Snake Rattle 'n Roll NES FAQ/Walkthrough v1.0
by Stephen Maiorana (RoyalRanger)
E-mail: [email protected]
AIM: RoyalRanger85
ICQ: 122469125

RoyalRanger's NES Site -- http://clix.to/nessite


Last Update: 6-28-01

Note: This FAQ is not fully complete. It covers levels from 1 through 5, as well
as the dreaded final boss and a few other items to take note of. More will be
added in the very near future.


----------
Contents
----------
Introduction
Controls
How To Play
Items
Bonus Rounds
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Final Boss
Final Notes


--------------
INTRODUCTION
--------------

Welcome to this Snake Rattle 'n Roll guide, based on Snake Rattle 'n Roll, the
excellent 3D-isometric game by Rare LTD. This has always been one of my favorite
NES games, hard as it is, so it's time I helped you in the venture.

The main purpose of this game is to reach the top of a huge mountain. In order
to do this, you must complete each level by eating little round Nibbley Pibbleys
to open the door to the next level.

Not much more can be said, so let us proceed through this guide...


----------
CONTROLS
----------
-----------
Control Pad
-----------

Because Snake Rattle 'n Roll is viewed from a sort-of diagonal angle, your snake
will also be moved at an angle. In other words, the snakes don't move straight
down, up, left, or right; but instead, they move diagonally.

_        _
|          |
 \      /
LEFT   UP

DOWN  RIGHT
 /      \
|_        _|

--------------
Other Controls
--------------

Select - This button isn't used in the game
Start - Pause and continue the game

B - Flick snake tongue
   Swim up a waterfall
   Open a sewer lid

A - Jump


-------------
HOW TO PLAY
-------------
------
Basics
------

You can chose to play this game with one of two players. When playing in two-
player mode, both players play simultaneously to help each other out. The first
player will play the pink snake, Rattle. The second player will play the purple
snake, Roll.

Upon starting the game, each snake will be given three lives. That may not seem
like much for a hard game like this, but that's not all you have. In addition to
the three lives, you also have two continues.

When playing the game, don't fall from a ledge that is too high up. If you move
off of a ledge and fall more than four vertical blocks down, you will lose a
life.

Also keep an eye on the timer at the bottom of the screen. You'll lose a life if
it hits 0.

----------------
Nibbley Pibbleys
----------------

As I've stated earlier, you need to eat Nibbley Pibbleys to proceed through the
game. These Nibbley Pibbleys will continually pop out of dispensers you find
along the way; but these dispenser will also throw out bombs that are disguised
as Nibbley Pibbleys, so make sure you watch out.

In each level, the Nibbley Pibbleys will usually take on a different form, such
as helicopters or birds. You can eat one of these Nibbley Pibbleys by flicking
your tongue at it. Each Nibbley Pibbley you eat will give you a number of units,
based on the color of the Nibbley Pibbley. After every four units you gain, your
snake's tail will lengthen with another segment. The number of units you gain
per Nibbley Pibbley are as follows:

Nibbley Pibbley Color   |  # Units Gained
-----------------------------------------
Yellow                         3 Units
The color of your snake        2 Units
Other color                    1 Unit

After you've eaten enough Nibbley Pibbleys, the last segment of your tail will
start to blink. At this point, you have to find a scale and jump on it to make
it ring. In the case of a two player game, both players must have blinking tails
and must get on the scale together to make it ring. When the scale rings, you
just have to find the exit door in the level and leave to proceed to the next
level.

-------
Enemies
-------

Along your way, you will encounter many strange enemies. Most of these enemies
can be defeated by jumping on them a few times, and this is the method that will
earn you the most points. All of the enemies can be killed by flicking your
tongue at it a few times, but this doesn't earn as many points. If you happen to
touch an enemy, you will lose a tail segment. If you lose all of your tail
segments, you lose a life.

Most of the enemies change from level to level, but this is one that you have to
look out for. The Big Foot will appear in every level, except for the last few.
It usually pops out from under a sewer lid when you get close, but it sometimes
just sits still and doesn't start to move until you near it. When the foot does
appear and start to move, it will jump around in a certain pattern. If you touch
the foot, you'll lose a tail segment. If you get stepped on by the foot, you'll
lose a whole life. To kill the Big Foot, you cannot jump on it, but must lick it
continuously.

There is another enemy called Ice Foot, which appears in the last few levels
instead of the Big Foot. The Ice Foot is much like the Big Foot, except the Ice
Foot must be hit with a steady stream of tongue licks. If you miss a hit, Ice
Foot will get all of its energy back.


