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B U R A I F I G H T E R
for the Nintendo Entertainment System
Game copyright 1989 Taxan USA Corp.
Licensed by Nintendo
*Version FINAL*
This guide copyright 2006 Matt Toothman. This guide is for individual use only,
and only to be found at GameFAQs.com.
If, for some reason, it becomes necessary, you can contact me at:
matt dot toothman at gmail dot com. Replace the appropriate words with the
appropriate characters. If you have comments, corrections, or additions to
this guide, then by all means let me know.
As a full walkthrough to the game BURAI FIGHTER, this guide contains
information that could be regarded as spoilers. If you don't want to know
about bosses, storyline, etc., don't read this guide.
*****************
Table of Contents
*****************
1. Version History
2. Story/Controls/Intro/Misc.
3. Walkthrough
4. Credits/Outro
******************
1. Version History
******************
.33 2.16.06 began work on guide.
2.19.06 first submission to GameFAQs.
.66 2.19.06 Albatross section complete, fixed some point-total errors.
.99 2.19.06 Completed Ace and Ultimate sections. Burai Fighter music
has replaced knowledge of my address and wife's birthday.
1.0 2.19.06 quasi-final version submitted, barring any huge new
discoveries or submissions.
*****************************
2. Story/Controls/Intro/Misc.
*****************************
*Story* [from the instruction manual]
Your mission
In a remote corner of the galaxy, there lives a race of super-brains known
as the Burai. For thousands of years, their vast mental capabilities have
been focused upon one goal: the conquest of the universe!
To accomplish this, they are creating huge armies of robo-mutants - bizarre
creatures, half robot and half living flesh. With their seven manufacturing
bases producing thousands of robo-mutants each day, the Burai armies will
soon overrun the galaxy - unless you can stop them!
Strap on your proton pack, charge up your laser cannon, and prepare to do
battle with the deadliest army of mutant rogues in the universe. You must
somehow penetrate the seven bases of the Burai, where you will confront a
super-mutant guarding each base - monstrous creatures like the Giganticrab,
Jawsipede, and Fangskull - until finally, you face the terrifying Slimedragon!
But with the awesome arsenal of weapons at your command, victory may still be
within your reach. It's up to you to rid the universe of the evil Burai once
and for all!
[end instruction manual quotation]
*Controls*
Control Pad: Moves your character in 8 directions.
B: Fires the current weapon. Hold for continuous fire.
A: Detonates Cobalt Bomb.
Start: Pauses the game.
Select: Selects NEW GAME or PASSWORD on title screen; otherwise, no use.
The player, as noted above, can fly in any of 8 directions. You can also
shoot in any of the 8 directions while moving in any other direction. Hold B
to lock your shots in a direction, release it to aim freely. Sounds complex,
but if you're playing the game, you know what I'm talking about.
*Weapons*
The player begins with a simple cannon, which can be pointed in any of 8
directions. The shots are small and weak and do not penetrate walls or enemies.
The player retains this cannon regardless of additional special weapon power.
The three special weapons are Ring, Laser, and Missile. All special weapons
are capable of 3 progressively greater levels of power. Collect 1-4 weapon
pods (of the same letter) for level one, 6-9 for level two, and 10+ for level
three (additional pods beyond 10 have no effect).
-Ring: Penetrates walls, but not multiple enemies. Low power.
Level One: Fires a single forwards ring in the direction the player is
facing.
Level Two: In addition to the above, fires a ring backwards (2 rings).
Level Three: In addition to both of the above, fires rings at 45 degree angles
to the direction the player is facing (a total of 4 rings).
-Laser: Penetrates multiple enemies, but not walls. Moderate power.
Level One: Fires a single forwards laser in the direction the player is
facing.
Level Two: In addition to the above, fires a laser backwards (2 lasers).
Level Three: Fires lasers up, down, left, and right simultaneously if player is
facing diagonally. If player is facing up, down, left, or right,
lasers will be fired in the four diagonal directions.
-Missile: Does not penetrate multiple enemies or walls. Very powerful.
Level One: Fires a single missile to the right, regardless of direction that
player faces.
Level Two: Fires missiles to left and right, regardless of direction that
player faces.
Level Three: Fires missiles up, down, left, and right, regardless of direction
that player faces.
The Cobalt Bomb, which can be activated by collecting 4 bomb fragments (enemies
drop them) and then pressing A, removes all enemies and enemy fire from the
screen. However, it does not work on bosses. You can have up to 7 Cobalt Bombs
in reserve. If you have seven and you collect 4 more fragments, you will
receive an extra life and your stock of Cobalt Bombs will reset to zero.
*Items*
Weapon Pods: Letters R, L, M in white on round red icon. Ring, Laser, and
Missile special weapons respectively.
Defense Pod: Small star-shaped icon. When collected, circles around the player
and destroys enemies that contact it. Collect multiple Defense Pods to increase
its orbital speed.
