
                                  ~~~~~~~~~~~                               
                               ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~                             
                               ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~                             
                              M~~~XMMMMX~~~~~~~~             ~~~~~          
              ~~               MM"     "M~~~~~X              ~~~~~~~~~      
           ~~~~~~              "         M~~~~M             ~X""??? ~~~~~~  
        ~~~~~~~~~~                       ?~~~X"            ~~M      ""~~~~~.
     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~                      ~XMM"             ~M          ~~~X"
 ~~~~~~~~XXXX~~~~~~                      XMM"             MXM          ~~X" 
X~~~~~~X"   "M~~~~~~                   ~MMM"              MMM         ~~X"  
"X~~~X"      "MX~~~~~                 ~MMM"               MM          ~~M   
 "XX"         "MMXX~~                ~MMM"               MMM         ~~M    
  "            MMMMMX~              XMMM"                MMM        XXM     
                MMMMM~             MMMMM                 MM        .MM"     
                 MMMMM~           MMMMMM                .MM        MM"      
                  MMMM~          MMMMMMMMMXXXX~         MMM       MMM       
                  "MMMM~         "MMMMMMMMMMMMM         MMM..    .MM        
                   MMMMX          """      ????         MMMMMM...MM         
                    MMMMM                                ""MMMMMMM          

**********************************************************************

                   7 2 0   S k a t e b o a r d i n g                   
             FAQ for the NES version of 720 Skateboarding
       FAQ is Copyright (C)2000, Dallas (Dallas@DodgerStats.com)       

 The latest version of this document can always be found at GameFAQs:
                       http://www.gamefaqs.com                         

**********************************************************************

=-----------------=
=Table of Contents=
=-----------------=
   i. Introduction & Version History
   I. Controls
  II. Top Menu
 III. Map
  IV. Classes
   V. Levels
      a. Downhill
      b. Jump
      c. Slalom
      d. Ramp
  VI. Shops 
      a. Helmets
      b. Boards
      c. Pads
      d. Shoes
 VII. Skate or Die
VIII. Credits
  IX. Contact Information
   X. Disclaimer
  XI. Closing

**********************************************************************

=------------------------------=
=Introduction & Version History=
=------------------------------=
   Let me begin by introducing myself, for those who don't know me, 
my name is Dallas, yes it's my real name. I write FAQs in my spare time 
as a hobby and to help out needy gamers. For all of my FAQs you can 
check out my Contributor Recognition page at GameFAQs, (http://www.GameFAQs.com/features/recognition/). I also run my
own website at [http://www.DodgerStats.com] which shows you that I am 
a huge fan of Major League Baseball.

   Now, 720 is a very "old school" game that was devolped in 1986 by 
Atari Games Co. and Tengen. Although very old, it is also very equal 
in total all-around fun. It is a skateboarding game consisting of 4 
different levels to play and do tricks on with several different class 
levels ranking from easy to normal to hard. You can also buy and upgrade 
new pads, helmets, boards, and shoes if you have enough money. However, 
you cannot just freelance skateboard around outside the park, or a little 
"death man" will eventually come and kill you. (See the 'Top Menu' section). 


Version History:
----------------
V1.0 (04/05/2000): Initial Release. All Data added.
V1.1 (05/11/2000): Redid formatting. FAQ Completeness: 100%
                   Possible Final Version.

**********************************************************************

=-----------=
=I. Controls=
=-----------=
Controls on the standard NES Control Pad:

START - Pause; Confirm
     A - Jump
     B - N/A
    Up - Move Up
  Down - Move Down
  Left - Move Left
 Right - Move Right
Select - N/A

**********************************************************************

=------------=
=II. Top Menu=
=------------=
   While playing you will notice a little menu at the top left hand 
corner of the screen. This is the Top Menu. It contains all the 
information you will need to know while playing the game. I have 
explained what each is and what it means.

BOXES - On the very top of the menu you will see several or a minimum 
        amount of colored boxes. This is your timer. Whether you are 
        skating or not, the timer is still running. The only time it 
        is not running is when the game is placed on pause. Once the 
        timer reaches the end of it's limit, a little sign will show 
        up with the words "Skate or Die" which is exactly what it means. 
        When this sign is on the screen, it means a little Death Man or 
        Death Skull is looking for you. Soon it will appear on screen and 
        all you can do is: a.) Let it hit you  OR  b.) Run!  My suggestion 
        is to just let it hit you. You _can_ try and out run it but 
        eventually it will turn into a hypodermic needle and chase even 
        faster after you and there really is no escape. You can, however, 
        escape death even if the "Skate or Die" sign is on by entering an 
        event before it finds you.


SCORE - When you start the game your score obviously starts out as "0". 
        There are two different ways to get points added to your score. 
        You can get them both in _and_ out of obstacles. In the park, 
        you don't get many points, but the one way you can is to do jumps 
        off of the mini-ramps located all over the outside of the park. 
        It can be very tough to land but you'll get a good 200 points if you 
        pull it off. The big points come from the obstacles inside the park. 
        You can get thousands of points depending on which medal you get plus 
        bonus points.


