BERZERK

•  2 versions exist. The original release only had 3 different-colored robots (yellow, red, and white) of which the maximum # of (slow) bullets they’ll fire is 2. Also, Evil Otto will double its speed at 5,000. In the later version, extra robots (purple, green, and light blue) were added that eventually fire a max of 7 (fast) bullets. Also, Evil Otto doesn’t speed up.

• The original version of the game used a b&w monitor.  The story is Stern's management saw a game (either Defender or some b&w game using colored gels on the monitor) and were convinced Berzerk couldn't compete in the market unless it was in color.  Stern's hardware engineers made a 'color overlay' video layer using a special circuit board called Buffer System Color that was capable of adding a single color on top of each sprite and object, but with a much cruder resolution than what the game originally generated.  This is why when you get close to a wall or a robot, the color sometimes transfers between both (pictures #1 and #2).

• “Necktie trick” - Bullets can pass between your head and body.

• In a 2 player game, when you lose a life, you go down one skill (robot color) level after the other player has his turn.  This doesn’t happen in a 1-player game.  {Greg Bendokus}

• BUG: Humanoid “ghost” trick - Walking through walls can sometimes be done. Try with entrance barriers the same color as your humanoid (green). There’s also a spot (?) where you can pass through the thick, outer wall between the bottom exit and the lower right corner.

• BUG: The method for generating mazes sometimes generates a 2x1 box in the middle of the screen, and occasionally it will have robots inside it.  {Alan McNeil}