+-+-+-+-+-+
                                 | T R O N |
                                 +-+-+-+-+-+

              GAME:  TRON
          PLATFORM:  ARCADE
             GENRE:  ARCADE SHOOTER
           CREATOR:  BALLY MIDWAY Copyright 1982
AUTHOR OF THIS FAQ:  Kevin Butler AKA War Doc
            E-MAIL:  kevinb(at)technologist(dot)com
       FAQ VERSION:  1.01

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              TABLE OF CONTENTS

    UNIT   I:  INTRODUCTION

1.  Legal Stuff
2.  Version Information
3.  Acknowledgements
4.  Welcome
5.  Overview

    UNIT  II:  GAME INFORMATION

6.  The Game

    6.1  The Controls
    6.2  The Playing Field
    6.3  Scoring
    6.4  Basic Set Up
    6.5  Difficulty Settings
    6.6  Useless Trivia

    UNIT III:  STRATEGIES

7.  Playing the Game

    7.1  I/O Tower
    7.2  Light Cycles
    7.3  MCP Cone
    7.4  Tanks

    UNIT  IV:  CONCLUSION

8.  Conclusion

_______________________________________________________________________________

To find a particular chapter or subchapter do the following:

1.  Highlight the chapter or subchapter name you wish to find.
2.  Press CTRL-C
3.  Press CTRL-F
4.  Press CTRL-V
5.  Press CTRL-F
5.  You will arrive at the desired chapter or subchapter.

_______________________________________________________________________________

                                **************
********************************* U N I T  I **********************************
                                **************
+=================+
| 1.  LEGAL STUFF |============================================================
+=================+

This guide may not be reproduced under any circumstances except for personal
private use.  It may not be placed on any web site or otherwise distributed
publicly without advanced permission from the author.  Use of this guide on
any other web site or as part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and
a violation of copyright.  All content in this guide is Copyright 2004 by
Kevin Butler.  Only the sites listed below have permission to publish this
work or to display it:

www.gamefaqs.com
www.cheats.de
faqs.ign.com
www.neoseeker.com

If you wish to put this guide on your site, e-mail me and ask.  Save yourself
the headache of putting up with lawsuits and whatnot because you failed to ask
a simple "Can I post your guide on <insert site>?".  If you wish to use info
in this guide, please acknowledge that you have done so.  If I don't respond or
I say no, accept it as fact.  This especially goes out to Dave at
www.cheatcc.com since he has a habit of taking guides without permission.  In
addition, do not modify this guide in any way whatsoever to suit your purposes.
The latest version can always be found at www.gamefaqs.com.

If you see this guide on any other site then the one listed above, please
e-mail me.  If you wish to ask questions or give input to this guide, please
e-mail me.  Just have Tron as the subject so I know it isn't another kooky
vendor trying to sell me hair gel or another XXX site telling me I have new
friends.

+=========================+
| 2.  VERSION INFORMATION |====================================================
+=========================+

Version 1.0   3/07/04:  A guide is born.

Version 1.01  4/24/06:  Added definition to JCL in Chapter 6.6

+======================+
| 3.  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS |=======================================================
+======================+

The following are a list of people or organizations that have made this FAQ
possible:

My wonderful family (who has had to put up with the tapping on the keyboard)
Bally Midway for making a great arcade game
GameFAQ's for putting up this FAQ
Andrew Schultz for telling me what the JCL language was and the reference to
it.

+=============+
| 4.  WELCOME |================================================================
+=============+

Welcome to my FAQ for Tron.  Since the game has you continuously going through
the levels until all your men are killed, there is no walkthrough per se.
Instead it will be broken up into the game itself and strategies for survival.
Input is appreciated along with constructive criticism.  If you wish to e-mail
me thoughts on this FAQ, better ways of doing things, other strategies, etc.,
feel free.  Make sure you put Tron as the subject.  If you don't, I'm liable to
discard the e-mail as spam.

+==============+
| 5.  OVERVIEW |===============================================================
+==============+

Tron was the first game that was a direct derivative of a movie.  The movie it-
self involved a man who invented an arcade game.  The game he created proved to
be the most popular game ever made.  Unfortunately, another individual at the
company stole said game and passed it off at his own.  Kevin Flynn, the
inventor of said game, is trying to hack into the computer system for evidence
to prove the game is his.  The computer system, though, is equipped with a
security program called the MCP (Master Control Program) which pulls Kevin into
the computer world.  With the help of Tron, an independent security program,
Kevin must survive the "games" the MCP has put him into and escape from the
game grid while at the same time trying to find the "lost" evidence.  The movie
was a breakthrough in the marriage between computer graphics and film that
created a surrealistic computer environment.  The movie didn't really become
popular until people started to play the video game.  In the video game, the
player had to go through four areas to advance to the next level.  These four
areas were taken from highlights of the movie.  Other notable games released at
this time were Dig Dug, Mr. Do!, and Xevious.  Good luck infiltrating the
computer system and defeating the MCP.

