Marble Madness

From Sega Retro

n/a

  • Sega Mega Drive
    NTSC-U/PAL
  • Sega Mega Drive
    NTSC-J
  • Master System
  • Game Gear

MarbleMadness Title.png

MarbleMadness MDTitleScreen.png

MarbleMadness SMS Title.png

MarbleMadness GG Title.png

Marble Madness
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear
Publisher:
Sega Mega Drive
Electronic Arts (US/EU)
Sega Mega Drive
Tengen (JP)
Sega Master System
Virgin Games
Sega Game Gear
Tengen
Developer:
Distributor:
Sega Game Gear
Domark (EU)
Sega Mega Drive
Hent Gruppen (SE rental)
Licensor:
Sega Master System
Tengen
Sega Mega Drive
Tengen (US/EU)
Sega Mega Drive
Sega Game Gear
Sega Master System
Atari Games
Original system(s): Arcade boards
Developer(s) of original games: Atari Games
Peripherals supported:
Sega Mega Drive
Sega Mouse (JP version only)
Genre: Puzzle[1], Action[2], Arcade[3]

















Number of players:
Sega Mega Drive
1-2
Sega Master System
Sega Game Gear
1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP 		¥6,800 (7,004)6,800e[4] T-48113
Sega Mega Drive
US 		$39.9539.95[6] 708901
Sega Mega Drive
EU 		E004SMXI
Sega Mega Drive
UK 		£34.9934.99[8] E004SMXI
Sega Mega Drive
SE
(Rental)
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Master System
EU 		27024-50
Sega Master System
PT 		MSJ27024
Sega Master System
UK 		£32.9932.99[12] 27024-50
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Game Gear
US 		$34.9534.95[14] 301033-0161
Sega Game Gear
EU 		T-48058-50
Sega Game Gear
PT 		GGJ48058
Sega Game Gear
UK 		£27.9927.99[15][16][17] T-48058-50
Non-Sega versions

Marble Madness (マーブルマッドネス) is an arcade game developed by Atari Games and released in 1984. Its popularity saw numerous ports to home platforms, including the Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear.

Gameplay

The object of the game is to move a marble down an isometric field from one point to another, making sure not to fall of ledges or be damaged in other ways. The original arcade release relied heavily on a trackball controller, but the console ports rely on directional pad, meaning the control is less accurate. On the Mega Drive, the D-pad moves the ball in the on-screen direction of the button press. For example, Up will move the marble vertically up on the screen, with the respective effect in the arena.

History

The rights to the game were passed across a multitude of developers and publishers. In 1991 Electronic Arts had publishing rights, and produced a copy of the game for the Mega Drive in North America and Europe. While this version is complete, music porting and text drawing is somewhat sloppy, some of the graphics were recreated, colors were changed (most notably, the marble is now red), and the marble's motion restrictions were somewhat relaxed (allowing for jumps and drops not possible in other versions of the game).

Atari Games' home console division Tengen produced their own Mega Drive copy for the Japanese market in 1993, which is different to the Electronic Arts version. This is similar to the situation regarding the Mega Drive port of Klax, in which Namco produced their own copy for Japan. This Japanese version, which appears to have been produced internally by Tengen of Japan, is much more faithful to the original game (but whether or not it is a direct port is unknown), and features trackball support through the Sega Mouse.

Virgin Games published a Master System version the following year.

Tengen would also publish the Game Gear version. Both the Master System and Game Gear ports were created by Steve Lamb.

The game is present in the internal data of the Japanese Mega Drive Mini, but is inaccessible without modding the system.

Production credits

Mega Drive version (US/EU)

  • Genesis version By: Michael Schwartz
  • Music and Sound By: Steve Hayes
©1991 Atari Games Corporation and Electronic Arts
Source:
In-game credits
MarbleMadness Title.png
[18]


Mega Drive version (JP)

As with Gauntlet IV, there are two screens of credits. The first screen, the original arcade version's credits, shows after three demo loops.

  • Designer/Graphics Programmer: Mark Cerny
  • Game Programmer: Bob Flanagan
  • Animator: Sam Comstock
  • Sound Design: Hal Canon, Brad Fuller
  • Hardware Design: S Ly, J Margolin, D Paauw, D Snyder
  • System Support: C Downend, M Hoff, J Ritter
  • Software Support: M Albaugh, M Mahar, R Moore
  • Hardware Support: J Castillo, E Durfey, P McCarthy, N Minh
Source:
In-game credits
Marble Madness JP credits 1.png
[19]


The second screen, the porting credits, comes 12 loops later.

