#### # #### # # ##### ##### #### # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #### ### ### ## #### # #### ### # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #### # # #### # # ##### # #### # # #### #### # # ### ##### # # ##### # # # #### ##### ## # # # # # # ## ## # # # # # # # # # # ### ##### # # # # ### #### #### # ## # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # ### #### # # # # # # # # # ##### A comprehensive guide to a classic basketball game for the Sega Master System. By Matthew Stephenson (Ringworm) Version 1.0, 17 September 2004 Next update: Not sure. If I find the manual for the game, I may include some more information, otherwise this will probably be the only version, except for possible format changes. Table of Contents: See the 5 character code next to each entry below? It's there to make navigating this FAQ much simpler. Press CTRL+F together, type the 5 character code next to the entry you are looking for, and press enter twice. You'll be at the appropriate section. Awesome. This method works in many programs I have tested it in, such as Notepad and Microsoft Word. I'm sure it's similar in most programs though. 1. BNWNV ....... What's New in this Version? 2. BNLCE ....... Legal Info/ Contact details etc. 3. BNINT ....... Introduction 4. BNCON ....... Controls 5. BNRUL ....... Rules of Basketball 6. BNMOD ....... Game Modes 6.1. BNCPU .. CPU vs CPU 6.2. BN1PL .. Single Player 6.3. BN2PL .. Versus Play 7. BNWME ....... Winning Made Easy 8. BNFAQ ....... Frequently Asked Questions 9. BNCRM ....... Concluding Remarks 10. BNVEH ....... Version History *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* 1. What's New in this Version? (BNWNV) *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* As this is the initial release, this section is pointless. I'm just adding it, as I'm trying to keep my FAQs consistent, and so I remember if there's another update. *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* 2. Legal Info/ Contact details etc. (BNLCE) *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* This FAQ is Copyright of Matthew Stephenson (Ringworm), 2004. It can be found on the following websites ONLY: www.gamefaqs.com Want to host this FAQ? Found it on another site not listed above? Let me know: ringwormrulez[at]gmail[dot]com I may let you host it. Ask. The only requirement is you post the ENTIRE FAQ, UNEDITED. No changing any of it, and it has to be all there. Try to keep it updated as well; the most recent version will always be found at GameFAQs. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE MY PERMISSION BEFORE HOSTING THIS! If not, you are in breach of the law. Obviously, you can not make profit from this guide by selling it or anything similar. Once again this is illegal. You can make a copy for personal usage though if you're that way inclined. I got no problems with that. It's your printer ink and paper you are wasting. Got a question or got some info you feel should be included? Again the best way to contact me is by emailing: ringwormrulez[at]gmail[dot]com I may take a while to respond, just letting you know. Also, make sure what you want to ask is not covered already. Generally, I respond to anybody that needs help. If I feel the FAQ makes it perfectly clear, and you just haven't read it properly though, I may not. IF YOU DO EMAIL ME: Include the game name, or something which makes it obvious what it's about. I will NOT read ANY emails with attachments, or ones with no subject line. I'd like to take some time to thank the people that have helped with this guide. Firstly, I'd like to thank Sega for creating one of my favourite basketball games of all time. I still really like it fifteen years after it was first released! The webmasters that host this FAQ should get a bit of credit too I guess, as you wouldn't be reading this otherwise. Thanks also to the other FAQers on the FAQ contributors board at GameFAQs, and especially Masamune3 and Joni Philips for running the SMS Completion Project. Without you, I never would have got the urge to write this guide. I'd also like to thank you, the reader, for choosing this guide, and I hope I helped in some way. All names, characters, games and related material are Copyright of Sega, 1989. Thanks for providing me, and I'm sure many others with many hours of fun. A sequel would be nice :D *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* 3. Introduction (BNINT) *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* In the late 1980's or maybe even the very early 1990's, I hired a game from the local video shop called Basketball Nightmare. I didn't expect much, I've never been a huge fan of sports games, but I must say I was impressed with this one. The story behind the game is a bit weird, and this may not be entirely correct, as I last read the manual about 13 years ago. Apparently there's a big tournament tomorrow, and you need practice. You and your team mates are transported to a world of monsters in your sleep, who will train you to improve your skills and win the tournament. But is it all a dream? Sounds weird, but that's pretty much the story of the "nightmare" part of the title. Except