                               ***************
******************************** U N I T  II **********************************
                               ***************

+==============+ 
| 6.  THE GAME |===============================================================
+==============+ 

Tron is a two-dimensional, shooter style game.  Your job is to make it through
the various areas and levels as you infiltrate the computer system.  With many
levels of play, you will be challenged by the I/O Tower, MCP Cone, Light
Cycles, and Tank areas.  Each area is unique in the challenges it offers the
player and there always seems to be another level to overcome.  Sometimes
pushing paper instead of using the computer seems like a better idea.

 ____________________
/ 6.1  The Controls /__________________________________________________________
--------------------

The controls on this game are very easy.  It may, though, take just a little
bit of time to get used to them.

-  An eight-way joystick with a trigger

-  A spinner knob

 _________________________
/ 6.2  The Playing Field /_____________________________________________________
-------------------------

Tron consists of four different playing fields.  Each of these fields represent
the four different areas you must get through before you can advance to the
next level.  I have included an example of these four screens:

                                +-----------+
                                | I/O TOWER |
                                +-----------+

    +-------------------------------------------------------------------+
    |                                                                   |
    |                                                                   |
    |                                                                   |
    |                                                                   |
    |                    ---------------------------+                   |
    |                    |      ______________      |                   |
    |                    |     /              \     |                   |
    |                    |   /     _______      \   |                   |
    |                     \/      /       \       \/                    |
    |      /||\<-GRID BUG        |         |<-EXIT                      |
    |      /||\                   \_______/                             |
    |                          /|___________|\                          |
    |                     /\  \     TIMER     /   /\                    |
    |                    |   \ \_____________/  /   |                   |
    |                    |     \______________/     |                   |
    |                    |                          |                   |
    |                    +--------------------------+                   |
    |                                                                   |
    |                                                                   |
    |                                                                   |
    |                           ( )                                     |
    |                            |__0                                   |
    |                            |                                      |
    |                           / \<-TRON                               |
    |                                                                   |
    +-------------------------------------------------------------------+

                               +--------------+
                               | LIGHT CYCLES |
                               +--------------+

    +---------------------------------------------------------------------+
    |                                                                     |
    |  +-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+  |
    |  |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |  |
    |  |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |  |
    |  |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |  |
    |  +-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+  |
    |  |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |  |
    |  |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |  |
    |  |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |  |
    |  +-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+  |
    |  |       |       |       | / \<-LIGHT CYCLE      |       |       |  |
    |  |       |       |       | | |   |       |       |       |       |  |
    |  |       |       |       | \ /   |       |       |       |       |  |
    |  +-------+-------+-------+--|----+-------+-------+-------+-------+  |
    |  |       |       |       |  |    |       |       |       |       |  |
    |  |       |       |       |  |<-LIGHT TRAIL       |       |       |  |
    |  |       |       |       |  |    |       |       |       |       |  |
    |  +-------+-------+-------+--|----+-------+-------+-------+-------+  |
    |  |       |       |       |  |    |       |       |       |       |  |
    |  |       |       |       |  |    |       |       |       |       |  |
    |  |       |       |       |  |    |       |       |       |       |  |
    |  +-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+  |
    |  |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |  |
    |  |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |  |
    |  |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |  |
    |  +-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+  |
    |  |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |  |
    |  |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |  |
    |  |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |  |
    |  +-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+  |
    |  |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |  |
    |  |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |  |
    |  |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |  |
    |  +-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+  |
    |  |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |  |
    |  |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |  |
    |  |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |  |
    |  +-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+  |
    |                                                                     |
    +---------------------------------------------------------------------+
    
                                 +----------+
                                 | MCP CONE |
                                 +----------+

    +-------------------------------------------------------------------+
    |                                 .                                 |
    |                                / \                                |
    |                              /     \                              |
    |                            /         \                            |
    |                          /       <-EXIT\                          |
    |                        /                 \                        |
    |                        -------------------                        |
    |                       |  |   |   |   |   |                        |
    |                       |\_|___|___|___|__/|                        |
    |                       |  |   |   |   |   |<-BLOCKS                |
    |                       |\_|___|___|___|__/|                        |
    |                       |  |   |   |   |   |                        |
    |                       |\_|___|___|___|__/|                        |
    |                       |                  |                        |
    |                       |                  |                        |
    |                       |     O( )         |                        |
    |                       |      \|          |                        |
    |                       |       |<-TRON    |                        |
    |                       |      / \         |                        |
    |                       |                  |                        |
    |                       |                  |                        |
    |                       |                  |                        |
    |                       |                  |                        |
    |                       |                  |                        |
    |                       |                  |                        |
    +-------------------------------------------------------------------+

