Best scores on Track and Field???

[Xam]

Okeyday...what's your best on Track and Field without cheats? (this includes using butterknives, combs, etc. Just your fingers and your console)

I've been told I'm pretty good...but I think I'm more in the average range.

Here are my best to date:

100m  8.90 secs
longjump  9.62 m
javelin  95.48m
110m hurdles 10.72 secs
hammer throw  95.50m
high jump 2.46m

Xam

[leapinlew]

ya know....

I played a track and field that had a rollerball once. The scores on that was unbelievably high. Anyone else ever see a track and field with a rollerball?

[ArtMAME]

Pretty good scores there.   

I once played Track and Field for over 4 hours on one quarter, my score was over a million I think.  It was ridiculous.  After a few levels, the qualifying times and distances did not change anymore, so once you mastered those, you could keep playing untill you got tired of it.

Never seen one with a rollerball, but rollerball control panels for T&F do appear on Ebay ocasionally. 

Speaking of cheats, I had some Happ ultimate joysticks on my CP and I could use those for running.  The ultimates had so much "slop" that you could push it to the left or right, then release it, then catch it when it sprung back and then release it again, etc... It was pretty cool.

I have seen people use a pencil also.  There was one joker I saw once who used an electric toothbrush.

Apart from enablling the cheat in MAME, does any body out there have other creative ways of cheating at T&F, ?

[Xam]

I hit the mil mark last night myself...and you are correct...after the 3rd match the qualifying stays the same...just wanted to see if I could do it (the million that is).

I have seen the trackball versions...I just don't really like them...I do imagine you could crank out some times in the 7's with a track


LOL!...you should have added the BK guy next to the bowing smiley

  :creep:   

Xam

[Frosty]

One of my all-time favs.  But, the game becomes much more interesting when drinking is involved.  Makes for a fantastic handicapping system... <grin>

The ultimate 'cheat' for T&F was the plastic knife or comb.  Before the arcades started attaching plastic protectors on the buttons, you could place the knife/comb in between your middle and index finger and get perfect left-right button action on the thing...

[Xam]

One of my all-time favs.  But, the game becomes much more interesting when drinking is involved.  Makes for a fantastic handicapping system... <grin>

The ultimate 'cheat' for T&F was the plastic knife or comb.  Before the arcades started attaching plastic protectors on the buttons, you could place the knife/comb in between your middle and index finger and get perfect left-right button action on the thing...

Yep...I remember seeing people use the comb and plastic knife...I saw some really good scores using that. My kids and I have 2 versions of T&F. One we use cheats on and the other we don't.

The drinking handicap should help offset the comb rather nicely I would think.

Xam

[Lilwolf]

yeah, the pencil trick worked GREAT... until you learned how to use 3 or 4 fingers on one hand to all hit one button. 

I'll have to load it up tonight and see how well I do.  I think I can beat most of those scores.  All but the hammer throw which doesn't seem to take anything other then perfect timing on the last bar

[leapinlew]

Pretty good scores there.   

I once played Track and Field for over 4 hours on one quarter, my score was over a million I think.  It was ridiculous.  After a few levels, the qualifying times and distances did not change anymore, so once you mastered those, you could keep playing untill you got tired of it.

Never seen one with a rollerball, but rollerball control panels for T&F do appear on Ebay ocasionally. 

Speaking of cheats, I had some Happ ultimate joysticks on my CP and I could use those for running.  The ultimates had so much "slop" that you could push it to the left or right, then release it, then catch it when it sprung back and then release it again, etc... It was pretty cool.

I have seen people use a pencil also.  There was one joker I saw once who used an electric toothbrush.

Apart from enablling the cheat in MAME, does any body out there have other creative ways of cheating at T&F, ?

I always thought High Jump was the last level? No?

[GGKoul]

Okeyday...what's your best on Track and Field without cheats? (this includes using butterknives, combs, etc. Just your fingers and your console)

I've been told I'm pretty good...but I think I'm more in the average range.

