4x4 Off-Road Racing - Manual
READY TO ROLL
Gear up and get ready, cause this is rough and tumble, off-road racing
at its grittiest.
You'll start by choosing from four torturous courses. Brave the rugged Baja.
Belt through the sweltering Death Valley. Go "bogging" in the mudflats of
Georgia. Or take on the treachery of Michigan in the winter.
Once you've settled on a course, you pick your rig. Choose between a big
American beast, a classic pick-up, a Japanese import or a British military
vehicle. Your choice MIGHT be determined by the terrain you're going to be
travelling through. But then again, it might not.
Once you get your new 4X4 out of the showroom, bring it over to AUTOPARTS
row. It;s here that you'll make it ALL YOURS. Give it bigger and better
tires. Build in more power. And equip it with all the extras you'll need to
get past the finish line.
Finally - when you're sure that it's all just perfect - you're ready to put
your 4X4 to the true test: The Race. But it won't be all that easy. There'll
be armies of obstacles along the way. Dodge'em. Or use'em to make your rig
airborn. There'll be rivers to cross. Ice patches to maneuver. And quick-
sinking mud to worm your way out of. Plus there's the competition: the other
racers. And some of them are downright impolite - and that's putting it
politely.
So get it in gear, bud. And get your 4X4 on the off-road. To victory.
LOADING AND START UP
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For Commodore 64/128:
* Set up your Commodore Computer as shown in the owner's manual. NOTE: for
Commodore 128, set system to C64 mode.
* turn on your computer and disk drive.
* Plug a joystick into port # 2. (Try the EPYX 500XJ joystick for better
maneuverability!!!)
* Insert the 4x4 OFF ROAD RACING diskette into the disk drive and type
LOAD "*",8,1 and press RETURN.
With the EPYX FASTLOAD cartridge:
* Turn on the computer and disk drive.
* Insert the 4x4 OFF ROAD RACING disk into the disk drive, label side up.
* Press the C= (Commodore) key and the RUN/STOP key to load the program.
For the IBM PC and compatibles:
* Set up your IBM PC or compatible as shown in the owner's manual.
* Plug your joystick in as shown in the owner's manual or refer to the
keyboard command card for keyboard controls.
* Insert your DOS disk into the disk drive (drive A on a two drive system)
and turn on your computer.
* When DOS is loaded, insert the 4x4 OFF ROAD RACING disk into the disk
drive, label side up.
* Type the command 4X4, and press ENTER to load the program.
Pick your own Torture Test
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once the loading sequence is complete, press the FIRE BUTTON to view the
SELECT TERRAIN and SELECT LEVEL screen. It is here that you determine just
WHERE it is you plan to punish your customized super rig.
Select Terrain
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Choose between four types of treacherous terrain. Each has its own breed of
excitement and challenge. To select one of the four areas, move the
joystick FORWARD or BACK to highlight the TERRAIN of your choice. Then move
the joystick RIGHT or LEFT to select your LEVEL.
1) BAJA - 1,000 miles of the roughest, toughest, survival tests on earth.
From dry dusty desert and caked, crusty lake beds to boulder-stewn
mountain plateaus. Take it head on - if you can.
2) DEATH VALLEY - They don't call it what they call it for nothing. This
treacherous desert terrain will rip your spirit as harshly as it rips into
your truck. So try and keep your cool. No matter how hot things get.
3) GEORGIA - If you like mudbogging, you're going to go for this trip in a
big way. Mile after mile of some of the slimiest stuff the Eastern
Seaboard has to offer. So get out there and get in it.
4) MICHIGAN - Snow. Ice. Mud. And winter madness. When it comes to finding
nature at her worst, this place has got it. Make sure you've got the
right tires. (And make sure your heater works.) Then punch it!
Select Level
~~~~~~~~~~~~
You can adjust your races for different levels of off-road prowess. Choose
your LEVEL by pressing the joystick UP and DOWN to highlight your choice.
When both your TERRAIN and your LEVEL have been selected, press the FIRE
BUTTON.
These are the LEVELS you can choose from:
1) BEGINNER - This is a good place to start. At this level, you don't
customize your truck. You go directly to the race. And your truck
automatically has very high endurance.
2) AMATEUR - As you build initial confidence, move up to this gear.
3) SEMI-PRO - For a true 4X4 torture test.
4) PROFESSIONAL - You've gotta be crazy to try this one!
Choosing your Four Wheeler
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There are four different types of basic trucks to choose from. They are:
THE STORMTROOPER, FROM COX MOTORS - This big American workhorse comes with
build-on "cap". So you can save your money for some of those big American
tires.
