Macross FAQ
VERSION 1.2
Thursday, February 27, 2003
By: Rob Furbee
AIM: Mayor Maynaut or MudTurkey3334
ICQ: Mud Turkey 3
Email:
[email protected]
GameFAQs Username: furb
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Game Story
3. Game Controls
4. Gameplay Notes
5. Power Ups
6. Enemy List
7. Gameplay
8. Helpful Hints
9. Closing Thoughts
10. Legal Information
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1. Introduction
Macross, or Robotech as it's known in the States, started my addiction to anime
in the late '80s. It was the first cartoon I had ever seen that was even
slightly serious. It had everything not seen in American cartoons of the time,
love, death, interracial couples, and an involved storyline of war and the
power of love. Though the US version, Robotech, was a butchered version of the
original, it still was amazing. Sorry folks, you will not find the Macross game
in America. It was released in Japan only on the Famicom. The only way
to play it is via ROM or import with a converter. Namco created it in 1985.
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2. Game Story
Uhh... the game really offers none. I'm assuming only fans of series will see
this, so they know already. Thus, I'm not going to elaborate.
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3. Game Controls
NES Directional Pad Controls
Directional Pad Up - Moves the player's Valkyerie up.
Directional Pad Down - Moves the player's Valkyerie down.
Directional Pad Left - Moves the player's Valkyerie left.
Directional Pad Right - Moves the player's Valkyerie right.
Directional Pad Up Left - Moves the player's Valkyerie up & to the left.
Directional Pad Up Right - Moves the player's Valkyerie up & to the right.
Directional Pad Down Left - Moves the player's Valkyerie down & to the left.
Directional Pad Down Right - Moves the player's Valkyerie down & to the right.
Transformation Commands
Gerwalk Mode - Directional Pad Up plus the "A" button.
Battloid Mode - Directional Pad Left plus the "A" button.
Fighter Mode - Directional Pad Right plus the "A" button
Other Controls
The "A" Button
This button's only function is to assist in Valkyrie transformation.
The "B" Button
This button's only function is to fire the Valkyrie's cannons.
Misc. Controls
The Select Button
Pressing the Select Button during gameplay will fire homing missiles.
The Start Button
Pressing the Start Button during gameplay will pause the game.
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4. Gameplay Notes
This is a very straightforward shoot 'em up game. It features the typical
sideview used in most Famicom/NES shoot 'em ups. Being a Macross game, the
player pilots a Valkyerie (or Veritech) which is a transformable mech. There
are three different modes. (listed above) Each has its strengths and they also
have weaknesses. The modes will by analyzed below.
Figther Mode
Strength - This mode is the fastest of all.
Weakness - This mode is navigates sluggishly.
Weakness - This mode does not have an automatic cannon.
Gerwalk Mode
Strength - Navigates much better than Fighter Mode.
Strength - Gerwalk Mode has an automatic cannon.
Weakness - Moves slower than Fighter Mode.
Battloid Mode
Strength - This mode has the best navigation abilities of the three.
Strength - The Battloid has an automatic cannon.
Strength - The Battloid may fire behind itself.
Weakness - Moves the slowest of the three modes.
Which should I use?
Change attack modes often. Try to figure out which mode works best in certain
situation. That is the key.
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5. Power Ups
Appearance - A red circle with "P" in it.
When Collected - Restores power to the player.
Appearance - A red circle with an "M" in it.
When Collected - Restores the player's missiles supply.
Apearance - A red circle with an "E" in it.
When Collected - Adds one life.
Apearance - A red circle with a "B" in it.
When Collected - Makes player's shot more powerful.
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6. Enemy List - The Zentraedi Forces
Name - Space Mine
Appearance - Red with grey spines.
Mech Class - Battlepod
Crew - 1 Zentraedi pilot.
Description - Standard Zentradi infantry mech. Has light armoring.
Appearance - It has a round hull with two legs.
Mech Class - Light Artillery Battlepod
Crew - 1 Zentradi pilot
Description - A variant of the standard battlepod.
Appearance - Looks like a normal battlepod with a small missile launcher ontop.
Mech Class - Heavy Artillery Battlepod
Crew - 1 Zentraedi pilot.
Description - A variant of the standard Battlepod.
Appearance - It looks like a normal battlepod with a missile launcher on top.
Mech Class - Officer's Battlepod
Crew - 1 Zentraedi pilot.
Description - More heavily armed than standard battlepods. Has more armor too.
Appearance - Much larger than the other battlepods. Has an orange cockpit.
Vessel Class - Zentraedi Scoutship
Crew - 70 Zentraedi crewmen, 80 pilots, 40 troops.
Description - Most common Zentradi warship. Only lightly armed.
Appearance - In the game it looks like a flying green wedge.
Name - Gun Turret
Appearance - Double barreled grey gun turret.
*Note the following Enemies aren't really in the Macross series that I know of.
They appear in the game but are in another part of the Macross saga.
Mech Class - Powersuit Female
Crew - 1 pilot.
Description - A large humanoid attack suit.
Appearance - Stands vertical and is grey and green. Shoots missiles.
Mech Class - Powersuit Male
Crew - 1 pilot
Description - A large humanoid attack suit.
Appearance - It's like a Powersuit Female only thin and does not fire missiles.
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7. Gameplay
Macross seems to have no ending. I've played to level 10, alas, still no
ending. All the boards have the same 4 part layout: Deep Space, Outside the
Zentraedi Vessel, Inside the Zentraedi Vessel, and Vessel Reactor. I will
describe each section and what to expect there.
Deep Space
This area will consist of a black background with explosion. This is the area
where all levels begin. The player will meet up with a multitude of enemies
here. Also, starting in later levels, a minefield will be placed in this
section of play.
Outside the Zentraedi Vessel
In this section, the player will fly alongside a Zentraedi Flagship.
It almost exactly like flying in space, except the background will be green
because that is the color of the ships hull. Also the threat of gun turrets
arise in this section. They are mounted to the side of the ship.
Inside the Zentraedi Vessel
After flying outside the flagship long enough, the player will enter it through
an opening in its hull. Once inside, the player will fly through a grey
corridor fighting the same enemies as outside minus the gun turrets.
Vessel Reactor
At the end of the grey corridor, the player will find a reactor. It will
appear as a blue oval. To destroy the reactor, the player must blow up the
two rows of 16 blue circles in the center. The only enemy threat is from the
reactor itself. It will fire sparks at the player.
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8. Helpful Hints
*For best odds of survival on later levels, go into fighter mode and move to
the lower right hand corner. Most enemy attack patterns will miss the player.
Watch out for mines and missiles though.
*Try to save missiles for the reactor. Fire them slightly below and to the
left of the weak point. This will help cause large damage quickly.
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9. Closing Thoughts
A very good game for the time. The character sprites are also very well drawn
for the time. All mecha resemble their Macross counterparts well. This game's
difficulty can be nasty at times, and the endlessness{?} is also a drawback.
All and all though, it's a game that any Macross fan should appreciate. Also,
there is a special guest appearance by my most hated character in the series.
She bangs a gong to show the high score. If someone can name her, post on the
messageboard!
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10. Legal Information
Copyright 2003 Rob Furbee
All trademarks and copyrights contained in this document
are owned by their respective trademark
and copyright holders.
Do anything you would like with my FAQ. Just give me credit for it.
A thank you to milkycow for pointing out the "B" and "E" powerups. Also for the
information about the unknown enemies.
