Lemmings

From Sega Retro

n/a

  • Sega Mega Drive
    NTSC-U/J
  • Sega Mega Drive
    PAL
  • Master System
  • Game Gear

Lemmings Title.png

Lemmings MD EU TitleScreen.png

Lemmings SMS Title.png

Lemmings GG Title.png

Lemmings
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear
Publisher:
Sega Mega Drive
Sunsoft (Japan, US)
Sega Mega Drive
Sega (Europe)
Sega Master System
Sega Game Gear
Sega
Developer:
Licensor: Psygnosis
Original system(s): Amiga
Developer(s) of original games: DMA Design, Psygnosis
Sound driver:
Sega Mega Drive
Sunsoft sound driver
Peripherals supported:
Sega Game Gear
Gear-to-Gear Cable
Genre: Action[1][2], Puzzle[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]

















Number of players:
Sega Mega Drive
Sega Game Gear
1-2,
Sega Master System
1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP
¥7,8007,800 T-15063
Sega Mega Drive
US
$49.9549.95[10] T-15026
Sega Mega Drive
EU
1704
Sega Mega Drive
PT
Sega Mega Drive
UK
£39.9939.99[14] 1704
Sega Mega Drive
SE
(Rental)
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Mega Drive
KR
GM8037JT
Sega Master System
EU
7108
Sega Master System
PT
Sega Master System
UK
£29.9929.99[15] 7108
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Master System
BR
025200
Sega Master System
KR
GB2032JG
Sega Game Gear
JP
¥3,5003,500 G-3317
Sega Game Gear
US
2431
Sega Game Gear
EU
2431
Sega Game Gear
PT
GGJ2431
Sega Game Gear
UK
£29.9929.99[20] 2431
Sega Game Gear
BR
075210
Non-Sega versions

Lemmings (レミングス) is a very successful strategy game developed by DMA Design and published by Psygnosis for the Amiga in 1991. It stands as being one of the most ported games in history, seeing a release on dozens of platforms including the Sega Mega Drive, Sega Game Gear and Sega Master System.

Gameplay

Lemmings MD Gameplay.png

Gameplay screenshot from the Mega Drive version.

The player's task is to guide a number of Lemmings to a goal within the time limit, trying to make sure they do not kill themselves from hazards or long falls during transit. Lemmings can be set to do certain functions such as digging or blocking, though the player only has a limited number of these skills in supply, which varies per level. Lemmings fall out from a trapdoor at a set rate, which the player can adjust to make the trapdoor release Lemmings at faster or slower rates (up to 99), but will be unable to lower the rate past the minimum assigned to the current level.

If the player successfully rescues a set percentage of Lemmings, which varies by level, they will be able to move on to the next level, otherwise they must retry the level. If the player finds themselves in an unwinnable situation, needs to get rid of remaining Blockers or simply wants to restart the level, they can select the Nuke'em button on the HUD, which will stop any more Lemmings from entering the level and make all remaining Lemmings explode, ending the level.

Typically, there is a total of 120 levels to complete, each of them categorised into four difficulty ratings with 30 levels each: "Fun", "Tricky", "Taxing" and "Mayhem". The Mega Drive version adds two extra difficulty ratings with their own sets of levels, "Present" and "SUNSOFT", bringing the total number to 180, the most levels in any version of Lemmings.

There is also a two-player mode with 20 levels. In this mode, each player is presented with their own view of the map in vertical split-screen (or each player's individual screen in the Game Gear version), and the objective is to be the first player to safely guide Lemmings to their own goal. Each player can only give skills to the Lemmings of their respective colour (blue for P1, green for P2), but getting a Lemming into the opposite goal counts as a point for the goal's owner (e.g. if one of player 2's Lemmings enters player 1's goal, it counts as a point for player 1), so a player can exploit this to steal points from the other. A player wins when they rescue more Lemmings than the other player, or the other player loses all of their Lemmings. The Master System version does not include the two-player mode.

Skills

Lemmings that have not been given a skill will be referred to as Walkers.

