
Ballz: The Director's Cut Strategy Guide.
Ballz with its untraditional, original and humor-laden fighting action is a great addition to the 3DO's library. Packed with all sorts of hidden moves, strategy and general surprises, Ballz is a lot of fun to play and experiment with--no matter your skill level. Aside from listing the various character's special moves, I've included general hints and tips that you can use for your personal favorite ballzie fighter. Also, my personal thanks to Trayse Johnsen over at Panasonic Software for helping me fill in the blanks (especially those cheats). Thanks, Trayse!
Glitch Alert! Using the 2nd control configuration (for the Panasonic 6 button controller, which is not necessary), a strange thing will happen at the end of a round when you try to use your character's after-shatter move. Pressing the A button, especially repeatedly, automatically causes the game to progress to the next round or match, as if you pressed the start button instead. Ballzie, huh? The game is really only a three button fighter (plus the left and right shift keys for lateral evasion), so there's not much point in ever using the 6 button controller configuration anyway.
Movement Key: The moves are listed by appreviations of the direction and button used. The "+" means press those buttons simultaniously. A comma means press those buttons, or directions in succession. For instance to morph into Zombie (D,D, A+C), you would press down twice, then press buttons A and C at the same time.
D means press Down. U means press Up. R is right on the controller, L is left. Td means press toward your opponent. Aw means press away. A, B, or C means press that specific button and LS and RS mean press the Left Shift and Right Shift keys, respectively.
Morphing:
	Morphing is one of Ballz more wild features, as every character can do it at any time during the match. Provided you know the code, you can turn into any of the nine playable characters at will. Of course, you have to have the opportunity to complete the morph for it to be successful. When morphing, you'll hear a chime after the proper code that confirms the action. However, it takes about two or three seconds to morph, in which time you are slightly vunerable. Don't get hit, or else you'll have to try again. Most of the time, there isn't much reason to morph, but without a doubt, some characters fare better against others. You might find that, say, Turbo (my favorite character) is getting ballzified by Tsunami, so make some space and change to a real powerhouse like Bruiser or Crusher (or Tsunami). Or alternatively, just morph 'cause you feel like it.
	Morph Codes:
	Zombie: D,D, A+C
	Turbo: R,R, A+C
	Yoko: U,R, A+C
	Tsunami: L, R, A+C
	Kronk: L,L, A+C
	Divine: U,L, A+C
	Crusher: D,R, A+C
	Bruiser: D,L, A+C
	Boomer: R,L, A+C
Taunting: To taunt press A+B+C (as in simultaniously)
	Taunting is of paramount importance. This odd feature, last seen in Way of the Warrior and very similar in usage, throws insults to your opponent and causes attack damage to be greater. Taunting is cummulative and, you'll discover, not particularly specific about who it augments. For instance, if you get insulted, instead of doing the taunting yourself, and hit your opponent first, then they receive more damage due to the taunt--even though they taunted you. A life lesson if there ever was one. So, taunt your opponent right after they taunt you and they'll receive double taunt damage.
	You can, in fact, taunt so much that you can win the match with one punch--or, alternatively, taunt so much and get hit that your opponent wins the match with a single blow. This tactic is actually the most effective way to beat the Ostrich boss. Repeated taunting and running away, then taunting again is one way to beat all the bosses actually. Also of note is that taunting damage varies from character to character.

General Manuevers: There are several other factors that affect most all the combatants and are important to remember. 
	Offensive Blocking: When in a crouch block, repeatedly press the C button as you opponent comes toward you and you will do a defensive throw.
	Grappling and Throws: When the characters get in close contact, they'll usually start a grappling match. Press the A button rapidly until you either win the grapple, or (if you lose) to get out of your opponent's grasp. Whenever you are being held against your will, start pressing A as rapidly as possible. All characters have a grapple throw (using A button) and a B button throw. However, you can't use the B throw in a grapple, so be quick about using it (Landing right next to your opponent and quickly pressing B usually works well). Many characters also have a combo throw using the A+B buttons.
	Aerial Dives (such as Turbo's) are probably the most useful move in the game against the bigger, stronger characters and, more specifically, the bosses--especially in conjuction with taunting. Most are usually done by pressing Down twice while in the air.
	Jump Attack: If you get hit, or hit someone while jumping (especially jumping straight up), then it counts as an attack. Similarly, if you land on you opponent (or vice versa), the fighter will automatically do some sort of damage--some characters grab, others just bounce off their opponent's head, etc (with certain characters, however, these landing attacks require a button press).
	Evasions are important, especially against characters that hit you when you're down (Bruiser, for instance) and strong characters with fast charge attacks (Tsunami and Crusher, especially). When on the ground, hold A and press down or up repeatedly to roll away from your opponent. When standing, use the Left and Right Shift buttons to get out the direct line of fire from charges and distance attacks (like Kronk's Loogie).
	Begging is useful, because it gives you health back. It also leaves you completely vunerable, so don't do it when your opponent is close by. You have to press down repeatedly to beg and it only works when your character has 20% or less health and is visibly fatigued. Some characters have other ways to get health back that isn't nearly as degrading.
	Unblockable Attacks like T-Wrecks' Tail Stomp, Yoko's Stun Fart and Divine's Bump 'n' Grind are especially annoying for the other player. You can't block them and distance also doesn't seem to matter. For T-Wreck's tail stomp, you have to be in the air. For Divine's Bump 'n' Grind, you have to be facing away from her (and incidentally, this move even effects Divine, which is either an oversight or further proof of PF Magic's questionable humor).
Shatter and After-Shatter Moves: Each character has his or her own shatter fatality move and an after the match move and all characters do them the same way. When your opponent is dizzy and has only a little health left, get close and press Up three times and your character will perform the Shatter move. After you win and your opponent is shattered to pieces on the floor, press the A button 6 times and you'll see their After-Shatter move.

