The Ultimate Guide to Ultimate Bullseye - Layout Under Construction

NOTE: GUIDE IS FOR OLD VERSION OF GAME ONLY

Step One: What is Ultimate Bullseye?

The Game

Ultimate Bullseye is a difficult flash game where you play as a Turtum controlling a catapult. You get a starting total of 10 shots to try and hit the target in order to earn as many points as you possibly can.

Point System: Basic

The scoring is overall fairly simple; you get 1 point for the outer ring, 2 for the second outer ring, 3 for the middle ring, 5 for the second closest ring, and 10 for the bullseye.

Point System: Power Ups

Every bullseye also earns you a snazzy power up, which can be used anytime throughout the rest of the game. (Note: To activate a power up, click it. It'll then turn red to show that you've chosen it.) There are four different power ups:

C (Close Target) - Brings the target closer to catapult; point system is same
P (Punchbag Bob) - Replaces the target with an apple on Punchbag Bob's head; worth 20 points
F (Fire Hoop) - Creates a ring of fire in front of the current target; doubles all points
B (Bouncing Bull) - Makes the current bullseye continuously enlarge itself for easier aiming; point system is same

Step Two: General Tips and Tricks

Power Bar

The first trick is the amount of power you use. If you use too much, the arrow just whips past the entire target earning you a zero. However, if you don't use enough power, the arrow gently falls and misses completely. The trick is to practice holding down the spacebar for a short amount of time until the power lands inbetween the 4th and 5th lines (about 2/3 of the power bar). Soon, it'll come naturally to you.

Aiming and Positioning

The second trick is knowing how to accurately position the catapult. Since the target is never perfectly aligned with the catapult, it helps to NEVER AIM directly at the bullseye. Depending on your power usage, most likely it'll just shoot on past or fall short a couple of rings. The trick is to aim a little above the bullseye and use only about 2/3 of power. This should help the arrow move smoothly until it gently falls downwards and hits smack in the middle. Taller targets are different; appropriate aiming for these consists of shooting a little below the bullseye and using slightly more power instead (about 3/4). This time, by using more energy, the arrow should glide in a straight line versus an arch.

Using Your Peripheral Vision

On top of knowing how to position the catapult, most skill comes from using your peripheral vision. By focusing on only one part of the game at a time, you won't get overwhelmed or have to constantly check to make sure your positioning is accurate. To accomplish this, direct your concentration on the catapult so you only see the target out of the corner of your eye. By combining the basics of positioning with this method, you'll hopefully be able to improve your aiming abilities and get further in the game.

*Note: Not everyone may benefit from the Peripheral Vision technique. I find, however, that it tends to help me aim better and faster.

Using the Power Ups

Knowing when and how to use your power ups is one of the key essentials to becoming a pro as well. The best way to use them is by saving them for the last shot in the given 10. This way, you can continue shooting earning even more than the basic 100 points. Scoring a bullseye on the final shot lets you continue into extra rounds until you score less than 10 points on a turn. Doing that will immediately end the game no matter how many power ups you have saved.

Power Up Combinations

Recommended:

P and F - These two power ups combined create the best possible score you can achieve in a single shot. The apple, being worth 20 points alone, is doubled by the fire, giving you a whopping 40 points.

B and C - Combining these make for easy shooting and practicing with closer targets. You're almost always guaranteed to make this shot. Worth 10 points.

Not Recommended:

P and B - Makes the apple on Punchbag Bob's head continuously enlarge itself. Although it makes the apple a bigger target, the arrow still tends to miss it making it a waste of two perfectly good bonuses. Worth 20 points.

C and F - Places the fire hoop directly in front of a close target for easier shooting. Can be helpful at times, but the F bonus is better used with the P. Doubles all points.

C and P - Moves the Punchbag Bob target closer for easier aiming. Good to use later in the game to guarantee a shot, but tends to waste the P power up, which is better used along with the F. 20 points.

B and F - Continuously enlarges the bullseye behind the ring of fire. Is helpful at some points, but the F power up is, once again, best used with the P. Doubles all points.

*Note: Although it is possible to combine more than 2 power ups, it is not recommended nor is it likely to help you advance.

Gaining an Extra Shot

By typing the word "catapult" at any time throughout the game, you are automatically awarded a random power up to use later in the game. Since I don't usually use power ups until my last turn, it's best to type this code during your second-to-last shot (of the 10 basic shots you get) in order to have the extra power up appear for your tenth turn.

Step Three: The Avatar and Trophies

Once you've learned the basic and more advanced tricks, it's time to move on and start "aiming" at the higher levels. Yes, I'm talking about the avatar! In order to retrieve it, you must send a score of 225 or more points. Once your score sends, a message will appear on the screen stating that The Neopets Team is verifying your score. This is only a check since the score will most likely fall in what they refer to as the "cheating range." This is just a precaution though; it doesn't mean you actually cheated. Once they finish verifying it (which may take up to a couple days), you will have earned 1,000 neopoints, the avatar, and maybe even a trophy to go along with it.

*Note: Trophies, in contrast to the avatar, tend to take much more work. From what I've found, it seems as though you'll need to score about 300 or more points simply to get a bronze.

Step Four: Don't Give Up!

No matter what your high score is, there should never be the need to give up. After a while and many hours of playing, you will soon learn your own strategies that work best and eventually win the avatar. My old high score (before getting the avatar with 255 points) was only 141. That means I scored over 100 points higher. Hopefully, the same could happen to you. Just remember to NEVER give up and ALWAYS keep on trying.

Pictures & Screenies!



Notice how the power in the power bar stops inbetween the 4th and 5th lines, and the aim of the catapult is slightly above the bullseye.




This is a commonly made mistake. If you look closely you can see it has perfect aim, perfect position, just slightly too much power, as the shot only earned me 5 points versus a bullseye.




A combination of the Fire Hoop and Punchbag Bob power ups (recommended).




A hard shot because of the way you have to aim the catapult. Notice how I positioned it above the bullseye, so the arrow could glide in that arch-like shape.




All four power ups combined (not recommended).




Turtum Avatar (225† points in order to retrieve it)




Gold, Silver, and Bronze Ultimate Bullseye Trophies


*Note: As of recently, I am no longer accepting Neomails concerning my avatar and trophy and/or tips to getting them. Everything you need to know is written right here! However, if you have read the guide and are not finding any answers, feel free to contact me immediately. Also note that I am ALWAYS open to comments/suggestions on my guide.

Some Last Recommendations...

Computer Speed

The game obviously tends to work best with a fast computer mainly because slower systems make it harder to use the power bar. However, if it is absolutely impossible to get a hold of a faster connection, simply practice with what you have and soon you'll get the hang of it.

Size Setting

I tend to put the game on the large window setting. Normal and small make it fairly hard to see; x-large and full screen, on the other hand, are just too big. The large setting fits perfectly on my screen and lets me use my peripheral vision technique easily. Keep in mind, though, that my resolution size may be different than yours. I play on both 1024x768 and 1280x1024.

Keeping the Sound Turned On

Sometimes I actually keep the sound on. And though it can be annoying at times, it has surprisingly helped me concentrate a bit better. It all depends on whether or not you'll get irritated with it though.

World Challenge Competition

Last, I recommend entering the World Challenge once you've gotten much better at the game and are able to score at least 200 points. The first time I entered an Ultimate Bullseye competition, I came in first place because of my practice and effort. Plus, if you win, you'll get some pretty snazzy prizes.

Thank you for reading and good luck!


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