Woody Pop

From Sega Retro

For the version released for mobile phones, see Woody Pop (mobile).

n/a

  • Master System
  • Game Gear

WoodyPop title.png

WoodyPop GG Title.png

Woody Pop
System(s): Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Peripherals supported:
Sega Master System
Paddle Control
Genre: Action[2][3], Puzzle[4][5]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Master System
JP
(Card)
¥5,5005,500 C-519
Sega Game Gear
JP
¥2,9002,900 G-3103
Sega Game Gear
US
$29.9529.95[7] 2203
Sega Game Gear
EU
2203
Sega Game Gear
UK
£24.9924.99[14] 2203
Sega Game Gear
BR
013530
Sega Game Gear
KR
GH0004JG

Woody Pop, known as Woody Pop: Shinjinrui no Block Kuzugi (ウッディポップ 新人類のブロックくずし) in Japan, is a ball-and-paddle game similar to the likes of Breakout and Arkanoid. It was originally released exclusively in Japan for the Sega Master System in 1987, before being given an international release on the Sega Game Gear in 1991.

The Master System version of the game is designed to be used with the Paddle Control, and it does not function correctly with any other controller. It would be the last game released in Japan under Sega My Card Mark III storage media. A US Master System release of the game was planned but cancelled[15].

Story

In the Japanese version, Woody (ウッディ) is a tree spirit who must venture into the Bizarre Building (ビザール館) to rescue gumballs, destroying the building blocks in the way.

In the Western versions, the Enchanted Mansion is a toy factory that produces magical toys. The Mad Machine, a crazed gumball machine, has taken over the factory and blocked off its rooms. Woody Pop is a wooden toy who must break down the block barriers and free the factory.

Gameplay

Woody Pop GG, Gameplay.png

Gameplay

Woody Pop GG, Branching Paths.png

Branching paths

Players control Woody, a wooden paddle that must bounce a ball in rooms filled with blocks. Blocks consist of normal blocks, which disappear when they are hit by the ball, special "mystery" blocks that release hazards such as toy soldiers and wind-up robots, and crystal blocks that release items that grant Woody special powers. The ball ricochets off Woody, walls, and blocks, and it speeds up the more it bounces. Other obstructions include a toy train that rides across the tracks in the middle of a level.

Woody is moved with Left and Right. At the start of a level, the ball is stuck to Woody, but it can be released and put into play by pressing 1.

The level ends when all of the blocks are cleared (aside from the mystery blocks, which cannot be destroyed). After completing a level, the player is given the choice between as many as three other levels to choose to play next, letting the player choose a different path through the house with each playthrough. The player can choose a path by moving Woody near the desired arrow and pressing 1. Different paths award a different number of points, with more difficult levels awarding more points. There are 50 levels, though they are not all played in every game because of the branching paths. There are also hidden bonus rooms that can be accessed by bouncing the ball through certain holes.

The player loses a ball if the ball falls into the big pit at the bottom of the level (but the ball can bounce off the bottom corners of the level surrounding the pit). The game ends if the player runs out of balls (though it can be continued). There are three difficulty levels (Beginner, Average, and Expert). This setting affects how quickly the ball speeds up after bouncing off things and how often extra balls are given (the first extra ball is always given at 20,000 points, then additional extra balls are earned every 40,000 points on Beginner and every 80,000 points on Average; only the first extra ball is given on Expert).

Blocks

Woody Pop GG, Blocks.png
Woody Pop GG, Blocks.png
Normal Block
These are the most common blocks. They are cleared when hit by a ball one time. They come in different colors, which behave the same but have different point values. Red blocks are worth 50 points, blue blocks are worth 60 points, white blocks are worth 70 points, green blocks are worth 80 points, pink blocks are worth 90 points, and yellow blocks are worth 100 points.
Woody Pop GG, Blocks.png
Woody Pop GG, Blocks.png
Woody Pop GG, Blocks.png
Wooden Block
These blocks are hardier than the normal blocks and must be hit three times to clear. The Flames item can destroy them in one hit. Worth 100 points each time it is hit.
Woody Pop GG, Blocks.png
Crystal Block
These blocks behave the same as normal blocks, but they release an item when they are cleared. Worth 100 points when cleared.
Woody Pop GG, Blocks.png
Woody Pop GG, Blocks.png
? Block
These blocks release toy robots or soldiers when they are hit, which wander the level and act as obstructions. The toys are destroyed in one hit (for 100 points each), but the block can only be destroyed using a Diamond item. Worth 1,000 points when cleared.
Woody Pop GG, Blocks.png
Nails
Nails are not worth any points and cannot be destroyed. They solely act as obstructions.

