Electronic Talking Battleship Rulebook

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

• Contents
• Battery Insertion
• Important!
• Assembly
• Quick Rules (2-Player Game: You vs. a Friend)
  • Programming Your Ships
  • Firing a Missile
  • Sinking a Ship
  • How to Win
• Step-by-Step Rules
  • Preparing for Battle
  • Select Game
  • Select Number of Players
  • Select Skill Level
• Programming Your Ships' Locations
  • Instant Programming—Step-by-Step
  • How to Correct an Instant Programming Mistake
• The Battle Action (How to Play)
  • How to Play Game 1
  • How to Win
  • How to Play Game 2
  • How to Play Game 3
  • How to Play Game 4
• Manual Programming
  • Manual Programming—Step-by-Step
  • How to Correct a Manual Programming Mistake
• Computer-Selected Location Patterns

Contents

• Base unit
• Target grid divider
• 168 white pegs
• 84 red pegs
• 10 plastic ships
• Battery door

Battery Insertion

Four "AA" size alkaline batteries are needed but not included. See Figures 2 and 4 for location of battery compartment.

1. Carefully remove the battery holder from the battery compartment and insert the 4 batteries as shown in Figure 1. Match the (+ and -) symbols on the batteries with the (+ and -) symbols located on the holder. Place holder back into compartment as shown in Figure 2.

2. Attach the battery door (packaged with the ships and pegs) to the battery compartment as shown in Figure 3.

3. Test the batteries by pressing the green ON button. Game unit should play a short tune and then announce "Prepare for battle" and "Select Game." Do not press any more buttons at this time.

Caution: If you do not hear the tune or voice, the batteries may be weak or improperly installed. Batteries could damage game unit and may leak if improperly installed. Remove batteries when game is not in use for extended periods of time.

Important!

Game "ON" Button: Press the green ON button whenever you want to start a new game. Caution: If you press this button accidentally during a game, the computer's memory will be erased and you will have to start over.

Automatic Shut-Off: If no buttons are pressed for 5 minutes, a short warning tune ("Taps") will play. You then have 30 seconds to press any yellow button to continue playing. If no button is pressed, the game automatically shuts off.

Assembly

1. Slide the target grid divider into the base unit so it is positioned between the two computer consoles. See Figure 4 for a look at the assembled game.

2. Separate the 10 plastic ships from the runner. Each player's fleet contains five different ships (shown at right).

3. Each player takes two runners of white pegs (84 of them) and 1 runner of red pegs (42 of them). Separate pegs from runners and place them in the peg storage compartment. Discard runners.

Fleet ships:

• Carrier (5 holes)
• Battleship (4 holes)
• Submarine (3 holes)
• Destroyer (3 holes)
• Patrol Boat (2 holes)

Quick Rules (2-Player Game: You vs. a Friend)

Here's a quick-play guide for a 2-player game. Just read the following 2 pages and you're ready for battle! The Voice of the Computer Commander will guide you every step of the way, so listen closely. After playing, be sure to read the entire instruction booklet carefully. You'll discover all the exciting ways that Talking Battleship can be played!

Programming Your Ships

Each fleet of 5 ships is called a Task Force. You control the Task Force 1 side of the game; your opponent controls the Task Force 2 side. As the Task Force 1 player, do the following:

1. Press the ON button.

2. What you hear: "Select Game." What you do: Press button 1 to select Game 1.

3. What you hear: "Select Players." What you do: Press button 2 to select a 2-player game.

4. What you hear: "Task Force 1, enter letter, number." What you do: Secretly select a Location Pattern for your ships from the patterns shown on pages 22-34. Place your ships on your ocean grid exactly as the pattern indicates. Then, enter the Location Pattern code number into the computer as described below.

   Example: Here is Location Pattern C-2. (The booklet prints Location Pattern C-2 as a diagram on a grid of letters A-J and numbers 1-10, with arrows labeled Battleship, Submarine, Patrol Boat, Destroyer and Carrier pointing to each ship's position on the pattern.)

   To program your Location Pattern code into the computer, press letter button C, followed by number button 2, and then press the ENTER button.