                                  +--------+
                                  | TANKS  |
                                  +--------+

    +---------------------------------------------------------------------+
    |  +--------------------------------------------------------+--+---+  |
    |  | +------+-------------+--- TANK TRAIL ----------------+ |##| | |  |
    |  | | +--+ | +---------+ | +--+ | +--+ | +-------------+ | |##| | |  |
    |  | | |##| | |#########| | |##| | |##| | |#############| | |##| | |  |
    |  | | |##| | +------+##| | +--+ | +--+ | +-------------+ | +--+ | |  |
    |  | | +--+ +------+ |##| +------+------+---+------+------+------+ |  |
    |  | +------+ +--+ | |##| | +--+ | +------+ | +--+ | +--+ | +--+ | |  |
    |  | | +--+ | |##| | |##| | |##| | |######| | |##| | |##| | |##| | |  |
    |  | | |##| | +--+ | +--+ | +--+ | +------+ | +--+ | |##| | +--+ | |  |
    |  | | |##| +------+------+------+----------+------+ |##| +------+ |  |
    |  | | |##| | +--+ | +--+ | +--+ | +------+ | +------+##| | +--+ | |  |
    |  | | |##| | |##| | |##| | |##| | |######| | |#########| | |##| | |  |
    |  | | +--+ | +--+ | +--+ | +--+ | +------+ | +---------+ | |##| | |  |
    |  | +------+------+------+------+-+--------+------+------+ |##| | |  |
    |  | | +--+ | +--+ | +--+ | +----+ | +----+ | +--+ | +--+ | |##| | |  |
    |  | | |##| | |##| | |##| | |####|/ \|####| | |##| | |##| | |##| | |  |
    |  | | |##| | +--+ | |##| | |##+-/   \-+  | | |##| | +--+ | +--+ | |  |
    |  | | |##| +------+ |##| | |##|    <-TELEPORTER | +------+------+ |  |
    |  | | |##| | +--+ | |##| | |##+-\   /-+  | | |##| | +--+ | +--+ | |  |
    |  | | |##| | |##| | |##| | |####|\ /|####| | |##| | |##| | |##| | |  |
    |  | | +--+ | +--+ | +--+ | +----+ | +----+ | +--+ | |##| | +--+ | |  |
    |  | +------+------+------+------+-+--------+------+ |##| +------+ |  |
    |  | | +---------+ | +--+ | +--+ | +------+ | +------+##| | +--+ | |  |
    |  | | |#########| | |##| | |##| | |######| | |#########| | |##| | |  |
    |  | | |##+------+ | +--+ | +--+ | +------+ | +---------+ | +--+ | |  |
    |  | | |##| +------+------+------+----------+------+------+------+ |  |
    |  | | |##| | +--+ | +---------+ | +------+ | +--+ | +--+ | +--+ | |  |
    |  | | |##| | |##| | |#########| | |######| | |##| | |##| | |##| | |  |
    |  | | +--+ | +--+ | +---------+ | +------+ | +--+ | +--+ | |##| | |  |
    |  | +------+------+---+---------+----------+------+------+ |##| | |  |
    |  +------+ | +------+ | +-----+ | +------+ | +-------------+##| | |  |
    |  |######| | |######| | |#####| | |######| | |################| | |  |
    |  +------+ | +------+ | +-----+ | +------+ | +----------------+ | |  |
    |  |--------+----------+---------+----------+--------------------+ |  |
    |  +---------------------------------------------------------------+  |
    +---------------------------------------------------------------------+

You control Tron through these four areas.

 _______________
/ 6.3  Scoring /_______________________________________________________________
---------------

Scoring in this game is relatively easy since there aren't a lot of enemies to
keep track of.

Grid Bugs   :     50 points
Bit         :  5,000 points
Blocks      :     25 points
Light Cycles:    500 points
Tanks:
   1st Hit:  100 points
   2nd Hit:  300 points
   3rd Hit:  500 points

You get a 1,000 point bonus for destroying all the Grid Bugs.
You get the remaining time added to your score when you enter the I/O Tower.

NOTE:  On level one, you only get 500 on the timer.  All other levels you get
1000 on the timer.

You get a 1,000 point bonus for destroying all the Blocks.

You start the game from 1 to 9 men.  You get a bonus life anywhere from 1,000
to 99,000 points (in increments of 1,000 points).

