Mutant Virus

General FAQ
Written by Vegita, Guardian Of Destiny (VegitaBOD@aol.com)
Version 3.141


Sections:

I    - Introduction
II   - Game Story
III  - General FAQ (Ten HUT!)
     A   - Controls
     B   - The Screen
     C   - Combatting the Virus
IV   - Various
     A   - Revision History
     B   - Thanks
     C   - No Thanks



------------------------------Mutant Virus-------------------------------
     ------------------------I:  Introduction------------------------
------------------------------Mutant Virus-------------------------------

Welcome!  I am Vegita, Guardian Of Destiny, and I see you want help for the
Nintendo/Famicom game "Mutant Virus".  Well...I can't say you've come to the
right place, but I can say that I understand the game better than a lot of
people who have played it (since I actually know what I'm doing), so I can at
least help out.

First off, let's get one thing straight: Even though I am Vegita, I will try to
write from an un-biased point of view (although I still think I'm the best at
everything).  Second of all, if I catch anyone copying all or part of this FAQ,
ANY part of this FAQ (not counting little, inconsequential sentences like
"First off, let's get one thing straight), I will destroy you.  I will rip you
limb from limb like the excessively weak individual you are, and then I will
sue you for copyright infringement.  Well, ok, maybe I'll just sue you, but if
I got the chance I'd certainly go for the ripping of limbs from other limbs.

Third of all, I do not own the rights to this game, the names of the characters
in this game or FAQ, or have any ownership whatsoever of this game (except for
the cartridge sitting in my room, that is).  Those are the property of their
respective owners.  If I find a website with this FAQ on it, and it has been
changed in any way, does not give me proper credit, or is selling it without my
knowledge and consent, then I WILL have my lawyers contact that site.  Are we
clear (this means YOU, Vertsk8!)?


------------------------------Mutant Virus-------------------------------
     ------------------------II: Game Story-------------------------
------------------------------Mutant Virus-------------------------------

"The CPI Complex.  Always Busy, Always in control.  The heart of Earth's
Artificial Intelligence System.  But suddenly, a problem-"

::lights all over the city go out, as flying vehicles explode mid-air::

"A very big problem!"

::phone rings::

Trainer:  Hello?
Scientist:  Master Debugger Ronald W. Trainer...you are ordered to report to
your station.  Immediately.  Code Red.
Trainer:  Wait a minute...
Scientist:  Repeat - Code Red.

::phone clicks off::

::later, inside the CPI Complex::

Trainer:  What's the problem, sir?  I'm on vacation this week.
Scientist:  Sorry, Ron...not anymore.  We have a computer virus infection, and
it's a killer.
Trainer:  Who's behind this, sir?
Scientist:  We don't know yet, but he's closed all inputs to the system and
changed the access codes.  Since we're locked out of the 5 major sections, we
can't dump the program and reload.
Trainer:  If we're locked out of the system, then how are we supposed to
deactivate the virus?
Scientist:  Not we, Ron...You!  This one must be done from the inside.  We will
outfit you with a suit and launcher.  When you fire at the virus, it will
change color.  When all the cells have been neutralized, the virus in that
sector will self-destruct.  After miniaturization is complete, you will be
inserted at the comm level.  Any questions?
Trainer:  Only one - how did I get myself into this?  Reduced to a micro-dot,
loaded into a sick computer system, and told that the only way out is to beat
some unknown virus.
Scientist:  Once you beat the comm level, we should be able to insert bits of
code that might help you out.  Until then, you're on your own.  Good luck!
Trainer:  Thanks...I think.

~~~~~

So that's the story.  A virus has been inserted into the world's Artificial
Intelligence System, threatening billions of people.  The perpetrator is
unknown, the cause is unknown...come to think of it, all you DO know is that
you've gotta destroy that virus!  Well, get to it!


------------------------------Mutant Virus-------------------------------
     ---------------------III: FAQ/Walkthrough----------------------
------------------------------Mutant Virus-------------------------------


Here's where I cover the meat of the game - how to move, how to read the
screen, and how to FIGHT!!!  Let's get down to it.

#####III-A:  Controls#####

Let's talk controlling your character.  After all, that's one of the most
important parts of the game, right?

A BUTTON - Fires your Antibody Gun.
B BUTTON - Jetpack fires, propelling you in the direction you are facing.
SELECT - Changes the weapon style.
START - Pauses the game.
Directional Pad UP - When used in conjunction with the B Button, Ron travels
faster in the direction he's moving.  By lying flat, he is creating less
resistance, and therefore can move faster with the same effort.
Directional Pad DOWN - When used in conjunction with the B Button, Ron travels
slower in the direction he's moving.  By maneuvering himself into an upright
position, he is creating more resistance, ultimately stopping his movement. 
This is due to the fact that when he is fully upright, the jetpack is no longer
pointed in the direction he is facing; rather, it is pointed at the
floor/ground/circuitry, and cannot propell himself forward.  It's all basic
physics, folks.
Directional Pad LEFT - Turns Ron Counter-Clockwise.
Directional Pad RIGHT - Turns Ron Clockwise.