Here are my best to date:

100m  8.90 secs
longjump  9.62 m
javelin  95.48m
110m hurdles 10.72 secs
hammer throw  95.50m
high jump 2.46m

Xam

Yep, these are pretty average times....

[RayB]

Before the arcades started attaching plastic protectors on the buttons, you could place the knife/comb in between your middle and index finger and get perfect left-right button action on the thing...

I thought the game originally shipped with those special buttons. I'm pretty sure of it.

[arcade-mad]

Jeeez im proper shite compared to thge scores you lot are banding about

any chance of a bit of a guide please

is it just a case of press the buttons as fast as you can or is rhythm more important.
also on jumping events is 45 degrees the best angle.
heres my scores anyway.
100 mtrs 10.04 secs
long jump 9.25 mtrs done this far once normally around 8.45 meters
javelin 74 mtrs
hurdles 11.66 secs
hammer 93 mtrs let it fly on seventh spin ??
high jump 2.38 mtrs i think cant remember

any help would be great these scores are my best usually do quite worse

cheers

[vader]

Jeeez im proper shite compared to thge scores you lot are banding about

any chance of a bit of a guide please

is it just a case of press the buttons as fast as you can or is rhythm more important.
also on jumping events is 45 degrees the best angle.
heres my scores anyway.
100 mtrs 10.04 secs
long jump 9.25 mtrs done this far once normally around 8.45 meters
javelin 74 mtrs
hurdles 11.66 secs
hammer 93 mtrs let it fly on seventh spin ??
high jump 2.38 mtrs i think cant remember

any help would be great these scores are my best usually do quite worse

cheers

Both rhythm and speed are important and yes 45 degree is the optimal angle

Tim

[Xam]

Jeeez im proper shite compared to thge scores you lot are banding about

any chance of a bit of a guide please

is it just a case of press the buttons as fast as you can or is rhythm more important.
also on jumping events is 45 degrees the best angle.
heres my scores anyway.
100 mtrs 10.04 secs
long jump 9.25 mtrs done this far once normally around 8.45 meters
javelin 74 mtrs
hurdles 11.66 secs
hammer 93 mtrs let it fly on seventh spin ??
high jump 2.38 mtrs i think cant remember

any help would be great these scores are my best usually do quite worse

cheers

On the dash you just mash...but yes timing does affect the bottom line...the key here is the start...when the announcer says "get set" I ususally count about a 5 count in my head and start going...you get 3 chances so you are ok if you jump the gun.

long jump requires speed, timing and trying to a least touch the white line...you athelete jumps "faster" (for lack of better word) than when he jumps before it. 45degrees optimal here.

javelin...I have no idea...it is my worst event. I have been told 42 degrees is best here...but my best throw was using 46...I do tend to do better around 42 or 43 though.

hurdles requires speed timing (for the jump) and the start trick again.

hammer...I usually do one safe throw to qualify and then go for the gold on the other throws...basically it is luck but if you have impecable timing you can nail it pretty regular. 45 degrees here also.

High jump is a bit tricky to explain. I do know that hammering the run buttons while you are jumping makes you go higher.

That's about all I know to tell ya on the events...anyone else got some tricks or tips?

Xam

[Xam]

I always thought High Jump was the last level? No?
[/quote]

I believe the game can be set to end after high jump or to continue through until you "die"

Xam

[MikeDeuce]

Can someone explain the high jump to me? I nail it so infrequently

You are supposed to hit the button again after lift off, right? To adjust your angle mid flight, no? I was never any good at the high jump at the arcade, either... Many a quarter fell victim

[GGKoul]

you must learn the 3 or 4 finger technique to get top scores

[thebrownshow]

you must learn the 3 or 4 finger technique to get top scores

I use two fingers on one button...how the heck do you use 3 or 4?!

[LPZ]

I read on the net that hitting the buttons while you are in the air also helps--i.e. while in the air on the long jump, while your javelin is in the air, etc.  I've had great world records using this method.

