Marble Madness

n/a

NTSC-U/PAL
NTSC-J
Master System
Game Gear

Marble Madness

System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear

Publisher:

Electronic Arts (US/EU)

Tengen (JP)

Virgin Games

Tengen

Developer:

Electronic Arts (US/EU)

Tengen (JP)

Distributor:

Domark (EU)

Hent Gruppen (SE rental)

Licensor:

Tengen

Tengen (US/EU)

Atari Games

Original system(s): Arcade boards

Developer(s) of original games: Atari Games

Peripherals supported:

Sega Mouse (JP version only)

Genre: Puzzle^[1], Action^[2], Arcade^[3]

Number of players:

1-2

1

Release	Date	RRP	Code
JP	1993-08-13^[2]	¥6,800 (7,004)6,800e^[4]	T-48113
US	1991-11^[5]	$39.9539.95^[6]	708901
EU	1991-11^[5]		E004SMXI
UK	1992-03^[7]	£34.9934.99^[8]	E004SMXI
SE (Rental)	199x
AU	199x
EU	1992-06^[9]^[10]		27024-50
PT	1992		MSJ27024
UK	1992-09^[11]	£32.9932.99^[12]	27024-50
AU	199x
US	1992-09^[13]	$34.9534.95^[14]	301033-0161
EU	1992-09-24^[15]^[16]		T-48058-50
PT	1992		GGJ48058
UK	1992-09-24^[15]^[16]^[11]	£27.9927.99^[15]^[16]^[17]	T-48058-50

Non-Sega versions
Amiga Apple II Apple IIGS Arcade Atari ST Commodore 64 FM Towns Game Boy Game Boy Color Nintendo Entertainment System PC-9801 VM X68000

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, 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

Licensed by: Sega Enterprises Ltd.

Source:

In-game credits^[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^[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^[20]

Master System version

TM Atari Games Corporation.

Licensed to Tengen.

Licensed by: Sega Enterprises.
Programmed By: Steve Lamb

Source:

In-game credits^[21]

Game Gear version

TM Atari Games Corporation.

Licensed to Tengen.

Code By: Steve Lamb.

Source:

In-game credits^[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

Version

Score

1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)

50

^[23]

Beep! MegaDrive (JP)

NTSC-J

70

^[24]

Consoles + (FR)

82

^[25]

Console XS (UK)

PAL

82

^[26]

Dengeki Mega Drive (JP)

NTSC-J

72

^[27]

Electronic Gaming Monthly (US)

NTSC-U

55

^[28]

Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)

88

^[29]

Famitsu (JP)

NTSC-J

63

^[30]

FX (UK)

82

^[31]

Génération 4 (FR)

89

^[32]

Game Zone (UK)

PAL

80

^[33]

Hippon Super (JP)

NTSC-J

70

^[34]

Joypad (FR)

80

^[35]

Joystick (FR)

79

^[36]

Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)

69

^[37]

Mega Force (FR)

PAL

95

^[38]

MegaTech (UK)

PAL

73

^[39]

Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)

60

^[40]

Mean Machines (UK)

PAL

88

^[41]

Mean Machines Sega (UK)

88

^[42]

Player One (FR)

75

^[43]

Play Time (DE)

47

^[44]

Power Up! (UK)

65

^[45]

Power Play (DE)

67

^[46]

Sega Power (UK)

PAL

66

^[47]

Sega Pro (UK)

PAL

81

^[48]

Sega Pro (UK)

PAL

82

^[49]

Sega Force (SE)

76

^[50]

Sega Force (UK)

82

^[51]

Sega Saturn Magazine (JP)

NTSC-J

82

^[52]

Super Juegos (ES)

59

^[53]

Supersonic (FR)

89

^[54]

Tricks 16 bit (RU)

72

^[55]

VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US)

NTSC-U

70

^[6]

Video Games (DE)

70

^[56]

	74
Based on 35 reviews

Marble Madness

Mega Drive, JP
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, US
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, EU
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, SE rental (Hent)
Cover

Mega Drive, SE rental (HENT; Alt)
Cover

Mega Drive, AU

Master System version

Sega Retro Average

Publication

Version

Score

Consoles + (FR)

60

^[57]

Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)

70

^[58]

Joypad (FR)

88

^[59]

Joystick (FR)

88

^[60]

Mean Machines (UK)

PAL

70

^[61]

Mean Machines Sega (UK)

70

^[62]

Player One (FR)

40

^[63]

Sega Power (UK)

PAL

69

^[64]

Sega Pro (UK)

PAL

88

^[65]

Sega Pro (UK)

PAL

88

^[66]

Sega Force (SE)

70

^[67]

Sega Force (UK)

PAL

76

^[12]

Supersonic (FR)

76

^[68]

Video Games (DE)

60

^[69]

