TaleSpin

From Sega Retro

n/a

  • Mega Drive
  • Game Gear

TaleSpin MDTitleScreen.png

Talespin GG Title.png

TaleSpin
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Game Gear
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Licensor: The Walt Disney Company
Sound driver: GEMS
Genre: Action[1][2]

















Number of players:
Sega Mega Drive
1-2
Sega Game Gear
1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
US
1034
Sega Mega Drive
EU
1034
Sega Mega Drive
EU
(Classic)
Sega Mega Drive
DE
DM 99.9599.95[8]
Sega Mega Drive
PT
Sega Mega Drive
UK
£34.9934.99[5][6][7] 1034
Sega Mega Drive
SE
(Rental)
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Mega Drive
CA
Sega Mega Drive
BR
Sega Mega Drive
KR
GM93027JG
Sega Mega Drive
AS
Sega Game Gear
US
2412
Sega Game Gear
EU
2412
Sega Game Gear
UK
£29.9929.99[12] 2412
Sega Game Gear
BR
075240

TaleSpin is a 1992 action game for the Sega Mega Drive and Sega Game Gear by Sega based upon Disney's television show TaleSpin.

The game is different from the games of the same name published by Capcom for the NES and Game Boy and by NEC for the TurboGrafx-16.

Story

The game involves the adventures of Baloo and Kit Cloudkicker, two bears delivering cargo for Rebecca Cunningham, another bear, and their freight business, Higher for Hire. They live in the city of Cape Suzette, a setting similar to a coastal American city in the 1930s. Baloo and Kit face up against the tiger tycoon Shere Khan in a contest to earn a lifetime work contract from the city. They have seven days collect cargo from exotic locations around the world. Shere Khan wants to put Rebecca out of business, so he hires air pirates, led by Don Karnage, to do his dirty work.

Gameplay

Mega Drive version

TaleSpin, Sea Duck 1.png

TaleSpin, Sea Duck 2.png

Sea Duck

The game is a side-scrolling platformer. The player can choose to play as either Baloo or Kit. There is also a two-player mode in which both characters are played simultaneously. The goal of each stage is to find ten pieces of cargo. Some stages have more than ten pieces, but only ten are necessary to open the customs office (the stage exit). Baloo and Kit face numerous enemies and environmental hazards in the course of finding the cargo. There is a fight against a boss in the customs office of each stage.

Baloo and Kit play similarly. Both can be moved around with Left and Right and C jumps. Kit can also jump higher than Baloo and squeeze into smaller spaces. Down+C jumps off platforms. Down when in front of or on top of a cargo box or an empty box collects it. Empty boxes can be collected in this way and dropped with A to reach higher platforms. B shoots the character's weapon: Baloo is armed with a paddle ball that is stronger and Kit has a slingshot that shoots further.

In two-player games, Kit can ride piggyback on Baloo; to do this, both characters must be positioned close to one another and Baloo must press Down while Kit presses Up.

After every second stage, there is flying sequence where Baloo pilots the Sea Duck, their seaplane, with Kit tethered to the back of the plane on an airfoil (akin to wakeboarding). These play similarly to horizontally scrolling shoot-'em-up games. As Baloo, Right is used to accelerate the Sea Duck and Left slows down, Up makes the Sea Duck climb and Down dives, and B fires the grease gun. As Kit, Up makes the airfoil climb and Down dives and B fires Kit's slingshot. In single-player games as Baloo, Kit is absent. In single-player games as Kit, the computer controls the Sea Duck, but the player can influence its control by holding C and pressing Up or Down to make the Sea Duck climb or dive respectively. C alone makes it level off.

Baloo, Kit, and the Sea Duck all have health gauges that are depleted when hit by enemies. If they run out of health, they lose a try. If they lose all their tries, the game ends unless the player has a continue to use. Additionally, there is a global timer throughout the game that starts at seven days and counts down as the game progresses. Baloo and Kit must complete the contest before time runs out or the game ends.

