Mercs 3 player run, now it is time to get back to RPGs. Hopefully this run covers your hankering for some Halo Warthog action until we get an XBox Emulator here.
  • No damage taken
  • Controls 3 players
  • 3 nameless, shirtless dudes save the President. Again.
  • No dinosaurs to speak of.
  • FBA v.5 (Important for sync: uncheck use M68000 assembly core)
Quick primer: Bombs do 14 damage per interval, while normal shots do 5. Bombs also clear the screen of bullets, missiles, etc. Bosses have a long invulnerability period at the start.
Level 1: A ridiculously short level. Seriously.
Level 2: WARTHOG ACTION! Only 2 Tanks can be on spawned at once, I use this to my advantage in planning my driving route. I prevent the two tanks that would have blocked my path from Spawning. I have the boss destroy the vehicle so I can fire bombs.
Level 3: I use the bomb to clear bullets trick against the tanks, to allow my team to keep walking.
Level 4: I bomb the house to allow me to keep moving faster. The water part was actually very difficult to keep the boats alive. Also, the boats are like bumper cars, so I had to be careful to have them not touch.
Level 5: It is impossible to get the Warthog past that blockade, without spending the time to destroy the tank. Thus, I let the truck kill the warthog, in the best place to keep me moving forward. Also, the first time the bar comes up for the train boss, damage does nothing. It has to move up, and then back down for damage to count.
Level 6: Lots of unavoidable tank battles here. Also, I wait to use bombs until the last moment, when the boss fires its missiles. For entertainment, ya know.

Nach: This was a tough one. Great run, and great audience response. But there is the question of how this stacks up against the Genesis run. Are they different enough? Or is one run better than the other?
I watched each run several times, and I felt each had its own uniqueness to it. While the games are quite similar, the playing fields are not completely identical. Each also seems to have different timing for different events. In terms of true competition, I would not compare the records of one against the other. In terms of entertainment, each had its own flavor to offer. The one player versus three also greatly helped to differentiate the runs. Some may feel that this game is too easy with three players, and easier to follow the action with just one, while others would prefer to see the game dominated, and enjoy the coordination.
Therefore, I'm accepted this run on its own, and not as an improvement on the Genesis version.

Brandon: Publication underway.
Spikestuff: As a warning. Compared to other FBA Movies there is notable a/v desync after dumping. Be sure to resync it.


TASVideoAgent
They/Them
Moderator
Joined: 8/3/2004
Posts: 15629
Location: 127.0.0.1
This topic is for the purpose of discussing #3034: DarkKobold's Arcade Mercs "3 player" in 10:23.03
MESHUGGAH
Other
Skilled player (1920)
Joined: 11/14/2009
Posts: 1353
Location: 𝔐𝔞𝔤𝑦𝔞𝔯
Very entertaining TAS, I love your "multiplayer" runs, keep up the good work DarkKobold!
PhD in TASing 🎓 speedrun enthusiast ❤🚷🔥 white hat hacker ▓ black box tester ░ censorships and rules...
Former player
Joined: 12/19/2010
Posts: 66
Location: Porto Alegre, Brazil
Awesome... Yes vote :)
Everytime I get home My neighbour's cockroach is in my bed
Site Admin, Skilled player (1255)
Joined: 4/17/2010
Posts: 11495
Location: Lake Char­gogg­a­gogg­man­chaugg­a­gogg­chau­bun­a­gung­a­maugg
Using all default settings (except unchecking use M68000 assembly core) gave me desync 9 times of 10. Once it synced accidentally & i can't repeat that success. I was changing some options... Edit: Weird! When I unpack the emulator archive - the default picture is filtered. But the movie syncs. If I try to switch the filter off - it desyncs & never syncs when I turn everything back. So I need to unpack it again. Does anyone wish to see the filtered HD encode of this? Or teach me to sync it without that filterings.