 ____________________
/ 6.4  Basic Set Up /__________________________________________________________
--------------------

Tron can be set to one of nine difficulty levels.  Each of these levels has a
different arrangement of how the areas are set up.  Overall, there are basic
set ups that occur in all areas, it's just how they are mixed up that makes the
difference.  First, all areas from 1 to 12 have a unique name.  After level 12,
the name remains the same.  The level names are:

                     +-----+---------++-----+----------+
                     | LVL | NAME    || LVL | NAME     |
                     +-----+---------++-----+----------+
                     +-----+---------++-----+----------+
                     |  1  | RPG     ||  7  | PASCAL   |
                     +-----+---------++-----+----------+
                     |  2  | COBOL   ||  8  | ALGOL    |
                     +-----+---------++-----+----------+
                     |  3  | BASIC   ||  9  | ASSEMBLY |
                     +-----+---------++-----+----------+
                     |  4  | FORTRAN || 10  | OS       |
                     +-----+---------++-----+----------+
                     |  5  | SNOBOL  || 11  | JCL      |
                     +-----+---------++-----+----------+
                     |  6  | PL1     || 12  | USER     |
                     +---------------++----------------+

Within each level are four areas.  Each area has a certain way that it is set
up.  Below are the four area general set ups.  Later on, these numbers will be
used in a chart showing the nine difficulty levels and what to expect in each
area within the respective levels.

+-----------+
| I/O TOWER |
+-----------+

The Grid Bugs have nine different patterns.

[ ] = I/O TOWER ENTRANCE; X = GRID BUG (STARTING POSITION)

+----------+--------------++----------+--------------+
| PATTERN  |  LOOKS LIKE  || PATTERN  |  LOOKS LIKE  |
+----------+--------------++----------+--------------+
+----------+--------------++----------+--------------+
|          |      X       ||          |   X [ ]  X   |
|          |  X  [ ]  X   ||          |    X    X    |
|    1     |              ||    6     |     X  X     |
|          |              ||          |      XX      |
|          |              ||          |     X  X     |
|          |              ||          |    X    X    |
+----------+--------------++----------+--------------+
|          |     X X      ||          |  X       X   |
|          |  X  [ ]  X   ||          |  X  [ ]  X   |
|          |     X X      ||          |  X       X   |
|    2     |              ||    7     |  X   X   X   | 
|          |              ||          |  X       X   |
|          |              ||          |  X       X   |
|          |              ||          |  X       X   |
+----------+--------------++----------+--------------+
|          |     X X      ||          |     [ ]      |
|          |   X     X    ||          |              |
|    3     |     [ ]      ||    8     | XXXXXXXXXXX  |
|          |   X     X    ||          |  XXXXXXXXXXX |
|          |     XXX      ||          |              |
+----------+--------------++----------+--------------+
|          |      X       ||          |    X X X     |
|          |   X     X    ||          |  XX     XX   |
|    4     |   X [ ] X    ||          | X   [ ]   X  |
|          |   X  X  X    ||          |  X       X   |
|          |  X       X   ||    9     | X  X X X  X  |
|          | X          X ||          |    X   X     |
|          |              ||          |   X     X    |
|          |              ||          |  X       X   |
|          |              ||          | X         X  |
|          |              ||          |  XXXXXXXXX   |
+----------+--------------++----------+--------------+
|          |   XXXXX      |
|          |         X    |
|          |     [ ] X    |
|    5     |       X      |
|          |     X        |
|          |   X          |
|          | XXXXXXXXX    |
+----------+--------------+

+--------------+
| LIGHT CYCLES |
+--------------+

This pattern is pretty simple.  You will either have 1, 2, or 3 light cycles to
take care of.

+----------+
| MCP CONE |
+----------+

The MCP Cone has a variety of patterns.  There are a few basic things that make
the MCP Cone area a challenge at times:

Cone Depth    :  It can be three, four, or six blocks in depth.
Cone Speed    :  Can be slow, regular, or fast.
Tron's Speed  :  Can be slow, regular, or fast.
Cone Direction:  Direction the blocks are rotating.

Below is a chart with the different MCP Cone Patterns.

