Atarian Magazine: ISSUE 1 MAY/JUNE 1989
TIPS & TRICKS

MILLIPEDE(2600, XE)
Shoot away most of the mushrooms under each DDT bomb early on a screen before you get overwhelmed with other bugs. Then explode the bombiust as a millipede is about to hit it. That way, you'll get triple credit as the DDT wipes out the entire millipede, or about 600 points.

When you get attacked by swarming bugs (mosquitos, bees, or dragonflies), try to remain in a fairly small segment at the bottom of the screen. Keep your finger on the fire button as you position yourself un- der the swarming insects. Keep alert for spiders and move to shoot them, but otherwise don't move around too much. It is better to play it safe than to risk your life for a few extra points.
Sheryl Morrell Bethesda, MD


ARCHON (XE)
Goblins (dark) and Knights (light) are equal to each other and are the weakest icons on the board. When you begin play, you should quickly relocate these icons onto squares of your own color, but otherwise don't waste a turn to move them except to avoid a confrontation with one of the computer's icons.

Basilisk (dark) and Unicorn (light) are also equal to each other and are the fastest and most powerful icons on the board. While they have relatively low strength, they move and fire so quickly that they can kill most or all of the computer's icons.
Tips Editor


KARATEKA (7800, XE)
I found that you encounter fewer baddies if you run rather than walk. For example, when walking outside the building, you will usually meet six men, but if you run you will meet only three!
Josh Reynolds San Rafael, CA

On the third through fifth guards, let them come to you; it makes it much easier to wear them down. Also, on the fourth and fifth guards, do a couple of high kicks first to drive the vultures away.
Josh Matthews Albemarle, NC


JOUST (7800)
At the right two ledges on the 7800, you can go through the crack by taking a running start on the middle ledge, then one small jump (quick press and release of the button) and bounce on the left ledge until you reach the other side.
Aaron Rodriguez Simi Valley, CA


BARNYARD BLASTER (XE)
The sooner you hit a target after it appears, the more points you get for it. Also, smaller and faster targets are worth more than larger and slower (or stationary) ones. Thus, in the barn, you should go for the mice and birds right after they appear whereas you can take more time for an accurate shot at the ducks and chickens. But remember, you have to keep your accuracy percentage up in order to advance to the next screen.
Kevin Bowman Pittsburgh, PA


CHOPLIFTER! (XE)
When your helicopter is full of hostages, try flying backwards on your way back to base. This makes it easier to shoot the enemy jets which usually come from the left.
Rob Armitage Los Altos, CA


SUPER BREAKOUT (2600, XE)
By now, everybody knows you should try to cut a channel through the bricks at one end of the wall or the other. But this is even more important in Cavity Breakout. My method in that variation is to try and free the trapped balls from above. This means keeping your ball away from the bricks that surround the cavity and aiming only for the two ends. If you free one or both trapped balls from above, you will not only score a fantastic number of bonus points but the balls will exit the top area with enough of a time interval between them that you can keep both of them in play.
Janet Lindner Phoenix, AZ


KUNG FU MASTER (2600)
At the end of Level 4 the biggie (Lightning Magician) throws lightning bolts at you. To defeat him, you have to get down low and punch him. Don't kick him, or he will recover his energy.
Brendon Bolger McLean, VA


ONE ON ONE BASKETBALL(7800)
On the 7800, when playing against the computer on the Pro level, you can make quick steals by holding the controller down and going for the steal immediately after you score. Also, if your fatigue level is high, turn your back to your opponent and bounce the ball slowly. If he goes for the steal, most of the time he will be called for reaching in.
Aaron Rodriguez Simi Valley, CA


DIG DUG (7800)
When you lose your last life in Dig Dug, you can start a new game at the same level at which you ended by repeatedly pressing the fire button.
Gary Mobley Wyandotte, MI


MISSILE COMMAND (2600, XE)
A few important rules will help you achieve high scores in this old favorite. First and foremost, you must estimate the course of the incoming missiles and fire ahead of them. Always try to take out several converging missiles with a single shot. As soon as you press the fire button, start aiming the crosshairs for the next shot; don't even watch your first shot.

As the game progresses, try to keep an "umbrella" of explosions over the command center and the two closest cities. You should generally ignore missiles heading towards cities that are already flattened, but always defend your command center and adjacent cities. Tips Editor

Readers: Keep those tips and tricks coming! Send vours to Editor, The Atarian, 7 Hilltop Road, Mendham, NJ 07945.