Lady Bug/Walkthrough

Game Play Tips
''Note: These tips are for original arcade version of the game. They may apply to some home versions of the game, but not necessarily.''

Go for the blue hearts first
When you begin each new maze, the letters and hearts will start out red immediately, go to yellow, and then blue. Use this opportunity to get all three hearts first so you can build your score quickly. If they're scattered throughout the maze, you may have to wait for the last one as getting the first two is possible. It's wise to do this before the very first insect leaves the den (or "Bug Box").

Time your color changes
This is easy to do from Levels 2 - 4. The hearts/letters are blue until the first insect leaves the Bug Box. When it appears, the colors will cycle red to yellow. This will continue until all four insects are in the maze, but it will be difficult to track the longer all four are on the board. The color times break down like this: RED: Less than a half second; YELLOW: about five seconds; and BLUE: roughly 12 seconds. After Level 5, two insects will have leave the den before the first color cycle.

Losing a life can be beneficial
Over the course of the game, you may be one letter away from getting that EXTRA or SPECIAL. The game may fall into a notorious habit of giving you the same combination of letters every board, particularly if you still have all lives remaining and a pretty decent score. Don't fret once you lose that life! You'll notice, if you survive long enough, the next level or two will give you that missing letter (s). Remember, in this game, you might not get to spell EXTRA until 100,000 or more points. .... literally!

Insect speed increases after level 5
As you progress to higher levels, you'll notice that the insects come after you much faster, and not just on level progression. Their speed can increase just on the level you're on if you take too much time completing it. Make good use of the skulls in the maze (the maximum is SIX after Level 12) and look for effective dodging areas along the turnstiles. Expert players can also find "hiding" spots that are very effective in dodging insects and setting up for veggie takes.

Don't worry about your score after level 8
At this point, trying to rack up points with red or yellow letters/hearts is moot since the insects will be on you and this will only get worse every stage after. If you see a chance for 300 - 4,000 pts. , take it! Otherwise, just concentrate on getting what letters you need and finishing the board as quickly as possible.

Go after vegetables with less than a quarter of the maze left
If you want those extra points and to leave that maze with your life intact, this is a crucial tip. It's entirely possible to score more than one vegetable, but that's only if you still have skulls in play. Insect speed tends to increase after their initial freeze. The goal is to eat as much as possible, or idealy leave that stage if there are no more skulls, during the freeze.

Try to follow the insect pursuit patterns
Contrary to popular listed belief, certain insects do have a way of chasing you. In the early levels, the insects are usually just wandering around and maybe two at a time will give chase. By the time you reach the upper levels, all four will give chase or will try to take you out one at a time. This can be very advantageous for points, kills, & veggies if you watch closely how they pursue you.

Watch the time line
As we know, the rectangular shapes that border the maze (the "time line") alternates green and white to signal when an insect enters the maze. After Level Four, you have EIGHT SECONDS to eat what you can before the first insect arrival. If an insect hits a skull and returns to the Bug Box as the line completes its full rotation, it will IMMEDIATELY leave the Box. Be aware of this if you are going after veggies. Note: you don't lose a life going into the Bug Box while insects are in it, but you're fair (and dead) game if the time line expires & you're still in it.

Set a workable pattern after level 5
As pointed out, the first insect will appear in the maze after about eight seconds. Use this time to clear the dots and/or letters around the Bug Box first and it would be wise to do this from this stage on. You won't get them all, but you'll clear most of them. From there, begin working your way from the bottom to the top, making sure to lose or lure into a skull any pesky insect giving chase.

Miscellaneous Tips
You will lose a life if you try to dodge an insect in a turnstile following you too close, so give yourself enough space .... EXTRA has your ladybug rotating around a musical scale and entering your lives' area while SPECIAL shows a wedding ceremony with ladybug grabbing a coin, indicating your free game .... Insects will be doing 90 miles an hour while you're only doing two from Level 15 (Red Pepper) on, so you really need to be fast and on your toes in dodging and skulling .... If your looking to get two SPECIAL's, forget it!!! It is possible, but you'll have little time to try for it on the upper stages. It's best to concentrate on EXTRA's since the game is more likely & willing to give your letters for that after the initial freebie.