[III. Bishoujo Senshi Sera Mun R for Super Famicom]

 

["Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon R" (C)1993 BANDAI]

 

[Title Screen Menus]

 

Our game opens on a late afternoon day overlooking the waterfront and four beams of light passoverhead and our story begins. Queen Beryl is gone, the Doom Tree has passed, and now a new threat has come to Tokyo in the form of the Negamoon and its followers from a distant future. As the day begins a girl drops out of the sky and lands on Serena(Usagi), and being able to hypnotise people with the help of her Luna P Ball she convinces Serena's (Usagi's) family that she is their cousin Rini(Chibiusa). Anyways as the story goes she has come to the past to find the Silver Imperium Crystal and her mother in the past to help her out. With the help of the Sailor Soldiers protecting her they take care of the Four Sisters Catsy, Bertie, Avery, and Prisma. Our story now in the game takes off from here where you'll have to deal with many monsters brought fourth by Prince Diamond and his three generals Emerald, Sapphire, and Rubius.

 

Here on the title screen with the beautiful Sailor Moon R you will be given four choices to continue from with many choices under each. To make this easy for you to get by on I'll explain them in a clockwise manner.

 

A. Main Game Start - Choose this to get a second menu leading up to the start of the game.

1. Press the button on the left option for a One Player Game.

2. Press the button on the right for a Two Player Game.

B. Play the Main Game With Rini - This unique option lets you play the game as Rini (Chibiusa) alone or with another.

 

Tip: Want to try playing some secret modes under this screen? Just hold down the L, R, Select, and Start Buttons to get this special menu.

1. Option one in this menu lets you play a two player game with two Rini's (Chibiusa's).

2. Option two is a "Best Friend" mode in which you get to play the game much like the above option, but I believe the difficulty is different.

3. Option three is a Two Player option that lets you play the first player as one of the five Sailor Scouts, while the second player gets to use Rini (Chibiusa) which makes for an interesting combination.

C. Two Player Combat Mode - In this option you and a friend get to choose your favorite of the five Sailor Soldiers and fight it out to the end.

D. Options Screen - Change options by using the Control Pad and Buttons.

1. Option one lets you set the difficulty level of the game, it is set to normal as default. Pressing right on the Control Pad once will select the hard setting, and once more the easy mode. Remember in easy mode though you can only play the first two of five levels in this game.

2. Option two lets you set the number of continues you get in the game. It is defaulted to three, you can choose five as the other option.

3. Option four lets you sample the background music.

4. Option five lets you sample the sound effects.

5. Option six lets you sample the voice clips.

6. Option seven lets you exit back to the main screen by pressing Start.

 

[Playing the Game]

 

Once you have selected your options and the amount of players for your battle with Prince Diamonds negaverse minions before you can send them back to where they came from you need to select your Sailor Soldier. You get to choose from left to right Sailor Mercury, Sailor Jupiter, Sailor Moon, Sailor Venus, and Sailor Mars. Each of the five Sailor Soldiers have their own weaknesses and strengths so keep that in mind when choosing your player or team. To choose your Sailor Soldier just highlight them when the Control Pad then press the Y Button. Your out of uniform Soldier will transform and after the opener to the stage is done you can begin to play. If in the case you chose to use Rini (Chibiusa) be aware she can NOT throw or grab onto enemies to attack. She can though attack using her parasol to beat on the enemy or charge it up for an attack of shooting stars, she even has a powerful attack too, Luna P Attack.

When you do complete a level in this game your performance will be evaluated on a report card of sorts. This report card at the end of each of the levels will add up the points you have earned from everything that you have done from giving beatings, to getting items and food, and even how long you took in each level will be looked at too. When this is added up you will see a grade of A, B, C, D, or E on the screen. Be aware that if you die in a level or even take even a moderate beating you won't get an A, if you die or die so that you have to continue you'll end up with a C at best. Like I said, everything, and I mean everything is evaluated, what I don't know is if it effecting the ending.

 

The main game only consists of four main stages, which are made up of generally two sub-stages. All the enemies you will encounter are monster lackies that the Nega Moon's forces have sent against the Soldiers in the TV show. Be advised though unlike in the older of these two side scrollers the enemies in this game have much better AI working for them. As you progress, you'll find stronger versions of enemies with new attack patterns, you can identify them in new colors and new enemies all together. So keep in mind this isn't exactly a mindless brawling game the enemies will try to use strategy, outnumber you, or out wit you so make a plan and do it.

 

The other new feature to this game is an added fighting simulator in which you can ONLY use the five Sailor Soldiers, not Rini (Chibiusa). Below I will go into more detail about the moves the Soldiers can perform in this mode of play but needless to say its a fun addition with little perks. A nice thing to see in this is that you can move into the foreground and background in this mode to evade shots unlike in most Street Fighter II type games. Sadly though it's only a two player game, and I think it is the reason why this game only had four levels and not five or more like the original, oh well.

