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=------------StarTropics Weapons/Items FAQ-------------=
=-------Written By: Kevin Zuehlk (livetnediser))-------=
=-----This document copyright 2003 by Kevin Zuehlk-----=
=---------------------Version 1.05---------------------=
=-----------------------9/15/2003----------------------=
========================================================
Released in 1990, StarTropics is a very underrated NES game. However, it was
a terrific action/adventure game in it's own rights, and to this day, it is my
favorite game of all time. I decided to create this guide to explain the many
items and weapons that are attainable in this game (and BTW, if you just
happened to stumble on to this FAQ, and don't own this game, I suggest you pick
one up, as they can be found for around $5.)
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Updates:
9/15/03- Version 1.00- First Version
9/17/03- Version 1.02- Added more websites allowed to post this FAQ.
9/19/03- Version 1.05- Fixed description on one weapon, added new name to
"Thanks" section.
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Table of Contents:
1. Default (main) Weapons
2. Secondary (limited) Weapons
3. Automatic Items
4. Stored Items
5. Overworld Items
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With that said, let's move on to the FAQ!
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=Section 1: Default (main) Weapons=
===================================
These weapons are ones that you use by pressing the B button. They are all
given to you by certain people, they have unlimited ammo, and unlike the
weapons with limited ammo, you don't lose them when you exit a demo. There are
three of these weapons in total. They vary in strength and range. For each
weapon, I will rate them according to these stats, with 1 "*" being the least
and 4 "*" being the best.
-----------------------
Default (main) Weapons:
-----------------------
1. Yo-Yo-
The Yo-Yo is your most basic weapon. It is the first weapon you get, and it
is given to you by the chief in CoralCola when you talk to him for the first
time. It has short range, and limited attack powers, but for what you
encounter early on in the game, it gets the job done just fine.
Strength Rating: *
Range Rating: *
2. Shooting Star-
This weapon is given to you by the Queen of SheCola in Chapter 3. It can
only be used if you have at least 6 full heart containers. Otherwise, your
default weapon reverts back to the Yo-Yo. It has a longer range than the
Yo-Yo (about 5-6 spaces), but it still has limited attack powers (though it
is stronger than the Yo-Yo).
Strength Rating: **
Range Rating: **
3. Super Nova-
This is the strongest of the three default weapons. It is found in the alien
spaceship. After you pick up the first magical cube, your Shooting Star is
transformed into this. You must have at least 11 full heart containers to
use this weapon. Otherwise, your default weapon reverts back to the Yo-Yo.
It has decent attack power, and excellent range. It can move across the
entire screen when fired.
Strength Rating: ***
Range Rating: ****
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=Section 2: Secondary (limited) Weapons=
========================================
To use these weapons, you must first press select, and then press B. That
changes from your default to your secondary weapons. Press select multiple
times if you have multiple weapons. These weapons have limited ammo, and once
you leave a dungeon, you lose them. They vary in strength and range. Once
again, I will rate these weapons according to these stats, with 1 "*" being the
least and 4 "*" being the best.
---------------------------
Secondary (limited) Weapons
---------------------------
1. Torch-
The torch works alot like the Shooting Star, only it isn't as powerful. It
throws a fireball out, causing about as much damage as the Yo-Yo, but going
much further. It is only used in the first level, where it is needed to kill
the first boss.
Strength Rating: *
Range Rating: **
25 shots per use
2. Baseball Bat-
The baseball bat is about as strong as the Shooting Star, but only has the
range of the Yo-Yo. It is best suited for taking out slow, but strong
enemies.
Strength Rating: **
Range Rating: *
30 shots per use
3. Baseballs (Horse Hides)
Baseballs can only be used on one boss, and that is Broken Joe. They can be
thrown all the way across the screen, but since they can only be used on
one boss, there really isn't a way to judge the exact power of them.
(Thanks to GameFAQs user Storm Hunter for bringing to me attention that I
put the info from the slingshot in this spot originally).
Strength Rating: N/A
Range Rating: ****
30 shots per use
4. Bolas
These things are probably the least powerful weapon in the game (right down
there with the Yo-Yo), but they have great range. They can be shot all the
way across the screen. These a best used against those little flying
monkeys that can jump across water, or for a boss battle they are required
for.
Strength Rating: *
Range Rating: ****
40 shots per use
5. Slingshot
The slingshot is powerful, but it doesn't go that far. It can be shot
further than the Yo-Yo, but not quite as far as the Shooting Star. In terms
of strength, it ranks just about as high as the Super Nova (a little lower),
and it's best used in place of your Shooting Star when you are faced with
some tough enemies.
Strength Rating: ***
Range Rating: *
10 shots per use
6. Magic Mirror
The Magic Mirror is used to deflect projectiles thrown at you by enemies
back towards the pitcher. It has great range (whatever you deflect goes all
the way across the screen), but it has only decent attack power. It can also
be a little tricky to time the deflection just right. You get 80 shots per
use, though, so things aren't all bad.
Strength Rating: **
Range Rating: ****
80 shots per use.
7. Spike Shoes (cleats)
These are probably the most useful weapon in the game. They attack
everything on screen for decent damage. They are best suited for use in
rooms with several enemies, so make sure you don't waste them on rooms with
only 2-3 bad guys in them.
Strength Rating: **
Range Rating: N/A (attacks everything onscreen)
10 shots per use
8. Shooting Stars (Asterisks)
These weapons consist of two stars that are hooked together. If you press
B after they are thrown, they will split apart and attack enemies in two
different directions, depending on how they are thrown. They do decent
damage, have good range, and can attack two enemies at once. They can be
used in any spot where there are two or more enemies at once, however, they
are best saved for the few boss fights where they are extremely helpful
(twin robots and twin statues).
