This game is also available on PC.
Retro Game Walkthroughs for Mashed (PlayStation 2)
Submitted By: mikelar
Since taking out your enemies in the most brutal and obscene manor is the aim of the game in Mashed, the usage of weapons becomes paramount. The amount of times you can unleash a missile or mine on your opponent is limited in each race, so you're going to want to get your money's worth, so to speak, when using them. With this in mind, I decided to write a guide in using each weapon in Mashed explaining the best times tactically to use them as well as how to defend against them. Simply look up your weapon of choice and your away.
From the top then:
=== Machine Gun ===
Attacking:
One of the better weapons in terms of range, the machine gun can send an opponent veering off the track if used correctly. The laser sight helps with targeting but the machine gun locks onto cars that are directly in front of you anyway so aiming shouldn't be too much of a problem. The best tactic is to fire at your chosen target as he/she turns a corner as this is when handling becomes most important and any distraction will result in a crash. You should also pay attention to the track layout as firing at cars as they pass holes or obstacles also proves effective. Because the machine gun isn't the most powerful weapon, emptying an entire clip on one enemy will do no real damage so try to target any cars that have previously suffered from explosions or gun fire to finish them off.
Defending:
The key to avoiding machine gun fire is simple - just keep swerving. Avoiding fire is made easier due to the fact that you can see where the enemy is aiming (the red laser sight) so avoid aligning yourself with the car trying to attack. An alternative method is to simply drop behind the car with the machine gun. Providing your not in a race, you can simply stay behind the car rendering his/her weapon useless.
=== Mortar ===
Attacking:
Mortars prove most effective when you're behind the pack as most targets are in front of you. There's little you can do in terms of aiming, aside from being behind a car when you fire it, so just launch the mortars on the long straight of the track. The most efficient method of using this weapon is to launch all of the mortar rounds in one go so that the blast radius is at it's biggest and you therefore have the biggest chance of actually hitting someone. Avoid using the mortar when cornering as this is when targeting becomes most difficult.
Defending:
Since you can see the mortars path through the air it's pretty difficult not to dodge the mortar. You can be caught out if a barrage of mortar rounds is used but again, since you can see their flight path, avoiding isn't too difficult. As with the machine gun, if you're not playing a race event then simply position yourself behind the car with the mortar weapon to avoid being attacked.
=== Missile ===
Attacking:
Possibly one of the best weapons in the game, one direct hit with a missile will likely send your opponent either flying off the track or crashing into a guard barrier. The missile weapon will auto-aim as long as you keep your target within range for a certain amount of time. Like with the machine gun, the missile operates using a red laser site as a guide to firing. The best time to use the missile weapon is on the long straights or just before a corner. Firing in these areas means that the chance to hit and the damage done will both be high.
Defending:
As with the machine gun, the key is avoiding aligning yourself with the red laser sight of the missile. Either swerve rapidly or stay behind the car armed with a missile to avoid being attacked. Alternatively, if you're skilled enough, you can position yourself in front of another car when the missile as launched at you using the car behind as a shield.
=== Shotguns ===
Attacking:
A weapon specifically designed with the faster races in mind. If you find that all your opponents are sticking close-by then the shotgun weapon is the answer. Firing the shotguns will blow anything to your left or right off the track leaving you to speed off freely. Your given three rounds with which to disable any nearby enemies so use the shots wisely. The best tactic is to make use of the right and left attack function of the shotguns. Try to sandwich yourself in-between two opponents before letting rip with the shotguns. Even if they don't crash on the first attempt, their driving will be severely affected for a few precious seconds. Realign yourself with any of the opponents before using the shotguns again until all your opponents are dead or at the very least, heavily damaged.
Defending:
Since the only position the shotguns can attack you is from the side of other cars, the answer to defending against the attack is pretty obvious - just don't drive next to the car with this weapon. The range is also quite small so if you're in a race, taking over other cars shouldn't be too much of a problem. If you do see another car trying to position itself next to you, simply veer away or brake to avoid suffering an attack.
=== Oil Slicks ===
Attacking:
A weapon designed with the leader of the pack in mind, the oil slick cover any surface in the slippery stuff. Driving over the slicks will effect car handling causing cars to crash into each other or the barriers randomly. Using the oil slick most effectively is the key to making it a useful weapon, especially when your in the lead but still want to destroy the other cars. The best parts of the track to use the oil slick are tight corners and near hazard objects like obstacles and pits were control of the car proves vital. You're given a fair amount of slick with which to lather an area of the track so make sure to cover vast areas or, alternatively, you can keep using small amounts on all the corners of the tracks.
