Difference between revisions of "Michael Jackson's Moonwalker (System 18)"

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{{OtherPage|desc=the [[Sega Mega Drive]] and [[Sega Master System]] games|page=Michael Jackson's Moonwalker}}
 
 
{{Bob
 
{{Bob
 
| bobscreen=Moonwalker Title.png
 
| bobscreen=Moonwalker Title.png
 
| title=Michael Jackson's Moonwalker
 
| title=Michael Jackson's Moonwalker
 
| publisher=[[Sega]]
 
| publisher=[[Sega]]
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| developer=[[Sega AM1]]
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| developer=[[Sega R&D 1]]{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20211013155326/https://twitter.com/tsurumy/status/1448308869239697412}}
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| licensor=Triumph International{{fileref|Moonwalker System18 EU Flyer.pdf|page=2}}
 
| system=[[Sega System 18]]
 
| system=[[Sega System 18]]
 
| sounddriver=
 
| sounddriver=
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| sys18_date_us=1990
 
| sys18_date_us=1990
 
| sys18_date_jp=1990-08
 
| sys18_date_jp=1990-08
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}}}}{{OtherPage|desc=the [[Sega Mega Drive]] and [[Sega Master System]] game|page=Michael Jackson's Moonwalker}}{{stub}}'''''Michael Jackson's Moonwalker''''' (マイケルジャクソンズ ムーンウォーカー) is a [[Sega System 18]] isometric action beat ‘em up game developed by [[Sega R&D 1]] and starring world-famous pop music artist [[Michael Jackson]]. Based on the 1988 film ''[[wikipedia:Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker|Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker]]'', it was first released to Japanese arcades in August 1993, and was brought to the United States later that year.
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{{stub}}'''''Michael Jackson's Moonwalker''''' (マイケルジャクソンズ ムーンウォーカー) for [[Sega System 18]] arcade hardware is the name of one of two video game tie-ins made by [[Sega]] based on the 1988 film, ''[[wikipedia:Moonwalker|Moonwalker]]''. As the name suggests it is endorsed by pop sensation Michael Jackson, who would go on to have a long history working with Sega.
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''Moonwalker'', alongside its [[Michael Jackson's Moonwalker|home counterpart of the same name]], is notable for being one of the earliest uses of direct celebrity endorsement in video game production, and marks the very beginning of Jackson’s long and storied collaboration with Sega.{{fileref|BangorDailyNews US 1990-01-17; Page 19.png}}{{fileref|DetroitFreePress US 1990-12-13; Page 36 (3C).png}}
  
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A different ''[[Michael Jackson's Moonwalker]]'' game was released for the [[Sega Mega Drive]] and [[Sega Master System]]. While this arcade version shares many of the same ideas, this version is a three-player isometric beat-'em-up, while the console versions are presented in 2D at all times.
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==Plot==
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The game is based on the "Smooth Criminal" segment of the 1988 film ''[[wikipedia:Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker|Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker]]'', following Jackson in suit and fedora through stages based on his different music videos as he rescues children from the drug dealer Mr. Big.{{ref|http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/michael-jacksons-moonwalker-arcade}}
  
 
==Gameplay==
 
==Gameplay==
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''Moonwalker'' is made up of a number of short films and does not tell a coherent story from beginning to end. As a result, all versions of ''Michael Jackson's Moonwalker'' are based on one segment of the film, ''Smooth Criminal'', which sees Jackson using various music and dance related abilities on a quest to save kidnapped children from the hands of the evil "Mr. Big" and various American gangsters.
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''Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker'' is an isometric action beat ‘em up game which emphasizes strategic movement around oncoming enemies and projectiles. Jackson’s primary attacks is a magic dazzle fired from his hand, which can be charged for a stronger burst (and during which he will be [[wikipedia:Moonwalk (dance)|moonwalking]].) By finding Jackson’s pet chimpanzee [[wikipedia:Bubbles (chimpanzee)|Bubbles]], players transform into the giant robot from the movie and are briefly given the abilities of eye lasers and homing missiles.{{ref|http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/michael-jacksons-moonwalker-arcade}}
  
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The arcade ''Moonwalker'' is played from a top-down isometric perspective. Players assume the role of Michael Jackson and are armed with a basic melee attack. All enemies on-screen can also be forced to "dance", which will cause damage in the process. Something which is never explained is how up to three Michael Jacksons, all sporting different attire, can play at once.
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All incarnations of the game feature Dance Magic, a special ability where enemies are compelled to dance to short sections of "[[wikipedia:Bad (Michael Jackson song)|Bad]]", "[[wikipedia:Thriller (song)|Thriller]]", and "[[wikipedia:Another Part of Me|Another Part of Me]]" before being defeated as a result.{{ref|http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/michael-jacksons-moonwalker-arcade}}
  
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If players find Jackson's chimp, Bubbles, they will turn into a robot and have the ability to fire projectiles.
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===Rounds===
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{{InfoTable|imagewidths=50|
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{{InfoRow
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| title=Cavern
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| bobscreen=
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| desc=
 +
}}
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{{InfoRow
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| title=Amusement Quarter
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| bobscreen=
 +
| desc=
 +
}}
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{{InfoRow
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| title=Night Street
 +
| bobscreen=
 +
| desc=
 +
}}
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{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Graveyard
 +
| bobscreen=
 +
| desc=
 +
}}
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{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Evil Fortress
 +
| bobscreen=
 +
| desc=
 +
}}
 +
}}
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==History==
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''Michael Jackson's Moonwalker'' was originally designed by [[Yutaka Sugano]] (then already the creator of the influential ''[[Shinobi]]'') as an isometric dance action game, but Sugano left during development to work at [[Sega of America]]. The design and direction duties were handed over to newcomer [[Roppyaku Tsurumi]], who was at a loss for how to comprehend the genre. His confidence was boosted after discussing with Sugano, about he had used the same core gameplay from ''Shinobi'' in ''[[Crack Down]]'', despite not being obvious since one was a side-scroller and the other top-down, so Tsurumi focused more on understanding the core gameplay instead of overthinking the viewpoint.{{ref|https://www.onemillionpower.com/astro-city-mini-and-game-design-part-1/}}
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{{quote|I was at a loss as to what to do with this unbelievable three-quarter view dance action game at first, but this conversation about Crack Down proved to be a very important hint for me. That was “deciding on the core game play”. Because the side-view Shinobi could be transformed into the top-view Crack Down, a three-quarter view game was nothing to be afraid of. If I was concerned about it, I could always ask the senior designers in AM1. They’d definitely help me think of a solution!|quote1=[[Roppyaku Tsurumi]]}}
  
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Sadly the arcade version is known to be plagued with a "suicide battery" - a battery which, after it stops working, makes the arcade board completely unusable. This makes a working arcade ''Moonwalker'' a rare sight in the modern age. Some boards however are capable of being revived through chip replacement which in some cases changes the "(C) 1990 Sega" copyright in the title to "(C) 1990 RESS" which refers to a resurrected board.
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''Moonwalker''’s arcade hardware incorporates a "suicide battery" - a battery which, after it stops working, renders the game inoperable.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20201111190445/http://www.arcadecollecting.com/dead/}} This makes original working releases a rare sight in the modern age. Despite this, some boards can be revived by replacing individual chips, resulting in a new copyright message of ''(C) 1990 RESS''.
  
 
==Production credits==
 
==Production credits==
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{{multicol|
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{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Production credits}}
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{{creditstable|
 
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{{creditsheader|BGM}}
 
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*'''Round 1 -Cavern-:''' Bad
 
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*'''Round 2 -Amusement Quarter-:''' Smooth Criminal
 
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*'''Round 3 -Night Street-:''' Beat It
 
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*'''Round 4 -Graveyard-:''' Another Part of Me
 
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*'''Round 5 -Evil Fortress-:''' Bad ～Reprise～
 
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*'''Ending:''' Billie Jean
 
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*'''All Songs Written and Composed by:''' [[Michael Jackson]]
 
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:Available on CD, Tapes and Records
 
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*'''Game Concept and Design by:''' [[Michael Jackson]]
 
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| source=In-game credits {{ref|1=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S6H2iHue4A}}
 
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| console=SYS18
 
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}}
 
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}}
 
  
 
==Magazine articles==
 
==Magazine articles==
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{{ratings
 
{{ratings
 
| icon=Arcade
 
| icon=Arcade
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| cvg=90
 
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| cvg_source={{magref|cvg|106|68}}
 
 
| leisureline=90
 
| leisureline=90
 
| leisureline_source={{num|1990-09|page=43}}
 
| leisureline_source={{num|1990-09|page=43}}
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==References==
 
==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
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{{MoonwalkerArcadeOmni}}

Latest revision as of 06:23, 15 February 2024

n/a

Moonwalker Title.png

Michael Jackson's Moonwalker
System(s): Sega System 18
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Licensor: Triumph International[2]
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1-3
Release Date RRP Code
Arcade (System 18)
JP		 ¥? ?
Arcade (System 18)
US		 $? ?






























