High score competition #151 : Navarone

[HanoiBoi]

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
#138: Chelnov: Winner: Popsicle: Second: Comtek
#139: Berzerk: Winner: Popsicle: Second: Kixfan
#140: Mystic Marathon: Winner: Popsicle: Second: JDFan
#141: Moon Cresta: Winner: Kixfan: Second: Jasonbar
#142: Star Force: Winner: big10p: Second: Jasonbar
#143: Armored Car:  Winner: Popsicle:  Second: Kixfan
#144: Pinball Action:  Winner: JDFan:  Second: popsicle
#145: Mr. TNT:  Winner: Kixfan:  Second: Comtek
#146: The End: Winner: Popsicle  Second: Kixfan
#147: Land, Sea, Air Squad:  Winner: Popsicle   Second: big10p
#148: Armor Attack:  Winner: HanoiBoi   Second: Popsicle
#149: Pooyan:  Winner: HanoiBoi   Second: kixfan
#150: Thief:  Winner: HanoiBoi   Second: kixfan



--------------------------------------------
Game Name: Navarone
  ROM Name: navarone

      Settings: Lives: 3
                     Bonus Life: 6000

Controls:   
    Joystick: 2-way
    Buttons: 1









From Wikipedia:

Navarone is a fixed shooter arcade game, that was released by Namco in 1980. It is the first of three monochromatic arcade games which were developed by the company during the early part of that year; the other two are Kaitei Takara Sagashi (originally developed by K. K. Tokki) and SOS.

The player controls a boat which must move around the edge of an island trying to shoot the pellets, mines and central skull for points while avoiding the bullets fired at it by the indestructible gun turrets. If it should get hit by one, it will lose a life, but once it has cleared the island, the remaining time will be added to its score (in 100-point increments), and it will proceed to the next round.


Last day: Sunday, Oct. 26 2014 midnight Pacific
--------------------------------------------

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!


Scoring Updates:
HanoiBoi   270470
kixfan           75000
JDFan           69920
Popscicle     43660
lettuce         35550
jasonbar      32790
big10p         20100
pbj               15960

[epetti]

I think this was already picked (#36).

[kixfan]

Ha!   Not only was it previously picked, Hanoiboi posted in that original Popeye thread back in 2010. 

Looks like it will have to be Shark Attack!   JK

[HanoiBoi]

Dang it!  I don't know how my search didn't catch that.

I tried to pick something that would be more mainstream to appeal to the masses.  I should've known this was already picked.  And yeah, I don't recall stuff from 4 years ago.  :|
 
Welp, I tried Space Zap and actually liked it.  Pretty exciting actually.  But, there might be some joke going on there, so I'll avoid that and Shark Attack for now.  And since I received no other suggestions, and I don't want this to drag on too long without a game, I guess I'll pick Navarone.  I'll assume it hasn't been picked. 

First post is now updated.  If this too has already been picked, PM me.

[pbj]

Popeye would have been an interesting choice.  There's a lot of unexpected depth to that game.  For instance, if you turn on the heater, he burns off his weiner.  TOOT TOOT!


Anyway.



15,960

[kixfan]

18,470

Anyone else think the pirate in the middle looks an awful like a pacman ghost?

The only hint that I can provide it to take your time moving around the screen.   trying to run past the gun fire usually ends badly.

[popsicle]

Same sound effects as the spinner game Cutie Q (made by the Pacman guy), so probably.

17,680

My strategy is to clear a path to each side of the bunker first, then chip away at the mines on each side slowly in case a pirate shot presents itself.

[JDFan]

Same sound effects as the spinner game Cutie Q (made by the Pacman guy), so probably.

17,680

My strategy is to clear a path to each side of the bunker first, then chip away at the mines on each side slowly in case a pirate shot presents itself.

Seems like the mines control the pirate shot (opens after x number of explosions and then moves counter clockwise 1 step for each mine exploded)-- at least that seems to be the case not positive yet.

20,770

[kixfan]

Once you get to round 5 it forces you to keep moving else you go KABOOM!

[HanoiBoi]

What JDfan said.  I think the opening appears after hitting 5 mines.

There are a couple safe zones, where the turrets can't get you.  Also, you can shoot the shots coming at you from the turrets.  No points, but good defensively.

Although I picked this, I never noted any high score or the strategies, just thought it was a simple well layed out game (and wanted something piratey/rummy/bacardi151y, since this is competition #151).

So, this is probably my highest score ever..but think it can be beat with more patience.

37790

[big10p]

Interesting little game, this. My top tip would be to define buttons for left/right instead of the joystick, if (like me) you keep pushing the joystick up/down, when at the sides of the island.

