The Last Smiley

Written by: Matt

Easily my favourite game on the website, though probably the most technologically demanding, The Last Smiley has me captured from when I load up the game to when I top the high score boards. The only fault I find with this game is that it has a maximum points limit you can obtain, resulting in a rather top-heavy scoreboard, where if you gain 810 points, you can be anything from 1st to 50th, depending on how lucky you are that day.

Still, I'm nothing if not good-natured, and so, I will impart my wisdom as to how to gain 810 points.

The Controls

Like most isometric games, the controls are relatively straightforward. Up and down arrow keys move you forward and backward; left and right turn you around and space bar is jump. A few minor notes: Like most games, if you take a longer run-up, you will jump farther but you will also skid a bit; so when jumping platforms be careful. Do not try and stop the skidding; it will only make you go farther. The best way to stop is to not press any buttons, and you will do it from your own inertia. (Wow, a bit of physics.)

On top of this, there are some codes that will give you bonuses.

:) will give you a first person view. I find this not particularly useful, but for more detailed movements, it could be more useful.

*catfish* will give you an extra life the first time you use it.

0:-) will take you to the next level the first time you use it. Only do this when you have got all the smileys if you're aiming for the high score.

Level One: Getting Started

A nice easy start to the game. This is simply just testing the game, and without getting overzealous with jumping, you can't die. Guide yourself around the level, getting a hang of the controls. You will need a bit of a run-up to get over the bumps in the middle of the level.

Level Two: Dicing with Death

Naturally, this title would suit a game with dice a lot more, but whether or not it's a pun, it's factually accurate. This is the first level where you have to worry about the infinite fall beneath you. As you see when you start the level, there's a big chasm in the middle. You will need to take a bit of a run-up in order to jump over it. Secondly, as you try to get the floating smilies, it is helpful to line yourself up with markers on the ground, as being even a slight bit out, you could still miss it. Make sure you jump parallel to the walls as well: basic maths dictate that since you're jumping quite a way, how far you are out will magnify.

The smilies themselves aren't difficult to collect, but once you have them all, if you're impatient, you may be inclined to jump over the gap to get to the goal. Be very careful if you do this. It's just as well to take your time to go around as lives are vital on the last couple of letters.

Level Three: Chessboard

Beware, there is a glitch in this level. Some of the platforms look normal, but you will fall through half of them. Try to spend as little time as possible on platforms to minimise this.

Here, the skidding is really important. As you jump, take a medium-length run up, aiming right for the corner. Jump a good way before the corner or else you might slip, and press nothing when you reach the ground. Set yourself up before the jump and don't rush. It's just a case of trying all the squares to get all the smilies; don't worry about trying all the squares. You can see smilies on adjacent platforms, so on the extremities you can skip a few platforms. Don't worry about the sloping platforms. They're just there as a temptation, and they're too risky to use.

Level Four: Skate Ramps

One of the more interesting levels. To start the level, just hold the forward button and go flying down the ramp. On this first platform, there are two smileys to obtain. Avoid the speed ramps at all costs, as they just toy with the works. Once you have the two, aim diagonally to the sloping ramp at the side. Cross the gap using this as a bridge. Again, there's just one smiley here (you'll have to jump to get it) and again, use the diagonal wall at the side to get across. There's one more smiley to get.

Bonus Smiley: Once you have finished the level, don't go on the Goal Pad. Go back against the wall, line straight up against the speed ramp on the final platform, and hold down. You should fly up the ramp, land on the other side, where there's a secret smiley and a goal.

Level Five: Things Start to Get Tricky

Start this level by turning around and getting the smiley behind you, then start down the path, being very careful. Once you have got the second smiley, there will be a narrow path leading off. Use this path as a run-up, and jump at the end without turning the corner. The platform you just jumped onto will contain another smiley. Turn around until you see the twisty-turny ramp, and go up it. Your final smiley will be there.

Bonus Smiley: Carry on up this ramp until you get to the top. This is the hardest part of the whole game, using the ramp at the top to jump onto the platform just beyond you. On this platform, there's a shadow which is another secret smiley. Try to jump back onto the ramp, and then back to the goal.

Level Six: To Infinity and Beyond

Using the ramp, ascend to the top. You should only see one smiley on the way. At the top of the ramp, put the two metal boxes onto the see-saw, to provide you a counter-weight to get to the end of the ramp. Wind your way round up the path, turning right on the way, taking it easy around the big circle, not rushing it to get your smileys. Once you have, go back onto the path, and take the left hand path. Go down the path, ignoring the ramp for now. Get the final smiley.

Bonus Smiley: Wish for luck. Try to get the smiley down the ramp to get to the trampoline at the bottom. Whilst on the ramp, don't press the up button, as gravity will give you enough speed as it is. I've never mastered the art of getting the smiley and getting to the goal, but if you've got enough lives you can get the smiley, then go back and get the goal. Alternatively, you could use some code from above.

Level Seven: Turning Egyptian

One of the easiest levels, since it's impossible to die. First thing to do is to turn around and try to get the smiley on top a sand dune. It's fiddly, so it will take a couple of attempts to do. Then turn your attention to the pyramid. Firstly, go to the smallest pyramid nearest the goal posts. Jump on it to get one smiley, then try jumping to get the next one on top of the obelisk. Again, it's not hard, just fiddly. Going to the opposite corner of the level, you'll find a teleporter. Before hopping in, turn around and get the blue smiley next to the wall. The teleporter will take you to a floating platform where you will find the last smiley.

Bonus Smiley: Line yourself up perfectly with speed ramps on the nearest big pyramid. If you travel exactly other the peak, you will pick up another smiley. You can also use this as a method for getting up to the floating platform if you don't like the teleporter.

Level Eight: Last Chance Saloon

Using the floating stone platforms as stepping stones, collecting one smiley on the way, make your way to the top of the big pyramid. Collect one smiley from the top of the pyramid. On the long stone parade at the end, you will find another smiley. At the end, there's two thin stone rails, and a gap between. Use this gap to slide down, and the ramp will jump you over the gap. Carefully jump onto the platform for your final smiley, and then I would recommend jumping straight onto the platform, or using 0:-) to finish the level if you haven't already.

Bonus Smiley: About halfway along the edge of the pyramid, drop down and you will find a little secret cavern, where you will find another smiley and a teleporter. This will take you to the starting point again, for you to work through the level again.

Voila. Maximum Points!