CDD = CONE DEPTH; CDIR = CONE DIRECTION; CSP = CONE SPEED; TRS = TRON'S SPEED
LR = LEFT TO RIGHT; RL = RIGHT TO LEFT; S = SLOW; R = REGULAR; F = FAST

+---------++-----+------+-----+-----++---------++-----+------+-----+-----+
| PATTERN || CDD | CDIR | CSP | TRS || PATTERN || CDD | CDIR | CSP | TRS |
+---------++-----+------+-----+-----++---------++-----+------+-----+-----+
+---------++-----+------+-----+-----++---------++-----+------+-----+-----+
|    1    ||  3  |  LR  |  R  |  R  ||    8    ||  4  |  RL  |  F  |  F  |
+---------++-----+------+-----+-----++---------++-----+------+-----+-----+
|    2    ||  4  |  LR  |  R  |  R  ||    9    ||  6  |  LR  |  F  |  R  |
+---------++-----+------+-----+-----++---------++-----+------+-----+-----+
|    3    ||  4  |  RL  |  R  |  R  ||   10    ||  6  |  RL  |  F  |  R  |
+---------++-----+------+-----+-----++---------++-----+------+-----+-----+
|    4    ||  4  |  LR  |  F  |  R  ||   11    ||  6  |  LR  |  F  |  F  |
+---------++-----+------+-----+-----++---------++-----+------+-----+-----+
|    5    ||  4  |  RL  |  S  |  F  ||   12    ||  6  |  RL  |  F  |  F  |
+---------++-----+------+-----+-----++---------++-----+------+-----+-----+
|    6    ||  4  |  LR  |  F  |  F  ||   13    ||  6  |  RL  |  S  |  R  |
+---------++-----+------+-----+-----++---------++-----+------+-----+-----+
|    7    ||  4  |  RL  |  F  |  R  |
+---------++-----+------+-----+-----+

+-------+
| TANKS |
+-------+

The tanks show a few patterns.  You can have up to six tanks at one time.

TKN = NUMBER OF TANKS; SPP = SPECIFIC PATTERN (IF NEEDED)

+---------++-----+-------------------------------------------------------+
| PATTERN || TKN | SPP                                                   |
+---------++-----+-------------------------------------------------------+
+---------++-----+-------------------------------------------------------+
|    1    ||  1  | NONE                                                  |
+---------++-----+-------------------------------------------------------+
|    2    ||  2  | NONE                                                  |
+---------++-----+-------------------------------------------------------+
|    3    ||  3  | NONE                                                  |
+---------++-----+-------------------------------------------------------+
|    4    ||  4  | NONE                                                  |
+---------++-----+-------------------------------------------------------+
|    5    ||  5  | ONE TANK GOES OVER TOP OF TELEPORTER                  |
+---------++-----+-------------------------------------------------------+
|    6    ||  5  | ONE TANK GOES BELOW THE TELEPORTER                    |
+---------++-----+-------------------------------------------------------+
|    7    ||  6  | ONE TANK GOES ABOVE AND BELOW THE TELEPORTER          |
+---------++-----+-------------------------------------------------------+
|    8    ||  6  | TWO TANKS AT TOP OF AREA, FOUR AT BOTTOM OF AREA      |
+---------++-----+-------------------------------------------------------+
|    9    ||  6  | RECOGNIZERS.  DON'T SHOOT BUT WILL OUTRUN PLAYER TANK |
+---------++-----+-------------------------------------------------------+

 ___________________________
/ 6.5  Difficulty Settings /___________________________________________________
---------------------------

Tron has nine difficulty settings.  By level 4 (Fortran), you should know what
difficulty setting the machine is set at.  The level names remain the same
regardless of what difficulty setting the machine is at.  Using the charts from
Chapter 6.4, this is what patterns you will encounter your first 20 levels on
each difficulty setting.  These patterns are in the format:

