18 replies to this topic

[Ze_ro]

Important Note: This weeks competition is over and no further scores will be accepted.

Gophers have launched a merciless assault on your carrot patch. Grab your shovel and fill those holes before they tunnel out and eat your choice carrots. With no time to run back to the barn for more seeds to plant, it's a good thing that crazy duck keeps flying by dropping them. But it's awfully tricky to catch a seed, plant it, and still keep those persistent Gophers away. Just when you think everything's under control, they get faster and hungrier! Take a deep breath, and let the battle begin!

Game Information

Game Name: Gopher Released By: US Games, 1982 Left Difficulty: B / Novice - Smart Gopher Right Difficulty: N / A Game Mode: Game 1 - Single player with duck Chosen By: toymailman Post your scores right here in this thread, and I will add them to the list. Remember to play the game with the recommended game mode and difficulty settings as shown above so that your scores will be consistent with everyone elses. The deadline for posting scores is Wednesday May 19th at 1:00 AM (CST).

Current High Scores 158,600 (oyamafamily) [+11] 25,580 (toymailman) [+10] 9400 (roadrunner) [+9] 6080 (zylon) [+8] 5760 (darthkur) [+7] 4680 (Zoyx) [+6] 4260 (LarcenTyler) [+5] 3700 (4Ks) [+4] Best Tips oyamafamily [+2] Challenges None TwinGalaxies Top 3 (Game 1, Difficulty B) 829,440 (Todd Rogers) 36,280 (Curtis Hepworth) 21,040 (Greg Troutman)

Current Standings toymailman [385] Zoyx [278] darthkur [202] roadrunner [184] oyamafamily [163] shadow460 [162] Cebus Capucinis [107] LarcenTyler [102] JacobZu7zu7 [99] Deteacher [92] Atardi [84] vjames [71] aftermac [70] zylon [68] Captain Beard [61] godzillajoe [56] katana [51] Mister VCS [48] keilbaca [42] 4Ks [36] brandondwright [30] Vectorman0 [29] Carey85 [29] NML32 [27] homerwannabee [26] Impaler_26 [26] Hornpipe2 [25] SpiceWare [24] Wickeycolumbus [22] devwebcl [21] pis [19] Tr3vor [19] chuckwalla [17] HatNJ [14] Pioneer4x4 [13] Nathan Strum [11] LoneWolfSeth [10] LaserHawk [10] vintagegamecrazy [9] joeypsp [9] Lendorian [9] littleman jack [8] kote [8] Animan [6] Player 3 [6] Chris Leach [5] MIKE5200 [4] Skaarg [4] JayWI [3] Shannon [2] jeremysart [2] sloth713 [2] jjd [2] SpaceInvaders [2] ChrisKoopa [1] SeaGtGruff [1] Nati [1] disjuakifa [1]

Scoring Points in Gopher

Each Gopher bonked - 100 points Each section of tunnel filled - 20 points

Hints and Tips

The Manual

As always, you really should read the manual. In case you don't have the manual, AtariAge has a typed copy available online. Here are the hints it provides:

• Stay somewhat centered in the carrot patch, and slightly move back and forth with movement of the Gopher - but don't follow him. He can move much quicker than you and also will appear on one side and then the other. Move out cautiously but quickly, and fill the nearest hole that is up to the surface - maybe only partially because you have to get back to protecting your carrots.
  
• Bonking: This very strategic and satisfying gameplay technique could be the answer to that multidigit score! You can Bonk the Gopher on the head as he emerges from his hole or anywhere above ground as he runs for a carrot. This is the most rewarding accomplishment as you receive 100 points for bonking and can manage enough time for a chuckle before your next bonk! Timing and accurate positioning is the key to bonking.
  
• Planting: This can be tricky but the best approach is - stay cool! Don't panic when the seed is dropped. Keep one eye on the Gopher; and, meanwhile, position the farmer approximately under the falling seed. Then, make your last fine tuned adjustments by tapping the joystick the appropriate direction to catch the seed.
  
• IMPORTANT: If only one carrot remains and you have a choice between bonking and planting, by all means BONK; if you lose that last carrot, it's back to shoveling out the barn.
  
