Gain Ground

From Sega Retro

n/a

  • System 24
  • Sega Mega Drive
    NTSC-J
  • Sega Mega Drive
    NTSC-U
  • Sega Mega Drive
    PAL
  • Master System

Gain Ground Title.png

Gain Ground MDTitleScreen.png

GainGround MDTitleScreen.png

GainGround MD EU Title.png

GainGround SMS Title.png

Gain Ground
System(s): Sega System 24, Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, Super CD-ROM², Virtual Console, Steam
Publisher:
Developer:
Supporting companies:
Distributor:
Sega Mega Drive
Ecofilmes (PT)
Sega Mega Drive
Hent Gruppen (SE rental)
Sega Master System
Tec Toy (BR)
Sound driver:
Sega Mega Drive
SMPS Z80
Genre: Shooting[3], Action[4][5]

















Number of players:
Arcade
1-3,
Sega Mega Drive
Sega Master System
1-2,
Super CD-ROM²
1
Official in-game languages:
Arcade
Sega Mega Drive
Sega Master System
  • English
  • Super CD-ROM²
  • 日本語
  • Release Date RRP Code
    Arcade (System 24)
    JP
    ¥? ?
    Arcade (System 24)
    US
    $? ?
    Arcade (System 24)
    UK
    £? ?






























    Sega Mega Drive
    JP
    ¥6,0006,000 G-4036
    Sega Mega Drive
    US
    49056
    Sega Mega Drive
    EU
    1116
    Sega Mega Drive
    PT
    MDJ1116
    Sega Mega Drive
    UK
    £34.9934.99[8][9] 1116
    Sega Mega Drive
    SE
    (Rental)
    Sega Mega Drive
    AU
    Sega Master System
    EU
    7045
    Sega Master System
    BX
    Sega Master System
    UK
    £29.9929.99[8][11] 7045
    Sega Master System
    AU
    Sega Master System
    BR
    Super CD-ROM²
    JP
    NAPR-1032
    Wii Virtual Console
    JP
    600pts600[18]
    CERO: A
    Wii Virtual Console
    US
    800pts800[13]
    ESRB: Everyone
    Wii Virtual Console
    EU
    800pts800[14]
    PEGI: 7+
    Wii Virtual Console
    DE
    800pts800[14]
    USK: 6
    Wii Virtual Console
    AU
    800pts800[19]
    OFLC: Parental Guidance (PG)
    Steam
    US
    $2.992.99[21] 34275
    ESRB: Everyone
    Steam
    EU
    €2.492.49[21] 34275
    PEGI: 7+
    Steam
    DE
    €2.492.49[21] 34275
    USK: 6
    Steam
    UK
    £1.991.99[21] 34275
    PEGI: 7+
    Steam
    AU
    $3.493.49[21] 34275
    OFLC: Parental Guidance (PG)
    Steam Linux
    US
    $0.990.99[23] 34275
    ESRB: Everyone
    Steam Linux
    EU
    €0.990.99[23] 34275
    PEGI: 7+
    Steam Linux
    DE
    €0.990.99[23] 34275
    USK: 6
    Steam Linux
    UK
    £0.790.79[23] 34275
    PEGI: 7+
    Steam Linux
    AU
    $1.351.35[23] 34275
    OFLC: Parental Guidance (PG)
    Steam OS X
    US
    $0.990.99[23] 34275
    ESRB: Everyone
    Steam OS X
    EU
    €0.990.99[23] 34275
    PEGI: 7+
    Steam OS X
    DE
    €0.990.99[23] 34275
    USK: 6
    Steam OS X
    UK
    £0.790.79[23] 34275
    PEGI: 7+
    Steam OS X
    AU
    $1.351.35[23] 34275
    OFLC: Parental Guidance (PG)

    Gain Ground (ゲイングランド) is a 1988 arcade game released for the Sega System 24 arcade platform. It is a top-down gun game with strategy elements, in which the player controls one of twenty playable characters who must defeat all the enemies on screen or bring every character that player currently has to the exit. It appears that two different arcade versions exist, one allowing up to 3 players while another supports only 2 players.

    Gameplay

    Called by developers as a "Algorithm Action Game", the core gameplay of Gain Ground is same in all versions. Players must either eliminate all enemies on the level or evacuate all members from the level by moving them to the "EXIT" (which in some cases can be very time consuming and unnecessary). Every character in the game has strenghts and weaknesses and only by using the right character for the right situation will help players finish the level. In addition to the enemies on the ground, some enemies are on the higher ground and can only be defeated with a character who posseses a weapon capable of hitting them.