Defending:
A pretty easy weapon to defend against since you can all suffer the effects if you're positioned behind a car with an oil slick. Position yourself either to the side or, if you can, in front of the car where you won't be effected if an oil slick is used. If you do come across one and are caught in it, simply slow down instead of trying to violently fight the twisting and turning the car will automatically do. You'll only be effected for around 5 seconds if you do hit an oil slick so stick with a race if you do get caught out.
=== Flame-throwers ===
Attacking:
A nice weapon that provides a little boost to your speed as well as dousing any cars behind you in fire, the flame-thrower is a useful weapon if you're either at the back or front of the pack. If you're at the back then there's nothing more you can do but to use the flame-thrower as a boost, perhaps trying to swerve in front of other cars as you pass to do a bit of damage. Meanwhile if you're at the front or middle, position yourself in front of any other car before unleashing the mammoth fireball. Their handling will be effected slightly so try to stay in front of them as you fire to cause the maximum amount of damage.
Defending:
Like several of the other weapons in Mashed, the flame-thrower has only one direction of attack - behind the car using it. As such, make sure not to drive behind any car armed with this weapon as you'll receive damage and will start to swerve. If you are caught within the range of this weapon, then immediately move out of the line of fire either by braking or by trying to take over the car in front. Avoid trying to take over on corners as not only with the car in front start to turn meaning you won't be under attack, but you're also likely to lose control of your car.
=== Mines ===
Attacking:
Attacking with the mines is a simple task. Simply watch how tightly other cars take their corners and place the mines accordingly. If the other cars skid around corners loosely then place the mines on the outside of the corners whilst if they take them tightly, place them on the inside. If the track has a lot of straight, then simply watch the positioning of the cars as they drive down the straight. There's no use in trying to get in front of the car your targeting as the mine will not become active for a few seconds meaning other cars can drive over freshly laid mines without being effected. Since you're give two mines, it's best to place one at one side of the road and another on the other side of the road a bit further down as to make driving through the mines as difficult as possible. Obviously, you'll need to remember where you place the mines so that you yourself can dodge them the next time you drive around the track.
Defending:
Although the mines are light with a green light when active, it can still be hard to dodge them especially when you're hurtling around the track. The best tactic is to notice when a mine has been dropped the first time. Since the mine won't become active until the next time you come around to it, make sure to make a note of where it was dropped so that you can adjust car positioning accordingly. If you're not sure of where the mine was placed, then simply go as slow as the race will allow whilst driving through the mines before speeding up again after the area is clear.
=== Barrel Bombs ===
Attacking:
The barrel bomb is most useful when unleashed onto the main pack of cars in the race. Try to get ahead of where the cars are fighting and fire both barrels to make sure the blast radius is at it's biggest. Even if the first barrels don't hit the cars, them having to swerve out of the way should put them off enough for you to gain a distance advantage. Avoid using the weapon on corners as this is when you're least likely to hit any of the other cars, instead use the weapon on the long straights, preferably when all cars have reached their fastest speed as to make the impact with the barrel as devastating as possible.
Defending:
The best weapon you have to defend with against the barrel bomb is the ability to see what weapons the other cars have. If you see that a particular car is trying to get into a vantage point to unleash barrel bombs onto you then you know it's time to try and evade. Either ram or block the other car from getting in front of you or, if you're unable to do this, simply keep up with the car armed with the barrel bombs making sure not to fall behind. Take corners tighter than the car armed with this weapon to get in front where you're safe from attack.
=== Blinding Flares ===
Attacking:
Indefinitely, the best time to use a flare is when you're coming up to a corner or are about to skillfully navigate an obstacle. Since you have the element of surprise on your side - what with the other cars not knowing when you'll use it - then the best tactic is to fire the flare when car handling becomes crucial. Obviously, before using it, you need to take a quick look at the track ahead to make sure you're not going to crash anywhere but since you know when you're going to use it, knowing where you should be going shouldn't be too much of a problem. The flare also proves handy when other cars are targeting you with guided weapons such as the machine gun or the missile in which case you can distract them from attacking whilst at the same time making it difficult for them to steer.
Defending:
The best method to defend against the flare is to constantly be aware of the track layout. Think ahead about the next corner or obstacle that's coming and, when somebody uses a flare, you should be able to navigate any difficult areas of the track through memory. Practicing on the tracks will make it easier for you to remember track layouts so before any major races, practice the track in preparation of somebody using a flare.
=== Air Strike ===
The Air Strike is a nice addition to Mashed's arsenal. Once you're out of the game, and provided you've turned it on, then a target will appear allowing you to target any of the cars still racing with a missile. The Air Strike is easily used be hard to master, the most difficult aspect of targeting is to keep the cross-hair over any of the racing cars until the shape changes which indicates a lock-on. Once you're satisfied that the targeted car is the one you wish to attack, simply press the fire button to launch an effective homing missile to take the car out.