Items

Ground
TaleSpin, Items, Ground.png
Speed Limit Sign
Temporarily increases the player's movement speed.
TaleSpin, Items, Ground.png
Lucky Penny
Grants the player temporarily invulnerability.
TaleSpin, Items, Ground.png
Hamburger
Replenishes some health.
TaleSpin, Items, Ground.png
Star
Awards the player with an extra try.
TaleSpin, Items, Ground.png
Clock
Gives the player a bit more time on the global timer.
TaleSpin, Items, Ground.png
Ice Cream
Temporarily freezes enemies.
TaleSpin, Items, Boxes.png
Empty Box
Can be collected with Down and stacked with A to reach higher areas.
TaleSpin, Items, Boxes.png
Power Box
Contains a power-up item. Jump on it to break it open.
TaleSpin, Items, Boxes.png
Cargo Box
Can be collected with Down. Collect at least ten to unlock the stage exit.
TaleSpin, Items, Boxes.png
Other Boxes
These boxes solely act as platforms and cannot be picked up.
Air
TaleSpin, Items, Air.png
Wrench
Repairs damage to the Sea Duck.
TaleSpin, Items, Air.png
Grapefruit
Temporarily gives the Sea Duck a spread shot.
TaleSpin, Items, Air.png
Flying Crate
Adds to the player's cargo count. Appears solely on the last stage.
TaleSpin, Items, Air.png
Sun
Banishes the lightning cloud that appears during the stormy parts of the flying stages.

Stages

TaleSpin, Stage 1.png

TaleSpin, Stage 1 Boss.png

  • TaleSpin, Stage 1.png

  • TaleSpin, Stage 1 Boss.png

The Jungle
The boss fight is against Gibber, who is armed with a strong magnet.

TaleSpin, Stage 2.png

TaleSpin, Stage 2 Boss.png

  • TaleSpin, Stage 2.png

  • TaleSpin, Stage 2 Boss.png

The Lost City
The boss fight is against Mad Dog, who is armed with a gun.

TaleSpin, Stage 3.png

TaleSpin, Stage 3 Boss.png

  • TaleSpin, Stage 3.png

  • TaleSpin, Stage 3 Boss.png

Italy
The boss fight is against Mad Dog, whose gun works differently from the previous encounter with him.

TaleSpin, Stage 4.png

TaleSpin, Stage 4 Boss.png

  • TaleSpin, Stage 4.png

  • TaleSpin, Stage 4 Boss.png

Greece
The boss fight is against Mad Dog and is a repeat of the first fight with him.

TaleSpin, Stage 5.png

TaleSpin, Stage 5 Boss.png

  • TaleSpin, Stage 5.png

  • TaleSpin, Stage 5 Boss.png

Egypt
The boss fight is against Dumptruck, who is armed with an oscillating fan.

TaleSpin, Stage 6.png

TaleSpin, Stage 6 Boss.png

  • TaleSpin, Stage 6.png

  • TaleSpin, Stage 6 Boss.png

India
The boss fight is against Gibber and is a repeat of the first fight with him.

TaleSpin, Stage 7.png

TaleSpin, Stage 7 Boss.png

  • TaleSpin, Stage 7.png

  • TaleSpin, Stage 7 Boss.png

New York
The boss fight is against Dumptruck and is a repeat of the first fight with him.

TaleSpin, Stage 8.png

TaleSpin, Stage 8 Boss.png

  • TaleSpin, Stage 8.png

  • TaleSpin, Stage 8 Boss.png

San Francisco
The boss fight is against Don Karnage, who attacks by throwing his sword at the player.

TaleSpin, Stage 9.png

TaleSpin, Stage 9 Boss.png

  • TaleSpin, Stage 9.png

  • TaleSpin, Stage 9 Boss.png

Pirate's Cave
The player must end the first segment with at least 90 pieces of cargo to progress to the final fight. This can be achieved by collecting the air cargo that falls over the course of the level or by collecting enough extra cargo in the previous levels. The boss fight is against the Iron Claw, the flagship of Don Karnage and his air pirates.

Game Gear version

TaleSpin GG, Sea Duck.png

Sea Duck

The Game Gear version follows the Mega Drive version closely in gameplay mechanics and even level design. There is no two-player mode in this version. As before, the player can play as Baloo or Kit, who move around with Left and Right, shoot their weapon with 1, jump with 2, crouch with Down, and jump off platforms with Down+2. The player must collect ten boxes in each stage to open the exit. Boxes are picked up with Down and empty boxes are dropped with Up.

The flying sections are similar, with the D-Pad moving the Sea Duck around and 1 shooting its grease gun. Flying sequences are always played as the Sea Duck alone and without Kit, regardless of which character is being played, and have no stormy sections.