    Each character has one regular and one special weapon. Besides that, the only difference between characters is the movement speed. Each character's primary weapon can be fired with the primary button (B for Mega Drive, 1 for Master System) and the special weapon can be fired with the special button (A/C for Mega Drive, 2 for Master System).

    Each character has only one life and a single hit is enought to defeat them. When defeated, a small symbol of the character remains in the battlefield. That character can be rescued the same way of recruiting them: taking them to the "EXIT". If the character saving the downed character also killed, the previously defeated character will disappear.

    Each "Era" is divided into ten levels. At the final level of an Era, players will face against a boss.

    Playable characters

    Arcade, Mega Drive and Super CD-ROM² versions

    Athra
    Very fast. Main weapon is a short ranged but very fast firing spear throw. The special attack button lobs the spear towards any direction in a short parabolic arc, allowing the player to hit enemies above or those behind the obstacles. Useful for close range combat and rescuing other characters. Available from the beginning.
    Gascon
    Same as Athra except he can only fire his special weapon northwards in a strafing motion.
    Johnny
    Fast. Main weapon is a long ranged, fast firing semi-automatic rifle. Special weapon fires directly northwards while strafing, allowing players to fall back while firing. Available from the beginning. Useful as long as there are no enemies in the high ground.
    Professor
    Same as Johnny, except his special weapons can fire both left and right at the same time.
    Betty
    Fast. Main weapon is a medium ranged pistol. Special weapon is a short ranged grenade that can be lobbed over obstactes while strafing. Available from the beginning. Useful for close range combat and eliminating enemies in the high ground.
    Honey
    Same as Betty, except she can throw her grenade towards any direction.
    Verbal
    Very Fast. Main weapon is a medium ranged longbow. Special weapon is a very long ranged arrow that can hit enemies in the high ground or those behind the obstacles. Most useful character in the game.
    Mars
    Same as Verbal, except he can fire his long range arrow in a strafing motion.
    Lobby
    Very Slow. Main weapon is a weak pistol. Special weapon is an extreme range, elevated missile that can be fired any direction and hit enemies on the high ground. Good for eliminating such enemies.
    Mud Puppy'
    Very Slow. Main weapon is a weak pistol. Special weapon is an extreme range, regular missile that can only hit enemies on the same level as the player. Great for sniping enemies on the low ground from long range.
    Cyber
    Very Slow. Main weapon is a weak pistol. Special weapon fires a cluster missile that will spread northwards and affect a large area. Very useful for crowd control but not recommended for close combat.
    Kou
    Fast. Main weapon is a long range rifle. Special weapon is a three burst submachinegun stafing, which causes same damage but better hitbox.
    Kid
    Same as Kou except he can fire both sides at the same time with his special weapon.
    Mam
    Fast. Main weapon is a medium range pistol. Special weapon is a boomerang strafe that will come back after a while. Great for attacking hard to reach places.
    Valkyrie
    Same as above except she can throw her boomerang towards any direction.
    General
    Very Slow. Main weapon is a weak pistol. Special weapon is a very, very short ranged flamethower. Coupled with his slow speed, this makes him the worst character in the game.
    Fire Knight
    Medium speed. Main weapon is a powerful projectile. Special weapon is a napalm weapon that will remain in place for a while and kill any enemies who touch it. Rarely used.
    Glow Knight
    Same as above except his special attack is a rolling barrier that will damage any enemies who touch the knight. Useful for close combat.
    Water Knight
    Same as above except his special attack can freeze enemies about a few seconds. Useful for rescues.
    Zaemon
    Same as above except his special attack is a whirlwind that can bounce after hitting obstacles or enemies. His survival depends on bit of a luck.

    Master System version

    The Master System version uses symbols instead of small figurines to depict downed characters in the battlefield.

    Spear Fighters
    Same as Athra. Very fast but terrible range. Special weapon can hit elevated enemies. Available from the beginning. Depicted with a spear symbol.
    Rifle Infantry
    Same as Professor. Fast and good range. Special weapon is great for enemies trying to envelop the player from both sides. Available from the beginning. Depicted with a rifle symbol.
    Grenadiers
    Same as Honey. Fast but short range. Grenades are quite powerful despite short range. Available from the beginning. Depicted with a potato masher grenade.
    Archers
    Same as Verbal. Fast and very long range. Can shoot arrows towards any direction. Most useful character in the game. Depicted with an arrow.
    Ninjas
    New character for the Master System version. Main weapon is fast shuriken throw with good range. Special weapon is a trap that will cause heavy damage to those who touch it. Depicted with a shuriken.
    Boomerang Throwers
    Same as Valkyrie. Fast and decent primary weapon. Decpited, of course, with a boomerang.
    Flamethrowers
    Same as General. Still somewhat useless but if they can reach an enemy, they can drain enemy health very quickly. Rarest character. Appears only once. Depicted with a fire symbol.
    Water Wizards
    Same as the dude himself except their special attacks can freeze enemies for about 10 seconds. Depicted with a fountain symbol.
    Missile Launchers
    Same as Lobby. Very slow, weak primary weapon and can hit elevated enemies with a extreme range missile. Depicted with a single missile.
    Cluster Missile Launchers
    Same as Cyber. Very slow, weak primary weapon with powerful spread missile that can wreak havoc upon battlefield. Hits only enemies on the level ground. Depicted with a pointy missile.