I/O TOWER, LIGHT CYCLES, MCP CONE, TANKS

L = LEVEL

                                 
                               DIFFICULTY SETTING
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
|  L ||      1      |      2      |      3      |      4      |      5      |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
|  1 || 1, 1,  1, 1 | 1, 1,  1, 1 | 1, 1,  1, 1 | 1, 1,  1, 1 | 1, 1,  1, 1 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
|  2 || 2, 2,  2, 2 | 2, 2,  2, 2 | 2, 2,  2, 2 | 3, 3,  2, 3 | 3, 3,  2, 3 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
|  3 || 3, 3,  2, 3 | 3, 3,  3, 3 | 5, 3,  4, 6 | 6, 3,  5, 9 | 8, 3,  7, 7 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
|  4 || 4, 3,  3, 4 | 6, 3,  5, 9 | 7, 3,  6, 5 | 9, 3,  8, 5 | 5, 3,  9, 7 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
|  5 || 5, 3,  4, 6 | 8, 3,  7, 7 | 9, 3,  8, 5 | 6, 3, 13, 6 | 9, 3, 12, 9 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
|  6 || 6, 3,  5, 9 | 4, 3,  7, 8 | 5, 3,  9, 7 | 8, 3, 10, 5 | 7, 3, 11, 6 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
|  7 || 7, 3,  6, 5 | 6, 3, 13, 6 | 7, 3, 11, 6 | 5, 3,  9, 6 | 8, 3, 10, 9 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
|  8 || 8, 3,  7, 7 | 8, 3, 10, 5 | 9, 3, 12, 9 | 7, 3, 11, 6 | 9, 3, 12, 7 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
|  9 || 9, 3,  8, 5 | 9, 3, 12, 9 | 6, 3, 13, 6 | 8, 3, 10, 9 | 1, 1,  1, 1 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| 10 || 4, 3,  7, 8 | 4, 3, 10, 7 | 6, 3, 13, 6 | 9, 3, 12, 7 | 4, 3,  3, 4 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| 11 || 5, 3,  9, 7 | 5, 3,  9, 6 | 7, 3, 11, 6 | 1, 1,  1, 1 | 8, 3,  7, 7 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| 12 || 6, 3, 10, 8 | 4, 3,  3, 4 | 6, 3, 13, 6 | 9, 3, 12, 7 | 9, 3,  8, 5 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| 13 || 7, 3, 11, 6 | 9, 3, 12, 9 | 8, 3, 10, 5 | 1, 1,  1, 1 | 7, 3, 11, 6 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| 14 || 8, 3, 10, 9 | 5, 3,  9, 7 | 5, 3,  9, 6 | 4, 3,  3, 4 | 5, 3,  9, 6 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| 15 || 9, 3, 12, 7 | 5, 3,  9, 6 | 7, 3, 11, 6 | 8, 3,  7, 7 | 8, 3, 10, 9 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| 16 || 1, 1,  1, 1 | 7, 3, 11, 6 | 8, 3, 10, 9 | 6, 3, 13, 6 | 9, 3, 12, 7 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| 17 || 2, 2,  2, 2 | 9, 3, 12, 9 | 9, 3, 12, 7 | 4, 3, 10, 7 | 1, 1,  1, 1 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| 18 || 3, 3,  2, 3 | 5, 3,  9, 6 | 1, 1,  1, 1 | 8, 3, 10, 9 | 5, 3,  4, 6 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| 19 || 4, 3,  3, 4 | 6, 3, 13, 6 | 3, 3,  2, 3 | 9, 3, 12, 7 | 4, 3,  7, 8 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| 20 || 5, 3,  4, 6 | 9, 3, 12, 9 | 8, 3,  7, 7 | 1, 1,  1, 1 | 8, 3, 10, 5 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+

                          DIFFICULTY SETTING
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
|  L ||      6      |      7      |      8      |      9      |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
|  1 || 1, 1,  1, 1 | 1, 1,  1, 1 | 1, 1,  1, 1 | 1, 1,  1, 1 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
|  2 || 4, 3,  3, 4 | 4, 3,  3, 4 | 5, 3,  4, 6 | 5, 3,  4, 6 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
|  3 || 8, 3,  7, 7 | 9, 3,  8, 5 | 4, 3,  7, 8 | 5, 3,  9, 7 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
|  4 || 5, 3,  9, 7 | 7, 3, 11, 6 | 8, 3, 10, 5 | 4, 3, 10, 7 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
|  5 || 9, 3, 12, 9 | 8, 3, 10, 9 | 6, 3, 13, 6 | 9, 3, 12, 7 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
|  6 || 7, 3, 11, 6 | 8, 3, 10, 9 | 9, 3, 12, 7 | 4, 3, 10, 5 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
|  7 || 8, 3, 10, 9 | 9, 3, 12, 7 | 1, 1,  1, 1 | 9, 3,  8, 5 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
|  8 || 1, 1,  1, 1 | 1, 1,  1, 1 | 4, 3,  7, 8 | 6, 3, 13, 6 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
|  9 || 4, 3,  3, 4 | 5, 3,  4, 6 | 5, 3,  9, 7 | 6, 3,  5, 8 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| 10 || 9, 3,  8, 5 | 4, 3,  7, 8 | 4, 3, 10, 7 | 5, 3,  4, 6 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| 11 || 7, 3, 11, 6 | 8, 3, 10, 5 | 9, 3, 12, 7 | 7, 3, 11, 6 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| 12 || 8, 3, 10, 5 | 9, 3, 12, 7 | 2, 2,  2, 2 | 5, 3,  4, 6 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| 13 || 6, 3, 13, 6 | 4, 3, 10, 5 | 8, 3,  7, 7 | 6, 3, 13, 6 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| 14 || 9, 3, 12, 7 | 9, 3,  8, 5 | 4, 3, 10, 7 | 4, 3, 10, 5 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| 15 || 1, 1,  1, 1 | 6, 3, 13, 7 | 4, 3, 10, 7 | 9, 3, 12, 5 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| 16 || 5, 3,  4, 6 | 6, 3, 13, 8 | 9, 3, 12, 6 | 5, 3,  9, 6 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| 17 || 5, 3,  9, 7 | 5, 3,  4, 6 | 7, 3,  6, 5 | 8, 3, 10, 7 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| 18 || 4, 3, 10, 7 | 7, 3, 11, 6 | 5, 3,  4, 6 | 6, 3,  5, 9 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| 19 || 9, 3, 12, 7 | 2, 2,  2, 2 | 6, 3, 13, 6 | 4, 3, 10, 6 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| 20 || 4, 3, 10, 5 | 9, 3,  8, 5 | 4, 3, 10, 7 | 6, 3, 13, 5 |
+----++-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+

