High score competition #138 Chelnov (Atomic Runner)

[popsicle]

Previous winners:

#001 thru #099 - For list of winners for those competitions  please refer to this link
#100: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom: Winner - Gray_Area, Second - Tafoid
#101: Marvin's Maze: Winner - Kixfan, Second - Hammerfist
#102: Rally-X:  Winner - Tafoid, Second  djm858
#103: Lock 'N Chase:  Winner - Kixfan, Second - Jasonbar
#104: Space Fury: Winner - Gray_Area, Second - kixfan
#105: Pig Out: Winner - Kixfan, Second - Gray_Area
#106: Carnival: Winner - rick6668, Second - Kixfan
#107: Rastan: Winner - popsicle, Second - rick6668
#108: Peguin-Kun Wars Winner-dancawar, Second - Popsicle
#109: Blood Bros.* Winner - harveybirdman, Second - Jasonbar *scores reflect use of game features considered cheats
#110: Rabbit Punch: Winner - jasonbar, Second - mimic
#111: Alien Syndrome: Winner - mimic, Second Comtek
#112: Block Hole: Winner - Comtek, Second - idsane
#113: Pepper II: Winner - Comtek, Second - Kixfan
#114: Break Thru: Winner - jasonbar, Second - mimic
#115: Ninja Baseball Bat Man: Winner - mimic, Second - Tafoid
#116: Shao-lin's Road: Winner - mimic, Second - Kixfan
#117: Scramble: Winner - Kixfan, Second - jasonbar
#118: Lost Tomb: Winner: Jasonbar, Second: mimic
#119: Green Beret: Winner: LeapinLew, Second: popsicle
#120: Lady Killer: Winner: Comtek Second: Mimic
#121: Qix: Winner: Comtek Second: sorhp
#122: Halley's Comet: Winner: Jasonbar Second: Mimic
#123: Cyber-Lip: Winner: Jasonbar Second: epetti
#124: Lode Runner: Winner: JDFan Second: kixfan
#125: Snow Bros. - Nick & Tom: Winner: Comtek Second: JDFan
#126: Bosconian: Winner: Cynicaster Second: kixfan
#127: Eggs: Winner: Cynicaster Second: kixfan
#128: Eyes: Winner: kixfan Second: Comtek
#129: Galaga '88: Winner: jasonbar, Second: opt2not
#130: Final Fight: Winner: opt2not, Second: Comtek
#131: Hammerin' Harry: Winner: lettuce, Second: kixfan
#132: Battle Circuit: Winner: lettuce, Second: jasonbar
#133: Giga Wing: Winner: edekoning, Second: spoot
#134: Osman: Winner: edekoning, Second: lettuce
#135: Surprise Attack: Winner: Comtek, Second: edekoning
#136: Anteater: Winner: Kixfan, Second: Comtek
#137: Jr. Pac man: Winner: Kixfan, Second: Popsicle

Competition #138: Chelnov (Atomic Runner)

Wikipedia:  Chelnov

ROM Name: chelnov

Settings: Default
   Lives: 3
   Difficulty: Normal
   
Last day: Wednesday, April 23 2014, midnight Pacific Time.

Description: You control Chelnov, the atomic runner. Beginning in Russia, he has to run from left to right through several levels to reach the Statue of Liberty. Chelnov keeps running by himself until you stop him, and he can do somersaults which enables him to fire in other directions. Nasties are killed by shooting or jumping on them. There are several different types of weapons and power-ups.
 