Lemmings MD Sprite Skills.png
Climber
Allows a Lemming to climb most walls he runs into. This skill is permanent for the rest of the level, even if the Lemming is given another skill. When stacked with the Floater skill, the Lemming becomes an "Athlete".
Lemmings MD Sprite Skills.png
Floater
Allows a Lemming to use an umbrella to survive falls that would normally kill a Lemming. This skill is permanent for the rest of the level, even if the Lemming is given another skill. When stacked with the Climber skill, the Lemming becomes an "Athlete".
Lemmings MD Sprite Skills.png
Bomber
Makes a Lemming explode after 5 seconds, killing him and destroying part of the terrain around him in the process. The explosion will not hurt other Lemmings.
Lemmings MD Sprite Skills.png
Blocker
Makes a Lemming stop moving and block other Lemmings from passing him. A Blocker cannot use any other skill (other than Bomber) unless another Lemming digs under him, becoming a Walker again.
Lemmings MD Sprite Skills.png
Builder
Makes a Lemming build an upward bridge in front of him. He will lay down up to 12 bricks, after which he will shrug at the player before going back to being a Walker unless the player commands him to continue building. A Builder will stop prematurely if the bridge hits a solid object or he bumps his head on a ceiling.
Lemmings MD Sprite Skills.png
Basher
Makes a Lemming dig horizontally through any suitable terrain that's directly in front of him, and will continue to do so until there is no more suitable terrain to dig through or he is given another task.
Lemmings MD Sprite Skills.png
Miner
Makes a Lemming dig in a diagonally downward direction through any suitable terrain with a pickaxe, and will continue to do so until there is no more suitable terrain to dig through or he is given another task.
Lemmings MD Sprite Skills.png
Digger
Makes a Lemming dig straight down through any suitable terrain beneath him, and will continue to do so until there is no more suitable terrain to dig through or he is given another task.

Versions

The Sega versions are slightly stripped back from the Amiga original, particularly on the Master System, where music and level layouts are slightly adjusted. The Master System version also lacks a map, and cuts back on the amount of Lemmings on-screen (the compensation being an adjusted difficulty level, i.e. fewer Lemmings need to be saved).

All three versions add new levels specific to each platform. The Mega Drive version replaces some of the later levels with those seen in Oh No! More Lemmings, redesigned with the original game's graphics and different names, and has a special stage featuring the characters from Sunsoft's Hebereke series.

Neither version supports any form of mouse (or trackball) control.

Production credits

Mega Drive version

  • Game Programmer: Mikio.I
  • Graphics Designers: Hiroshi Ito, Dai Ozawa, Yukio Obayashi, Hiroyuki Karashima, Shigeyuki Asa, Tom.S
  • Music Composer: Takayama
  • Sound Programmer: Tsukamoto
  • Technical Adviser: Teq.S.Inaba
  • Prints Editors: Mihoko.O, Master Mori
  • Sales Manager: Masato Kawai
  • Supervisor: Hirokun
  • Total Director: A.T
  • Special Thanks: Kawabe San, NAOPi, Mrs.ANDO, Ikko., Hac.F, Masaru Aoyanagi, Satoru Takabayashi, Michio Okasaka, Yoshihisa Shigekiyo, Thuyoshi Matumoto, Hideyo Kawaguchi, Kimoto, Hiroshi Shiraishi, Joe.Robbins, Rita Zimmerer, Karen Shadley, Steve Gehrke, Kazuko Harman
  • Producer: K.Yoshida
  • Licensed by: Psygnosis
  • Presented by: Sunsoft
Source:
In-game credits
Lemmings MD credits.pdf
[22]

Source:
Uncredited


Master System version

  • Code: Dominic Wood
  • Art: Mark Knowles
  • Producer: Neil Young
Source:
In-game credits


Game Gear version

  • Code: Dominic Wood
  • Art: Mark Knowles
  • Producer: Neil Young
Source:
In-game credits

Source:
Uncredited


Magazine articles

Main article: Lemmings/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: Lemmings/Promotional material.

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
70
[23]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
77
[24]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
63
[25]
Consoles + (FR)
95
[26]
Digitiser (UK) PAL
80
[27]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
73
[28]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
70
[29]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 7 (RU)
40
[30]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
93
[31]
Excalibur (CZ)
75
[32]
Game Mania (UK) NTSC
92
[33]
Game Power (IT)
79
[34]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
73
[10]
GamesMaster (UK) NTSC-U
80
[35]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
60
[36]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
92
[37]
Joypad (FR) NTSC-U
85
[38]
Joystick (FR) NTSC-U
88
[39]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) NTSC-U
92
[40]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)
92
[41]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
68
[42]
Mega (UK) NTSC-U
90
[43]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
78
[44]
MegaTech (UK) NTSC-U
92
[45]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
80
[46]
Marukatsu Mega Drive (JP) NTSC-J
73
[47]
Player One (FR)
87
[48]
Play Time (DE)
88
[49]
Power Unlimited (NL)
72
[50]
Sega Power (UK) NTSC-U
85
[51]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
90
[52]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
90
[53]
Sega Zone (UK) NTSC-U
92
[54]
Sega Force (UK)
81
[55]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
73
[56]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
88
[57]
Video Games (DE)
85
[58]
Sega Mega Drive
80
Based on
37 reviews

Lemmings

Mega Drive, JP
Lemmings MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
Lemmings MD JP CartTop.jpg
Lemmings MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Lemmings MD JP Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US
Lemmings MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Lemmings MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, EU
Lemmings MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
Lemmings MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Lemmings MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Mega Drive, EU (Alt Cover)

Mega Drive, FR

Lemmings MD FR Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, PT

Mega Drive, SE rental (HENT orange)
Lemmings MD SE rental Box.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, CZ/SK (ITO CS)
Lemmings MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
Lemmings MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Lemmings MD CZ Manual.png
Manual
Mega Drive, AU
Lemmings MD AU cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, KR
Lemmings MD SK Box.jpg
Cover
Lemmings MD KR carttop.jpg
Lemmings MD KR cartback.jpgLemmings MD KR Cart.jpg
Cart

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Consoles + (FR) PAL
94
[59]
Computer & Video Games (UK) PAL
92
[60]
Computer + Video Giochi (IT)
92
[61]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
96
[62]
Game Mania (UK) PAL
95
[63]
Gamers (DE)
73
[64]
Hobby Consolas (ES) PAL
80
[65]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
83
[46]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
95
[66]
Player One (FR) PAL
80
[67]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
89
[68]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
89
[69]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
89
[70]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
90
[71]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
93
[72]
Video Games (DE)
80
[73]
Sega Master System
88
Based on
16 reviews

Lemmings

Master System, EU
Lemmings SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
Lemmings SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Lemmings SMS EU Manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, PT
Lemmings SMS PT cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, AU

Lemmings SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU (AFP8 sticker)
Lemmings SMS AU afp8 cover.jpg
Cover
Lemmings SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU (AFP8 sticker #2)
Lemmings SMS AU afp8 alt cover.jpg
Cover
Lemmings SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU (AFP11 sticker)
Lemmings SMS AU afp11 cover.jpg
Cover
Lemmings SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU (Classics)
Lemmings SMS AU classics cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, BR
Lemmings SMS BR Box (no codebar).jpg
Cover
Lemmings SMS BR Cart Back.jpgLemmings SMS BR Cart.jpg
Cart
Lemmings SMS BR Manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, BR (newer)
Lemmings SMS BR Box.jpg
Cover
Lemmings SMS BR Cart (no codebar).jpg
Cart
Master System, KR
Lemmings SMS KR cover.jpg
Cover

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Alaab Alcomputtar (SA)
90
[74]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
70
[75]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
94
[76]
Computer + Video Giochi (IT)
94
[77]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
63
[78]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
92
[79]
Game Mania (UK)
92
[80]
Gamers (DE)
73
[64]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
60
[81]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
80
[65]
Joypad (FR)
91
[82]
Joystick (FR)
91
[83]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
75
[46]
Player One (FR)
91
[84]
Play Time (DE)
96
[85]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
88
[86]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
83
[69]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
88
[87]
Sega Force (SE)
83
[88]
Sega Force (UK)
94
[20]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
71
[89]
Supergame (BR)
73
[21]
User (GR) PAL
87
[90]
Video Games (DE)
72
[91]
Sega Game Gear
83
Based on
24 reviews

Lemmings

Game Gear, JP
Lemmings GG JP Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngLemmings GG JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
Lemmings GG JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Lemmings GG JP Manual.jpg
Manual
Game Gear, US
Lemmings GG US Box Back.jpgLemmings GG US Box Spine.jpgLemmings GG US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Lemmings GG US Cart.jpg
Cart
Lemmings GG US Manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, US (alt)

Lemmings GG US cart alt.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, EU
Lemmings GG EU Box Back.jpgLemmings GG EU BoxSpine.jpgLemmings GG EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
Lemmings GG EU cart.jpg
Cart
Lemmings GG EU Manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, PT
Lemmings GG PT Box Back.jpgNospine.pngLemmings GG PT Box Front.jpg
Cover
Lemmings GG EU cart.jpg
Cart
Lemmings GG PT Manual.jpg
Manual
Lemmings GG EU Manual.pdf
EU Manual
Game Gear, BR
Lemmings GG BR back.jpgNospine.pngLemmings GG BR Box.jpg
Cover
Lemmings gg br cart.jpg
Cart

Technical information

Main article: Lemmings/Technical information.

