Populous

From Sega Retro

n/a

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

Populous MDTitleScreen.png

Populous MD EU TitleScreen.png

Populous SMS Title.png

Populous
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System
Publisher:
Sega Mega Drive
Electronic Arts (US/EU)
Sega Mega Drive
Sega (JP)
Sega Master System
TecMagik
Developer:
Distributor:
Sega Mega Drive
Hent Gruppen (SE rental)

Tec Toy (BR)

Sega Master System
Electronic Arts (AU)
Original system(s): Amiga
Developer(s) of original games: Bullfrog Productions
Genre: Simulation[1][2], Action[3]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP 		¥6,0006,000 G-4057
Sega Mega Drive
US 		701601
Sega Mega Drive
EU 		E097SMXI
Sega Mega Drive
UK 		£39.9939.99[5] E097SMXI
Sega Mega Drive
SE
(Rental)
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Mega Drive
BR
Sega Master System
EU 		27014-50
Sega Master System
UK 		£34.9934.99[10][11] 27014-50
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Master System
BR 		025040
Non-Sega versions
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Populous (ポピュラス) is a Sega Mega Drive strategy simulation game developed by Bullfrog Productions and published by Electronic Arts. A port of the developer's titular 1989 Amiga computer game Populous, it was first released in the United States later that year. Alongside Budokan: The Martial Spirit and Zany Golf, it was among the first batch of Mega Drive games Electronic Arts developed, and was initially intended to be released as an unlicensed game; Sega's last-minute negotiations prevented this, but US copies of the game were not updated to comply with Sega's licensed ROM requirements, rendering American copies of the game incompatible with TMSS and only compatible with early Genesis units. European and Japanese copies were recoded to comply and work on all systems. (Sega would also publish the game in Japan, as this game predated the establishment of Electronic Arts Victor.)

The game was ported to the Sega Master System courtesy of developer Code To Go and publisher TecMagik, and first released in Europe in October 1991.

Gameplay

In Populous, players play as a deity who controls land to affect peoples's lives in the hopes of crushing followers of another deity. The game is played from an isometric perspective, although unlike later attempts at simulations (such as Sim City 2000), there is no scrolling.

History

Legacy

Populous' sequel, Two Tribes: Populous II (a renamed version of Populous II: Trials of the Olympian Gods) was also released for the Mega Drive, as well as the more combat-orientated Power Monger.

Production credits

  • Game Design: Peter Molyneux, Glenn Corpes, Kevin Donkin, Les Edgar
  • Programming: Peter Molyneux, Glenn Corpes
  • Additional Programming: Luc Barthelet, Kevin McGrath, Jim Nitchals
  • Game Graphics: Glenn Corpes, Andy Jones, Sean Cooper, Dan Wheeler
  • Additional Graphics: Connie Braat, Cynthia Hamilton
  • Game Music and Sound: David Hanlon
  • Producers: Jocelyn Ellis, Richard Hilleman
  • Associate Producer: Kevin Shrapnell, Bob Henderson
  • Technical Directors: Tim Rance, Scott Cronce
  • Product Manager: Susan Goerss
  • Documentation: Eric Lindstrom
Source:
US manual
Populous MD US MDMini2 manual.pdf
[12]

Digital manuals

  • Mega Drive Mini 2 US manual

  • Mega Drive Mini 2 EU manual

  • Mega Drive Mini 2 JP manual

Magazine articles

Main article: Populous/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Master System print advert in The Complete Guide to Sega (UK) #1 (1991-05-xx)
also published in:
  • Raze (UK) #11: "September 1991" (1991-07-25)[13]
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Master System print advert in Raze (UK) #12: "October 1991" (1991-08-29)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Master System print advert in Micro News (FR) #49: "Eté 1991" (1991-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Mega Force (FR) #2: "Septembre/Octobre 1991" (1991-09-13)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Master System print advert in Hobby Consolas (ES) #1: "Octubre 1991" (1991-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Master System print advert in Game Power (IT) #1: "Dicembre 1991" (1991-1x-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg

Artwork

  • Populous Art Cover.jpg

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)
60
[14]
ACE (UK)
91
[15]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
75
[16]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
70
[17]
Buzz! Computers (UK)
84
[18]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
94
[19]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK)
94
[20]
Console XS (UK) PAL
75
[21]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
75
[22]
Game Mania (UK)
90
[23]
Game Power (IT)
82
[24]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
60
[25]
Hobbytes (RO)
72
[26]
Joystick (FR)
92
[27]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)
90
[28]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
63
[29]
MegaTech (UK)
91
[30]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
80
[31]
Mean Machines (UK)
93
[32]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
91
[33]
Player One (FR)
96
[34]
Power Play (DE)
86
[35]
Raze (UK) NTSC
89
[36]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
93
[37]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
100
[38]
Sega Pro (UK)
70
[39]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
65
[40]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
60
[41]
Supergame (BR)
80
[7]
Tilt (FR)
95
[42]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
78
[43]
Zero (UK)
85
[44]
Sega Mega Drive
 82
Based on
32 reviews

Populous

Mega Drive, JP
Populous MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
Populous MD JP CartTop.jpg
Populous MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Populous MD jp manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US
Populous MD US BoxBack.jpgPopulous MD US BoxSpine.jpgPopulous MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Populous MD US CartTop.jpg
Populous MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Populous MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU (Softbox Case)
Populous MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
Populous MD US EU Rev D Cart.jpg
Cart
POPULOUS MD EU Softbox Manual.jpg
Manual
Mega Drive, EU (Hardbox Case)
Populous MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
Populous MD US EU Rev D Cart.jpg
Cart
Populous MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Mega Drive, SE (rental; Hent; black)
Populous MD SE Rental Box Back.jpgPopulous MD SE Rental Box Side.jpgPopulous MD SE Rental Box.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, AU
Populous MD AU cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, BR
Populous MD BR Box.jpg
Cover
Populous MD BR Cart.jpg
Cart

