Topic: Kobo Deluxe is an enhanced version of Akira Higuchi's game XKobo

[Software Santa]

Kobo Deluxe is an enhanced version of Akira Higuchi's game XKobo

Software Santa thanks sunburn at gameboom for posting a link to this game AND for posting the Video at YouTube! A tip of Software Santa's Santa Cap to him!


Kobo Deluxe Gameplay



Note: the Mac OS X version went here. http://howlingmoonsoftware.com/extras.php

What is Kobo Deluxe?
Kobo Deluxe is an enhanced version of Akira Higuchi's game XKobo for Un*x systems with X11. Kobo Deluxe adds sound, smoother animation, high resolution support, OpenGL acceleration (optional), an intuitive menu driven user interface, joystick support and other features. Recent versions also add a number of alternative skill levels with slightly modernized gameplay. Kobo Deluxe uses SDL for graphics, sound and input, which makes it possible to build and run the game on pretty much anything.

What do I need?
A computer with graphics and some sort of operating system. Sound is optional. Kobo Deluxe has been known to run on the following platforms:

Windows 7 (x86_64)
Windows Vista (x86_64)
Windows 2000/XP (x86)
Windows 95/98/ME (x86)
Mac OS X (PPC)
GNU/Linux (x86, x86_64, PPC, PPC64, ARM)
Xbox
Wii
GP2X
WiZ
Dingoo A320
PlayStation 2 Linux
Syllable
BeOS (x86, PPC)
AmigaOS (68k, PPC)
Solaris (x86, SPARC)
QNX (x86)
OpenBSD (i386, macppc, sparc, sparc64)
FreeBSD (x86)
NetBSD (x86)
IRIX
OS/2
Please tell me if you've played Kobo Deluxe on something not in the list above!

Does it fit in my pocket?
Yes! One of these might save some Kobo addicts from dragging laptops around:

PalmKobo - A Palm OS port, based on XKobo and Kobo Deluxe. Runs on Palm OS 3.5 or later.
PocketKobo - An XKobo port for Pocket PC 2002 and Pocket PC 3.0. Runs on Toshiba e570, Casio E-125 and others.
koboG - An in-progress Kobo remake for GP32.
Kobo Deluxe - for Nokia internet tablets.
Features
Fast paced retro arcade style gameplay
Smooth, high speed 8-way scrolling
Very simple controls - the game is about speed and strategy
17 different enemies; fighter ships, kamikaze attackers, proxy bombs and more
50 maps, each with it's own feel and strategies to figure out
Maps are built as you enter them - each game is unique!
Structured audio technology - hi-fi sound in a tiny download
OpenGL support for extremely fast and smooth animation
High resolution support up to 2560x1600 - five types of scaling
Supports any display color depth - dithering for 15 and 16 bpp
Supports control by keyboard, mouse or joystick
Runs on pretty much any hardware and operating system
All code and data is Free/Open Source! (GPLed game logic; LGPLed engine code.)
Hints
First of all, if at first you're not having much success with Kobo Deluxe, don't feel bad about it! You're in good company. Kobo Deluxe is not a casual game! It is a hardcore retro style shooter - and a fast and unforgiving one at that.

Remember, everyone starts out losing countless ships - even the aces on the highscore list! You will need to try different strategies, and you will need to practice long and hard.

Below are some hints and strategies that may be of some help to all of you frustrated aspiring Kobo pilots out there.

Objectives
Destroy all fortresses on a stage to complete the stage.
Survive for as long as possible!

General
Use the keyboard, or better, a serious digital joystick. Arcade control panels should work pretty well, but they're rather expensive, unless you buy separate joysticks and buttons and build your own control panel When controlling with the keyboard, use the arrows or the NumPad to control direction. Remember that there are diagonals! (Two directional keys at once, or 1/3/7/9 when using the NumPad.) Fire is on all CTRL and SHIFT keys. A fortress is destroyed by shooting it's core. (The yellow/purple ball in the middle.) No need to shoot all the blue nodes first, if you can get right at the core! Note that it's possible (required even, on a few maps) to navigate into bases. Shoot everything that moves! And everything that shoots back! And... Just shoot everything, ok? :-) Everything that blows up counts to your score, and at certain intervals, you get extra ships. (Yes, you'll need them.) Don't look too hard at individual enemies and stuff. Try to "just see" the whole screen. Some enemies and bullets move faster than you, so you can't escape by going the other way. You have to be prepared to dodge things from any direction at any time. When there's too massive resistance, try a more defensive approach! Many fortresses pump out large numbers of dangerous enemies when you get close, so just mowing them down may not work. Use the traditional hit'n'run strategy, at least for starters.

http://olofson.net/kobodl/index.html