King's of the Beach
NES-VH-USAUltra(r) GamesHow to playKings of the Beach - Professional Beach Volleyball(tm)---Beach bums move into Beverly HillsBack in the '50's (just before Frankie and Annette hit the scene) beachvolleyball was uncomplicated. No audiences. No publicity. No prizes. No babes.The guys were just kings of their own little sand castles.Today, the game has outgrown its Southern California britches. Pro beachvolleyball has fans in places as diverse as San Diego, Honolulu, Rio deJaneiro and Sydney. Prize money can go as high as $100,000 for a tournament.If these guys still have a beach bum image, it's a gold-tinted one.Of course, one thing is still the same in this modern day sport of kings. Andthat's motivation. It's all about being King of the Beach, where the royalgarb is a golden tan and the queen is dressed in a leopard-skinned bikini!---Rules of the gameNow you've got the chance of a lifetime, a chance to hit the beach wearing thesame shorts as volleyball gurus Randy Stoklos or Sinjin Smith.This game is played according to the rules of world championship volleyball.Points can only be scored by a team when it's in possession of the serve. Ifyou aren't serving, and your opponent knocks the ball out-of-bounds or failsto hit it, a "sideout" will occur (nobody scores and your team gets to serve).In a one game match, the winner is the first team to reach 15 points. In athree game match, each game is decided by the first team to reach 12 points.NOTE: All matches must be won by 2 points.Key rules to remember: Each team is allowed to touch the ball up to three times before sending it back over the net. No player is allowed to touch ittwice in a row.Up to four players can play this game at once. However, if more than two players are digging in, a separate adapter is required.To begin play, press the Start Button and cruise over to the Beach Scene whereyou'll choose your mode: PRACTICE (BUMP, SET or SPIKE), MATCH PLAY or TOURNAMENT PLAY. Remember to visit the Registration Tent before competing.---Your role modelsKings of the Beach is programmed with the playing styles of Sinjin Smith andRandy Stoklos. While you've gotta play smooth and make all the right moves,programmed player intelligence really helps out. Through hours of discussionswith Smith and Stoklos, we've set up statistical shooting percentages andaccurate playing styles that simulate those of this dynamic duo.Sinjin SmithHt: 6'3" WT: 190HOME: Santa Monica, CAAVP RANKING: 1Sinjin is the most successful player in beach volleyball history. He is theall-time leader in career wins and the sport's highest money winner. Smith isconsidered a great defensive player and a master of the dig.Randy StoklosHT: 6'3" WT: 215HOME: Pacific Palisades, CAAVP RANKING: 1Nicknamed "Vanilla Thunder", Randy is the most dominant player on the beach. He intimidates opponents with his killer jump serve and his devastatingone-armed KONG block.---Setting up the actionSpike - After pressing the Start Button, you'll see Spike (the punked-out/funked-out wonder boy) kicked back on the Beach Scene. Be nice to this cat,because he's the dude you gotta hang with to get around. He'll be a sort of abuddy ol' pal who'll guide you from the Practice Courts, to the Match PlayZone, to the Tournament of Champions.To motivate Spike (remember, it usually takes a blonde bombshell or at leastsome heavy duty waves to raise the average beachcomber's blood pressure), press the Control Pad Up, Down, Left or Right. Once you've cruised into thearea where you want to chill-our or fire-up, press the A Button.The Beach SceneAny time you want to hit the Beach Scene, press the Select Button---The registration tentThe first place you should go with Spike is to the Registration Tent (unlessyou just want to fine tune your game on the Practice Courts). This is where you will meet the lovely Annette "Va-Va-Va-Voom" FunaJello, who'll help youget started (don't take that literally!)Once under the tent, use Controller #1 to make your selections.Using the Control Pad and A Button, assign Sinjin, Randy, Chaz and Miguel to aController. (If one person plays, only assign one of the pros. If two peopleplay, assign two pros - etc. For three or more players, a four-player adapteris required.) Press the A Button again to lock in each selection.Next, choose either COOPERATIVE or COMPETITION. If 2 people play, Sinjin andRandy can either team-up (cooperative) against computer assigned players, orsplit-up (competition) and challenge one another.The final choices you'll make will be the game level (EASY, MEDIUM orDIFFICULT), 1 or 3 set matches and whether or not you want the hip LA SoundMachine On or Off.After you've cleared all of your selections with Annette, move the cursor to"Exit To The Beach" and press the A Button.HINT: If one person plays, Sinjin can be automatically selected by simply moving the cursor to "Exit to the Beach." You'll then play with Controller #1.