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==---------------------- Metroid for Ti-68K Calculators ------------------------==
== By: Lachprog									==
== Contact info:								==
== Email: lachprog@hotmail.com							==
== Web page: http://tifreakware.net/lachprog/					==
== I can also be reached at TiFreakware (http://tifreakware.net/)		==
== 										==
==										==
== 										==
== This game with all it's components is distributed under the GNU licence. 	==
==										==										//
== 										==
== Version: 1.04		                                           	==
== Release date: 08.04.10                                                        ==
==                                                                              ==
==                                                                              ==
==                                                                              ==
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0. Table of contents
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1. Introduction
2. Requirements
3. Installation
4. Gameplay
5. Controls
6. Weapons
7. Items & Powerups
8. Tips & Tricks
9. Troubleshooting
10.Contact info


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1. Introduction
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Features:
-Grayscale graphics
-Huge maps that will keep you occupied playing for a long time
-Many different weapons including the icebeam ,wawe beam,spazer lazer beam and plasma beam
-Additional weapons like missiles and bombs.
-Many different powerups like the springball, spiderball, Varia suit, high jump boots, space jump, and screw attack.
-A ton of different monsters and creatures throughout the game
-6 different types of metroids, including the almighty mother brain!
-Save game (3 slots)
-Configurable keys and game speed


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2. Requirements
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Calc version: 	  		All 68K calcs (TI89,TI89 Titanium, TI92+ ,Voyage 200 )
Hardware version: 		All
AMS:	¨			2.00 or above
Ram free:			 73753 Bytes
Free Flash memory(archive):	137687 Bytes		
Total size of the game:		137687 Bytes


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3. Installation
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3.1 How to install the game
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1. Locate the files that belongs to your calculator model.
   -If you have a Ti-89 or Ti-89 Titanium, the files are in the 
    "Ti-89 & Ti-89 Titanium" folder
   -If you have a Ti-92+, the files are in the "Ti-92+" folder
   -If you have a Voyage 200, the files are in the "Voyage 200" folder
2. Send all the files in the proper folder to your calculator. 
   You need to have some linking software installed on your computer. 
   Ti-Connect provided by Texas Instruments is an option. ( www.ti.com )
   TiLP is another program you can use. ( www.lpg.ticalc.org/prj_tilp/ )

3. Make sure all files appear in a folder called "metroid". 
   If any files appear in another folder, you must move it to the "metroid" folder.
   If any files is missing, you must re-send them to your calculator.
   The files should be:
   -metromap.tta
   -metrotil.GFX
   -metrospr.GFX
   -metrodat.ppg
   -metroid.ASM
   -runmetro.PRGM

4. Archive all files in the Metroid folder.
  4.1 Press "2nd" and "-" to open the Var-Link.
  4.2 Scroll down to the metroid folder and press "F4".
  4.3 Press "F1" and "8". If the files has been archived properly a symbol should
      now appear next to the file name.

5. Make sure you have enough RAM memory free. You can check this by pressing 
   "2nd" and "6". 
   If the RAM free is to low, you need to free up some RAM. See the Troubleshooting 
   section of this readme.   
   NB:
   It is however highly recomended to archive ALL files on your calculator
   before running any assembly program!


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3.2 How to run the game
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When you have successfully installed the game, you can start it.

The easiest way to run the game is through the Var-Link:
1. Open Var-Link by pressing "2nd" and "-"
2. Scroll down to the "metroid" folder and then further down to the program
   called "runmetro.PRGM"
3. Press "Enter" while "runmetro.PRGM" is highlighted.
4. Now the text "metroid\runmetro(" should appear in the home screen.
5. Add the missing ")" and the game will start.

Alternatively, you can type "metroid\runmetro()" into the home screen directly. 
Remember to use "\" ( "2nd" , "2" ) not "/".


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3.3 Ti-89 Titanium users:
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In order to run assembly games on the Ti-89 Titanium it is neccessarry to install
a tool called HW3Patch. A google search will find it for you.


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4. Gameplay
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The overall goal of the game is to destroy the almighty Mother Brain. She is the 
one who controls all the other metroids and monsters on the planet zebes. 
Mother Brain is hidden deep into the interior of the planet. 
The game is divided into 8 areas. You'll have to pass through all 8 areas 
before you can reach Mother Brain. 

