==================
Power Instinct FAQ
(Version 4)
August 12, 1994
by Daryle Walker
==================

This FAQ is also available by FTP, courtesy of GamePro magazine's Andy
Eddy. Just FTP to ftp.netcom.com and cd /pub/vidgames/faqs.

This FAQ will be updated as needed by observations by me or helpful
observers who e-mail me important information.

My e-mail address will be updated in September, 1994.


The game was made by Atlus (c) 1993

        The Gogetsu clan . . . every 500 years a hand-to-hand combat
tournament is held to determine who is the strongest fighter.  The fighter
is then chosen to become the leader of the Gogetsu clan.  Anyone who is a
decendent of the Gogetsu clan may enter.  Their present leader, Oume, has
defended her reign for 60 years.  To all entrants, an attendent named Kuroko
is assigned to take care of all their needs.  Once again their present
leader, 78-year-old Oume, will attempt to defend her title.  However, this
time Oume's younger sister Otane, who ran away from home years ago, has also
entered the Tournament!

No doubt, only the strongest will survive this tournament!!


=================
Control Shorthand
=================

The '+' sign means 'and', the '-' sign means 'then'.

Spin: Spin joystick once clockwise if character is facing right (is on the
      left), spin it counterclockwise if character is facing left

Quarter Circle Towards: curve the joystick from down to toward in a single
      motion (it's down - down/toward - toward)

Quarter Circle Away: curve the joystick from down to back in a single
      motion (it's down - down/back - back)

Half Circle Towards: curve joystick from back to toward in a single
      motion across the bottom (it's back - down/back - down - down/toward - toward)

Half Circle Away: curve joystick from toward to back in a single
      motion across the bottom (it's toward - down/toward - down - down/back - back)

Reverse Quarter Circle Towards: curve the joystick from toward to down
      in a single motion (it's toward - down/toward - down)

Dragon Punch Motion: have joystick in the towards posistion, move it
      immediately to the down position (do not curve it down), then curve
      it to the down/toward position (it's toward - down - down/toward)

3/8 Circle Towards: curve joystick from down to up/toward in a single
      motion (it's down - down/toward - toward - up/toward)


===========
Basic Moves
===========

Weak Punch: press A     Strong Punch: press C
Weak Kick:  press B     Strong Kick:  press D

Throw/Hold: hold joystick toward and press C
  The fighters will seperate to opposite sides of the screen afterwards.
Defend: hold joystick back or down/back (only works if opponent attacks)
Walk forward/backward: hold joystick toward or back
Dash forward/backward: tap joystick quickly twice toward or back
  A fighter can punch or kick while dashing.
Squat: hold joystick down, down/back, or down/toward
Jump: hold joystick up
Double Jump: tap joystick quickly twice up
Jump forward/backward: hold joystick up/toward or up/back


==================
Character Profiles
==================


Thin Nen
--------

Animal: tiger
Symbol:
Facial change: furrows eyebrows
Challenge: Fighting here is also determined by fate.
Victory: Your fate is in my hands.

Win 1: bring hands together in bowed reverence
Win 2: eyes bulge out in happy surprise as Kuroko gives him a (?)

Endgame:

Flashing thunder fist:  back - towards - back + any punch
Freeze curse:           half circle away - both punches
Oro ball wave:          half circle towards - both punches
Thunder kick:           3/8 circle towards + any kick

Someone told me that a victim of the Freeze curse can free themselves just
like a dizzy (shake joystick and press buttons).  When the person is frozen,
your movements on the screen become very sluggish (bad programming?).

Thin Nen's hands when forming the oro ball wave have an aura around them,
which can cancel projectiles and hurt the opponent if they touch the hands.
(The oro ball still comes out if either case happens.)

He throws the opponent above and behind him.


Keith Wayne
-----------

Animal: mouse
Symbol:
Facial change: smirks
Challenge: Hey!  Anyone want to fight?
Victory: What a great workout!