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Ação Games (BR)
69
[45]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
75
[16]
Consoles + (FR)
95
[46]
Console XS (UK) PAL
88
[47]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
92
[48]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
94
[49]
Game Mania (UK)
90
[50]
Game Power (IT)
90
[24]
Games-X (UK)
90
[51]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
92
[52]
Joystick (FR)
94
[53]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
75
[54]
Player One (FR)
97
[55]
Raze (UK) PAL
90
[10]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
96
[56]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
100
[57]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
88
[58]
Tilt (FR)
95
[42]
Video Games (DE)
88
[59]
Zero (UK)
90
[60]
Sega Master System
 89
Based on
20 reviews

Populous

Master System, EU
Populous SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
Populous SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Populos intruction pal ms front.jpeg
Manual
Populos intruction pal ms back.jpeg
manualback
Master System, BR
Populous SMS BR Box.jpg
Cover
Populous SMS BR Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU (Hotline sticker)
Populous SMS AU hotline cover.jpg
Cover
Populous SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU (Hotline/NIAL stickers)
Populous SMS AU nial cover.jpg
Cover
Populous SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU (EA sticker)
Populous SMS AU ea cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, AU (Classics)
Populous SMS AU classics cover.jpg
Cover

Technical information

Main article: Populous/Technical information.

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Master System
✔
CRC32 c7a1fdef
MD5 cc694ca94c4d74b487983332facc8b86
SHA-1 d6142584b9796a96941b6a95bda14cf137b47085
256kB Cartridge (EU/BR)

References

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NEC Retro has more information related to Populous
  1. ↑ File:Populous MD JP Box.jpg
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-20 09:51)
  3. ↑ File:Populous SMS EU Box.jpg
  4. ↑ https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/UfEfYdi7j_U/m/zx4nRFOk-1AJ
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 ACE, "January 1991" (UK; 1990-12-xx), page 165
  6. ↑ File:BristolEveningPost UK 1990-11-15 Page 75.jpg
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Supergame, "Maio 1992" (BR; 1992-05-xx), page 30
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Sega Pro, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-xx-xx), page 9
  9. ↑ Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1991-09-16), page 17
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Raze, "September 1991" (UK; 1991-07-25), page 28
  11. ↑ Sega Power, "August 1991" (UK; 1991-07-04), page 11
  12. ↑ File:Populous MD US MDMini2 manual.pdf, page 17
  13. ↑ Raze, "September 1991" (UK; 1991-07-25), page 83
  14. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 178
  15. ↑ ACE, "November 1990" (UK; 1990-10-xx), page 86
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Aktueller Software Markt, "Dezember 1991" (DE; 1991-11-15), page 152
  17. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "September 1991" (JP; 1991-08-08), page 35
  18. ↑ Buzz! Computers (UK) (+0:00)
  19. ↑ Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume IV" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 34
  20. ↑ The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 49
  21. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 133
  22. ↑ Famitsu, "1991-08-23,30" (JP; 1991-08-09), page 1
  23. ↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 80
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Game Power, "Dicembre 1991" (IT; 1991-1x-xx), page 34
  25. ↑ Hippon Super, "September 1991" (JP; 1991-08-03), page 90
  26. ↑ Hobbytes, "1/1994" (RO; 1994-xx-xx), page 31
  27. ↑ Joystick, "Décembre 1990" (FR; 1990-1x-xx), page 144
  28. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 62
  29. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "November 1991" (JP; 1991-10-08), page 91
  30. ↑ MegaTech, "Xmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-06), page 79
  31. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Febrero 1991" (ES; 1991-0x-xx), page 26
  32. ↑ Mean Machines, "November 1990" (UK; 1990-10-29), page 50
  33. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 140
  34. ↑ Player One, "Décembre 1990" (FR; 1990-xx-xx), page 30
  35. ↑ Power Play, "11/90" (DE; 1990-10-12), page 138
  36. ↑ Raze, "December 1990" (UK; 1990-10-25), page 70
  37. ↑ Sega Power, "December 1990" (UK; 1990-11-01), page 30
  38. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 54
  39. ↑ Sega Pro, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-20), page 21
  40. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 66
  41. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 87
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 Tilt, "Décembre 1991" (FR; 1991-1x-xx), page 75
  43. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 21
  44. ↑ Zero, "January 1991" (UK; 1990-12-06), page 122
  45. ↑ Ação Games, "Setembro 1993" (BR; 1993-09-01), page 37
  46. ↑ Consoles +, "Tilt Hors-Serie" (FR; 1991-07-xx), page 48
  47. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 143
  48. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "September 1991" (UK; 1991-08-15), page 104
  49. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 149
  50. ↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 81
  51. ↑ Games-X, "12th-18th September 1991" (UK; 1991-09-12), page 36
  52. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Diciembre 1991" (ES; 1991-1x-xx), page 36
  53. ↑ Joystick, "Juillet/Août 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 189
  54. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Diciembre 1991" (ES; 1991-1x-xx), page 73
  55. ↑ Player One, "Juillet/Août 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 40
  56. ↑ Sega Power, "August 1991" (UK; 1991-07-04), page 10
  57. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 58
  58. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 72
  59. ↑ Video Games, "2/91" (DE; 1991-06-07), page 84
  60. ↑ Zero, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-xx-xx), page 85


Populous

Populous MDTitleScreen.png

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