
|----WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW----|
|----WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW----|
|----WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW----|
|----WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW----|
|------WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW------|
|----- WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW -----|
|--------WWWWWWWWWWWW--------|
|------- WWWWWWWWWWWW -------|
|##########WWWWWWWW##########| On the left side, the Gladiator
|--------- WWWWWWWW ---------| will appear on the right and
|------------WWWW------------| fall.
|----------- WWWW -----------|
|----------------------------| Shift as far left as possible.
|----------------------------|
|----------------------------|
|----- -------------------|
|- ---- - --------------|
|------ - - -------|
|----WW-- - ----WW--------|
|----WW--- --------WW--------|
|----WW------WW----WWWW------|
|----WW------WW----WWWW------|
|----WWWW----WW----WWWWWW----|
|----WWWW----WW----WWWWWW----|
|----WWWW----WW----WWWWWW----|
|----WWWW----WW----WWWWWW----|
|----WWWW----WW----WWWWWW----|
|----WWWW----WW----WWWWWW----|
|----WWWW----WW----WWWWWW----|
|----WWWW----WW----WWWWWW----|
|----WWWW----WW----WW--WW----|
|####WWWW####WW####WW##WW####|
|----WWWW----WW----WW--WW----|
|----WWWW----WW----WW--WW----|
|####WW######WW####WW########|
|----WW------WW----WW--------|
|----WW----------------------|
|####WW######################|
|----------------------------| At this line, shift as far
|----------------------------| right as possible and go
|-------- ---------------| straight up. All the
|------ ------------| Gladiators should fall and
|------WWWWWWWW | miss you by a long shot.
|------WWWWWWWW |
|------ WWWWWWWWWWWWWW|
|--------------WWWWWWWWWWWWWW|
|-------------- |
|------------------- |
|------------------- |
|-------------------- |
|--------------------WWWWWWWW|
|--------------------WWWWWWWW|
|--------------------------WW|
|----- -------------WW| On this line, shift right as
|######WWWWWW ####### ####WW| far as possible and then climb
|------WWWWWW ------ ----WW| down. Wait for the Gladiator
|------WWWWWWWW------WW----WW| to fall.
|------WWWWWWWW------WW----WW|
|------------------- WW----WW| Shift right as far as possible
|################ WW-- WW| and the Gladiator will fall.
|------ WW-- WW|
|------ WW WW|
|------WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW|
|------WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW|
|------WW----------------WW | Stay as far right as possible
|------WW################WW | and wait for the Gladiator to
|------WW---WWWWWWWWW--- WW | fall. Then proceed
|------WW---WWWWWWWWW--- WW |
|------WW----WW--------- WW | Go left as far as you can
| -----WW----WW------- WW | on that line and the
| ---------WW ---- WW | Gladiator should fall.
| --------WW ---- WW |
| WW WWWWWW----WWWW |
| WW WWWWWW!!!!WWWW |
| WW WW WW----WWWWWW|
| WW WW WW----WWWWWW|
| WWWWWWWWWWWWWW----WWWW |
| WWWWWWWWWWWWWW----WWWW |
|----------------------------|
|----------------------------|
| ---------------------- |
| ------------------------ |
|WW ---------------------- WW|
|WW -------- -------- WW|
|WW ------ WWWW ------ WW| Same case. Get around the
|WW ------WWWW------ WW| middle obstacle and the
|WWWWWW ---- WWWW ---- WWWWWW| Gladiators should touch
|WWWWWW ----WWWW---- WWWWWW| it and fall.
|WWWW ---- ---- WWWW|
|WWWW ------------ WWWW|
|WWWWWW !!!!!!!!!!!!!! WWWWWW|
|WWWWWW ------------ WWWWWW|
|WWWWWWWW !!!!!!!!!! WWWWWWWW|
|WWWWWWWW -------- WWWWWWWW|
|WWWWWW ---------- WWWWWW|
|WWWWWW ------------ WWWWWW|
|WWWW -------------- WWWW|
|WWWW ------------ WWWW|
|WWWWWW -------------- WWWWWW|
|WWWWWW ------------ WWWWWW|
|WW -------------- WW|
|WW -------- -------- WW| Get around the middle obstacle
|WW -------- WWWW -------- WW| as fast as you can. The
|WW --------WWWW-------- WW| Gladiator should touch it and
| -------- -------- | fall.
|!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!|
|----------------------------|
|----------------------------|
|----------------------------|
|----------------------------|
|----------------------------|
|----------------------------|
|!!!!WWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!|
|!!!!WWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!|
|----WWWW--------------------|
|----WWWW--------------------|
|----------------------------|
|----------------------------|
|------------WWWW------------|
|------------WWWW------------|
|------------WWWW------------|
|------------WWWW------------|
|----------------------------|
|----------------------------|
|--------------------WWWW----|
|--------------------WWWW----|
|--------------------WWWW----|
|--------------------WWWW----|
|----------------------------| Move slightly to the left and
|-----------Start------------| climb as fast as you can.
