Donkey Kong Strategy > Basic Donkey Kong Strategy

Elevators - Making the final run and up the ladder strategy

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John73:
I posted about this an got some answers on CAGDC, but I'm getting totally confused now.

I've previously been pointed towards a YouTube video which is kind of helpful - Donkey Kong 3rd Elevator Stage Strategy
The way I do the level currently is to wait for the spring to bounce in the middle of the left elevator mechanism and then just run like hell, try as I might, I can not get my brain to take my eyes off Jumpman and watch for another middle bouncing spring.  I could be wrong, but I also think that the middle bouncing springs are not all the same, some are lower and quicker while others seem to be a bit more bouncy if that makes sense.... of course not being a very good player this could all be in my mind.

But during the DK Wildcard on the weekend, I was talking to another player (who is around my standard but a lot better at the Elevators) who said he was given tips (possibly by Dean or Vincent) who advised him to not look where the spring was bouncing, but to look at where the spring was entering the screen to work out which one to go on and I guess when to retreat after you start your run.

Not sure if this belongs in Basic Strategy, but anyway.  Is there a sure fire fail safe way to do this bloody level?  I'll have times where I won't die for about 10 goes at this, and then I'll have games where I'll die three times trying to make this run on the first of the Level 3+ elevators.

Do the "good" players, i.e. anyone that is probably 500k or higher on DK actually ever die on this board?

Monstabonza:
Hey mate just went looking the thread I was talking about was this one
https://donkeykongforum.net/index.php?topic=86.msg911#msg911
Hope it helps
Nick

hchien:
So as to not confuse terminology:  A long spring is one that bounces more to the right.  A short spring is one that bounces more to the left.

Yes, you are right, there are many many different spring types.  In fact, it's better to think of the spring types as a continuous entity rather than categorically.  Some are longer, some are shorter; some bounce higher, some lower.  I believe someone tried to categorize the different spring types and gave up because there were too many types.

For beginners, I would actually recommend the opposite.  Focus on that yellow part of the left elevator mechanism.  That is the most reliable and easiest to teach method of determining what spring type you are dealing with.  After playing this board 1000's and perhaps 10,000's of times, you will begin to be able to spot a short/long spring as soon as it enters the screen.  This is not teachable (at least not by me).  I'm not even sure myself how I know.  My guess is it's the point of entry/trajectory combined with the timing of the spring.  In fact, it's probably best not to think about it.  It will come naturally.  People will describe a long spring as "more aggressive looking."  See what I mean?  It's not teachable; it just comes with practice.

It sounds like you are not able to retreat if you cannot take your eyes off Jumpman.  Some people keep their eyes on Jumpman while using their peripheral vision for the springs.  Some people focus on the springs and control Jumpman blindly.  You have to find the system that works for you.  However it is imperative that you somehow look at the following spring while running toward the final ladder.  Learning to retreat is a definite must.  It is very unlikely you will ever reach the killscreen unless you learn this.

Yes, there is a fail safe way to pass this board.   The problem is we are all prone to human error so it is impossible to execute perfectly.

1- Look for a long spring. 

2- Run. 

3a- If you get another long spring, retreat and go back to step 1.

3b- If you get a short spring, run up the ladder and finish the board.

How long of a long spring you need and how short of a short spring you need depends on many things.  (How good of a head start do you have?  Are trying to squeeze out every last 100 bonus time or just playing for safety?)  Obviously the longer the 1st spring and the shorter the 2nd spring the safer you'll be.

Everyone dies on this level.  These deaths are definitely the most frustrating since they are usually for very little points and 100% preventable.  Plus your confidence gets shot for every future elevator board in the game.  You should aim for 95%+ pass rate on this level if you want to killscreen.  The best players probably have ~99% success rate.

Someone should probably write this up formally with diagrams/videos and make it a sticky.  It's definitely an FAQ. 

Monstabonza:
I found with the looking at the top of the elevator method but found that while I could see the second long spring I had to retreat on but the time it took to go to my brain then from my brain to my hands just wasn't long enough. After reading the other thread I got to the lvl 4 springs made a save state and just sat at the bottom not playing watching springs enter, after about 1 hour I could recognise them better. I find the long springs enter the screen as an open spring going up then close and fall where as the shorter springs enter closed coming straight across or falling down.

I still miss a lot of opertunities but defently clear it more regular now.
I've gone from dumb luck to about 75% success now.

Fast Eddie:
yeah its definately one way or the other, trying to switch focus is a problem...

you want to start running close to the time your long spring lands its second bounce, this is quite easy to spot in your peripheral while remaining focused on the landing spot until the next spring comes, you will get a feel for how far you need to run to get under the ladder without focusing on jumpman...

 8)

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