25Mhz 68030 processor or faster with at least 2 MB of free RAM.
Controls
Keyboard and mouse.
Display
13╙ or greater color monitor capable of displaying 256 colors.
System
System 7.0 or above.
THE STORY SO FAR
Deep below the surface of the earth, deeper even then the belly of hell, the citizens of Trollsville were in a state of emergency. A massive earthquake had just ripped open a passage from the earth╒s crust all the way to Trollsville. The elders of Trollsville had quickly called a meeting to discuss the impending danger of an invasion of surface creatures.
It was decided that while this rift remained open, the twelve Underworlds of the earth would have to be defended. A call rang out for the strongest and most courageous of all Trollsville╒s citizens to defend the motherland. Only two stepped forward, well stumbled actually, and accepted this dangerous task. The Bonkheads brothers, while not Trollsville╒s brightest or swiftest inhabitants, were more than willing. Of course it was only some time later, when their ears had finally cleared from ringing the emergency bell, that Grag and Thog realized that the elders had said ╥protect the rift╙ not ╥collect the gift╙. However, with promises of medals of honor and a case of chewing gum, the brothers began their ascent towards the surface.
Armed with only an incredible tolerance for pain and rock solid craniums, Grag and Thog made their way to Surfaceville...
INSTRUCTIONS
To begin playing Bonkheads, simply double click the program icon. At the main menu, you can choose from the following options:
One Player - Starts the adventure for one player.
Two Player - Starts a simultaneous two player game.
Continue - Allows you to continue playing a previously saved game.
Preferences - Allows you to enable or disable music & sound effects, set the difficulty level of the current game and customize the keyboard controls.
Order Info - Displays ordering information as well as an option for an order form.
Instructions - A quick summary of most of the elements of game play.
Quit - For when you just have to get some rest.
The Object
Make your way throughout earth╒s Underworlds by clearing each level of all it╒s pests. This is done by first bumping them from below, which knocks them out, and then kicking them off the screen completely. Act quickly though, the pests won╒t stay unconscious forever.
Before You Start
You might want to customize the following features before playing Bonkheads. These can all be found by clicking on the Preferences button.
Control Keys - You can customize the keys used to control Grag and Thog. We recommend using as many of the modifier keys (shift, control, option and command) as possible.
Sound Volume - Just in case the neighbors can╒t bear the sounds of howling animals any longer, you can lower the volume.
Music - When you simply can╒t take that incessantly looping little ditty any longer you can turn it off.
Difficulty - The default difficulty level for Bonkheads is set to medium. However, if arcade games are typically to fast and frantic for you then try setting this to easy. Likewise, if you need a truly adrenaline inducing challenge then try setting this to hard.
Starting A Game
Simply double click on any Bonkheads icon. To start a one player game, click on the One Player button. You will be controlling Grag. To start a two player game, click the Two Player button. Player one will control Grag and player two will control Thog.
Continuing A Game
Click on the Continue button. An open dialog will prompt you for the previously saved game to resume.
Saving A Game
You must defeat the Ruler at the end of each Underworld in order to have a chance to save. A save dialog will prompt you for the name and location of the game to be saved.
Ordering Bonkheads
To order the complete version of Bonkheads with 144 unique levels and 12 worlds, click the Order Form button or see the ordering information below.
Instructions
This is the instructions. For a less verbose look at the game, try clicking the Instructions button.
Quitting Bonkheads
Click the Quit button and brace yourself for withdrawals.
Grag & Thog
These two unlikely heroes can easily be identified by their uncommon good looks and hunched backs. The two brothers can be told apart by their different skin colors. Grag is much more green skinned like his mother.
Huntho
The wisest of all Trollsville╒s inhabitants, Huntho will offer the brothers advice from time to time.
Pests
These creatures may have different behaviors, but they all have one common goal; to reach Trollsville and pilfer a land that has gone untouched by any surface creatures since the dawn of time.
Special Platforms
Throughout the Underworlds you will find many different types of platforms. Some have special properties such as Webs, Holograms and Springs. Remember to use these to your advantage.
Gems
Various gems can be found hidden behind platforms. When uncovered, they can be picked up to acquire their special properties.
HINTS & TIPS
Q. How do I jump over the animals? - Keep the directional key held down while your player is in the air for extra distance. Remember, you don╒t always need to jump to avoid some animals.
Q. Why is the unconscious pest suddenly thrashing about? - Watch out! This pest is about to wake up on the wrong side of the bed.
Q. Why do the pests get faster? - Two reasons. If a pest is successful in reaching the bottom of a level he sends out a signal for another of his kind to follow. These animals become subsequently bolder and faster as they consider your presence to be less and less of a threat. Also, pests become more aggravated if they are able to regain consciousness after being knocked out.
