Pacman cheat patterns

[Richardgregory]

Growing up, I recall purchasing a book on my bookshelf "How to win at Pacman" and in it it has patterns to follow to get by each screen.  Anyhow, I still have the book and I was curious to see if the cheat patterns would work playing the MAME ROM.  It doesn't - the monsters are slightly off where they should be.  Is say 1 seconds or less.

Just curious if anyone has any feedback with regards, and how to make the timing the same as it was in the original arcade.

Thanks

[Phreakwars]

I think the patterns you find in those books really depend on dip switch settings of the game. Even then, they were never fool proof because they relied on the person's timing and hand eye coordination. And NOBODY is perfect at matching someone else, even people (like me and my son), who are REALLY REALLY good at the game.

Super pacman is the same way. For instance I have my own personal pattern for the bonus stages, and my son typically will follow that same pattern, but DAMMIT, each and every time, he CONSISTENTLY scores higher bonus rounds then me... WTF!!! 

I think age and hand eye coordination deterioration over the years contribute as well.

But anyways... speaking of Pacman patterns... remember this one??

[Cynicaster]

I'm no Pac-Man expert and I don't use any patterns, but I always got the impression that the "pros" are quite satisfied with the timing in MAME. 

One thing to consider is that there are two ways to turn a corner in Pac-Man.  You can do a simple turn, or you can "cut the corner" by pressing the joystick in the desired direction and holding there, before reaching the intersection.  The latter method gives you a slight bump in speed if, for example, Blinky is on your ass. 

If you accidentally mix and match these two types of turning, I think it might throw off the overall timing just enough to break some patterns. 

 

[big10p]

I have that book too (and a couple of others) and use the patterns from it. They seem to work for me.

[DeLuSioNal29]

One thing to consider is that there are two ways to turn a corner in Pac-Man.  You can do a simple turn, or you can "cut the corner" by pressing the joystick in the desired direction and holding there, before reaching the intersection.  The latter method gives you a slight bump in speed if, for example, Blinky is on your ass. 

Yes, true.  So much so, that the new Pacman CE DX gives a nod to it in the "Sparkster" achievement.
http://www.trueachievements.com/Pac-Man-Championship-Edition-DX/walkthrough.htm?page=3#ap73135

D

[Richardgregory]

Timing is still off despite moving the joystick in the direction in anticipation of where I want to go before I actually get there. 

The screen that I'm using is the first screen - cherry pattern.  Bottom left "Energizer" power tablet.  When Pacman eats it, the last of the monsters is suppose to be heading to the bottom, but instead it's going in the opposite direction (up)

I'm using the Midway 1981 ROM.  Perhaps there's some MAME timing I need to fiddle with.

I have that book too (and a couple of others) and use the patterns from it. They seem to work for me.

[big10p]

Timing is still off despite moving the joystick in the direction in anticipation of where I want to go before I actually get there. 

The screen that I'm using is the first screen - cherry pattern.  Bottom left "Energizer" power tablet.  When Pacman eats it, the last of the monsters is suppose to be heading to the bottom, but instead it's going in the opposite direction (up)

I'm using the Midway 1981 ROM.  Perhaps there's some MAME timing I need to fiddle with.

I have that book too (and a couple of others) and use the patterns from it. They seem to work for me.

The 1981 version is the 'fast' version, I think. Try using the original 1980 ROM.

[Phreakwars]

Timing is still off despite moving the joystick in the direction in anticipation of where I want to go before I actually get there. 

The screen that I'm using is the first screen - cherry pattern.  Bottom left "Energizer" power tablet.  When Pacman eats it, the last of the monsters is suppose to be heading to the bottom, but instead it's going in the opposite direction (up)

I'm using the Midway 1981 ROM.  Perhaps there's some MAME timing I need to fiddle with.

I have that book too (and a couple of others) and use the patterns from it. They seem to work for me.

The 1981 version is the 'fast' version, I think. Try using the original 1980 ROM.

This should be the set: