# Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders playthrough and hints **URL:** \ **Category:** Adventure/Lucasfilm Games\ **Created:** [May 18, 2018, 2:55pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/zak-mckracken-and-the-alien-mindbenders-playthrough-and-hints/2704 "2018-05-18T14:55:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![Frenzie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/frenzie/32/4416_2.png) [@Frenzie](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/Frenzie)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 1:19pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/zak-mckracken-and-the-alien-mindbenders-playthrough-and-hints/2704/321 "2018-05-21T13:19:04Z")
> [@ZakPhoenixMcKracken](#): > > …there is the phone Bill Yeah, and although I haven’t started from scratch in my “main” game I since discovered that I could hack the terminal to not pay while in disguise (or was it just hand the bill to him in disguise? or both? lol I already forgot) ---
**Author:** ![Sushi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/sushi/32/163_2.png) [@Sushi](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/Sushi)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 1:20pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/zak-mckracken-and-the-alien-mindbenders-playthrough-and-hints/2704/322 "2018-05-21T13:20:18Z")
> [@yrface](#): > > 40hZ hum At the risk of getting another Simpsons McBain “that’s the joke”… it’s 60Hz or 50Hz for mainland Europe. ---
**Author:** ![ZakPhoenixMcKracken](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/zakphoenixmckracken/32/41_2.png) [@ZakPhoenixMcKracken](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/ZakPhoenixMcKracken)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 1:20pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/zak-mckracken-and-the-alien-mindbenders-playthrough-and-hints/2704/323 "2018-05-21T13:20:32Z")
It’s nice to see the screenshots of the C64 version, the very first version I ever played. I feel like a grandfather who is telling his grandchildren the joys of his life… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ZakPhoenixMcKracken](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/zakphoenixmckracken/32/41_2.png) [@ZakPhoenixMcKracken](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/ZakPhoenixMcKracken)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 1:21pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/zak-mckracken-and-the-alien-mindbenders-playthrough-and-hints/2704/324 "2018-05-21T13:21:38Z")
> [@Sushi](#): > > it’s 60Hz or 50Hz for mainland Europe. It was left 60Hz even here in Europe. Because the game is placed in San Francisco (and the machine labels “60”) ---
**Author:** ![Frenzie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/frenzie/32/4416_2.png) [@Frenzie](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/Frenzie)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 1:22pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/zak-mckracken-and-the-alien-mindbenders-playthrough-and-hints/2704/325 "2018-05-21T13:22:48Z")
> [@ZakPhoenixMcKracken](#): > > It’s nice to see the screenshots of the C64 version, the very first version I ever played. Thank @Sushi! And smack @GOG for not including it. ---
**Author:** ![Sushi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/sushi/32/163_2.png) [@Sushi](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/Sushi)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 1:24pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/zak-mckracken-and-the-alien-mindbenders-playthrough-and-hints/2704/326 "2018-05-21T13:24:35Z")
> [@tasse-tee](#): > > Don’t tell me if I’m right 😉 No comment! 😉 We can not confirm neither deny any of this. ---
**Author:** ![Sushi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/sushi/32/163_2.png) [@Sushi](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/Sushi)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 1:28pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/zak-mckracken-and-the-alien-mindbenders-playthrough-and-hints/2704/327 "2018-05-21T13:28:13Z")
Note how in this version the grass is blue because Zak’s shirt is green. While in the DOS version it is the other way around. This reminds me of a tale about why carrots are orange because oranges… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![tasse-tee](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/tasse-tee/32/4002_2.png) [@tasse-tee](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/tasse-tee)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 1:29pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/zak-mckracken-and-the-alien-mindbenders-playthrough-and-hints/2704/328 "2018-05-21T13:29:22Z")