Strength Rating: **
Range Rating: ***
20 shots per use
9. Laser Gun
This weapon is only found in the last few spaceship levels. It has good
range, does about as much damage as the Shooting Star, and moves extremely
fast. It is best used for boss fights near the end, as well as those
alien robots.
Strength Rating: **
Range Rating: ***
50 shots per use
10. Super Laser Gun
A better version of the laser gun, this gun shoots extremely powerful shots
and moves in a wide pattern that is capable of hitting 2 enemies at once
sometimes. It doesn't have very good range, but it works well in spots
where you are being attacked by several enemies and/or powerful enemies.
Strength Rating: ****
Range Rating: *
20 shots per use
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=Section 3: Automatic Items=
============================
There are several items in StarTropics, and they are either used automatically
upon picking them up or stored in a special menu that can be accessed by
pausing the game and pushing select. These items are the items that are used
automatically and that can only be found in dungeons.
---------------
Automatic Items
---------------
1. Small Heart Containers-
These items are attained by defeating enemies. They restore one heart
container of life.
2. Stars-
If you collect five of these, on heart container of life is restored.
3. Sign-
Randomly gives Mike either -2, -1, +1, or +2 lives.
4. Magic Watch
Upon picking up this watch, you can either slow down some enemies, or stop
them completely. It has different effects on different enemies.
5. Magic Bracelet
Upon picking up this bracelet, you are given the ability to jump two spaces
across water, as opposed to normally only being able to jump. It last until
you reach the next room.
6. Pills
If you pick up a pill, it restores all of your health plus fills up heart
containers that you don't even have yet. If you don't yet have two full
rows of hearts, then your health will slowly decrease until you have as
many hearts as you have attained.
=========================
=Section 4: Stored Items=
=========================
These items are obtained within dungeons, and they have limited uses. They can
be accessed by pausing the game and pushing select. These items have some
effect either on you or on the environment. They cannot be taken out of
dungeons and carried over to the next one.
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Stored Items
------------
1. Potion-
This item, when used, will restore several lost heart containers. It has
only one use for each one picked up.
2. Snowman-
When you use this item, it will freeze the entire room, along with every
enemy inside. This gives you time to hit those enemies. It has two uses for
each one picked up.
3. Rod Of Sight-
This item is used to make ghosts appear that are invisible to the naked eye.
It has four uses for each one picked up.
4. Lantern-
Lights up an otherwise dark room for a limited amount of time. It has five
uses for each one picked up.
============================
=Section 5: Overworld Items=
============================
These items are ones that you find on the Overworld Map. Some of them are used
automatically, and some are used when you trigger certain events, such as
talking to the right person.
---------------
Overworld Items
---------------
1. Big Heart Containers-
When these items are collected, you will gain an additional heart container
of life (NOTE: Gain, as in get another one, not restore)
2. Big Apple-
This item has no purpose in the game whatsoever.
3. Code 1492-
This item is used to start Sub-C.
4. Code 1776-
Using this code allows Sub-C to gain the submerge maneuver.
5. Scroll of Obob-
This item is used to awaken Princess Bananette.
6. Lighter-
This item is used to start a fire, which is needed to be ejected from the
inside of the whale.
7. Worm-
This item is given to Peter the Parrot in exchange for some information used
in the game.
8. Crystal Ball-
Give this item to the fortune teller at SheCola. She will then use it to
turn you into a girl, allowing access to SheCola.
9. Orange Cube-
The first of three magic cubes that you must collect. When this one is
collected, your Shooting Star is transformed into a Super Nova.
11. Blue Cube-
The second of three magic cubes that you must collect. When this one is
collected, your life is increased to two full rows of heart containers.
12. Green Cube-
The last of three magic cubes that you must collect. This item doesn't
actually do anything, but it is needed to beat the game. It is available
after you beat the final boss.
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Well, that's my Weapons/Items FAQ. I hope you enjoyed, and if you feel like
it, scroll down to read my Thanks section, as well as all the legal crap
that I have to say so this guide doesn't get stolen.
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=Section 6: Thanks=
===================
I would like to thank some people in this guide. To name a few:
1. www.gamefaqs.com- the best gaming site on the net. Without them, this
guide would not be possible.
2. gameFAQS users- to everyone on the message boards who helped give me advice
to put together this guide.
3. Storm Hunter- this GameFAQs user let me know that I used the wrong
description for one of the weapons in the game. Thanks!
4. You, the reader- you are my inspiration to keep creating guides. If I know
that I helped one person, then I've achieved my goal.
Thank You Everyone!!!
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=Attention!! If you saw anything in this faq this I did wrong, or======
=something I missed, or some strategies you want to add, please drop===
=me an email at kzuehlk@hotmail.com. Please put "StarTropics" in the===
=title, or else I probably won't read it (too much junk mail). Thanks==
=for reading my Guide, and I hope it helped you in some way============
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This document is copyright material and is intended for private use
only, and any reproduction without full permission from the owner is
plagairism and is punishable by law. As of now, the only site with permission
to use this guide is www.gamefaqs.com. However, should you like to use it on
your site, send me an email at kzuehlk@hotmail.com, and I'll see what I can
do.
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Hey, as of this moment, I have 1 other FAQ posted. Please check it out:
1. Hunter: The Reckoning- Boss Guide for GC and Xbox.
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As of right now, there are only 2 sites with permission to host this FAQ.
These sites are:
1. gamefaqs.com
2. http://www.angelfire.com/electronic2/livetnediser/
My personal website. All of my FAQs and Guides will be posted there.
3. faqs.ign.com
4. http://www.cheats.de
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This document copyright 2003 by Kevin Zuehlk.
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