Boss Damage:
	There are actually five bosses in Ballz, but Lamprey can (and will) morph between three other forms.
	Generally, Guggler won't attack you, until you attack it first. But, when it does attack you, it does unbelievable damage with its neck throw. To beat Guggler the Ostrich, as I mentioned, simply back away from it and wait for it to stick its head in the ground. Taunt about ten or twelve times, while Guggler is hiding, then walk right up and hit it. The bird should bust with a single blow, otherwise you'll get thrown and the ostrich will stick its head back in the sand and regain all its health back.
	Bounder, T-Wrecks and even Lamprey all work on similar, but more risky principle. All do big damage when they hit you, so you'll want to stay away from them as much as possible while taunting as often as you can. With these guys only taunt a few times in a row, then go in and hit them (preferrably with an aerial attack). 
	Be especially careful around T-Wrecks--when he lets out a roaring cry, he's going to stomp the ground and do damage to anything that's standing. So, if you've taunted several times and you're on the ground when his foot stomp hits, you could find yourself in pieces before even throwing a punch. Jump just before he does the move, then taunt and move in for the attack. BE WARNED: he will tail stomp repeatedly.
	For Lamprey, note that he can't jump very well in any of his forms. His morph forms are, by the way, the bull, the snake and the scorpian. Also, the first time he morphs, he gets all his health back. Quick aerial attacks work best, but mainly you just want to hit him fast and hard then jump back out of range quickly. When Lamprey takes the Viper form, watch out for when he dives under the ground, as he'll come up right under you and can swallow you whole (thus killing you, usually). When you win and are able to play as Lamprey for your reward and, you'll find that you can get really cheesy with him (like being able to beat just about anyone by repeatedly pressing the C button in the Genie form).
	Be careful not to land on Bounder, as this kangaroo will juggle you with her feet. Otherwise, just taunt, jump back away from her, taunt again (as much as possible) and hit her. As usual, aerial dives are the best attack against any of these bosses.
	The Jester isn't nearly as tough as one might have thought. He can discorporate and move along the ground without being damaged and has very good distance attacks, but otherwise, treat him the same as the nine playable characters. Use a combinations of aerial attacks, taunts and try to bring the fight to him when you can. To really play it safe, pick Turbo (or another diver, like Kronk) and taunt several times, then air dive him repeatedly. Beat him and you get to see him non-vocally whine about being beaten during Ballz' extremely anti-climatic ending.

Character Moves:
	Turbo:
		1. Hover: Jump, then B+C while in midair (C repeatedly to stay airborne).
		2. Flying Dart: Press Down twice while in the air, or while hovering.
		3. Super Blow: Td, Td, A
		4. Head Pound: U, Td, A
		5. Torpedo: Aw, Td, C
		6. Spinning Pile Driver: C, A+B when close
		7. Turbine Punch: Defensive Crouch, A+B
		8. Super Punch: B (close)
		9. Bicycle Kick: Win Grapple match (A button)
		10. Super Handsprings: Td(x3)
		11. Defiant Dare: Taunt
		12. Super Retreat: Aw(x3) 
		13. Up, Up and Away!: Shattering Move
		14. Solo Baseball: After-Shatter Move
		Jester Prize: Genie Boss
		