-------
ITEMS
-------

Here is a list and rough drawing of items you will find during the game.

Clock:
 ___
/ | \
|  -- |  Use this to add 25 extra seconds to your level timer.
\___/


Diamond:
____
/ __ \
\    /  This grants your snake temporary invincibility.
\  /
 \/


Extra Continue:

(Snake head with mouth open. Can't create picture for this object.)

This adds one more continue to those you already have.


Extra Life:

(Small snake head. Can't create picture for this object.)

This adds one more life to those you already have. Be careful, though, because
if the Extra Life doesn't blink, it's not really an extra life but a bomb.


Reverse:
_______
\/|    \
/  ---/|  This item temporarily reverses the controls on the control pad.
\  ---\|  Try to avoid this item as much as possible.
/\|____/


Speed Up:
_   _
|_|||_|
  |     This temporarily lets your snake move around very quickly.
  |


Tongue Extension:
---
|| ||
||_||  Grab this to make your tongue longer.
| | |
---


-------------
BONUS ROUND
-------------

In a few of the levels of the game, there will be a bonus round that can be
found under a certain sewer lid. In the bonus round, five Nibbley Pibbleys will
pop out of a dispenser, move around a bit, and head back to the dispenser. If
you can eat all of the Nibbley Pibbleys before they return to the dispenser,
you'll get 5000 extra points.

The best way to win the bonus round is to start eating the Nibbley Pibbleys as
soon as the begin to pop out of the dispenser. A yellow Nibbley Pibbley will
appear last. Since the yellow one moves very quickly, go after that Nibbley
Pibbley right away, even if you haven't eaten t all of the others. Once you eat
the yellow Nibbley Pibbley, you can continue to eat the others.


---------
LEVEL 1
---------

Nibbley Pibbley type: Pibballs

This is the first and easiest level in the game. If you've never played Snake
Rattle 'n Roll before, this is the perfect place to practice and become
accustomed to the game control.

Try to stay out of the water as much as you can in this level. If you stay in it
too long, a shark will bite you, taking away a section of your tail.

All the way to the right (at the other end) of this level, there will be a
rocket that will take off approximately 9 seconds after the level begins. If you
can make it all the way to the rocket and jump in before it's gone, you'll be
warped to Level 8. I don't recommend trying to use this warp. It's very hard to
jump in before it takes off, therefore usually just wasting your time.

You will shortly see an extra life on ledge high up. This is one point where
that nasty shark comes in handy. First, make sure your snake has at least one
tail segment. Place your snake in the water right in front of the ledge where
the extra life is. Let the shark bite you and, when you fly into the air, use
the UP button to move to the ledge directly beneath the extra life. Jump to the
ledge to your left. Then, use your RIGHT and UP buttons to jump to the ledge
containing the extra life. You can leave the ledge now, but remember not to fall
to far, or you'll lose a life.

You can use the same shark-jumping method to reach the clock that appears later
on, if you even want the clock.

If you would like to earn a lot of points in the game, the best thing to is to
eat as many Nibbley Pibbleys as possible on this, the first level. You can get a
lot of points here but not as many on other levels due to time restrictions.

Once you have eaten enough Nibbley Pibbleys and the end of your tail (or both
players' tails if in two-player mode) is blinking, you can jump on the scale all
the way at the right end of the level. The door next to you will open and you
can enter it to proceed to the next level.


---------
LEVEL 2
---------

Nibbley Pibbley type: Pibbleboings

Beware of the shark, because he will appear in the water of this level, also.

To reach the tongue extension on the high ledge to your right, use the same
shark-jumping method used in Level 1.

When you come to two Nibbley Pibbley dispensers close together, there will be a
sewer lid between them. This sewer will contain an enemy that will jump out when
you open it, so be careful there. You can get some points from it by killing if
you want. It's not hard at all.

You'll notice an extra life on another high ledge to your right. In order to get
this, first make sure you have at least one tail segment. Jump into the little
pool of water beneath the extra life and use your LEFT button until your snake
is against the wall. Then press the DOWN button until your snake stops moving.
Let the shark bite you and, when you fly up in the air, hold the LEFT button.
You should be extremely close to the edge of the ledge, so be careful you don't
fall off and hit the big spikes next to you.