5. The computer will announce "Task Force 1 armed. Task Force 2, enter letter, number." Now your opponent secretly selects a Location Pattern and positions his or her ships as the pattern indicates. Your opponent then presses the appropriate letter button, number button and the ENTER button as described above.

6. Then, the computer signals "Whoop-whoop-whoop!" and says "Man your battle stations!" Now the game can begin!

Firing a Missile

Task Force 1 player goes first.

1. Pick a target hole on your upright target grid to fire at and mark it with a white peg. This target hole is identified by a corresponding letter and number. For example, this target hole is B-3.

2. To fire a missile, enter the letter and number of the target hole you chose. For example, if the target hole is B-3, press button B, then press button 3, then press the FIRE button.

It's a Hit: if you see a flash of light and hear the sound of an explosion. The computer will tell you which ship has been hit. Record your hit by replacing the white peg on your target grid with a red peg. Your opponent places a red peg into any hole on the ship you hit.

It's a Miss: if you hear only the sound of the missile firing. Leave the white peg in place on your target grid so you will not select that position again.

After a hit or a miss, your turn is over.

3. Task Force 2 (your opponent) now selects a target hole and fires as above.

After a hit or a miss, your opponent's turn is over. Play continues as above with you and your opponent firing and alternating turns.

Sinking a Ship

Once a ship is filled with red pegs, that ship is sunk. The computer will announce which ship has been sunk.

How to Win

The first player to sink all 5 of the opponent's ships is the winner. The computer will announce which Task Force has been sunk and play "Taps" for the loser.

Step-by-Step Rules

Preparing for Battle

The 5 ships you control are called a Task Force. In a 2-player game, one player controls the Task Force 1 side of the game. The other player controls Task Force 2.

In a 1-player game, you control Task Force 1 and the computer controls Task Force 2.

The Task Force 1 player presses the ON button, selects the game, the number of players and the skill level. (Skill level is chosen only when playing against the computer.) Here's how:

1. Press the ON button. You will hear the tune "Anchors Aweigh." Then the computer will announce "Prepare for battle."

Select Game

2. The computer asks you to "Select Game." Press button 1 to play GAME 1. For 1 or 2 players. On a turn, each player takes one shot at a time, alternating turns.

   Press button 2 to play GAME 2. For 1 or 2 players. On a turn, each player takes one shot and may keep shooting until he or she misses. Alternate turns after a miss.

   Press button 3 to play GAME 3. For 1 or 2 players. On a turn, each player takes one shot for each ship not sunk in his or her fleet. For example, if you still have all 5 ships, you get 5 shots. If your opponent has only 3 ships left, he or she gets 3 shots.

   Press button 4 to play GAME 4. For 2 players only. Players decide their own firing rules. For example, each player could take 10 shots at once.

   NOTE: If you select Game 4, the computer will immediately ask you to program your ships' locations. See page 12 for details. You do not select the number of players or skill level as described below.

Select Number of Players

3. The computer asks you to "Select Players." Press button 1 to select a 1-player game (you vs. the computer.) Press button 2 to select a 2-player game (you vs. a friend.)

   NOTE: If you select a 1-player game, the computer asks you to select a skill level. If you select a 2-player game, the computer will immediately ask you to program your ships' locations. See below for details.

Select Skill Level

4. The computer asks you to "Select Skill." For 1-player games only (you vs. the computer.) Do one of the following:

   • Press button 1 for BEGINNER Skill Level.
   • Press button 2 for INTERMEDIATE Skill Level.
   • Press button 3 for EXPERT Skill Level.

Programming Your Ships' Locations

After you select your game (and other options), the computer will announce "Task Force 1, enter letter, number." This is your signal to begin "programming" your ships' locations into the computer. There are two ways to do this: Instant Programming and Manual Programming. (See pages 17-20 for details on Manual Programming.)

Instant Programming is the fastest, easiest way to enter ship locations into the computer. Just choose one of the computer-selected Location Patterns shown on pages 22-34 of this booklet. Then follow the step-by-step procedure as follows:

Instant Programming—Step-by-Step

1. Task Force 1 player secretly selects one of the Location Patterns shown on pages 22-34. For example, Location Pattern C-8 is shown below.