NOTE:  To read these charts.  Just go across to the difficulty (if known) and
down the level (if known) to determine what you will be encountering.  For
example, Difficulty 6 and Level 20 gives you 4, 3, 10, 5.  Looking at the
charts in Chapter 6.4 means that you will have Pattern 4 Grid Bugs, three light
cycles, Pattern 10 MCP Cone, and Pattern 5 tanks.  If you know the patterns,
you can also identify the difficulty settings and level.  It may take a couple
of levels to make this determination.

 ______________________
/ 6.6  Useless Trivia /________________________________________________________
----------------------

Most of the levels correspond to a computer language.  Of course, some literary
license was used for the level names and a couple of them don't really make
sense.  Anyway, here are the 11 level names and what they are (if known):

ALGOL:  Algorithmic Language.  Influenced the development of more modern
        language (along with FORTRAN and LISP).  Used for number crunching.

ASSEMBLY:  Machine language.  Used to write code directly to the computer with-
           out having to compile or interpret it.

BASIC:  Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code.  Used primarily for
        teaching rudimentary programming.
 
COBOL:  Common Business Oriented Language.  Used primarily for accounting.
        Very old language.

FORTRAN:  Formula Translator.  Used for processing numbers and/or formulas.

JCL:  Job Control Language.  Used on IBM mainframes to execute specific jobs
      and scripts on the Job Entry Subsystem.

OS:  Precursor language to OS2.

PASCAL:  Teaching language for compiled languages.  Not very powerful.

PL1:  A play on the actual language called PLI.  Language used for solving
      mathematical problems.

RPG:  Report Program Generator.  Use for generating reports.  Usually used with
      COBOL.

SNOBOL:  Used for character string manipulation.

                               ****************
******************************** U N I T  III *********************************
                               ****************

+======================+
| 7.  PLAYING THE GAME |=======================================================
+======================+

When you start the game, you will have a cursor in the middle of a computer-
looking grid.  You have eight seconds to go one of four directions on that
grid.  If you don't, you will be randomly sent in a direction.  Once you have
completed an area, you can no longer go to that area until you get to the next
level.  The areas are randomized on this computer grid so you won't know what
you will get next.  Below are the four areas and strategies to get through
them.  I will be referring back to Chapters 6.4 and 6.5 and clarifying some
points further.

 __________________
/ 7.1   I/O Tower /____________________________________________________________
------------------

This is one of the easier areas to get through.  It just involves a lot of
shooting.

-  Quickly establish where the Grid Bugs are.  That way you can quickly aim to
   clear out a path if necessary.

-  The game simulation sailer comes out at random times and drops the Bit off.
   Do everything you can to get to it for a free 5,000 points.

-  Work your way to one of the exits and "camp out".  Just use the spinner to
   aim high and low to take care of the Grid Bugs.  Once the timer hits 100,
   go ahead and exit the screen.

-  It is possible to get over 10,000 points in this area alone (5,000 for the
   Bit and over 5,000 for Grid Bugs killed).

-  During Pattern 9, you will have a one to two second head start before the
   Grid Bugs multiply.  Make sure you blow out a path either to the left or
   right and watch out for the bugs below you.

-  On the earlier levels, try to take out all of the Grid Bugs for the 1,000
   point bonus.

 ____________________
/ 7.2  Light Cycles /__________________________________________________________
--------------------

This is one of the harder areas until you learn the patterns.  Then it will
become a breeze.

-  The arena for this game is a 9 x 9 grid.  Use the grid lines to gauge
   distances and to also know where the turns are.

-  Hitting the wall, your light trail, or an enemy light trail will end your
   cycling career very quickly.

-  Depending on the machine set up, you will need to identify different
   patterns and make the appropriate adjustments to your strategy.  Make sure
   you are staying at full speed until the enemy light cycles are trapped.

-  Usually you can adjust when you see enemy cycles coming after you.  A lot of
   times they will follow another cycle into the wall or a light trail.  The
   enemy cycles become much quicker after level 10.

