River City Ransom
NES-DN-USARiver City RansomInstruction ManualAmerican Technos Inc.---Panic in River City!"To the citizens of River City: I hold your high school captive! With my gangsof students and vicious bosses roaming the streets, nobody can stop me now.Meet my demands - or else!"Slick, the meanest, most powerful gang lord in River City, has issued thisultimatum - and the entire town is powerless in a grip of fear!Fortunately, Alex and Ryan weren't in school the day Slick took it over. Butnow, their fellow students are prisoners - including Ryan's girlfriend! It'sup to our two young heroes to battle their way past several dangerous citygangs, then defeat the gang lord to free the students of River City High andrestore peace to the panic-stricken populace!---How to playStart button: Press to start or pause the game.Select button: Press to see how much money or power you have.Basic MovesTo move: Use the Control button.To punch: Press the A button.To kick: Press the B button.To jump: Press the A and B buttons together.To spring: Press the Control button twice in the direction you want to go.To make a sprinting jump: While running, press the A and B buttons together.To pick up a weapon: Press the A or B button when you are near the weapon.To use a weapon: When holding a weapon, press the A button.To throw a weapon: When holding a weapon, press the B button.To pick up an enemy: Press the A or B button.To use an enemy as a weapon: After picking him up, press the A button.To throw an enemy: After picking him up, press the B button.Special TechniquesBlocking an enemy's weapon with your bare hands: Use your punch and kick.Blocking an enemy's weapon with your weapon: Use your weapon against the   enemy's weapon.Rebound attack: Try this when you are fighting near a wall.Kicking a weapon: You can kick a weapon and make it bump into the enemy.Sprinting high jump: When you spring more than 8 steps and jump, you can jump   very high. Jumping onto a weapon: When you are near a crate, trash can, or tire, you can   jump up onto it. You can still attack your enemies while standing on a   weapon. You can also jump up onto a weapon the enemy is holding. When an   enemy is standing on a weapon, you can pick up both of them at the same   time.Riding on a tire: When you jump onto a rolling tire, you can run the enemy   down with it.Human Totem Pole: If your enemy picks up a weapon, you can pick one up also,   then jump on top of the enemy's weapon to become a Human Totem Pole.Home Run: When your enemy tries to throw a weapon at you, pick up a lead pipe,   swing it and hit the weapon back to him. It could start a baseball game!All of these techniques can be used individually or together. Make your owncombinations to come up with many different tricks!---Screen functionsSelecting Message Speed and Skill LevelTo select the skill level for the game and the characters, press the Startbutton and the screen will change. Press the Control button up, down, leftor right to change the message speed and skill level. Then press the Startbutton again to start the game.Naming the CharactersIf you press the Select button when the Game Mode is on the screen, you canname your characters. Use the Control button to select the letters you wantfor your name. Then press the A button after each letter. You can use up tofive letters for one name. If you've made a mistake or want to change a letter, use AHEAD, BACK or ERASE to change it.When you have finished naming your character, move to End and press the Abutton.Screen SelectorAt the top of the game screen you will always be able to see how much power and money you have. At the bottom of the screen you will see the messages. Butif you press the Start button during the game, the game will pause and themessages will change to the Screen Selector.Use the Control button to select one of the four screens - Belongings, Pass-word, Status or Level - and press the A button. If you want to cancel this,press the B button and then the Start button to continue the game.Password ScreenWhen the Password Screen appears, the letters shown in the blanks at the topof the screen make up your password. Each unique password combination repre-sents the amount of money you have, and your Status.To input your password: Use the Control button to select the letters for thepassword. If you make a mistake, use AHEAD, BACK, or ERASE. After you'vefinished inputting the password, press END to finish the password. If you wantto stop inputting the password, press the Start button.Status ScreenYou can also check the Status Screen. If you press the B button, the SelectorScreen will reappear.Skill Level ScreenYou can change the message speed and skill level on this screen. Use theControl button and press the B button to return to the Selector Screen.---Checking your statusThese items appear on the Status screenPunch: This shows how much punching power you have. The bigger the number, thestronger your punch will be.Kick: This shows how much kicking power you have.Throwing: This shows how much power you have to throw a weapon or an enemy.Agility: This shows how quick you are. The bigger the number, the faster youcan maneuver and fight. This is very important.Defense: This shows how much power you have to defend yourself against enemyattacks.Will Power: This shows how much will power you have. The bigger the number, the longer you can fight - even with low maximum power.Stamina: This shows how much stamina you have left. Make sure you don't run out or you'll die.Max Power: This shows how much of your maximum power is left. If this numberremains high, you will gain Stamina more easily, and be able to fight longer.---The gangsGeneric Dudes: These no-names have much will power but are very short-temperedand violent. They like to use weapons when the fight, but they are not verystrong. They have a score to settle with Ryan.Frat Guys: These poor rich boys have weak characters, and will run away as soon as they think they are in danger. When they grab a weapon, however, theychange and get violent. They love to throw weapons.Jocks: They use running techniques and jump tricks. When they have weaponsthey never throw them. These bench warmers carry strong grudges against Alex.Home Boys: These couch potatoes are slow, but fight their enemy with all thestrength they have. Lots of punch power.Mob: These touch guys are strong, but not good at defense. They also like to use tires as weapons.Squids: This bunch of eggheads specialize in kicks and sprinting jumps. Whenthey have weapons they usually throw them.Internationals: This group of exchange students prefer to fight with theirbare hands and have tremendous punching power.Cowboys: They have very little kick power and don't like to attack withoutweapons. But when these good ol' boys have weapons, look out.The Plague: These misfits are very powerful and love to attack using leadpipes. Be careful and good luck!