High score competition #152 : Mr. Do's Castle

[kixfan]

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
#151: Navarone:  Winner: HanoiBoi   Second: kixfan



--------------------------------------------
Game Name: Mr. Do's Castle
  ROM Name: docastle

      Settings: Difficulty: 1 (Beginner)
                     Advance level on getting diamond: Off
                     Difficulty of EXTRA: Easy
                     Lives: 3

Controls:   
    Joystick: 4-way
    Buttons: 1









Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Do%27s_Castle
KLOV: http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=8771

From Wikipedia:

The object of Mr. Do's Castle is to score as many points as possible by collecting cherries and defeating unicorn-like monsters. The game takes place in a castle filled with platforms and ladders, some of which can be flipped from one platform to another. The player controls Mr. Do as he collects cherries by using a hammer to knock out blocks that contain them from the various platforms. Empty holes left by the knocked-out blocks serve as traps for the monsters - if a monster falls into a hole, the player can then defeat it by causing a block above the monster to fall on top of it. If the player takes too long to complete a level, the monsters transform into faster, more difficult forms that occasionally multiply. The game advances to the next level when all cherries on the level have been collected or all enemies have been defeated. The player loses a life if Mr. Do is caught by a monster, and the game ends when the player runs out of lives. The game is an example of the trap-em-up genre, which also includes games like Heiankyo Alien, Lode Runner, Boomer's Adventure in Asmik World, and Space Panic.


Last day: Sunday, Nov. 9 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:
Kixfan:     132,400
Hanoiboi: 112,440
Popsicle:   72,500
Vigo:         71,980
JDFan:       67,320
Big10p:     23,920
JasonBar:  16,400
Epetti:       13,780

[PL1]

Parent ROM = docastle (docastle2 is a child ROM)


Scott

[kixfan]

I think because I had a Colecovision growing up I always have had a soft spot for Universal games.   Unfortunately I did not have this game.   I've only ever played a 4-5 levels so I hope there isn't any major issues with this game.  There are multiple ways to clear a level so it will be interesting to see what strategies popup.   

PLEASE:  There are some differences in the versions so make sure you are playing docastle, the bricks should have cherries on them.

[kixfan]

Parent ROM = docastle (docastle2 is a child ROM)


Scott

Not sure what we should do.   It seems like there is could be some major differences in older roms.   Let me see  what I can find...

[kixfan]

Parent ROM = docastle (docastle2 is a child ROM)


Scott

Not sure what we should do.   It seems like there is could be some major differences in older roms.   Let me see  what I can find...

Nevermind, it is the docastleo that has a restriction.   rom should be docastle

[pbj]

Sweet, this one is in coin ops.  Means I don't have to squeeze in a game between "let's yell at him" sessions at work.

But seriously, this is one weird series of games.  I look forward to getting slightly better at it.

[Vigo]

Mr. Do always creeped me out. Something about a clown with a hammer is unsettling. Maybe it is time to fight my fears.

[kixfan]

Even thought the default setting of 'Advance level on getting diamond' is turned off, I finally got a diamond and it advanced the level anyway.   Also, I initially thought getting a diamond was worthless cause it gives you a free credit but you also get 8K.   Maybe more on subsequent diamonds.

[JDFan]

Strange game -- figure might as well gets things started with my low score of 30,560

[jdbailey1206]

Mr. Do always creeped me out. Something about a clown with a hammer is unsettling. Maybe it is time to fight my fears.

Sexy Hammer Clown

Your argument, sir, is invalid.

[Vigo]

Mr. Do always creeped me out. Something about a clown with a hammer is unsettling. Maybe it is time to fight my fears.

Sexy Hammer Clown

Your argument, sir, is invalid.

Touché! Although, she does seem like a chick that would get off from spreading STDs around.

[epetti]

Strange game -- figure might as well gets things started with my low score of 30,560

Given your "low" score, I'm not going to even post my 11k score until I can come up with something better. This feels like a not nearly as good Lode Runner.

[JDFan]

Strange game -- figure might as well gets things started with my low score of 30,560

Given your "low" score, I'm not going to even post my 11k score until I can come up with something better. This feels like a not nearly as good Lode Runner.

It's my high so far but I have a feeling it will be one of the "lows" by the end of this competition since I've never played this one before. (though as mentioned it is a bit similar to Lode Runner which I did pretty good at.)