When you have eaten all the Nibbley Pibbleys you need and you're at the spot
where the scale is, you'll have to maneuver some jumps that may be a little bit
difficult if you're not quite used to the game yet. First, jump up onto the
platform that is directly beneath the Nibbley Pibbley dispenser. Get to the edge
of the platform and jump out towards the waterfalls. Use the DOWN button while
you are jumping and tap the LEFT button to safely land on the ledge between the
two waterfalls. From here, jump onto the platform to your right and kill the
jumping mushroom. Get on the scale to open the door.

You'll notice a mushroom dancing around in front of the door to your right. If
you have a long enough tongue, try killing the mushroom from the scale instead
of risking getting hit by the mushroom after you climb up there. When you're
ready to proceed, jump back over the Nibbley Pibbley dispenser and use the same
jump (DOWN button and tap the LEFT button) as you did earlier in order to reach
the next highest platform between the waterfalls. Then, you can jump to your
right and reach the door to exit the level.


---------
LEVEL 3
---------

Nibbley Pibbley type: Pibblejoggers

When this level starts, your snake will be up on a high platform. If you hold
down the LEFT button, you'll see a Tongue Extension to a ledge to your left. Try
reaching the Tongue Extension by jumping to the small platform between the
waterfalls and from there to the Tongue Extension. If you fall, you don't have a
chance to get the Tongue Extension, but don't worry about it because I've fallen
many times.

To get the Extra Life and the Tongue Extension at the edge of the waterfalls in
your area, get in the stream of water and tap the LEFT button so you don't get
pulled too far. As soon as you grab the item, hold your LEFT button for a few
seconds, and then hold your LEFT and DOWN buttons to reach land.

You may notice a sewer on a small platform below the spot where you begin the
level. Unless you've mastered the control of the game, don't even try to get it.
It is merely a bonus round, which you don't even need because there will be
another bonus round later in the level. If you did try to get this bonus round
without being good at the control, you'll either die trying to reach the sewer
or you'll die trying to get back.

Later on, on a narrow ledge, there will be a Reverse, which switches your play
control. Try to jump over this Reverse, if possible. If not, grab the Reverse
and wait for it to die off. If you try to proceed with the Reverse in effect,
chances are that you'll fall off of the edge.

From the small ledge where the Diamond is (right next to the Reverse), you'll
have to jump around a spike onto another narrow ledge. When on this ledge, move
very slowly. Little blades will pop up from the ground when you get too close.
Just continue to move slowly and, when one pops up, lick it a few times to
eliminate it.

When you reach the Nibbley Pibbley dispensers, you'll see a sewer lid up high,
next to the top of the rightmost dispenser. This sewer contains a warp that will
take you to Level 5. To reach this warp, jump on the narrow platform between the
large spikes and the leftmost Nibbley Pibbley dispenser. Hold the RIGHT button
and jump when you reach the edge of the platform. When you are in mid-air, let
go of the RIGHT button and hold the UP button to try to successfully land on the
ledge between both dispensers. Repeat this same procedure to reach the other
ledge to the right of both dispensers. Then hold the DOWN button and jump off of
this ledge. As soon as your snake is in line with the lowest part of the high
platform (immediately to the left of the rightmost dispenser), press the LEFT
button to land on the platform. You can now open the sewer and successfully warp
to Level 5. This is a warp that I do recommend to take, as long you are good at
jumping and game control.

If you decide not to use the Level 5 warp, you can proceed to the left once
you've eaten all of the Nibbley Pibbleys you need. As you proceed to the scale,
be careful when you are in the water because the current will try to pull you
down a waterfall. Also be careful of the sewer right in front of the scale. This
sewer contains a Big Foot, and you sure don't want to lose your tail segments
before you have a chance to reach the scale. When you've gotten the scale to
ring, just climb the little "stairway" to your right, jump over the waterfall,
and go into the door.


---------
LEVEL 4
---------

Nibbley Pibbley type: Pibblesplats

Of the various levels in this game, Level 4 is one of my least favorite. That's
why I recommend taking the warp in Level 3 if possible. You may have to maneuver
a few difficult jumps in this level, so try your best.

Beware of a few things when this level first starts. Beware of the pins that are
thrown into the air by the pin cushion on the platform above you. Also beware of
the third sewer that you come across, which will contain a bomb disguised as an
extra life (though you'll notice that this one doesn't blink like extra lives
always do). Don't try to jump on any of the pin cushions in this level, since
they can only be killed with your tongue.

