River City Ransom
Typed out by tsrken@voicenet.com
NES-DN-USA
River City Ransom
Instruction Manual
American Technos Inc.
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Panic in River City!
"To the citizens of River City: I hold your high school captive! With my gangs
of students and vicious bosses roaming the streets, nobody can stop me now.
Meet my demands - or else!"
Slick, the meanest, most powerful gang lord in River City, has issued this
ultimatum - and the entire town is powerless in a grip of fear!
Fortunately, Alex and Ryan weren't in school the day Slick took it over. But
now, their fellow students are prisoners - including Ryan's girlfriend! It's
up to our two young heroes to battle their way past several dangerous city
gangs, then defeat the gang lord to free the students of River City High and
restore peace to the panic-stricken populace!
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How to play
Start button: Press to start or pause the game.
Select button: Press to see how much money or power you have.
Basic Moves
To move: Use the Control button.
To punch: Press the A button.
To kick: Press the B button.
To jump: Press the A and B buttons together.
To spring: Press the Control button twice in the direction you want to go.
To make a sprinting jump: While running, press the A and B buttons together.
To pick up a weapon: Press the A or B button when you are near the weapon.
To use a weapon: When holding a weapon, press the A button.
To throw a weapon: When holding a weapon, press the B button.
To pick up an enemy: Press the A or B button.
To use an enemy as a weapon: After picking him up, press the A button.
To throw an enemy: After picking him up, press the B button.
Special Techniques
Blocking an enemy's weapon with your bare hands: Use your punch and kick.
Blocking an enemy's weapon with your weapon: Use your weapon against the
enemy's weapon.
Rebound attack: Try this when you are fighting near a wall.
Kicking a weapon: You can kick a weapon and make it bump into the enemy.
Sprinting high jump: When you spring more than 8 steps and jump, you can jump
very high.
Jumping onto a weapon: When you are near a crate, trash can, or tire, you can
jump up onto it. You can still attack your enemies while standing on a
weapon. You can also jump up onto a weapon the enemy is holding. When an
enemy is standing on a weapon, you can pick up both of them at the same
time.
Riding on a tire: When you jump onto a rolling tire, you can run the enemy
down with it.
Human Totem Pole: If your enemy picks up a weapon, you can pick one up also,
then jump on top of the enemy's weapon to become a Human Totem Pole.
Home Run: When your enemy tries to throw a weapon at you, pick up a lead pipe,
swing it and hit the weapon back to him. It could start a baseball game!
All of these techniques can be used individually or together. Make your own
combinations to come up with many different tricks!
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Screen functions
Selecting Message Speed and Skill Level
To select the skill level for the game and the characters, press the Start
button and the screen will change. Press the Control button up, down, left
or right to change the message speed and skill level. Then press the Start
button again to start the game.
Naming the Characters
If you press the Select button when the Game Mode is on the screen, you can
name your characters. Use the Control button to select the letters you want
for your name. Then press the A button after each letter. You can use up to
five letters for one name. If you've made a mistake or want to change a
letter, use AHEAD, BACK or ERASE to change it.
When you have finished naming your character, move to End and press the A
button.
Screen Selector
At the top of the game screen you will always be able to see how much power
and money you have. At the bottom of the screen you will see the messages. But
if you press the Start button during the game, the game will pause and the
messages will change to the Screen Selector.
Use the Control button to select one of the four screens - Belongings, Pass-
word, Status or Level - and press the A button. If you want to cancel this,
press the B button and then the Start button to continue the game.
Password Screen
When the Password Screen appears, the letters shown in the blanks at the top
of the screen make up your password. Each unique password combination repre-
sents the amount of money you have, and your Status.
To input your password: Use the Control button to select the letters for the
password. If you make a mistake, use AHEAD, BACK, or ERASE. After you've
finished inputting the password, press END to finish the password. If you want
to stop inputting the password, press the Start button.
Status Screen
You can also check the Status Screen. If you press the B button, the Selector
Screen will reappear.