TARANTULA, MADE BY VENERABLE MOTORS - A heavy metal American pick-up that's
built for action. ANY kind of action.
THE HIGHLANDER, BY TARTAN LORRIE - From Great Britain, this
military-styled, jeep-like vehicle was designed for the bleaker reaches
of Her Majesty's empire.
THE KATANA, FROM OYAMA MOTORS CORP - Don't be fooled by the sleek styling
of this peppy Japanese import. It's as tough as it is fun to drive.
Each truck is rated for these seven factors:
POWER - This is a combination of the truck's horsepower (how much it can
handle) and gear output (how fast it accelerates).
WEIGHT - The lighter your rig, the better your speed, MPG, and
maneuverability. A heavier truck burns more fuel - but it also takes more
punishment.
GAS MILEAGE - This is your truck's estimated miles to the gallon (MPG). But
remember: if your truck is weighted down with too much equipment, you'll
burn gas at a faster rate.
ENDURANCE - How much your truck can take before you have to take it in for
repairs.
E.R.F. (Ease of Repair) - How long it takes to repair it.
PAYLOAD (VOLUME) WITHOUT CAP - How much your rig can carry without a camper
back.
PAYLOAD (VOLUME) WITH CAP - How much your rig can carry with a camper back.
FUEL CAPACITY - How big your fuel tank is. Or, more importantly, how far
you can go before you run out of gas.
TO CHOOSE YOUR TRUCK - To view your options, cycle through them by pressing
the joystick FORWARD or BACK. When you've reached a decision, press the
FIRE BUTTON.
Outfitting your Rig
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once you buy your basic truck, you're ready to equip and customize it.
After your press the FIRE BUTTON to purchase your selection, you'll be
wisked downtown to auto-parts row. It's here that you'll put those
finishing touches on your 4X4 rig. And it's here that you choose exactly
what you want your truck's speciality to be.
This is where careful strategy and planning play a part. The parts you
choose have something to do with WHERE you're going to be racing. (You're
not as likely to overheat in a cooler climate. And be sure to keep an eye
on your weight and volume!) And a whole heck of a lot to do with WHAT you
like.
There are two different stores you'll want to check out. To do this, move
your man up to the door or window of the store and press the FIRE BUTTON.
Here's what you'll find in each store:
The Custom Shop
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is where you buy the stuff that makes your truck totally unique. And
totally yours. You'll find:
A WINCH - It goes on the front of your rig. And when you have to pull
yourself out of a sticky situation - like a mud bog - it could save you
valuable time.
EXTRA CAPACITY FUEL TANK - A handy item. Because when your first tank runs
out of gas, you can just switch to this second tank. It'll save you
valuable time in a race. And can be a life-saver if you're not near
civilization when your first tank runs dry.
A CAP - A camper that lets you increase your carrying capacity.
TIRES - Choose from standard, mudder and all-terrain tires. Try to pick the
right tires for the right course. And remember to make sure your spares
match up.
TO PURCHASE ANY OF THE ABOVE CUSTOM ITEMS - Use your joystick to move the
"hand" on to the item and press the FIRE BUTTON.
TO RETURN ANY OF THE ABOVE CUSTOM ITEMS - Use the same procedure as you
used for purchasing them. NOTE: EXCEPT FOR TIRES. To return or change
tires, simply point to the tire of your choice and press the FIRE BUTTON.
TO LEAVE THE CUSTOM SHOP - Use your joystick to place "the hand" over the
"EXIT" sign and press the FIRE BUTTON.
The Auto Mart
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here's where you gear up on essential items you'll need for your trip. Plan
carefully, and keep an eye on your volume, weight, and cash.
TO BUY THESE ITEMS - Use your joystick to place the "hand" over the item
you wish to purchase, then press the FIRE BUTTON to buy it. NOTE: The text
at the bottom of the screen will tell you what the item is, how much it
will cost, and how much weight and volume it will add to your rig.
Here are some of the items you'll be able to purchase:
WATER - Some places need it more than others.
OIL - If you get a leak, you're gonna need this.
COOLANT - Consider the weather and terrain you'll be racing on. You may
need coolant if your radiator gets smashed.
TRANSMISSION FLUID - You never know....
EXTRA BATTERY - Is it worth the added weight?
SPARE PARTS - Always handy.
SPARE TIRES - At least take ONE.
A MECHANIC - Heavy? Sure. But a real time saver when it comes to repairs.
A SIX-PACK - It's up to you.
A CAN OF GAS - It can't hurt to be prepared!
A MAP - It comes in handy when you want to see where you are in the race.