The player's health is shown as a number in the corner of the screen; all other information (such as the number of boxes collected and the time remaining) is shown on the pause screen when  START  is pressed.

The stages and bosses are the same as in the Mega Drive version, except the final stage consists solely of the boss fight and omits the cave section (which also removes the gameplay incentive to collect extra cargo in any of the earlier stages).

Items

Ground
TaleSpin GG, Items.png
Lucky Penny
Grants the player temporarily invulnerability.
TaleSpin GG, Items.png
Hamburger
Replenishes some health.
TaleSpin GG, Items.png
Star
Awards the player with an extra try.
TaleSpin GG, Items.png
Clock
Gives the player a bit more time on the global timer.
TaleSpin GG, Items.png
Ice Cream
Temporarily freezes enemies.
TaleSpin GG, Items.png
Empty Box
Can be collected with Down and stacked with Up to reach higher areas.
TaleSpin GG, Items.png
Power Box
Contains a power-up item. Jump on it to break it open.
TaleSpin GG, Items.png
Cargo Box
Can be collected with Down. Collect at least ten to unlock the stage exit.
Air
TaleSpin GG, Items.png
Wrench
Repairs damage to the Sea Duck.
TaleSpin GG, Items.png
Grapefruit
Temporarily gives the Sea Duck a spread shot.
TaleSpin GG, Items.png
Star
Awards the player with an extra try.

Stages

TaleSpin GG, Stage 1.png

TaleSpin GG, Stage 1 Boss.png

  • TaleSpin GG, Stage 1.png

  • TaleSpin GG, Stage 1 Boss.png

The Jungle

TaleSpin GG, Stage 2.png

TaleSpin GG, Stage 2 Boss.png

  • TaleSpin GG, Stage 2.png

  • TaleSpin GG, Stage 2 Boss.png

The Lost City

TaleSpin GG, Stage 3.png

TaleSpin GG, Stage 3 Boss.png

  • TaleSpin GG, Stage 3.png

  • TaleSpin GG, Stage 3 Boss.png

Italy

TaleSpin GG, Stage 4.png

TaleSpin GG, Stage 4 Boss.png

  • TaleSpin GG, Stage 4.png

  • TaleSpin GG, Stage 4 Boss.png

Greece

TaleSpin GG, Stage 5.png

TaleSpin GG, Stage 5 Boss.png

  • TaleSpin GG, Stage 5.png

  • TaleSpin GG, Stage 5 Boss.png

Egypt

TaleSpin GG, Stage 6.png

TaleSpin GG, Stage 6 Boss.png

  • TaleSpin GG, Stage 6.png

  • TaleSpin GG, Stage 6 Boss.png

India

TaleSpin GG, Stage 7.png

TaleSpin GG, Stage 7 Boss.png

  • TaleSpin GG, Stage 7.png

  • TaleSpin GG, Stage 7 Boss.png

New York

TaleSpin GG, Stage 8.png

TaleSpin GG, Stage 8 Boss.png

  • TaleSpin GG, Stage 8.png

  • TaleSpin GG, Stage 8 Boss.png

San Francisco

TaleSpin GG, Stage 9.png

The Iron Claw

Production credits

Mega Drive version

Game Design
Sega Credits
Disney Credits
  • Producer: Patrick Gilmore
Interactive Designs
Source:
In-game credits
TaleSpin MD credits.pdf
[13]

Sega Credits
Disney Credit
  • Account Executive: Cathy G. Fortier
Interactive Designs Credits
  • Manual by: Ruth Zultner Writing Services and Arcadian Design
Source:
US manual
TaleSpin MD US Manual.pdf
[14]


Game Gear version

Sega Credits
Disney Credits
  • Producer: Patrick Gilmore
  • Account Executive: Cathy G. Fortier
  • Project Manager: Nancy Nakamoto
  • Programmers: Tony Ikeda, Terry Kirch, Bob Morrison, Roy Pitchford, Geoff Stevens
  • Art Director: Kevin Lee
  • Artists: Sandy Christensen, Michael Chung, Jim Freed, William Kier, Barbara Mayers, Isabel Przytarski
  • Music: David Delia, Paul Gadbois
  • Technical Support: Frank Lucero
  • Manual by: Ruth Zultner Writing Services and Arcadian Design
Source:
US manual
TaleSpin GG US Manual.pdf
[15]

