Whew! .........Whew.
FINALLY!!! I was able to steal an S rank in the final ARMD stage! Whew. Still catching my breath. My knees are still weak. I managed to finish with 70% health.
Thank you mza. Your tactic sure helped. But it was a hit and miss (more like a miss and miss for me) for me during the first times i tried your tactic.
Things I learned from this stage (and this game in general):
1) In Bodolza stage, you should remember to be at the right distance from Bodolza at all times while you're circling him. This is to avoid all incoming missiles perfectly when you roll forward.
2) I got SICK of Minmay's Song Ai Oboeteimasuka. Why? Because I played the last ARMD stage a million times (trying to get an S), and you can NOT skip the Movie before you confront Bodolza. The 2nd part of this stage plays Minmay's song as BGM is fine but this game is making you watch the whole damn Movie.
3) Long movies cut your momentum. (Please refer to number 2) It takes you about 8 Minutes to play thru the first 2 parts of the last stage making sure you finish both parts with perfect health. Doing the same shoot and avoid tactic for minutes. Then you can NOT skip the fre*kin movie!! The graphics are great and all (gotta hand it to AM2) but If you're trying hard to get a S..... Hmm,... well. Anyway, after carefully finishing the first 2 parts with perfect health and watching the 3-4 minute movie, in less than 2 minutes, say goodbye to your S rank.
4) I think. I repeat, I think Macross VO is a SLIGHTLY better Macross Game. Although Macross VO is also a "difficult to finish & get all the" weapon types game; It rocks because is has a bigger play area, has a COCKPIT VIEW, can fly in an enemy Mecha, etc. But limited to space battles only.
Whew... Now let me rest for a while and I'll fly Roy's VF-1S......