[kixfan]

I've been playing this quite a bit and must have half a dozen 22k scores.   Can't get any better.   JDFan, did you get a diamond on that score?

[HanoiBoi]

For some reason, I never enjoyed Mr Do, so always avoided any game related.

My first several attempts, I didn't even know the goal (yeah, I didn't read anything), but after many more tries I've gotten better.  Like JDFan thinks, I doubt this'll stick for long.

51580 (no diamond)

[JDFan]

I've been playing this quite a bit and must have half a dozen 22k scores.   Can't get any better.   JDFan, did you get a diamond on that score?

Nope no diamond just several higher bonuses for dropping multiples several floors - Here's a quick video I made of another 29K score : (would have been higher but made several stupid mistakes while filming it ! )

[jasonbar]

This is weird.

16,400.

And confusing.

[HanoiBoi]

Increased my high to 54460

[Vigo]

44320

[JDFan]

Finally broke the 50K mark - Just barely (made a few less stupid mistakes !) - 50,060

[popsicle]

I never really 'got' this game, but I do like it.  Can't seem to do much better, even with a diamond on my last run.  I can get to the 5th or 6th board, but am not maximizing my points each round I guess.  Seems setting up long vertical traps is the way to go?  I always just try to get keys and get them to chase me to the top first.

27,900

[epetti]

13,780 is about the best I can come up with right now.

[Vigo]

54000

[Vigo]

One more for tonight. 55440. FYI all my scores have been no diamond.

[pbj]

This game sux

[Vigo]

It is, but there is worse. I'm pretty sure mr do is only tormenting the unicorns, they are too stupid looking to be a threat.

58260

[HanoiBoi]

68900

[JDFan]

Almost but not quite enough to go back ahead of HanoiBoi -- 67,320

[bradx]

my high right now is 39k.  i think this game is poorly designed, its so boring and you cant really get any points unless you just waste a bunch of time doing next to nothing until they start to multiply, it seems.  i would have to be really, really bored to try and make a serious attempt at this score.  we shall see, never say never (until the deadline, hahaha)

[HanoiBoi]

its so boring and you cant really get any points unless you just waste a bunch of time doing next to nothing until they start to multiply, it seems. 

You could opt to just barrel through the levels, more levels with less points on each.  I think that's kinda tough. 

If you are trying to maximize points per level, you should be doing more than next to nothing.  You should be setting the board up for those points - hammering out the right bricks, etc.. Lots of planning and execution required.

Also, its far from boring when you've got 8 blue guys on the screen, coming at you. At that point, you can just let go of the joystick.  Haha.

[kixfan]

Sorry for my lack of participation in this competition (especially since I picked it!).   My wife had back surgery and I have been very busy.   I have updated scores again.  Thanks JDFan for the video.   I had not thought about dropping bad guys multiple levels.   I think I am finally getting a little bit better at this.   I finally got an extra guy which seemed it would be easy to do but it's not.   Other than JDFan's video, the next biggest hints would be use the bridges wisely and in later levels the bad guys are more aggressive which is helpful in getting them to chase you to the top.     Which means you can get MANY letters at once.   Here is my latest score.

67,500

[JDFan]

You just had to go and beat my score by 200 points didn't ya !! - Guess I posted the video too early 

[HanoiBoi]

Thanks for the video JD!

Just kidding.  But I did have a pre-tay, pre-tay, pre-tay good game.

98380

[big10p]

23,920

[popsicle]

I'm just not good at this.  Dozens of games later, and the best I can do is 58,360.

[DeLuSioNal29]

This is a cool game.  I remember playing it as a kid in the arcades.

Have you guys seen this video?  The player scores 112,180.  It doesn't seem boring at all!


D

[JDFan]

This is a cool game.  I remember playing it as a kid in the arcades.

Have you guys seen this video?  The player scores 112,180.  It doesn't seem boring at all!

D

Thanks for posting that -- Hadn't realized that by clearing all of the cherry blocks it finishes the level also (there has been a few times that would of been useful info !  )

[Vigo]

71980

[kixfan]

Updated the scores.   That video did help a bit.   Still getting tripped up on level 9.   I got 77k but will post pic later.

[popsicle]

67,140