[Player's Attack Options]

 

All of the Sailor Soldiers have specific way to attack the enemy which is usually a combinations of punches, kicks, chopping, or in Sailor Venus's case her "Love Me Chain" used as a whip, and these are done by pressing the Y Button repeatedly. A combination move will occur if your Soldier continues to batter the enemy until it falls down, not to say it won't get back up again for some more.

To allow your Sailor Soldier to Jump simply press the B Button to do it, though if you press left or right at the same time they'll jump in that direction. To attack in air with intent to knock the enemy down press the Y Button to kick, but if you wish to stun an enemy to set them up for an attack you need to press Down and hold it while pressing the Y Button. When you do this the Sailor Scouts will put out their fist to stun an enemy, though Sailor Mars will use one of her banishment charms, and Sailor Venus will use her "Love Me Chain" to do the stunning. Added though to this game is also a real devastation grabbing aerial attack, that does considerable damage. To do this simply grab the enemy, then press B Button to Jump, then A Button to smash the enemy(and even bosses too) into the ground.

Each Sailor Soldier also has the ability to toss an enemy, each in their own unique way. There are actually two types of throws you can use, a close range and long range attack. If you get close to an opponent, grab them by pressing the Y Button to attack you will beat on the enemy a bit then toss them aside which is stronger. If you grab of an enemy and then press left or right on the Control Pad while pressing the Y Button you will toss the enemy long distance. Use this attack to your advantage as you can throw an enemy into some more causing addition damage to the original, as well as, all it comes in contact with before it hits the ground.

The most popular and well known of the Sailor Soldier's attacks though are the elemental attacks which are: Mercury's "Shabon Spray Freezing" Mars's "Fire Soul Bird", Jupiter's "Thunder Dragon", Venus's "Lonely Heart Vibration", and Sailor Moon's "Moon Tiara Action." To do these attacks you will need to hold down the Y Button and release it when the meter up by the character life bar is full. Be aware you are vulnerable to considerable damage while you are charging this attack up as you have no way to defend, so use it wisely.

 

The Sailor Soldiers also have a power move that you can use if you are surrounded and desperate, it does though take off a small piece of your life bar, but will clear the area and it is better than a beating or death. To do these moves just press both the Y and B Buttons together. This like the attacks listed above are unique as well to each of the five Sailor Soldiers.

 

Use them wisely, you only get three, though you can pick up one or two more throughout the whole game. (Only in one player mode…)

When playing a two-player game though you have the option of yet another attack to make up for the fact you can use the attack just mentioned above. One Sailor Soldier can grab of another and throw her at the enemy. If the other player who is in flight hits the Y Button to attack she can down an enemy, or many of them, and do considerable damage with a flying elbow drop.

[Playing the Fighting Game]

The fighting game isn't quite as glorious as the main game but can be fun with a friend, and only with a friend since its a two player game only. To attack with a punch you use the Y Button, to Kick use the X Button, to Jump use the B Button, to use your elemental attack use the A Button, and to block use the L and R Buttons. Throwing and Jump Kicking work off the same principle as the main game, but uses the button setup for this mode. Each Sailor Scout can also use their life draining power move as well, though it doesn't hurt you, but you need to use the Control Pad + A Button in a certain way to do it. And here are those moves listed just below by Sailor Scout.

 

Sailor Moon

Back, Back/Down, Down + A Button

 

Sailor Mercury

Forward, Down, Down/Forward + A Button

 

Sailor Mars

Back, Down/Back, Down/Forward, Forward + A Button

 

Sailor Jupiter

Back, Up/Back, Up, Down + A Button

 

Sailor Venus

Forward, Back, Forward + A Button

 

[Objects Found Throughout the Game]

 

As time progresses in the game you will come across many items lying around randomly or inside things that you have destroyed, don't just stare at them, pick them up. Each of these items can refill your life, add a new life, or give you a boost of bonus points towards an extra life, and if you're lucky you can find the item to give you an extra of your limited attacks. To get them is quite simple, just stand over the item and press the Y Button to bend down and get it. Some items that you can find are food items which can restore a little to a lot of energy, also if you can find Tuxedo Mask's rose that will fully fill your life bar. Also be aware that with regular items, that food too will not only give life, but bonus points as well so always pick it up before going on. The coveted item of the game though I feel is the 1UP wrist communicator and the red bow which adds an extra of the limited attacks. You can find sixteen items in this game if you search hard enough, the point values they range from are 300 for small things like lollipops and vanilla ice cream cones to the 10,000 point green crystal.

 

[Alternate Endings to the Main Game]

Fortunately this game will give you more than one ending once you finish off Prince Diamond at the final stage. The ending you get depends again by your performance from start to finish, I feel it works off the grading scale described above. There are several different endings that I can recall, though I don't remember how many I've seen or if they are all of them as well. Some small parts do tend to stay the same way once you down Prince Diamond and the ending begins, I'd describe it but that would ruin the fun.