  • Project Leader/Programmer: Jun Amanai
  • Programmer: Takayuki Muraoka
  • Graphics Conversion: Ken-ichi Nemoto
  • Audio Conversion: Kenji Yokoyama
  • Customer Service: Naomi Takahashi, Mizuho Yoshioka
  • Special Thanks: Bill Hindorff
Source:
In-game credits
Marble Madness JP credits 2.png
[20]


Master System version

TM Atari Games Corporation.
Licensed to Tengen.
©1992 Tengen All Rights Reserved
Source:
In-game credits
MarbleMadness SMS Title.png
[21]


Game Gear version

TM Atari Games Corporation.
Licensed to Tengen.
©1992 Tengen All Rights Reserved.
  • Code By: Steve Lamb.
Source:
In-game credits
MarbleMadness GG Title.png
[22]


Magazine articles

Main article: Marble Madness/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: Marble Madness/Promotional material.

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
(RU)
50
[23]
(JP) NTSC-J
70
[24]
(FR)
82
[25]
(UK) PAL
82
[26]
(JP) NTSC-J
72
[27]
(US) NTSC-U
55
[28]
(UK)
88
[29]
(JP) NTSC-J
63
[30]
(UK)
82
[31]
(FR)
89
[32]
(UK) PAL
80
[33]
(JP) NTSC-J
70
[34]
(FR)
80
[35]
(FR)
79
[36]
(UK)
69
[37]
(FR) PAL
95
[38]
(UK) PAL
73
[39]
(ES)
60
[40]
(UK) PAL
88
[41]
(UK)
88
[42]
(FR)
75
[43]
(DE)
47
[44]
(UK)
65
[45]
(DE)
67
[46]
(UK) PAL
66
[47]
(UK) PAL
81
[48]
(UK) PAL
82
[49]
(SE)
76
[50]
(UK)
82
[51]
(JP) NTSC-J
82
[52]
(ES)
59
[53]
(FR)
89
[54]
(RU)
72
[55]
(US) NTSC-U
70
[6]
(DE)
70
[56]
Sega Mega Drive
 74
Based on
35 reviews

Marble Madness

Mega Drive, JP
MarbleMadness MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
MarbleMadness MD JP CartTop.jpg
Marblemadness md jp cart.jpg
Cart
Marble Madness MD JP Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US
MarbleMadness MD US Box.jpg
Cover
MarbleMadness MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Marblemadness md us manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
MarbleMadness MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
Marble Madness MD EU Made In Taiwan Cart.jpg
Cart
Marble Madness MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Mega Drive, SE rental (Hent)
MarbleMadness MD SE rental cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, SE rental (HENT; Alt)
MarbleMadness MD SE rental box back Hent Alt.jpgNospine.pngMarbleMadness MD SE rental cover Hent Alt.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, AU

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(FR)
60
[57]
(UK)
70
[58]
(FR)
88
[59]
(FR)
88
[60]
(UK) PAL
70
[61]
(UK)
70
[62]
(FR)
40
[63]
(UK) PAL
69
[64]
(UK) PAL
88
[65]
(UK) PAL
88
[66]
(SE)
70
[67]
(UK) PAL
76
[12]
(FR)
76
[68]
(DE)
60
[69]
Sega Master System
 72
Based on
14 reviews

Marble Madness

Master System, EU
MarbleMadness SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
MarbleMadness SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, PT
MarbleMadness SMS PT cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, AU
MarbleMadness SMS AU cover.jpg
Cover
MarbleMadness SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(FR)
92
[70]
(UK)
70
[71]
(UK) PAL
84
[16]
(ES)
87
[72]
(FR)
85
[73]
(FR)
89
[74]
(FR)
75
[75]
(UK) PAL
74
[17]
(UK) PAL
79
[76]
(UK) PAL
79
[77]
(UK) PAL
77
[78]
(US) NTSC-U
70
[14]
(DE)
61
[79]
Sega Game Gear
 79
Based on
13 reviews

Marble Madness

Game Gear, US
MarbleMadness GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngMarbleMadness GG US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Marble Madness GG EU cart.jpg
Cart
Marble Madness GG US Manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, EU
MarbleMadness GG EU Box Back.jpgMarble Madness GG EU Box Spine.jpgMarbleMadness GG EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
Marble Madness GG EU cart.jpg
Cart
Marble Madness GG EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Game Gear, PT

Technical information

Main article: Marble Madness/Technical information.

