Using Twin Galaxies’ new bounty system, perfectpacman.com is offering recognition for a series of unique gaming challenges. These are designed to offer recognition to an unlimited number of gamers who achieve qualifying runs through a given timeframe, while also offering a “top billing” to those who beat the challenge most effectively by a given metric (usually time-based). The current batch of PPMDC bounties run through the end of May 2024, to be followed by a write-up featuring the winners in February. See each bounty page for challenge-specific rules, and scroll below for global PPMDC bounty rules and prizing guidelines.
CURRENT PPMDC BOUNTIES
Super Mario Bros. 3: Clear as many stages as you can without taking damage
Who among you can clear World 1 on SMB3 without ever taking damage?
Missile Command: Highest score without using “Delta Base”
Can you stave off nuclear annihilation when your center base refuses to follow orders?
Kirby Super Star: Clear the Arena without a helper and without healing
Can you clear Arena mode on Kirby Super Star without healing, and without any buddies to help you along the way?
Phantasy Star: Acquire the Shortcake using only your default equipment
When you’re hungry for some Shortcake, and all you have are 1,000 Mesetas and your default gear.
PPMDC BOUNTY RULES
In tiny text because most of this is boring, but technically necessary. TL;DR: I won’t print bad things. Be honest and reasonable. Use common sense.
All performances must be fully recorded, and must adhere to general TGSAP rules and community expectations, including those particular to the platform and emulation being used. The platform being used must be specified (SNES, PSX, Wii Virtual Console, etc.), and emulation used (aside from that inferred by platform) must also be disclosed. (You don’t have to tell me the Virtual Console is emulation, unless you were actually emulating the Virtual Console itself, but you do have to say if you’re playing using a typical SNES emulator.)
No major glitches aside from any specified in the bounty description. “Major glitches” will ultimately be defined solely at the discretion of ersatz_cats, but feel free to ask if you want clarification on a specific bug/glitch/exploit/feature, or honestly, just use common sense.
It is requested that submissions for these bounties be achieved on or after the date the bounties are posted, rather than using one’s historical achievements which would happen to qualify. This is to ensure competitive integrity, with everyone being given the same timeframe for attempts, and because I want the recognized PPMDC bounty winners to be those who specifically sought this recognition. Also, some challenges (such as perfect through the first eight boards of Pac-Man) will be for something simple many have achieved before but for which the purpose of the bounty is to encourage more players to attempt it. Obviously, players who have achieved these bounties in the past can still submit with a new performance which would qualify. The reason this is not a requirement for the adjudication of these bounties at TG is because, per TGSAP rules, that would also require proof-of-date as part of each submission, and the TG credibility score system would discourage other TG voters from voting on submissions lacking such proof. I don’t want every person submitting to have to photograph themselves holding up the day’s newspaper or whatever. Submitting old runs or significant misrepresentation of dates may result in disqualification from recognition for current and future PPMDC bounties. Please just be honest.
The prize for completing a PPMDC bounty is to be featured in a future piece celebrating each of the winners. Along with your recognition, you can submit your thoughts on this challenge or on any appropriate gaming topic to be published as well. The definition of what constitutes “appropriate gaming topic” will be at ersatz_cats’ sole discretion. Obviously, bigotry is not allowed, nor is using this recognition system to harass another non-consenting gamer. Be reasonable and use common sense. There is no particular limit to the length of these comments, but I reserve the right to trim the published version down if necessary. Winners will be recognized by their name and/or username as displayed at Twin Galaxies, unless otherwise requested. Again, offensive names as defined at ersatz_cats’ sole discretion will not be allowed. Also, if for whatever strange reason you want to participate in the competition on the TG site but don’t want recognition here at PPMDC, please send me a direct message at TG or post a public comment at TG explicitly saying that you are declining PPMDC recognition. Otherwise, per TG rules, I’m obligated to fulfill the terms of the bounty. Vague suggestions to this end may not result in the outcome you desire.
Swag strats are always encouraged, and will also be featured in any eventual write-up. Don’t be afraid to point these out to me, as I may not always notice otherwise.
PAST PPMDC BOUNTIES
A full perfect score on Pac-Man sounds daunting. But what’s not nearly as daunting is simply getting perfect through the first eight boards!
Final Fantasy 6: Fewest steps to beat Kefka at Narshe
Beat Kefka in Narshe while taking only 3,255 (or fewer?) steps! Emulator tools including save states, fast forwards, pauses, and frame advance are ALLOWED.
The Legend of Zelda, Ocarina of Time: Get as far as you can without taking damage
How far can you get in Ocarina of Time without taking damage? Progress will be measured in Gold Skulltula tokens acquired. Major glitches are ALLOWED.
Super Mario Bros. 2: Beat the game with 254 extra lives
Even a mere button-masher can max out their spare lives in SMB2. But can you successfully beat the game with all those extra lives intact?
Donkey Kong: Highest score without using the jump button
How high can you get… when you can’t even jump? Score as many points as you can in original Donkey Kong without using the jump button.
Minecraft: Return home from a 10000/10000 teleport
Fire up Minecraft, and blindly teleport yourself to a distant land. Can you survive the long voyage home?
Super Metroid: Get as far as you can on Zebes without taking damage
How far can you get on Planet Zebes in Super Metroid without taking damage? Progress will be measured in missile packs acquired. Major glitches are ALLOWED.
Dragon Quest 3: Get to Romaly without using the Fight command
All magic, all the time. Fire up this classic RPG, and make the voyage to Romaly without using any physical attacks.
Robotron 2084: The ‘Broken Arrow’ challenge
How many points can you score on original Robotron, when one of the cardinal directions on one of your controls is disabled?
The Legend of Zelda (NES): Swordless and deathless – First quest
The Legend of Zelda (NES): Swordless and deathless – Second quest
Complete the original Legend of Zelda, all the way up to Ganon’s room, without acquiring any swords, and without dying. (That includes no Up+A.)
Mega Man X: Get as far as you can without taking damage
How far can you get in Mega Man X without taking damage? Progress will be measured in number of stages cleared.
Final Fantasy 7: Escape Midgar without using materia
Materia may be the lifeblood of the planet. But can you survive Midgar relying only on your weapons, your items, and your wits?