LPZ

[Xam]

Can someone explain the high jump to me? I nail it so infrequently

You are supposed to hit the button again after lift off, right? To adjust your angle mid flight, no? I was never any good at the high jump at the arcade, either... Many a quarter fell victim

its a little tricky and takes a bit to perfect (not that I am perfect)
Basically you tap the run button once. Hit jump when you are close to the bar. Release quickly...you want to basically jump strait up here. Tap the run buttons during your jump as it increases your height. When you reach the top of the jump tap jump again to start angling towards the bar. Once he kicks his feet out strait go ahead and hold the jump button to clear the bar.

You can enable cheats and start on the high jump...it will keep doing the high jump until you turn cheats off...its a good way to practice.

Xam

[KenToad]

What?  Tap the run button once?  You mean you can't change the speed of the run toward the bar?  If that's the case, don't I feel ridiculous.  And I have never beaten the high jump.

Thanks for the tips.  Love the game, will post scores.

Cheers,
KenToad

[Xam]

What?  Tap the run button once?  You mean you can't change the speed of the run toward the bar?  If that's the case, don't I feel ridiculous.  And I have never beaten the high jump.

Thanks for the tips.  Love the game, will post scores.

Cheers,
KenToad

  Tap it once and see...you can only get about 1/2 speed unless you use one of the cheats. Save those finger taps for when you jump...it does help you go higher then. I used to try to go really fast also...I accidently hit the run button once before I was ready and noticed that he ran just as fast as when I furiously mashed buttons!

Xam

[vizzinni]

I'm humbled.  I thought I was pretty good but apparently not world class.  As long as I can beat the guys at work, I'm good enough.   I use the 2 hand/2 finger method.

100m:  8.77
Long Jump:  9.40
Javelin:  91.26
Hurdles:  11.55
Hammer:  92.83
High Jump:  2.42

I think I've done slightly better before, but that's what's showing for records on my machine at the moment.

[tommy]

Was just reading this thread and thought..... some repeat threads by new guys get flamed and others are allowed to repeat, why is that? Iv'e seen this topic atleast 4 or 5 times, if not more.

[destructor]

With mame36 you can watch best world score made by TJT
http://marp.retrogames.com/index.cgi?mode=search&short=^trackfld$

[Mark70]

I struggle to qualify in most events.  My wife never qualifies.

Can anyone explain with any more detail than "the four finger technique"  or "the two hand, two finger technique".   (god those sound vulgar).

[thebrownshow]

I struggle to qualify in most events.  My wife never qualifies.

Can anyone explain with any more detail than "the four finger technique"  or "the two hand, two finger technique".   (god those sound vulgar).

I use my index and middle finger on my right hand to alternately tap the sides of one button.  This allows me to keep my left hand poised over the action button, which is great for hurdles.

I'm nowhere near some of those scores, especially Javelin, so I'd love to hear/see more techniques.

[GGKoul]

I struggle to qualify in most events.  My wife never qualifies.

Can anyone explain with any more detail than "the four finger technique"  or "the two hand, two finger technique".   (god those sound vulgar).

Basically you use 3 or 4 fingers to hit the button.  Sort of like tickling the buttons. 

[thebrownshow]

I struggle to qualify in most events.  My wife never qualifies.

Can anyone explain with any more detail than "the four finger technique"  or "the two hand, two finger technique".   (god those sound vulgar).

Basically you use 3 or 4 fingers to hit the button.  Sort of like tickling the buttons. 

You must have really tiny fingers, I can barely fit two!

[GGKoul]

I struggle to qualify in most events.  My wife never qualifies.

Can anyone explain with any more detail than "the four finger technique"  or "the two hand, two finger technique".   (god those sound vulgar).

Basically you use 3 or 4 fingers to hit the button.  Sort of like tickling the buttons. 

You must have really tiny fingers, I can barely fit two!

 

[thebrownshow]

You must have really tiny fingers, I can barely fit two!

WHOA, that sounded really bad.... sorry! 

[vizzinni]

I struggle to qualify in most events.  My wife never qualifies.