All areas will have their passages to the next area initially drowned in lava. 
To make the lava seas dissappear you'll need to destroy all metroids in the current
area. When you have killed all metroids in an area, an earthquake will occur. 
The shaking will remove the lava that blocks the passage to the next area so you can 
proceed. 

When you reach the end of the final area you will find Mother brain. You need to 
destroy her with your missiles before you can escape from the planet.


Monsters:
Plenty of different monsters resides on the planet. 
When you kill them, they might drop an energy portion or a small amount of missiles.


Metroids:
Those are the most deadly monsters you'll meet in the game. Some of them will shoot
bullets and lightnings at you, so be aware!
You need to destroy all the metroids in an area to unblock the passage to the next
area. Only missiles can hurt the metroids.


Items & Powerups:
You will find many kinds of items and powerups through the game. They offer 
different kinds of upgrades to your abilities. There are also plenty of weapon
upgrades and refills of energy and missiles lying around.


Minimap:
As you explore the rooms in an Area they will appear on the minimap. 
The minimap also has arrows that indicates where the passage to the next and
previous areas are located.


Stat Screen:
The stat screen will show how many metroids are left in the current area and
in the game total. 
Also, it will show how many % of the rooms in the area you have visited.


In-game menu:
You can enter the in-game menu by pressing "ESC". 
Here you can save your progress and change the settings like game speed 
and key controls.



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5. Controls
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5.1 Ti-89 & Ti-89 Titanium Default Controls:
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Arrows Left/Right:   Walk
Arrow Up:            Aim um
Arrow Down:          Duck / Enter morph ball / spring ball / spiderball mode
2nd:                 Jump
Shift:               Swap weapon
Diamond:             Fire
Esc:                 Exit game/Display In-game menu
Enter:               Pause game/Teacher key
APPS:		     Display Stat screen
Clear:		     Display Map

Some of the keys can be changed in the options menu. 


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5.2 Ti-92+ Default Controls:
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Arrows Left/Right:   Walk
Arrow Up:            Aim um
Arrow Down:          Duck / Enter morph ball / spring ball / spiderball mode
F1:          	     Jump
F2:          	     Swap weapon
F5:		     Fire
Esc:                 Exit game/Display In-game menu
Enter:               Pause game/Teacher key
APPS:		     Display Stat screen
Q:		     Display Map

Some of the keys can be changed in the options menu.


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5.2 Voyage 200 Default Controls:
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Arrows Left/Right:   Walk
Arrow Up:            Aim um
Arrow Down:          Duck / Enter morph ball / spring ball / spiderball mode
Hand:          	     Jump
W:          	     Swap weapon
Q:		     Fire
Esc:                 Exit game/Display In-game menu
Enter:               Pause game/Teacher key
Shift:		     Display Stat screen
Clear:		     Display Map

Some of the keys can be changed in the options menu.


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6. Weapons
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6.1 Beam weapons:
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   -Power beam:
    This is your starting weapon. It fires small beams that do little damage on the 
    monsters.

   -Ice beam:
    When you hit an enemy with the ice beam, it will freeze for a period. Fire one 
    more shot, and the enemy dies. Alternatively, you can step on your enemies when 
    they are frozen to reach unavailable areas.

   -Wave beam:
    This beam travels in a wave-like pattern, increasing your accuracy. 
    Also, it can travel through solid walls.

   -Spazer Lazer beam:
    This weapon fires 3 lazer beams in paralell, increasing your accuracy 
    significantly.

   -Plasma beam:
    The most powerful of all the beam weapons. It does a significant damage on 
    your enemies, and it can also travel through solid walls.

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6.2 Additional weapons:
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  -Missiles:   
   You start with a limited amount of missiles.
   Only missiles can open the doors. 
   Only missiles can hurt the metroids. All other weapons are useless against them.


  -Bombs:
   Bombs can be used in Morph ball/Spring ball/Spider ball mode only. Press the fire 
   button to activate a bomb. 
   This can be quite useful to blast open blocked passages etc.



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7. Items & Powerups
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 -Weapon powerups:
  All weapons described above, except the Power beam and missiles needs to be 
  acquired as a powerup before you can use them.


 -Energy ball:
  This will refill your energy to max.


 -Energy Tank:
  This will refinn your energy to max. 
  Also it adds 100 to your max energy.


 -Missile battery:
  This will refill your missiles to max.


