
+-------------------------------+
|            Galagon            |
|       Demo Instructions       |
|                               |
|     (c) 2019 Champ Games      |
|    https://www.champ.games    |
+-------------------------------+


*** ABOUT ***

This ROM file is a fully playable demo version of Galagon for the Atari 2600 with the following restrictions:

- ADVANCED skill level has been disabled (NOVICE and STANDARD are included).
- The CHALLENGE MODE skill level (where you try to clear as many challenge stages as possible) has been disabled.
- Two player modes, including co-op mode has been disabled.
- SaveKey functionality has been disabled, but high scores are still maintained for each skill level during play until the game is turned off.
- The game loops back to Level 1 after Level 4 is complete.

If you enjoy the demo of Galagon and would like to purchase the full version, it is available either as a ROM file 
or as a physical cartridge (includes box, manual and poster) from the Champ Games store:

Full ROM from Champ Games:                  http://rom.galagon.champ.games
Cartridge from Champ Games:                 http://cart.galagon.champ.games
Champ Games store:                          http://store.champ.games

For additional information about the game:  http://galagon.champ.games

Thank you for your support and have fun! 


*** COMPATIBILITY ***

* TV type *

The Galagon Demo ROM can be played on NTSC or PAL60 systems.  Please ensure that the version you are playing matches the TV type of the monitor you are using.

* AtariVox and SaveKey *

The AtariVox and SaveKey are devices that allow high scores and game settings to be saved when playing Galagon.  The demo version of Galagon will detect a SaveKey but the save 
functionality has been disabled and is available in the full version only.

- For more information about the AtariVox:          https://atariage.com/store/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1045
- For more information about the SaveKey device:    https://atariage.com/store/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1194


* QuadTari *

The QuadTari is a device that allows you to plug up to 4 joysticks and other compatible controllers to an Atari console (2 joysticks per port).  Galagon takes advantage of this device 
to support a 2 player alternating or co-operative game with a AtariVox or SaveKey by having 2 joysticks plugged into the QuadTari connected to the left controller port and an AtariVox 
or SaveKey device connected to the right controller port.

- For more information about the QuadTari:          https://www.bitethechili.com/quadtari/


* Multi-carts *

Multi-carts are special cartridges that plug into a real Atari 2600 (or compatible) and allow you to play various ROM files either on an SD card or via WiFi.

Here are a list of multi-carts that Galagon has been tested with and the current compatibility.  
Where applicable, the version in () indicates the minimum BIOS requirement for the multi-cart.  

Multi-carts                 Compatible?         Website
----------------------      ---------------     --------------------------------------------------------
Harmony (v1.06+)            Yes                 https://harmony.atariage.com/Site/Harmony.html      
Harmony Encore (v1.06+)     Yes                 https://harmony.atariage.com/Site/Harmony.html
Unocart                     No                  https://thebrewingacademy.com/products/uno-2600-cartridge
PlusCart+                   No                  https://pluscart.firmaplus.de/pico/


* Emulators *

An emulator is a special program that runs on a PC that emulates an Atari 2600, allowing you to play ROMs on your computer.  

Here are a list of emulators that Galagon has been tested with and the current compatibility:

Emulator                    Compatible?         Website
---------------------       ---------------     --------------------------------------------------------
Stella (v6.0.1+)            Yes                 https://stella-emu.github.io/downloads.html
Stellarator                 Yes                 https://6502ts.github.io/stellerator/#/cartridge-manager
Javatari                    No                  https://javatari.org/
Gopher2600                  Yes                 https://github.com/JetSetIlly/Gopher2600/releases


* Emulator consoles *

An emulator console is a physical game system that emulates an Atari 2600.  These systems allow you to play ROMs on devices like HD televisions (or in some cases, on the go).  
Some of these systems allow you to play game ROMs via an SD cart or even have a cartridge slot.  

Emulated Console            Compatible?         Website
---------------------       ---------------     --------------------------------------------------------
AtGames Flashback           No                  https://www.atgames.us/products/atari-flashback-9
AtGames Flashback Portable  No                  https://www.atgames.us/products/atari-flashback-portable-2019
RetroN 77 (cartridge slot)  No                  https://hyperkinlab.com/retron-77-hd-gaming-console-for-2600-hyperkin/
RetroN 77 (SD card)         Yes*                https://hyperkinlab.com/retron-77-hd-gaming-console-for-2600-hyperkin/
Atari 2600+	            No                  https://atari.com/products/atari-2600-plus
Atari Gamestation Pro       No                  https://www.myarcadegaming.com/products/atari-gamestation-pro


*requires the firmware of the RetroN 77 to be upgraded.  Details can be found at https://atariage.com/forums/topic/289929-stella-6-on-the-r77-the-eagle-is-landing/
                                        

*** GAME OPTIONS ***

* Players *

The demo version of Galagon has a 1 player mode only.  The full version adds 2 player alternating and 2 player co-op modes.


* Skill levels *

To select the skill level, move the joystick left and right from the TITLE screen:

- Novice:           Player starts with double-ship, 3 reserves. Difficulty ramp up is slower.
- Standard:         Most like the arcade. Player starts with single ship, 3 reserves.

# Available only in the full version: #
- Advanced:         More difficult than Standard. Player starts with 1 ship and 2 in reserve. Enemies move faster, enemy missiles are faster, 
enemies take off more frequently, extra ships are added during the fly-in sequence, etc.
- Challenge Mode:   Players compete against challenge stages only!  Try to destroy all 40 enemies to gain extra ships, double ships, etc.


