============================================================================== Grobda (Arcade) (1984) ============================================================================== Grobda Copyright 1984 Namco This document is created by Faididi and Co. (faididi@yahoo.com) Copying or distributing this, in whole or in part, for profit without the explicit permission of the author is prohibited. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [-] Document Version History ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Version 2007 (2007-07-19 Thursday) - Initial release. Version 2020 (2020-07-19 Sunday) - Corrections made. ============================================================================== [0] Contents ============================================================================== [1] Overview [1.1] Story [1.2] Characters [1.3] Controls [1.4] General Tips [2] (reserved) [3] (reserved) [4] Sound Test [5] Reference [5.1] Game Source Information [5.2] Additional Reference [5.3] Really Small Details [5.4] Document Credits [6] Contact Information ============================================================================== [1] Overview ============================================================================== Namco's Grobda is an action shooter that features regenerating energy, splash damage, and movement-impeding wreckage. It is a spin-off from Xevious, but it is a very different game. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [1.1] Story ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Grobda is a tank participating in the National Battling Association (the other NBA, lol), where it will face many competing tanks in its quest to become the champion of the universe or something. If this has anything at all to do with its role in the Xevious games, it isn't telling us. :) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [1.2] Characters ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Grobda A battle tank of the world of Xevious. In the Xevious games, it fires bullets, but in this game, it has upgraded to a super laser deathray machinecannon and an energy shield. XD Purple Tank (First Appearance: Round 1) A basic tank. It aims only forward. Orange Tank (First Appearance: Round 6) A big, fat, heavy tank. It has a shield that allows it to suck up several hits before it goes KABOOM. It can also aim and drive in different directions, and its shots travel at a very high speed. Green Saucer (First Appearance: Round 10) A hover tank. It fires homing bullets that travel a little slower but can turn in a shallow arc. It also moves very quickly when it is under attack. Yellow Tank (First Appearance: Round 12) A bigger, fatter, heavy tank. It is an upgraded version of its orange counterpart, having a stronger shield that allows it to brush off a lot more hits. It also shoots much more frequently. Gray Saucer (First Appearance: Round 20) A significantly fancier hover tank. It is an upgraded version of its green counterpart, firing homing bullets that can turn in a very sharp arc (enough to quickly turn backward). It can also keep shooting while moving. Battle Platform (First Appearance: Round 30) A large square platform. It alternates between stopping and moving, and it fires sets of four homing bullets (each initially offset from the next by 90 degrees) that travel at a very high speed and can turn in a very sharp arc. It is invulnerable, but it doesn't count as one of the opponents who must be defeated. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [1.3] Controls ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Movement Stick - Move (relative to the screen). Tap this in a direction to turn the cannon that way without driving forward. The Grobda needs a little time to accelerate from being stopped or making a turn to driving straight forward at full speed. Shoot Button - Fire the cannon. This can be held to shoot a continuous stream of laser bolts. Shield Button - Activate the shield, which can block all opponents' attacks and explosions. The shield can't be used when the energy is at the red level (7 or less units out of 39 total). Start Button - Use a Credit. Hold any other Button when starting a new game to access Round Select Mode (if enabled). The default starting Round is 1, but this may be changed from 1 to 99 (good luck there, lol). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [1.4] General Tips ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - The Grobda's energy slowly regenerates, but almost every action costs energy, including driving, firing, and activating the shield. Only driving or only firing costs less than the regeneration rate, allowing a net gain of energy. Activating the shield costs more than the regeneration rate, and it depletes energy much faster when deflecting attacks and explosions. Driving, firing, and using the shield all at once drains energy like crazy. - Find and use cover. After the early Rounds, the opposing forces will be too dangerous to defeat simply by charging into them with the cannon blazing and the shield always activated. There is no time limit, so hide behind blocks to allow the energy to recover. - The orange and yellow opponents can aim and drive in different directions, but they change their direction of aim relatively slowly. Move past their lines of fire and then hit them while they are still adjusting their aim. - Defeated opponents' explosions can blow up anyone who touches them. Use these explosions to beat opponents who are