MONEY - Right under the score, your total amount of money is listed in US 
        dollars [$]. You begin with $100, just enough to allow you to upgrade
        some of your equipment. There is only one way to earn cash, and that
        is competing in the obstacle courses. Depending on how well you do
        in each course is the determining factor of how much money you get.
        You can also get bonus cash for getting better medals. You use the 
        money to upgrade equipment. Each class has higher prices than the 
        previous class, so start saving up!


LIVES - The little "T" shaped things form your life meter. You are allowed 
        3 lives to begin with and when they are all gone you get a Game Over
        sign for good. Each time you crash about 3-4 times you will lose one 
        life and receive a "Game Over & Continue" sign, this uses up one of 
        your lives [T's]. When all 3 are gone you get a "GAME OVER" sign and
        you won't have the choice of continuing, so keep a watchful eye on 
        this meter.


ITEMS - Lastly on the very bottom of the Menu is your equipment stock. You
        can see all of the items you currently own and upgraded items you
        have bought. There are 4 different pictures for the 4 types of 
        equipment. Skateboard is your board, The Helmet and Shoes can also 
        be upgraded and lastly your pads. This little part of the Menu is to 
        keep you on track of what you own and what you don't.

**********************************************************************

=--------=
=III. Map=
=--------=
   The Map is accessible from various locations inside the park. Usually 
it is around each corner you turn on, but note that your time meter does 
not stop when you stop on the map. I have listed the map diagram below.


                 DOWNHILL      HELMETS      RAMP

                  .<!!:        :!!h.        :!!:.     
               .:!~   `4h.  .<!`   `!:.  :!~`  '~!:.  
               `~!:   .<!!!!(        '!!!!!:.   :!~`  
                  `4!!!!!~ '~!:..:..:!~ `~!!!!!~`     
                     `!!.     `~!!!~      .!!`        
                    .<!`~!:.  :!!!!!:  .:!~`!:.   SHOES    
        BOARDS   .:!~     `!!!!~  `~!!!!     '~!:.    
               :!~      .<!!!`       ```!:      `4!:  
                `4h.     '~!!!:     ::::~      :!~`   
                   `!:.  :!~`~!!h:!!!~`4h.  .<!`      
                     '!!!`     `!!!`     `!!(         
                   .:!!!:    :!~!!!4h.    :!!!:.   SLALOM   
        JUMP    .:!~``!!!!h<!`       `!:!!!!!``~!:    
              :!~`     .!!~`!:.     .<!`~!!.     `~!: 
             '~!:.  .:!~     '~!:.:!~     `~!:   .:!~ 
                `~!!~`          `~           `~!!~    
                                
                               PADS

**********************************************************************

=-----------=
=IV. Classes=
=-----------=
   There are a few (I use the term lightly) different class levels in 
720. You start out on Class 1, which is the easiest and you progress one 
level higher from there. You start out on the easiest possible mode which 
is Class 1, once you complete that, you move on to a harder class, which 
is naturally given the title "Class 2", and so on and so forth. I'm not 
exactly sure how many classes there are, but not very many, maybe about 
four or so.

   In order to fully complete a class, you must finish ALL of the 
obstacles in the park. At first [on class 1] they will be rather easy to 
accomplish. Once you complete all 4 obstacles you move on to the next class. 
However, you don't have to actually get a medal in a particular obstacle 
in order to complete it. Medals are explained below. Make sure you buy 
all of your equipment BEFORE completing all of the obstacles because you 
won't be able to go back.

   In each obstacle you are rewarded either a Bronze, Silver, Gold or 
no medal. Each medal is placed on the back of your skateboard for showing 
off. In order to actually complete an obstacle you DO NOT have to collect 
a medal. When no medal is collected, a tongue sticking out icon will appear 
in place of the medal on the back of your skateboard. Whether you get a 
medal or not, the obstacle will be closed and therefore it is completed for 
you to move on to the next.

**********************************************************************

=---------=
=V. Levels=
=---------=

a. Downhill - As the name suggests, this entire obstacle course is 
              basically just going down a long hill with twists, turns 
              and jumps. If you get up enough speed and time all of your 
              jumps correctly you will be eligible for a Gold medal. 
              On the sides of the hill is a very large body of water which 
              is very easy to fall into if you are going to fast or not 
              being careful. If you can pull off some jumps in between 
              landings, you'll score some extra points at the end.


b. Jump - The funnest obstacle, IMO. This is somewhat similar to the 
          Downhill obstacle with the difference that you will be catching 
          some major air time in between jumps. As you go down the hill, 
          jump as high and far as you possibly can without crashing and you 
          grab some major points. This obstacle should be a breeze to win the 
          Gold in, just speed down the hill, jump at the jumps and grab the 
          gold.


c. Slalom - This is similar to skiing games you've seen on the computer. 
            You head down the hill, only you will be maneuvering your way 
            a number of flags placed down the hillside. This can be tough 
            to do on a skateboard. Just don't miss any flags and if you do, 
            go back and pass it because you pick up extra time for each set 
            of flags you go through, thus increasing your maximum medal 
            capacity.