Warning: When making decisions, I try to collect as much data as possible before actually deciding. I try to abstract away and see the principles behind real world events and people's opinions. I try to generalize them and turn into something clear and reusable. I hate depending on unpredictable and having to make lottery guesses. Any problem can be solved by systems thinking and acting.
Joined: 7/2/2007
Posts: 3960
Looked good to me. What's the differences between the machinegun, bazooka, and flamethrower?
Pyrel - an open-source rewrite of the Angband roguelike game in Python.
mklip2001
He/Him
Editor
Joined: 6/23/2009
Posts: 2227
Location: Georgia, USA
Thanks for the encode! I'm not really sure how I feel about this run. On the plus side: * Three-player action is cool. * In this version of the game, it's actually worthwhile to use multiple bombs on boss fights, unlike in the Genesis run. This makes powerup planning more interesting. * I like the flamethrower :-) * The graphics are definitely better than the Genesis version. The shirtless action shots between stages are pretty amusing. On the other hand: * There seem to be a lot of missed shots, particularly when riding jeeps. It looks sloppier. * The characters have worse weapons for more stages in the run. * Would taking damage be faster in some spots? For instance, the Genesis run uses damage to go through lasers and to skip fighting some vehicles. * I think the music is actually worse in this version. I'm not sure what to vote yet. I do think this is a pretty good run though. Another question: would this run obsolete the Genesis version of Mercs? Generally, the precedent here is to only keep the original version of the game when the two versions have the same gameplay (however, there's both the Genesis and Arcade versions of Ghouls and Ghosts published on the site...) Lastly, does anyone know why the game would actually FORBID selling the arcade game in North America? It sounds like that's a silly way to lose a bunch of potential business.
Used to be a frequent submissions commenter. My new computer has had some issues running emulators, so I've been here more sporadically. Still haven't gotten around to actually TASing yet... I was going to improve Kid Dracula for GB. It seems I was beaten to it, though, with a recent awesome run by Hetfield90 and StarvinStruthers. (http://tasvideos.org/2928M.html.) Thanks to goofydylan8 for running Gargoyle's Quest 2 because I mentioned the game! (http://tasvideos.org/2001M.html) Thanks to feos and MESHUGGAH for taking up runs of Duck Tales 2 because of my old signature! Thanks also to Samsara for finishing a Treasure Master run. From the submission comments:
Shoutouts and thanks to mklip2001 for arguably being the nicest and most supportive person on the forums.
Skilled player (1652)
Joined: 11/15/2004
Posts: 2202
Location: Killjoy
mklip2001 wrote:
On the other hand: * There seem to be a lot of missed shots, particularly when riding jeeps. It looks sloppier.
Yes, the jeep section I used fire probably too much. However, for normal shots, every button press = 3 shots.
* The characters have worse weapons for more stages in the run.
The first 3 levels, the bosses all die to bombs anyway. Also, the max damage any of those weapons do is 6, as opposed to 5. Not worth getting them unless they are on route. Also, the flame thrower only does 5. I picked it up because I felt it added to entertainment more than strength.
* Would taking damage be faster in some spots? For instance, the Genesis run uses damage to go through lasers and to skip fighting some vehicles.
The lasers I have to wait for in level 5 are insta-kill in the arcade. Otherwise, I preferred a cleaner version, with no damage.
Another question: would this run obsolete the Genesis version of Mercs? Generally, the precedent here is to only keep the original version of the game when the two versions have the same gameplay (however, there's both the Genesis and Arcade versions of Ghouls and Ghosts published on the site...)
I didn't even know the Genesis run existed until after adelikat had told me post-submission. This wasn't my intention, but it is up to another judge to decide. Yeah, uh, my bad.
Lastly, does anyone know why the game would actually FORBID selling the arcade game in North America? It sounds like that's a silly way to lose a bunch of potential business.