Skill Level Screen
You can change the message speed and skill level on this screen. Use the
Control button and press the B button to return to the Selector Screen.
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Checking your status
These items appear on the Status screen
Punch: This shows how much punching power you have. The bigger the number, the
stronger your punch will be.
Kick: This shows how much kicking power you have.
Throwing: This shows how much power you have to throw a weapon or an enemy.
Agility: This shows how quick you are. The bigger the number, the faster you
can maneuver and fight. This is very important.
Defense: This shows how much power you have to defend yourself against enemy
attacks.
Will Power: This shows how much will power you have. The bigger the number,
the longer you can fight - even with low maximum power.
Stamina: This shows how much stamina you have left. Make sure you don't run
out or you'll die.
Max Power: This shows how much of your maximum power is left. If this number
remains high, you will gain Stamina more easily, and be able to fight longer.
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The gangs
Generic Dudes: These no-names have much will power but are very short-tempered
and violent. They like to use weapons when the fight, but they are not very
strong. They have a score to settle with Ryan.
Frat Guys: These poor rich boys have weak characters, and will run away as
soon as they think they are in danger. When they grab a weapon, however, they
change and get violent. They love to throw weapons.
Jocks: They use running techniques and jump tricks. When they have weapons
they never throw them. These bench warmers carry strong grudges against Alex.
Home Boys: These couch potatoes are slow, but fight their enemy with all the
strength they have. Lots of punch power.
Mob: These touch guys are strong, but not good at defense. They also like to
use tires as weapons.
Squids: This bunch of eggheads specialize in kicks and sprinting jumps. When
they have weapons they usually throw them.
Internationals: This group of exchange students prefer to fight with their
bare hands and have tremendous punching power.
Cowboys: They have very little kick power and don't like to attack without
weapons. But when these good ol' boys have weapons, look out.
The Plague: These misfits are very powerful and love to attack using lead
pipes. Be careful and good luck!
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The characters
Moose: He doesn't have much power, and has a weak character. He's basically a
two-bit thug who takes orders from Rocko.
Benny & Clyde: These guys are out-of-towners and are only in River City
because they like a good fight. The two of them are very mean and cunning.
Rocko: He is the head of the Mob gang. Like most gangsters he has a very
strong attack, but a weak defense.
Blade: One of the Zombies, he has a very violent character and appears quite
strong. In reality he's not so powerful.
Mojo: Another Zombie, he is a dangerous opponent. In a rumble, he prefers to
fight with weapons instead of his bare hands.
Turk: This guy, the third Zombie, is a quick thinker and confuses his oppo-
nents by his quick moves.
Thor: He is the son of a rick local banker, but don't let his social standing
fool you. He is a mean fighter and the leader of the Zombies.
Otis: Though not too strong, he is very clever. His sharp tactics make him
very difficult to defeat.
Ivan: Ivan guards the gate to River City High for the Dragon Twins. He knows
many tricks and is one touch opponent to beat.
Tex: He's the ornery head honcho of the Cowboys gang. He is at his toughest
with a weapon in his hand. So watch out!
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Earning money
You can earn money by defeating your enemies. These are the amounts you will
earn.
Gangs
Generic Dudes $.50
Frat Guys $.55
Jocks $.60
Home Boys $.75
Mob $.90
Squids $1.00
Internationals $1.50
Cowboys $1.20
The Plague $1.25
Bosses
Moose $2.25
Benny + Clyde $2.50
Rocko $3.00
Blade $3.50
Turk $3.50
Mojo $3.50
Thor $3.75
Otis $4.00
Ivan $8.75
Tex $9.50
Randy + Andy $18.00
Simon ?????
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The weapons
You may find these weapons being carried by enemies, or they may be lying in
the roads.
Lead Pipe
Stick
Chain
Trash Can
Crate
Tire
Brass Knuckles
Rocks
Press the A and B buttons to pick a weapon up. Press the A button to swing it,
or the B button to throw it at the enemy.