General Rules:
- One Credit, No Continues.
- Highest score wins.
- No savestates, savestate practices, etc. during the round.
- MAME INP recordings are encouraged but optional.
- A screenshot is required to enter a score (press F12 to save screenshot showing your final score) or take a photo of the game screen.
- If you're a MARP competitor on this title, keep in mind this is just a friendly competition among forum members, so maybe you shouldn't enter. However, if you're a forum member and this is a game you're good at and nobody knows about it, this is your time to shine!
- Even if you don't have a competitive score or if you don't *think* that you have a competitive score, please post it anyway to keep the thread fun & to give everybody a good sense of score ranges.
- Please make sure your scores are from games that take place during the competition period (no posting your best score from last year, etc.).
- Use of autofire or other non-standard hacks within MAME or your PC's OS are not allowed.  No program or other person or entity of any sort may manipulate your controls during your game.  Coaching & back-seat driving is fine as long as the party doesn't directly influence the game or controls.
- If you can beat any of the high scores from the previous competitions, you can submit your score to the BYOAC High Game Scoreboard.

- Quest for the Bronze Joystick! The most successful competitor of each calendar year will possess & display the BYOAC Bronze Joystick Trophy. See this thread for details:The BYOAC Bronze Joystick.
Happy Gaming!

[kixfan]

7650

No picture cause the screen changes too fast.   10k is the lowest posted score.   Maybe it's my version of mame but 1 coin is 2 credits?

[epetti]

I had the US version (chelnovu) setup on my machine. Figured it'd be about the same but I tried both just to see. Wow! Completely different even within the first few minutes. Both are hard. US version has a lot bigger monsters.

[epetti]

Ok. Finally made it past 10k. 12,800.

[Generic Eric]

More later

004500

016200  12APR
030800  13APR
042150  13APR

[Comtek]

31,550

[popsicle]

Yea, I didn't realize that the world version was so much different than the one I used to play at the bowling alley (the US version apparently).  I was shocked when I didn't see the big helmeted brontosaur over the lava bridge. 

But yes, both are difficult 

40,900

[Comtek]

48,500

[Generic Eric]

I learned you can press button 3 to switch from right to left and back.  It hasn't helped me get a higher score yet, but I'm have pulled off some neat moves. 

BTW how many folks have a button linked to f12 on their keyboard?

[epetti]

I learned you can press button 3 to switch from right to left and back.  It hasn't helped me get a higher score yet, but I'm have pulled off some neat moves. 

BTW how many folks have a button linked to f12 on their keyboard?

Yeah, I just found out there's a third button too.

I have a button combo for F12.  But I have a dedicated button for pause, so I use that to freeze the screen so I can take a picture.

[epetti]

Significant improvement but not into the top two. Learning I could actually turn around was kind of a big deal. 😄 33,850.

[jasonbar]

Not a bad game. So very many power-ups--I need some sort of a reference sheet to refer to as I play!

It amuses me that you can either run, run fast, or stand still. It's just funny watching the Atomic Runner stand...Atomic Stander?

18,100 after a couple of orientation games.

-J

[Generic Eric]

...Atomic Stander?

That will be the last place award in the Bronze Trophy race!

[epetti]

It amuses me that you can either run, run fast, or stand still.

Don't forget run backwards.

I hate the stupid spin jump. I almost always mean to jump straight up to shoot, but half the time accidentally spin instead, and then miss the power ups I'm trying to hit.

[jasonbar]

I have yet to find a use for button 3, so I haven't yet experienced much Atomic Moonwalker.

[Comtek]

the backwards walking comes in handy for the 2nd boss and in the third level
63,500

[popsicle]

Whoops, the helmeted brontosaur is there.  He's on level 2.  How do you destroy the right eye of the second boss? 

65,500

[Comtek]

jump over him then use 3rd button to turn around

[popsicle]

I like the upgraded boomerangs the best.  As far as I can tell, red power ups increase shot power, yellow extend range, and blue fire faster?

You can jump on enemies to kill/stun them too, if you didn't already know that.

[epetti]

67,400. Didn't make it to the second boss. Got killed by all the last of the stupid crushing ceiling spike things. Was I close to him?

[jasonbar]

33,200. Score improved vastly, though I didn't think I got any better at the game...

-Jason

[Comtek]

77,750

[kixfan]

Well, I thought I was going to be first!    Dang you Comtek!   

Got to 2nd boss on first guy then didn't remember what others said about 3rd button till I killed all my guys.

