T-Mek

The object of T-Mek is to prove one's superiority against all challengers, rising though Nazrac's tournament ladder until one meets the supreme T-MEK Warrior- Nazrac, The Eliminator.

Points are scored by hitting and destroying other MEKs with the blasters, plasma cannons, and specialised weapons available to the player.

The game has two playing modes: solo and head-to-head. Solo is where the player has to climb the tournament ladder, defeating all opponents. Head-to-head is a competitive rank challenge. All join-in players force a head to head situation with the incumbent player. While in this mode, progression up the tournament ladder is suspended until the other players opt not to reenter the match. The remaining player continues up the tournament ladder.

MEK targeting System- When a MEK is in the targetting sights, the weapon systems automatically lock on to that competitor- a secondary target bracket follows that MEK. When locked on, information about that MEK appears near the target sight: the opponents name written in that players colour, and the point value for that player. The darker the colour of the opponents name the less shield power that MEK has.

Radar- The moment to moment relative positions of the players represented in the radar are not fully accurate and may jump around since opponents MEKs can resist detection. MEKs with high defense ratings are more difficult to track on your radar. The LurkerMEK is nearly impossible to pin down.

MEK defenses- Holding down the left control's thumb button activates your MEK's defensive system. The defense varies from MEK to MEK, but all have the same basic effect, making the MEK impervious to weapons. Some have the added bonus of having a cloak, so your opponents cannot see you. The defensive charge is shown on the left side of the on-screen control panel. The defensive charge slowly builds up when the defensive systems are not active. As an added benefit, while the defensive systems are active the MEK can turn faster than usual. However, as long as the defensive systems is active, your conventional weapons will not work.

Shields- the bar on the top of the screen represents the remaining shield power. If the shields are gone and your MEK suffers additional damage, your MEK explodes.

There is a special hidden arena for fans of old Atari classic games, but only two ways to enter this area (in solo mode only):

1- Find and destroy all three hidden Saurons (the character from Primal Rage) on your way up the Tournament ladder. When you destroy Nazrac and finish the game you will enter the special arena. The three Saurons are found in the following locations:

- In Storm Rift, blow out both rocks in the squared-off crevice. Go through the false left wall. Stick to the right wall and go down the corridor.

- In Stone Web, at one of the gentle bends in the outside wall, there is a false section of cliff wall. Go through it.

- In Alien Nest, you can squeeze between two of the watchers (the big green eyeball things that form the outer edge of the arena). You will first have to destroy a bunch of the long thin tubes. Close beyond that passage is a Sauron.

2 - Finish the game on a single credit. If you are able to work your way up the tournament ladder and defeat Nazrac, all on a single credit(!), you will enter the special arena.

Venusiva Express- when the tournament ladder screen appears, hold your left-hand control to the left and your right-hand control to the right. At the same time press both thumb buttons. This enables you to challenge Venusiva without working up the tournament ladder.

Hidden Arenas- While you are choosing the next arena, do one of the following things:

- Choose the Killing Floor while holding your left control to the left (enter Nazrac's Attic).

- Choose the Stone Web while holding your left control to the right (enter the Abyss).

Arena Conditions- Do the following control combinations while the "Waiting for Others" countdown is happening. A sound will be heard when it is done right.

- Hold your left control to the right and your right control to the left (no radar).

- Hold your left control to the left and your right control to the right (fog in the arena).

- Pull your left and right controls in a backwards direction (alternate colour phase for the arena).

Extra Power-ups: If your controls are outward when going through a reload platform, you get five special weapons. If your controls are inward when you run over a energy core, you get more energy and defense.

Special Names: By typing in the name of Nazrac or the name of his arena bosses, as your own name, you will be able to drive their super MEK. Names are BAKED, SHOCKA, VENUSIVA, PHANTOM, BRK'OTH, and NAZRAC.

Baked's AssaultMEK is a little slower than the standard AssaultMEK, however, it fires its connon and missiles faster.

Venusiva's StealthMEK is not harmed by the volcanic fire in Inferno nor stopped by the spikes.

Shocka's HyperMEK is even faster than the standard HyperMEK and has even less armor. Her MEK hops over the boulders in Storm Rift.

Phantom's SuicideMEK does not show up on the radar and can go through the walls inside the Stone Web. It has less armor than the standard SuicideMEK and has no defense.

Brk'oth's LurkerMEK can ooze throught the vines and valves in the Alien Nest without slowing down. Its colour makes it well camouflaged in its home arena as well.

Nazrac's SpeedMEK has an entirely unique look, made to strike terror at his opponents. His MEK is not harmed by the fire roaring from the gates in the killing floor and Nazrac's Attic.

If you type in the last names of any of the people appearing in the game credits, there is an audio response.

The artwork on the cabinet interior is made to give the player the impression that they are inside a MEK vehicle; controls, dials and switches are around the player.

The game uses one monitor per player with a total of two monitors per machine. Up to three machines can be linked together for tournament play. T-Mek uses Atari Games' CAGE Total Immersion Audio sound system. There are four audio channels plus a channel for the sub-woofer under the seat (rumble seat) for each player.