
+-------------------------------+
|     Champ Games Presents      |
|       Squish 'Em Deluxe       |
|                               |
|       Demo Instructions       |
|                               |
|           (c) 2025            |
|        Bob Montgomery         | 
+-------------------------------+


*** ABOUT ***

This ROM file is a fully playable demo version of Squish 'Em Deluxe for the Atari 2600 with the following restrictions:

- NORMAL difficulty only (HARD and SPEED CHALLENGE included in the full version).
- SaveKey functionality has been disabled.
- Limited AtariVox voices
- Only 4 bonus items availabled (8 in the full version)
- Only 12 enemies (4 buildings) included.

If you enjoy the demo of Squish 'Em Deluxe and would like to purchase the full version, it will be available as a ROM file
and as a physical cartridge (includes box, manual and poster) from the Champ Games store in early November of 2025.

Thank you for your support and have fun! 


*** COMPATIBILITY ***

* TV type *

The Squish 'Em Deluxe 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.


* 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 is a list of multi-carts that Squish 'Em Deluxe 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                     Yes                 https://harmony.atariage.com/Site/Harmony.html      
Harmony Encore              Yes                 https://harmony.atariage.com/Site/Harmony.html
Unocart                     Yes                 https://thebrewingacademy.com/products/uno-2600-cartridge
PlusCart+                   Yes                 https://pluscart.firmaplus.de/pico/


* Emulators *

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

Here is a list of emulators that Squish 'Em Deluxe has been tested with and the current compatibility:

Emulator                    Compatible?         Website
---------------------       ---------------     --------------------------------------------------------
Stella (v7.0+)              Yes                 https://stella-emu.github.io/downloads.html
Gopher2600                  Yes                 https://github.com/JetSetIlly/Gopher2600/releases
StellaDS (v7.2+)	    Yes			https://github.com/wavemotion-dave/StellaDS
Stellarator                 Yes                 https://6502ts.github.io/stellerator/#/cartridge-manager
Javatari                    Yes                 https://javatari.org/


* 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 and some even have a cartridge slot.  

Emulated Console            Compatible?         Website
---------------------       ---------------     --------------------------------------------------------
AtGames Flashback           No                  https://www.atgames.us/products/atari-flashback-9
AtGames Flashback Portable  Yes                 https://www.atgames.us/products/atari-flashback-portable-2019
Atari 2600+	            Yes*                https://atari.com/products/atari-2600-plus
Atari 7800+	            Yes                 https://atari.com/products/atari-7800
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 Gamestation Pro       Yes                 https://www.myarcadegaming.com/products/atari-gamestation-pro


*Requires firmware 2.0.1.5 to be installed on the Atari 2600+.  More info can be found on Atari's website here: 
 https://atari.com/blogs/newsroom/updating-atari-firmware

+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/


*** HOW TO PLAY ***

THE STORY
---------
It seems ridiculous - and too good to be true. Are there really
suitcases full of money at the top of those unfinished skyscrapers
downtown? And those suitcases, they’re just there for the taking?
You would never have believed it except that the guy who told
you about it, a regular union guy like you, just bought a brand
new Corvette. You know that two weeks ago he didn’t have
that kind of money, so you guess he’s telling the truth.
When you asked him how come he didn’t get the rest of
the suitcases, he got an odd look on his face and wouldn’t
say another word. Strange...


OBJECTIVE
---------

Climb those 48-floor buildings to grab the cash-filled suitcase at the top of each one -
watch out for falling bricks and those creepy critters, though!


GAME CONTROLS
-------------

Push forward on the joystick to climb up a girder to the next floor. Push left or right
to shimmy left or right. To lift your man’s legs, push the joystick button. His legs will
drop automatically. To collect prizes and suitcases you must touch them.


STARTING OUT
------------

Use the GAME SELECT switch or joystick to choose a game mode: NORMAL, HARD,
or SPEED CHALLENGE. Press GAME RESET or the joystick button to start a game.

*NOTE: Only NORMAL mode is available in the demo version and is displayed as "DEMO".


CREATURES
---------

Touching any creature from the side or from underneath will knock your
man off the building. You can jump over all the creatures in the
game, but for extra points and fun, lift your legs and
position your man so that when his legs come down,
they come down directly on top of a creepy
creature - it’ll be Squished!

Watch out, though - after a moment or two, the creature will
turn white with rage and pop back up, looking for revenge!
YOU CANNOT SQUISH A WHITE CREATURE!


LIVES
-----

You begin each game with four lives, one in play and three extras. The extra
lives are displayed along the bottom of the screen.
You can have up to 127 extra lives, but only six will be displayed. If you get
knocked off the building by a brick or a creature, you lose one life. Collect
a prize to get a bonus life. There is only one prize per building, and they do
not move.

*** SAVING HIGH SCORES WITH ATARIVOX / SAVEKEY ***

This feature is only available in the full version of Squish 'Em Deluxe.

*** SPEECH WITH ATARIVOX *** 

If you have an AtariVox, you can use it to hear speech during game play. To hear the
speech, make sure to connect the AtariVox to a speaker with the
volume turned up.

NOTE: Only a subset of the speech phrases are available in the demo version.


*** HINTS *** 

- You’ll hear falling bricks just before you can see them. 
Know when they are coming and be ready to dodge!
- If you need a breather you can safely rest on the same floor as the suitcase – no
bricks will fall when you are that high up the building.
- Some of the creepy creatures cannot always be jumped over or squished! Be careful
and watch your timing.
- Your legs will straighten immediately as you start to climb. This can leave you
vulnerable, but you can also use it to your advantage!


*** CREDITS ***

- Original game design: Tony Ngo, 1983
- Programming and manual text: Bob Montgomery
- New Graphics: Nathan Strum
- Music: Tommy Montgomery
- Packaging illustrations: Dave Dries and Nathan Strum
- Packaging layout: Nathan Strum
- Code Optimization: Thomas Jentzsch
- Testing: James O’Brien (ZeroPage Homebrew), Steve Ramirez (sramirez2008),
  Jürgen Oster (Bomberman94), Nathan Withee (McCallister)

Additional thanks:
- Rebecca, Danny, Mikey, Mercy, Josiah, James, Reuben, and Eden for your patience and enthusiasm, 
  and Dad, for getting that 130XE so many years ago.

Published by: Champ Games

Copyright (C) 2007, 2025 Bob Montgomery

For more information, please visit our website at https://champ.games and follow us on 
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/champdotgames