Can anyone explain with any more detail than "the four finger technique"  or "the two hand, two finger technique".   (god those sound vulgar).

For the "two hand, two finger" technique I use the index finger from each hand on a single button, and just try to do a "drum roll."  Got to get the right rythym going to be effective.  The hurdles are tricky, kinda like hitting a cymbal with one hand.   I tried doing it using both run buttons but it didn't work as well. 

[Xam]

I struggle to qualify in most events.  My wife never qualifies.

Can anyone explain with any more detail than "the four finger technique"  or "the two hand, two finger technique".   (god those sound vulgar).

For the "two hand, two finger" technique I use the index finger from each hand on a single button, and just try to do a "drum roll."  Got to get the right rythym going to be effective.  The hurdles are tricky, kinda like hitting a cymbal with one hand.   I tried doing it using both run buttons but it didn't work as well. 

Inconcievable!

 

Xam

[Mark70]

So is everyone saying that they ignore the two run buttons? and only use the one run button and the action button?  I'm going to have to fire up mame and go check klov.  I'm sure I remember there being three buttons in the tab menu to configure.

What I'm getting out of this is that you use multiple fingers on one hand to run on one button only, and hover the other hand over another button which is the action button.

[Xam]

In the arcade I used 2 fingers on each run button (pointer and ring finger). I would hit the action button with my right while keeping a steady pace with the left. In MAME I use 2 buttons next to each other and only use my left hand to run and the right to hit the action button.

Xam

[GGKoul]

So is everyone saying that they ignore the two run buttons? and only use the one run button and the action button?  I'm going to have to fire up mame and go check klov.  I'm sure I remember there being three buttons in the tab menu to configure.

What I'm getting out of this is that you use multiple fingers on one hand to run on one button only, and hover the other hand over another button which is the action button.

I use both run buttons for all events..  For 100, hurdles and high jump, you have to keep hitting the run buttons until the end.. BUT BUT BUT, for the long jump and javelin, you can stop hitting the run buttons 1 sec before jump (action) button as the thats the max you get and that gives you enough time to hit the jump/action at the perfect time.

[big daddy]

So is everyone saying that they ignore the two run buttons? and only use the one run button and the action button?  I'm going to have to fire up mame and go check klov.  I'm sure I remember there being three buttons in the tab menu to configure.

What I'm getting out of this is that you use multiple fingers on one hand to run on one button only, and hover the other hand over another button which is the action button.

yes, there are 3 buttons (2 run and 1 action).  But what everyone is saying is that you only have to use 1 of the run buttons.  I had never been able to get passed the hurdles before I read this thread.  Now I went in the other day and using the 3 finger technique on 1 run button was within a couple of games able to get to the high jump.  I've also managed to get the high scores (which I had never even been close to...I'd barely qualified before)   

I just do a running/tickling motion with the 3 fingers on the one button and get a pretty good rate of speed up.  I use my other hand to hover over the action button for when its needed. 

[ekopp2]

There's an alternative to the two finger technique that results in slightly faster times. However, it's painful after a few series....

Instead of "drumming" your fingers on the run button, make a "rake" with the first and third fingers of your dominant hand. You only need to hit one of the run buttons, as mentioned above. To run, shake your hand from side to side over the run button so that your two extended fingers will rapidly strike the button as your hand moves back and forth.

My best times:

100m 7.72s
Long Jump 9.58m
Javelin 95.68m
Hurdles 9.82s
High Jump 2.45m

The hammer throw doesn't require the run button. The trick to this event is to watch the progress meter at the bottom, rather than the hammer thrower. When the progress meter reaches midway through the last segment, hit the throw button. If you are "in bounds", you'll be 90+m (99m for optimal angle)

[LPZ]

The hammer throw doesn't require the run button. The trick to this event is to watch the progress meter at the bottom, rather than the hammer thrower. When the progress meter reaches midway through the last segment, hit the throw button. If you are "in bounds", you'll be 90+m (99m for optimal angle)

The hammer throw DOES require the run button, if you want to retard the throw for more power.  If you tap the run, while you are swinging, you will notice that you get more rotations....