---Practice courtsThe Bump, Set and Spike courts are the areas where you'll sharpen your game.Stroll over to one of these courts with Spike and then press the A Button.Coaches will be waiting here for you, and they'll set up shots for you. (Sorry, they won't provide any advice on how to meet chicks!)After you finish practicing, press the Select Button to return to the BeachScene.---Match play modeHere's where you'll partake in a little unfriendly competition. Up to fourplayers can go at each other's throats, provided you have an adapter.Remember, in a one game match, the first team to score 15 points will win overthe crowd. In a three game match, the team to score 12 points first is thevictor. Needless to say, two out of three victories will win the match.The tournament of championsThe Tournament is made up out of five stages. You'll proceed from one stage tothe next by winning three 15 point games consecutively. Each time you win three in a row a password is displayed. Write this baby down - that way if youwant to take a break to wipe off the sweat, you can return to action later byentering the password on the TOURNAMENT PASSWORD SCREEN.To return to the Tournament, choose CONTINUE on the Tournament Password Screen.Next, press the Control Pad Left or Right to select appropriate password letters. Lock in each letter by pressing the A Button.NOTE: In a Tournament a maximum of 2 people can play. One of you will wearSinjin's shorts. The other will wear Randy's. You'll then team-up against acouple of computer slammers.---The big shots (from nerve serves to jock blocks)- The Underhand Serve (AKA: The Skyball Serve) - This is a high-arcing serve  that sends the ball deep into the opponent's court. This serve buys you  plenty of time to get in position for your opponent's return.  Move yourself into position using the Control Pad, then press the A and B  Buttons simultaneously to launch this serve.- The Flat Serve - This basic beach volleyball serve will force your opponents  to make quick adjustments. If you hit it right, you'll launch a rocket about  two inches above the net. But if your timing is off, the ball will thump   into the sand, and all the volley dollies will turn their heads in shame.  Press the Control Pad to move into position, press the A or B button to toss  the ball, then crush it by pressing the B Button.- The Jump Serve - This is a difficult serve to master. But if you do, its  high speed can force mistakes from your opponents and help establish net  dominance. With proper execution, the poor schmoes on the other side of the  net will have to return a meteor with a nasty topspin.  Go for the Ace by using the Control Pad to Position yourself, press the A or  B Button to toss the ball, then press the A Button to slam it home.Serve only after the ref blows his whistle.NOTE: Change the ball's direction by moving the Control Pad Up or Down, Leftor Right. (Because timing is so important, this maneuver is tricky to master.)- The Set - This is a controlled shot used to set-up your teammate for a   spike. Usually the second of the three shots, it's a soft, high pass that is  lofted toward your teammate.  Press the B Button briefly to make a low toss (for quick plays). Press the B  Button longer for a high toss. Again, you can move the ball using the   Control Pad.- Receiving a Serve - When receiving a serve, you want to use the bump shot.  You might also think of bumping the ball if you're out of position for a  spike.  To bump, move into position and then press the A Button.- The Spike - Use your three hits effectively to set up the hammer spike. To  surprise your opponents, try spiking on the second shot (but only if you  see a gaping hole in their defense).  To spike, press the A and B Buttons simultaneously. Change the direction and  force of the spike by pressing the Control Pad toward your opponent's court.- The Block - To block a spike, you'll want to be at the top of your jump just  as your opponent hits the ball.  To block, press the Control Pad Up to jump, then press the A and B Buttons  simultaneously.- Kong Block - Stoklos is a master of utilizing a one-handed KONG BLOCK to  hammer the ball back into the opponent's face.  Press the A and B Buttons simultaneously, while pressing the Control Pad  toward your opponent's court.- The Feint - You can use this maneuver when making either a block or spike.  Press the A and B Buttons simultaneously, while pressing the Control Pad  toward the back of the court.