     
                                   SKIDZ
                                   -----

   Typed in by Mr.Terry of Tripple H. Edited by Parasite and Codetapper!


AIM OF THE GAME
---------------
Your local town is the scruffiest for miles around, and it's about time
that it was cleared up.  Armed with nothing more than your trusty bike and
skateboard, you set about collecting as much of the rubbish as possible as
fast as possible.  Unfortunately, the townfolk don't share your enthusiasm,
and although they won't try to stop you, they do tend to get in the way.
Then there's the holes in the road, the kerbs, the cones, the ramps...
loads of obstacles stand between you and your goal, and they're not doing
you or your equipment any good.  There's money lying around just waiting to
be collected though, and performing stunts will also improve your bank
balance.  Collect enough, and it'll give you the chance to visit the shop
and upgrade your bike or skateboard, or carry out essential repairs.

You have just one life, and the game will end when you run out of energy.
You will then be given the option to start a fresh game on the level you
ended the game on with the same amount of money and energy as you began
that level.

There are six progressively difficult areas to be cleaned up, starting with
the fairly straightforward street, and ending on the dangerous and
difficult boardwalk.  Prove that you're up to the challenge of these mean
streets, and you'll get the chance to really test your skill in the
ultimate challenge, against two other ultr skillful opponents.  There's
nothing to collect or do, just race to be the first to cross the finishing
line.  This race has the biggest rewards up for grabs, but the hazards and
narrow track mean that it's gonna require split second timing, ultra
accurate jumps and spins, and loads of speed to finish top.  Are you ready
to prove you've got the gutz for SKIDZ?


BIKE/SKATEBOARD SELECTION
-------------------------
You choose the bike or skateboard on the title screen at the beginning of
each game, using left/right joystick control.  Each has different
advantages - the bike is narrower and can move through areas that the
skateboard is too vide for and uses less energy, but the skateboard is more
manoeuvrable and makes collecting objects much easier.

Once loaded, the options screen will be displayed.  Options are chosen by
moving the joystick left or right to higlight your required choice, and
pressing FIRE.  Each of the six levels must be completed in order of
difficulty, so the Street level will be the only one available at first.
In addition, the shop can be checked out, or you can practice the race
sequence against one other opponent.


JOYSTICK CONTROL
----------------
We have included two methods of control and the J key is used to change
from one to the other once the game has loaded.  The default mode is the
first.


CONTROL SYSTEM 1
----------------
Pushing the FIRE BUTTON increases your speed by one point, and holding down
the FIRE BUTTON will maintain that speed.  So, to get a constant speed of
three points, push the FIRE BUTTON three times, holding it down on the
third.  The player can turn it steps of 45 degrees by moving the joystick
in the required direction.  Moving the joystick in the opposite direction
to the one you are travelling in will cause the bike/skateboard to stop.


CONTROL SYSTEM 2
----------------
Moving the joystick in any direction increases your speed by one point in
that direction, and holding it in that position keeps the speed at that
value.  Acceleration is achieved by continually tapping the joystick in a
set direction.  Releasing the joystick completely will decelerate the
bike/skateboard slowly.  Whilst moving it in the opposite direction to
which you are travelling causes the bike/skateboard to brake rapidly.  The
player can turn in steps of 45 degrees by turning the joystick during
normal motion.  A 90 degree turn is possible by releasing the joystick and
moving to a new position.


KEYBOARD CONTROLS
-----------------
M - Toggle music on off. 
J - Toggles between joystick modes 1 and 2. 
P - Pause. 
SPACE BAR - Display status screen. 


ENERGY
------
Sixteen energy units are provided at the start of the game.  One energy
unit is lost when the player crashes, if he falls in the water, or if a
cigarette is collected.  Any energy left at the end of a level is carried
over to the next.  The entire game ends if the energy is reduced zero.


TIMER
-----
The timer value begins at 350 at the start of each level, and diminishes
constantly during the game.  Additional time bonuses of 300 are added
whenever a stopwatch is collected.  If the timer reaches zero on any level,
"The Spirit" will attack you, draining all your energy, giving you just a
short time to find a stopwatch before you run out of energy.  If a level is
completed with time in hand, it will be converted to a points bonus.


