Chu Chu Rocket!

Version 0.17,  4670 bytes. (ION)

 By Dan Weiss
    chuchu@dwedit.cjb.net

 http://chuchurocket.dwedit.cjb.net/
 Non-redirected link: http://home.attbi.com/~alanweiss3/dwedit/chuchurocket/
 Note: the attbi.com url may expire soon since AT&T Broadband merged with
       Comcast.  If it goes down, use the cjn.net link.  Make sure you click
       NO to any 'security warnings' that try to put Gator or other evil
       programs on your computers.

Introduction
------------

This is a clone of the Game Boy Advance game "Chu Chu Rocket" for the
TI83 and TI83+ graphing calculators.  You set arrows down and direct the
mice to the rocket, but don't let the cats get to the mice or the rockets!
Also watch out for pitfalls!

This is a pre-alpha version, and many features are missing.
Collision with cats is not implented yet, so the levels are all really easy.
This is the first released build of the game that is actually playable.


Extra Levels
------------
Included in this zip file is another zip file: _chuchulevels.zip
This zip file has 100 extra level packs made by various Chu Chu Rocket players
from around the world.
Each world contains 25 levels, so that's a total of 2,600 levels included with
this game!


Controls
--------

Use the arrow keys to move the cursor around.  Hold 2nd and press the arrow
key to drop an arrow.  You can also use that to pick up arrows that you have
dropped.  You only have a limited amount of arrows.

Use ENTER to start moving everything, and CLEAR to quit the game.
Use DEL to cancel a level if you don't see any way to win the level.  The
locations you put your arrows at is preserved.

Use + and - to select levels within a world.


Tips
----

The cats and mice always turn right when they hit a wall.  If they are blocked
on the right, they will try to turn left.  If they are blocked on both the left
and right, they will turn around.

Note that the critters turn RIGHT reletive to their current direction, so if
they are traveling south, they will turn to the LEFT when they hit a wall.

When determining direction traveled, the arrows act first, then the walls.  So
if you put a down arrow against a south wall, the critters will turn left when
they hit that arrow.

The cats weaken the arrows if they charge at them facing the opposite direction
as the arrow points.  So if the cats charge into a down arrow going up, the
arrow will start to flash.  It still functions, but the next time a cat charges
into the arrow, it will disappear.


Version History
---------------

Version 0.17 Alpha:
  Fixed:
    No longer crashes TI83+'s!
  Size:
    4670 bytes

Version 0.16 Alpha:
  New:
    Delete key now deletes arrows, not reset the level.
  Size:
    4670 bytes

Version 0.15 Alpha:
  New:
    Cat graphics changed, now they close their mouths
    When you lose the screen flashes, a circle shows where you lost, and the
     level resets
    Level reset key: Del
    You can speed up the game by pressing Enter while the game is running.
     Pressing Enter a second time turns off turbo.  So you press Enter while
     the game is running to toggle Turbo mode.
    It preservers where you put your arrows so you can retry the level.
    You now get a victory banner when you beat a level.  The objects keep
     moving while the banner is displayed (GBA style).  (the calc goes into
     low power mode if there's no objects to display)
    Collision Detection!  Cats can now eat the mice.  Currently uses 4 pixel
     test zones within the 16x16 sprites.  ______####_______
     Right now it seems very authentic, no major problems observed yet
    Cats can now destroy the arrows if they walk into the arrow twice, and if
     the arrow is facing the opposite direction of the cat.
    
  Size:
    4608 bytes
    

Version 0.10 Pre Alpha:
  First playable release
  Features:
    Cats and mice move
    No collision detection between cats and mice yet
    External level support!  Lots of levels...
    You can place arrows and pick them up
    Mice and cats can go into rockets and die from pits
    No death yet, just returns to arrow placement when a cat reaches a rocket
    or a mouse reaches a pit.  (but the cat or mouse is removed from the game)
    Quickly switch levels up and down with + and - to reset a level for now
    Critters going off the screen is messed up, they will get stuck outside the
     level
  Size:
    3854 bytes (plus levels)


To be added later Checklist:
----------------------------
 _ Action mode
 _ Stage Challenge
 _ APP version?
 _ Level Editor?
 _ Linkplays?
 _ Any other suggestions?  Email me!
 


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Chu Chu Rocket 83 (C) 2002 Dan Weiss

Chu Chu Rocket and other related names are trademarks of Sega