A FLASHLIGHT - Saves time with under-hood repairs.
TOOLS - Just about a necessity.
TO SEE WHAT YOU'VE BOUGHT - Use the joystick to place "the hand" over the
"MENU" box and press the FIRE BUTTON. Move the joystick UP or DOWN to cycle
through all the items. When you're done, press the FIRE BUTTON again.
TO RETURN AN ITEM - Use your joystick to place "the hand" over the "REFUND"
box and press the FIRE BUTTON. Move the joystick UP or DOWN to cycle
through all the items. When the item you wish to return is highlighted in
red, move the joystick RIGHT or LEFT to return the highlighted item. Then
press the FIRE BUTTON to reactivate the hand.
TO LEAVE THE AUTO MART - Use your joystick to place the "hand" over the
"EXIT" sign and press the FIRE BUTTON. This will take you back outside the
shop.
The Race is On
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once you've customized your rig and purchased your equipment, you're ready
for the big race.
TO START THE RACE - move your "man" (using the joystick) over to the far
right section of the screen. Then press the FIRE BUTTON. You will now be
instructed to flip the disk over. Do so and press the FIRE BUTTON when
prompted.
Go For It
~~~~~~~~~
The day you've been working and waiting for is finally here: the day of the
race. It's the day you test your truck, your talents and your instincts
against nature herself - and against the other 4X4s in your class. When the
man at the start of the race waves the green flag, put the pedal to the
medal!
TO START YOUR ENGINE - press the FIRE BUTTON
TO STEER RIGHT OR LEFT - move the joystick RIGHT or LEFT
TO ACCELERATE - press the FIRE BUTTON
TO SLAM ON BRAKES - push joystick FORWARD
Warning: Crashing early in the race makes it difficult to catch up to the
other racers.
The Dashboard
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As soon as you start logging on the miles across the countryside, keep an
eye on the dashboard. It can give you lots of valuable information.
Here's what you'll find:
!---------------------------------------------------------------------!
! |- Game Time |- Condition of Engine Parts -| !
! | \|/ \|/ !
! | | | !-----------------------------! !
! | \|/ \|/ ! | X | X | X | X | X | ! !
! --> 8:00 MPH RPM !-----------------------------! !
! /|\ /|\ ! | X | X | X | X | X | ! !
! | | !-----------------------------! !
!----------------------|--------|-------------------------------------!
Speedometer Tachometer
Reading the condition of your engine parts
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Damage done to an engine part varies. It all depends on WHAT exactly you
did to it. And, of course, WHAT SHAPE the part was already in when the
damage was done.
Your dashboard controls give you clues to the degree of damage a part has
suffered by color. Here's how it works:
GREEN - low damage
BLUE - medium damage
YELLOW - severe damage
Damages
~~~~~~~
On trips like this, it's almost impossible to avoid some kind of damage or
mishap. When the damage is major, a special DAMAGE SCREEN will show you
where the damage is and what's needed to repair it.
The DAMAGE SCREEN will also give you clues as to how bad the damage really
is. Because if time is starting to get tight, (near the end of a race) you
may only want to repair whatever is absolutely necessary. Here's how to
tell how bad the damage is:
QUESTION MARK - a general breakdown
LIGHTENING BOLT - an electrical problem
THE PART SHOWN - some damage
THE PART IS FLASHING SLOWLY - medium damage
THE PART IS FLASHING RAPIDLY - severe damage
To make a repair WITH the right parts - Using the joystick, point to the
damaged area and press the FIRE BUTTON. The parts you need will appear in
the LOWER row of boxes. The parts you HAVE will appear in the UPPER row of
boxes. To complete the repair, point to the necessary parts you have and
press the FIRE BUTTON. If the gas can icon appears, move "the hand" over it
and press the FIRE BUTTON to top off your tank.
To make a repair WITHOUT the right parts - Point to the sledgehammer and
press the FIRE BUTTON. NOTE: This type of "make-do" repair will get you
back on the road. But with reduced endurance.
To make a repair at CHECKPOINT - Throughout the course you'll encounter
several CHECKPOINTS. The CHECKPOINTS are marked with orange pylons. When
you get to a CHECKPOINT, you will automatically pull in for repairs. All
parts and labor are FREE! You just have to decide if you can spare the time
for repairs! To fill your gas tank before you head out again, place "the
hand" over the gas can icon and press the FIRE BUTTON.
To get back on the road - After your truck has been repaired, point to the
crossed flags and press the FIRE BUTTON.