Magazine articles

Main article: TaleSpin/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Video Placeholder.svg
CA TV advert
Logo-pdf.svg
Mega Drive print advert in Mega Force (ES) #8: "Diciembre 1992" (1992-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Mega Drive print advert in Mega Force (ES) #9: "Enero 1993" (199x-xx-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Mega Drive print advert in Ação Games (BR) #32: "Abril 1993" (1993-04-01)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Game Gear print advert in Mega Force (ES) #12: "Abril 1993" (1993-xx-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Game Champ (KR) #1993-09: "xxxx" (199x-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Velikiy Drakon (RU) #60 (2002-09-05)
also published in:
  • Velikiy Drakon (RU) #61 (2003-02-07)[19]
Logo-pdf.svg

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)
40
[20]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
60
[21]
Consoles + (FR)
74
[22]
Cool Gamer (RU)
60
[23]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
75
[24]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
64
[5]
Computer + Video Giochi (IT)
64
[25]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
59
[26]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
69
[27]
Joypad (FR)
85
[28]
Joystick (FR) PAL
86
[29]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
58
[30]
Mega (UK) NTSC-U
52
[31]
Mega Force (FR)
87
[32]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
63
[33]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
59
[34]
Player One (FR)
84
[35]
Play Time (DE)
67
[36]
Power Up! (UK)
86
[37]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
75
[38]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
61
[39]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
71
[40]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
54
[41]
Sega Force (SE)
88
[42]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
68
[43]
Sega Mega Drive Review (RU)
68
[44]
Supergame (BR)
81
[45]
Supersonic (FR)
90
[46]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
53
[47]
Sega Mega Drive
69
Based on
29 reviews

TaleSpin

Mega Drive, US
TaleSpin MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Talespin MD US Cart Top.jpg
TaleSpin MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
TaleSpin MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US (Alt)
Talespin MD US ALT Cover.jpg
Cover
Talespin MD US Alt Cart Top.jpg
TaleSpin MD US Cart Alt.jpg
Cart
TaleSpin MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
TaleSpin MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
TaleSpin MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
TaleSpin MD FR Manual.pdf
Manual
Talespin MD EU pcb.jpg
PCB
Mega Drive, EU (alt)
TaleSpin MD EU alt cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, EU (Telstar Double Value Games Pack-in)
TaleSpin MD EU packin cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, EU (Classic Mega Drive)
TaleSpin MD EU Box Classic.jpg
Cover
TaleSpin MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
TaleSpin MD FR Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, PT

Mega Drive, SE rental (HENT black)
Talespin MD SE rental cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, AU
Talespin MD AU cover.jpg
Cover
TaleSpin MD AU Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, BR
Talespin md br cover.jpg
Cover
TaleSpin MD BR Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, KR
Talespin MD KR Box.jpg
Cover
TaleSpin MD KR cartback.jpgTaleSpin MD KR Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, Asia
TaleSpin MD AS Box.jpg
Cover
Talespin MD AS Cart.jpg
Cart
TaleSpin MD FR Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, CA
TaleSpin MD CA 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)
75
[48]
Console Mania (IT) PAL
75
[49]
Consoles + (FR)
74
[50]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
62
[12]
Joypad (FR)
87
[51]
Mega Byte (UK) PAL
70
[52]
Mega Fun (DE) NTSC-U
57
[53]
Player One (FR)
67
[54]
Power Up! (UK)
73
[55]
Score (CZ)
74
[56]
Sega News (CZ)
74
[57]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
61
[58]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
35
[59]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
40
[60]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
52
[61]
Video Games (DE) PAL
42
[62]
Sega Game Gear
64
Based on
16 reviews

TaleSpin

Game Gear, US
TaleSpin GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngTaleSpin GG US Box Front.jpg
Cover
TaleSpin GG US-EU Cart.jpg
Cart
TaleSpin GG US Manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, EU
TaleSpin GG EU Box Back.jpgTalespin GG EU Box Spine.jpgTaleSpin GG EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
TaleSpin GG US-EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Talespin GG EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Game Gear, BR
TaleSpin GG BR Box.jpg
Cover
Talespin gg br cart.jpg
Cart

Technical information

Main article: TaleSpin/Technical information.