d. Ramp - You know these things. A narrow little 'U' shaped course where 
          you start on one side, go down into the 'U' and up onto the other 
          side and do a cool trick to impress the judges for brownie points. 
          Here it's like that only there are no judges, not many tricks, but 
          lots of points. For some reason I can not pass this course with even 
          a bronze medal. There are only about two possible tricks you can do 
          here, a hand stand and a 360 degree spin, both which are very easy 
          to fail upon almost 99% of the time.

**********************************************************************

=---------=
=VI. Shops=
=---------=
   Throughout each obstacle is a shop. There are a total of 4 shops in 
all each supplying useful equipment to help you complete the game. I 
have listed each shop, what it sells, and why to buy their products.


a. Helmets - The Helmet shop is the closest shop near you when you first 
             start the game. Helmets start at about $45 in Class 1 and 
             really are the most irrelevant item in the game. I suggest 
             you don't buy the helmet because you will very rarely, 
             if ever, actually use it. You don't really fall on your head 
             in this game, rather on you limbs, and that's when the pads 
             come in.


b. Boards - Obviously, the most important item in the game. I STRONGLY 
            suggest you pick up a board in each class BEFORE heading into 
            any obstacles. You will have greater odds of winning higher 
            medals if you buy new boards in each class. The Board shop is 
            located to the North-West of the map.


c. Pads - The Pads Shop is all the way south of the map from where you first
          start the game. You don't really _have_ to buy pads, but it is 
          recommended because you will need them for all the future crashes
          you will have (Believe me, which will be quite a few). I suggest
          you at least pick up 1 or 2 pairs of pads throughout the game.


d. Shoes - Another necessity are the shoes. No skater could be good without 
           the proper footwear, right? So, what do they have...Vans? DCs? 
           AirWalks? No silly, this is a 14 year old game, of course not. 
           They have NES shoes, yes...NES. All the shoes look the same, but 
           they really do become more powerful with each upgrade.

**********************************************************************

=-----------------=
=VII. Skate or Die=
=-----------------=
   I think this saying was used for the later skating game [possibly a 
sequel to this one] called "Skate or Die" as well. Basically, when your 
timer runs out, a little death guy or skull, whatever you want to call 
it, goes on a scavenger hunt looking to kill you with it's magical 
killing powers. No, it doesn't really kill you, justs knocks you to the 
ground and takes away one of your lives, but that still sucks.

   There is no escaping death, but you sure can try. If you manage to 
keep running from this skull, eventually it will morph into a hypodermic 
needle and go 10 times faster and eventually kill you. However, if you 
happen to be nearby an obstacle course entrance, by all means go inside, 
this is your ONLY possible chance of escaping this crazy death skull.

**********************************************************************

=-------------=                                                        
=VIII. Credits=
=-------------=
I'd like to thank the following people/companies:

Jeff 'CJayC' Veasey: For posting this FAQ and running GameFAQs.com.
Myself: For writing this FAQ (^_^)                                             

**********************************************************************

=-----------------------=
=IX. Contact Information=
=-----------------------=
Before sending me any e-mail, I have specified certain guidelines you
must follow. I receive far too much e-mail a day that is nonsense, so
please follow all guidelines if you expect a response from me.

Here are the types of e-mail I will not accept:

* SPAM - Get Rich Quick Scams, Home Loans, any Advertisements.
* Chain Letters - Letters trying to break records, etc.
* l33t Speak - ! d0n'+ w/\n+ l33t $p3/\k 3-m/\!L
* Unconstructive Criticism - Saying my FAQs suck with no reasoning, etc.
* Hate Mail - Same as unconstructive criticism.
* "Rude" mail - Demanding you be credited for something, etc.
* QAA - Questions Already Answered in this FAQ won't be answered.


Here are the types of e-mail I will accept:

* Contributions - Want to contribute something to this FAQ?
* Praise Mail - Praise on any of my FAQs.
* Questions - I accept FAQ questions, or general FAQ writing questions.
* Suggestions - Want to suggest something for my FAQ(s) or writing style?
* Comments - Any positive OR negative comments are accepted.
* Other - If you just feel like chatting, drop me a line.

**********************************************************************


=-------------=                                                    
=X. Disclaimer=
=-------------=
This document is Copyright (C)1999-2000, Dallas (Dallas@DodgerStats.com)
It is intended for the sole, non-commercial, private, and person use
of it's audience. This document may not be retransmitted, edited,
altered, published, sold for a profit, given as an incentive to buy,
nor is any of the above to be attempted without the sole consent of
the author himself. This document may only be read and printed both 
for prive, personal use be all viewers. No individual, company,
corporation, incorporation, etc. is exempt from the above terms. If
the above terms are not abided by, legal actions shall take place.

**********************************************************************
                                                       
=-----------=                                                  
=XI. Closing=
=-----------=
This FAQ now comes to a close. I'd like to give my thanks out to all
of you many readers who have read this, and I want to give a big 
thanks to Jeff "CJayC" Veasey for posting this FAQ and for running the
best darn gaming site on the web today.

Please support the author of this FAQ by visiting his website at:

http://www.dodgerstats.com


-Dallas-


-EOF-