During the repair procedure, you'll be told how many other vehicles have
passed you. And before you get back on the road, you'll be told how long
your repairs took. NOTE: Certain items you may have purchased - like hiring
the mechanic or carrying a flashlight - will help reduce repair time.
To get back on the road without repairs - If you decide you can continue
the race without repairs, press the FIRE BUTTON.
Vehicular Recovery
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you overestimate the prowess of your 4X4 - or underestimate the dangers
of the terrain - you may find yourself immobilized. Or, in other words:
STUCK. Here are two ways to get yourself out of such messes:
1) Use your winch. To do so, hold down the FIRE BUTTON. This will pull you
out at about 5 miles an hour.
2) "Rock" your way out. If your rig isn't rigged with a winch, you're
going to have to "rock" yourself out. It's not as fast as using a winch
- but it DOES work. To "rock", press the gas pedal (FIRE BUTTON)
repeatedly, over and over until you dislodge your rig. How long should
it take? It all depends... On how thick the bog is. And on how fast you
were going when you hit it. NOTE: "Rocking" may cause damage to your
4X4 - but it may be your only option.
The Other Guys
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Along the way, you may notice other trucks passing you. If you want to win,
you've got to catch up and pass them as soon as you can. (There are up to
16 opponents on each course.)
The Doombuggy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is the most deadly obstacle in the whole race. He's not just another
contender. No way. This guy is out for blood. You'll recognize his menacing
looking black rig right away. And when he tries to ram and bump your truck
off the road, you'll know for sure that it's him. But try not to let him
have a chance. Stay as far away from this dude as possible - no matter what
it takes to do it.
Right Place at the Right Time
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In a race as long as this one, it's often difficult to guage how well
you're doing. Your goal is to finish the race FIRST. So, you'll want to
pass all your opponents and leave them in the dust!
To get an idea of WHEN to be WHERE for a shot at the victor's trophy, keep
an eye on the dashboard clock. The race starts at 8:00 in the morning. In
general, if you reach the first CHECKPOINT by 11:30 a.m. you are making
good time. If you haven't reached it by 1:00 p.m. you should INCREASE your
speed.
If you reach the second CHECKPOINT by 2:30 p.m., you are making good time.
However, your main goal should be reaching the CHECKPOINTS ahead of your
opponents. If your opponents are having trouble on the track you may be
able to afford more time for repairs!
The Party's Over
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You begin the game with "3 lives" per race. Which means you can total
yourself twice ans still bounce back from where you were last seen. But the
race is over when:
1) You lose your third rig - You'll be given a choice between starting the
race over with the same rid, or, you can go back to the beginning and
build up a different one from scratch.
2) You cross the finish line - Your position in the race will be
calculated based on the number of trucks you passed. A score screen
will appear, showing your placement and race time. Excellent race times
will allow you to enter your name on the Hall of Fame screen (available
on Amateur, Semi-Pro, and Professional levels only.) To qualify for
King of the Road, you must race on all four terrains in a level, and
finish with the best times.
Hot Tips for Beating 'em Cold
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
* Remember to pace yourself. The faster you go, the more fuel you'll burn.
And it's a long, long way to the finish line.
* You know those irksome obstacles you're always trying to avoid? Well,
they DO come in handy sometimes. Use them to jump over rivers and mud
bogs.
* CHECKPOINTS are great - IF you can afford the time. So don't make
repairs unless it's absolutely necessary.
4 X 4 OFF-ROAD RACING
Command Card for the Commodore Amiga
Loading and Start Up
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. Set up your system and plug in your mouse. If you're going to use a
joystick to play the game, plug one into port 2. (It's strongly
recommended that you use a joystick to play the game.)
2. Insert the 4 x 4 Off-Road Racing disk into floppy drive 0, label side
up, and turn on the system.
Note: The Amiga 1000 must be booted with Kickstart before you insert the
game disk. Turn on the system with Kickstart version 1.2 in the drive.
(Kickstart version 1.1 may cause graphics flickers during the game play.)
When prompted to insert the Workbench disk, insert the 4 x 4 Off-Road
Racing disk instead.
3. After the program loads, press the fire button, left mouse button, or
Spacebar to continue.
Making a Backup Copy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You can copy 4 x 4 Off-Road Racing to a floppy disk for backup purposes.
See the documentation provided with your Commodore-Amiga for instructions
on copying or duplicating disks. If you use the Diskcopy command, you must
give the backup disk a name other than 4 x 4 (the name of the original game
disk).