	Yoko:
		1. Stun Fart: Aw(x3)
		2. Spin Attack: Td, U, U
		3. Swing from Trees: C, U, U (Press A or B to attack)
		4. Leg Swing: D, B
		5. Back Flip: U, B
		6. Uppercut: U, A
		7. Swing Around: L, L, B or R, R, B
		8. Dizzy Throw: B (close)
		9. Wind 'em Up Spin: Win Grapple
		10. Forward Roll: Td(x3)
		11. Smell This!: Taunt
		12. Bongo on Head: Land on opponent
		13. Jump Back, Grab Pole: R, R, U or L, L, U
		14. Fatal Corkscrew: Shatter Move
		15. Canniballz: After-Shatter Move
		Jester Prize: Ostrich Boss

	Tsunami:
		1. Somerassault: Aw, Aw, C
		2. De-limb Karate Chop: U, Td, A
		3. Belly Charge: Td(x3)
		4. Meditate: U, U, C (can't be hit)
		5. Jump Side Kick: L, L, B or R, R, B
		6. Sumo Slam: C, A+B
		7. Flip Kick: U, B
		8. Pound on Mat: B (close)
		9. Sumo Toss: Win Grapple
		10. Belly Grab: Taunt
		11. Punt: Shatter Move
		12. Squash Ballz: After-Shatter Move
		Jester Prize: Ostrich Boss

	Zombie:
		1. Eyeball Shoot: U, Td, A
		2. Coffin Chase: Aw, Td, B
		3. Arm Boomarang: Aw, Td, A
		4. Pogo: B (close)
		5. Grave Diver (teleport): D, D, B
		6. Somerassault #1: Td, Td, B
		7. Aerial Dive: C, D, D
		8. Frenzy: Aw, Td, Aw
		9. Somerassault #2: Td(x3)
		10. Deadly Knee: Win Grapple
		11. Power Kick: D, Td, B
		#12. Ducking Punch: U, A
		13. Zombie's Minions: Shatter Move
		14. Grave Dance: After-Shatter Move
		Jester Prize: Bounder Boss

	Kronk:
		1. Nut Crush: D, D, A
		2. Loogie Hurl: Aw, Td, A
		3. Fencing Lunge: Td, Td, A
		4. Flying Spear: C, D, D
		5. Bone Sweep: Defensive Crouch, A+B
		6. Club Uppercut: D, U
		7. Cranium Crush: Jump and Land on 'em!
		8. Tee Off: B (close)
		9. Baseball Bash: Win Grapple
		10. Roll Charge: Td(x3)
		11. Belch: Taunt
		12. Jumping Club Attack: Td+A
		13. Overhead Club: U, A
		14. Loogie Fly: Aw, U, A
		15. Stake Driver: Shatter Move
		16. Pool Ballz: After Shatter Move
		Jester Prize: T-Wrecks Boss

	Divine:
		1. Bump 'n' Grind: Td, Aw, Td, Aw
		2. Low Lunge Kick: Defensive Crouch, B+C
		3. Nasty Knee Attack: D, D, Td
		4. Flip 'n' Throw: A+B when close
		5. Nutcracker: B (close)
		6. Fake Dizzy: D, D, Aw
		7. Jette (Lunge Kick): U, U, B
	     8. Ducking Uppercut: D, Td, A
		9. Opera Attack: D, D, U
		10. Leg Throw: Td(x3) when close
		11. Side Thrust Kick: D, Td, B
		12. Split Spin Kick: L, L, B or R, R, B
		13. Spankings: Win Grapple
		14. Can't Touch This: Taunt
		15. Ride on Back and Bite: Land on Opponent
		16. Ballet Spin: Aw, U, Td
		17. Forgetful Throw: Shatter Move
		18. Balloon Blow: After-Shatter Move
		Jester Prize: Random Boss
 
	Crusher:
		1. Horn Slide: Aw, Td, C
		2. Horn Throw: Aw, U, A
		3. Mad Charge: Td(x3)
		4. Grandslam: U, D, A
		5. Horn Lunge: Td, Td, A
		6. Foot Stomp: U, Td, B
		7. Ground Shaker: U, D, U
		8. Horn Impale: B (close)
		9. Hop n' Bop: L, D, A or R, D, A
		10. Upside Down Headkick: Win Grapple
		11. Flip Off: Taunt
		12. Underhand Horn Throw: Aw, Td, A
		13. Suffocation: Shatter Move
		14. Rhino Bounce: After-Shatter Move
		Jester Prize: T-Wrecks Boss


	Boomer:
		1. Self Destruct: R, D, L, U, A
		2. Telescoping Arms: Defensive Crouch, A+B
		3. Throw Head: Aw, Td, A
		4. Bowl Head: Aw, Td, B
		5. Dive Bomb: D, U, C
		6. Jack-in-the-box Head: U+A
		7. Colossal Kick: R, R, B or L, L, B
		8. Charge: Td(x3)
		9. Finger Spin: B (close)
		10. Kick in the Pants: Win Grapple
		11. Butt Waggle: Taunt
		12. Power Kick: D, Td, B
		13. Circus Ballz: Shatter Move
		14. Juggle Ballz: After-Shatter Move
		Jester Prize: Lamprey Boss


