Brian 'magicpokey' Shoop

The goal of Safari Hunt is to maximize your score so you can end more levels by running out your ammo as quickly as possible. The game is 69 levels (a repeating Three-cycle of different screens) and requires a final score of 999,000 points at the end of level 69 to complete the game. If you follow this guide you should be able to get to 1,000,000 points around level 50-55, at which point it is a matter of shooting through your ammo as quickly as possible to race to the finish line.

• Terms -

Bullet Efficiency (B.E.) - This is how many points each shot you take is worth. The higher the better to get to the 999,000 mark as fast as possible

Stage/Screen Time Out (S.T.O.) - This is when the current screen times out while you still have ammo left. Since the screen will end early once you are out of ammo, you will want to avoid these to save time.

• Screen Strategies -

Pond Screen

Ducks - 300 pts - Flap around the sky somewhat randomly Fish - 1000 pts - Will jump from the water in one of a few places Rabbits - 300/1000 pts - Hopping around is worth 1000 pts, peeking out from the bushes is worth 300

Strategy: On the Pond Screen you want to maximize B.E. by killing as many fish and (hopping) rabbits as possible. But don't focus too heavily on these, because the timer is shorter than you think, and you don't want too many S.T.O.'s I find a decent strategy is to shoot ducks in groups of Five, two or three groups total should be fine, you can slaughter rabbits and fish for the rest of your ammo.

Forest Screen

Owls - 200 pts - Will fly across the screen in the treetops Armadillos - 1000 pts - Cross the screen either in front of or through the trees, sometimes reversing direction Bears - 2000 pts - Will slowly walk from left to right between trees. Takes 5 shots to kill before scoring Apples - 1000 pts - Difficult to hit, if shot from a tree points are scored.

Strategy: For the forest screen you want to avoid the apples. I know a stationary 1000 points seems like a lot, but they are VERY difficult to hit, often taking multiple shots. Instead focus on Armadillos and Bears. Five shots (per bear) may seem like a lot to only get 2000 points, but that equates to a B.E. of 400, which is the 4th highest in the game. Don't miss out though, if you hit a bear 4 times and he gets away (for whatever reason) you have wasted those shots. With the Bears taking 5 shots, getting an S.T.O. while focusing on them and the 'Dillos is pretty rare, but don't be afraid to take a few potshots at some owls once you are down to under 5 ammo left, you could get lucky and hit an apple.

Jungle Screen:

Spiders - 100 pts - Will randomly crawl down on their web lines. Koalas - 300 pts - Will crawl down on the trees on the left and right Bats - 500 pts - Weaving in and out of the trees in an erratic pattern Panthers - 2000 pts - Runs across the screen between the trees, sometimes pauses to pounce in the middle

Strategy: The Jungle Screen is your big earner as far as points go. Panthers have the highest B.E. in the game (a whopping 2000!) and bats are plentiful with a B.E. of 500. Koalas aren't too shabby with their predictable patterns and a 300 B.E. either. Avoid the spiders, because they just aren't worth the bullet. The main draw here is the Panthers. Don't miss these guys! Focus on the bats and the panthers and if it's more than 15 seconds or so in, start slaughtering the koalas as well. S.T.O.'s here can sneak up on you if you wait for too many kitty cats.

• General Strategy -

  You want to maximize your B.E. as much as possible while avoiding an S.T.O. This is easier said than done but with practice you will find what works well for you. I believe with these strategies it would be reasonable to hit 1,000,000 points by level 50-55.

• After Hitting a Million -

  Once you hit the 1,000,000 point mark, it's time to race. Forget Bullet Efficiency and focus on shooting as fast as possible. I find that a pace of three shots every 2 seconds will expend your ammo without the console skipping shots on you. Go ahead and aim for the animals as well, since all but one of them speed up once shot, and the screen won't clear until the last animal has wandered off, even after you run out of ammo. Do avoid fish on the Pond Screen, though as they don't speed up, and in fact can waste a few precious seconds popping up with their '1000' sign after their bodies land in the water. For the forest Screen you should be able to finish off the first bear while burning through your ammo, and finish the screen before another one wanders on. If you DO see a second bear, KILL IT, because he can and will take upwards of 7-8 seconds to wander lazily across the rest of the screen. The same goes for the Panthers in the Jungle Screen, though you will usually see at least 2 of them. They can waste a bit of time if they decide to stop and pounce after your ammo runs out. It's a marginal time save, but every frame counts, right?

  And there you have it! Happy Hunting!