Taz in Escape from Mars

From Sega Retro

n/a

  • Mega Drive
  • Game Gear
  • Master System

TEfM Title.png

TiEfM GG Title.png

TiEfM SMS Title.png

Taz in Escape from Mars
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear
Publisher: Sega
Sega Master System
Tec Toy
Developer:
Supporting companies:
Distributor:
Sega Mega Drive
Majesco Sales (US Mega Hit Series re-release)
Sega Mega Drive
Ecofilmes (PT)
Sega Mega Drive
Sega Game Gear
Tec Toy (BR)
Licensor: Warner Bros.
Sound driver:
Sega Mega Drive
GEMS
Genre: Action[2]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
US
$59.9959.99[5] 1546
Videogame Rating Council: GA
Sega Mega Drive
US
(ESRB rating)
1546
ESRB: Kids to Adults
Sega Mega Drive
US
(Mega Hit)
$19.9919.99[6]
ESRB: Kids to Adults
Sega Mega Drive
EU
1546-50
Sega Mega Drive
PT
MDJ1546
Sega Mega Drive
UK
£39.9939.99[7] 1546-50
Sega Mega Drive
AU
FTAZ01SMC
OFLC: G
Sega Mega Drive
BR
Tectoy: Todas as Idades
Sega Game Gear
US
2538
Videogame Rating Council: GA
Sega Game Gear
EU
2538-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Game Gear
UK
2538-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Game Gear
BR
077170
Tectoy: Todas as Idades
Sega Master System
BR
028620
Tectoy: Todas as Idades

Taz in Escape from Mars, also known as Escape from Mars Starring Taz, is a platform game developed by HeadGames and published by Sega for the Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear. The Master System version of the game was ported from the Game Gear version by Tec Toy, and was released in March 1997, exclusively to Brazil. It is a sequel to Taz-Mania (but this time, it doesn't seem to capitalize specifically on the Taz-Mania television series like the previous installment did) that follows Taz escaping from Mars, and his captor: Marvin the Martian.

During development, it had the longer title of Tasmanian Devil in Escape from Mars.

Story

Marvin the Martian visits his Martian zoo and finds an empty cage. He looks in his book for Earth creatures and finds Taz, the Tasmanian devil. Marvin gets the idea of capturing Taz for his zoo and heads to Earth to capture him. Meanwhile, Taz is minding his own business, when suddenly, Marvin beams Taz up into his flying saucer and takes Taz to his Martian zoo, where subsequently Taz escapes.

Gameplay

Mega Drive version

The game is a platformer that plays similarly to its predecessor. Taz walks with Left and Right. He jumps with C and jumps down through certain platforms with Down+C. He spins into a tornado with B, during which he moves faster and can run into enemies with impunity. Spinning while airborne from a jump allows for a farther jump; spinning while between two close walls climbs by bouncing Taz back and forth. Taz can spin into curved surfaces onto walls and ceilings. He can also dig into certain patches of soft ground with Up+B or Down+B.

Taz can eat various objects by walking into them, including helpful items such as food or hazardous items such as bombs. He can pick up items with A. Some levels have switches that he can flip with A or doorways that he enters with Up and exits with Down. Taz completes most levels by reaching the "Exit" sign and eating it, but in the final level of each world, Taz fights a boss.

Taz has a health gauge worth 12 hit points. He takes one point of damage from enemy attacks or from touching an enemy while not spinning. He loses a life if he runs out of health. The game ends if Taz runs out of lives, but it can be continued from the beginning of the level as long as the player has continues remaining. Most enemies are defeated by one hit, but only one non-boss enemy takes more than two hits to destroy. Some enemies, like the fly or armored soldier (in the Haunted Castle) cannot be defeated by the spin but only by power-up abilities, while others, such as Yosemite Sam (in Mexico), cannot be defeated at all. Most bosses take six to eight hits.

Items

Taz eats items by walking into them. Spinning into items destroys them.

