Brickout Strategy

!Strategies/Questions/Discussions for the game and High scores!

wHAT IS THE BEST COMPATIBILITY SYSTEM TO CHOOSE FOR PLAYING WINBRICKOUT ON wINDOW xp? (IN COMPATIBILITY FOR WIN98, THE BALL GOES TOO SLOW TO COMPLETE BONUS LEVEL 4 :-( )

Does anyone have a list of which fruits/veggies appear on which levels and if you require a fruit capsule or musical bricks to reveal them? There's at least three I still can't find! Also has anyone noticed that on some levels, there are no fruits, even if you catch a fruit capsule?

-jimmyshoes 24th June 2004

***NEW*** I HAVE QUESTION -- HOW DO YOU BEAT LEVEL 8 ON MANIA LEVELS??? THE EYE...EVERY TIME I GET THE BALL IN THE TELEPORTER, I LOSE A BALL! HELP PLEASE!

-Alex

I hate this level beyond almost all levels (it's surpassed only by level 21, or whichever one that is that has the four pairs of trigger switches surrounded by gray bricks on the sides). I don't get through this level very often, but here are some tips: (1) Sometimes I try to get rid of all the bricks on the sides of the central chamber, in hopes of getting a "3" capsule, which, with any luck, will give a bomb ball so I can blast the bottom of that chamber out. If you don't get a bomb ball, then at least you have three different balls that you can aim for the teleporter, which slightly increases your chances. You'll also be so busy trying to juggle the three balls that you may make a lot of progress without realizing it. :) (2) If you see a Warp capsule come down, grab it. It's usually easier to aim the ball for the warp tunnel than for the teleporter. (3) This level is MUCH easier if you have catch on your paddle. So much so, that it's worth passing over some other capsules to keep the catch (if you don't have the pearl ball). (4) Play in "Aim for Levels" mode and avoid this level for as long as possible. :) --Kathy

I find it sometimes helps if you have a catch going into this level. Then get the ball and PLACE it over the teleporter moving up. It will become an eyeball and teleport into the center box. Grab all the capsules. You wil probably get a 3 ball, maybe more than one. Generally one bomb ball will come out and you can blast away the center box. This level is base evil.

-Daryl

Hey everyone I've got this rad beyond rad cheat. To advance or go down levels, just press the + and - keys. Dont know if this is ancient history but just in case....

-JPSquirrel

Hey, JP, you have to pause the game then do it. Also, if you start a new game when you're skipping, it starts on that level but you can't get a high score.

i've got a question: anyone notice the mushroom-like thing embedded in the right-most gold brick in the "hit the red triggers" level? i've tried to hit it several times with the ball, even tried to bomb it but nothing happens. it doesn't always show up, either. no idea how or why it shows up. thanks!

    The mushroom is a fruit/vegetable , and appears only when you get the fruit capsle, but since it is in the music notes you shouldn't have any trouble getting it.  ---PJA

***NEW***OK -- so if you can't bomb it out how do you get it? Thx. gw

I've gotten the mushroom by getting the radiated Umphee to blow up (thus giving me the red Umphee ball) in the level BEFORE the one with the 'shroom. It stays red for the following level (be sure not to get a bonus level at this point). Then in level two, I aimed the radiated Umphee ball at where the mushroom would later appear, blowing out those golden bricks, then lost the ball and proceeded to get the fruit capsule, which makes the mushroom appear, now floating in mid-air. It's not a long, high-scoring game strategy, but then at least you have the mushroom in your collection and you never need to go through all that bother again. --Jbug

I'm still in beginner mode and notice the Umphee doesn't appear in all the levels, why's that? If I accidentally squish it does it not show up, or does that even matter?

Mind Games: That evil level in the Mania Levels level set. The harder you try the more your brain will fry. The key to this level is to not try so hard. Let it flow...

AUGH!! how do you let it flow? i just about went nutso's - chimie

The only way I've gotten through this level rather easily is to have the green paddle (preferrably with the pearl ball achievement, too) ahead of time. Otherwise, I can lose ball after ball after ball, and sometimes I quit just because I hate this level so much!! So, what does this mean to "let it flow"??