Items

Only one power-up effect can be active at a time; grabbing another one loses any currently active effect. Items are worth 500 points (except for the Skull, which is worth no points).

Woody Pop GG, Items.png
Diamond
Transforms the ball in a diamond ball that penetrates through multiple blocks without bouncing off (though it still bounces off walls and other hard surfaces such as nails). Diamond balls are also the only way to destroy the mystery blocks that generate enemy soldiers and robots.
Woody Pop GG, Items.png
Flames
Infuses the ball in fire, which sets blocks on fire, causing the blocks above it and below it to also burn, destroying all three. Flaming balls can also destroy wooden blocks in a single hit.
Woody Pop GG, Items.png
Weight
Makes the ball heavier, which slows it down.
Woody Pop GG, Items.png
Yellow Potion
Grows Woody wider, so it is easier to catch the ball.
Woody Pop GG, Items.png
Red Potion
Increases the size of the ball, which makes it easier to catch and easier to hit blocks.
Woody Pop GG, Items.png
Double
Creates a second ball that bounces around along with the first. The player only loses a ball if both balls are lost.
Woody Pop GG, Items.png
Extra Ball
Gives the player an extra ball (equivalent to an extra life).
Woody Pop GG, Items.png
Shot
Arms Woody with a single shot that shoots straight up and can hit blocks and enemies. It is fired with 1.
Woody Pop GG, Items.png
Glue
Causes the ball to stick to Woody (similar to how it starts at the beginning of the level). It is released with 1.
Woody Pop GG, Items.png
Skull
Enlarges the size of the pit, making it easier to lose the ball. This is the only item that produces a negative effect.
Woody Pop GG, Items.png
Hammer
Repairs the pit and shrinks it back down to normal size. This item only appears if the pit has been enlarged by the Skull item.

Versions

The Master System and Game Gear versions have the same gameplay (including blocks, items, and level layouts), but the levels on the Game Gear version are truncated to fit in the smaller screen size. The Master System requires the Paddle Control, which replaces the two-dimensional D-Pad with a one-dimensional wheel, and it cannot be played with a conventional control pad.

Production credits

Main article: Woody Pop/Production credits.

Master System version

Source:
Uncredited


Digital manuals

Magazine articles

Main article: Woody Pop/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1991-03: "March 1991" (1991-02-08)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg

Artwork

Physical scans

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Sega Power (UK) PAL
75
[21]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
47
[22]
Sega Master System
61
Based on
2 reviews

Woody Pop

Master System, JP
WoodyPop SMS JP Box Back.jpgNospine.pngWoodyPop SMS JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
WoodyPop SMS JP Cardback.jpgWoodyPop SMS JP Card.jpg
Card
WoodyPopSMSJPManual.pdf
Manual

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
ACE (UK)
90
[14]
Ação Games (BR)
88
[23]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
63
[24]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
70
[25]
Consoles + (FR)
75
[26]
Console XS (UK) PAL
87
[27]
Game Power (IT)
74
[28]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
60
[7]
Game Zone (UK)
46
[29]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
50
[30]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
88
[31]
Joypad (FR) PAL
88
[32]
Joystick (FR)
70
[33]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
60
[34]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
33
[35]
Player One (FR)
70
[36]
Raze (UK)
69
[37]
Sega Power (UK)
85
[38]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
75
[39]
Sega Pro (UK)
86
[40]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
87
[41]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
77
[42]
Sega Game Gear
72
Based on
22 reviews