Taz in Escape from Mars MD, Items.png
Food
Food items restore some of Taz's health.
Taz in Escape from Mars MD, Items.png
Bombs
Bombs explode and harm Taz.
Taz in Escape from Mars MD, Items.png
First-Aid Kit
Restores half of Taz's health.
Taz in Escape from Mars MD, Items.png
Box of Rocks
Lets Taz spit rocks at enemies as a projectile attack with A. Lasts for 10 shots.
Taz in Escape from Mars MD, Items.png
Gasoline Can
Lets Taz breathe fire at enemies with A. Lasts for 10 shots.
Taz in Escape from Mars MD, Items.png
Red Beaker
Shrinks Taz. While shrunk, Taz cannot destroy anything or eat items but can fit through narrow passageways.
Taz in Escape from Mars MD, Items.png
Blue Beaker
Enlarges Taz. While enlarged, Taz is invulnerable and can destroy enemies by touching them.
Taz in Escape from Mars MD, Items.png
Extra Life
Gives the player an extra life.
Taz in Escape from Mars MD, Items.png
Extra Continue
Gives the player an extra continue.
Taz in Escape from Mars MD, Items.png
Milestone
Checkpoint where Taz is revived after losing a life.
Taz in Escape from Mars MD, Items.png
Exit
Indicates the end of the level.

Levels

Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 1-1.png

Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 1-2.png

Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 1-3.png

  • Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 1-1.png

  • Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 1-2.png

  • Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 1-3.png

Mars
Taz begins on Mars in the Martian zoo Marvin brought him to. The first level sees Taz navigating through zoo cages and busting through walls. Scattered around are teleporters to teleport Taz to different parts of the level. The second level sees Taz navigating a multitude of obstacles, including moving platforms hovering above spikes, and metal pipes that Taz can spin along, allowing him to move across walls and ceilings in a style similar to Sonic the Hedgehog. The boss is an alien resembling an elephant. The alien swings its long spines around in circles, then shoots exploding mines that bounce around. Dodge the first attack by spinning along the walls and ceiling in a circle. Then avoid the mines. The alien will then open his eyes. Spin into him to defeat him.

Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 2-1.png

Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 2-2.png

Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 2-3.png

  • Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 2-1.png

  • Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 2-2.png

  • Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 2-3.png

Moleworld
Moleworld has hunters in the form of moles. There is also dirt that Taz can dig into, often littered with spiky mines. The second level involves a underground mine with a mole hunter driving a large tunnel boring machine that constantly moves forward and takes Taz's life away instantly. The boss is one of the mole hunters in a large spaceship in an area where Taz constantly falls with rocks along the way.

Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 3-1.png

Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 3-2.png

Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 3-3.png

  • Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 3-1.png

  • Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 3-2.png

  • Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 3-3.png

Planet X
Planet X involves some flying, and a little water. The first half of the first level involves land exploration with sliding along waterfalls and fast-moving rivers at the last half. The second level is entirely extensive waterfalls with many octopus and its tentacles. The third level is entirely flying. The boss is a large green centipede-like creature with spikes covering its body making several curves and zigzags each time it comes out of the ground.

Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 4-1.png

Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 4-2.png

Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 4-3.png

  • Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 4-1.png

  • Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 4-2.png

  • Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 4-3.png

Mexico
Having arrived back on Earth, Taz is placed on a long, fast-moving wagon train pulled by mules with occasional cows and bulls along the pathway. Falling off this causes Taz to lose health and get dragged back slowly. Yosemite Sam sometimes appears here as well with a bird flying along that drops sticks of dynamite from the air, Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner also appear. The second level involves Taz exploring a Mexican town. Yosemite Sam fires his guns wildly in two places and it is the first level that introduces going indoors. The boss is a bull fight with Toro the bull, of which Taz needs to trick Toro into slamming into the walls of the stadium.

Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 5-1.png

Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 5-2.png

Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 5-3.png

Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 5-4.png

  • Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 5-1.png

  • Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 5-2.png

  • Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 5-3.png

  • Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 5-4.png

Haunted Castle
The haunted castle is the last world visited while Taz is on Earth. The first level is outdoors. The last two levels are both indoors. The last indoor level is in a laboratory. The boss is an evil scientist with Gossamer.

Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 6-1.png

Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 6-2.png

Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 6-3.png

  • Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 6-1.png

  • Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 6-2.png

  • Taz in Escape from Mars, Stage 6-3.png

Marvin's House
Taz visits Marvin's house to confront him. The first level is outside where the level is drifting along the stars. The dog, K-9, is seen in two occasions as is even twice as powerful than any boss. The second level is a laser maze where Taz must shut off four lasers in order to access Marvin. Touching the lasers causes Taz to take damage. Gravity in the laser maze level is also varies on any of four basic directions: the usual straight down, but also up, left, and right. The final boss is Marvin himself.

After defeating Marvin, Taz jacks a space ship and pilots it back to Earth. The game ends when the animal eats a pile of fruit on the way home and went away spinning all the way.

Production credits

Mega Drive version

Source:
In-game credits
Taz in Escape from Mars MD credits.pdf
[12]

Source:
US manual
Taz Escape From Mars MD US Manual.pdf
[13]

Game Gear version

  • Developed by: Al Baker & Associates
  • Design and Direction: Thomas L. Fessler
  • Programming: Al Baker
  • Assistant Producer: Raoul A. Faulkner
  • Artwork: Chuck Ernst, Dave Pasciuto, Paul Johnson, Rick Incrocci, Nathan Baker, E.M. Letwenko
  • Music/SFX: Matt Scott
Source:
In-game credits
Taz in Escape from Mars GG credits.png
[14]


Magazine articles

Main article: Taz in Escape from Mars/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Suuri lelukirja FI 1994 Sega.jpg
FI advert (1994)
Suuri lelukirja FI 1994 Sega.jpg
Logo-pdf.svg
Mega Drive/Game Gear print advert in EGM² (US) #2: "August 1994" (1994-0x-xx)
also published in:
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Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) #62: "September 1994" (1994-xx-xx)
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Game Gear print advert in Hobby Consolas (ES) #38: "Noviembre 1994" (1994-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Todo Sega (ES) #20: "Noviembre 1994" (1994-1x-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Super Juegos (ES) #33: "Enero 1995" (199x-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Blue Jean (TR) #12/96: "Aralik 1996" (1996-xx-xx)
also published in:
  • Blue Jean (TR) #01/97: "Ocak 1997" (1997-xx-xx)[17]
Logo-pdf.svg

Merchandise

Artwork

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)
50
[18]
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
60
[19]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
75
[20]
Consoles + (FR)
88
[21]
Cool Gamer (RU)
70
[22]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
68
[23]
Digitiser (UK)
61
[24]
Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US) NTSC-U
83
[25]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
70
[26]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 5 (RU)
60
[27]
Game Players (US) NTSC-U
85
[5]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
83
[28]
Gamers (DE) PAL
47
[29]
GamesMaster (UK) PAL
69
[30]
Games World: The Magazine (UK) PAL
77
[31]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
72
[32]
Igry Sega Luchshiye iz luchshikh. Vypusk 2 (RU)
56
[33]
Joypad (FR) PAL
80
[34]
Joypad (HU)
83
[35]
Mega (UK) PAL
74
[7]
Mega Force (FR) PAL
80
[36]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
70
[37]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
70
[38]
Player One (FR)
79
[39]
Play Time (DE)
70
[40]
Power Up! (UK)
81
[41]
Secret Service (PL)
70
[42]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
90
[43]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
83
[44]
Sonic the Comic (UK) PAL
70
[45]
Todo Sega (ES)
77
[46]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
83
[47]
Video Games (DE) PAL
50
[48]
VideoGames (US) NTSC-U
70
[49]
Sega Mega Drive
72
Based on
34 reviews