	Bruiser:
		1. Tornado: R, D, L, U, A
		2. Cannonball: C, D, D
		3. Slide Tackle: D, D, B
		4. Jumping Jacks(Heal): U, D, U, D
		5. Cart Wheel: L, L, B or R, R, B
		6. Duck Uppercut: Duck, B+C
		7. Cyclone: Td, Aw, Td
		8. Leg Sweep: D, A+B
		9. Buckle Heave: D, U, A
		10. Buckle Toss: Aw, Td, A
		11. Buckle Kick: Aw, Td, B
		12. Charge: Td(x3)
		13. Back Breaker: B (close)
		14. Head Lock Pummel: Win Grapple
		15. Flip Off: Taunt
		16. Both Feet Kick: C, A+B
		17. Head Plant Slam: Shatter Move
		18. Soccer Ballz: After-Shatter Move
		Jester Prize: Lamprey Boss

	Lamprey:
		1. Slither Charge: Td+C
		2. Snake Morph: D+A
		3. Scorpian Morph: L+A
		4. Bull Morph: A+C
		5. Slip Flip: C
		6. Punch: A
		7. Forward Punch and Tail Flip: B
		8. Corkscrew: Td+A
	El Ballz (Bull Morph):
		1. Head Butt: A
		2. Hind Leg Kick: B
		3. Stampede: C
		4. Rear Up: U+A
		5. Genie Morph: A+B
	Spike (Scorpian Morph):
		1. Grab and Sting: A
		2. Tail Strike: B
		3. Jump: C
		4. Super Tail Strike: Td+B
		5. Jump Flip: U+C
		6. Lunge: A+B
		7. Jumping Sting: B+C
		8. Jump, Hit with Arms: D+A
		9. Genie Morph: A+C
Byte Viper (Snake Morph):
		1. Lunge: A
		2. Tail Whip: B
		3. Jump Up: C
		4. Roll: Td+B
		5. Dive Underground: U+C
		6. Eat Opponent: Td, A+B
		7. Genie Morph: A+C

T-Wrecks:
		1. Chew and Spit: A (close)
		2. Tail Sweep: B
		3. Charge: C
		4. Stomp and Chew: A+B
		5. Tail Stomp: D+B
		6. Roar: A (out of range)

Guggler (the Ostrich):
		1. Peck: A
		2. Kick: B
		3. Jump: C
		4. Butt Wiggle: A+B (Taunt)
		5. Flip Kick: B+C
		6. Toss: D+B
		7. Head in the Sand: D+C
		8. Jump Attack: Td+C
		9. Jump Turn Kick: U+B

Bounder (the Kangaroo):
		1. Punch: A
		2. Kick: B
		3. Jump: C
		4. Tail Sweep: D+A+B
		5. Tail Whip: D+B+C
		6. Duck Punch: D+A
		7. Duck Kick: D+B
		8. Jump Punch: C, A
		9. Jump Kick: C, B
		10. Spring Roll: Td(x3)
		11. Spin on Feet: B (close)
		12. Bounce on Tail: U(x3), press A, B, or C to attack

Cheat Codes:
	The following codes must be done during the actual game, which can make them challenging (to say the least) to do if you are actually fighting. A, B and C (obviously) mean to press those respective buttons. L and R mean press left or right on the directional pad and not the left or right shift keys. The spaces are included for phonetic reasons only. Incidentally, apparently there are a lot more codes hidden in Ballz and the following list is only a smattering of them, so if you find any more send 'em in and we'll print an updated list in the future.
Cheat Codes Listing:
	1. Unlock All Bosses for Player 1: BALL CRAC ALL
	2. Camera Man, 1 Player Game (2nd Controller will control camera movement): BALL ADD ACABARA
	3. Camera Man, 2 Player Game (3rd controller controls camera movement): BALL ADD RADAR
	4. Translucent Ballz: BALL BLUR BALL
	5. Infinite Time: BALL BLA BLA BLA
	6. Shrink Ballz for a skeletal shape: BALL RADAR LULU
	7. Turn self Black and White: BALL DRAB BALL
	8. Turn Opponent B and W: BALL BLAC BALL U
	9. Swap Power Bars: BALL DRACULA
	10. Morph to Genie: BALL ABRA CADABRA
	11. Morph to Bounder: BALL RUU RUU
	12. Morph to Kronk (if you're a boss): BALL BUCA BUCA
	13. Lethal Blow: BALL CLUB U BAD