	72
Based on 14 reviews

Marble Madness

Master System, EU
Cover
Cart

Master System, PT
Cover

Master System, AU
Cover
Cart

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average

Publication

Version

Score

Consoles + (FR)

92

^[70]

Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)

70

^[71]

Game Zone (UK)

PAL

84

^[16]

Hobby Consolas (ES)

87

^[72]

Joypad (FR)

85

^[73]

Joystick (FR)

89

^[74]

Player One (FR)

75

^[75]

Sega Power (UK)

PAL

74

^[17]

Sega Pro (UK)

PAL

79

^[76]

Sega Pro (UK)

PAL

79

^[77]

Sega Force (UK)

PAL

77

^[78]

VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US)

NTSC-U

70

^[14]

Video Games (DE)

61

^[79]

	79
Based on 13 reviews

Marble Madness

Game Gear, US
Cover
Cart Manual

Game Gear, EU
Cover
Cart Manual

Game Gear, PT

Technical information

Main article: Marble Madness/Technical information.

References

NEC Retro has more information related to Marble Madness

NEC Retro has more information related to Marble Madness (PC Engine)

Marble Madness
	Main page \| Comparisons \| Maps \| Hidden content \| Magazine articles \| Video coverage \| Reception \| Promotional material \| Region coding \| Technical information No results

[:File:MarbleMadness_GG_EU_Box_Back.jpg_p-1] File:MarbleMadness GG EU Box Back.jpg

[https:.2F.2Fweb.archive.org.2Fweb.2F20200702232146.2Fhttps:.2F.2Fsega.jp.2Fhistory.2Fhard.2Fmegadrive.2Fsoftware_l.html-2] 2.0 ^2.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-02 23:21)

[:File:MarbleMadness_SMS_EU_Box.jpg_p-3] File:MarbleMadness SMS EU Box.jpg

[:File:BeepMD_JP_1993-07.pdf_p146-4] Beep! MegaDrive, "July 1993" (JP; 1993-06-08), page 146

[:File:SegaPro_UK_01.pdf_p9-5] 5.0 ^5.1 Sega Pro, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-xx-xx), page 9

[:File:VG.26amp.3BCE_US_38.pdf_p42-6] 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

[:File:SegaForce_UK_04.pdf_p67-8] Sega Force, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 67

[:File:SegaPro_UK_08.pdf_p39-9] Sega Pro, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-21), page 39

[:File:SegaPower_UK_29.pdf_p11-10] Sega Power, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-05), page 11

[:File:SegaPro_UK_12.pdf_p9-11] 11.0 ^11.1 Sega Pro, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-10), page 9

[:File:SegaForce_UK_07.pdf_p68-12] 12.0 ^12.1 Sega Force, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-xx), page 68

[:File:GamePro_US_036.pdf_p90-13] GamePro, "July 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 90

[:File:VG.26amp.3BCE_US_44.pdf_p85-14] 14.0 ^14.1 VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "September 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 85

[:File:CTW_UK_406.pdf_p6-15] 15.0 ^15.1 ^15.2 Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1992-09-28), page 6

[:File:GameZone_UK_11.pdf_p63-16] 16.0 ^16.1 ^16.2 ^16.3 Game Zone, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-19), page 63

[:File:SegaPower_UK_34.pdf_p39-17] 17.0 ^17.1 Sega Power, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-06), page 39

[:File:MarbleMadness_Title.png_p-18] File:MarbleMadness Title.png

[:File:Marble_Madness_JP_credits_1.png_p-19] File:Marble Madness JP credits 1.png

[:File:Marble_Madness_JP_credits_2.png_p-20] File:Marble Madness JP credits 2.png

[:File:MarbleMadness_SMS_Title.png_p-21] File:MarbleMadness SMS Title.png

[:File:MarbleMadness_GG_Title.png_p-22] File:MarbleMadness GG Title.png

[23] 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 123

[:File:BeepMD_JP_1993-09.pdf_p21-24] Beep! MegaDrive, "September 1993" (JP; 1993-08-07), page 21

[:File:ConsolesPlus_FR_010.pdf_p86-25] Consoles +, "Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 86

[:File:Console_XS_UK_01.pdf_p131-26] Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 131

[:File:DengekiMD_JP_04.pdf_p37-27] Dengeki Mega Drive, "August 1993" (JP; 1993-07-08), page 37

[:File:EGM_US_032.pdf_p28-28] Electronic Gaming Monthly, "March 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 28

[:File:MeanMachinesEssentialSegaGuide_Book_UK.pdf_p67-29] Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 67

[:File:Famitsu_JP_0244-245.pdf_p38-30] Famitsu, "1993-08-20,27" (JP; 1993-08-06), page 38

[fx1992-03-20-31] FX (UK) (+0:00)

[:File:Generation4_FR_045.pdf_p153-32] Génération 4, "Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 153