Taz in Escape from Mars

Mega Drive, US (GA Rating)
TazEscapefromMars MD US cover.jpg
Cover
TiEfM MD US Cart Alt.jpg
Cart
Taz Escape From Mars MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
TazEfM MD US pcb.jpg
PCB
Mega Drive, US (KA Rating)
TiEfM MD US Box Alt.jpg
Cover
TiEfM MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
TiEfM MD US Alt Manual.jpg
Manual
TiEfM MD US Alt Manual Back.jpg
Manual Back
Mega Drive, US
(Mega Hit Series) (Sega)
TiEfM MD US BoxBack MegaHits Alt.jpgNospine.pngTiEfM MD US BoxFront MegaHits Alt.jpg
Cover
TiEfM MD US Cart MegaHit Alt.jpg
Cart
TiEfM MD US Manual MegaHits Alt.jpg
Manual
TiEfM MD US ManualBack MegaHits Alt.jpg
Manual Back
Mega Drive, US (Mega Hit Series) (Majesco Sales)
TEfM MD US Box Back MHS.jpgTEfM MD US Box Front MHS.jpg
Cover
TiEfM MD US Cart MegaHit.jpg
Cart
Taz in Escape from Mars MD US Manual (Mega Hit Series).pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
TiEfM MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
TiEfM MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
TiEfM MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
TazEfM MD EU pcb.jpg
PCB
Mega Drive, EU (CE mark)
TiEfM MD EU Box CE.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, FR

Taz in Escape from Mars MD FR Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, ES

FestivaldeDibujosAnimadosWarnerBros VHS ES Box.jpg
VHS
Mega Drive, PT
TazEfM MD PT cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, AU
TiEfM MD AU Box.jpg
Cover
TiEfM MD AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, BR
Tazescape md br cover.jpg
Cover
TiEfM MD BR Cart.jpg
Cart

Master System version

Master System, BR
TiEfM SMS BR Box.jpg
Cover
TiEfM SMS BR Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, BR (newer)
TiEfM SMS BR Box Alt.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
Consoles + (FR)
84
[50]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
73
[51]
Gamers (DE) PAL
40
[52]
Games World: The Magazine (UK) PAL
78
[53]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
59
[54]
Player One (FR)
67
[55]
Play Time (DE)
65
[56]
Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
62
[57]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
61
[58]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
63
[59]
Video Games (DE) PAL
51
[60]
Sega Game Gear
64
Based on
11 reviews

Taz in Escape from Mars

Game Gear, US
TiEfM GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngTiEfM GG US Box Front.jpg
Cover
TazEscapefromMars GG US cart.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, EU
TiEFM GG EU Box Back.jpgTaz EscapeFromMars GG EU BoxSpine.jpgTazEscapefromMars GG EU cover.jpg
Cover
TazEscapefromMars GG EU cart.jpg
Cart
Taz EscapeFromMars GG EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Game Gear, BR
TazEscapefromMars GG BR Box.jpg
Cover

Technical information

Main article: Taz in Escape from Mars/Technical information.