Win 1: spins once, gives 2-fingered salute, says 'yeah!'
Win 2: drinks from a water bottle that Kuroko gives him

Endgame:

Knuckle bomber:    back, charge for 2 sec. - towards + any punch
Sprial kick:       quarter circle towards + any kick
Lightning flash:   quarter circle away + any punch
Rolling cannon:    reverse quarter circle towards + any kick

The Lightning flash can go under some special moves and hit the opponent.
Conversely, the opponent's projectiles can go over it and hit you.

He twirls and knees the opponent in the air.


Hattori Saizo
-------------

Animal: ox
Symbol:
Facial change: eyes glow blue
Challenge: This will also be part of my training!
Victory: You lost because you are weak and I am strong.

Win 1: spins in place as a ball then stands with arms folded
Win 2: same as before except he makes a 2-fingered 'V' sign afterwards (Kuroko claps)

Endgame:

Flashing dragon bomb:   quarter circle away + any punch
Tsunami slash:          (while jumping) Spin + any punch
Dragon flaming flash:   quarter circle towards + any punch
Blue frame slicer:      half circle towards + any kick

His squatting strong kick will slide.

He carries the opponent high in the air and brings them straight down for
a body slam.  The throw can be done in mid-air.


Annie Hamilton
--------------

Animal: dove
Symbol:
Facial change: winks and smiles slightly more
Challenge: You look pretty strong, but can you defeat me?
Victory: Ha, ha, ha!  There is no one stronger than me!

Win 1: turns back to player then swerves head to player with smile
Win 2: Slaps hands with Kuroko then stands in nice pose

Endgame: goes on a shopping spree

Swani clash:        half circle towards + any punch
Rainbow barrier:    back, charge for 2 sec. - towards + any punch
Annie dyamic:       charge button D for 4 sec. - release
Photon burst:       (while jumping) quarter circle towards + any punch

The rainbow barrier can be used against opponents or to cancel projectiles.

She throws the opponent over her shoulder onto the ground.
The throw can be done in mid-air.


Reji Oyama
----------

Animal: pig
Symbol:
Facial change: opens mouth wider (synchronizes with yell from 'versus' music)
Challenge: Let me test my fighting skills!
Victory: Intense training is the key to strength.

Win 1: faces player and grunts as he heaves his chest out
Win 2: same as before except he laughs (along with Kuroko)

Endgame:

Thunder ball:           quarter circle towards + any punch
Flying dragon punch:    dragon punch motion + any punch
Thunder kick:           rapidly, repeatedly press any kick button
Super spin kick:        (while jumping) Spin + any kick

The flying dragon punch usually flames the victim.

He backfilps his opponent.  The throw can be done in mid-air.


Angela Belti
------------

Animal: cobra
Symbol:
Facial change: changes lips-only smile to "display teeth" smile
Challenge: Wanna fight me?  I might surprise you!
Victory: Ha! it's as if a worthy opponent does not exist.

Win 1: wipes dirt off her legs and makes a muscle
Win 2: does tough, muscular poses as Kuroko photographs her

Endgame:

Whip attack:     back, charge for 2 sec. - towards + any punch
Thunder roll:    both punch buttons
Body attack:     back, charge for 2 sec. - towards + any kick
Smash kick:      (while jumping) up - down + any kick

Her squatting strong kick will slide.

After doing the smash kick, whether or not it's sucessful, she'll do two
backflips away from the opponent.  It is possible to be hit while
backfipping.

She leaps on top of the opponent and pulls out some of their hair.


White Buffalo
-------------

Animal: horse
Symbol:
Facial change: furrows eyebrows and frowns more
Challenge: I am searching for an opponent destined to be my rival.
Victory: It looks like you are not worthy to be my rival.

Win 1: stand with legs apart and nods and grunts in affirmation
Win 2: does 'traditional' Indian holler as Kuroko imitates him

Endgame:

Arrow shot:           half circle towards + any punch
Flying elbow blow:    (while jumping) Spin + any punch
Charging buffalo:     down, charge for 2 sec. - up + any kick
Smash tackle:         back, charge for 2 sec. - towards + any punch

He recovers from the charging buffalo quickly enough to counter some attacks.
(The computer likes countering my jump attack with a jump kick, and I get
 pushed back into the buffalo projectile, ouch!)