[:File:GameZone_UK_04.pdf_p24-33] Game Zone, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-24), page 24

[34] Hippon Super, "September 1993" (JP; 1993-08-03), page 49

[:File:Joypad_FR_004.pdf_p96-35] Joypad, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 1991-12-1x), page 96

[:File:Joystick_FR_023.pdf_p140-36] Joystick, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 140

[:File:MDAG_UK_05.pdf_p63-37] Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 63

[:File:MegaForce_FR_04.pdf_p98-38] Mega Force, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 1992-01-15), page 98

[:File:MegaTech_UK_02.pdf_p44-39] MegaTech, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-20), page 44

[:File:Micromania2_ES_049.pdf_p80-40] Micromanía (segunda época), "Junio 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 80

[:File:MeanMachines_UK_16.pdf_p82-41] Mean Machines, "January 1992" (UK; 1991-12-27), page 82

[:File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf_p139-42] Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 139

[:File:PlayerOne_FR_019.pdf_p90-43] Player One, "Avril 1992" (FR; 1992-04-10), page 90

[:File:PlayTime_DE_1992-06.pdf_p93-44] Play Time, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-06), page 93

[45] Power Up!, "Saturday, March 14, 1992" (UK; 1992-03-14), page 1

[:File:PowerPlay_DE_1992-03.pdf_p140-46] Power Play, "3/92" (DE; 1992-02-12), page 140

[:File:SegaPower_UK_28.pdf_p36-47] Sega Power, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-06), page 36

[:File:SegaPro_UK_03.pdf_p68-48] Sega Pro, "Christmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-12), page 68

[:File:SegaPro_UK_18.pdf_p66-49] Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 66

[:File:SegaForce_SE_1992_01.pdf_p14-50] Sega Force, "1/92" (SE; 1992-xx-xx), page 14

[:File:SegaForce_UK_04.pdf_p66-51] Sega Force, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 66

[:File:SSM_JP_19950901_1995-09.pdf_p85-52] Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85

[:File:SuperJuegos_ES_001.pdf_p48-53] Super Juegos, "Mayo 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 48

[:File:Supersonic_FR_01.pdf_p10-54] 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

[:File:VideoGames_DE_1992-01.pdf_p30-56] Video Games, "1/92" (DE; 1992-02-03), page 30

[:File:ConsolesPlus_FR_011.pdf_p132-57] Consoles +, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 132

[:File:MeanMachinesEssentialSegaGuide_Book_UK.pdf_p143-58] Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 143

[:File:Joypad_FR_011.pdf_p66-59] Joypad, "Août/Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-07-1x), page 66

[:File:Joystick_FR_029.pdf_p205-60] Joystick, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 205

[:File:MeanMachines_UK_21.pdf_p72-61] Mean Machines, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-28), page 72

[:File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf_p135-62] Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 135

[:File:PlayerOne_FR_022.pdf_p135-63] Player One, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-07-10), page 135

[:File:SegaPower_UK_33.pdf_p27-64] Sega Power, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-02), page 27

[:File:SegaPro_UK_08.pdf_p38-65] Sega Pro, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-21), page 38

[:File:SegaPro_UK_18.pdf_p71-66] Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 71

[:File:SegaForce_SE_1992_02.pdf_p24-67] Sega Force, "2/92" (SE; 1992-11-19), page 24

[:File:Supersonic_FR_02.pdf_p24-68] Supersonic, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 24

[:File:VideoGames_DE_1992-08.pdf_p99-69] Video Games, "8/92" (DE; 1992-07-22), page 99

[:File:ConsolesPlus_FR_012.pdf_p119-70] Consoles +, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 119

[:File:MeanMachinesEssentialSegaGuide_Book_UK.pdf_p167-71] Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 167

[:File:HobbyConsolas_ES_012.pdf_p62-72] Hobby Consolas, "Septiembre 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 62

[:File:Joypad_FR_012.pdf_p100-73] Joypad, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 100

[:File:Joystick_FR_030.pdf_p165-74] Joystick, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 165

[:File:PlayerOne_FR_023.pdf_p116-75] Player One, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-09-10), page 116

[:File:SegaPro_UK_10.pdf_p48-76] Sega Pro, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-16), page 48

[:File:SegaPro_UK_18.pdf_p74-77] Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 74

[:File:SegaForce_UK_09.pdf_p56-78] Sega Force, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-13), page 56

[:File:VideoGames_DE_1992-08.pdf_p121-79] Video Games, "8/92" (DE; 1992-07-22), page 121

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Marble Madness

From Sega Retro

Contents

Gameplay

History

Production credits

Mega Drive version (US/EU)

Mega Drive version (JP)

Master System version

Game Gear version

Magazine articles

Promotional material

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Master System version

Game Gear version

Technical information

References