Hope you found this weapon walkthrough helpful,
mikelar.
From the top then:
=== Machine Gun ===
Attacking:
One of the better weapons in terms of range, the machine gun can send an opponent veering off the track if used correctly. The laser sight helps with targeting but the machine gun locks onto cars that are directly in front of you anyway so aiming shouldn't be too much of a problem. The best tactic is to fire at your chosen target as he/she turns a corner as this is when handling becomes most important and any distraction will result in a crash. You should also pay attention to the track layout as firing at cars as they pass holes or obstacles also proves effective. Because the machine gun isn't the most powerful weapon, emptying an entire clip on one enemy will do no real damage so try to target any cars that have previously suffered from explosions or gun fire to finish them off.
Defending:
The key to avoiding machine gun fire is simple - just keep swerving. Avoiding fire is made easier due to the fact that you can see where the enemy is aiming (the red laser sight) so avoid aligning yourself with the car trying to attack. An alternative method is to simply drop behind the car with the machine gun. Providing your not in a race, you can simply stay behind the car rendering his/her weapon useless.
=== Mortar ===
Attacking:
Mortars prove most effective when you're behind the pack as most targets are in front of you. There's little you can do in terms of aiming, aside from being behind a car when you fire it, so just launch the mortars on the long straight of the track. The most efficient method of using this weapon is to launch all of the mortar rounds in one go so that the blast radius is at it's biggest and you therefore have the biggest chance of actually hitting someone. Avoid using the mortar when cornering as this is when targeting becomes most difficult.
Defending:
Since you can see the mortars path through the air it's pretty difficult not to dodge the mortar. You can be caught out if a barrage of mortar rounds is used but again, since you can see their flight path, avoiding isn't too difficult. As with the machine gun, if you're not playing a race event then simply position yourself behind the car with the mortar weapon to avoid being attacked.
=== Missile ===
Attacking:
Possibly one of the best weapons in the game, one direct hit with a missile will likely send your opponent either flying off the track or crashing into a guard barrier. The missile weapon will auto-aim as long as you keep your target within range for a certain amount of time. Like with the machine gun, the missile operates using a red laser site as a guide to firing. The best time to use the missile weapon is on the long straights or just before a corner. Firing in these areas means that the chance to hit and the damage done will both be high.
Defending:
As with the machine gun, the key is avoiding aligning yourself with the red laser sight of the missile. Either swerve rapidly or stay behind the car armed with a missile to avoid being attacked. Alternatively, if you're skilled enough, you can position yourself in front of another car when the missile as launched at you using the car behind as a shield.
=== Shotguns ===
Attacking:
A weapon specifically designed with the faster races in mind. If you find that all your opponents are sticking close-by then the shotgun weapon is the answer. Firing the shotguns will blow anything to your left or right off the track leaving you to speed off freely. Your given three rounds with which to disable any nearby enemies so use the shots wisely. The best tactic is to make use of the right and left attack function of the shotguns. Try to sandwich yourself in-between two opponents before letting rip with the shotguns. Even if they don't crash on the first attempt, their driving will be severely affected for a few precious seconds. Realign yourself with any of the opponents before using the shotguns again until all your opponents are dead or at the very least, heavily damaged.
Defending:
Since the only position the shotguns can attack you is from the side of other cars, the answer to defending against the attack is pretty obvious - just don't drive next to the car with this weapon. The range is also quite small so if you're in a race, taking over other cars shouldn't be too much of a problem. If you do see another car trying to position itself next to you, simply veer away or brake to avoid suffering an attack.
=== Oil Slicks ===
Attacking:
A weapon designed with the leader of the pack in mind, the oil slick cover any surface in the slippery stuff. Driving over the slicks will effect car handling causing cars to crash into each other or the barriers randomly. Using the oil slick most effectively is the key to making it a useful weapon, especially when your in the lead but still want to destroy the other cars. The best parts of the track to use the oil slick are tight corners and near hazard objects like obstacles and pits were control of the car proves vital. You're given a fair amount of slick with which to lather an area of the track so make sure to cover vast areas or, alternatively, you can keep using small amounts on all the corners of the tracks.
Defending:
A pretty easy weapon to defend against since you can all suffer the effects if you're positioned behind a car with an oil slick. Position yourself either to the side or, if you can, in front of the car where you won't be effected if an oil slick is used. If you do come across one and are caught in it, simply slow down instead of trying to violently fight the twisting and turning the car will automatically do. You'll only be effected for around 5 seconds if you do hit an oil slick so stick with a race if you do get caught out.