For the Sega Mega Drive and Sega Master System game, see Michael Jackson's Moonwalker.

This short article is in need of work. You can help Sega Retro by adding to it.

Michael Jackson's Moonwalker (マイケルジャクソンズ ムーンウォーカー) is a Sega System 18 isometric action beat ‘em up game developed by Sega R&D 1 and starring world-famous pop music artist Michael Jackson. Based on the 1988 film Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker, it was first released to Japanese arcades in August 1993, and was brought to the United States later that year.

Moonwalker, alongside its home counterpart of the same name, is notable for being one of the earliest uses of direct celebrity endorsement in video game production, and marks the very beginning of Jackson’s long and storied collaboration with Sega.[3][4]

Plot

The game is based on the "Smooth Criminal" segment of the 1988 film Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker, following Jackson in suit and fedora through stages based on his different music videos as he rescues children from the drug dealer Mr. Big.[5]

Gameplay

Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker is an isometric action beat ‘em up game which emphasizes strategic movement around oncoming enemies and projectiles. Jackson’s primary attacks is a magic dazzle fired from his hand, which can be charged for a stronger burst (and during which he will be moonwalking.) By finding Jackson’s pet chimpanzee Bubbles, players transform into the giant robot from the movie and are briefly given the abilities of eye lasers and homing missiles.[5]

All incarnations of the game feature Dance Magic, a special ability where enemies are compelled to dance to short sections of "Bad", "Thriller", and "Another Part of Me" before being defeated as a result.[5]

Rounds

Cavern
Amusement Quarter
Night Street
Graveyard
Evil Fortress

History

Michael Jackson's Moonwalker was originally designed by Yutaka Sugano (then already the creator of the influential Shinobi) as an isometric dance action game, but Sugano left during development to work at Sega of America. The design and direction duties were handed over to newcomer Roppyaku Tsurumi, who was at a loss for how to comprehend the genre. His confidence was boosted after discussing with Sugano, about he had used the same core gameplay from Shinobi in Crack Down, despite not being obvious since one was a side-scroller and the other top-down, so Tsurumi focused more on understanding the core gameplay instead of overthinking the viewpoint.[6]


“ I was at a loss as to what to do with this unbelievable three-quarter view dance action game at first, but this conversation about Crack Down proved to be a very important hint for me. That was “deciding on the core game play”. Because the side-view Shinobi could be transformed into the top-view Crack Down, a three-quarter view game was nothing to be afraid of. If I was concerned about it, I could always ask the senior designers in AM1. They’d definitely help me think of a solution! „


Moonwalker’s arcade hardware incorporates a "suicide battery" - a battery which, after it stops working, renders the game inoperable.[7] This makes original working releases a rare sight in the modern age. Despite this, some boards can be revived by replacing individual chips, resulting in a new copyright message of (C) 1990 RESS.

Production credits

Main article: Michael Jackson's Moonwalker (System 18)/Production credits.

Magazine articles

Main article: Michael Jackson's Moonwalker (System 18)/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Moonwalker System18 JP Flyer.pdf

PDF
System 18 JP flyer
Moonwalker System18 JP Flyer.pdf

Moonwalker System18 EU Flyer.pdf

PDF
System 18 export flyer
Moonwalker System18 EU Flyer.pdf

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
90 №1990-09, p43
Arcade
 90
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Arcade
 N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Michael Jackson's Moonwalker (System 18)

System 18, US
Moonwalker System18 US Marquee.jpg
System 18, JP
Notavailable.svg
"Long" instructions
Notavailable.svg
"Long" instructions (2)
Notavailable.svgNotavailable.svg
Instuction card(s)

References

  1. ↑ @tsurumy on Twitter (Wayback Machine: 2021-10-13 15:53)
  2. ↑ File:Moonwalker System18 EU Flyer.pdf, page 2
  3. ↑ File:BangorDailyNews US 1990-01-17; Page 19.png
  4. ↑ File:DetroitFreePress US 1990-12-13; Page 36 (3C).png
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/michael-jacksons-moonwalker-arcade
  6. ↑ https://www.onemillionpower.com/astro-city-mini-and-game-design-part-1/
  7. ↑ http://www.arcadecollecting.com/dead/ (Wayback Machine: 2020-11-11 19:04)


Michael Jackson's Moonwalker (System 18)

Moonwalker Title.png

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