R.C. Pro-Am (Nintendo, 1988)

Do not be confident just because you made it through the first 20 races without using one continue! There is a level, that you would think would be easier than those oil slicks, moveable barriers, and watered-downed tracks, but this one has met my match. If you played this game constantly, you know what I mean. I'm talking about the course with very long straightaways and no obstacles. EVERYTIME I GET TO THAT LEVEL, IT MAY BE 24, THE AI COMPUTERS HAVE OUTPACED ME EVEN WHILE DRIVING PERFECTLY.

HEREs the HINT: Upgrade your vehicle by knowing where the items are. There are two ways to do that: either collect flawlessly in each level the N's that spell Nintendo at the bottom of the race screen. When spelling out the word "Nintendo", you get a transformation of vehicle, from trucks to SUVs and finally, Indycars. It will take you 16 levels to do that in, if collected N's in every race.

So, boom, now you have the Indy car. Now, it needs upgrades, and FAST. Level 17 onward, collect the upgrades that include the Slick tires, Turbo Charger, and Engine strengths. These temporarily boost your vehicle with speed upon running over them, but it will also show your upgrades on the screen just before the race begins. The yellow boxes indicate how much you can upgrade your car on that screen 4Xs. So that means, before that speedy level, 24? you have 7 or so chances to collect each upgrade (only need 4xs) My problem is I usually complete the Nintendo logo when its the level before the speedy level. Therefore, all my upgrades are gone when going from Suv to Indy. Same is true from truck to Suv.

SOLUTION: either way you need to memorize where all N's are to either get them all, but just getting them all will not upgrade the machanics of car, just the vehicle. Planning on getting the N's and then you need to memorize where the upgrades are and hit them by running over them.

Or...

...do what I tried to do. Avoid the N's altogether to keep opponents from upgrading, a task I haven't been able to perform, for sometimes its hard to avoid hitting the N's. Avoiding the N's though will keep your Trucks', or SUVs' full upgrades, (assuming you hit them on the track) Then your on a level playing field with your opponents.

Hope this helps for those who cannot get pass that particular fast level. Otherwise, very fun to play with that arcade type sound and precision track turning.