Woody Pop

Game Gear, JP
WoodyPop GG JP Box Back.jpgWoodyPop GG JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
WoodyPop GG JP Cart.jpg
Cart
WoodyPop GG JP Manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, US
WoodyPop GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngWoodyPop GG US Box Front.jpg
Cover
WoodyPop GG EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Woody Pop GG US Manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, EU
WoodyPop GG EU Box Back.jpgWoodyPop GG EU BoxSpine.jpgWoodyPop GG EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
WoodyPop GG EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Woody Pop Manual PAL (1991).pdf
Manual
Game Gear, BR
WoodyPop GG BR Box.jpg
Cover
Woodypop gg br cart.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, KR

WoodyPop GG KR Cart.jpg
Cart

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Master System
 ?
CRC32 315917d4
MD5 1b1b6051027806a98e9947b5ae5f0076
SHA-1 b74078c4a3e6d20d21ca81e88c0cb3381b0c84a4
32kB Cartridge (JP)
Sega Game Gear
 ?
CRC32 9c0e5a04
MD5 c017baf7fa0de71219dfab91caa59f8f
SHA-1 9e7defda6873b7bca5650fad4426a6fb443522d8
32kB Cartridge
Sega Game Gear
 ?
CRC32 b74f3a4f
MD5 a23e89266ddad3c856e7401d04a49c6c
SHA-1 4efbfa1d3234d8f1800a06ab72b2177fba6914cb
32kB Cartridge

References

  1. http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/S-Plan
  2. 2.0 2.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/gamegear/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2018-12-07 04:57)
  3. 3.0 3.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/segamark3/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-11-14 21:32)
  4. File:WoodyPop GG EU Box Back.jpg
  5. File:WoodyPop GG JP Box Front.jpg
  6. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "August 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 31
  7. 7.0 7.1 GamePro, "January 1992" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 132
  8. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1991-10-21), page 21
  9. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1991-11-04), page 27
  10. 10.0 10.1 Sega Power, "July 1991" (UK; 1991-06-06), page 20
  11. Games-X, "7th-13th November 1991" (UK; 1991-11-07), page 5
  12. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1991-10-21), page 21
  13. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1991-11-04), page 27
  14. 14.0 14.1 ACE, "January 1992" (UK; 1991-12-08), page 94
  15. Computer Entertainer, "January 1988" (US; 1988-01-21), page 13
  16. Sega Players Enjoy Club, "Vol. 3" (JP; 1989-05-10), page 3
  17. http://sega.jp/fb/album/04_alex/02.html (Wayback Machine: 2022-05-28 00:55)
  18. @Mazin__ on Twitter (archive.today)
  19. File:SSG100030AC_music_jp_booklet.pdf, page 7
  20. Mega Drive Fan, "March 1991" (JP; 1991-02-08), page 140
  21. Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 60
  22. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 72
  23. Ação Games, "Fevereiro 1992" (BR; 1992-02-xx), page 42
  24. Aktueller Software Markt, "Februar 1992" (DE; 1992-01-10), page 122
  25. Beep! MegaDrive, "March 1991" (JP; 1991-02-08), page 36
  26. Consoles +, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 91
  27. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 149
  28. Game Power, "Febbraio 1992" (IT; 1992-0-xx), page 69
  29. Game Zone, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-10-08), page 55
  30. Hippon Super, "March 1991" (JP; 1991-02-04), page 43
  31. Hobby Consolas, "Enero 1992" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 59
  32. Joypad, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 1991-12-1x), page 105
  33. Joystick, "Décembre 1991" (FR; 1991-1x-xx), page 131
  34. Micromanía (segunda época), "Enero 1992" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 52
  35. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 143
  36. Player One, "Décembre 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 111
  37. Raze, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-08-29), page 52
  38. Sega Power, "September 1991" (UK; 1991-08-01), page 31
  39. Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 61
  40. Sega Pro, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 31
  41. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 75
  42. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 88


Woody Pop

WoodyPop title.png

Main page | Comparisons | Maps | Hidden content | Magazine articles | Reception


No results