He carries the opponent into the air and slams them onto the ground.
The throw can be done in mid-air.


Goketsuji Otane
---------------

Animal: rabbit
Symbol:
Facial change: smiles (evil-like)
Challenge: Can you defeat this old woman?
Victory: This is still my realm.  Ha, ha, ha.

Win 1: streches sweatpants open and lets them snap tight, smiles
Win 2: turns young, strikes a pose, says (?) while Kuroko holds a sign saying (?)
In both cases, she first turns back to her old woman form, if necessary.

Endgame:

Normally (as old woman)
   Flying face attack:       down, charge for 2 sec. - up + any punch
   Flying denture attack:    back, charge for 2 sec. - towards + any punch
   Shooting comet attack:    towards + repeatedly pressing any punch
   Air kick:                 (while jumping) up - down + any kick

Altered (as young woman)
   Heart bombs:     quarter circle towards + any punch
                    (can be done on ground or while jumping)
   Rainbow wall:    back, charge for 2 sec. - towards + any punch

Her squatting strong kick will slide (as old woman).

She can be hit by an attack while transforming to a young woman.  (in the light pillar)
She is invulnerable while she turns back to an old woman.

The heart bombs will flame the victim upon contact.  If they hit or miss and
hit the ground, they turn grey, break in two, then disappear.

As an old woman, she holds the opponent and kisses them.
As an young woman, she throws the opponent over her shoulder onto the ground.

Her kiss hold is how she transforms to her young self.
The transformation lasts 20 seconds or until she wins.
She does not turn back if she is KO'd as a young woman.
Her young self is almost like Annie without the split kick.

If two human players each use Otane, they will fight in Oume's final battle
background, instead of Otane's graveyard background.


============================
Last Fighter: Goketsuji Oume
============================

She is almost EXACTLY like Otane, except she is a bit faster and has a different
color palette.  She has the same moves, portrait, end-match poses, and Victory
speech as Otane, excepting for the color change.  She does not use her regular
portrait for her challenge; the challenge depends on the opponent.

Challenge to Otane: Are you my younger sister Otane?
                    Can you defeat me.
                    (her picture looks distressed)
Challenge to others: I am the boss, Oume, from Gogetsu temple.
                     Don't let my age fool you!
                     (her picture has an evil smirk)

I saw one person beat her with Annie.  Oume will pummel you to death with Shooting
Comet and Flying Denture attacks from across the screen.  Getting close makes
her use the Flying Face attack on you over and over (doesn't need too much
charging, eh).  She will occasionally do an Air Kick on you, especially if you
are cornered.  She can kiss you on the ground or in mid-air, and then become
young.  Her young self is exactly like Otane's young self (except for color).


How to beat her
---------------

It took about twenty tries from various people before the someone using Annie
won the game.  The player tried jumping over the comet attack and shooting a
photon burst at her, which Oume usually blocked.  This did not really work so
well as it was hard for the player to do this consistently, and that attempts
to get closer so Annie can get a good lead over Oume ended up getting Annie
K.O.'d. (Oume usually still had a life advantage over Annie.)

The way to victory was when Annie got kissed.  Unlike Oume's older self with very
fast, sucessive attacks, Oume's younger self was easier to handle because the
heart bombs are slower to move and create.  This let the Annie user get in close
to young Oume and thrash her until she K.O.'d or got a very low energy level
so Annie can wait Oume out after she turned back old.

A general strategy with anyone else is to hope she kisses you and turns young,
so you can beat her up, or if she doesn't get an opportunity to get young, is
to get around or through the comet attacks and hit her.  With characters that
launch their bodies at opponents, there is a great chance that Oume will
immeadiately do her Flying Face attack on you as soon as you get around the comets.