To play 4 x 4 Off-Road Racing with the backup copy, follow the instructions
in the Loading and Start up section of this command card using the backup
disk. When instructed by the on-screen prompt, insert your original game
disk into a floppy drive for the copy-protection check. (If your system
uses a single disk drive, remove the backup disk and insert the original
disk at this time). When instructed by the on-screen prompt, remove your
original disk. (If your system uses a single disk drive, reinsert your
backup disk into the drive.)
Keyboard and Mouse Commands
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After the title screen appears, press SPACEBAR or the left mouse button to
see the Select Terrain and Ability screen. For selection screens and game
play, press the following ARROW keys or number keys on the numeric keypad
in place of joystick moves. The mouse can only be used on selection screens
and the repair screen.
ARROW AND KEYPAD KEYS MOUSE MOVES JOYSTICK MOVES
8
/|\ /|\ /|\
| | |
4 <--- 0 --> 6 <-- 0 --> <-- 0 -->
| | |
\|/ \|/ \|/
2
0 ON NUMERIC KEYPAD = LEFT MOUSE = FIRE BUTTON
With the keyboard controls, press the Up or Down Arrow key to highlight an
option. Press the Left or Right Arrow key to move between different
sections of the same screen. After highlighting all the options you want,
press 0 on the numeric keypad to select them and move on to the next
selection screen.
With mouse control, move the mouse to move the hand icon to the item you
want to select. Press the left mouse button to select that item. After
making all selections, move the hand icon to OK or Exit and press the left
mouse button. For example, on the Truck selection screen, select Prev
(previous) or Next to view your truck choices. When the truck you want is
on the screen, select OK.
After you select your truck, you find yourself on a street lined with
shops. Walk in front of the building you want to enter and press the
left mouse button or 0 on the numeric keypad. To see what you've bought
in the Auto Mart, select Menu. With keyboard controls, use the Up and Down
Arrow keys to scroll through your list of purchases. To scroll with mouse
controls, move the hand to one of the scroll arrows and press the left mouse
button. When you are done, select Menu again. To return an item in the Auto
Mart, follow the same procedure selecting Refund instead of Menu. Scroll
through your supplies until the item you want to return is at the top of
the list. With keyboard controls, press the Left Arrow key to return the
item. With mouse controls, select the minus (-) sign between the scroll
arrows to return the item. When you are done, select Refund again. Select
Exit to leave the Auto Mart and return to the storefront street. Entering
the Alpha Racing building, on the right, will start the race.
Press 0 on the numeric keypad to start a new truck after a crash. Then
press it again to accelerate.
To view the Game Options menu, press ESC after the race has started.
Highlight one of the following options: exit to Amiga DOS, build a new 4 x
4, start the race over, or continue the game. Press the left mouse button
or 0 on the numerick keypad to select your option. To restart 4 x 4 from
the AmigaDOS prompt, type 4x4 and press RETURN to load the game. (If your
system has only 512K of memory, you must restart by following the
instructions under the Loading and Start Up section of this command card.)
Press P to pause the game; press it again to resume play. Press S to toggle
the sound on and off.
Note: You don't need to flip the disk in the Commodore-Amiga version of the
game.
Damages and Repairs
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When an engine part is damaged, its corresponding icon on your dashboard
changes color. When the damage is major, you are forced to stop and the
Repair screen appears. If the damage is not major, you can press SPACEBAR
to see the Repair screen.
To make a repair, move the hand icon over the broken part and press the
left mouse button, fire button, or 0 on the numeric keypad.
Evaluate your vehicle's condition, then choose one of several options
indicated by the following icons: dwell/tachometer (quality repair), hammer
(make-do repair), gas can (add gas), map (view your current position and
the position of the checkpoints), or checkered flag (return to the race).
To make your selection, move the hand icon over the appropriate icon and
press the left mouse button, fire button, or 0 on the numeric keypad. To
select the checkered flag icon, press the button or key twice.
Depending on your supplies, some icons may not appear on the Repair screen.
For example, if you did not purchase a map, there will not be a map icon on
the Repair screen. Certain items you may have purchased, such as tools, a
flashlight, or hiring a mechanic, will help reduce your repair time.
The Party's Over
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you wreck your truck three times or cross the finish line, the race is
over. The race is also over if you run out of gas when your gas can is
empty. Select the gas cap and follow the prompts to exit to the Game
options menu.
After you cross the finish line, your position appears on the bottom of the
screen. Your elapsed race time appears on the following scoring screen. To
qualify for King of the Road, you must qualify on all four terrains in your
level, and finish with the best combined time.
Tips
~~~~
Practice as a Beginner because you'll have an unlimited number of lives.
Avoid going off course. It will slow you down and may cause damage.
---
Typed by The Southern Star for M.A.A.D.