References

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NEC Retro has more information related to Lemmings
  1. 1.0 1.1 File:Lemmings MD JP Box.jpg
  2. 2.0 2.1 File:Lemmings MD EU Box.jpg
  3. File:Lemmings GG EU Box Back.jpg
  4. File:Lemmings GG JP Box Front.jpg
  5. 5.0 5.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/gamegear/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2018-12-07 04:57)
  6. 6.0 6.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-02 23:21)
  7. File:Lemmings SMS EU Box.jpg
  8. File:Lemmings SMS KR cover.jpg
  9. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-xx-xx), page 6
  10. 10.0 10.1 GamePro, "August 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 44
  11. GamesMaster, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-03), page 14
  12. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1992-11-23), page 18
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 Sega Pro, "Christmas 1992" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 14
  14. Sega Force, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 81
  15. Mean Machines Sega, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-xx), page 88
  16. Sega Visions, "November/December 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 93
  17. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1992-11-23), page 18
  18. 18.0 18.1 Sega Force, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-05), page 71
  19. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1992-11-23), page 18
  20. 20.0 20.1 Sega Force, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-05), page 72
  21. 21.0 21.1 Supergame, "Maio 1993" (BR; 1993-05-xx), page 37
  22. File:Lemmings MD credits.pdf
  23. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 113
  24. Aktueller Software Markt, "Oktober 1992" (DE; 1992-09-11), page 137
  25. Beep! MegaDrive, "November 1992" (JP; 1992-10-08), page 28
  26. Consoles +, "Décembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 114
  27. Digitiser (UK) (1993-03-31)
  28. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "May 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 26
  29. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 325
  30. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 7, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 210
  31. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 66
  32. Excalibur, "" (CZ; 1993-04-10), page 31
  33. Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 80
  34. Game Power, "Ottobre 1992" (IT; 1992-xx-xx), page 37
  35. GamesMaster, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-03), page 86
  36. Hippon Super, "November 1992" (JP; 1992-10-03), page 46
  37. Hobby Consolas, "Diciembre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 60
  38. Joypad, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 46
  39. Joystick, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 172
  40. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-xx-xx), page 20
  41. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 62
  42. Mega Drive Fan, "February 1993" (JP; 1993-01-xx), page 59
  43. Mega, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-15), page 62
  44. Mega Play, "March/April 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 61
  45. MegaTech, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-20), page 22
  46. 46.0 46.1 46.2 Micromanía (segunda época), "Enero 1993" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 64
  47. Marukatsu Mega Drive, "November 1992" (JP; 1992-10-xx), page 109
  48. Player One, "Décembre 1992" (FR; 1992-12-10), page 90
  49. Play Time, "2/93" (DE; 1993-01-07), page 112
  50. Power Unlimited, "Jaargang 3, Februari 1995" (NL; 1995-01-25), page 54
  51. Sega Power, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-05), page 56
  52. Sega Pro, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-12), page 34
  53. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 66
  54. Sega Zone, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-xx), page 68
  55. Sega Force, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 80
  56. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 86
  57. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 18
  58. Video Games, "9/92" (DE; 1992-08-26), page 94
  59. Consoles +, "Février 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 114
  60. Computer & Video Games, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-15), page 86
  61. Computer + Video Giochi, "Gennaio 1993" (IT; 199x-xx-xx), page 93
  62. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 142
  63. Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 81
  64. 64.0 64.1 Gamers, "Dezember/Januar 1993" (DE; 1992-11-19), page 86
  65. 65.0 65.1 Hobby Consolas, "Enero 1993" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 16
  66. Mean Machines Sega, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-xx), page 70
  67. Player One, "Décembre 1992" (FR; 1992-12-10), page 133
  68. Sega Power, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-05), page 42
  69. 69.0 69.1 Sega Pro, "February 1993" (UK; 1993-01-14), page 32
  70. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 71
  71. Sega Zone, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-xx), page 70
  72. Sega Force, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-05), page 70
  73. Video Games, "1/93" (DE; 1992-12-16), page 108
  74. Alaab Alcomputtar, "" (SA; 1995-08-xx), page 74
  75. Beep! MegaDrive, "February 1993" (JP; 1993-01-08), page 22
  76. Computer & Video Games, "December 1992 (Go! Issue 14)" (UK; 1992-11-15), page 18
  77. Computer + Video Giochi, "Gennaio 1993" (IT; 199x-xx-xx), page 72
  78. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "November 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 32
  79. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 167
  80. Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 70
  81. Hippon Super, "March 1993" (JP; 1993-02-04), page 39
  82. Joypad, "Janvier 1993" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 148
  83. Joystick, "Février 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 186
  84. Player One, "Janvier/Février 1993" (FR; 1993-01-10), page 133
  85. Play Time, "3/93" (DE; 1993-02-10), page 108
  86. Sega Power, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-03), page 77
  87. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 74
  88. Sega Force, "2/93" (SE; 1993-03-18), page 23
  89. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 88
  90. User, "Septémvrios 1993" (GR; 1993-0x-xx), page 54
  91. Video Games, "12/92" (DE; 1992-11-23), page 134


Lemmings

Lemmings Title.png

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Lemmings games for Sega systems
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