20,100

[JDFan]

Interesting little game, this. My top tip would be to define buttons for left/right instead of the joystick, if (like me) you keep pushing the joystick up/down, when at the sides of the island.

20,100

Or redefine the joystick keys so up\down map the same as left\right for this game -- Using a keyboard and arrow keys so will probably remap the up\down arrows for left\right also casue right now I keep moving the wrong directions on the sides and run right into the shot rather than out of the way ! (EDIT : though now that I think about it that would make one side or the other go the wrong direction)

[jasonbar]

Relaxing game. Simple. Slow pace. Not a lot of rushing required. Reminds me of an old Apple ][ text-based game, given how all items seem to fit into grid spaces & your ship doesn't move smoothly--it jumps by 1 grid space.

I feel that, if patient, I could play a loooong game.

As I'm not very patient, I played it once (22,930) & then pushed my MAME throttle key & played it on hyper-fast mode. Not unplayable, but not very controllable either. Got about 5k playing that way.

Nice pick.


Hey, mine shows in B&W on 115u2. How are you guys getting color? Is there an overlay whatchamacallit file that I can get to use on my MAME installation?


-J

[big10p]

Hey, mine shows in B&W on 115u2. How are you guys getting color? Is there an overlay whatchamacallit file that I can get to use on my MAME installation?

The overlay is built-in to MAME. Press TAB and look in video options. It may not be available on 115, though - that's a pretty old version.

[JDFan]

Played a few more times and improved a bit (getting the middle pirate bonuses helps) - 39,590

[popsicle]

33,390 39,210 43,660 but I know I can do better if I am not so greedy.

[HanoiBoi]

53,580.  Can't tell if its getting much harder and faster, or if its me.

[jasonbar]

I managed to pull some more Nav out of my Rone, but at much as you Navarockstars... :\

-J

[kixfan]

34,600

Finally have a pattern that is working.   without turning my head when I am on the sides, I always go the wrong direction.   Ofcourse my neck is sore now.

[JDFan]

34,600

Finally have a pattern that is working.   without turning my head when I am on the sides, I always go the wrong direction.   Ofcourse my neck is sore now.

LOL -- I know the feeling -tempted to try rotating the screen 90 degrees to see if that helps !

Small improvement but a ways to go --43,200

[HanoiBoi]

Upped my high tonight.  Really needed to get into a groove and keep concentration.

Tip on scoring, there are 50 mines on the playfield.  The opening to the pirate is exposed after 5 mines - 6 will make it accessible, in the 9 o'clock position.  If you are smart about it, you could hit the pirate up to 8 times per round.

My new high: 65340.

[HanoiBoi]

I think I found my groove....

151150

[kixfan]

"Yours-- is the superior intellect"

46,070

[JDFan]

Had to try again since was dropping too far down in the standings -- 48,850

[HanoiBoi]

Updated the standings in original post.

With you guys catching up, I felt the need to increase my high, ever so slightly.

158490

Sucks to play that long, to only increase that little bit.
Trying to make it to round 20, but haven't yet.

[kixfan]

little better.

54,720

[HanoiBoi]

To expand on other tips...

90% of the time I get the pirate 8 times per screen, unless I accidentally mess up. 

The first two times I get him from the bottom, all others from the left - 9 o'clock position.  To start, I shoot straight up to clear a path, then move over to one side to get a 'single' mine (not all the way over, but a low, single mine).  The pirate is exposed at 6 o'clock. Then after shooting the pirate, I shoot the 2 clusters of 3 mines at the bottom, along with the counterpart 'single' then the pirate again.

After that, I slide up the right side and ONLY shoot the stuff to the immediate right of the pirate, including 2 mines.  After this, slide around to the other side of the screen, shooting NO mines along the way, then shoot out the left of the pirate, the go up shooting 2 more single mines or the double at the very top. This should give you another shoot at the pirate on the left.

From here, you can pretty much see groupings of 6 mines.  Every six you shoot, he'll be exposed for you

I find that if I try the same method each time, it becomes smoother with less panic.

Along the way, you'll find certain dots that can only be shot from the bottom.  Be sure to clear them before making your way to the left side of the screen.   There are a couple dots that can be left for your last shot to clear the screen.  Pick a favorite and make it be the last every time.

Too wordy?  Too much rambling?  I dunno...maybe someone will follow and find be helpful.

