Micro Maniacs
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Micro Maniacs is a video game made by Codemasters for the PlayStation. The game can be played up to 8 players using a multitap or on time trial on a single controller. It takes up one block of a memory card and is Analog and Vibration compatible. It is rated G 8+.
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[edit] Gameplay
[edit] Objective
Micro Maniacs is possibly set in the near future, where the earth's resources are being depleted and the very planet is at risk. However, Dr. Minimizer has an idea: using a device known as the Minimizer Ray, he will shrink the planet's population to 1/360th of its original size, and so create a world more suitable to our current status.
If this is to be successful, the doctor needs to create a supersoldier: somebody who can prepare the planet for us when we are eventually minimised. In order to do this, the doctor enlists the help of 8 volunteers for an experiment. The experiment consists of racing through various dangerous environments, like kitchens, garages and laboratories, as to ascertain the suitable skills for the supersoldier.
The volunteers (or characters) are each slightly different. None are particularly realistic, but their unusual characteristics allow the characters to make use of various power-ups. These are used to attack your opponents in a race, and include things like black holes, atomic blasts, and laser mines.
Each course is based in a different environment, like a bathroom, a kitchen, a laboratory, a garage, and a bedroom. The goal is to race through the level and be the first to cross the finish line. Each course is marked out with a substance in the environment. These are related to the level in question, and include things like toothpaste, fish food and baked beans.
If a player loses a race, they lose a life, and should all lives be lost, the player needs to start again. However, if they can get 3 1st-place victories in a row, they have access to a bonus level. If they can obtain 30 power-ups in a maze, an extra life is theirs.
If 8 levels are completed in a row with 1 character, a special ending is unlocked for that character.
[edit] Controls
You can use the Analog or the Digital control pad to move. Using the Digital you press X to move and steer by pressing left and right. Using analog you hold the stick forward to go and move the stick left and right to turn. R1 and Triangle jump, L1 and L2 activate attack modes you use by gaining powerups and R2 and Circle can make some funny noises or use special attacks (also gained by powerups). You use the square button to brake.
[edit] Characters
These are the characters you can use, not including the 4 unlockable characters.
[edit] V4
V4 is a man that got severely injured in a motorcycle accident. Dr. Minimizer stuck parts of his wrecked motorcycle inside him so he could stay alive, then he shrank him so he could compete in races. His attacks are Plasma Punch and Energy Trail.
[edit] Maw Maw
Maw Maw was used as Dr. Minimisers "guard dog" he is a crossing of three animals, which are a pig, an ape and Jack Russell, so the scientist shrank him and put him in the races. His attacks are Tongue Grab and Fireball Fart.
[edit] Mesme
Mesme cannot talk due to some tragic thing that happened in her childhood. She has special psychic powers. Her attacks are Nightmare Projection and Psychic Grab.
[edit] Waldo
A rival scientist who was developing a similar device to the Minimizer Ray. However, he was unable to find any volunteers to test it on, so he used it on himself. This backfired, leaving his body much smaller than his head. The doctor agreed to help him if he took part in his experiment.
Waldo has grafted his body into a robotic suit in order to race. Since he has no organic abilities as such, he uses his suit to attack his enemies. His suit can fire a laser cannon and laser mines.
[edit] Pyra
The doctor's unfortunate lab assistant. One fateful night, she accidentally mixed the wrong chemicals for an experiment,which exploded and bathed her in the mysterious cocktail. Now in a state of permanent spontaneous combustion, the doctor is determined to find a cure, but without the original formula has no idea where to begin. Her attacks are Fireball and Flamethrower.
[edit] Vortex
The doctor's student of astrophysics. She has an interest in black holes and requested help from the doctor in this field. He agreed, if she would participate in his experiment. Later the doctor provided Vortex with the power to produce smaller versions of these phenomena.
Vortex can create a White Hole (a white sphere that deflects attack) and a Black Hole(which sucks opponents in should they get too close. When this move is upgraded, the Black Holes become larger and more difficult to avoid.
[edit] Twister
A strange character who has been in and out of an asylum for many years. The doctor enlisted his help as he is unusually nimble for his age, and he seems most comfortable in unusual surroundings.
Twister can use a spinning yo-yo and a tornado attack to attack his opponents.
[edit] Beatbox
A guy who loved to DJ and got modified and shrunk to race. His attacks are Sonic Boom and Shatter Notes.