Very nice game!   Good pick!

72,200

[epetti]

Can't you let a guy have first for more than a few hours? 😄 kixfan, how did you make it to the second boss without using the third button? I'm constantly using it, especially on the second level.

[popsicle]

Geez, made it all the way to 3rd board on first guy with boomerangs.  Wavy dragon then killed all three of me.

101,500

[popsicle]

67,400. Didn't make it to the second boss. Got killed by all the last of the stupid crushing ceiling spike things. Was I close to him?

You can shoot and destroy those, btw.

[popsicle]

I found a 'secret' on the first board - fall down the first hole (or is the second one?) and you go to an underground area where coins (points) are plentiful.

[epetti]

I found a 'secret' on the first board - fall down the first hole (or is the second one?) and you go to an underground area where coins (points) are plentiful.

Yes. The first hole. Very useful.

Didn't know you could destroy the spikes! Man that would've helped. Ok. I'll have to give it some more tries.

[kixfan]

Can't you let a guy have first for more than a few hours? 😄 kixfan, how did you make it to the second boss without using the third button? I'm constantly using it, especially on the second level.

LOL!  I really found I only needed to used it once or twice.   What I realized too late was you need to jump over him and shoot out the other eye.   

[kixfan]

I found a 'secret' on the first board - fall down the first hole (or is the second one?) and you go to an underground area where coins (points) are plentiful.

Yes, I found that as well.  The coins with the $ is points but what are the oriental symbols (for a lack of a better word) ?   More points?   Or do they actually do something?

[kixfan]

Geez, made it all the way to 3rd board on first guy with boomerangs.  Wavy dragon then killed all three of me.

101,500

Nice score Popsicle!   Boomerangs seem to be the way to go.   They give you that swirly weapon just before the circular turtle thing(1st level) which makes you think you need it but I've never been able to kill it with that.   This is one of those games where once you die the first time unless you die at a good spot you can be in a position where you just can't get past some enemies.

[popsicle]

Yea, that circular weapon is terrible.  You can only have two on the screen at once, and they move too slow.  It reminds me of the blue water or throwing axe weapon in Ghouls n Ghosts.  Useless.  On the third board you get homing missiles, which are nice, but that stupid dragon killed me anyway.

[kixfan]

The other thing I was thinking is that he jumps/moves like the character from Impossible Mission (from C64 days).

[popsicle]

The other thing I was thinking is that he jumps/moves like the character from Impossible Mission (from C64 days).

Ha, at least in that game when you died you were treated to a lengthy and blood curdling digitized scream.

[Comtek]

I found a 'secret' on the first board - fall down the first hole (or is the second one?) and you go to an underground area where coins (points) are plentiful.

Yes. The first hole. Very useful.

Didn't know you could destroy the spikes! Man that would've helped. Ok. I'll have to give it some more tries.

What hole are you guys talking about

[epetti]

First level, after you fight the mini-boss, there's two gaps in the floor. Instead of jumping over them, you drop through the first one.

[Comtek]

all the gaps I see have fire in them and I die when I drop in them
throw me a screen shot maybe I cant find it 

[epetti]

After you beat the mini-boss you get a flail and jump over a ledge that has two rams coming out of it. Then there's a spiked thing hanging from the ceiling and immediately after that a hole in the floor. See attached photo.

[Comtek]

I was playing the us version

[epetti]

Ah. Yes, completely different.

[epetti]

Got a little bit farther. Died on the second boss. 75,350.

[Comtek]

now that im playing the right game
110,300

[popsicle]

123,900

got to third boss, a big airplane looking thing that drops minion on you and shoots you with 3 bullets in a spread

[Comtek]

132,750
got past him but died pretty quick

[Generic Eric]

popsicle       135650
Comtek         132750
jasonbar       090400
epetti         076650
kixfan         072200
Generic Eric   042150



Everyone must be watching sportsball today.