Eat all the Nibbley Pibbleys you need at the first dispenser here. Once you have
a full tail, be very, very careful. There are no more Nibbley Pibbley dispensers
along the way. If you do happen to lose your tail segments along the way, you
don't have to return, though, because there is an alternate way to trip the
scale.

After proceeding a small amount through the level and killing the upcoming pin
cushion, you'll have to jump over a waterfall and land on a lower ledge to your
left. To do this, get on the lower-left square on the high platform you are on.
Then, use your LEFT button while you jump, tapping the DOWN button once in the
middle of the jump. This should put you on a low, narrow platform.

As you gradually move up two levels from where you are, move very slowly, as
blades will pop up in front of you at a few places along the path. Also be
careful of sewers that contain bombs. When you pop open a sewer, back away a
little bit before you try to grab anything from it.

When you reach the third platform from the bottom, there will be a small ledge
with a sewer on it that you have to jump to. This jump might be easier if you
give yourself a little running start. Just use the LEFT button when you jump,
and try not to slide off of the small ledge if you land on it. When you're on,
you can open the sewer to play a little bonus round.

Proceed to move up the platforms until you are just about to get onto the
highest one, where the scale waits for you on the other side from where you are
(you will be on the right side of this platform). This platform, while it may
seem simple, is actually the hardest part in the whole level. Get onto this
narrow platform and slowly move to the left. You will soon see an anvil fall
from the sky in front of you. Once this anvil hits the ground, go past it, but
don't go too far past it. There will be another anvil that falls from the sky
there. When this anvil hits the ground, use your LEFT button and go all the way
to the scale without stopping. If your tail is long enough, quickly get the
scale to ring and use the RIGHT button to go all the way back to the other end
of the platform, where you can jump to the door to exit. If your tail isn't long
enough to trip the scale, there will be a yellow anvil that falls from the sky
above the scale; this anvil will slowly try to follow you, so try to maneuver
the yellow anvil onto the scale. This anvil can trip the scale by itself,
leaving you to get to the other end of the platform as soon as possible and jump
to the door.


---------
LEVEL 5
---------

Nibbley Pibbley type: Pibblebats

Compared to some other levels, I actually found this one to be kind of easy. All
you have to do is master jumping on the magic carpets. This level should be a
breeze after that.

When the level begins, use the RIGHT button to move down the narrow ledge until
you are next to the area where the magic carpet flies up and down. When the
carpet is near the top of its rise, walk out onto it. When the carpet is near
the bottom of its drop, walk off of it onto the ground.

You'll see a sewer where you get off. Inside this sewer will be a yellow Nibbley
Pibbley, but you don't even have a hope of catching it with your small tongue,
so ignore it for now. Get the tongue on the small "island" in the water. Above
here, a magic carpet will fly back and forth. When the carpet stops in mid-air
next to you on its path to the right, jump while using your LEFT and DOWN
buttons to land on it. When the carpet stops next to the Tongue Extension, jump
and tap the UP button to grab it. Now, you can open the sewer with the Nibbley
Pibbley in it and try to eat it.

Get on the left side of the waterfall and position yourself on the second square
from the bottom (in line with the flying carpet above the huge spikes). When the
carpet comes close to you, jump for it and try to land on it. When you're on the
carpet and the carpet is near the opposite side of the spikes, jump for the
platform on the other side.

You can eat Nibbley Pibbleys here to lengthen your tail. You can open the
manholes here to get a yellow Nibbley Pibbley and a diamond for temporary
invincibility. If you want to grab the tongue lengthener to your left, you'll
have to get as close to the edge of the platform, near the lengthener, as
possible. If you would prefer to run and jump (the way I do it), you can do
that, but jump when you are right at the edge. Go for the tongue lengthener
(using the DOWN button), and turn the opposite direction as soon as you hit it.
This should land you back on the platform again. If you're still not very good
at the jumps, I do not recommend you try this.

When you head for the flying carpet that lead to a lower platform, there will be
a Reverse in your way. You can either choose to jump over this Reverse and onto
the carpet, or you can grab the Reverse and wait until it stops working for you
to get on the carpet. When you're ready, get onto the carpet when it reaches the
top of it's climb. Then, you can get off onto the lower platform.

Watch out for the manholes on this platform. The two uppermost manholes will
contain bombs disguised as extra lives. The lower sewer will have a true extra
life in it. If you want to grab the tongue lengthener at the corner of this
platform, approach it carefully, so you won't fall off of the edge. If your tail
isn't blinking, I recommend you try to lengthen it fully here, because the next
Nibbley Pibbley dispenser throws many of it's Nibbley Pibbleys in hard-to-get
spots (like over the edge of the platform).