POINTS SCORED:
Score 1 pt for every 10 blocks climbed vertically.
Score 1 pt for each second remaining.
Score 10 pts for collecting the Clenched Fist item.
You lose a life if you fall off the wall.
CONGRADULATIONS! You have completed Level 1!
For each level completed, you gain an extra life and a
additional 100 points is added to your score.
----------LEVEL 2----------
PASSWORD: ABAAAABB
Now, patterns and difficulty increases for each event.
As far as I know, point values are the same, but if they
are not, I will make the change in the next update.
---POWERBALL---
Powerball never changes in difficulty. Remember to put
a ball in each basket to collect a 1-up. Level 2 Powerball
is 55 seconds long.
---ASSAULT---
The Gladiator in Level 2 moves and fires faster than in
Level 1.
To grab the jousting stick, jump to the next platform,
and the stick will fly from right to left. Jump back
to the previous platform, and you should get it.
(I must ask again. Don't you just love it when they
scream in agony?)
---HUMAN CANNONBALL---
Ropes and platforms move faster and require faster reflexes.
GLADIATOR 1
Your Platform Speed: Slow
Gladiator Platform: Fast
Rope Speed: Medium
From the center of your platform, jump when your
platform is mid-way moving down. You should grab the rope
from the bottom. Let go when you are two notches to the
right from center.
GLADIATOR 2
Your Platform Speed: Medium
Gladiator Platform: Very Fast
Rope Speed: Medium-Fast
From the center of your platform, jump when your
platform is at mid-way moving upward. You should grab
the rope from the bottom. Let go when you half-way
to the right (almost a 45 degree angle).
GLADIATOR 3
Your Platform Speed: Medium-Fast
Gladiator Platform: Slow
Rope Speed: Medium
To grab the Clenched-Fist item, jump from the center
of the platform when the fist appears. You should be
able to grab it and grab the rope at the same time. I
believe the Fist allows you to climb up and down the
rope. Climb to the bottom and let go when you are two
notches to the right of center.
GLADIATOR 4
Your Platform Speed: Fast
Gladiator Platform: Slow
Rope Speed: Very Fast
If you collected the Fist in the last battle, a 1-up
will appear at the top of this swing. Grab the rope
at anytime and climb to get the 1-up. After that, climb
down to the bottom while it is swinging back. On the second
swing, let go at a 45 degree angle to the right.
---THE WALL---
Not a complex wall, but the Gladiators are a touch more
difficult to dodge.
Wall Key:
- A brick in the wall. You can climb these.
! When you reach this point, a gladiator will
chase you from below.
# When you reach this point, a gladiator will
chase you from above.
@ When you reach this point, a gladiator will
come at you from the sides.
W Impassable wall. If you touch, you fall.
(no space) blank space. Same as Impassable wall.
| Wall borders. I use these to correct errors
in the map.
FF: Clenched Fist item (climb without the need to
tap A and B repeatedly).
Here's a map of the Level 2 Wall. As usual, read from the
bottom to the top.
_____________Finish_______________
|--------------------------------|
|--------------------------------|
|--------------------------------|
|--------------------------------|
|--------------------------------|
|--------------------------------|
|--------------------------------|
|--------------------------------|
|--------------------------------|
|--------------------------------|
|--------------------------------|
|--------------------------------|
|--------------------------------|
|--------------------------------|
|--------------------------------|
|WWWWWWWWWW #####WWWWWWWWWW| Outrun the Gladiator to
|WWWWWWWWWW -----WWWWWWWWWW| the finish line. Shift
> ----- ----- | left and climb up as
> - -------- ------------ | fast as possible. You ---------------
>------------- | should get to the finish
>--------------- ------------- | line.
>WWWWWWWWWW----- -----WWWWWWWWWW|
>WWWWWWWWWW----- -----WWWWWWWWWW|
> ----- ----- |
> ------------- ------------- |
> ------------- ------------- |
> ------------- !#!#!#!#!#!#! | Two gladiators will come
> ------- WWWWWWWWWWWW ------- | after you. One from below,
> ------- WWWWWWWWWWWW ------- | one from above. Shift -------
>WWWWWWWWWWWW ------- | left to make the bottom
> ------- WWWWWWWWWWWW ------- | one fall, then shift right
>-------- WWWWWWWWWWWW ------- | and dodge the Gladiator
>-------- WWWWWWWWWWWW ------- | falling from above.