[jasonbar]

64,150 today. Sports are on TV? I would never have known...

-J

[jasonbar]

I got better.

77,900.

As usual, I do better on instinct--after I learn the later levels, patterns, power-ups, etc., I make more mistakes. I must clear my mind & let the Chelnov flow through me...

-Jason

[epetti]

Inched up but not quite enough to pass jasonbar back. 76,650.

[jasonbar]

90,400

I like this game. Clever. Not repetitive. Interesting.

Made it to level 3. Level 1 is pretty straightforward for me now, w/ a few sticky points. Level 2 was reasonable. Have yet to kill the halfway mini boss.

One of my biggest problems is the hang time on jumps. I can jump & while in mid-air, a bad guy scrolls on screen & gets me before I can land & maneuver.

Also a few cheap shots from guys sneaking up behind you--can't hang out on the left side all the time...


-Jason

[Generic Eric]

90,400

I like this game. Clever. Not repetitive. Interesting.

Made it to level 3. Level 1 is pretty straightforward for me now, w/ a few sticky points. Level 2 was reasonable. Have yet to kill the halfway mini boss.

One of my biggest problems is the hang time on jumps. I can jump & while in mid-air, a bad guy scrolls on screen & gets me before I can land & maneuver.

Also a few cheap shots from guys sneaking up behind you--can't hang out on the left side all the time...


-Jason

Sheesh.  Go watch some sportsball or something

[popsicle]

129,150

got past the third boss but the 4th board mini boss killed me FOUR times in a row

better than my last, but not good enough to beat Comtek.

[popsicle]

Yay

135,650

[Comtek]

i'm gonna have to play a lot more I guess not getting that high of scores lately go to cocky when playing

[popsicle]

Hey, I had to work at that one.  Feel free to stop playing Comtek 

[Generic Eric]

popsicle       135650
Comtek         132750
kixfan         097350
jasonbar       090400
epetti         076650
Generic Eric   042150



Everyone must be watching sportsball today.

Last day: Wednesday, April 23 2014, midnight Pacific Time.

[Comtek]

my best so far tonight is 129,000

[kixfan]

I'm done.   Can't get past the level 3 mini boss.

97,350

[Generic Eric]

popsicle       135650
Comtek         132750
kixfan         097350
jasonbar       090400
epetti         076650
Generic Eric   042150



Everyone must be watching sportsball today.

Last day: Wednesday, April 23 2014, midnight Pacific Time.

Looks like that is a wrap

[Comtek]

yeah what''s next

[epetti]

yeah what''s next

Isn't that you? Popsicle won last time so it's your pick this time.

[Comtek]

 

[Comtek]

going to  pick bezerk set 2
I will make a thread when I get a chance

[epetti]

Just curious, like difference between Chelnov US and world, what's the difference between the different berzerks, if anyone knows?

[PL1]

Just curious, like difference between Chelnov US and world, what's the difference between the different berzerks, if anyone knows?

From the .DAT file:

Two different versions of the game were released. As a player's score increases, the colors of the enemy robots change, and the robots can have more bullets on the screen at the same time (once they reach the limit, they cannot fire again until one or more of their bullets detonates; the limit applies to the robots as a group, not as individuals). In the original version, the sequence goes :

* Yellow robots that don't fire

* Red robots that can fire one bullet

* Light blue robots that can fire two bullets

After 5,000 points Evil Otto doubles his speed, moving as fast as the player while robots remain in the maze, and twice as fast as the player after all the robots are destroyed.


The revised version, which had the much larger production run of the two, features a longer color sequence that also included green, purple, and white robots. In this version, the robot sequence went up to five normal speed bullets, then they began firing fast bullets, starting with one fast bullet, and eventually going as high as seven fast bullets at once. After 20,000 points the robots stay light blue and may have up to seven fast bullets on screen for the remainder of play. To balance the greatly increased threat from the robots in this version, Evil Otto's pursuit speed remains at its normal (half or equal the player's speed) level throughout.

Scott