    Rounds

    Arcade version

    Notavailable.svg

    Round 1: The Primitive Age

    Notavailable.svg

    Round 2: Europe in the Middle Ages

    Notavailable.svg

    Round 3: China Before Revolution

    Notavailable.svg

    Round 4: Robot in the Future

    Mega Drive version

    Notavailable.svg

    Round 1: The Primitive Age

    Notavailable.svg

    Round 2: Europe in the Middle Ages

    Notavailable.svg

    Round 3: China Before Revolution

    Notavailable.svg

    Round 4: Present Age

    Notavailable.svg

    Round 5: Robot in the Future

    Master System version

    Notavailable.svg

    Round 1: The Primitive Age

    Notavailable.svg

    Round 2: The Middle Ages

    Notavailable.svg

    Round 3: The Modern Age

    Notavailable.svg

    Round 4: The Near Future

    Notavailable.svg

    Round 5: Gain Ground, the Final Era

    History

    Gain Ground was ported to the Sega Master System and Sega Mega Drive in 1990 and 1991 respectively. The Mega Drive version received an exclusive 4th round called "Present Age", while the Master System version recieved its own exclusive last round "The Final Era". The game was also brought to the Super CD-ROM² in the form of Gain Ground SX. Both the Master System and Mega Drive versions allow up to 2 players cooperative gameplay; the Super CD-ROM² version is 1 player only.

    The Arcade, Mega Drive and Super CD-ROM² versions are more or less the same game, except the Super CD-ROM² version has re-arranged Red Book audio.

    Turbo Technologies, Inc. demonstrated a North American release of the Super CD-ROM² version at Winter CES 1993, but this release was cancelled for unknown reasons.

    The Master System version differs significantly from the regular versions, with different characters portraits, slightly different character abilities (some characters are removed and some abilities are combined) and somewhat different level designs. Original versions feature more western-style character art while the Master System version's art is closer to an anime-style. Another interesting feature of the Master System version is that Player 1 uses male characters while Player 2 uses female characters. Besides the different portraits, there are no differences between male and female characters.

    Legacy

    The Mega Drive version was brought to the Wii's Virtual Console service, and the game was re-made for the Sega Ages 2500 series in Japan. It was also included in Sega Mega Drive Ultimate Collection, Sega Mega Drive Classics, and both versions of the Mega Drive Mini 2.

    Production credits

    Main article: Gain Ground/Production credits.

    Digital manuals

    Magazine articles

    Main article: Gain Ground/Magazine articles.

    Promotional material

    Main article: Gain Ground/Promotional material.

    Artwork

    Physical scans

    System 24 version

    System 24, US
    GainGround System24 US Manual.pdf
    Manual
    System 24, JP
    Notavailable.svgNotavailable.svg
    Instuction card(s)

    Mega Drive version

    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Score Source
    {{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
    Based on
    0 review
    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Version Score
    (RU)
    50
    [24]
    (JP) NTSC-J
    70
    [25]
    (UK)
    76
    [26]
    (UK) PAL
    88
    [27]
    (UK)
    29
    [28]
    (JP) NTSC-J
    70
    [29]
    (ES)
    66
    [30]
    (FR)
    65
    [31]
    (UK) PAL
    75
    [32]
    (JP) NTSC-J
    75
    [33]
    (UK) PAL
    77
    [34]
    (UK)
    77
    [35]
    (US) NTSC-U
    48
    [36]
    (UK)
    43
    [37]
    (UK)
    43
    [38]
    (FR)
    65
    [39]
    (UK) NTSC
    92
    [40]
    (UK) PAL
    91
    [41]
    (UK) PAL
    71
    [9]
    (UK) PAL
    50
    [42]
    (UK)
    89
    [43]
    (UK) PAL
    88
    [44]
    (JP) NTSC-J
    74
    [45]
    (RU)
    77
    [46]
    (DE)
    61
    [47]
    Sega Mega Drive
    68
    Based on
    25 reviews