positioned closely together. - The wreckage of defeated opponents can slow down anyone who touches them. Drive around wreckage to maintain full speed. - The last opponent remaining can move a lot faster than it normally does. - If the Grobda gets wasted along with the last opponent, it may still proceed to the next Round, lol. - If it's Game Over, the game will go to the Name Entry Screen or the High Score Screen and then return to the beginning. ============================================================================== [2] (reserved) ============================================================================== ============================================================================== [3] (reserved) ============================================================================== ============================================================================== [4] Sound Test ============================================================================== Press Left and Right (or Up and Down) to cycle through the tunes or effects. Press Shoot or Shield to play them. Cycle to another sound to stop them. (Player 1's controls and Player 2's controls can both be used here.) :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ## Time Tune or Effect (16 total) :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 0 Credit 1 "Get Ready!" 2 Grobda engine (wind-up effect, from idle to move) 3 Grobda shoot 4 Grobda shield 5 Grobda shield deflect 6 Grobda die 7 Grobda low energy warning beep 8 opponent die 9 High Score A 0:26 Name Entry B 0:02 Game Over C Title Screen pre-Credit sound effect (followed by silence) D 1-Up E shielded opponent hit (high beep) F low beep :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ============================================================================== [5] Reference ============================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [5.1] Game Source Information ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Name: Grobda Developer: Namco Producer: Namco Genre: action shooter Players: 2 (alternating) Save: none Publisher: Namco Release Date: 1984------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [5.2] Additional Reference ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Xevious (Arcade) (1982) The original Xevious. It has been ahead of its time with its gameplay distinction between air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons, and it is the first to use bitmapped graphics (which are still beautifully textured). The FC/NES version is also known as Xevious: The Avenger. Super Xevious (Arcade) (1984) A more difficult version of the original Xevious. The gameplay, controls, and visual and audio effects are the same, but the difficulty is increased due to the new and more complex enemy patterns. The FC/NES version is also known as Super Xevious: GAMP no Nazo. Grobda (Arcade) (1984) An overhead action shooter whose main protagonist is Grobda, the tank from Xevious, and its hero uses a laser cannon and an energy shield system to battle enemies in obstacle-filled arenas. It is one of the first games to feature regenerating energy, splash damage, and movement-impeding wreckage. This game is not included in Xevious 3D/G+. Solvalou (Arcade) (1991) A flight simulator version of the original Xevious. Played from the perspective of the pilot, this game has introduced 3D graphics to the series. The Solvalou here can launch multiple homing bombs at once, it can aim at ground targets with its Particle Zapper, and it has shields. This game is not included in Xevious 3D/G+. Xevious Arrangement (Arcade) (1995) A heavily modified version of the original Xevious, appearing as a part of Namco Classics Collection Volume 1: Galaga, Xevious, Mappy. It features a simultaneous 2-Player Mode, Power-Ups, new level and enemy designs, and new music. Xevious 3D/G (Arcade) (1996) An update of Xevious Arrangement. It features a simultaneous 2-Player Mode, a new weapon system, vastly improved level and enemy designs, 3D visuals (derived from those of Solvalou), and more new music. Xevious 3D/G+ (PS) (1997) A compilation of various Xevious installments, including the original Xevious, Super Xevious, Xevious Arrangement, and Xevious 3D/G. It also has new prerendered Movies, most of which are added for Xevious 3D/G. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [5.3] Really Small Details That Won't Help You "Get Ready!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pretty Lights The shield's color changes from blue to red to reflect the amount of energy. She Has Connections The default 1st Rank High Score is that of Eve, who is a character in the Xevious series. The "765" part of that High Score is a Japanese wordplay on Namco's name. :p ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [5.4] Document Credits ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Namco (www.namco.co.jp) For creating Grobda. Spherelanders For playing through the game and figuring out the best tactics. Extra thanks to Alex Round for actually authoring this document and to Koyume for providing support and for being our trusty copilot. :D ============================================================================== [6] Contact Information ============================================================================== mail: faididi@yahoo.com ============================================================================== ==============================================================================