[JDFan]

Actually I've found I wind up with more points by getting the bottom (6 oclock position -or 7 bombs) the first 4 times (means only 7 Pirate hits but gives 800 points rather than 200, 300, 400 on 4th time and lets me clear the level a bit faster so the end bonus is higher -- usually score 6400 or 6500 on first level then 13,400 +\- on 2nd level using this method and only 6200 and 13100 trying to do it the 8 times like you describe !

Since Kixfan went and upped his score I had to go back again -- 69,920

[kixfan]

Since we are talking strategy...

I took my latest score and divided by the level I was on and came up with approximately 6900.   If I take Hanoiboi's score and divide by 19 I get 8300.   JDFan made it to 10 with an average of 6900.   So, do the pirates become worth more in later rounds?    I need to examine what JDFan was describing about pirates at the bottom being worth more?   

Also, my strategy is to immediately get the first 2 dots at bottom, move to right and get single mine and dots you can't get from other sides.  Then move to 3 o'clock and clear that.   Then move to bottom and get single mine on left.   Then I spend the rest of the time on left (I feel more comfortable there).

[JDFan]

Here's a quick recording (though I'll probably regret posting it since it shows my current strategy ) -- notice the 4th Pirate hit on each level and you'll see it gets 800 points rather than the normal 200 !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=seLLPXUJFa4

[kixfan]

Interesting JDfan, only the one pirate gives you 800.   That is a decent amount in the early rounds but by the time you get to 600 point pirates it's not enough to be worth changing ones strategy.   So your secret is safe with me!   

[JDFan]

Interesting JDfan, only the one pirate gives you 800.   That is a decent amount in the early rounds but by the time you get to 600 point pirates it's not enough to be worth changing ones strategy.   So your secret is safe with me!   

Yeah not sure if every 4th one would give the bonus since you can only get 7 attempts that way but it does more than offset the loss of the 8th hit in the early rounds but as you say less as the rounds progress (but by then you're just trying to avoid getting hit most of the time anyway 

EDIT : and meant to mention that I think the Pirate hit points keep increasing so by level 19 they'd be around 2K points each which would explain HB's higher per level score when you figure it that way. (7 or 8 hits at 1800 would be 12K - 14K so would bring previous levels up quickly !)

[HanoiBoi]

I didn't watch the video yet, but may at some point. But yeah, I see that 800 pointer.  Really odd.  Wondering if there's some reason for it.

I'll stick to my strategy anyway.  For one, I believe its easier to navigate the turrets.  At some point the shots get faster, I think based on amount cleared or mines hit.

Also, that 800 seems to become irrelevant after round 2, point wise, and in rounds 1 & 2, you might gain ~500-600 points.  The most I've ever scored on round 1 is 6500.  When not shooting for the 800 pointer, I still score 6200 or 6300 for round 1.  So better to score a little less, but with less risk.

Also, I'm pretty sure that the pirate value never goes above 600, not up to 2,000.

So, from level 5 and up, I think I'm scoring about 9200-9400.  (think round 1 is 6200, then add an additional 400 per pirate, times 8 pirates, minus some mistake rounds.

Rounds 5-19 is 15 rounds.  15 * 9400 is 14100.  Pretty on course for my 158k in round 19.

[HanoiBoi]

I upped the high by just a little more.

163180

[kixfan]

75,000

Got to level 10 and knew I needed points so I went for the left side which is easier for me to see.   That meant I needed to finish the round by clearing the right 3 o'clock side last.   As you can see I got hit after I cleared the board else I might have scored a little more.   At that level you can barely sit for a second without getting the warning.

[lettuce]

35550.....

[HanoiBoi]

I may have played my last game of Navarone for some time.  Wrist hurts and pretty sure I haven't blinked in 20 minutes.  And with this being the last night of competition, I think I'm good with the score.

I got up to Round 32.  270470

[kixfan]

I may have played my last game of Navarone for some time.  Wrist hurts and pretty sure I haven't blinked in 20 minutes.  And with this being the last night of competition, I think I'm good with the score.

I got up to Round 32.  270470

As much as I have played this game I MUST be missing something!   

[HanoiBoi]

If you got to 75k, you didn't miss much - just a lot of concentration and a relatively repeatable plan of attack.  If you got the 'warning' too much for not moving, then maybe you were trying to wait in the areas where the turrets couldn't shoot?  I would move from turret to turret shooting at it as I approached, then when the next turret's last shot went off the screen, scoot over to that one, shooting again in defense.

Anyway...nuff bout that.  I think its your pick for the next game? 

[kixfan]

The problem I had moving from turret to turret was that you would get to a turrent the the next one you needed to move to would be shooting.   So I couldn't move but had to shift back and forth.     Anyway, my pick will be up in a few...