There are thre possible solution variations that can happen, depending on whichversin of theoriginal (or crack) you got.
The variations are
1) The japan spy wants the diamond on some copies, and on other copies wants the stocks. You cannot affford both and still have enough to get everything else.
2) The india guy wants either the statuette of tut, or the scarab. The greecian guy will take either of them. The catch is it's faster to visit the greece one FIRST. India also accepts the chronograph, but this renders the game unwinnable.
3) England will accept either the jade carving, or the camera. south America will accept the one that england does not. both will also accept the chronograph, which will lose you the game. That Swiss Watch is very popular! lol
This leaves a total of EIGHT possible game versions!
If we are to consider the c64 15 pack version canonical, the scarab goes to india, the stocks go to japan, and when you get to brazil you will have both, so it doesn't matter. But every other version i've found needs the tut statuette to go to India.
For any given copy of the game, the solution never changes. But you never know which one you will get! Absolutely sadistic
Why you can't beat Hacker.
Moderator: Håkan Sundell
So, for those who finally want to beat the game, here is the order to visit the cities,and what they will take.
FIrst, France/Switzerland
Accepts cash.
Sells Deed and chronograph. (required)
Second, Egypt.
Takes Chronograph or Deed
Sells Statuette of Tut and scarab (required)
GReece
Takes Statuette of Tut, and Scarab
SElls artifact and greecian urn (neither is needed to win)
India
Takes Chronograph. On some versions acceps scarab, and on others accepts statue.
Sells star of india, and lamp. Neither is required.
New York.
Accepts Deed ONLY. (meaning Chronograph is required for Egypt)
Sells Stocks and diamond. (ONE of these is required. the other is required to NOT be bought!)
Japan
Wants stocks, OR diamond, but NOT both.
Sells pearls and camera. both are required.
China
Wants pearls or stocks/diamond (the same thing japan requires!)
Sells Ming vase and jade carving. the carving is required.
Brazil/South America/Cuba
Wants chronograph and either carving,OR camera. You should have both at this time, so try the carving first.
Sells doubloons and map. Neither required.
London
Takes chronograph, and camera or carving. Will take the one you didn't give in south america.
SElls crown jewels and beatles album. (beatles album is required)
San Francisco.
Takes Album and Camera. but as you no longer have the camera, give the abum.
Washington DC
Takes completed document. you win.
think I will give you the map? you are on your own for that.
but i will give you a tip or two.
AFter spy 7 or so, the lights will go out on the underground map. you must navigate by sound only! You will end up passing one grid space away from the australian test site! if you mess this up, you LOSE. INSTANTLY. after all that hard work. No, there is no way to arrange it such that the grid is working at this point and still win. Absolutely sadistic.
If you took notes during the intro and game, you will be able to pass all 4 security questions.
FIrst, France/Switzerland
Accepts cash.
Sells Deed and chronograph. (required)
Second, Egypt.
Takes Chronograph or Deed
Sells Statuette of Tut and scarab (required)
GReece
Takes Statuette of Tut, and Scarab
SElls artifact and greecian urn (neither is needed to win)
India
Takes Chronograph. On some versions acceps scarab, and on others accepts statue.
Sells star of india, and lamp. Neither is required.
New York.
Accepts Deed ONLY. (meaning Chronograph is required for Egypt)
Sells Stocks and diamond. (ONE of these is required. the other is required to NOT be bought!)
Japan
Wants stocks, OR diamond, but NOT both.
Sells pearls and camera. both are required.
China
Wants pearls or stocks/diamond (the same thing japan requires!)
Sells Ming vase and jade carving. the carving is required.
Brazil/South America/Cuba
Wants chronograph and either carving,OR camera. You should have both at this time, so try the carving first.
Sells doubloons and map. Neither required.
London
Takes chronograph, and camera or carving. Will take the one you didn't give in south america.
SElls crown jewels and beatles album. (beatles album is required)
San Francisco.
Takes Album and Camera. but as you no longer have the camera, give the abum.
Washington DC
Takes completed document. you win.
think I will give you the map? you are on your own for that.
but i will give you a tip or two.
AFter spy 7 or so, the lights will go out on the underground map. you must navigate by sound only! You will end up passing one grid space away from the australian test site! if you mess this up, you LOSE. INSTANTLY. after all that hard work. No, there is no way to arrange it such that the grid is working at this point and still win. Absolutely sadistic.
If you took notes during the intro and game, you will be able to pass all 4 security questions.