    Gain Ground

    Mega Drive, JP
    Gain Ground MD JP Box.jpg
    Cover
    GainGround MD JP CartTop.jpg
    GainGround MD JP Cart.jpg
    Cart
    GainGround MD jp manual.pdf
    Manual
    Mega Drive, US
    GainGround MD US Box.jpg
    Cover
    GainGround MD US Cart.jpg
    Cart
    Gain Ground MD US Manual.pdf
    Manual
    Mega Drive, EU
    GainGround MD EU Box.jpg
    Cover
    GainGround MD EU Cart.jpg
    Cart
    Gain Ground MD EU Manual.jpg
    Manual
    GainGround MD EU pcb.jpg
    PCB
    Mega Drive, FR

    Gain Ground MD FR Manual.pdf
    Manual
    Mega Drive, PT
    GainGround MD PT cover.jpg
    Cover
    Mega Drive, SE (rental; Hent; black)
    GainGround MD SE Rental Box Back.jpgNospine.pngGainGround MD SE Rental Box.jpg
    Cover
    Mega Drive, AU
    GainGround MD AU cover.jpg
    Cover
    Mega Drive, AU (alt)
    GainGround MD AU alt cover.jpg
    Cover

    Master System version

    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Score Source
    {{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
    Based on
    0 review
    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Version Score
    (BR)
    67
    [48]
    (DE)
    53
    [49]
    (UK) PAL
    82
    [50]
    (UK)
    32
    [51]
    (FR)
    60
    [52]
    (UK)
    62
    [53]
    (UK)
    62
    [54]
    (FR)
    61
    [55]
    (DE)
    35
    [56]
    (UK) PAL
    71
    [41]
    (UK) PAL
    70
    [57]
    (UK) PAL
    50
    [58]
    (UK)
    81
    [43]
    (UK) PAL
    82
    [59]
    (GR) PAL
    67
    [60]
    (IT)
    76
    [61]
    Sega Master System
    63
    Based on
    16 reviews

    Gain Ground

    Master System, EU
    Gain Ground SMS EU Box.jpg
    Cover
    GainGround SMS EU Cart.jpg
    Cart
    GainGround SMS EU Manual.pdf
    Manual
    Master System, BX

    Master System, AU

    GainGround SMS AU Cart.jpg
    Cart
    Master System, BR
    GainGround SMS BR cover.jpg
    Cover

    Super CD-ROM² version

    Super CD-ROM², JP
    GainGroundSX SuperCDROM2 JP Box Back.jpgGainGroundSX SuperCDROM2 JP Box Front.jpg
    Cover

    Technical information

    Main article: Gain Ground/Technical information.

    ROM dump status

    System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
    Sega Mega Drive
    CRC32 83e7b8ae
    MD5 fa43881a792fadf1ab737294fff1bcc3
    SHA-1 3cc501086f794ac663aad14d5c5a75b648041151
    512kB 1990-12 Cartridge (US/EU)
    Sega Mega Drive
    CRC32 aee20a64
    MD5 250033f6c91fbb7714782cd66fcece82
    SHA-1 148d166d594535c6526cb450c461cfb003b59f93
    512kB 1990-12 Cartridge (EU)
    Sega Mega Drive
    CRC32 8641a2ab
    MD5 3b0ad9167e152ed3719ae0d45e50db6a
    SHA-1 a5017e44b5f470e0499f4a9b494385c567632864
    512kB 1990-12 Cartridge (JP)
    Sega Mega Drive
    CRC32 f5c0b45f
    MD5 08d98b0ee5111e72ba73e753dc76ac1c
    SHA-1 a4d70df77ed08a9233076250c93c8d8a0c0ba715
    512kB 1990-07-27 CD-R disc Page
    Sega Master System
     ?
    CRC32 3ec5e627
    MD5 7d54230748fa41bb62b6f08e5dcede08
    SHA-1 62c0ca61ad8f679f90f253ab6bbffd0c7737a8c0
    256kB Cartridge (EU)
    Sega Master System
     ?
    CRC32 d40d03c7
    MD5 8fdb6d42f1d58205ce024f0e50367fee
    SHA-1 990491d559ebada59c8c7d7c7eeeae7dffa0399d
    256kB EPROM cartridge Page