- Diving Reception (Dig & Dive!) - When you go for a ball that you're too far  to get completely under yet are too near to miss entirely, you'll   automatically dive for the ball.- A Tip On Hitting - The ball always lands in its own shadow. To be in the  right position when the ball comes down, stay in the shadow. Also remember,  timing is everything, and if you wait TOO long before hitting the ball it  will plop into the sand.- Arguing A Lame Call - If you think the ref made a lousy call, you can   "discuss" your feelings with him. Through the fine art of intimidation, you  may convince the ref to reverse his call. If the call goes your way, be sure  to say, "Good call, sir." If not, be sure to keep "Near-sighted moron" under  your breath. To argue a call move your player next to the referee's chair  and press the Start button.Warnings and Point Deductions: A yellow card means you've upset the ref andhe's giving you a warning. A red card means the ref's had enough of yourbarking and he's docking you a point.NOTE: You may only dispute a call before the score is displayed.---Cast of characters (your show-no-mercy tournament opponents)Stage 1 (Coronado Beach, San Diego)CalvinThe sorriest player on the circuit. Calvin's fear of the net and his lousyeyesight make him an easy target for a six-pace slam. Careful play should sendthis rookie home. (Calvin is also in Stage 3)MackHe'll have his moments of studliness, but his net game is strictly bluecollar - like his background in the construction biz. (Watch out for hissledgehammer spike in Stage 4)SelznickOne of the sport's founding fathers and the original king of the beach. Gene is the ultimate finesse player. He has only two weaknesses: Slim and None, andwe all know where Slim has gone.WilfredA classic beach bum, he spends his days "bagging rays", and nights buildingburritos at El Taco Bomb. This leaves him little time for V-Ball practice, soslam on him hard. (He'll team with Arnie in Stage 5)Von HagenVon is known for his strength and technically precise skills. He's been outtathe scene for awhile, so he may not have his sand legs. (Von Hagen is also inStage 2)LesterHe may be a killer on a skateboard, but his volleying is far from rad. Sometimes his "thrasher" attitude pulls him through, but generally his bestspikes are in his hair. (Watch out for Lester's dirty tricks in Stage 2)Stage 2 (Oak Street Beach, Chicago)ArnieAfter going up against his killer spike, some of his opponents call him theTerminator. He's a pure player who never gives up. (In Stage 5 he'll prove tobe a regular Beach Barbarian)GunterA product of East German genetic engineering, this guy comes to play. He's gotan awesome spike that must be blocked if you expect to win. Try not to getpsyched out by his power. (In Stage 3 Gunter will claim to be the ultimatevolleyball machine)HansenAn up-and-comer in the pro ranks. Leif's strength is his vertical leap. So watch out for his wicked jump serve.HanleyA native of Santa Barbara, John is great at blocking shots around the net. Ifyou'd prefer not to get the ball stuffed down your throat, try to dink someof your shots. (Hanley is also in Stage 5)Stage 3 (Waikiki Beach, Hawaii)ManoNicknamed the Smokin' Samoan, Mano is a real scrambler. The backcourt is hisdomain, so try to draw him to the net, then keep the pressure on. (In Stage 4watch for his Skyball Serve)KahunaA member of the Hawaiian royal family, Kahuna spends most of his time surfingthe pipeline and chasing wahinies. He may not be quick, but he can surpriseyou with big plays.Stevenson"Johnny Steve" is the shortest player on the tour. But don't let his size foolyou. He spent a lot of hours hang-timin' with Spud Webb, and now he's one ofthe best leapers and defenders on the beach. (Stevenson is also in Stage 4)Stage 4 (Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro)RaoulHe claims to be the father of the Brazilian Jump Serve. His speed on the beachis amazing, but his hot Chili Pepper temper can be his downfall.ArmandoThis notorious Latin lover is as smooth on the court as he is off. So watchout for his passes and his attempts to woo you to the net.PowersA member of the 1984 gold medal team, Powers is considered one of the world'spremier spikers. He's also an incredible intimidating blocker.Stage 5 (The Great White Beach, Australia)ReggieThe Aussie's answer to outback V-Ball, this down under kinda guy has tamed asmany opponents as he has man-eating crocodiles. Net play is his forte.HovlandThe mighty Hov is a flawless player. A USC grad, he has an unbeatable presenceat the net.BuzzManiac Buzzy is a ferocious blocker who has earned the respect of many a beachbabe. Spike poorly against him, and you'll be eating leather.DoddThis four time world champion never makes a mistake. He's all over the courtand plays superb defense.