John Isles, iv, <qxz.isles@verizon.net> presents a FAQ that is kid-tested,
mother-approved, has essential ingredients for strong and healthy bodies, can be
used as a Christmas tree decoration, makes a nice discussion piece, and can also
substitute candy bars for a snack, a nice bowl of...
___ ___
/ \ | \ /
| | | \/
| \ | | /\
\__\/ _|_ / \ A Qix FAQ. Contains 14 essential vitamins and minerals for
\ healthy bodies, as recommended by the FDA.
(This document covers only the Game Boy [classic] version)
This FAQ should be available only at GameFAQs <http://www.gamefaqs.com>. If
found at any other sites please notify me, as these are illegal copies.
____________
/1. CONTENTS\________________________________________________________________
/\____________/================================================================\
0. TITLE
1. CONTENTS (You're reading them, stupid!)
2. COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
3. FAQ HISTORY
4. HOW TO READ THIS FAQ
5. OPTIONS
6. CONTROLS
7. SCORING
8. ENEMIES & OBSTACLES
9. LEVEL STRATEGIES
10. MARIO, THE MUSICIAN
11. VERSUS GAME
12. SUBMISSIONS & COMMENTS
13. CREDITS, RECOGNITIONS, & TEN Q's
_________________________
/2. COPYRIGHT INFORMATION\___________________________________________________
/\_________________________/===================================================\
Qix is a registered trademark of Taito Corporation, ©1981, 90. Game Boy version
licensed to Nintendo, ©1990. All rights reserved.
This FAQ/SG is neither authorized nor sponsored by Nintendo nor Taito.
This FAQ/SG is copyright ©2001 John Isles, iv. You may alter it (spell/grammar
check, make it look all nice and neat, etc.) for personal use only, but you may
NEVER-- I repeat: NEVER-- put your name in my place. Also, you are never
allowed to remove this disclaimer at all. If you would like to post my FAQ/SG on
your site, you MUST ask my permission (by E-mail; address changes will be posted
in future versions), but you may neither sell nor trade it for money, goods,
etc., nor can you post a pirated version not edited by myself.
ALL SUBMISSIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS WILL BE LISTED WITH {##} AND THEIR NUMBERS WILL
BE LISTED AT THE END OF THIS DOCUMENT.
____________________
/3. DOCUMENT HISTORY\________________________________________________________
/\____________________/========================================================\
Current version statistics:
Key strokes: 14,160
Words & numbers: 2,186
80-char. lines: 280
-0.3.3- (Released 2003.1.25)
Cleaned up somee text.
-0.3.2- (Released 2002.10.19)
E-mail changed. That is all.
-0.3.1- (Completed 2001.11.03)
Nothing new, but I have decided to take the "file cabinet" idea one further.
Hope you tolerate it, if not like it.
Also, revamped the <Mario, the Musician> chapter.
-0.3- (Completed 2001.7.20)
1. Reformatted <How to read this FAQ/Strategy Guide>.
2. I have added contribution information stating that all submitted info will
be listed at the bottom.
3. I am fortunate enough to have a relative who has a Game Boy (Color). So,
now, I make available to you, the reader, the game's versus game and the
workings therein.
4. I also realized that I had forgotten to list <Enemies & Obstacles> in the
contents section of the document. Stupid me!
5. Converted chapter headers into what resembles folder that are found in a
filing cabinet.
-0.2- (Posted 2001.3.31)
Removed all hard-wrapping for upload to GameFAQs. The FTP program I use is
capable of wrapping text for me, and I am happy-happy-joy- joy about it. Also, I
added the <SUBMISSIONS & COMMENTS> section the prior release was missing. I just
forgot to tack it on. (John, you DOPE!) Also, I updated the copyright
information to read "©2001".
-0.1-
What you're reading. Started on 1999.12.26; Released 2000.2.8. This
document only covers the basics.
