
+-------------------------------+
|          Turbo Arcade         |
|       Demo Instructions       |
|                               |
|     (c) 2023 Champ Games      |
|    https://www.champ.games    |
+-------------------------------+


*** ABOUT ***

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

- ADVANCED and CHALLENGE skill level has been disabled (NOVICE and STANDARD are included).
- SaveKey functionality has been disabled, but high scores are still maintained for each skill level during play until the game is turned off.
- Only the ARCADE track is included; the full version includes 3 other tracks plus the option to rotate all tracks or play a random track.
- The time of day and time change speed are set to DAY and NORMAL, respectively.  In the full version you can configure both settings.
- The ROUND will loop back to ROUND 1 when ROUND 4 is completed.

If you enjoy the demo of Turbo Arcade 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.turbo-arcade.champ.games
Cartridge from Champ Games:                 http://cart.turbo-arcade.champ.games
Champ Games store:                          http://store.champ.games

For additional information about the game:  http://turbo-arcade.champ.games

Thank you for your support and have fun! 


*** COMPATIBILITY ***

* TV type *

The Turbo Arcade 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 Turbo Arcade.  The save functionality has been disabled but 
will be available in the full version.

- 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).  Turbo Arcade takes advantage of this device 
by supporting two controllers 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.

Currently, since Turbo Arcade is using a new cutting-edge bank-switching scheme (CDFJ+ 128K), it is not supported by any multi-carts.  The makers of the Harmony carts
are actively planning either an expansion module for existing Harmony carts or an updated Harmony cart in the near future that will support Turbo Arcade and other 
larger games (including Champ Games' Elevator Agent).


* 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 Turbo Arcade has been tested with and the current compatibility:

Emulator                    Compatible?         Website
---------------------       ---------------     --------------------------------------------------------
Stella (v6.7+)              Yes                 https://stella-emu.github.io/downloads.html
Gopher2600                  Yes                 https://github.com/JetSetIlly/Gopher2600
Stellarator                 No                  https://6502ts.github.io/stellerator/#/cartridge-manager
Javatari                    No                  https://javatari.org/

NOTE: If you have issues running Turbo Arcade in Stella 6.7, it is most likely because it is not being detected properly as CDF cartrdige type.
To force Stella to set the cartridge type:
- If running from the command line, add the option "-type cdf" before the ROM name.
- From Stella UI:
  - Launch the Turbo Arcade ROM and press the Tab key to bring up the Game Properties dialog.  
    - If a Fatal error is displayed, click on Continue.Click on Options and choose Game Properties.
  - Select the Emulation tab and change the Type to "CDF" and click on OK.
  - Exit Stella and relaunch the ROM.


* 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)         No*                 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

*The latest community firmware of the RetroN 77 is using Stella 6.6, but since Stella 6.7 is required for Turbo Arcade it is currently not compatible.  
When the community build is updated to Stella 6.7, Turbo Arcade should be compatible with the RetroN 77 from an SD card.  

Additional details on the RetroN 77 community build can be found at https://atariage.com/forums/topic/289929-stella-6-on-the-r77-the-eagle-is-landing/
                                        

*** GAME OPTIONS ***

* Players *

Turbo Arcade is 1 player only.


* Skill levels *

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

- Novice:           Player starts with 3 reserve cars.  Enemy cars swerve less often, timer runs a little slower, your car runs a little slower (making oncoming cars easier to avoid), less skids on snow.
- Standard:         Player starts with 2 reserve cars.  Enemy cars swerve a little more than Novice, timer runs a bit faster, and your car runs at a normal speed.  

# Available only in the full version: #
- Advanced:         Player starts with 1 reserve car.  Enemy cars swerve much more, timer runs faster.  More skids on snow and roads are winding.  Hills are longer and closer to your car.
- Challenge:        Player starts with 1 reserve car.  More difficult than ADVANCED.  Starting on Round 3, each 4th round is a SPEED ROUND (round ends as soon as you pass 30 cars, bonus points awarded).
                    A new enemy, the black car (aka Shadow) follows your car closely and is more difficult to pass and avoid.
                    
The color of the RD text in the game status area will match the current skill level (GREEN=Novice, BLUE=Standard, RED=Advanced, YELLOW=Challenge).


* Menu screens *

Move the joystick up/down to cycle through the 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
- Instructions
- High scores
- Credits

A short demo of the gameplay will start after the Credits screen.


*** DIFFICULTY SWITCHES ***

* Difficulty switches *

The difficulty switches set the shifting method and cars passed mesage.

* Left difficulty switch *  

The left difficulty switch sets the shifting method:

- Difficulty A:  Player 1 uses manual shift (must press the joystick up/down to shift to low/high gear, respectively).
- Difficulty B:  Player 1 uses automatic shift.  Your car will shift to low or high automatically when appropriate.

The shifting method for Player 1 is displayed on the title screen as AUTO (automatic) or MANUAL, depending on the position of the left difficulty switch.  
Additionally, the shifter icon in the game status area will display a handle for automatic shifting or knob for manual shifting.

* Right difficulty switch *  

The right difficulty switch enables or disables the CAR PASSED message and signal during gameplay:

- Difficulty A:  Disable the CARS PASSED message that is displayed when you pass a car during the game, and don't play the '30 cars passed' signal.  (arcade)
- Difficulty B:  Display the CARS PASSED message when you pass a car during the game, and play the '30 cars passed' sound when the 30th car is passed.