===========
Other stuff
===========

      The introduction to the game starts with the Atlus logo being displayed.
Then the storyline (written here before the control shorthand section) is given
in three parts with a background of an army of grey-colored young men, with
Oume's face appearing in the third screen.  Then four of the characters (chosen
randomly) appear in series in sillouette doing one of their poses in front of a
symbol (hopefully the same one in their portrait).  Next, pictures of Annie,
Angela, and (young) Otane are shown side by side until the "Power Instinct"
title logo (with copyright info) is shown.  About seven demo fights follow.
The final display is the top five players list, with the rank number, score,
initals, and a picture of character used by the players.  The high scores are
backdropped by a picture of Annie, Angela, and (young) Otane in nice dresses
admiring a picture of a young woman, possibly of (young) Otane or maybe (young)
Oume.  Then the sequence repeats.

      As soon as enough credits are put in to start the game, a picture of all
the eight fighters' faces appear with a message to press start.  When a game
is started or continued, a player has twenty seconds to choose before an automatic
selection is made where the selector currently is.  If continuing a one player
game, the fighters already beaten will be in greyscale.  If continuing a two
player game, the previous winner CANNOT change his/her character.  The character's
alternate color can be chosen by pressing button D.

      Human-to-human fights and -versus-CPU fights are kept seperate.  Victories
against a human opponent does not cancel the need to fight the computer-controlled
version of the character that the losing human used.  (In fact, Street Fighter
2 is the only fighting game I play that does have cancellation.)  If a person
has his/her game interrupted by some human challenges, and manages to defeat
ALL of the challengers, the game against the computer continues like no interruptions
occured.  If a challenger defeats a person who was playing the computer, the
new winner does not profit from the previous computer wins, s/he has to start
the fights against the computer from the beginning (that sucks!!).

      Right before a match, the characters' portraits are shown with their
names and a "vs." between them.  On the portraits, there is: the character's
face, an animal in the upper-left corner, and a (Japanese?) symbol in the
upper-right corner.  The portrait also is shown when the next computer opponent
makes a challenge (except for first opponent), and when the winner (computer or
human) makes their victory statement.

      The match is a standard "win 2 out of 3" rounds with a "Final" round in
case of draws or double K.O.'s.  The rounds are 99 seconds long, with an alarm
ringing when 10 seconds remain.  Bonus points are awarded for health (up to
30,000 for not getting hurt) and time remaining.

      There is a bonus stage after the third and sixth opponents.  The first
bonus stage has the player try to punch out all 45 Kurokos.  It is worth 1000
points for each Kuroko hit, with 30,000 extra points for a perfect job, and
more points for each second remaining (out of 25 seconds).  The second bonus
stage has the player try to smash 45 vases that Kurokos throw out.

      After beating Oume, a picture of her looking like her young self, but with
her old face and body wrinkles is shown with the caption: "I guess my old age
caught up with me." (or something like that).  Then an audience of Kuroko watch
the ending sequence for the winning character.  The credits then roll with
"kiddie anime" versions of the characters walking around in robes in this order:
Annie, Reji, Keith, White Buffalo, (young) Otane, Hattori Saizo, Angela, Thin
Nen, (old) Oume, and Kuroko.



==========================
NEED HELP!!!  NEED HELP!!!
==========================

I am not very good at this game.  I have never gone beyond the fourth opponent.
If anyone out there reading this FAQ has any stuff to contribute, you'll have
to wait until September, 1994, when I'll make sure to get an account at my
college (University of Connecticut) to receive the contribution.  I'll make a
new FAQ version telling my new e-mail address.  I doubt that I can support this
FAQ by myself once I get back to Connecticut, since I have never seen a Power
Instinct machine in any of the (few) arcades I have visited there.

I will give credit to those who give important facts.

Some of the stuff I need to know:
--------------------------------

  -   The (Japanese?) symbols in the characters' portraits

  -   What the Kuroko gives Thin Nen in his Win 2

  -   What (young) Otane says in her Win 2
      Also, what does the (Japanese?) sign say in her Win 2

  -   General and character specific strategies, including combos

  -   Any corrections

  -   Any additions
