Introduction

You must guide M.A.D. (Miniature Android Debugger) through the circuits of a silicon chip at the heart of a futuristic arcade machine; picking up all the stray bits, and shooting the bugs. Beware of the deadly Glitch.

How To Play

The chip is shown on screen as a maze-like golden circuit board. Scattered randomly around the chip are pulsing geometric shapes. When M.A.D. picks these up (by running over them), 10 points are scored.

There is one octagonal super bit; when M.A.D. runs over this he will change colour. Whilst he is this colour (approximately 20 seconds) he is totally immune to damage from anything.

When M.A.D. is carrying his cargo of bits (maximum of four at a time) and manages to get to the output port (top right corner of the chip), his cargo will automatically be discharged, and he will be awarded bonus points.

When the chip has been cleared of all the stray bits, and they have been outputted, and as long as the Glitch is not active, M.A.D. will go on to the next chip.

There are twelve selectable skill levels, with a different shaped chip at levels 5, 9 and 13. There are a maximum of 99 skill levels.

The Glitch

The Glitch is a fiery ball that enters the chip after a random delay, and floats around accompanied by an ever-increasing heart-beat. When the heart-beat reaches a climax the Glitch explodes violently, burning the chip irreparably and losing M.A.D. one of this three lives.

M.A.D. has a cannon with which to protect himself. This fires a pulse of electrons (the only way to destroy the Glitch). If he hits a bug with the pulse, the bug will degenerate to its egg state (they can hatch at any time!).

There is also a radar scope to help the player divert M.A.D. away from mobile bugs.

Time Limit

The chip must be cleared within 100 time units, otherwise M.A.D. will lose a life.

Scoring

Bonus points are awarded when a chip is successfully cleared, and when a Glitch is destroyed.

Discharging cargo awards bonus points as follows:

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1. Switch off computer and remove all cartridges.
2. Hold down the START key and turn the computer on.
3. Press play on tape.
4. Press any key on computer.
5. When the game has loaded, it will go automatically to the demo mode.