References

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NEC Retro has more information related to Marble Madness (PC Engine)
  1. ↑ File:MarbleMadness GG EU Box Back.jpg
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-02 23:21)
  3. ↑ File:MarbleMadness SMS EU Box.jpg
  4. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "July 1993" (JP; 1993-06-08), page 146
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Sega Pro, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-xx-xx), page 9
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "March 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 42
  7. ↑ Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1992-03-16), page 31
  8. ↑ Sega Force, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 67
  9. ↑ Sega Pro, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-21), page 39
  10. ↑ Sega Power, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-05), page 11
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Sega Pro, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-10), page 9
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Sega Force, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-xx), page 68
  13. ↑ GamePro, "July 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 90
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "September 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 85
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1992-09-28), page 6
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 Game Zone, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-19), page 63
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Sega Power, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-06), page 39
  18. ↑ File:MarbleMadness Title.png
  19. ↑ File:Marble Madness JP credits 1.png
  20. ↑ File:Marble Madness JP credits 2.png
  21. ↑ File:MarbleMadness SMS Title.png
  22. ↑ File:MarbleMadness GG Title.png
  23. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 123
  24. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "September 1993" (JP; 1993-08-07), page 21
  25. ↑ Consoles +, "Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 86
  26. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 131
  27. ↑ Dengeki Mega Drive, "August 1993" (JP; 1993-07-08), page 37
  28. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "March 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 28
  29. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 67
  30. ↑ Famitsu, "1993-08-20,27" (JP; 1993-08-06), page 38
  31. ↑ (UK) (+0:00)
  32. ↑ Génération 4, "Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 153
  33. ↑ Game Zone, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-24), page 24
  34. ↑ Hippon Super, "September 1993" (JP; 1993-08-03), page 49
  35. ↑ Joypad, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 1991-12-1x), page 96
  36. ↑ Joystick, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 140
  37. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 63
  38. ↑ Mega Force, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 1992-01-15), page 98
  39. ↑ MegaTech, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-20), page 44
  40. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Junio 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 80
  41. ↑ Mean Machines, "January 1992" (UK; 1991-12-27), page 82
  42. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 139
  43. ↑ Player One, "Avril 1992" (FR; 1992-04-10), page 90
  44. ↑ Play Time, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-06), page 93
  45. ↑ Power Up!, "Saturday, March 14, 1992" (UK; 1992-03-14), page 1
  46. ↑ Power Play, "3/92" (DE; 1992-02-12), page 140
  47. ↑ Sega Power, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-06), page 36
  48. ↑ Sega Pro, "Christmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-12), page 68
  49. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 66
  50. ↑ Sega Force, "1/92" (SE; 1992-xx-xx), page 14
  51. ↑ Sega Force, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 66
  52. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85
  53. ↑ Super Juegos, "Mayo 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 48
  54. ↑ Supersonic, "Mai/Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 10
  55. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 108
  56. ↑ Video Games, "1/92" (DE; 1992-02-03), page 30
  57. ↑ Consoles +, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 132
  58. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 143
  59. ↑ Joypad, "Août/Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-07-1x), page 66
  60. ↑ Joystick, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 205
  61. ↑ Mean Machines, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-28), page 72
  62. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 135
  63. ↑ Player One, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-07-10), page 135
  64. ↑ Sega Power, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-02), page 27
  65. ↑ Sega Pro, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-21), page 38
  66. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 71
  67. ↑ Sega Force, "2/92" (SE; 1992-11-19), page 24
  68. ↑ Supersonic, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 24
  69. ↑ Video Games, "8/92" (DE; 1992-07-22), page 99
  70. ↑ Consoles +, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 119
  71. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 167
  72. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Septiembre 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 62
  73. ↑ Joypad, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 100
  74. ↑ Joystick, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 165
  75. ↑ Player One, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-09-10), page 116
  76. ↑ Sega Pro, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-16), page 48
  77. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 74
  78. ↑ Sega Force, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-13), page 56
  79. ↑ Video Games, "8/92" (DE; 1992-07-22), page 121


Marble Madness

MarbleMadness Title.png

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