Editor, Expert player (2353)
Joined: 5/15/2007
Posts: 3949
Location: Germany
Known as "King of the Zoo" in Europe. Most sources state that this game continues indefinitely but there is actually an ending sequence that unlocks after winning 40 matches which only very few people know about. Here is a playthrough that unlocks the ending: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GE_mdeb8g7I There is also a level cheat but I'm not sure if it allows you to reach the ending quicker. I'm making this post just so this information doesn't get lost.
Editor, Expert player (2353)
Joined: 5/15/2007
Posts: 3949
Location: Germany
The level select cheat allows you to select a level in steps of 4 with 37 being the maximum. I tested it and beating level 37, 38, 39 and 40 will trigger the ending sequence. After an adversary or a bonus stage is beaten you can hold the A button to end the score tallying. If you do two perfect games (10 balls on the enemy side) without losing, you will get a bonus stage. To fastest way to skip it is to lose 1 match on purpose for each opponent. The bonus stage will even appear after level 40. My suggestion for a TAS is to start from level 37 and beat every opponent twice while losing once. This should result in a 3~4 minutes TAS. EDIT: It looks like using a level select is against the rules. So it cannot be submitted unless someone will run all 40 levels (~45 minutes), which I will not be doing.
Editor, Expert player (2353)
Joined: 5/15/2007
Posts: 3949
Location: Germany
The RTA community simply runs until the first congratulations screen and calls that "Beat the game". https://www.speedrun.com/penguin_wars?h=Beat_the_Game&x=zdnr13x2 I made a run that uses the level select code and reaches the credits. The time is 4:23.66. https://tasvideos.org/UserFiles/Info/638769496191691263 Since it's not a legit category I will not try to improve it or submit it. Some notes: RNG for the first match changes depending how long you wait on the character select screen. The speed at which the balls drop down on you when a match starts can also be manipulated this way on the character select screen. But after that there are no easy ways to manipulate anything. When the opponent tries to push all the balls then I often opted for that to be the match I'm losing whereas when the opponent tries to hold onto the ball and charge, I would try to hit him first and make that a winning match. There doesn't seem to be the one correct way to win matches since every match is slightly different with the speeds at which the balls drop on you and the opponent's behavior which cannot really be manipulated. The opponent's behavior can be slightly affected depending on your positioning and if you are charging your ball, but that's all I found you can do to manipulate luck. I see two possible legit categories for TAS. 1) Play all 40 levels, reach the credits 2) Play the first 4 levels, reach the first congratulations screen (same as RTA community)

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