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

In the full version, you will be able to set the following options before a race:

Race Track:  Select from the ARCADE track or 3 custom tracks, as well as ROTATE to play through all tracks or RANDOM for random track order.
Time of Day: Select from MORNING, MIDDAY, SUNSET and NIGHT.  Visibility is better during the day and worse at night and sunset.
Time change: Select how fast the time of day changes during the game.  Options are NONE (time doesn't change), SLOW, NORMAL and FAST.

For this demo version, the options are set at ARCADE track, starting time of day is MIDDAY and the time change speed is NORMAL.


*** PLAYING THE GAME ***

* Object *

The object of Turbo Arcade is to maneuver your race car through the many different scenes and obstacles while passing enough enemy cars (30) to advance to the next round.  

In the first round, your car will crash but not explode when you collide with an enemy car.  Starting from round 2, a collision with an enemy car will restart and a reserve car is used.

The game ends if you fail to pass 30 cars before the timer expires or if you crash on round 2 or higher and there are no more reserve cars. 

On Round 2 or higher, if you have failed to pass 30 cars when the timer expires but still have a reserve car, you are will be able to retry the round from the 
start but will lose a reserve life. 


* Player Control *

Turbo Arcade supports 3 types of controllers:

Joystick*:
- Move left/right to steer.
- Press button to accelerate.
- When using MANUAL shift:
  - Push UP to shift into LOW gear.
  - Push DOWN to shift into HIGH gear.
*Sega Genesis 2-button controllers:  Press Button B to accelerate and press Button C to toggle the gear between LOW and HIGH.

Paddles: 
- Turn wheel left and right to steer.
- Press button to accelerate.
- When using MANUAL shift:
  - Press button on other paddle to toggle gear - or -
  - Use a joystick plugged into the 2nd controller port to shift.

Driving Controller:
- Turn wheel left and right to steer.
- Press button to accelerate.
- When using MANUAL shift:
  - Use a joystick plugged into the 2nd controller port to shift.


* The Obstacles *


Enemy Cars:             

There are four different colored cars that are also competing in the race.  Each enemy car has their own attributes, including acceleration and top speed.  Avoid the enemy cars as you 
maneuver through the different scenes.  If you crash into an enemy car on Round 1, your car will come to a stop and spin to the bottom of the screen.  Move your car to the side of 
the road to avoid getting hit by the passing cars while you accelerate back up to top speed.  Speed up quickly since any cars that pass you will take away from your CARS PASSED count!

Enemy cars can also collide into each other, so keep an eye out ahead of the road for cars that are bunched up and be ready to avoid any crashes that may occur as they come up on you very quick!


Ambulance:

Every so often, you will hear a faint siren and an ambulance will appear from the bottom of the screen.  Avoid crashing into the ambulance as they make their way pass your car.  
The ambulance will clear a path of oncoming cars so try to stay behind it for a short break. 


Puddles:

Puddles will appear in the roads, mostly during a straight away.  Avoid the puddles if possible since if you hit them they'll cause your car to skid, possibly into the road barriers or other cars.


Hills:

On some straight aways, you will be approaching various-sized hills where you lose sight of the oncoming cars as they dip under the crest of the hill.


Snow scenes:

Some scenes have packed snow on the roads.  In these scenes, your car will skid sometimes as you maneuver through the traffic, so be extra careful!


Tunnels:

Tunnels are dark and have limited visibility for the cars approaching from the horizon, so slow down a bit to give yourself some more time to react and avoid a crash.


The Seaside Wall:

The seaside wall is a very sharp turn, and the oncoming cars are in your blind spot until the very last moment, so stay on your toes! 


Bridges:

There are various bridges throughout the course and most are narrow with very little room to maneuver, so it's best to not pass the enemy cars until you've made it safely to the other side.


NOTE: The full version offers other scenes, obstacles and weather conditions, including rocks, desert scenes, rain and ice!

GOOD LUCK!


*** SCORING ***

You earn points in Turbo Arcade based on how far and how fast you drive (the faster you drive, the more points you earn), as well as for the cars you've passed.

If you have successfully passed 30 or more cars when the timer expires, you will receive bonus points for every car you've passed (mas 41) based on the current round:

Round 1:    50 points per car passed
Round 2:    60 points per car passed
Round 3:    70 points per car passed
Round 4:    80 points per car passed

If you manage to pass the maximum number of cars during a round (41), you are awarded 50 points for each additional car you pass.

*In the demo version, the round # will top off at 4.  In the full version, the maximum round is 99.

An additional reserve life is awarded each time you complete a round.

*In the demo version, a reserve life is only awarded after the 1st round is completed.


*** 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 Difficulty:              Set the shifting mode:  A = Manual, B = Auto.
- Right Difficulty:             Enable or disable the in-game car passed message/sound:  A = disable, B = enable


*** GAME OVER ***

If you fail to pass 30 cars when the timer expires or you crash on round 2 or later and have no more reserves, 
GAME OVER will be displayed along with your final score and the number of cars passed.


*** 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 RANKING LIST!

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


*** CREDITS ***

Programming and Design:     John W. Champeau
Graphics and Design:        Nathan Strum
Music and Sound Effects:    Nathan Strum
Testing:                    Nathan Withee (McCallister)
                            Glenn (GRay Defender)

For the physical boxed release:

Packaging & Illustration:   Nathan Strum
Publishing:                 Champ Games