References

  1. http://sxross.com/?page_id=239 (Wayback Machine: 2024-04-18 18:08)
  2. File:TiEFM GG EU Box Back.jpg
  3. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "August 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 132
  4. Mega Play, "August 1994" (US; 1994-0x-xx), page 48
  5. 5.0 5.1 Game Players, "Vol. 7 No. 10 October 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 106
  6. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Mega, "October 1994" (UK; 1994-09-29), page 54
  7. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1994-09-19), page 20
  8. File:DailyExpress UK 1994-09-23 46.jpg
  9. Game Players, "Vol. 7 No. 12 December 1994" (US; 1994-1x-xx), page 11
  10. Sega Pro, "September 1994" (UK; 1994-08-11), page 8
  11. File:Taz in Escape from Mars MD credits.pdf
  12. File:Taz Escape From Mars MD US Manual.pdf, page 9
  13. File:Taz in Escape from Mars GG credits.png
  14. Sega Visions, "October/November 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 111
  15. Sega Visions, "December/January 1994/1995" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 11
  16. Blue Jean, "Ocak 1997" (TR; 1997-xx-xx)
  17. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 105
  18. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 237
  19. Aktueller Software Markt, "Januar 1995" (DE; 1994-12-05), page 30
  20. Consoles +, "Septembre 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 122
  21. Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 219
  22. Computer & Video Games, "October 1994" (UK; 1994-09-15), page 102
  23. Digitiser (UK) (1994-09-30)
  24. Electronic Games (1992-1995), "October 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 82
  25. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "September 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 36
  26. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 5, "" (RU; 200x-xx-xx), page 221
  27. GamePro, "October 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 52
  28. Gamers, "Januar 1995" (DE; 1995-01-08), page 23
  29. GamesMaster, "October 1994" (UK; 1994-09-22), page 66
  30. Games World: The Magazine, "November 1994" (UK; 1994-09-29), page 14
  31. Game Informer, "November 1994" (US; 1994-1x-xx), page 36
  32. Igry Sega Luchshiye iz luchshikh. Vypusk 2, "" (RU; 2001-08-27), page 351
  33. Joypad, "Septembre 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 112
  34. Joypad, "1/1995" (HU; 1995-xx-xx), page 12
  35. Mega Force, "Septembre 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 92
  36. Mega Fun, "10/94" (DE; 1994-09-21), page 66
  37. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1994" (UK; 1994-08-xx), page 92
  38. Player One, "Septembre 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 84
  39. Play Time, "11/94" (DE; 1994-10-05), page 107
  40. Power Up!, "Saturday, October 01, 1994" (UK; 1994-10-01), page 1
  41. Secret Service, "Listopad 1996" (PL; 1996-11-01), page 69
  42. Sega Power, "October 1994" (UK; 1994-09-01), page 44
  43. Sega Pro, "October 1994" (UK; 1994-09-08), page 64
  44. Sonic the Comic, "September 30th 1994" (UK; 1994-09-17), page 10
  45. Todo Sega, "Octubre 1994" (ES; 1994-xx-xx), page 62
  46. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 196
  47. Video Games, "11/94" (DE; 1994-10-26), page 96
  48. VideoGames, "October 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 74
  49. Consoles +, "Janvier 1995" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 157
  50. GamePro, "January 1995" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 162
  51. Gamers, "Januar 1995" (DE; 1995-01-08), page 25
  52. Games World: The Magazine, "February 1995" (UK; 1994-12-xx), page 23
  53. Mega Fun, "02/95" (DE; 1995-01-18), page 102
  54. Player One, "Janvier 1995" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 114
  55. Play Time, "3/95" (DE; 1995-02-08), page 106
  56. Sega Magazine, "December 1994" (UK; 1994-11-15), page 96
  57. Sega Power, "February 1995" (UK; 1994-12-15), page 77
  58. Sega Pro, "February 1995" (UK; 1994-12-29), page 56
  59. Video Games, "3/95" (DE; 1995-02-23), page 109


Taz in Escape from Mars

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Looney Tunes games for Sega systems
Sega Mega Drive
Taz-Mania (1992) | Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster's Hidden Treasure (1993) | Sylvester and Tweety in Cagey Capers (1994) | Taz in Escape from Mars (1994) | Tiny Toon Adventures: ACME All-Stars (1994) | Daffy Duck in Hollywood (1995) | Desert Demolition Starring Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote (1995) | Cheese Cat-Astrophe Starring Speedy Gonzales (1995) | Bugs Bunny in Double Trouble (1996) | Road Runner (unreleased)
Sega Game Gear
Taz-Mania (1992) | Desert Speedtrap Starring Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote (1993) | Taz in Escape from Mars (1994) | Daffy Duck in Hollywood (1994) | Cheese Cat-Astrophe Starring Speedy Gonzales (1995) | Bugs Bunny in Double Trouble (1996)
Sega Master System
Taz-Mania (1993) | Desert Speedtrap Starring Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote (1993) | Daffy Duck in Hollywood (1994) | Cheese Cat-Astrophe Starring Speedy Gonzales (1995) | Taz in Escape from Mars (1996)
Sega Saturn
Space Jam (1996)
Sega Dreamcast
Looney Tunes: Space Race (2000)
Unlicensed Looney Tunes games for Sega systems
Sega Mega Drive
Tiny Toon Adventures 3 (1996)