> [@Sushi](#): > > We can not confirm neither deny any of this. I thought it might amuse you to know what weird ideas I’m coming up with! Maybe I’ll label them “crazy ideas” or something, to show that I’m not looking for a hint about them 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Sushi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/sushi/32/163_2.png) [@Sushi](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/Sushi)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 1:32pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/zak-mckracken-and-the-alien-mindbenders-playthrough-and-hints/2704/329 "2018-05-21T13:32:46Z")
> [@ZakPhoenixMcKracken](#): > > > [@Frenzie](#): > > > > The funny thing is that our Zak bothers turning off the TV and the fridge, but not the light! > > …there is the phone bill, but not the electric bill. In 1997, the electric energy is evidently free-of-charge. 😃 I also think it is a real US thing. I mean in almost every American movie or TV show, people enter their houses or appartments at night and there’s all these lights already turned on in the room!! I would have a heart attack if that happened to me. 👻 ---
**Author:** ![Sushi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/sushi/32/163_2.png) [@Sushi](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/Sushi)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 1:34pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/zak-mckracken-and-the-alien-mindbenders-playthrough-and-hints/2704/330 "2018-05-21T13:34:41Z")
> [@tasse-tee](#): > > label them “crazy ideas” o Yes please do! We need some more unbiased opinions. Who knows you’ll discover a hidden easter egg that way! Suggestion: use the 🤪 ---
**Author:** ![Frenzie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/frenzie/32/4416_2.png) [@Frenzie](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/Frenzie)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 1:37pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/zak-mckracken-and-the-alien-mindbenders-playthrough-and-hints/2704/331 "2018-05-21T13:37:32Z")
> [@tasse-tee](#): > > I thought it might amuse you to know what weird ideas I’m coming up with! Maybe I’ll label them “crazy ideas” or something, to show that I’m not looking for a hint about them 😉 The funny thing is that the infamous rubber ducky puzzle wasn’t particularly problematic for me. I’m probably odd or something, but the most difficult puzzle in Thimbleweed Park was putting the letter in the mailbox. For some reason[1] I just did _not_ think to try that. I played MI1, 2, and 3 with my wife. She had no trouble with the monkey puzzle either without any hints from me. So it’s not just me. The reason I got it back in the day was the visuals without really understanding the joke (I thought it was pretty funny anyway), whereas my wife immediately understood the clue. Um, what was my point? Right, there’s no such a thing as crazy ideas. [1] I know the reason: I’m not American. ---
**Author:** ![Frenzie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/frenzie/32/4416_2.png) [@Frenzie](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/Frenzie)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 1:58pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/zak-mckracken-and-the-alien-mindbenders-playthrough-and-hints/2704/332 "2018-05-21T13:58:13Z")
Zak has a lippy attitude: ![scummvm00036](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/thimbleweedpark/original/2X/d/d0e41c9b43154c90ab2f2b6bd6f870e9366c2bb0.png) ---
**Author:** ![yrface](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/yrface/32/11793_2.png) [@yrface](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/yrface)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 2:20pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/zak-mckracken-and-the-alien-mindbenders-playthrough-and-hints/2704/333 "2018-05-21T14:20:27Z")
> [@ZakPhoenixMcKracken](#): > > rearrange things part 2, regarding the book Ok guys thank you @zak @Sushi and @Someone for being patient with my dumb ass. If I scroll through my inventory… When i get done with work, I will probably see Zak still has the book. I had just assumed he _gave_ the book to the bum and since there’s so many items in the inventory (TwP really does improve on that UI) I just missed it. > [@Sushi](#): > > it’s 60Hz or 50Hz for mainland Europe. The low frequency hum has made me forget the actual number, so you’re correct it is 60Hz. Apparently that’s a real thing in Northern California. Googled it. Believe everything you read. It makes you stupider. _Yeah, stupider_ ---