~~~~~

Now then, let's talk weaponry.  Ron comes equipped with his Antibody gun, which
initially has 3 settings on it:  Short-Range, Long-Range, and Automatic.  Which
mode you are on is designated by the letters written in the lower-right corner
of the screen.  In order to gain the Super Gun, a Shield, and the Counter
Measures item, you have to pick up capsules located inside the computer (these
are the "bits of code" the Scientist-guy was referring to earlier).

SF = Short-Fire, LF = Long-Fire, AU = Automatic, SG = Super GUn, CM = Counter
Measures.

What each setting for the gun is simple:

~Short-Fire travels a short range, then explodes.
~Long-Fire travels a long range, then explodes.
~Automatic (default setting) automatically explodes when it comes in contact
with the virus.
~The "Super Gun" bounces off walls until it hits a virus or has impacted off of
5 walls.
~The Cuonter Measures, when deployed, create a regenerating well-spring of
antibody cells.  It acts just like the enemy cell well-springs (cell-springs)
do - every couple of seconds, it releases another set of cells that move about,
battling.

The shield acts as an added layer of protection, and allots you a few extra
hits when being attacked by the virus.


#####III-B:  The Screen#####

In order to understand how to combat the virus, you have to know what you're
looking at.  The majority of the screen is the computer itself, where the
battles take place.  Along the bottom of the screen is the console, which has
important features to be utilized if you are to survive the game.

Player Energy - this is located on the left-hand side of the console, next to
the Orange E.  It's directly above the Player Score.  If your Energy runs out,
you're dead.

Player Score - This is located on the left-hand side of the console, next to
the Green S.  It's directly below the Energy Meter.  Rack up points by blasting
the virus.

Player Lives - These are located near the center of the console, and are
represented by little men (one for each life remaining).  Run out and you've
lost, and have to continue.

Message Box - This is located below the boxs that contain the player lives and
the Player Energy and Score.  It scrolls messages pertinent to your mission
(such as "The virus kills you, dummy! What're you doing standing on it?").

The Map - The map is located to the right of the center of the screen.  This
shows the layout of the computer system you're in.  The large
rounded-rectangles are the rooms, while the grey lines connecting them are the
hallways in between.  If a room appears black on the map, then you haven't
visited it yet.  If it's completely purple, then you have visited it and it is
overrun with the virus (with no antibodies inside).  If it's checkered, then
there are antibodies in the room, fighting the virus.  Finally, if the room is
blue, then you've cleaned the virus from it.

The Weapon Selection - This is located on the right-hand side of the console,
directly above the Counter Measures box.  The weapon selection box shows which
weapon you've currently selected, showing the initials (see above) of the
weapon being used.

Counter Maesures - This is locate don the right-hand side of the console,
directly below the Weapon Selection box.  When you pick up a Counter Measures
Capsule, the capsule will appear in this box.  You can now select Counter
Measures as one of your weapons.


#####III-C:  Combatting the Virus#####


Ah yes, what many would consider the most important part of the game:  actually
taking out the virus.  Instead of giving a step-by-step account of how to
defeat the virus, which would take entirely too much time and effort from me
(and probably wouldn't work too well for you), I will instead give several
pointers for dealing with the virus.

You'll probably notice that the virus moves/grows along the same lines as the
game "Life Genesis".  That is because the two games are formatted after the
same principles of microbiotic growth.  The life of each strain will, through
conflict and eventual depletion of resources, wain to small sectors living
independently of one another, barely sustaining themselves.  As long as there
are other resources (other life forms, untouched territory, etc.), the strain
will continue to thrive.  There are 2 ways to counteract this growth:

+Remove the resources and prevent the strain from growing any further, then
destroy the remaining cells, or
+Create your own cells to forcibly take the resources from the original strain,
thus eventually defeating the virus.