Speed Pod: Like a Weapon Pod with an S on it. Collect to increase player speed.
Bomb Fragment: Red egg-shaped, oscillating item. Collect four to enable a
Cobalt Bomb explosion, or save them to get an extra life.
Extra Life: Just like a Weapon Pod, but with a 1 on it. Self-explanatory.
*Miscellany*
[from the instruction manual]:
-There are three levels of difficulty in Burai Fighter:
EAGLE (easiest)
ALBATROSS (more difficult)
ACE (most difficult)
There are several differences between the levels. First, as you progress to
the harder levels, new and more difficult enemies will attack. Second, the
enemies will move faster and shoot more. Third, the bonus multiplier will
change. Finally, the endings will change.
[end quotation from instruction manual]
There is a fourth level of difficulty, ULTIMATE, which is only unlocked
by completing the ACE level. The most noticeable gameplay difference on
Ultimate, besides greater numbers of enemies, is the amazing increase in
health that the bosses receive. Even the first two bosses take a long time
to defeat.
-When you die, you lose all of your weapon powerups. Especially on the higher
levels, this can be a serious handicap. Play conservatively!
-You receive an extra life for every 100,000 points.
-The Ring weapon can pass through invulnerable parts of bosses to hit a weak
point, making it possible to hit them from any direction.
-You can have up to 99 lives in reserve. The game ignores extra lives if you
already have 99 in reserve (i.e., if you have 99 in reserve and die, you
will respawn with 98).
-If you win the game, you start over again with a choice of difficulty levels.
You retain your score, lives, and weapon powerups.
-The hit detection for for enemies and bosses in particular is a bit
unforgiving. It's easy to be killed by physical contact when you are
seemingly far away. Conversely, the shots of enemies often will appear to
contact your player without doing any damage.
-You will receive a bonus at the end of each level according to your weapon
power levels and the difficulty setting you are using.
EAGLE: Max: 30,000
ALBATROSS: Max: 120,000
ACE: Max: 300,000
ULTIMATE: Max: 300,000
You will receive 3(!) extra lives if you can get the maximum bonus on Ace
or Ultimate difficulties.
-To enter hidden areas, usually containing weapon pods or the occasional
extra life, you must be at the edge of the screen at the proper time
(usually as the entrance to the hidden area is in the midpoint of the
screen). If you are properly positioned, the scrolling of the screen will
change directions, allowing you access.
***********
Walkthrough
***********
Passwords are given for each stage in order: EAGLE, ALBATROSS, ACE, ULTIMATE.
For example, to go to stage 4 on Albatross, you would enter KING. For stage
2 on Ultimate, you would enter FLAG.
Gameplay differences between the difficulty levels are noted with the name of
the difficulty level, i.e. 'Albatross-....'.
*******
Stage 1 PASSWORDS:.../.../.../GOOD (No passwords except for Ultimate)
*******
There is a hidden area shortly after the beginning of the level,on the top
of the screen, that contains an extra life and a defense pod. Immediately
after a speed pod, there are two weapon pods. You must collect both weapon
pods and rush back to the top of the screen, next to the single turret, to
gain access to the hidden area.
There is another hidden area just before you reach the set of five fixed
turrets. There is an opening in the ceiling that will allow you to get a
defense pod and two weapon pods. You can see the pods from the regular route,
but they appear to be blocked off.
BOSS: Giganticrab
The boss's two arms block your shots. There are three weak spots on the boss
that need to be destroyed. The one on the top is the hardest, as one or both
of the arms are almost always blocking access to it. Especially on the
higher difficulty levels, the Ring weapon is highly recommended. Circle the
boss clockwise (same direction as the arms) and blast away.
You will receive 5000 points per 'eye' that you destroy, for a total of
15,000 points.
*******
Stage 2 PASSWORDS: BALL/HEAD/PALM/FLAG
*******
This level will introduce you to the 'meat' of Burai Fighter: scrolling
in any and every direction. Right-to-left scrolling is actually very
effective and fun, given how rare it is in NES games.
BOSS: Jawsipede
The Laser is recommended here.
The boss is made up of three segments joined together by blue sections. When
you destroy a section, the smaller segment moves and attacks freely. You can
destroy the smaller segments by attacking their blue tails. It is recommended
that you separate one segment, then destroy it before separating the other two
segments. If you have all three segments moving and attacking independently,
it can be very difficult.
You will receive 2000 points per segment (including the final one) plus
10,000 points for completely destroying the boss, making for a total of
16,000 points.
*******
Stage 3 PASSWORDS: CAMP/JEEP/FALL/JOKE
*******
Pay close attention to the map display before the level begins. The level
is made up of an 8x8 grid (64 squares total). On the map display, your
character and the base each take up roughly one square. Make an estimate of
how many squares in each direction you need to go to reach the base. Also,
remember that the screen wraps around both horizontally and vertically (the
top and bottom of the map are connected, as are the left and right sides).