-  If the three light cycles are coming straight down, go right and up around
   them.  Then do a rectangle pattern leaving an opening to the right side to
   allow the enemy cycles to crash against the wall.

-  Use the above pattern if the middle or right cycles go straight (the other
   ones will veer around before they head down).

-  For any other occasion, it's best to go left and make a box that way.
   Again, the enemy cycles will destroy themselves before you get into trouble.

 ________________
/ 7.3  MCP Cone /______________________________________________________________
----------------

Another easier area.  Even if you mess up a little, you can still recover from
your mistake.

-  First, determine the cones speed and direction of travel.  You can
   accomplish the second thing by shooting at it to determine which way the
   hole travels.

-  Next, determine your speed.  This will determine how much time you have to
   blow through the cone to get to the exit.

-  Once you have determined the above, go over to the side that the cone is
   entering from.  For example, if the cone is moving from left to right, the
   go over to the left side and start shooting.

-  The four block cones are pretty easy.  Just rapidly blast a path and go up.

-  The six block cones are a little trickier.  You will need to open up the
   bottom part of the cone.  Enter this new opening and start to chew  at the
   top.  You will end up having blocks rotate below you as you head up.  Be
   careful and watch around you since you will end up surrounded by blocks
   before you enter the exit.

-  The hardest cone to get through is when Tron is traveling fast and the cone
   is moving slow.  You have to quickly blast a path any way you can or you
   will collide with the cone.

-  For extra points, you can position yourself half-way out of the exit and
   blast at the top blocks.  On the earlier levels, try to get the 1,000 point
   bonus.

 _____________
/ 7.4  Tanks /_________________________________________________________________
-------------

Probably the hardest area of the game.  You have to learn how to move and shoot
(in different directions) at the same time.

-  It takes three hits to destroy an enemy tank.  You have the advantage,
   though, by being able to use rapid fire and bouncing your shots off the
   walls.  Enemy tanks can only have one shot out a time.

-  This rebounding of shots can be a very effective offensive measure.  You may
   be able to hit tanks from afar or hit them around corners just by rebounding
   your shots just right.  Prevent them from getting close.

-  The pink teleporter area is the key to surviving many of the tank patterns.
   Just don't go too far in or you may end up teleporting to a hostile
   environment very quickly.

-  If you stay off the tank trails, enemy tanks will not fire on you.  They
   can, however, ram your tank (this is especially true if you are hanging out
   in the teleportation area).

-  Like other parts of Tron, there are patterns you can use on the specific
   tank patterns to ensure your survival.

-  For Pattern 5, blast the tank going over the top and hang out inside the
   teleporter picking off targets.  On Pattern 6, just get into the teleporter
   area and aim down to take out the tank running below the teleporter.

-  For Pattern 7, go down and blast the lower tank.  Nestle yourself into your
   teleporter and blast away the targets.  Pattern 8 goes the same except you
   don't have to blast the bottom tank.

-  For Pattern 9, pull down on the joystick then go up.  This delay will allow
   you to blast the Recognizer in front of you.  Rapidly turn your gun around
   and plaster the two sneaking up behind you.  Then hunt down and kill the
   rest.

                               ****************
********************************  U N I T  IV *********************************
                               ****************

+================+
| 8.  CONCLUSION |=============================================================
+================+

Tron has to rank as one of my all time favorite games.  I easily spent hours on
end camped out at the Tron machine taking care of business.  After a while, one
developed what I called "Tron Finger".  This basically was being able to
lightly pull the trigger rapidly in order to get the most shots on the screen
at once.  This was especially effective on the I/O Tower and MCP Cone areas.
It also proved to be quite devastating during the Tank areas.  With the variety
of different areas (even though they eventually repeated), the game could keep
one spellbound hours on end.  Although the pace at the beginning was a bit slow
and boring, that couldn't be said once you got into the "zone".  It wasn't
uncommon for me and a friend to basically monopolize the machine for long
periods of time as we calmly went through the areas and levels.  It was a lot
of fun and it seemed I never grew bored of it.  Unfortunately, it is very rare
to find this machine anywhere.  However, through the miracle of emulation, a
whole new generation is realizing what we "old" folks enjoyed those many years
ago.  In addition, www.shockwave.com is bringing many of these classic games
back.  Check out their site to see what ones are there.  I hope this guide
helps you in being able to get the most amount of gameplay for this game.  If
you do have other ideas or thoughts, please e-mail me and share them.  Who
knows, maybe I'll start a Q&A Chapter in this guide if enough people ask the
same questions.  Anyway, thank you again for reading this guide.

To see other FAQ's I have written please go to:

           http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/recognition/32691.html

           ~~~  No trees were harmed in the making of this FAQ ~~~