LITTER
------
Paper, bottles and cans are collected during each level, and should be
placed in the bins.  Up to ten pieces can be collected at once, which are
deposited in bins when the player touches or goes behind a bin.  The total
percentage of litter collected will be displayed each time letter is
dropped into a dustbin, and a level cannot be completed until at least 75%
has been put in the bins.  Fifty points are awarded for each item of litter
deposited.


MONEY
-----
Money, in the form of one, five, ten and twenty dollar bills, as well as
one dollar coins, can be collected from a set positions on each level.
Extra money will also appear after performing a succesful trick/spin.  The
money can be used in the shop before starting each level.


HOPPING
-------
Small obstacles can be hopped over by pressing the FIRE BUTTON when
travelling at speed 4.  Hopping also allows the player to move up onto the
pavements without crashing into the kerb,The hop will last longer if a spin
is performed at the same time, which makes it possible to hop over wide
obstacles and gaps.


TRICKS
------
A spin can be performed by pressing the FIRE BUTTON and turning through 360
degrees before landing.  If the player is facing a different direction on
landing they will crash, otherwise money will appear which can then be
collected.  As you win money for the performance of tricks, the money
dotted around the level will begin to disappear, saving you the trouble of
going hunting for it.


RAMPS
-----
Ramps can be jumped at speed 3 and 4, and will give 500 points each time.
Tricks can also be performed by spinning around once or twice before
landing.


BONUSES
-------
Bonus items can be collected during each level, giving one energy unit as
well as 50, 100 or 200 points depending on the bonus collected.  Different
types of bonuses are found on each level:

Street          - Fruit
Park            - Burgers, Chocolate
Building Site   - Tools
Chinatown       - Cakes, Ice-cream
Canal           - Fruit
Boardwalk       - Cakes, Ice-cream

Hidden bonuses are dotted around the levels, giving you extra points, time
or energy.


TASKS
-----
There is a special task associated with each level.  The task item must be
collected and delivered to the correct destination further down the level.
Bonus points are awarded on the succesful comletion of each level.  The
different items for each level are as follows:

Street          - Parcel
Park            - Fish food
Building site   - Newspaper
Chinatown       - Chopsticks
Canal           - Tub of maggots
Boardwalk       - Bucket and spade


MUGGER
------
A mugger appears on each level, running down the screen.  If the player
touches a mugger, he crashes and loses all his money.


DAMAGE
------
If the player rides over glass, slinters, nails etc.  damage is caused to
the wheels of the bike or skateboard.  The players top speed is then
limited to speed 3 instead of 4.  Wheels return to normal if a puncture
outfit is collected from the level, or if the outfit or new wheels are
purchased from the shop after finishing the level.  Also, wheels gradually
wear down from one level to the next, making acceleration slower each time.
Maximum acceleratino is restored when new wheels are purchased in the shop.


SHOP
----
The shop can be selected between levels, on the first selection screen.  As
you start the game with no cash it is not worth visiting the shop until you
have completed one of the levels.  When in the shop move the joystick
LEFT/RIGHT to highlight the required item(s).  The following items can be
bought:

Item                   Price  Function
------------------------------------------------------------
Wheels (bike)           $50   Repairs wheel damage and wear. 
Wheels (skateboard)     $50   Repairs wheel damage and wear. 
Helmet                  $90   Reduces energy loss for crash. 
Brakes (bike)           $30   Bike slows down faster. 
Water Bottle            $20   Restores four energy units. 
Medical Kit             $50   Restores twelve energy units. 
Pads                    $40   Reduces energy loss for crash. 
Puncture outfit (bike)  $10   Repairs wheel damage. 
Stopper(skateboard)     $30   Skateboard slows down faster. 

New items must be bought for each levels, as required.


RACE
----
The full race can only be selected after all the other levels have
succesfully completed.  The race is against two opponents, one slow and one
fast.  No bonuses, timer or energy loss function on the race level.  As you
cross the finishing line, a message will report your finishing position,
and if you win the race you will be presented with a trophy at the end of
the game.  100,000 points are awarded for finishing third, 200,000 for
second and 300,000 for first.