2. Task Force 1 player then secretly places the 5 ships on his or her ocean grid in the positions shown on the selected Location Pattern. To position the ships correctly, just push the ships' pegs into the proper holes on the grid. Be sure to place each ship in the correct location.

   NOTE: If you have any difficulty determining which ship goes where, see page 5 for an illustration of all 5 ships.

   Location Pattern C-8 (as printed in the booklet):

   • Patrol Boat: placed in positions C-1, D-1
   • Battleship: placed in positions D-2, E-2, F-2, G-2
   • Destroyer: placed in positions B-7, C-7, D-7
   • Carrier: placed in positions D-9, E-9, F-9, G-9, H-9
   • Submarine: placed in positions J-6, J-7, J-8

3. Task Force 1 player then follows the computer's orders to "Enter letter, number" for the Location Pattern chosen on his or her computer panel. Each button on the panel represents a letter from A to J and a number from 1 to 10. First press the button that matches the LETTER in your Location Pattern code. Next, press the button that matches the NUMBER in your Location Pattern code. Then press the ENTER button.

   EXAMPLE: To program in Location Pattern C-8, press button C to enter "C," then press button 8 to enter "8." Then press the ENTER button.

   If your code letter and number are located on the same button, simply press that button twice. Then press the ENTER button.

   EXAMPLE: To program in Location Pattern A-1, press button A to enter "A," then press button 1 to enter "1." Then press the ENTER button.

How to Correct an Instant Programming Mistake

If you enter an incorrect Location Pattern code, you can correct the error if you have not pressed the ENTER button. Simply press any letter or number button a few times until the game repeats, "Enter letter, number." Then press the correct letter and number buttons, and the ENTER button.

NOTE: Whenever the game REPEATS the message "Enter letter, number," you must re-enter your letter and number code and press the ENTER button.

The Battle Action (How to Play)

After the Location Patterns for both Task Forces have been programmed, the battle begins! On your turn, pick a possible enemy ship target hole, program it, fire a missile and hope for a hit! A ship is sunk only when ALL of its target holes have been hit.

How to Play Game 1

Task Force 1 player begins by entering a target location on the computer console and firing.

How to enter a target location:

1. Pick a location on your upright target grid to fire at and mark your target with a white peg. This grid represents your opponent's ocean.

2. Determine the target coordinate. Each target hole on the grid has a corresponding letter and number that identifies its position. The numbers 1 to 10 run across the top of the grid and the letters A to J appear along the side of the grid. Any hole on the grid can be pinpointed by reading a certain letter across and a certain number down. For example, B-3 is the target coordinate identified at right. (Figure: Target Hole B-3.)

3. To fire a missile, enter the target coordinate on the computer console as shown in the following example:

   EXAMPLE: If the target coordinate is B-3, do the following:

   • Press button B. Listen for the tone. (This represents letter coordinate B.)
   • Press button 3. Listen for the tone. (This represents number coordinate 3.)
   • Press the FIRE button.

   NOTE: If you enter an incorrect target coordinate, you can correct the error only if you have not pressed the FIRE button. Simply press any letter or number button a few times until the game repeats "Enter letter, number." Then press the correct letter and number buttons, and press the FIRE button.

   Remember, whenever the game REPEATS the message "Enter letter, number," you must re-enter your letter and number coordinates and press the FIRE button.

4. After pressing the FIRE button, a HIT or a MISS will occur:

   It's a Hit! If you see a flash of light behind your console and hear the sound of an explosion, then you have scored a hit. The computer will tell you which ship has been hit. Do the following:

   • You record your hit by replacing the white peg on your target grid with a red peg.

How to Win

The first player to sink all 5 of the opponent's ships is the winner. The computer will announce which Task Force has been sunk and will play "Taps" for the loser.

How to Play Game 2

Task Force 1 player always begins the game. On a turn, each player takes one shot and may keep shooting until he or she misses. Alternate turns after a miss.

How to Play Game 3

Task Force 1 player always begins the game. On a turn, each player takes one shot for each ship not sunk in his or her fleet. For example, if you still have all 5 ships afloat, you get 5 shots. If your opponent has only 3 ships left, he or she gets 3 shots.