Letting it flow does little. I agree, the only way to finish this level is to have a pearl ball catch, then learn the sequence to get the center gates open. Then you have to angle the ball on the bottom row center, and pick them off a brick or two at a time. That's why you need the pearl ball. Once you get the the center button pushed, it's a lot easier.

Also, question about the screen "DinoMite" (can't remember the level number) in the Standard Levels -- this seems so.. boring compared to the others before and after. I keep thinking there's something I'm missing here. The "dinomite" makes me think I'm supposed to blow something up -- am I? And is there a way to get decent points in this level, or it is just a break from the busy ones that come before it? Thanks! :-)

Anyone have any suggestions on how to easily get the eyeball achievement on the first level? I get it but it's so frustrating and repetitive! On the first level, you need to get the ball moving horizontally through the teleporters. I have found that nothing gets that ball moving horizontally better than a bubble. So try to use them!

The EASIEST way to do this is to have a green paddle in a level with a telaporter near the bottom of the screen. Either move the ball quickly over the telaporter, or, in the mania levels, just place the ball there, and hold on.

I learned that the pearl ball opens the chest, but do you get anything by putting a ball in it? I tried, but it would not go in.

Try filling it with gold coins!

How do you get coins in it? Put the coin ball there?

*********Get the Five coins, then open the chest*******

What are the "Five coins"?

************You get a coin when you conk Sr. Umphee with the orange ball, do it 5 times (you have to actually catch the coins when they fly up) and you will have 'the five coins'********

I had the pearl ball achievment but the ball was actually purple and i hit the treasure chest and it didnt open. Do you need to use the actual peach colored pearl ball or what?-nop *Yah, you do*

Thanks

Your pearl ball was purple?!?!?!? -JP Squirrel

I actually got the five coins in the chest but didnt notice any thing special...Whats supposed to happen?

Supposedly, the coins start flying around the screen, but otherwise you just get an achievement. It's nearly impossible. -papa squirrel The answer is on AchievementsAndHowToGetThem

Does anyone know how to get the umphee to fly up in a bubble? It happened to me once and i didnt know how. -nop

If you drop a bubble ball, the unphee will sometimes walk over to it and blow a bubble, carrying up into the bricks. If you hit him with a ball or paddle, you get points. The higher he is, the more points you get.

Any suggestions on how to get outrageous high scores? The highest I've ever gotten is a little over 2,000,000. How do people get higher Scores?!?

Yes i would love to know how these people get 44 million points etc... -nop

yea, how DO you do it?

The final bonus level is worth alot in points. 300 (Multi) Every time. Just don't finish it and play it over and over, then you'll be as sad as me

Anyone notice what happens when you catch two radiation capsules, not setting off the radiation from the first? -CarsonWhitsett

Eternal radiation ball (otherwise known as the most annoying thing ever when you have an eye ball)

I disagree. I'd have to say the most annoying thing is the sound of a trillion happy capsules raining down on you :-)

I second that!

For my sister i made a level that every brick fives you a radiation ball. she loves it, but i detest it!

So in this version is it not possible to keep the laser aspect in the paddle, when advancing to the next level, or am I not doing something?

It's never been possible to keep lasers from one level to another, no.

In my version 3.xx it sure was ......hmm?- mel

What do you think the hardest fruit to get is (standard levels)? I accidentally managed to get the avocado once, but then was stupid and got my fruits erased on one update or another. Ugh. Also, I've "never" been able to get the carrot so far. -- Michaela

Where is the carrot located -- and on what level? Level 21 in the top left brick! Gotta do the exploding thing for that one, just like in the Radiation level!!- mel

I have the avocado and the carrot, but can't seem to get the

cucumber,

potato,

blueberry, or

orange bell pepper (and it's only on level 6!!)

Does anyone know how many fruits and veggies there are? I can't get them all ahhhhhh.... -nop Look in the level editor and select fruits. It lists all the fruits. Do the same for veggies. Or just look 'em up in the Instruction Manual (http://www.leapfrogsw.com/Instructions.php).