for playing against teams of monsters in one player mode, it doesn't have any real bearing on the game. Forget about the corny story, and just enjoy what is a much under played gem of a game. *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* 4. Controls (BNCON) *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* One thing about the Master System, the controls are very easy to remember, as there's only two buttons. It's much the same with this game. Directional pad: Use this to navigate menus, as well as to move your player around the court. Button 1/Start Button: Used to select options in the menu. In game it will make your active player jump. Your active player is shown with an arrow above their head, which will be the same colour as the skin colour of your team. Press this button again whilst in mid-air, and your player will try to score a basket. If you are not in possession of the ball, the button will move the arrow to a different player. Button 2: This button will pass the ball to your team mate that is currently flashing (if in possession of the ball). If NOT in possession, it has no effect. Advanced move: Jump pass: Press button 1, then button 2 whilst in mid air. This is handy if you have opponents stopping you from passing normally. It also fools your opponent in versus play mode, as they think you are taking a shot at goal. *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* 5. Rules of Basketball (BNRUL) *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* I'll try to keep this brief, as to be honest, I don't know all the rules of the game myself. In this game, player 1 will always be trying to score baskets at the RIGHT hand side of screen, and your opponents/player 2 will try to score baskets at the LEFT hand side of screen. You can't score at the wrong end, as your shot will just travel the length of the court and nearly always miss. See the semi circle at either end of the court? Score a basket from outside this for three points, step inside and it'll only be worth two. Try to shoot from close to the basket and you will see an animation of your player (hopefully) dunking the ball. It gets a bit annoying after the first few times. The other key thing to take notice of is fouls. There are no free throws in this game, instead, your opponent will get the ball from the sideline. Fouls you can commit, and how they occur are shown below: Travelling: You get this when jumping, then landing without pressing another button whilst in mid-air. Back Pass: Whilst in possession, if you are in your scoring half of the court, and either run, or pass the ball into the defensive half, you will receive this foul. Make sure the person you are passing to (the flashing one) is in the forward half if you are. 5S Violation: After a goal is scored, the other team will throw the ball back in from underneath the basket. If you do not do so within 5 real time seconds (around 15 game seconds), you will receive this foul. You can also get it after receiving a foul, if you do not pass it within the time limit. Charging: Randomly (as far as I can tell), this foul will be called if you are in possession of the ball and an opponent tries to block your way. Not much you can do about it. Pushing: This is the reverse of charging, where if you try to block an opponents path, you may have this foul called. It can be quite useful if they are about to score, and it's always humorous when it happens in two player mode. That's about all you need to know really. Anything else I'm sure you can figure out for yourself. *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* 6. Game Modes (BNMOD) *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Once the game loads, you will see the title screen prompting you to press the start button. Button 2 will take you to the next screen as well. The next screen will give you three choices: CPU vs CPU, Single Player and Versus Play. Each of these options is described in more detail below. Press up or down on the directional pad, and press either button to make your choice. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + 6.1. CPU vs CPU (BNCPU) + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ This is basically a demonstration mode. Pick a team for both player 1 and player 2 (Options are USA (USA), FRN (France), DDR (Germany) CAN (Canada), CHN (China), URS (Russia), JPN (Japan), and CBA (Cuba).) Pick any, it doesn't really matter, as you can't control them, and the only differences are the appearance of the players. Both players can NOT choose the same team. Choose a time limit (15, 30 or 45 "minutes". One "minute" is approximately 20 seconds.) Play will then begin. You can not control either team, you either need to let time run out, or reset the console to continue playing the game. Honestly, I see no purpose in this whatsoever. Maybe you could make bets with a friend on which team will win, and you can see the tactics used by the CPU players (which is the same in single player mode - play that if you want to know). Check it out if you must though. