Road Blasters
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COMPUTER VERSION OF THE BEST SELLING ARCADE GAME

Road Blasters, the computer version of the Coin-op sensation is ready to
explode onto your computer screens! Prepare for a fast paced driving shoot
'em up that's half road race and half battle. Set in the distant future,
speed your way through, blasting enemy cars off the road as you pass through
different countries and register at checkpoints. Look out for the support
jet that will fly over your car, and once docked on the roof will supply you
with extra weaponry and fire power. Get ready for an exhillarating fast
action game and the race is on!


SCENARIO

The ultimate race of the future, Road Blasters is part road race and part
combat-zone survival exercise.

Following the road, you travel through a progression of countries,
alternating checkpoints and rally points. As you race past checkpoints (mid
point goals) you are awarded additional fuel. Rally points are similar to
the finish line in ordinary race games as they indicate the completion of a
race section. A scroll up video display evaluates player performance at each
rally point. The game ends when the player runs out of fuel, by driving too
slow, being destroyed by opponents or crashing too often.


GAME PLAY

Placed along the roadway are green and red fuel globes for obtaining fuel.
(Due to colour restrictions of the Spectrum the globes will appear as shaded
or clear and the colours change according to the scenery presented on each
level). By tagging these the players cars are refuelled. As a reward, when
you reach each checkpoint and rally point you recieve extra fuel. Four
unique computer-controlled opponent vehicles challenge players. These are:

* Sleek, fast STINGERS. Score 50 pts.
* COMMAND CARS are heavily armoured. Score 100 pts.
* RAT JEEPS are evasive and unpredictable. Score 50 pts.
* CYCLES are very quick and dart everywhere. Score 100 pts.

These vehicles join forces to try to prevent the players from reaching the
next rally point. Scores equal the points scored x multiplier.

In addition the following elements conspire to destroy you:

* Mines - these are placed in the road.
* Gun Turrets are placed on the side of the road and shoot at the players.
* Spikes are thrown by opponent vehicles.
* Toxic Spill - to be avoided as much as possible.

The player can acquire special weapons by docking with the special attribute
pack dropped by the support jet. Special weapons include: Cruise missiles
that destroy everything in the parth of the player, that is visible on the
screen; Nitro Injectors that boost the speed of the player's car: U.Z.
Cannons that rapid-fire; Electro Shields that protect the player's car from
shots, collisions, mines and spikers.


HIGH SCORE MODE

When the game ends, if players are among the top scorers recorded on the
game, they may enter three initials. Players select their initials by
steering to select and firing to enter. Players can correct their initials
by selecting the arrow that points to the left, then repeating the procedure
for entering initials. High scores remain throughout each session.


SCREEN DIRECTIONS

RALLY STATS
There are 50 stages to be completed in order called Rally Stats.

SPECTRUM 48k CASSETTE
The 50 stages are loaded one at a time as you progress through the game.
Follow screen prompts which indicate when to stop and start the cassette.
Please note: The Rally Stat selector screen does not apply on this version.

SPECTRUM 128k CASSETTE, +3 DISK
The 50 stages are loaded into memory at the start of the game. No further
loads are necessary during gameplay. The Rally Stat block options which
follow apply to this version.

The Rally Stat block options you are given are as follows:

Rookie Veteran Expert
Levels (easy) (hard) (very difficut)

Block 1 1 4 7
Block 2 11 14 17
Block 3 21 24 27
Block 4 31 34 37
Block 5 41 41 41

An expert can complete the game in 26 stages.


THE VISUAL DISPLAY UNIT

This screen appears after each stage is completed. In the top right hand
corner is the total score up to the end of the last stage. In the top left
hand corner is the highest previous game score.


KEYBAORD CONTROLS

O = Left
P = Right
A = Accelerate
Z = Activate special weapon
H = Pause
SPACE BAR = Fire
Release key A to decelerate


JOYSTICK CONTROL

Move joystick left or right to steer.

Move joystick forward to accelerate. Move joystick to centre position to
decelerate.

Move joystick backward quickly to ignite special weapon.

Fire button = fire main gun.


Your car:

GWB 68 Turbo 2 door
Capacity 5942 cc
Maximum speed: 222 mph normal. With Nitro Injector 298 mph
Maximum Power: 600 bhp
0-100 mph (secs): 2.1 With Nitro Injector 0-298 mph
Tyres: Road Blasters customised.
Overall con (mpg): 10.3
Touring con (mpg): 17.0
Breaking from 80 mph: 230 ft
Compression ratio: 10.7:1
Cost approx: �243,000


CREDITS: Programming:
Amazing Products Ltd (CBM 64/128)
DJL Software (Spectrum/Amstrad)
Probe Software (Atari ST)
Artwork created by Camel Advertising, Sheffield

DUPLICATION: Ablex Audio Video
MASTERING CO-ORDINATOR: D. Partington
DIRECTOR: Geoff Brown, U.S. Gold
MARKETING CO-ORDINATION: Tim Chaney, U.S. Gold
PUBLIC RELATIONS AND PUBLICITY: Richard Tidsall, U.S. Gold
PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATION: Bob Kenrick, U.S. Gold

(C) 1986. Atari Games Corporation. (P) 1988 U.S. Gold Ltd.
Licensed to U.S. Gold Ltd., Holford Way, Holford, Birmingham
Copyright subsists on this program.

(Transcribed by Robin Stuart)