>-------- WWWWWWWWWWWW ------- |
>-------- WWWWWWWWWWWW ------- |
>--------- WWWWWWWWWWWW ------- |
>--------- WWWWWWWWWWWW ------- |
>--------- WWWWWWWWWWWW ------- |
>--------- WWWWWWWWWWWW ------- |
>------------------------------ |
>------------------------------ |
>------------------------------ |
>------------------------------ |
>------------------------------ |
__________________________________
And then from this point on (above), the Wall continues
straight up as usual.
___________________________________
> ------!----------WW- - >
> - --------!----------WW---->
>-- ------------!----------WW---->
>-- --------- ----WW---->
>--- ---------WWWWWWWWWW----WW---->
>-------------WWWWWWWWWW----WW----> When you cross the !,
>-----FF----- -!---- ---WW----> wait for the Gladiator
>-----FF---- -!---- ----WW----> to come straight up,
>---------- -!---- -----WW----> and she will fall. ----------
>---!----------WW----> Continue on going right,
>---------WWWW---!--------WW----- > down, right, up, then
>- - WWWW --------WW---- > right.
>W WWWWWWWWWWWW ------WW---- >
>W WWWWWWWWWWWW ------WW---- >
>- ------------!-------------- >
>- ------------!-------------- >
> -----------!-------------- >
> ---------!----------- >
>W -------!------------- >
>W ------!------------ >
> ------!------------WWWW>
> ----!--- WWWW>
>W ------ ----!--- WWWWWWWWWWWW>
>W ------------!--- WWWWWWWWWWWW>
> ------------!------------- >
> --- ---!------------- >
> ---!---- -->
___________________________________
In Level 2 and from this point on, the Wall can shift
to the right and left. I will map this by using arrow
marks < (left) or > (right), and start it on the next
line up.
______________________________
| - -- --- - >
| --------- --- -- -- >
| ----------------------- ->
| -------------------------->
| ----- -- --------------->
| ------WW--WW---------------> Arrows lead to the next map
| ------WW--WW ------------> above:
| ------------- WW----------->
| ------------- WW----------->
| ------------WW------------->
| ------------WW------------->
|- ----------- ----------- W>
|- --------------- ------- W>
|- ---------------WW------WW->
|- ---------------WW------WW->
|- ------------------WW-- >
|- -----------------WW >
|- ------------------ WWWWW>
|--- -------------------WWWWW>
|!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! > If you are far to the left,
|--- --------------------- > the Gladiator will fall as
|--- ---------------------WWW> soon as she appears on the
|--- ---------------------WWW> screen.
|--- ----------------------- >
|--- - -------- >
|--- -WWWWWWWWWWWWWW--------W|
|--- WWWWWWWWWWWWWW--------W|
| -------- WWWWWW ------ |
| -------- WWWWWW -------- |
| ---- --------- |
| - -- ---------|
| - --WWWWWWWWWW-------- |
| ----- -WWWWWWWWWW-------- |
| ---- -- ------- |
| ---- -- ------- |
| - - WWWWWW ----- |
| - - WWWWWW------ |
| - -- ----- |
| ------- ----- |
|------- -------- |
|-- - - -------- |
|------ ------- |
|- - - -------- |
|- ------- |
|-- - ------- |
|---- ----- |
|--- ---- |
|--- ----- |
|--- ---- |
| --- ---- |
| -------- |
| - -------- |
| ---------- -- |
| -------------- |
| ---------------- |
| ------------------ |
| ----------------- |
| -------WW |
| -------WW ----------- |
| --- WW----------- |
|- ####WW############ | Before shifting to the left
|- ----WW ------------ | and down, reach this line,
|----- ---WW ------------ | shift right, and wait for the
|------------WW----------- | Gladiator to fall. Then continue.
|------------WW------------ |
| - -------- ------------- | Go left a little so that
| - ------------ -------- | the Gladiator will fall.
| - ------------WW -------- |
| -------------- WW -------- |
|--------------WW -------- |
|-- - -------- WW --------- |
|------------WW ----------- |
|- - ------- WW !!!!!!!!!!! | Continue to climb.
|- -----WW ------------- |
|-- - --- WW ------------- |
|----- -WW -------------- |
|----- WW -------------- |
|----- WW -------------- |
|----- WW -------------- |
| WW -----------WWWWWWWW|
| WW -------------WWWWWWWW|
| - ---------------WWWWWWWW|
| -----------------WWWWWWWW|
| !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WWWWWWWWWW| Continue to climb fast. The
| ----------------WWWWWWWWWW| Gladiator will catch on
| ----------------WWWWWWWWWW| something and fall.