For arcade games, I go for the 'base rom' which is usually 'World'. To do the US version, you would need both mercs.zip and mercsu.zip. I've been doing that since TMNT, and this is the first time someone has noticed. I figured the 'base rom' was the best to use.
Sage advice from a friend of Jim: So put your tinfoil hat back in the closet, open your eyes to the truth, and realize that the government is in fact causing austismal cancer with it's 9/11 fluoride vaccinations of your water supply.
Joined: 5/14/2007
Posts: 525
Location: Pisces-Cetus filament
I would have preferred a movie where you aimed for fastest time, but this one was entertaining anyway.
DarkKobold wrote:
mklip2001 wrote:
Lastly, does anyone know why the game would actually FORBID selling the arcade game in North America? It sounds like that's a silly way to lose a bunch of potential business.
For arcade games, I go for the 'base rom' which is usually 'World'. To do the US version, you would need both mercs.zip and mercsu.zip. I've been doing that since TMNT, and this is the first time someone has noticed. I figured the 'base rom' was the best to use.
I think that he is referring to the message that is displayed at the beginning of the game.
AzumaK wrote: I swear my 1 year old daughter's favorite TASVideo is your R4MI run :3 xxNKxx wrote: ok thanks handsome feos :D Help improving TASVideos!
Joined: 12/19/2010
Posts: 126
a yes for me, a multiplayer tas run like this is good to have on the site
live life
Active player (294)
Joined: 12/16/2008
Posts: 458
Location: Houston
vote yes, because I like the resolution, and because bullet hell is a place of your own making
Warepire
He/Him
Editor
Joined: 3/2/2010
Posts: 2178
Location: A little to the left of nowhere (Sweden)
That was pretty sweet, I vote yes.
Joined: 5/12/2009
Posts: 748
Location: Brazil
I liked it. Voted yes.
Joined: 2/6/2011
Posts: 130
Nice and fast run... the Warning at the beginning a bit depressing but meh.
Skilled player (1652)
Joined: 11/15/2004
Posts: 2202
Location: Killjoy
Zeupar wrote:
I would have preferred a movie where you aimed for fastest time, but this one was entertaining anyway.
DarkKobold wrote:
mklip2001 wrote:
Lastly, does anyone know why the game would actually FORBID selling the arcade game in North America? It sounds like that's a silly way to lose a bunch of potential business.
For arcade games, I go for the 'base rom' which is usually 'World'. To do the US version, you would need both mercs.zip and mercsu.zip. I've been doing that since TMNT, and this is the first time someone has noticed. I figured the 'base rom' was the best to use.
I think that he is referring to the message that is displayed at the beginning of the game.
Err, yeah, I guess I didn't finish my explanation - Mercs was available in the american market, but with a different ROM set - the mercsu rom set. That warning is sort of their version of regional encoding. Since each of the regions listed has its own rom set, yadda yada.
Sage advice from a friend of Jim: So put your tinfoil hat back in the closet, open your eyes to the truth, and realize that the government is in fact causing austismal cancer with it's 9/11 fluoride vaccinations of your water supply.
Editor, Reviewer, Experienced player (980)
Joined: 4/17/2004
Posts: 3109
Location: Sweden
>The lasers I have to wait for in level 5 are insta-kill in the arcade. Otherwise, I preferred a cleaner version, with no damage. Just a clarification: those lasers are instant kill in the Genesis version too. The current movie uses the temporary invincibility from the m-bombs to pass through. A previous version took a bullet hit from an enemy to achieve the same thing. Though I like multiplayer movies a lot, in this game it just means you are overstocked on m-bombs and there are no real bossfights. I think I like the version we have better.
NitroGenesis
He/Him
Editor, Experienced player (556)
Joined: 12/24/2009
Posts: 1873
Yeah, the multiplayer is nice, but am I the only one who hated how squished the game looked? I mean, it wasn't wide at all.
YoungJ1997lol wrote:
Normally i would say Yes, but thennI thought "its not the same hack" so ill stick with meh.