Q. Why didn╒t I knock out any of the pests when I hit the TNT box? - Airborne pests do not suffer any ill effects from a blast of TNT. Any pests touching the platforms, however, will either be knocked unconscious or, if already unconscious, will be awakened.
Q. Where did the TNT box go? - You used up all of your dynamite. A full box only holds three charges and as it╒s supply dwindles the box deteriorates until it disappears.
Q. How do I get more TNT? - The elders of Trollsville have made sure to bring you some extra dynamite at every new World, but you╒ll need to find some blastidian gems to get you by between shipments.
Q. How can I avoid the falling tire? - Listen carefully. You can always hear the tire bouncing a few times before it actually falls into view, so get below a platform quickly when you do.
Q. How do I avoid the bat? - Keep your eyes on the sides of the screen and when you hear his flapping, move toward the center to avoid a surprise attack. Only a blast from the TNT crate can rid you of this pest.
Q. How do I find the hidden gems? - Bonk, bonk, bonk anything and everything. Look for platforms that look nearly impossible to reach, these usually reap the biggest rewards. Sometimes, it may take a little boost from your friends.
Q. Some things are too high up, how do I get to them? - Try having a friend give you a boost from below, using a spring and jumping as you hit it, or wall climbing.
Q. How do I wall climb? - Probably the hardest technique to master in Bonkheads, wall climbing is by far one of the most valuable. To wall climb, stand next to a vertical wall of platforms and jump straight up. As your player reaches the peak of his jump, slam him into the wall and strike the jump key repeatedly. If successful, you will be propelled upwards even higher. Continue using this technique to climb even higher.
Q. Why do some of the pests push each other around? - Because life is not fair and some of the pests are just plain bullies. Also, the programmer just didn╒t feel like fixing this particular bug.
Q. How do I defeat the Rulers of an Underworld? - Remember, it╒s going to take more than a few hits to send these mammoth beasts on their way. Watch for visual and audio clues as to what these creatures might do next. And don╒t forget how high you can jump.
Q. How do I exit a game in progress? - Hit the esc key.
Q. How do I kill the bat? - Only a blast from the TNT crate can rid you of this pest.
Q. Can I make the game easier? - Yes. In the preferences dialog box, change the difficulty setting to easy. You might also find it easier to play as a team with another person.
Q. Why do I only have one entry on the high score list? - You may have actually entered your name on several occasions (if your current score was higher than an entry or entries on the list) but you are allowed only one slot in the list per unique name. This is to avoid the problem of multiple entries from players continuing games where they already have an established score. If you wish for more fame than this method affords, simply type a unique variation of your name each time.
Q. How do I pause a game? - Hit the CAPS LOCK key. The game will remain paused until the CAPS LOCK key has been pressed again.
Q. Are there any secret codes? - Hmmm...I guess if everyone knew, they wouldn╒t be secret codes.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Q. Why can I see Bonkheads but not hear anything? - First, check the Sound Control Panel to make sure that your sound output is not set to mute and/or the volume is set too low. Next, check the Bonkheads preferences dialog box to make sure that the sound is set to on.
Q. Why does the game slow down at times? - Make sure that there is at least 2 MB of actual RAM, not pseudo RAM created by virtual memory or RAM Doubler. To help free up more actual memory try starting up your Macintosh with the shift key held down.
Q. Why won╒t my player respond sometimes in a two player game? - The Macintosh keyboard can report only a limited number of keys at one time. Try assigning as many of the modifier keys (shift, control, option and command) as possible to Grag and Thog.
Q. The program just displayed an error message with a number. What am I supposed to do? - Make a note of the actual error number being displayed and report the problem to 1 A.M. Productions either via e-mail, fax or phone.
Q. Why isn╒t the Order Form printing out? - If you have background printing turned on, you will need to exit out of Bonkheads and return to the Finder. The Order Form will then be spooled to your printer.
1 A.M. Productions
P.O. Box 39086
Tacoma, WA 98439-0086
Technical Support: (206) 588-6557
Toll Free (Sales Only): (888) 588-6165
Fax: (206) 588-6242
AOL: One AM Prd
Compuserve: 104344.3163
Internet: one-am@nwrain.com
DISCLAIMER.
1 A.M. PRODUCTIONS' SOFTWARE AND ANY SUPPORT FROM 1 A.M. PRODUCTIONS ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. 1 A.M. PRODUCTIONS SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT WILL 1 A.M. PRODUCTIONS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY LOST PROFITS, LOST SAVINGS OR ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER RESULTING FROM IMPAIRED OR LOST DATA, SOFTWARE OR COMPUTER FAILURE OR ANY OTHER CAUSE, EVEN IF 1 A.M. PRODUCTIONS IS ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, OR FOR ANY OTHER CLAIM BY A USER OF 1 A.M. PRODUCTIONS SOFTWARE.
Because some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages, the above limitation may not apply to you.