    External links

    References

    Necretro-round.svg
    NEC Retro has more information related to Gain Ground SX
    1. @tsurumy on Twitter (Wayback Machine: 2020-09-04 15:45)
    2. http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Sanritsu
    3. File:Gain Ground MD JP Box.jpg
    4. 4.0 4.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-20 09:51)
    5. File:Gain Ground SMS EU Box.jpg
    6. Mega Drive Fan, "June 1992" (JP; 1992-05-08), page 75
    7. https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/s0O_DMj6Kqc/m/AuJ7lmu8z3IJ
    8. 8.0 8.1 Raze, "June 1991" (UK; 1991-04-25), page 35
    9. 9.0 9.1 Sega Power, "August 1991" (UK; 1991-07-04), page 12
    10. 10.0 10.1 Mean Machines, "January 1991" (UK; 1991-01-03), page 41
    11. Computer & Video Games, "February 1991" (UK; 1991-01-16), page 80
    12. Supergame, "Setembro 1991" (BR; 1991-09-xx), page 36
    13. 13.0 13.1 http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/sbWh7p1AtxNkxJSHeFa4ozZizjAYJrA2 (Wayback Machine: 2010-11-22 23:50)
    14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 http://www.nintendolife.com/games/megadrive/gain_ground (Wayback Machine: 2017-07-05 11:19)
    15. https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Virtual-Console-Wii-/Gain-Ground--277369.html (archive.today)
    16. https://www.nintendo.de/Spiele/Virtual-Console-Wii-/Gain-Ground--277369.html (archive.today)
    17. https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/software/02.html (Wayback Machine: 2018-03-05 23:11)
    18. http://vc.sega.jp:80/vc_gground/ (Wayback Machine: 2007-02-02 02:36)
    19. http://www.nintendo.com.au/index.php?action=catalogue&prodcat_id=41&prod_id=19743&pageID=4 (Wayback Machine: 2012-04-03 02:02)
    20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 https://steamdb.info/app/34275/ (Wayback Machine: 2017-05-22 06:27)
    21. 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 http://steamdb.info/app/34275/ (Wayback Machine: 2013-05-22 19:18)
    22. 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 22.6 22.7 22.8 22.9 https://steamdb.info/app/34275/history/?changeid=5755309
    23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 23.5 23.6 23.7 23.8 23.9 http://steamdb.info/app/34275/ (Wayback Machine: 2019-09-12 20:21)
    24. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 84
    25. Beep! MegaDrive, "January 1991" (JP; 1990-12-08), page 34
    26. The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 115
    27. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 130
    28. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 49
    29. Hippon Super, "February 1991" (JP; 1991-01-07), page 41
    30. Hobby Consolas, "Octubre 1991" (ES; 1991-xx-xx), page 81
    31. Joystick, "Novembre 1990" (FR; 1990-1x-xx), page 131
    32. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 92
    33. Mega Drive Fan, "March 1991" (JP; 1991-02-08), page 99
    34. Mega, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 20
    35. Mega, "August 1994" (UK; 1994-07-21), page 79
    36. Mega Play, "March/April 1991" (US; 1991-04-xx), page 43
    37. MegaTech, "Xmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-06), page 78
    38. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 139
    39. Player One, "Juin 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 32
    40. Raze, "May 1991" (UK; 1991-03-28), page 64
    41. 41.0 41.1 Raze, "June 1991" (UK; 1991-04-25), page 34
    42. Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 53
    43. 43.0 43.1 Sega Pro, "Christmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-12), page 18
    44. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 65
    45. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85
    46. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 15
    47. Video Games, "2/91" (DE; 1991-06-07), page 88
    48. Ação Games, "Setembro 1991" (BR; 1991-09-xx), page 30
    49. Aktueller Software Markt, "November 1990" (DE; 1990-10-26), page 144
    50. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 140
    51. Computer & Video Games, "March 1991" (UK; 1991-02-16), page 94
    52. Joystick, "Février 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 119
    53. Mean Machines, "January 1991" (UK; 1991-01-03), page 40
    54. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 133
    55. Player One, "Décembre 1990" (FR; 1990-xx-xx), page 56
    56. Power Play, "12/90" (DE; 1990-11-16), page 164
    57. Sega Power, "March 1991" (UK; 1991-02-07), page 42
    58. Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 56
    59. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 71
    60. User, "Septémvrios 1991" (GR; 1991-0x-xx), page 91
    61. Zzap!, "Marzo 1991" (IT; 1991-xx-xx), page 26


    Gain Ground

    Gain Ground Title.png

    Main page | Comparisons | Credits | Hidden content | Magazine articles | Reception | Promotional material | Region coding | Bootlegs


    Music: (1989)
    Sega Master System
    Prototypes: Prototype

    Sega Mega Drive
    Prototypes: 1990-07-27