I get frustrated at the Smiley-face bonus level if I have a catch (green paddle) and pearl -- but lose the level: I also lose the catch (but not the pearl status)! -- Kenneth

Kenneth, I've got a tip for the Smiley-face bonus level: If you know you have two shots at the Smiley-face bonus level -- two bonus capsules prior to starting -- intentionally get the 3 capsule, but don't let a ball touch your paddle. This really racks up the multiplier and carries over to your next attempt -- Tom

try this one: catch the smileys untli the 3 cap comes out. grab it. get out of the way 'cause happy caps will come raining out. let them hit the ground. the board will stop spitting capsules just long enough to stop the red x's from shooting across the screen. by the time it starts giving caps again there will be less than ten bricks. grab a ball. you can figure out the rest.-MMO

Did you know you can hit "C" to drop your catch if you have pearl mode activated and you no longer want catch? Ohhh- anymore little tidbits like that ...... maybe one for the vertical black/green capsule??? -mel

Catch the red X capsule. The green catch paddle turns red. Catch another capsule to keep your ball in play ... even a P capsule will do the trick.

Why would you no longer want to have catch?

*******It would be much easier and better to just hold down the mouse and keep it clicked down, this will make it so the catch has no effect. The only time this won't work is when you have a bomb or radiation ball you want to save**********

Exactly! Which is why it's nice to be able to drop the catch

Nah, you can just let the catch time out when you have the radiation ball or bomb ball. Eventually it will release the ball without you pushing the mouse button.

Would be more helpful to drop the laser when one has a Pearl Eye ball. --Michaela

One time, after getting quite a few Catch capsules, i could hit bubbles and get other capsules without losing the catch - is this supposed to happen? - chimi I think I figured out what it was... It's the pearl capsule - Tell me if I'm right - chimi That's right! You had the perl ball!

When i was in the editor i accidently moved the first level to about the fourth. When i switched it back the high score board still said level set not authorized. Does anyone know how to fix that? -nop Download it again.

Is there a trick to getting the smoking eyeball? It seems to come around too infrequently. I've gotten it several times by just clicking on the mouse button over and over and over and .......-mel

Really? Is that supposed to happen or is it a bug? -- Michaela

The smoking eyeball is covered in AchievementsAndHowToGetThem

Does anyone know how you get the purple gem achievment or the green one with red spots? The only one i got was the blue achivment one. I cant figure it out.

Win the game again. And again.

So, any strategy hints/tips for the "Green Bricks give you extra time" Bonus level??? As silly as it is, this one's got me tripped up, good!!- mel

Start on the left side, break through, get the ball on top to bounce around on its own. I always ace this bonus level. My hardest thing to do is get the eye ball on level one!

For that bonus level, if you have catch and pearl, you can easily get the super laser from the musical bricks -- view the bonus level with the level editor to see where they are, it's too hard to describe. -- Michaela

When you upgrade to a new version do you still keep your fruits? cause i like my fruits and veggies it took me a long time to get them.

The fruits are stored in the level map file (one of those files in each level set folder). When you upgrade to a newer version, put your old level map files into the new level folders. That will perserve your fruits and high scores.

Does anyone go after the changing capsule? I've been burned too many times, so I just try to stay away from it.

*Always go for it. There is a pattern; figure it out and you will always benefit*

A pattern? That's interesting. I'll have to take notes during some games -- Tom

Will someone please tell me the pattern? I have tried but cannot succeed! -- Alex Conlin

I see the pattern and don't think it is possible to get the bonus consistently. too fast. If you could you would be top of the high scores.

How do you get the nine ball capsule? I've gotten it a couple times, but can't figure out how.

9-ball capsule?!?!?!?