References

  1. File:TaleSpin GG EU Box Back.jpg
  2. File:Talespin MD KR Box.jpg
  3. GamePro, "September 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 30
  4. 4.0 4.1 GamesMaster, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-03), page 14
  5. 5.0 5.1 Computer & Video Games, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-15), page 48
  6. Sega Force, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 41
  7. Sega Zone, "March 1993" (UK; 1993-02-11), page 57
  8. 8.0 8.1 Sega Pro, "April 1993" (DE; 1993-03-26), page 54
  9. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1994-08-15), page 10
  10. Sega Visions, "February/March 1993" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 100
  11. Sega Pro, "July 1993" (UK; 1993-06-10), page 18
  12. 12.0 12.1 Computer & Video Games, "July 1993 (Go! Issue 21)" (UK; 1993-06-15), page 24
  13. File:TaleSpin MD credits.pdf
  14. File:TaleSpin MD US Manual.pdf, page 22
  15. File:TaleSpin GG US Manual.pdf, page 10
  16. Hobby Consolas, "Enero 1993" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 24
  17. Supergame, "Abril 1993" (BR; 1993-04-xx), page 24
  18. Hobby Consolas, "Abril 1993" (ES; 1993-xx-xx), page 10
  19. Velikiy Drakon, "" (RU; 2003-02-07), page 68
  20. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 235
  21. Aktueller Software Markt, "Avril 1993" (DE; 1993-03-08), page 129
  22. Consoles +, "Février 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 86
  23. Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 218
  24. Computer & Video Games, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-04-15), page 96
  25. Computer + Video Giochi, "Gennaio 1993" (IT; 199x-xx-xx), page 83
  26. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 104
  27. Hobby Consolas, "Enero 1993" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 132
  28. Joypad, "Janvier 1993" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 84
  29. Joystick, "Février 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 192
  30. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "March 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 40
  31. Mega, "March 1993" (UK; 1993-02-18), page 50
  32. Mega Force, "Avril 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 86
  33. MegaTech, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-20), page 42
  34. Mean Machines Sega, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-xx), page 126
  35. Player One, "Janvier/Février 1993" (FR; 1993-01-10), page 96
  36. Play Time, "5/93" (DE; 1993-04-07), page 112
  37. Power Up!, "Saturday, January 23, 1993" (UK; 1993-01-23), page 1
  38. Sega Power, "March 1993" (UK; 1993-02-04), page 39
  39. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 68
  40. Sega Pro, "March 1993" (UK; 1993-02-11), page 64
  41. Sega Zone, "March 1993" (UK; 1993-02-11), page 56
  42. Sega Force, "3/93" (SE; 1993-05-13), page 10
  43. Sega Force, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 40
  44. Sega Mega Drive Review, "1" (RU; 1995-04-03), page 164
  45. Supergame, "Abril 1993" (BR; 1993-04-xx), page 12
  46. Supersonic, "Janvier 1993" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 21
  47. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 195
  48. Alaab Alcomputtar, "" (SA; 1995-06-xx), page 81
  49. Console Mania, "Ottobre 1993" (IT; 1993-xx-xx), page 73
  50. Consoles +, "Avril 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 128
  51. Joypad, "Avril 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 103
  52. Mega Byte, "March 27, 1993" (UK; 1993-03-27), page 1
  53. Mega Fun, "06/93" (DE; 1993-05-19), page 88
  54. Player One, "Juin/Juillet 1993" (FR; 1993-06-10), page 107
  55. Power Up!, "Saturday, June 12, 1993" (UK; 1993-06-12), page 1
  56. Score, "Cervenec 1994" (CZ; 1994-07-01), page 57
  57. Sega News, "Říjen 1996" (CZ; 1996-xx-xx), page 26
  58. Sega Power, "August 1993" (UK; 1993-07-01), page 46
  59. Sega Pro, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-13), page 64
  60. Sega Zone, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 33
  61. Sega Force, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-04), page 86
  62. Video Games, "8/93" (DE; 1993-07-28), page 120


TaleSpin

TaleSpin MDTitleScreen.png

Main page | Comparisons | Maps | Hidden content | Development | Magazine articles | Video coverage | Reception | Region coding | Technical information | Bootlegs


Sega Mega Drive
Prototypes: Prototype



Games based on Disney animated television series for Sega systems
Sega Mega Drive
TaleSpin (1992) | Bonkers (1994) | Gargoyles (1995)
Sega Game Gear
TaleSpin (1993) | Bonkers Wax Up! (1994)
Sega Master System
Bonkers Wax Up! (1995)