In order to succeed at this game, one must learn to do both while combatting
rather frustrating controls and enemy retaliation.  After all, you didn't
expect the enemy to simply LET you defeat it, did you?


-----Tactics for handling the Virus:-----

1)  Blast the edges of the larger virus strains.  By doing so, you can remove
some of the resources and (if you're lucky) change some of the virus to
antibodies that fight in your favor.

2)  Nab those tiny, single-cell viruses that aren't going anywhere.  By doing
so, you can create a bridge from one section of antibodies to another.  If you
don't, the virus can use these as a bridge against you - so turn the tide as
quick as you can!

3)  Stem the virus as soon as you can.  As soon as you enter a room, start
blasting the fringes of the larger viruses and try to cut off their mobility. 
If you can split it into 2 factions, do so and take over the smaller one.

4)  Blast as many squares as you can so there aren't any unaffected/mutated
squares in the area.  By doing so, you are allowing your antibodies more
mobility and cutting off the movement of the enemy.

5)  Drifting into the enemy?  Your mobility can be a blessing and a curse. 
Learn to use DOWN + B BUTTON to stop yourself from moving entirely, so you can
control your actions better.  If the outbreak is too much for you to handle,
turn tail and use UP + BUTTON to get out of there!

6)  Having trouble positioning yourself so you can strafe certain areas?  This
is where the mobility is actually a good thing.  Stop your movement in a safe
area (an area that currently isn't rampant with the virus), then turn yourself
towards the left wall (or right wall, or top wall, or bottom wall, depending on
where you want to travel) and boost yourself.  Now face the direction you're
moving and slow your passage to a crawl.  Now, turn perpendicular to your path
and blast the virus there.  Your gun will sweep a line slowly and effectively,
so any intercepting virii will be destroyed as well.


I'll add to this list when I come up with more strategies that are effective in
usage.


------------------------------Mutant Virus-------------------------------
     -------------------------IV:  Various--------------------------
------------------------------Mutant Virus-------------------------------


#####IV-A: Revision History#####

05-09-01 (3:30 P.M.):  Started writing this FAQ.
05-09-01 (5:00 P.M.):  Submitted this FAQ.  It's a new record for me - 1 1/2
hours spent, start to finish, on a FAQ!
05-17-01:  Minor updates, formatting the FAQ to match my other FAQs.  Yay!

#####IV-B: Thanks#####

Wow, there's a LOT of people here to thank, eh?

~CJayC (CJayC@gamefaqs.com, www.gamefaqs.com) for putting this FAQ up.

~Al Amaloo (www.gamewinners.com) for being such a cool guy, and having a great
site.

~Vertsk8pro@hotmail.com for giving me a heart attack with your childish "I
stole your FAQ and sold it with my name on it" antics.  Because of that, I now
do dozens of things to make sure people don't steal my work.  If they do, I
know exactly what to look for to see if they took MY work or not.

~Uh...I can't exactly thank God for the role he's taken in my life, because
that would seem like I'm trying to force my religious opinions on someone else
(which I'm not).  Therefore, I'd like to thank "Murray" for the role he's taken
in my life (Murray, you know who you are).

#####IV-C:  NO THANKS#####

If you write me asking for help with the game, I'll send you a link to my FAQ. 
If you ask for specific help, I'll try to aid you.  However, if you ask me
about something that is already covered in the FAQ, I will simply refer you to
the FAQ again.  I wrote the FAQ so that your questions would be answered here,
not so I could repeat that FAQ bit by bit through e-mail for the next few
years.  If you need clarification about something in the FAQ, ask about it -
but don't ask me to repeat anything.

And if you happen upon this FAQ at sites other than these:

www.GameFAQ s.com
www.Gamewinner s.com

Then please tell me ASAP!

Finally, if you are so bored you want to see a pathetically weak Dragon
Ball-related site, go here:

http://come.to/VegitaBOD

or

http://VegitaBOD.tripod.com/Homepage.html


This FAQ Copyright Vegita, Guardian Of Destiny, May 2001