If you die, the boss will be placed in a new, random location, but you will
be able to view the map screen again.
BOSS: ENEMY BASE RED
The boss has 12 'eyes' that fire shots at you. If you have the Ring weapon,
you will be able to damage the boss's inner eyes easily, as your shots will
go through the invulnerable parts of the boss. One shot per eye is all it
takes.
You will receive 2,000 points for each eye destroyed, plus 5,000 for
destroying the base. 2,000 x 12=24,000 plus 5,000= a total of 29,000 points.
*******
Stage 4 PASSWORDS: DOLL/KING/IDEA/ONCE
*******
The Ring weapon is highly recommended here, as there is much close-quarters
fighting. Use the Cobalt Bomb to clear a narrow passageway of bullets.
There is a secret area containing an extra life on the left side of the
first downward-scrolling section in this area. I've only gotten it once
on Ace, though.
BOSS: FANGSKULL
This boss randomly drops rocks and fires shots from its 'mouth'.
The Ring weapon is very helpful on Eagle and indispensable on higher
levels.
You will receive 35,000 points for defeating this boss.
*******
Stage 5 PASSWORDS: EDEN/LIME/PLAN/PAIL
*******
'Scrolling as level design'.
When you are presented with 4 pods in a horizontal line, just before a long
downward section, take the Laser. It will make the Galaga-like section much
easier.
On the downward approach to the boss, the spiked cylinder that you must avoid
can be dodged either by flying above or below it. It is recommended to fly
above it, as this way you can destroy the fast-moving blue ships that enter
from the bottom of the screen.
BOSS: TORCHWING
Missile or Laser is recommended here.
A circle of flames expands and contracts around this boss. On the Eagle
difficulty setting, it is possible, even with the Ring weapon, to destroy the
boss before the circle contracts the first time. Simply fly right up to it
and start blazing away. On the other levels, this is not possible.
It is possible, on any difficulty level, to fly carefully between the fully
contracted ring of fire and Torchwing. Impress your friends!
You will not receive any points for defeating this boss. (?)
*******
Stage 6 PASSWORDS: FACE/MILD/MONK/GOAL
*******
The second overhead view level. Again, make careful note of where your
character is in relation to the base.
BOSS: ENEMY BASE GREEN
The base has 16 'eyes' that all fire shots at you. Again, the Ring
weapon will make this very easy, as you can hit the inner eyes without having
to fly inside the base walls.
You will receive 2,000 points for each eye destroyed, plus 20,000 for
destroying the base. 2,000 x 16=32,000 plus 20,000= a total of 52,000 points.
*******
Stage 7 PASSWORDS: GAME/NILE/IDOL/ICHI
*******
The blue ships that charge quickly at you horizontally? Simply shoot them
from above or below.
BOSS: SLIMEDRAGON
This boss can only be damaged diagonally, making the missiles useless. Make
sure to bring at least the Ring weapon, or (preferably) Laser. The rocks that
the boss fires are indestructible.
You will receive 60,000 points for defeating this boss.
*ENDINGS*
-Eagle: GREAT FIGHT WARRIOR!
AN ACE WOULD SEE
A GRAPHIC ENDING.
-Albatross: same as above
-Ace: The picture shows our Burai Fighter surveying a dark
landscape. A flash of light is seen, then an explosion.
The scene brightens to reveal grass and blue skies.
Your point total is shown, then:
YOU HAVE RESCUED THE UNIVERSE
FROM THE EVIL BURAI!
DID YOU FIND
ALL 10 HIDDEN ROOMS?
THE ULTIMATE CHALLENGE
AWAITS ! ! ! KAL
PUSH START
The Ultimate level of difficulty is then unlocked.
-Ultimate: The cinema is the same as above. Your point total is shown,
then the following text:
UNREAL, YOU HAVE FINISHED
AN UNBEATABLE GAME!
YOU HAVE EARNED MY RESPECT.
KEN LOBB
When you press START, your character disappears and a gray, bird-like enemy
from Stage 5 pulls the word END onto the screen.
Pressing START again takes you back to the difficulty-select screen.
*My points and lives totals for playing through Eagle, Albatross, Ace, and
Ultimate with no deaths (getting Max bonus every stage after the first few):
Points 6,949,760
Lives 95.
*************
Credits/Outro
*************
A hearty THANK YOU to:
Nintendo: for producing the most innovative, fun, and influential games out
there.
Taxan USA: a fun game, but how about a story next time?
My mother for not throwing out my old issues of Nintendo Power.
Matt Conte, for the .NSF plugin for WinAmp.
The NES FAQ completion project (DevinMorgan and co.)
This document is legal and intellectual property of Matt Toothman, 2006
fin.
