52.
Strategy - usually I just try to get in a screen with extra static items, like crates, or chairs. The place in Japan, by the big noise factory sign is where I got my high score. Just do AAABBA+B/special, and try to move to the next character standing fast enough - if they try to avoid you move to the box and hit it a few times to keep the meter up...
Makes me wonder if there's a cheat to keep the meter up longer with the dip codes.