| ---------------WWWWWWWWWW|
| -----WW--------WWWWWWWWWWWW|
| -----WW--------WWWWWWWWWWWW|
| ---WW--------WWWWWWWWWWWW|
|- --WW--------WWWWWWWWWWWW|
|- --WW----------------WWWW|
|--- WW----------------WWWW|
|----- WW----------------WWWW|
|------WW----------------WWWW|
| ----WWWWWWWW----------WWWW|
| ----WWWWWWWW-------- WWWW|
| ------WWWW----------WWWWWW|
| -------WWWW----------WWWWWW|
|----------------------WWWWWW|
|-- ----------------- WWWWWW|
|--------------------WWWWWWWW|
|- ------------------WWWWWWWW|
|- -----------------WWWWWWWW|
|-- --------------- WWWWWWWW|
|--- ------------WWWWWWWWWW|
|--- ------------WWWWWWWWWW|
|--- -----------WWWWWWWWWW|
| Start--WWWWWWWWWW|
CONGRADULATIONS! You have beat Level 2!
----------LEVEL 3----------
PASSWORD: ABAABAAA
As usual, the difficulty increases in each event.
---POWERBALL---
Except for Powerball of course. Level 3 Powerball lasts
for 50 seconds, so it is very difficult to get two 1-ups.
---ASSAULT---
As you can see, the Missiles are out in the open where
you can get shot at, and the Gladiator is moving and
shooting faster than ever before.
Now, you will have to swing a long distance at times.
GLADIATOR 1
RANGE: Short
Your Platform Speed: Very Fast
Gladiator Platform: Very Fast
Rope Speed: Very Fast
Let the rope go back and forth once. Jump when the rope
reaches you the second time (again, aiming for the bottom
of the rope). Let it swing back and forth again, and then
let go the time after at a 45 degree angle.
NOTE: It is possible to do this in one fast motion without
waiting, but this is not recommended to beginnners.
GLADIATOR 2
RANGE: Long
Your Platform Speed: Medium
Gladiator Platform: Slow
Rope Speed: Slow
NOTE: Notice the distance you have to travel. This is
an optical illusion; Regardless of distance, you will
apply similar strategies from previous levels.
When the rope appears on the screen, jump from the right
of the platform when it almost reaches the top moving
upward. (again, aiming for the bottom). Let go when you
are two notches to the right from center. Your
character should fly so fast that you will knock off
the gladiator before he can react.
GLADIATOR 3
RANGE: Long
Your Platform Speed: Slow
Gladiator Platform: Medium-Fast
Rope Speed: Medium
Jump and grab the Clenched Fist as soon as it appears.
You should grab the rope at the same time. With this
item, climb to the bottom of the swing quickly, and
let go when you are two notches to the right from
center.
GLADIATOR 4
RANGE:
Your Platform Speed: Very Fast
Gladiator Platform: Very Fast
Rope Speed: Slow
This one is tricky. First, jump on the rope and climb
to the top to get the 1-up. Then climb back to the bottom
and let the rope swing back and forth a total of 3 times.
On the fourth swing, let go at exact center. This one
takes practice.
---THE WALL---
Here's the Map to Level 3. But I have not completed a
strategy yet. I have included one note on a part that
seems impassable, but the rest will be completed in a
future update.
Wall Key:
- A brick in the wall. You can climb these.
! When you reach this point, a gladiator will
chase you from below.
# When you reach this point, a gladiator will
chase you from above.
@ When you reach this point, a gladiator will
come at you from the sides.
W Impassable wall. If you touch, you fall.
(no space) blank space. Same as Impassable wall.
| Wall borders. I use these to correct errors
in the map.
FF: Clenched Fist item (climb without the need to
tap A and B repeatedly).
And finally, the last part to the finish line:
__________________________________
< WW - - - WW--<
< WW ------ ------- ------WW--<
< -------- ---------- -------<
< ----------!-------------------<
< ----WWWW--!---WWWW------------<
< -----WWWW--!---WWWW------------<
<------------!-------------------<
<------------!-------------------<
<----------WW!---------WWWW------<
<----------WW!---------WWWW------<
<------------!-------------------< Go up to this line and cross
<------------!------------------ < the area marked '!'. Move to
<------------!----------------- < the bricked marked '2' and
<------------!---------------- < wait for the Gladiator to
<-------- !--------------- < fall. Then you can collect
<------- !-------------- < the Clenched Fist item
<------- !------------- < without problem.