How to Play Game 4

(2 players only)

Players make up their own firing rules and take turns in whatever manner they decide. For example, each player could take 10 shots per turn. Or players can set a handicap, with one person taking 6 shots to the other player's 3 shots. The computer will announce which ships are hit or sunk. However, it will not say whose turn it is, or how many shots each player gets. Players must keep track of this themselves.

Manual Programming

If you prefer to place your ships on the ocean grid in positions you desire (rather than in computer-selected locations), then you may program your ships manually. It takes longer to do this because you must enter a letter, number and direction for each ship.

Both players can program manually, or one player can program instantly while the other programs manually.

Manual Programming—Step-by-Step

1. The computer will announce "Task Force 1, enter letter, number." This is a direction for instant programming. To override the instant programming mode, simply press the ENTER button.

2. The computer will then announce "Task Force 1, enter Patrol Boat, letter, number, direction."

3. Secretly place your Patrol Boat on your ocean grid. Ships cannot be placed diagonally on the grid. Please make sure that no part of the ship hangs over the edge of the ocean grid or covers any letters or numbers. Also, ships cannot be placed on top of each other.

4. Determine the position of the Patrol Boat and secretly program it on your computer panel. Here's how:

   Entering a Ship's Position:

   Each hole of the Patrol Boat is positioned over a grid hole and corresponds to a letter and number coordinate on the grid. To program the Patrol Boat, you must enter a letter coordinate, a number coordinate and a direction code. Here's how:

   1. Program the Patrol Boat's position into the computer by pressing the letter button and then the number button that corresponds to the hole at one end of the Patrol Boat. (Either end is acceptable.)

   2. The rest of the ship is located either North, South, East or West of the hole you just programmed. To program this direction, press one of the first 4 yellow buttons on the console: N for North, S for South, E for East, or W for West. Then press the ENTER button. See Figure 5.

   Figure 5 is a photograph of the console buttons being pressed.

   EXAMPLE: The letter/number coordinate for one end of the Patrol Boat shown below is D-7:

   • Press button D. (This represents letter coordinate D.)
   • Press button 7. (This represents number coordinate 7.)

Once you have programmed your fleet of ships, the computer will announce "Task Force 1 Armed." It will then say "Task Force 2, enter letter, number." If the Task Force 2 player wants to "Instant Program," he or she simply follows the directions on page 12. If the Task Force 2 player wants to program manually, he or she presses the ENTER button and programs as previously described. (In a 1-player game, the computer will automatically program its ships.)

Once Task Force 2 has entered his or her location codes, the computer will signal "Whoop-whoop-whoop" and then say "Man your battle stations."

How to Correct a Manual Programming Mistake

If you enter incorrect positions for a ship, you can correct your programming error only if you have not pressed the ENTER button. Simply press any letter/number button a few times until the game repeats "Enter [boat name] letter, number, direction." Then press the correct letter, number and direction buttons, and press the ENTER button.

If you have pressed the ENTER button before realizing your error, simply move your ship to the location you did enter, or press the ON button to start over.

NOTE: Whenever the game REPEATS the message "Enter letter, number, direction," you must re-enter your letter, number and direction and press the ENTER button.

Computer-Selected Location Patterns

To "Instant Program," choose one of the Location Patterns shown on the following pages. Then enter the chosen Location Pattern into your Computer Control Panel as described on page 12.

The booklet's ship key for this section is:

• Carrier (5 holes)
• Battleship (4 holes)
• Submarine (3 holes)
• Destroyer (3 holes)
• Patrol Boat (2 holes)

Transcription note: booklet pages 22-34 print the 100 Location Patterns (codes such as A-1, A-2 and C-8) as small grid diagrams, one code per grid, with each ship drawn on a letter-by-number grid (A-J by 1-10). The grid diagrams are not reproduced in this file. To program one, place the five ships on the grid exactly as the printed diagram for the chosen code shows, then enter that code on the console as described under Instant Programming. Location Pattern C-8 is written out as ship coordinates in the Instant Programming section; Location Pattern C-2 is described in the Quick Rules section.