When finished here, proceed to the next flying carpet at the left end of the
platform. This one can actually be tough to jump on successfully sometimes, so
time your jump carefully. You'll notice that on the next platform is a Reverse
that you'll hit as soon as you jump off of the carpet. Use your left button to
jump off of the carpet and onto the platform. When you hit the Reverse, let go
of the button immediately and wait a few seconds for it to die off. If you want,
you can hold the DOWN button to see when the Reverse has lost its effect.

When ready, use the DOWN button to head down this narrow platform. When you come
to a purple square in the wall, jump over it, because these blue squares will
try to push you off of the platform. When you're finally at the end of the
narrow platform, jump off of the edge while holding the DOWN button. Hit the
LEFT button right away after that. If it looks like you're drifting over the big
drop, you may have to also hit UP to successfully land on the next platform.

Then, jump onto the next platform. Do this by jumping off of the platform you
are currently on, along with the RIGHT button, and hitting UP as soon as you're
in-line with the next platform. This should make a successful jump. Now, you can
just easily jump onto the platform right above you. You are very close to
completing the level now.

The left-most manhole on this platform will contain a clock to lengthen your
timer. The next manhole will contain a Speed Up. The next will have an enemy
foot that will pop out when you get near it. The final manhole will also contain
a clock to lengthen your timer.

Now, try to get rid of the foot before it gets in your way. This foot will move
while you are licking it, so this will be somewhat tougher to do. When you
defeat the foot, be careful, because it will sometimes give an extra life and it
will give a bomb other times. Just check to make sure the item blinks before you
try to grab it.

If you're tail isn't blinking at the end, try as hard as you can to eat more
Nibbley Pibbleys until your tail is long enough to set off the scale. Once your
tail is long enough, get onto the scale for it to ring and the end door to open.

Now, this next part will be one of the hardest parts in the level. Get onto the
carpet to the left of the scale once the carpet is at the bottom of its fall.
When the carpet reaches the top of its rise, jump off of it, along with the UP
button, onto the little platform to your right. This next carpet that leads to
the door will blink on and off while floating over the large spikes. This carpet
will follow a, pretty much, set pattern. When the carpet is near, jump onto it.
When the carpet blinks a few times (a fraction of a second), jump in place
(without pressing the control pad). This should keep you on the carpet and off
the spikes. When you try to jump onto the opposite platform, there will be a
Reverse there that you're libel to grab. If you do, hit and hold your DOWN
button. If you happen to jump over the Reverse, keep your hand on the UP button
to successfully end the level.


-------------
LEVELS 6-10
-------------

These levels will be covered in a later version of the FAQ.


------------
FINAL BOSS
------------

Here it is, the enemy feared by so many because of its power. This ice foot
provides such a strong opposition that it becomes very hard to kill. But,
fortunately, there is a way, and I will now let you know how.

The final boss, the ice foot as you see, is toughened by his "recharging"
ability. You have to continue to hit the enemy with a very constant and steady
stream of hits, or else he will regain all of his power. You'll have to follow
the foot around the "big cheese," as I like to call it, as you lick it
continuously and avoid the meteors falling from the sky; luckily, these meteors
always fall in the same direction, so you don't have to worry about that too
much, as long as you make sure to avoid them at all costs.

Just follow the foot around the cheese and keep licking it. You'll know when the
foot is vulnerable, as you'll notice he slows down when power is not full. If
the foot starts to speed up again, you know he's regained all his power.
Continue to hit the foot with stream of hits until it explodes; this procedure
will take anywhere between one to two rotations around the cheese, but it
usually happens at one and a half rotations, as long as you have made sure to
keep hitting the foot steadily. Also watch that you don't get too close to the
foot, or else you'll lose a tail segment and the foot will probably speed up by
the time you're back on your feet... err... tail.

When the foot is vanquished, a space ship will fly out of the sky to the upper-
most corner of the cheese. When the top of this spaceship opens, continue to
keep watch for the meteors and jump into the ship.

MISSION COMPLETE!
You have defeated the monster, made it to the moon, and have beaten this very
difficult game!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!


-------------
FINAL NOTES
-------------

This guide may be used for personal use ONLY. Do not alter this document in any
way or post it on any other website without first attaining my permission. Do
not sell or take credit for this document.

If you have any comments or suggestions, e-mail me at [email protected]

Copyright 2001 Stephen Maiorana

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