<--------- --!------------ <
<--------- --!------------ <
<--------- --!------------- <
<----------FF!-------------- <
<----------FF!--------------- <
<------------!-WW------------- <
<----- --- --!-WW-------------- <
<----- -- -!- --WW--WW------- <
<------ -- !- --WW--WW--------<
<WW -- -- WWWW <
<WW -- -- WWWW <
_________________________________
The Wall now shifts to the left. Continued above:
__________________________________
<----- --- |
<------ ---- |
<------- ---- |
<-------- |
<--------- - |
<---------- --- - |
<----------- ------- |
<------------ -------- |
<------------- ---------- |
<-------------- ----------- |
<--------------------------- |
< ------- ----------------- |
< ------------------------ |
< ----------------------- |
< ---------------------- |
< --------------------- |
< ------------------- |
< -------------------- |
< --------WW---------- |
< --------WW------------ |
< #########WW----------- | A very tricky Gladiator to
< --------WW----------- | avoid. Two ways: Don't go
< -------WW------------ | any higher than the line
< ---------WW----------- | the Gladiator will appear.
< -- --WW------WW------------- | Then make a mad dash to the
<-- --WW------WW------------- | bricks marked '4'. Wait for
<- --WW------WW------------- | the Gladiator to fall. OR
|- --WW------WW------------- | go to the bricks marked '3'
| WWWW------WW------------ | wait for the Gladiator to
| WWWW------WW------------ | lose grip, and then dash to
|WW- ---------WW ---------- | the left to avoid getting
|WW-- ---------WW ---------- | knocked off.
|WW444---------WW-- -------- |
|WW------------WW--- -------- |
|WW---------------- -------- |
|WW---------------- -------- |
|WW------------------WW---- |
|WW------------------WW---- |
|WW------WWWW--------WWWW--- |
|WW------WWWW--------WWWW--- |
|WW------------------WWWW--- |
|WW------------------WWWW-- |
|WWWW----------------WWWW-- |
|WWWW----------------WWWW-- |
|WWWWWW--------------WWWW-- |
|WWWWWW--------------WWWW-- |
|WWWW--------------WWWWWW- |
|WWWW--------------WWWWWW- |
|WW------------WW**WW--WW$$ | Climb up to the bricks
|WW------------WW**WW--WW--- | marked $$ and wait for
|WW------------WW**WW------- | the Gladiators to fall.
|WW------------WW**WW------- | In the area marked **,
|WW- -- ---WW############ | perform the following
|WW- ---------WW----------- | maneuver:
|WW- ----------WW------------- | Get in a 2-brick position:
|WW ----------WW------------- | Tap UP/RIGHT + A BUTTON.
|WW --WW------WW------------- | Then tap LEFT + A.
|WW --WW------WW------------- | Repeat this until you've
| WW ---- WW ----------- | cleared the ** area.
| WW ---- WW ----------- | It takes a lot of practice.
| WW ---- WW 555-------- |
| WW ---- WW ----------- |
>-- WWWW ---- WWWW--------- |
>-- WWWW ---- WWWW ------ |
>-- WWWW ---- WWWWWW ----- |
>--- WWWW ---- WWWWWW ----- |
>----- WW ---- WWWWWW !!!!! | When the next Gladiator appears,
>----- WW ---- WWWWWW ----- | move up to the bricks I've marked
>------WW ---- WWWWWW ----- | with a '5', go as far left as
>------WW ---- WWWWWW ----- | you can, and wait for the -------- ----
>WWWWWW ------- | Gladiator to fall.
> ------ --- WWWWWW ------- |
> ------ -- WWWWWW ------- |
> ------- -- WWWWWW ------ |
> ------- -- WWWW ------- |
> ------ WWWW -------- |
> ---------- WW -------- |
> --------- WW --------- |
> ------- WW -------- |
> ------ WW -------- |
>WWWWWWWW ------------------ |
>WWWWWWWW ---------------- |
> ------ ----------------- |
> ------------------------ |
> ---------------------- WWWW |
> --- - - WWWW |
> WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW |
__________________________________
From the next screen above, the Wall continues upward.
__________________________________
> -----------!-------- >
> -----------!---------- - >
>-- -----------!------------->
>-- --------- ------>
>-- ---------WWWWWWWWWWWWWW------>
>------------WWWWWWWWWWWWWW------>
>------------------!------------->
>------------------!------------->
>------------------!------------->
>------------------!------------->
>------------------!------------->
> - --!------------ >
> WWWWWWWWWWWW--!------------ > Try to get the Clenched fist
> WWWWWWWWWWWW--!---------- > item if you can, then make a
> -------------FF!----------- > mad dash to the right to
>-------------FF!----------- > avoid the Gladiator.