LPZ

[GGKoul]

The hammer throw doesn't require the run button. The trick to this event is to watch the progress meter at the bottom, rather than the hammer thrower. When the progress meter reaches midway through the last segment, hit the throw button. If you are "in bounds", you'll be 90+m (99m for optimal angle)

The hammer throw DOES require the run button, if you want to retard the throw for more power.  If you tap the run, while you are swinging, you will notice that you get more rotations....

LPZ

untrue

[RayB]

Amazingly, the "leafswitch vs microswitch" topic has not reared its ugly head yet!

Well let me do the honors!!

The techniques above mostly work with leafswitch buttons.
Now if I could find that old TnF leaf VS micro topic, I could spare us all alot of arguing...

[KenToad]

No, no, don't spare us.  We have nothing better to do.

Cheers,
KenToad

PS  I'm using cherry microswitches and here are my highscores:

100m 9.54
Long jump 8.79
Javelin 86.72
Hurdles 11.87 (actually my friend's score, since he has 1st 2nd and 3rd)
hammer 93.50

Maybe I should get some leafs to see if I can improve my scores, which I see are generally considerably lower than others posted here.

[MikeDeuce]

Great, now I'm totally eyeing the leaf switch conversion dealies in the B/S/T forum.

And I thought I was fine with microswitches... 

[Xam]

Amazingly, the "leafswitch vs microswitch" topic has not reared its ugly head yet!

Well let me do the honors!!

The techniques above mostly work with leafswitch buttons.
Now if I could find that old TnF leaf VS micro topic, I could spare us all alot of arguing...

I agree! Don't spare us the details!

This is a point I had not thought of! I am currently using a crappy x-arcade, with crappy buttons and crappy joysticks, with crappy micro's. Looking forward to when I build the cab and have more responsive buttons and such...mayhaps I can improve my scores!

While I can certainly see how some of the methods would work better on leafs the method I use seems to work pretty well for micro's. Hmmm...would love to have some leaf buttons to test the theory on.

Xam

[LPZ]

Posted by: GGKoul  Posted on: Today at 11:42:09 AM 
Insert Quote 
Quote from: LPZ on Today at 10:39:38 AM
Quote
The hammer throw doesn't require the run button. The trick to this event is to watch the progress meter at the bottom, rather than the hammer thrower. When the progress meter reaches midway through the last segment, hit the throw button. If you are "in bounds", you'll be 90+m (99m for optimal angle)

The hammer throw DOES require the run button, if you want to retard the throw for more power.  If you tap the run, while you are swinging, you will notice that you get more rotations....

LPZ

untrue

How so?

[ekopp2]

The hammer throw DOES require the run button, if you want to retard the throw for more power.  If you tap the run, while you are swinging, you will notice that you get more rotations....

LPZ

True enough... I wasn't precise. Tapping the run button during the hammer throw does increase the rate of rotation, but not above 1500.

My point was that you can get really great hammer throws without doing that. If you tap the button once, then hit the throw button during the last 1/2 of the last bar of the progress meter, you'll generally have throws >95m (assuming you get a decent launch angle), with a launch speed at or near 1500. The thrower finishes at 1500 facing outward in the direction you want to release.

....

And, as far as switches go, I'm using microswitches for the running events

[LPZ]

It does take skill and I agree that you get very good throws everytime without using it.  If I want to go for the gusto and get a 99.xx, I usually try one as long as I qualify.  This way if you nail it, your friends will have to go for it to, just to try and hang with your score. 

LPZ

[Dervacumen]

I always use the middle finger at the machine technique as I walk away pissed.

[Xam]

I always use the middle finger at the machine technique as I walk away pissed.

    

That technique works on quite a few games that I play. Dig Dug was the most recent that I used it on...very successful it was. Do you use the 2 hand middle finger or just the single? I had to resort to the 2 hand method on Dig Dug. 

Xam