---The charactersMoose: He doesn't have much power, and has a weak character. He's basically atwo-bit thug who takes orders from Rocko.Benny & Clyde: These guys are out-of-towners and are only in River City because they like a good fight. The two of them are very mean and cunning.Rocko: He is the head of the Mob gang. Like most gangsters he has a verystrong attack, but a weak defense.Blade: One of the Zombies, he has a very violent character and appears quitestrong. In reality he's not so powerful.Mojo: Another Zombie, he is a dangerous opponent. In a rumble, he prefers tofight with weapons instead of his bare hands.Turk: This guy, the third Zombie, is a quick thinker and confuses his oppo-nents by his quick moves.Thor: He is the son of a richocal banker, but don't let his social standingfool you. He is a mean fighter and the leader of the Zombies.Otis: Though not too strong, he is very clever. His sharp tactics make himvery difficult to defeat. Ivan: Ivan guards the gate to River City High for the Dragon Twins. He knowsmany tricks and is one touch opponent to beat.Tex: He's the ornery head honcho of the Cowboys gang. He is at his toughestwith a weapon in his hand. So watch out!---Earning moneyYou can earn money by defeating your enemies. These are the amounts you willearn.GangsGeneric Dudes        $.50Frat Guys            $.55Jocks                $.60Home Boys            $.75Mob                  $.90Squids               $1.00Internationals       $1.50Cowboys              $1.20The Plague           $1.25BossesMoose                $2.25Benny + Clyde        $2.50Rocko                $3.00Blade                $3.50Turk                 $3.50Mojo                 $3.50Thor                 $3.75Otis                 $4.00Ivan                 $8.75Tex                  $9.50Randy + Andy         $18.00Simon                ?????-----The weaponsYou may find these weapons being carried by enemies, or they may be lying inthe roads.Lead PipeStickChainTrash CanCrateTireBrass KnucklesRocksPress the A and B buttons to pick a weapon up. Press the A button to swing it,or the B button to throw it at the enemy.---LocationsThese are the scenes you will be passing through.Grotto MallWaterfront MallFlatirons MallOak Hill MallSherman ParkCapitol Ave. BridgeWSL Co. WarehouseArmstrong Thru-WayVacant 3rd Wheel FactorySticksvilleDowntownBurb VillageRiver City HighCross Town High---The shopsAll the shops are in the shopping malls. These are three types:a) Take-outb) Eat-inc) Do bothBuying things in the shopsWhen there are two players, player one buys first. When you go inside, theperson inside will ask what you would like. There will be a menu to choosefrom. Use the Control button (up or down) and press the A button when you havedecided. Then the person will make sure the order is right. Use the Controlbutton (left or right) to answer the question. If you select Nothing or No,you will be able to leave the shop.Main Menu ScreenWhen you enter some shops, the first screen will be the Main Menu. This menushows you the different types of items available in the shop. Make yourselection and then the menu that has those items with prices on them will showup on the screen.If you select Main Menu or press the B button, you will return to the MainMenu screen.After you've ordered, the person inside the shop will ask "Is that all?" Ifyou select YES, you are able to leave the shop. If you select NO, the screenwill show the menu again from the beginning.---List of ShopsBookstore (A type): They sell books about "Tricks". The books are expensive -but if you buy them, you'll gain valuable fighting skills.Coffee Shop (B type): If you're tired, take a break and refresh yourself -without spending much money.Bread Shop (A type): This is the cheapest shop for take-out food, but it mightnot help much if you are very hungry.Drugstore (A type): This shop can really help when you're low on Stamina. Theowner says, "RECHARGE! really gets you going."Fast Food (C type): When you're looking for just a little something to tideyou over, try this shop. You can eat in or take out.Sushi Bar (B type): There are all different kinds of sushi here. Try a mixedroll - it's delicious! But don't eat too much, or you'll gain a lot of weight.Shoe Shop (A type): If you buy shoes, you'll gain more Agility. There are manyshoes to select from - try a pair!Note: Make sure you have enough money, because there are many more shops.---Take-Out ItemsAfter you buy something and take it out of the shop, change the screen toBELONGINGS. When you drink, eat or use what you have selected, the item willdisappear from the screen. Shoes and books will have a # mark to show thatyou are using them.TricksWhen you buy a book of Tricks, you will be able to use the Tricks instantly.Stone Hands: It's a very quick punch - so quick, your enemy won't be able toget up once he's down.Dragon Feet: The same as Stone Hands. A very quick kick - but it can be even more powerful than the punch.Grand Slam: When you have a weapon in your hand and swing it at your enemy,it hits them very hard. So make sure that the weapons stay on your side!Fatal Steps: Just jump on your enemy while he is lying down. You'll be able to beat him in a flash!Acro Circus: With this Trick, you turn a normal running jump into a spinningacrobatic attack. Spin around the whole place and beat them all!Javelin Man: Here's a Trick that works like magic! All you have to do is pickup an enemy who you've beaten down to the floor, and throw him at another one.Both of them will stay away from you for the rest of their lives!---Playing hints- Watch how your enemy's personality changes - they may get angry and violent,  but they may become weak and run away too. It all depends on which Gang  they're from.- Don't beat your enemy too soon. During a long fight, watch his changing  reaction. He'll also start talking!- Check your Status Frequently, and try to make your character as strong as  possible. He can be stronger than any of the Bosses!- Try to do many different Tricks. You could find a new Trick that nobody else  knows!- Don't forget about your shopping - to be strong, you need Power. If you buy  special things, you'll have Special Powers, and your Status will get higher.  So shopping is very important!- Try anything - you can make your own exciting game. Anything may be possible,  but don't forget, you'll have to be strong.Good luck!