> --------------!----------- >
> ------------!-------- >
> ----------!---------- >
> ---------!--------- >
>WWWWWWWW ---------!---------WWWW>
>WWWWWWWW -------!---------WWWW>
> ------ -------!------- >
> ---------------!---------- >
> ---------------!---------- >
> --- ------!---------- >
> ------!- >
__________________________________
The wall shifts right. The next map above:
__________________________________
| - ------WW-- - --- >
| ------------WW----------- - > When the wall shifts to the
| ------------ WWWW----- ---> right. Go right as fast as
| --------------WWWW------ ---> possible, and both
| -------------- ------------> Gladiators will fall.
| ------ -------- -------->
| ------WW--------WWWWWW-------->
| ------WW ------WWWWWW-------->
| --------WW----------WWWW------>
| ---------WW----------WWWW------>
| !!!!!!!!!WWWW-------- ------>
| --------WWWW------------------>
| -------- WW---------------- >
| ----------WW---------------- >
| -------- --------------- >
| --------- ------- >
| -----------WWWWWWWW------- >
| -----------WWWWWWWW-------- >
| ----------- >
| !!!! !!!!!!!!! >
| ------ ----------WWWWWWWWWWWW>
| -----------------WWWWWWWWWWWW>
| -------------------------- >
| ------------------------- >
| ---------------------------- >
| --------------------------- >
|-- ------------------------- >
|-- --------- |
|WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW------------- |
|WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW----------- |
|WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW----------- |
|WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW------------ |
| ------------------------- |
| --- -------------------- |
| ----------------------------- |
| ---------------------------- |
| ---------------------------- |
| ----------- |
| ------------WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW|
| ------------WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW|
|- ----------WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW|
|-- ---------WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW|
|--- ------ -------------- |
|-- -------- ------ |
|-- ---------------- --- - | If you are getting really
|-- --------------- ----- | good with climbing, just
|--- ---------------- ------ | make a mad dash to the
|--- --------------- ------- | top.
|---- -------------- ------- |
|---- -----Start---- ------ |
----------LEVEL 4----------
PASSWORD: ABAABBBB
The hardest of the difficulties. At times, it is just plain
ludicrious.
---POWERBALL---
Same old Powerball, only you have 45 seconds. It is very
difficult to get two 1-ups on Level 4.
---ASSAULT---
The Gladiator shows no mercy on Level 4 Assault. If you
manage to dodge his attack, you were probably lucky.
Also notice that your missile launchers are on the
wrong side.
To get the flashing jousting stick, wait for
the sound that the stick has appeared. Now jump to
the right pedistol, back to the old gladiator's.
If you timed it right, you should get it.
The Level 4 Cannonball is just plain sick. The platforms and
the rope move at a redicilous speed, and the reaction time of
the gladiators is lightning quick. Even the most perfect
strike ends in failure.
I am still tweaking the strategy for the Level 4 Cannonball,
but so far, these have the best chance of succeeding.
GLADIATOR 1
RANGE: Short
Your Platform Speed: Medium-Fast
Gladiator Platform: Medium
Rope Speed: Medium
Jump from the center of your platform when it reaches the
top going upward to grab the rope from the bottom. Let go
two notches from the right of center.
GLADIATOR 2
RANGE: Long
Your Platform Speed: Very Fast
Gladiator Platform: Very Fast
Rope Speed: Very Fast
Extremely difficult to execute. Jump when your platform is
two notches from the top heading down. The rope will appear
from the right and you should grab the bottom of the rope.
Let go at exact center and hope for the best.
GLADIATOR 3
RANGE: Long
Your Platform Speed: Very Fast
Gladiator Platform: Very Fast
Rope Speed: Very Fast
Move slightly to the left and jump as soon as your platform
reaches it's peak. You'll grab the rope, and the Clenched
Fist item that appears. Climb to the bottom of the rope,
and let go two notches to the right from center. Very
difficult to execute because of the level speed.
GLADIATOR 4
RANGE: Long
Your Platform Speed: Medium
Gladiator Platform: Very Fast
Rope Speed: Slow
Center yourself on your platform and let the rope swing back
and forth once. On the second time, reach for the rope when
your platform is three-quarters from it's peak. If you have
the Clenched Fist item from the last round, climb to get the
1-up, then climb back to the bottom. Let the rope swing
back and forth two more times, and then on the third swing,
let go at exact center. This is, by far, the most difficult
to execute.
---THE WALL---
This is it, the fourth and final Wall. The first wall shift
is probably the hardest of them all. But it seems like the
game programmers quit afterward, because the rest of the
level is too easy.
Wall Key:
- A brick in the wall. You can climb these.
! When you reach this point, a gladiator will
chase you from below.
# When you reach this point, a gladiator will
chase you from above.
@ When you reach this point, a gladiator will
come at you from the sides.
W Impassable wall. If you touch, you fall.
(no space) blank space. Same as Impassable wall.
| Wall borders. I use these to correct errors
in the map.
FF: Clenched Fist item (climb without the need to
tap A and B repeatedly).
As usual, read the map from the bottom to the top.
The Wall shifts left. Next map above is a pain in the neck.