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + 6.2. Single Player (BN1PL) + ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ One player is great fun to play if you don't have any friends to play against. It's still good fun if do, but versus play is the better option. You could also call this "Story Mode" I guess. If you read the introduction, this is where you play against teams of monsters. The opponents start out quite easy and progress to become, well, still easy if you know what you are doing :) Honestly though, it can be quite a challenge in the later levels, and I have been known to lose the occasional match. There are six opponents in all. Each will be played in a different location, and the courts change to an appropriate theme, depending on who you are playing against. They have a fixed order, and are always played in the same order. The levels are as follows: Level 1: Forest Level 2: Lake Level 3: Waterfall Level 4: Cave Level 5: Cemetery Level 6: Shrine I'm not sure if these are the official names for the levels, or what the opponents are meant to be. Some I can guess, but they will not be exact. For example, in the forest level you are playing wolf like creatures, so I'm guessing they are meant to be werewolves. The rest, I'll let you see for yourself and make up your own mind. Alternatively, if you had the manual, you'd know what they are anyway :). The game begins, prompting you to choose "New Game" or "Continue". If you ever lose a match (which is fairly rare if you follow this guide), you can continue from the opponents you lost against (or drew with - draws count as a loss), by choosing the "Continue" option. If you are just starting, choose "New Game". You will then be prompted for a time limit: see section 6.1 for more on this. I suggest 15 minutes, as anything else is just overkill. You should be able to win with ease within 15 "minutes" (closer to 5). After choosing your time limit, you will be shown the map screen. Press either button to begin the action! The game then begins. Press the 1 button to jump and hopefully grab the ball. If successful, you will automatically pass to a team mate. Play will then continue until you run out of time. If you win, you move onto the next opponent. Draw, or lose, and you will be able to continue from the same spot, until you manage to win, or you reset, or turn off the console. Defeating the sixth team will show the end of game credits (which is nothing major.) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + 6.3. Versus Play (BN2PL) + ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ If you have a friend (or even someone you don't like much - anyone that can hold a control and press buttons will do), this is probably the recommended mode for this game. Single player is fun for a few games, CPU vs CPU is pointless, but a good match against a friend is something special. This mode is the "tournament" referred to in the introduction (and the manual). Play begins in an identical manner to CPU vs CPU mode. Each player chooses a team, you choose a time limit, then play begins. The game is identical to single player, except there's two of you trying to win. There's not a lot I can say about this, except it's fun. The game ends when the time expires, or when your friend gets annoyed and hits the reset button :D *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* 7. Winning Made Easy (BNWME) *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Can't win a match? It's not tough at all. As soon as you get possession, move to either the top right, or bottom right corner of the court, in the 3 point area (outside the semi circle). 95% of shots made attempted from this position will score. Computer opponents will then get the ball and run down the CENTER of the court. If you position your player in the middle of the court, the CPU team will just run straight into you, and won't attempt to go around. You can run out time this way, and often will get the ball off of them. Another thing you may notice about the CPU behaviour is they will nearly always run straight to the basket and attempt to dunk. They VERY rarely take a shot, or pass. You can even let them score if you want. As they score 2 points for this, and you score 3 points, I think you can figure out which team has the advantage. Sometimes, the ball will rebound off the backboard and either team can get the ball. Most times, the CPU player will be successful, so just follow them, and try to block them. *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* 8. Frequently Asked Questions (BNFAQ) *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* None yet. Got a question? Ask me via email, and I'll be glad to help. *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* 9. Concluding Remarks (BNCRM) *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Thanks for reading. Hope you've either learned how to defeat those pesky monsters, or I've convinced you to play one of the best games on the Sega Master System. Trust me, you will probably enjoy it. *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* 10. Version History (BNVEH) *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* 1.0 (17/9/04): Initial Release. Complete. Probably the final update. Copyright Matthew Stephenson (Ringworm) 2004.