Author Topic: Any child friendly hacks/cheats for classic arcade games? (Read 5312 times)

tobiasbp · « **on:** March 13, 2013, 06:21:17 am »

I want to introduce my 5 year old to classic arcade games. The problem is, that they are way to difficult.

I'm wondering if there are any hacked ROMs or MAME cheats out there that would make a classic game suitable for a young child?

I'm thinking along the lines of:
A: Pac-Man with VERY slow ghosts
B: Space Invaders with aliens that do not drop bombs and move very slowly.

Anything out there? Maybe there are games that would be suitable "out of the box"?

Thank you,
Tobias

Dawgz Rule · « **Reply #1 on:** March 13, 2013, 07:12:07 am »

Short of doing any hacks, you can always Tab into the settings for the games and adjust the difficulty level, number of lives, etc. Not a lot of options on Pac-Man and Space Invaders but there are a few.

Louis Tully · « **Reply #2 on:** March 13, 2013, 07:43:22 am »

tobiasbp · « **Reply #3 on:** March 13, 2013, 08:13:32 am »

Quote from: Louis Tully on March 13, 2013, 07:43:22 am

You could try cheats and see how you like it.

I just did. Tried Space Invaders part II in MAME with cheats. It has EXACTLY what I wanted: Cheats for aliens don't fire and aliens don't drop

Thank you

tobiasbp · « **Reply #4 on:** March 13, 2013, 08:42:59 am »

In Ms. Pac-Man, it's possible to individually set the ghosts to be permanently blue (Like after having eaten a power pill). That will be great for my daughter. She will be able to start with having just one dangerous ghost.

Ed_McCarron · « **Reply #5 on:** March 13, 2013, 10:53:59 am »

Moon patrol. DIP switch setting for invulnerability.

ChadTower · « **Reply #6 on:** March 13, 2013, 11:18:57 am »

Kids become good at games like this quickly. Don't be surprised if they end up as good as you are before long. Might not need to do this for that much time if at all.

Nephasth · « **Reply #7 on:** March 13, 2013, 11:55:31 am »

Quote from: ChadTower on March 13, 2013, 11:18:57 am

Kids become good at games like this quickly. Don't be surprised if they end up as good as you are before long. Might not need to do this for that much time if at all.

For sure, video games seem natural to kids.

ChadTower · « **Reply #8 on:** March 13, 2013, 12:11:35 pm »

Everything is natural to kids. They are learning machines.

RyoriNoTetsujin · « **Reply #9 on:** March 13, 2013, 04:21:01 pm »

Quote from: ChadTower on March 13, 2013, 12:11:35 pm

Everything is natural to kids. They are learning machines.

That's for sure. OP shouldn't worry too much, the kid(s) will definitely pick it up, and quickly!

Some of my earliest memories are of playing Time Pilot and Joust in a Safeway (grocery) in my home town, back when they were new... so, 82'-'83? I was 5 then.

Of course, back then my mom would only give me 2 or 3 quarters to use while she checked out the groceries, so the impetus to make the games last was there from an early age... now its just 5 5 5 5 5 keep on playin'!

Nephasth · « **Reply #10 on:** March 13, 2013, 06:59:55 pm »

Quote from: RyoriNoTetsujin on March 13, 2013, 04:21:01 pm

Some of my earliest memories are of playing Time Pilot and Joust in a Safeway (grocery) in my home town, back when they were new... so, 82'-'83? I was 5 then.

Geezer!

amendonz · « **Reply #11 on:** March 13, 2013, 11:01:15 pm »

My 5 yr old jams ghosts and goblins like a boss. Made it to level 3 by himself last night.

yotsuya · « **Reply #12 on:** March 14, 2013, 01:34:08 am »

Quote from: RyoriNoTetsujin on March 13, 2013, 04:21:01 pm

Some of my earliest memories are of playing Time Pilot and Joust in a Safeway (grocery) in my home town, back when they were new... so, 82'-'83? I was 5 then.

My Safeway had Track And Field. I remember seeing a kid to the Comb-on-the-buttons trick and being all

by the ingenuity.

RyoriNoTetsujin · « **Reply #13 on:** March 14, 2013, 02:10:17 pm »

Quote from: Nephasth on March 13, 2013, 06:59:55 pm

Geezer!

LOL! Nice.

Haven't seen that emoticon before!

I don't feel old.

Howard_Casto · « **Reply #14 on:** March 14, 2013, 02:41:40 pm »

Personally I'm a cranky old man trapped in a 33 year old's body. My age is quite irrelevant though considering I intend to live forever. That's right kids... you'll NEVER get rid of me.

tobiasbp · « **Reply #15 on:** March 14, 2013, 04:15:24 pm »

Quote from: Nephasth on March 13, 2013, 06:59:55 pm

Quote from: RyoriNoTetsujin on March 13, 2013, 04:21:01 pm
Some of my earliest memories are of playing Time Pilot and Joust in a Safeway (grocery) in my home town, back when they were new... so, 82'-'83? I was 5 then.

Geezer!

Bah... 5 years old in 82.... Whippersnapper!

Nephasth · « **Reply #16 on:** March 14, 2013, 08:14:40 pm »

-3 in '82. Ah, the good ol' days...

AmericaBev · « **Reply #17 on:** July 03, 2013, 07:38:57 am »

I think you need to have more faith in your kid. I downloaded an emulator in the early 90's along with all my favorite classic arcade ROMS. My kid was your kids age and she caught on real quick. Let your kid be challenged. she can do it!

PS.... I only got an account here because I had to put my 2 cents on this topic.

ark_ader · « **Reply #18 on:** July 03, 2013, 05:36:05 pm »

Quote from: AmericaBev on July 03, 2013, 07:38:57 am

I think you need to have more faith in your kid. I downloaded an emulator in the early 90's along with all my favorite classic arcade ROMS. My kid was your kids age and she caught on real quick. Let your kid be challenged. she can do it!

PS.... I only got an account here because I had to put my 2 cents on this topic.

I totally agree. Even challenged kids can be good at classic arcade games.

emphatic · « **Reply #19 on:** July 05, 2013, 06:11:03 am »

Get Out Zone and set the Invincibility DIP to "ON" for the first couple of times your kid plays it.


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