Here is step-by-step button instructions (starting on the
spot I've marked with '1-1')
HOLD UP, then A, B, A, B, A, B
HOLD UP + LEFT, then A, B, A
HOLD LEFT, then B, A, B, A
HOLD DOWN + LEFT, then B, A, B, A, B, A
A gladiator will appear above you. QUICKLY backtrack!
HOLD UP + RIGHT, then B, A, B, A, B, A
HOLD RIGHT, then A, B, A, B
The gladiator should fall and miss you.
HOLD LEFT, then B, A, B, A
HOLD DOWN + LEFT, then B, A, B, A, B, A, B
HOLD DOWN, then A, B, A
HOLD DOWN + RIGHT, then B
HOLD DOWN + LEFT, then B, A
HOLD LEFT, then B, A, B, A, B, A
HOLD UP + LEFT, then B, A, B, A, B, A
HOLD UP + RIGHT, then A, B, A, B, A, B, A
HOLD UP, then B, A, B, A, B, A
HOLD UP + LEFT, then A
HOLD LEFT, then B, A, B, A, B, A, B, A, B, A
HOLD UP + LEFT, then B, A
HOLD DOWN + LEFT, then B
HOLD DOWN, then A, B, A, B, A, B
HOLD DOWN + LEFT, then A
HOLD LEFT, then B, A, B, A, B, A
A gladiator will appear above you. QUICKLY backtrack!
HOLD RIGHT, then A, B, A, B, A, B
(the gladiator will fall. If you're lucky, you won't get hit.)
HOLD LEFT, then B, A, B, A, B, A
HOLD UP + LEFT, then B, A, B, A, B
HOLD UP, then A, B
HOLD LEFT, then A, B, A, B, A, B, A, B
Go DOWN + LEFT from there on, and you're home free. Continue with
the map above.
__________________________________
< ------------------- |
< --------------------- |
< ----------------------- WW |
< ----------------------- WW |
< ------------------------ |
< ------------------------- |
<--------------WW&&&-------- |
<--------------WW----------- |
<-------------- ----------- |
< ------------------------- |
< ------------------------- |
< ------------------------- |
< ------------------------- |
< ------- -------- ------ |
< ------WW -------- WW---- |
< -----WW -------- WW--- |
< ##### ########## ### | Dash as fast as you can to
< ------------------------ | the bricks marked &&&. Wait
< ------------------------- | for the Gladiator to fall.
< -- ------------------ - |
< --WW--------WW--------WW- |
< --WW--------WW--------WW- |
< -- -------- -------- - |
< ------------------------- |
< ------------------------- |
< ------- ------- ------- |
<WW------- WW------WW------- WW |
|WW--------WW------WW------- WW |
| -------- ------ ------ - |
| ------------------------ -- |
| !!WW!!!!!!!!WW!!!!!!!!WW!!! | Work your way UP + LEFT.
| --WW--------WW--------WW--- | The Gladiator should fall.
| -- -------- -------- --- |
| --------------------------- |
| --------------------------- |
| ------- -------- ------ - |
|- ------- -------- ------ - |
|- -----WW -------- WW----- - |
|-- -----WW -------- WW----- - |
|- ---- ---------- ----- |
|- --------------------- - |
|- ----------WW--------- |
|- ----------WW------- - - |
|- ---------- ------- -- - |
| -------------------- - - |
| ------------------------ - |
|- ---- ----------- ------ - |
| ---- ----------- ------ |
| - ----------- --- |
| - - ----- - ---- |
| -- - --Start- ----- - |
__________________________________
CONGRADULATIONS! You have completed all four levels!
---THE ELIMINATOR---
PASSWORD: As far as I know, there is no password. You HAVE
to complete Level 4 to get to The Eliminator.
The biggest doozy of them all. The Eliminator is seperated
in multiple parts:
Part 1 - Platforms: Dodge balls while jumping from platform to
platform. If a ball touches you, you get knocked around. These
are to knock you off the platforms.
-CONTROLS-
DIRECTIONAL PAD: Move right and left.
DOWN: Duck, deflect balls away from you.
START: Pause the game.
A BUTTON: Jump (The longer you hold it, the higher you jump).
A + LEFT/RIGHT: Control the direction you jump.
Part 2 - Hand Bike: Move right and left while dodging balls.
If a ball touches you while you're on the bike, you fall.
-CONTROLS-
START: Pause the game.
LEFT OR RIGHT: Move left or right.
DOWN: Duck, deflect balls away from you.
Part 3 - Moving Treads: Same as platforms, only they are
controlling the direction you move.
-CONTROLS-
DIRECTIONAL PAD: Move left or right.
START: Pause the game.