*The Ten Ball Capsule, some people call it the 9-ball capsule because it only gives you nine new balls, bring your total to ten*

Maybe you get a 3 capsule, keep the balls, get another 3 capsule, keep those six balls, and then get a six capsule. This is not true. I think it is random, like other capsules, only rarer. You also have to be registered to get it. Other capsules like it include a huge up-down capsule, which will give you the equivalent of 3 up-downs, but a down-up can't do anything to it. Also, there is a mega laser capsule, which makes your paddle really wide, and gives you laser, so you can shoot 4 lasers instead of 2.--ipreferpi Also, if you hit the umphee with a ball when you have tons of balls in the sand, he'll throw them up and you'll never lose a ball the whole level. It happened once to me in the Brickout Mania levels. -papa squirrel

A guide to the different balls (by ipreferpi):

Red umphee ball--get it by putting a bomb and radioactive ball in the same place in the sand, blow both up while umphee's on top (also, get the red umphee, the follow the instructions for the green umphee ball)--will go through *anything*, including gold bricks and gates.

Green umphee ball--get it by putting a bomb ball in the sand, blow it up when the umphee's on top of it.--behaves like a normal green or yellow ball, except that bubbles don't affect its path.

Green ball--does nothing special.

Blue ball--if it's in play, any

capsules you get will be 6-capsules.

Radioactive ball--click to set off radiation--get it with a 3-ball capsule, or a radioactive capsule--goes through all bricks except gold bricks. After the radiation is released, it turns into a green ball (unless you got 2 radioactive capsules in a row, in which case it stays radioactive.)

Purple ball--hit the umphee with it and he will dig up a treasure chest

Bomb ball--click to blow up--destroys anything, including gold bricks and gates.

Red ball--avoid this one--will give you only

capsules, with an occasional

capsule.

Yellow ball--same as green ball.

Pink ball--Umphee can blow himself up in a bubble while this ball is in the sand--if you keep *only* this ball, five pink bubbles will appear in sequence. If you pop all 5, you get 5000 points and an achievement.

Orange ball--conk sir umphee with this one and he will dig up a coin

Pearl Ball--get this one by getting 2

capsules in a row. A clam

will appear in the sand. Hit the clam with the ball to open

it. Next, drop the ball slightly left of center in the clam. It will go in, and when it comes out, you have the pearl ball--This ball allows you to keep a

or a

(or both), while still being able to get other capsules, like

Eyeball--get this ball by moving a ball through teleporters

really fast. In levels with moving teleporters, if you have a

and a lot of

, you can hold the ball on the teleporter while it moves.--This ball will make almost every brick give capsules, and they are usually

Here is a strategy for getting

Get lots of

then get the

then get

and bring the ball into the

when it is caught on your paddle!

Can anyone say for sure whether it's better to let the balls keep bouncing around when the multiplier hits 300, or whether it's better to attempt to immediately touch a ball and go for another huge multiplier? -- Michaela

If the scoring works the way the instruction manual says it does, never try to reset your multiplier. 300 times the value of any given brick is the most points you can get for that brick. -Kirby

The latter is always better.

Why is this? Isn't it better to keep your multiplier high than to have to get it again? - chimi

The multiplier maxes out at 300, so once it does, touch a ball, get the points and try and rack the multiplier up again -- Tom

in the standard level set, if you let the multi go to the next bonus level, you score 850,000. if you let the multi go back to the normal game(not a bonus level), it doubles it. i say let it build. in the mania levels,grab the three hundred as soon as you can. you can acheive three hundred at least three times on "so many bricks,so little time". Mac Master OZ.

Any hints/tips/strategy for the Bombs Bonus level? I've been stuck there for so long it's a down right shame!!! Argh!!! Help!!

one fun way to play this level is to send all the bombs you can up the right side. get them stuck on top. they wiil fly around up there. the blow it. always exciting.MMO

just blow the bombs just before thy hit the bicks. it'll blow a hole almost through the bicks.MMO

I found a nice little easter egg. Drop a bomb ball into the sand. When umphee is right on top of it, blow it up. The umphee will fly into the air, and if you catch him, you have an umphee ball. Does anyone know of anything special the umphee ball does?