Joined: 4/30/2006
Posts: 480
Location: the secret cow level
Skilled player (1652)
Joined: 11/15/2004
Posts: 2202
Location: Killjoy
NitroGenesis wrote:
Yeah, the multiplayer is nice, but am I the only one who hated how squished the game looked? I mean, it wasn't wide at all.
Yeah, that was my crappy encode, and not the game. The game in the emulator looks much fatter. Hence why I avoid encoding like the plague.
Sage advice from a friend of Jim: So put your tinfoil hat back in the closet, open your eyes to the truth, and realize that the government is in fact causing austismal cancer with it's 9/11 fluoride vaccinations of your water supply.
Joined: 1/2/2011
Posts: 8
I liked it. Multiplayer arcade action. I actually haven't watched the Genesis version, so as for obsoleting, I have no idea... I definitely think this was entertaining though, Yes vote from me.
Skilled player (1245)
Joined: 12/30/2007
Posts: 486
Location: Hubei,China
Oh,I get a desync at first. Is this run playing in Hardest mode? I can't scan youtube,but I like this game. I give a yes vote and looking forward to watching it.
Do the work.
Joined: 2/14/2010
Posts: 6
I remember the local take away store had a game similar to this. It looks like if it was designed to take the most money off young kids. Good to see these types of games getting tased and completely obliterated. Thumbs up and a "Yes" vote if I wasn't a lurker.
NitroGenesis
He/Him
Editor, Experienced player (556)
Joined: 12/24/2009
Posts: 1873
DarkKobold wrote:
NitroGenesis wrote:
Yeah, the multiplayer is nice, but am I the only one who hated how squished the game looked? I mean, it wasn't wide at all.
Yeah, that was my crappy encode, and not the game. The game in the emulator looks much fatter. Hence why I avoid encoding like the plague.
OK, as soon as I restore all my roms and emus from my backup disk, I'll watch this regularly.
YoungJ1997lol wrote:
Normally i would say Yes, but thennI thought "its not the same hack" so ill stick with meh.
mklip2001
He/Him
Editor
Joined: 6/23/2009
Posts: 2227
Location: Georgia, USA
Ok, thanks for the explanations, DarkKobold. If the Genesis run wasn't published, I'd certainly vote Yes to this. However, in comparison to the Genesis run, I don't feel there's a clearly better run here. The missed shots may not have been your fault, but they don't look as good. The multiplayer aspect doesn't seem as important for this game, since the players hang out together a lot of the time (as opposed to beat-em-ups like Michael Jackson Moonwalker, where each has time to kick the asses of different groups). I'm going to vote Meh. I'd prefer that this movie not obsolete the Genesis run, but I don't care way too much whether it gets published alongside. Nice run, in any case.
Used to be a frequent submissions commenter. My new computer has had some issues running emulators, so I've been here more sporadically. Still haven't gotten around to actually TASing yet... I was going to improve Kid Dracula for GB. It seems I was beaten to it, though, with a recent awesome run by Hetfield90 and StarvinStruthers. (http://tasvideos.org/2928M.html.) Thanks to goofydylan8 for running Gargoyle's Quest 2 because I mentioned the game! (http://tasvideos.org/2001M.html) Thanks to feos and MESHUGGAH for taking up runs of Duck Tales 2 because of my old signature! Thanks also to Samsara for finishing a Treasure Master run. From the submission comments:
Shoutouts and thanks to mklip2001 for arguably being the nicest and most supportive person on the forums.
Joined: 1/27/2011
Posts: 78
Location: Minnesota, USA
HD & SD Encodes forthcoming. Edit: This game has a ridiculous resolution. Escher couldn't have come up with this.
Joined: 1/27/2011
Posts: 78
Location: Minnesota, USA
Here's the HD. I'm working out some kinks in the SD. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1Z_AnJ2UjU