* Menu screens *

Move the joystick up/down to cycle through the 4 menu screens. If you do not move the joystick or start a game, the screens will cycle through after a certain amount of time.

- Title screen
- Scoring screen
- High scores
- Credits


*** DIFFICULTY SWITCHES ***

The left and right difficulty switches control the firing mode for Player 1 and Player 2, respectively:

- Difficulty A:  Auto-fire is disabled. In this mode, you need to release the button between shots (this is how it is in the arcade).
- Difficulty B:  Auto-fire is enabled. With auto-fire, you do not have to press and release the button to fire multiple shots.

To start a game, either press RESET or joystick 1 button.


*** PLAYING THE GAME ***

Use the joystick to move your ship left and right to avoid incoming fire and to line up your shots to destroy the enemy. Press the fire button to fire up to 2 missiles 
(4 missiles when your ship is doubled).  Destroy all of the enemies to advance to the next stage. 

In the demo version, the game will loop back to Stage 1 once Stage 4 is completed.  In the full version, there are 99 levels to complete, including 8 unique challenge stages.


* The Enemies *

- Bees (blue):          These enemies fly towards in a loop pattern towards your ship when attacking. Be careful when they loop around to return 
                        back to the formation!
- Butterflies (red):    These enemies fly in more of a zig-zag pattern towards your ship and wrap around the screen when they pass your ship.
- Boss (cyan/blue):     These boss enemies fly alone or in packs protected by butterfly guards. The boss ships require two hits to destroy them; 
                        after one hit they turn from cyan to blue.  A second hit will destroy the enemy.
                        
- Split enemies:        Starting on level 4, at some point during the level a bee will flash and split into 3 other enemies! They will swoop 
                        towards you and circle your ship; destroy all 3 for bonus points!
- Captured ship:        When your ship is captured by a boss (see below), it is forced to fight for the opposition until he is freed! Although 
                        it can be destroyed, you should instead try to rescue him so that he may fight for your cause once again!

                       
* The Tractor Beam *

Occasionally during a level, a boss ship will fly to a particular spot on the screen and emit a tractor beam attempting to capture your ship! If your ship is captured in the tractor beam, 
it will turn red (or blue for player 2) and join the enemy! When he takes off from formation, shoot his captor to free him and double up your ship (and double your fire power!). Be careful 
not to shoot the captured ship though!  With double fire, your two ships will each fire a missile at the same time (up to 2 each).

Also, if you do not have any reserve ships and your current ship is captured, there will be no one left to perform the rescue and your game will end. Be aware that if you are caught in the 
tractor beam, you can still fire missiles and may be able to shoot the boss ship and escape from the tractor beam as a last-ditch effort.

If you shoot the captured ship's boss ship while in formation, eventually the captured ship will attack solo; you should avoid shooting him and he will escape the level and return in the 
next stage (during fly-in, so be careful not to shoot him there either!) where you will get another chance to perform the rescue.


* Challenge Stages *

Starting on level 3 and every 4th level after that is a CHALLENGE STAGE. In this stage, the enemies do not fire and your ship cannot be destroyed. 
The object is to shoot as many ships as possible (up to 40) to increase your score. Shooting all 40 will result in a 10,000-point bonus.


*** SCORING ***

Bee:            
- In formation: 50 points
- In flight:    100 points

Butterfly:  
- In formation: 80 points
- In flight:    160 points

Boss:       
- In formation: 150 points
- In flight:    400 points with no guards
                800 points with 1 guard
                1600 points with 2 guards
                
Shooting all 3 'split' enemies:                                 1000 - 3000 points
Shooting all 8 enemies during a wave of the challenge stage:    1000 - 3000 points
Shooting all 40 enemies during a challenge stage:               10,000 points

An extra ship is awarded at 20,000 points, 70,000 points, and every 70,000 points thereafter


*** CONSOLE SWITCHES ***

During a game the console switches do the following:

- Reset:    Restarts the game with the current skill/# of players/options.
- Select:   Ends the current game and returns to the title screen.
- Color/BW (PAUSE on a 7800):   Pause the game; press or flip the switch again or press the joystick button to resume.
- Left/Right Difficulty:        Enable/ disable auto-fire player 1 and player 2, respectively (A = disable, B = enable).


*** GAME OVER ***

When all a player's ships are destroyed and there are no reserve, GAME OVER will be displayed followed by the shooting ratio results. This includes the # of shots taken, 
# of hits and the hit ratio.  Note that when you have double fire power, firing two simultaneous shots only counts as 1 shot taken since both missiles can only hit one target 
(the other missile is disabled once one of the missiles hits a target).


*** HIGH SCORE ***

If the current player achieves a high score for the current skill level, the high score entry screen is displayed. 

Use the joystick to enter up to 3 initials:
- Move the joystick up/down to change the current initial (blinking) and press the button to move to the next initial. 
- Move left/right to change the initial to update. Once completed, press the button after entering in the 3rd initial 
  to register your name and be added to the list of GALACTIC HEROS!

NOTE: SaveKey support has been disabled for this demo.  In the full version, game settings and high scores (for each skill level) can be saved to an AtariVox or SaveKey device.


*** CREDITS ***

Programming and Design:     John W. Champeau
Graphics and Design:        Nathan Strum
Music and Sound Effects:    Ross Keenum
Game Testing:               James O'Brien, Steve Ramirez and Glenn (Gray Defender)

For the physical boxed release:

Packaging & Illustration:   Dave Dries
Publishing:                 Champ Games