 -Missile pod:
  This will refill your missiles to max.
  Also it adds 100 to your max amount of missiles.


 -Spring ball:
  This enables you to jump in morph ball mode!
  Also, it changes your look in morph ball mode.
  To enter spring ball mode, press down.


 -Spider Ball:
  This powerup enables you to crawl up the walls and ceilings in morph ball mode.
  Quite handy to have, as it makes you able to reach new areas. 
  To enter spider ball mode, press down when you are in morph ball or spring ball mode.
  To exit spider ball mode, press the jump button.


 -High jump boots:
  This one nearly doubles your jump height!


 -Space jump:
  This will make you able to do a series of sommersault jumps......


 -Screw attack:
  With this powerup your enemies will be crushed if you hit them while doing the 
  somersault jump.


 -Varia suit:
  This makes Samus able to withstand much more damage.
  Also, it changes the visual appearance of Samus.


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8. Tips & Tricks
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Use the save feature:
-Save your game often. In case you loose, you can continue from the previous
 saved spot.

Hidden passages:
-In some areas there are hidden passages. They are very hard to spot, 
 because they look like normal walls. You have to search for them to find them. 

Powerups:
-All areas has some powerups lying around. Look for them while you play. 
 You'll need them as you progress and the game gets harder. 

Minimap:
-Use the minimap. It will keep you from getting lost.
 Also, it can make it easier to spot hidden areas ;-)

Energy:
-Every creature you meet is a potensial energy source. 
 If you're low on energy, some hunting might pay off ;-)

Missiles:
-Don't waste your missiles, as you only have a limited number of them. 
 You'll need them before you know it...

Bombs:
-Some walls are fragile and can be demolished by bombs.
 Also, it is possible o do small jumps with the bomb:
 If you position yourself close to the bomb the detanation will give you some lift.
 

Leave and re-enter the room:
-If you leave the room, and then re-enters it, all enemies will reset to their 
 starting position. This might help you defeat some of the metroids ;-)


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9. Troubleshooting
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9.1 Specific error messages and how to correct them:
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-Out of memory:
 There is not enough free RAM to launch the game.
 Archive all files belonging to Metroid 68K and all other files on your calculator.
 If archiving all metroid files doesn't solve the issue you'll need to archive 
 some other files on your calc. 
 It is highly recomended to archive ALL files before running any assembly program!!

-Grayscale failed:
 If this error occurs, the reason is most likely not enough free RAM to run the game.
 See above how to correct this.


-Map file not found:
 The file called "metromap.tta" is missing or in the wrong folder.
 Move the file to the correct folder or re-send them to your calc.
 If you get this error message and the file is pressent and in the correct folder,
 you should report the error.


-GFX file not found:
 One or both of the files called "metrotil.GFX" or "metrospr.GFX" is missing 
 or in the wrong folder. 
 Move the file(s) to the correct folder or re-send them to your calc.


-Could not save config:
 If this error message occurs, it is most likely due to to little RAM free. 
 Archive some files to free more RAM. 


-Saving failed:
 If this error message occurs, it is most likely due to to little RAM free. 
 Archive some files to free more RAM. 


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9.2 How to free RAM:
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1. The easiest way is to archive files (move them to Flash ROM).
   To archive a file, open VAR-LINK (2nd, - ) select the file(s) with F4, 
   then press F1 and 8.

2. If you have FlashAPPS installed, these take up RAM as well as FlashROM. 
   You may have to remove FlashAPPS to gain enough free RAM. 
   
   To remove a FlashAPP:
   Open VAR-LINK (2nd, - ), press F/ (the key that specifies "FlashAPP"),
   and delete a FlashAPP by pressing backspace next to the main name.



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9.3 How to free Archive memory / Flash ROM:
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You can do this through VAR-LINK (2nd, - ). 
To remove an archived file you must do the following:
-Select the file(s) with F4
-Press F1 and then 8 (unarchive).
-Then press F1 and 1 (delete).

To remove a FlashAPP:

  Open VAR-LINK (2nd, - ), press F/ (the key that specifies "FlashAPP"),
  and delete a FlashAPP by pressing backspace next to the main name.

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10.Contact info
==================================================================================

Email: 		lachprog@hotmail.com						
Web page: 	http://tifreakware.net/lachprog/
Forum:		http://tifreakware.ath.cx

Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or feedback!

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