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Locations
These are the scenes you will be passing through.
Grotto Mall
Waterfront Mall
Flatirons Mall
Oak Hill Mall
Sherman Park
Capitol Ave. Bridge
WSL Co. Warehouse
Armstrong Thru-Way
Vacant 3rd Wheel Factory
Sticksville
Downtown
Burb Village
River City High
Cross Town High
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The shops
All the shops are in the shopping malls. These are three types:
a) Take-out
b) Eat-in
c) Do both
Buying things in the shops
When there are two players, player one buys first. When you go inside, the
person inside will ask what you would like. There will be a menu to choose
from. Use the Control button (up or down) and press the A button when you have
decided. Then the person will make sure the order is right. Use the Control
button (left or right) to answer the question. If you select Nothing or No,
you will be able to leave the shop.
Main Menu Screen
When you enter some shops, the first screen will be the Main Menu. This menu
shows you the different types of items available in the shop. Make your
selection and then the menu that has those items with prices on them will show
up on the screen.
If you select Main Menu or press the B button, you will return to the Main
Menu screen.
After you've ordered, the person inside the shop will ask "Is that all?" If
you select YES, you are able to leave the shop. If you select NO, the screen
will show the menu again from the beginning.
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List of Shops
Bookstore (A type): They sell books about "Tricks". The books are expensive -
but if you buy them, you'll gain valuable fighting skills.
Coffee Shop (B type): If you're tired, take a break and refresh yourself -
without spending much money.
Bread Shop (A type): This is the cheapest shop for take-out food, but it might
not help much if you are very hungry.
Drugstore (A type): This shop can really help when you're low on Stamina. The
owner says, "RECHARGE! really gets you going."
Fast Food (C type): When you're looking for just a little something to tide
you over, try this shop. You can eat in or take out.
Sushi Bar (B type): There are all different kinds of sushi here. Try a mixed
roll - it's delicious! But don't eat too much, or you'll gain a lot of weight.
Shoe Shop (A type): If you buy shoes, you'll gain more Agility. There are many
shoes to select from - try a pair!
Note: Make sure you have enough money, because there are many more shops.
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Take-Out Items
After you buy something and take it out of the shop, change the screen to
BELONGINGS. When you drink, eat or use what you have selected, the item will
disappear from the screen. Shoes and books will have a # mark to show that
you are using them.
Tricks
When you buy a book of Tricks, you will be able to use the Tricks instantly.
Stone Hands: It's a very quick punch - so quick, your enemy won't be able to
get up once he's down.
Dragon Feet: The same as Stone Hands. A very quick kick - but it can be even
more powerful than the punch.
Grand Slam: When you have a weapon in your hand and swing it at your enemy,
it hits them very hard. So make sure that the weapons stay on your side!
Fatal Steps: Just jump on your enemy while he is lying down. You'll be able
to beat him in a flash!
Acro Circus: With this Trick, you turn a normal running jump into a spinning
acrobatic attack. Spin around the whole place and beat them all!
Javelin Man: Here's a Trick that works like magic! All you have to do is pick
up an enemy who you've beaten down to the floor, and throw him at another one.
Both of them will stay away from you for the rest of their lives!
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Playing hints
- Watch how your enemy's personality changes - they may get angry and violent,
but they may become weak and run away too. It all depends on which Gang
they're from.
- Don't beat your enemy too soon. During a long fight, watch his changing
reaction. He'll also start talking!
- Check your Status Frequently, and try to make your character as strong as
possible. He can be stronger than any of the Bosses!
- Try to do many different Tricks. You could find a new Trick that nobody else
knows!
- Don't forget about your shopping - to be strong, you need Power. If you buy
special things, you'll have Special Powers, and your Status will get higher.
So shopping is very important!
- Try anything - you can make your own exciting game. Anything may be possible,
but don't forget, you'll have to be strong.
Good luck!