Duh, i only have the demo and i know that, the umphee ball doesn't do anything, except give you and achievment, and also bubles dont affect his flight, anyone have a brickout registation they wanna hook me up with?? mike311p@hotmail.com

DUDE, Everyone knows that you can pop the lil green guy into the air on the first level, the real trick is to activate a bomb under a red ?Umphee..... Very cool, and he stays for another level..., very very cool... the only hard thing is to have the two balls lined up in the sand just right, or get a bomb later.

Just pay your fee. Carson deserves it! Anyway, a code only works on 1 computer.

Exactly!

I guess that I'm really a beginner on this version. Can anybody tell me how to get through those gold blocks in order to get past level 8? Thanks. Brolaski

the only way to destory a gold brick is to hit it with a bomb.radiation capsules don't work for gold bricks. sometimes, if you shoot repeatedly at the joint of two bricks, a bullet will slip through.-MMOz i want this

Does anyone have a few beginner tips for a, well, beginner?

Only: play, play, play -- and don't use the crutch of the beginner mode. You'll get used to the speed of the ball soon enough, and the scores and acheivements are higher. Oh, and another thing: I noticed that I got the eyeball on level one much more often when I *was* a beginner. I wonder what it was about my unpracticed paddle style that allowed that to happen. . . Not that I took advantage of the eyeball back then as much as I do when I get it (rarely) nowadays, but I certainly wish I'd been more observant about just what behaviors made the eyeball more likely. ---j.bug

Is there any special reason why you get tons of points for getting three green balls in a 3 capsule? Can you tell the difference between a regular 3 capsule and one with three green balls? -papa squirrel :>0

No, you can't tell the difference. It's just luck, papa squirrel. And there's no special reason you get 1,500 points

I think that you get 1,500 points if the 3 capsule

gives you 3 balls of any one color. I had the purple ball

and when I caught the 3 capsule it gave me 3 purple balls and 1,500 points. -T

It happened again! I got 1,500 points for getting 3 pink balls. -T

I've been playing for a couple years now, and I've never discovered what good the teleporters in the Autumn screen do me. One's embedded in a gold brick wall and the other poofs out of sight quickly. All attempts to force the ball into the moving one have been futile. This is not my favorite level, but I think that's because I haven't found any good tricks to using the silver bricks, either. Am I missing something? ---j.bug

The moving teleporter on the right will give you an eye, which can be useful. (you just have to have a green bat)-been

Yes, there is definitely a trick to that level. I can't remember exactly what it was. It had something to do with getting the ball into the left teleporter by the time the right teleporter got to the top of the screen. That way, you can take the bricks out from the top down and get a really high multiplier!

In this level, there is one blue brick near the left teleporter. This brick will *always* give you a 3-capsule. If you get the 3-capsule, and you get a bomb ball out of it, then you can blow up the gold bricks and get to the teleporter. -ipreferpi

Anyone notice that when you get a 3 while you have catch (probably need pearl ball), if you catch one of the balls the others all freeze in place?

Yeah and it does that if I get the umphee ball with a catch capsule too. -papa squirrel

It does it with any amount of balls and any kind of balls - Mike

Here's a cool list of ways to murder the umphee.

1. Get a catch capsule

, then place your paddle right above the umphee and press 'C'. The capsule will fall and squash him.

2. Let capsules

fall on him (is it a he or a she?) that are falling right above him.

3. Get 3 Up Down

capsules and lower your paddle on him. He'll get squashed.

hahaha iam evil!!!! >D -JP Squirrel (by the way, JP Squirrel and papa squirrel are the same person =)

Another way to kill the umphee is get a lot of wide capsules. Half your paddle falls off, and the umphee gets squashed -Mike

Avoid bubbles

--- I just had the pink ball and I was in the "Get the laser level" and I lost the pink ball, then I saw the umphee fly up after being trapped in a pink bubble, how did this happen?????!?!? >O O_o! :Minicheatbook

Sometimes, when the pink ball is in the sand, the umphee will pause on it and blow himself up in a pink bubble. If you pop his bubble, you get points. The higher up he is when you pop his bubble, the more points you get. -ipreferpi

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