=== Flame-throwers ===
Attacking:
A nice weapon that provides a little boost to your speed as well as dousing any cars behind you in fire, the flame-thrower is a useful weapon if you're either at the back or front of the pack. If you're at the back then there's nothing more you can do but to use the flame-thrower as a boost, perhaps trying to swerve in front of other cars as you pass to do a bit of damage. Meanwhile if you're at the front or middle, position yourself in front of any other car before unleashing the mammoth fireball. Their handling will be effected slightly so try to stay in front of them as you fire to cause the maximum amount of damage.
Defending:
Like several of the other weapons in Mashed, the flame-thrower has only one direction of attack - behind the car using it. As such, make sure not to drive behind any car armed with this weapon as you'll receive damage and will start to swerve. If you are caught within the range of this weapon, then immediately move out of the line of fire either by braking or by trying to take over the car in front. Avoid trying to take over on corners as not only with the car in front start to turn meaning you won't be under attack, but you're also likely to lose control of your car.
=== Mines ===
Attacking:
Attacking with the mines is a simple task. Simply watch how tightly other cars take their corners and place the mines accordingly. If the other cars skid around corners loosely then place the mines on the outside of the corners whilst if they take them tightly, place them on the inside. If the track has a lot of straight, then simply watch the positioning of the cars as they drive down the straight. There's no use in trying to get in front of the car your targeting as the mine will not become active for a few seconds meaning other cars can drive over freshly laid mines without being effected. Since you're give two mines, it's best to place one at one side of the road and another on the other side of the road a bit further down as to make driving through the mines as difficult as possible. Obviously, you'll need to remember where you place the mines so that you yourself can dodge them the next time you drive around the track.
Defending:
Although the mines are light with a green light when active, it can still be hard to dodge them especially when you're hurtling around the track. The best tactic is to notice when a mine has been dropped the first time. Since the mine won't become active until the next time you come around to it, make sure to make a note of where it was dropped so that you can adjust car positioning accordingly. If you're not sure of where the mine was placed, then simply go as slow as the race will allow whilst driving through the mines before speeding up again after the area is clear.
=== Barrel Bombs ===
Attacking:
The barrel bomb is most useful when unleashed onto the main pack of cars in the race. Try to get ahead of where the cars are fighting and fire both barrels to make sure the blast radius is at it's biggest. Even if the first barrels don't hit the cars, them having to swerve out of the way should put them off enough for you to gain a distance advantage. Avoid using the weapon on corners as this is when you're least likely to hit any of the other cars, instead use the weapon on the long straights, preferably when all cars have reached their fastest speed as to make the impact with the barrel as devastating as possible.
Defending:
The best weapon you have to defend with against the barrel bomb is the ability to see what weapons the other cars have. If you see that a particular car is trying to get into a vantage point to unleash barrel bombs onto you then you know it's time to try and evade. Either ram or block the other car from getting in front of you or, if you're unable to do this, simply keep up with the car armed with the barrel bombs making sure not to fall behind. Take corners tighter than the car armed with this weapon to get in front where you're safe from attack.
=== Blinding Flares ===
Attacking:
Indefinitely, the best time to use a flare is when you're coming up to a corner or are about to skillfully navigate an obstacle. Since you have the element of surprise on your side - what with the other cars not knowing when you'll use it - then the best tactic is to fire the flare when car handling becomes crucial. Obviously, before using it, you need to take a quick look at the track ahead to make sure you're not going to crash anywhere but since you know when you're going to use it, knowing where you should be going shouldn't be too much of a problem. The flare also proves handy when other cars are targeting you with guided weapons such as the machine gun or the missile in which case you can distract them from attacking whilst at the same time making it difficult for them to steer.
Defending:
The best method to defend against the flare is to constantly be aware of the track layout. Think ahead about the next corner or obstacle that's coming and, when somebody uses a flare, you should be able to navigate any difficult areas of the track through memory. Practicing on the tracks will make it easier for you to remember track layouts so before any major races, practice the track in preparation of somebody using a flare.
=== Air Strike ===
The Air Strike is a nice addition to Mashed's arsenal. Once you're out of the game, and provided you've turned it on, then a target will appear allowing you to target any of the cars still racing with a missile. The Air Strike is easily used be hard to master, the most difficult aspect of targeting is to keep the cross-hair over any of the racing cars until the shape changes which indicates a lock-on. Once you're satisfied that the targeted car is the one you wish to attack, simply press the fire button to launch an effective homing missile to take the car out.
Hope you found this weapon walkthrough helpful,
mikelar.