A BUTTON: Jump
Part 4 - Sliding Handbars: Tests your timimg. Jump from
handbar to handbar on your way to the floor.
-CONTROLS-
START: Pause the game.
A BUTTON: Jump off the handbar.
--ELIMINATOR SOLUTION--
PART 1 -- Platforms
Jump from platform to platform while dodging the balls.
As far as I know, the balls come from the floor at random,
so all you can do is dodge the best you can. You can also
duck (press down) and you can deflect them without any
screwups in your movement.
SET 1: Jump as high as you can while moving from platform
to platform. Not much else to it.
SET 2: More tricky. When you jump on each platform, jump
forward, but then hold the directional pad in the opposite
direction to slow down your jumping speed. (for example,
holding RIGHT when you jump, but hold LEFT while in the air).
This is because the platforms on set 2 are smaller, and a
full-speed jump will mean you'll miss.
SET 3: Now you want to do mini-jumps, because you'll miss
the platforms on a full jump. To do a mini-jump, hold the
A Button for a little less than a second.
You are most vulnerable when in the air. Don't jump unless
you have a clear shot to the next platform, or because the
moving screen forces you to.
PART 2 -- Handbars
Upon completion of the platforms, you have to cross a large
pit on the Handbars. Move right and left dodging the balls,
and work your way to the right as quickly as you can without
getting hit.
PART 3 -- Moving Treads
Same as platforms, only the treads move your character in
different directions. I find it a little easier than the
regular platforms.
PART 4 -- Moving Handbars
Handbar 1: Let go at slightly more than three-quarters of the
| way down.
Handbar 2: Ditto.
Handbar 3: Let go at about three-quarters of the way.
Handbar 4: Ditto.
Handbar 5: Let go at about two-thirds of the way.
Handbar 6, 7, 8: Ditto.
CONGRADULATIONS! You have beat American Gladiators! Now bask
in the glory of one of the lousiest endings that you can get
out of an NES game!
---GLADIATOR QUOTES---
When you start an event, you get a quote from one of the
gladiators. I have listed most of them here:
HUMAN CANNONBALL
Gladiator: Gemini
Quotes:
"Think you can beat the Gladiators? Prove it!"
"Get ready for the ultimate competition!"
"I'm the master blaster."
"You're about to find out who's boss around here."
"I'm the ayatollah of smackola."
"You might like this trophy on your mantle."
"You're Doomed, baby!"
POWERBALL
Gladiator: Gold
Quotes:
"I'm gonna take you down."
"Gold, bold and beautiful."
"Solid gold gladiator power."
"Don't drop the ball, it's that simple."
"Train hard and win easy."
"We're the best of the best."
"Twenty four karats of power."
WALL
Gladiator: Lace
Quotes:
"Now you're playing with power."
"Lace is deceptive, beautiful but strong."
"Brains can beat brawn any day."
"Now I've got you in my web."
"Come into my parlour, said the spider to the fly."
JOUST
Gladiator: Nitro
Quotes:
"I hate to lose, so I never do."
"Either you love me or hate me, or you love to hate me!"
"Let's get busy."
"Two hundred and twenty pounds of twisted steel and sex appeal."
"We're gonna give you a gladiator spanking."
"You can run, but you can't hide."
"Power pugil sticks, use'em or lose'em."
ASSAULT
Gladiator: Laser
Quotes:
"You better be prepared, scout."
"Have you got what it takes?"
"Move Fast, hit hard, don't die easy."
"Let's find out what you're made of."
"Big game goes down easy."
"Gladiators never surrender."
ELIMINATOR
Gladiator: Blaze
Quotes:
"If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."
"Too hot to handle."
"Blaze will put you in a daze!"
"You're playing with fire now!"
"Don't get burned."
The quote given in each event is always random. I know there
are a few missing, but they're not important.
SPECIAL THANKS SECTION
Few and far between. I created this FAQ without the help
of others (a first for me; yes I'm very proud). But I
still have to thank God and my immediate family and friends,
as well as Earthshaker for the inspiration, and Gamefaqs for
hosting this FAQ.
--FINAL DISCLAIMER--
The NES game American Gladiators is (c) 1991 by GameTec
Inc., all rights reserved.
This FAQ is property of Aspie Giraffe, Copyright (c) 1/3/04, all
rights reserved. Any relation to guide books or other websites
dedicated to American Gladiators are purely coincential, for this
FAQ was put together by experience of playing the game without any
form of manual or other FAQs. Feel free to distribute this FAQ or
link this FAQ to your website. Just be sure to give the proper
credit where it's due.
I have removed my e-mail info, because I don't have time to answer
questions about video games anymore. My e-mail 'is' listed under my
contributor info, but outside of info towards my Wrecking Crew FAQ,
it will go unanswered.