_______________________________________
/4. HOW TO READ THIS FAQ/STRATEGY GUIDE\_____________________________________
/\_______________________________________/=====================================\
This strategy guide is best read with a fixed-width font, like Andale Mono, which
is a free download available from Microsoft. You will be able to tell if the
font you're using is fixed-width if the next two lines are lined up perfectly.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ1234567890
.,;:'".,;:'".,;:'".,;:'".,;:'".,;:'"
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz$!?&˘ŁĄ¤*@
___________
/5. OPTIONS\_________________________________________________________________
/\___________/=================================================================\
Well, I decided to forgo the story (since there isn't one), and get straight to
the heart of the matter. For the GB version (which this FAQ is based on), there
are only two: 1P and 2P versus. I have now included the versus options, which
shall be later written. Besides, you can afford to hit the PAGE DOWN and END
keys whenever you like. Quick scrolling-- you know I love it.
____________
/6. CONTROLS\________________________________________________________________
/\____________/================================================================\
Really simple, 007.
ARROW PAD
Used to move. You can only move along the sides of a completed box or solid
line. But then, you can use this in conjunction with the other buttons...
A BUTTON + ARROW PAD
Start a fast-moving line.
B BUTTON + ARROW PAD
Starts a slow-moving line. Since you are moving half as fast, it's very
fitting that you receive doubled points.
Of course, you have to use the arrow pad to direct the line in order to
completely secure areas.
And, should you score high enough to be on the glamorous top score list, use the
arrow pad to select the letters, A to move onto the next slot, and B to back up.
___________
/7. SCORING\_________________________________________________________________
/\___________/=================================================================\
There isn't much to explain when it comes to scoring. You receive a single point
for each pixel covered in a successful capture (WHOOPEE!); Two points if your
marker's movement is slow the whole way through (WHOOPEE AND A HALF!). Bear in
mind that, even though you score only one or two points per pixel, believe it or
not, Ripley, there are a LOT of pixels on that tiny Game Boy screen. And you can
only encapsulate an odd number of pixels by an odd number of pixels (meaning you
can capture 25x25, but never 26x25 nor 25x26).
There is also an end/stage bonus of 1,000pts. for each percentage point over
the requirement( which can be multiplied; more later)-- 77% with a 75%
requirement scores 2,000, as an example. If you can fill in the "perfect" 99%, a
50,000pt. bonus is added to your score (which, if at level 9, 17, 25, and every
eighth level afterward, can be worth a up to a cool 250,000).
One more thing: You can pick up no more than four extra lives. They come
at 50,000, 100,000, 200,000, and 500,000pts. After topping the half-mil mark,
your mind will be the only thing that can keep your inanimate marker alive.
_______________________
/8. ENEMIES & OBSTACLES\_____________________________________________________
/\_______________________/=====================================================\
Perhaps the shortest list of enemies I might live to ever write about.
FUSE
The bastards will chase after you if your in-progress lines are being held
up for too long. Capture a piece of the field to keep it at bay.
QIX
That lightning-looking thing that slinks around the area in random patterns.
You're safe if you're on terra firma, but it can zap you by touching incomplete
lines (yep, you be dead!).
SPARX
These white blobs work their way around the level, taking the paths that you
have created. You should watch that ever-decreasing bar on the bottom of your
screen, because, sooner or later, Sparx evolve into...
SUPER SPARX
These M'er F'ers won't rest until you're dead. They're more aggressive and
can take shortcuts at will. If'n you outmaneuver them before they reach you,
they're no threat until the next time they appear.
____________________
/9. LEVEL STRATEGIES\________________________________________________________
/\____________________/========================================================\
For a game of this caliber (smaller than an atom), I can only offer some simple
pointers. By doing the following, you can rack up some good scores.
1. Be quick about it. If you take too long, the Sparx will get aggressive, and
start going after you like a cat to catnip. Their aggression doesn't stop at
just sticking to the walls-- they'll take every shortcut they can! This even
means that the Sparx will try and catch you on any live wires you try to use.
2. Don't delay on the lines. Fuses will chase after you if you wait only a few
short seconds.
3. Always try for the 99% on the first few stages. This can really give your
score a boost not even a straight espresso can give.