**Author:** ![Frenzie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/frenzie/32/4416_2.png) [@Frenzie](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/Frenzie)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 2:25pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/zak-mckracken-and-the-alien-mindbenders-playthrough-and-hints/2704/334 "2018-05-21T14:25:37Z")
You know, I think the rocks in the river in Peru look more like eels. ![scummvm00037](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/thimbleweedpark/original/2X/0/03c06d6f7757808d62c0a6ba83ff694064335461.png) ---
**Author:** ![ZakPhoenixMcKracken](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/zakphoenixmckracken/32/41_2.png) [@ZakPhoenixMcKracken](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/ZakPhoenixMcKracken)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 2:29pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/zak-mckracken-and-the-alien-mindbenders-playthrough-and-hints/2704/335 "2018-05-21T14:29:54Z")
> [@Frenzie](#): > > You know, I think the … in the river in Peru look more like … Did you already try to use the blue crystal with those eels? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Frenzie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/frenzie/32/4416_2.png) [@Frenzie](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/Frenzie)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 2:32pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/zak-mckracken-and-the-alien-mindbenders-playthrough-and-hints/2704/336 "2018-05-21T14:32:26Z")
> [@ZakPhoenixMcKracken](#): > > Did you already try to If you mean on the guy then yes. 😛 To no avail though; but first I’ll feed some “bread” to the birds. ---
**Author:** ![PiecesOfKate](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/piecesofkate/32/93_2.png) [@PiecesOfKate](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/PiecesOfKate)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 2:32pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/zak-mckracken-and-the-alien-mindbenders-playthrough-and-hints/2704/337 "2018-05-21T14:32:40Z")
Right, I’m playing a bit more while I have a break. I’ve not really got very far because I’m being really cautious. I’m worried about buggering it up because I’m so aware there are dead ends! I’m trying to decide whether to go to San Fran via the bus or plane. I guess bus is cheaper. I’ll save beforehand… ---
**Author:** ![ZakPhoenixMcKracken](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/zakphoenixmckracken/32/41_2.png) [@ZakPhoenixMcKracken](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/ZakPhoenixMcKracken)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 2:35pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/zak-mckracken-and-the-alien-mindbenders-playthrough-and-hints/2704/338 "2018-05-21T14:35:07Z")
> [@PiecesOfKate](#): > > I’m trying to decide whether to … I’ll save beforehand… Well… you can go from Zak’s home to SFO terminal only via bus. From SFO to other destinations, you must use a plane. ---
**Author:** ![Sushi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/sushi/32/163_2.png) [@Sushi](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/Sushi)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 2:44pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/zak-mckracken-and-the-alien-mindbenders-playthrough-and-hints/2704/339 "2018-05-21T14:44:35Z")
> [@PiecesOfKate](#): > > I’m worried about buggering it up because I’m so aware there are dead ends! I Relax! It’s not _that_ bad. Sierra-bad… ---
**Author:** ![Someone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b77776/32.png) [@Someone](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/Someone)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 2:48pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/zak-mckracken-and-the-alien-mindbenders-playthrough-and-hints/2704/340 "2018-05-21T14:48:02Z")
> [@Frenzie](#): > > The way flight tickets cost money is kind of annoying. There is a way to deal with that. 🙂 Drop me a note if you need further information. > [@tasse-tee](#): > > I thought it might amuse you to know what weird ideas I’m coming up with! Maybe I’ll label them “crazy ideas” or something, to show that I’m not looking for a hint about them 😉 Keep on posting them. 🙂 > [@PiecesOfKate](#): > > I’ve not really got very far because I’m being really cautious. As @Sushi said: Don’t worry. It’s even better than in Maniac Mansion. In most cases it’s obvious when you are going to run into a dead end. And in several cases you can solve a puzzle in different ways. Just save regularly and everything is fine. 🙂 [Previous page](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/zak-mckracken-and-the-alien-mindbenders-playthrough-and-hints/2704.md?page=16) [Next page](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/zak-mckracken-and-the-alien-mindbenders-playthrough-and-hints/2704.md?page=18)