H.E.R.O. - MAME software

Atari 2600 cart. published 41 years ago:

H.E.R.O. © 1984 Activision

There is trouble in the mines! Volcanic activity has trapped numerous miners, and it is your job to save them. As Roderick Hero, you need to make your way through the dangerous mineshaft avoiding the dangerous creatures and lava, and find out where the miners are located before you run out of energy. To help on your mission, Roderick Hero has several useful types of equipment. A prop pack will allow you to hover and fly around the mineshaft and (hopefully) avoid the many dangers within. Your helmet features a short range microlaser beam which can be used to destroy the bats, spiders, snakes, and other creatures you'll encounter in the mines. From time to time, your path through the mine may be blocked by stone or lava walls. You begin each mission with six sticks of dynamite which can be used to destroy these obstacles (be careful you don't blow yourself up, though!). If you run out of dynamite, your laser beam can also be used to destroy the walls, though this will take longer and use up more energy. As the levels progress, the mine shaft will become longer and more maze-like, creatures will more frequently block the path, and lava walls and pools will appear which are dangerous to the touch.

TECHNICAL
Model AZ-036

TRIVIA
H.E.R.O. stands for Helicopter Emergency Rescue Operation.

SCORING
Shoot a critter: 50 points.
Each dynamite stick remaining when miner is rescued: 50 points.
Dynamite a wall: 75 points.
Rescue miner: 1,000 points.

TIPS AND TRICKS
H.E.R.O. HINTS FOR THE HEARTY HERO
Tips from John Van Ryzin (John Van Ryzin collects cameras. He golfs. He camps, and goes canoeing. In addition, he's from New Jersey. But what you must understand about John is, he loves his work. He thrives on it. As proof of this, he belongs to almost every Activision club. No mean feat, that.)

"The mineshafts of Mount Leone present many challenges to a rescuer. I recommend you watch the opening sequence before playing the game. It'll give you a feel for the terrain and help you recognize some of the dangers ahead. Also, the more you play, the better you'll learn your way around the different mineshafts. Since speed in locating miners earns you more points, you'll want to move as quickly and efficiently as possible. Here are a few tips I think you might find useful."

• "The dynamite R.Hero carries is potent. He doesn't need to be right next to a wall in order to blow it up."
• "If R.Hero runs out of dynamite, he can burn through walls with the Microlaser Beam. The closer he stands to the wall, the faster he'll break through."
• "If a lantern goes out, find mineshafts by looking at the rough edges along the bottom of the screen."
• "When flying above the river, ride the ceiling by pushing up as well as to the left or right."
• "Ride rafts whenever possible since it is easier than trying to go under a lava ceiling."
• "A word about tentacles: They don't move too fast, so try to outrun them."

"Hope that helps some. You'll discover your own techniques as you plumb the depths of the mine. Let me hear what they are when you emerge from 'down under'."

STAFF
Programmer: John Van Ryzin

PORTS

• CONSOLES:

[US] Sony PlayStation (sept.30, 1998) "A Collection of Activision Classic Games for the Atari 2600 [Model SLUS-00777]"
[US] Sony PlayStation 2 (nov.19, 2002) "Activision Anthology [Model SLUS-20588]"
[EU] [AU] Sony PlayStation 2 (2003) "Activision Anthology [Model SLES-51313]"

• HANDHELDS:

[US] Nintendo Game Boy Advance (dec.9, 2003) "Activision Anthology [Model AGB-BAVE-USA]"
[US] Sony PSP (nov.8, 2006) "Activision Hits Remixed [Model ULUS-10186]"
[EU] Sony PSP (feb.9, 2007) "Activision Hits Remixed [Model ULES-00640]"
[AU] Sony PSP (feb.14, 2007) "Activision Hits Remixed [Model ULES-00640]"

• COMPUTERS:

[US] PC [MS Windows, CD-ROM] (jan.1, 1994) "Activision's Atari 2600 Classics"
[US] PC [MS Windows, CD-ROM] (apr.4, 1995) "Atari 2600 Action Pack"
[US] PC [Microsoft Windows, CD-ROM] (oct.2003) "Activision Anthology: Remix Edition"
[US] Apple Macintosh [CD-ROM] (2003) "Activision Anthology: Remix Edition"

• OTHERS:

[US] Windows Mobile (may.25, 2009) "Activision Anthology (PPC)"
[US] Android (aug.30, 2012) "Activision Anthology"
[US] Apple iPhone/iPad (aug.30, 2012) "Activision Anthology [Model 542727742]"
[US] "Atari Flashback 8" (sept.22, 2017) by AtGames
[US] "Atari Flashback 8 Gold Edition" (sept.22, 2017) by AtGames
[US] "Atari Flashback 8 Gold Activision Edition" (sept.22, 2017) by AtGames

CONTRIBUTE
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