4. If trying for the 99%, you have to be careful if you wish to succeed.
Explained, the Qix can be really difficult to see, so you might either have
smooth sailing, or you might run into it an invisible trap. Don't rush it until
you know you have a clear path. And, if you are uncertain, just move to another
location and try from there.
5. Only use the slow movement if the gap you're going across is short or far
away from and safe of the Qix. Remember: If you move slowly, your score for the
newly-captured area will be doubled. (So a 3x3 piece scores 18pts. instead of
9pts. YIPPEE!) Thus, capturing about 50% on one fell swoop can result in a
five-digit score for the move.
6. In every even-numbered set of four stages (5-8, 13-16, 21-24, 29-32, etc.?),
try separating the two Qix. This will forfeit a bonus for this stage, but the
next stage's bonus will be upped. Split the two Qix for four levels straight,
you can quintuple (that's 5x) your stage bonus.
________________________
/10. MARIO, THE MUSICIAN\____________________________________________________
/\________________________/====================================================\
How many of have have been around since at least 1990? Raise your hands.
Hmmm.... Quite a bunch of us, ain't it?
OK. How many of those who replied even remember an early Game Boy ad
featuring this game?
WHAT...? Has everyone just sit back down? Or are they afraid to remember
the past? You, sir, WAY in the back. You DO? Cool! Do you remember it
featured? Mario? Yes. Anything else? Wearing a gaucho. Good. WHAT? No, he
wasn't plugging himself as the front for the [Rolling] Stones. But you do
remember him playing a guitar, right? Good enough.
OK, just so you get that nostalgia trip over with, there WAS a commercial for
this game that did have a vastly magnified screen grab of Mario playing mariachi
music. It's a reward for doing well. And the rewards come as follows:
50,000-149,999: Mario does mariachi.
150,000-249,999: African dance
250,000-299,999:
300,000-349,999: Snake charmer in India.
350,000-399,999:
400,000-449,999:
450,000-499,999:
500,000+: You will receive a "Congratulations" screen featuring the
whole of the Mario cast. That is, Mario, Peach, and Toad. I
forgot about Luigi, as I have only scored this high once in
the ten years I have had this game-- around 570,000pts., my
highest ever.
________________
/11. VERSUS GAME\____________________________________________________________
/\________________/============================================================\
Now, you might be asking me, "Why the Hell does there happen to be a 2P option on
the menu screen?" Well, in an effort to capitalize on the game-link
capabilities, this game has its own versus game.
1P has control of Mario's markers, while 2P has control over Luigi's. The
game ends when either player wins three rounds. Each round is won by either
capturing enough space to exceed the set requirement, or if either player loses
all their lives in action.
The options:
QIX SPEED, SPARX SPEED
Set from one to five. Obviously, the higher the number, the faster they go.
Set at five, they go ZOOM! Don't find yourself trying to desperately get some
distance.
MARKER SPEED
There are only two ways to go here. Setting it up at the A speed, your
markers go fast. On B, though, you're a slug. It can be even more dangerous
when the Qix and the Sparx are at high speeds. Otherwise, they're flying through
the sky, while you're stuck trying to walk through a tar pit.
CLEAR PCT.
Determines how much area you need to capture to win a round. It can be set
at 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, or 60%.
AHEM: If you decide to make 60% the requirement, there is one special rule
in effect. Should both players capture greater than 40% of the area, the game
continues until either player runs out of lives.
___________________________
/12. SUBMISSIONS & COMMENTS\_________________________________________________
/\___________________________/=================================================\
If you have any submissions, strategies, comments, insults, or other stuff you
have to offer, you can currently E-mail me at <qxz.isles@verizon.net>. Be aware
that a response is never guaranteed. Also, if you submit, I-- and I alone-- have
the choice of what gets added or not, AND you are also agreeing to give me the
right to edit the submission.
_____________________________________
/13. CREDITS, RECOGNITIONS, & TEN Q's\_______________________________________
/\_____________________________________/=======================================\
Where I thank the people who have helped and offered info.
* Nintendo & Taito:
Making and releasing this game.
That's it. Show's over. And I hate ending documents with prime numbers...
unless it's the number 13; Otherwise, I like much-much!