 

[Tactics for Enemy and Boss Combat]

[Monster Tactics]

Here's a tip for those electricity-using witches that show up I believe in stage three of the game. Stay close no matter what, if you get more than I'd say four inches away they'll dive at you with a powerful electric attack, but they can't do much to you at all on the ground.

For the short fat monsters, with the yellow ones distance their rolls, and when they stop grab them and toss them quickly, but if alone grab them beat them twice, then jump slam attack them for a lot of damage. Now with the blue ones the best thing to do is just keep punching as they dive at you, they'll always take the hit. For the white ones that slide, fight them somewhat like the yellow ones, avoid they're slides then pick them up and beat them senseless.

Now with the spinning enemies with the dual blades the best thing to do is to not try to grab them, just let them spin at you while you punch rapidly, most likely you'll hit them and they'll fall down quickly. Let it be known though they don't just spin in one direction because they can arc down at you so beware.

One other enemy to be wary of is the greenish colored monsters with the yellow head, they will often if you get close trying to grab them, they'll grab you and beat on you three or four times which you can't break out of, then let go.

The final enemy to watch which I feel is the worst are the Gelax. Never ever try to grab a gold or silver Gelax they'll always grab you and try to crush you by enveloping your Sailor Soldier. With the gold ones you have to be a bit more careful as when you knock them down, they'll go into a puddle and follow you. They'll only get solid under you, so let them try it, back up a bit and then punch their lights out when they're up before they can grab you.

Also in the second substage of stage two when you're on the raft most find part hard and life consuming, but there is a way out. After awhile you'll learn where and when enemies will drop down onto your raft. Be in that area and when they land grab them and toss them off the raft fast. Don't bother using regular attacks as their partner will back-stab you, just throw them both off real fast before the next round of enemies come or it'll pile up on you.

[Boss Tactics]

Stage One Boss: Emerald - This boss is quite simple, and if you are careful on approaching her she won't even touch you. She'll try to attack you with a swipe of her fan or with a kick to the face, but that's easy to deal with. Her one troublesome attack comes after she's been knocked down a third and seventh time and she'll get up and charge you with her feet rapidly kicking at your last position from when she takes off. Just move out of the way and you'll be fine, this move is easy to see coming if she's on the screen because she'll just get up and go, not try to walk at you as normal. If you are able to take her down before you have her hit the ground five times she will not be able to call in reinforcements so plan wisely, make it easy.

 

Stage Two Boss: Sapphire - This second boss I find in most cases is even more easy than Emerald, if you can trap him into a little loop I discovered. First I'll let you know that if you can't he likes to jump around next to you and hit you with a very painful flurry of punches. Now to kill him with little to no, or no damage at all try this pattern. When he drops down next to the back wall punch him a few times, then grab him and hit him two of the three times to knock one over, then press the jump button, and then A to slam him into the ground. As he's down walk straight up an inch or so, as soon as he's fully up come down and repeat the process if you time it right he won't get in a hit!

Stage Three Boss: Rubius- The third boss is a nightmare compared to the first two as two to three Gelax assists him in combat. Rubius likes to flip around a bit, charge with punches, fires a blast of dark energy at times, and he'll pick you up smack you around a bit and throw you away. Now the only good strategy to him is to stay close and keep attacking with a beating in the same lineup as I mentioned for Sapphire. When he tries to shoot at you either try to jump in which is harder, or try to sidestep it which is also quite hard as well. Don't get real close (toss/grab distance) unless you have Rubius in a stunned condition from a few punches or you get grabbed, battered, and tossed to the wind. All this goes on with Gelax popping up and down to squeeze you dry. If you can, and I don't advise it, grab on and toss it into him and the others if they're in a group, its a nice cheap way to level him. For this boss I advise using not your elemental attack, but the limited attack you get three of, it takes off a bar of life.

Final Stage Four Boss: Prince Diamond  - This final boss can be a real pest, even more so than Rubius was. To combat him is quite difficult as he will fire shots of dark energy at you, he'll spin around and bolt at you quite often. He's also quite good and jumping in near you and giving a fast beating with his fists, as well as just tossing you if he has the chance. The best thing to do in this level is keep a moderate distance until you see an opening to attack, usually when he's just walking. At this time the easiest thing to do it just try to throw him, or if you can use the pattern of attack I did for Sapphire with the punches, grab hits, then the drop. This is hard to do with those two electric witches helping him as with Rubius before he's got plenty of backup constantly around him making it harder to get at him. Remember that those two ladies around him given the distance will dive at you with their electric attack so keep your eye on them too. Now and easy method for help though also comes from them, as you can easily approach them and throw them constantly into Prince Diamond given he's close enough and lined up for it. Also as with Rubius I highly advise keeping a few of those limited attack shots and hitting him real fast with it as they can take off a bar of life from each one.