• By the way, it is possible to catch a seed, bonk a Gopher, and then plant the seed. If you manage to do this, you can probably also pat your head and rub your tummy while hanging by your knees. Anyway - HAPPY BONKING!!

We played this game before in the High Score Club, check it out here.

oyamafamily

1) Position the farmer at the center of the screen (above OR near the carrots). Don't try to move the character to left or right of the screen in order to close the holes or to bonk emerging Gopher from his hole.

2) Use the "Missile Command" trick: Gopher is like missiles and bombs which try to destroy the cities, and the carrots are like the cities.

3) If one or two carrots remain on the current gameplay, the duck appear to throw the seed for every multiple of 500 points. Example: if you lose one of 2 or 3 existing carrots at the score of 2200 points, the duck will appear at 2500 points.

4) Gopher can dig until 6 holes (3 on the left, and 3 on the right), BUT NEVER at the center of the screen (where the farmer can plant carrots).

--Zero

[LarcenTyler]

4,260

Not one of my favorites. Think I'll just submit this and sit out.

[oyamafamily]

FIRST TRIES - 5140 and 5220

[Zoyx]

2060 ... and fade ...

[roadrunner]

9,400



to quote Carl Spackler

"I smell varmint poontang. And the only good varmint poontang is dead varmint poontang, i think."

[4Ks]

3,700

[oyamafamily]

15,700

[oyamafamily]

38,000

[oyamafamily]

NEW HIGH SCORE FOR ME - 60,020



OYAMAFAMILY TIPS:
1) Position the farmer at the center of the screen (above OR near the carrots). Don't try to move the character to left or right of the screen in order to close the holes or to bonk emerging Gopher from his hole.

2) Use the "Missile Command" trick: Gopher is like missiles and bombs which try to destroy the cities, and the carrots are like the cities.

3) If one or two carrots remain on the current gameplay, the duck appear to throw the seed for every multiple of 500 points. Example: if you lose one of 2 or 3 existing carrots at the score of 2200 points, the duck will appear at 2500 points.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE, GUYS!!

Edited by oyamafamily, Sun May 16, 2010 7:25 PM.

[oyamafamily]

EXTRA TIP: Gopher can dig until 6 holes (3 on the left, and 3 on the right), BUT NEVER at the center of the screen (where the farmer can plant carrots).

Edited by oyamafamily, Sun May 16, 2010 2:16 PM.

[toymailman]

Wow, great score oyama! That is a lot of wacked gophers. I'm on the board now at least.

25,580

[oyamafamily]

HERE IS MY FINAL ATTEMPT - 158,600

TRY TO WIN WITH MY TIPS!!

Edited by oyamafamily, Sun May 16, 2010 6:57 PM.

[oyamafamily]

toymailman, on Sun May 16, 2010 5:56 PM, said:

Wow, great score oyama! That is a lot of wacked gophers. I'm on the board now at least.

25,580

Thanks, toymailman!! My tips worked very well!

Edited by oyamafamily, Sun May 16, 2010 6:59 PM.

[roadrunner]

oyamafamily, on Sun May 16, 2010 6:54 PM, said:

Gopher_158600.JPG

HERE IS MY FINAL ATTEMPT - 158,600

WOW! Just WOW!

Most of the time when i try to catch the bird seed the Gopher will take one of my carrots.

[toymailman]

oyamafamily, on Sun May 16, 2010 6:54 PM, said:

HERE IS MY FINAL ATTEMPT - 158,600

That is a huge score. I am guessing this took almost 1-1/2 hours?

[oyamafamily]

toymailman, on Sun May 16, 2010 7:37 PM, said:

oyamafamily, on Sun May 16, 2010 6:54 PM, said:

HERE IS MY FINAL ATTEMPT - 158,600

That is a huge score. I am guessing this took almost 1-1/2 hours?

Yes, toymailman. 1 hour and a half, more or less.

Edited by oyamafamily, Mon May 17, 2010 5:42 PM.

[zylon]

6080

Attached Thumbnails

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Edited by zylon, Tue May 18, 2010 6:30 AM.

[darthkur]

5,760

[Zoyx]

4680 - may try a few more times before the night is out.