There's a masochistic part of me that enjoys the challenge of finishing a level in this game, but that is out-weighed by the sheer frustration of the horrible controls combined with the sometimes pixel perfect precision required.
If you hold the cursor under your character's feet, you can "draw" him straight up like he's riding an elevator. Very quickly. Makes everything a LOT easier.
I had already finished area 1 when the badges were released, finished the game, and was only awarded the second badge. So if you were in the same boat, you'll likely have to redo the first part again to earn the first badge.
For the Arcade Mode medal (12,500 points), I bought the bobsleigh, the HIGH Tech glider (green one), and used the Lift-Off thruster. Put all remaining cash into fuel, and did not add ANYTHING to the ramp. Immediately after jump, burn all FOUR boosters in succession (at about 30 degrees up-angle) to gain altitude, then coast down at about 210 speed, being careful not to go too fast into the red zone. I ended up with over 14,000 points on that run.
I strongly suggest getting the sprinkler after you've upgraded the mower a few times. Getting +1% lawn health per second helps you last a LOT longer. Combine that with the time attack mode, and you can earn cash much faster.
@sddsdd -- the comment made by 111ARCHANGEL111 refers to level 20. I didn't get it either, at first, but just finished level 20, and some of the obstacles in level 20 conceal alternate ragdolls you need to finish the level.
PEEPING TOM -- for those having trouble finding access to Peeping Tom (like I did), you eventually get the quest from the 3rd Sigil. She is the one on map #2-5, the one in the Grasslands, near to where you would have killed Sister Pedro. I didn't realise you had to backtrack to an old Sigil to get this quest. I raged for a bit. Hope this helps some.
More amusing way to get the Sparta achievement: Fully upgraded Quake box in the middle. Put 2 fully upgraded Flamer Joes on either side. Spend the rest of your cash on gunners. Sit back and watch the Spartans get BURNINATED!
@kokos: the monkey boss appears once you use the hang glider, and the worm appears when you do the dumpster dive trick. They're both pretty easy to kill.
Mostert: you can kill one Kutie in the spike pit to provide enough of a surface for the big rolly thingie to trundle its way to the other side. It can be done without a death, but the timing needed is annoying.