Ariel the Little Mermaid
From Sega Retro
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Ariel the Little Mermaid | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Game Gear, Sega Master System | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Publisher: Sega (US, Europe) Tec Toy | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Developer: BlueSky Software Disney Software | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Distributor: Majesco Sales (US re-release) Hent Gruppen (SE rental) Tec Toy (BR) Samsung (KR) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Licensor: The Walt Disney Company | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sound driver: GEMS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Genre: Action[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of players: 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Ariel the Little Mermaid is an action game for the Sega Mega Drive, Sega Game Gear, and Sega Master System based on the movie with the same name. The Master System version was exclusive to Brazil.
Contents
Story
The game's story has very little to do with the plot of the film. The evil Sea Witch, Ursula, has attempted to conquer the seven seas, turning legions of merpeople into polyps and bewitching various sea creatures. She also kidnaps an important member of the royal family of Atlantica (King Triton if playing as Ariel, and vice versa). It is up to either Ariel or King Triton (depending on the player's choice) to defeat Ursula and restore order to the seas.
Gameplay
Mega Drive version
The game takes place in underwater levels, which Ariel or King Triton must explore to locate all of the polyps. Each character has a normal weapon with unlimited uses and a limited-use super weapon. Polyps are restored them to merpeople by either touching them directly or shooting them with the normal weapon. Every polyp must be found in order to access the level's boss whose entrance is hidden somewhere in the level.
Ariel and Triton swim in any direction using the D-Pad. They use their normal weapon (song notes for Ariel or fireballs for Triton) with . They use a more powerful super weapon (magical stars for Ariel or thunderbolts for Triton) with .
As the levels are labyrinthe in design, there is a map system that can be accessed by pausing the game with START . The flashing dots on the map indicate polyps that the player needs to locate, and the red X indicates the boss's location (only marked on the map on Medium difficulty). Also located somewhere in each level is Scuttle's Magical Collection, which is a shop screen where the player can spend collected treasure on various items and on fish friends, characters who can be summoned to help the player.
If the character's health meter is drained completely, one try is used to refill it. If there are no more tries left, the game ends. The player gets four continues in an Easy game, two in a Medium game, and only one in a Difficult game.
The gameplay suffers from frequent slowdown, particularly when there are a lot of sprites on screen at any point.
Fish friends
Fish friends are characters who can be summoned to aid the player with specific obstacles. The player can select a fish friend by pressing , , or on the map screen, then summon the selected friend during gameplay by pressing . Another use of a fish friend can be purchased for 150 treasure from Scuttle's shop.
Flounder | |
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Can be summoned to push rocks out of the way. | |
Sebastian | |
Can be summoned to scare away sea creatures. | |
Digger Fish | |
Can be summoned to dig up items from soft mounds of sand. |
Items
Items can either be found in the open, inside treasure chests or clams, or purchased from Scuttle's shop.
Polyp | |
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Ariel or Triton must find all of the polyps and transform them back into merpeople (by touching them or shooting them with the normal weapon) to open the exit that leads to the boss of the level. | |
Key | |
Used to open treasure chests. Costs 150 treasure in the shop. | |
Treasure Chest | |
Contains items, but requires a key to unlock. Float above a chest to open it. This uses up one key. | |
Little Heart | |
Slightly restores the character's health. Costs 300 treasure in the shop. | |
Big Heart | |
Completely restores the character's health. Costs 600 treasure in the shop. | |
Star or Thunderbolt | |
Gives Ariel or Triton another super weapon shot. Costs 50 treasure in the shop. | |
Gem | |
Adds to the player's treasure count. | |
Coin | |
Adds to the player's treasure count. | |
Sparkle | |
Awards an extra try. Costs 1,500 treasure in the shop. | |
Scuttle | |
Enters Scuttle's Magical Collection, where items can be purchased in exchange for treasure. |
Levels
The Reef | |
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The Sunken Ship | |
Atlantis | |
The Cave | |
Game Gear and Master System versions
The player controls Ariel or King Triton and must find all the polyps in each underwater level and free them by touching them or shooting them. The character and difficulty level can be chosen by the player on the title screen before starting the game.
Ariel and Triton change direction or swim in any direction using the D-Pad. They shoot with . They have a normal weapon (musical notes for Ariel and magical bolts for Triton), which can be used an unlimited number of times, and a stronger super weapon (stars for Ariel and fireballs for Triton), which has limited uses. The player can switch between the two weapons with + being used to switch between weapon types.
Ariel and Triton are assisted by a trio of fish friends who can perform helpful tasks for them (but can only be summoned a limited number of times). The characters can collect treasure, which can be spent at Scuttle's Magical Collection, a shop found in each level, to buy beneficial items and fish friends. In the shop, the player can select the desired item with or and purchase it with (or exit the shop with START in the Game Gear version or PAUSE in the Master System version).
After finding all of the polyps, Ariel or Triton must swim to the level exit, which takes them to a boss encounter. Players can bring up a screen showing their treasure and items with START on the Game Gear version or PAUSE on the Master System version. Pressing on this screen shows a map of the level, with the position of Ariel or Triton marked by a red dot, the locations of polyps marked by yellow dots, and the level exit marked with a red X.
Characters have a health meter that is reduced when they take damage, and they lose a try (depicted as hearts) when they run out of health. The game ends if the player runs out of tries. The player gets five continues in an Easy game, three in a Medium game, and only one in a Challenging game.
Fish friends
Fish friends are characters who can be summoned to aid the player with specific obstacles. Button combinations need to be pressed to select and summon fish friends. The player can purchase another use of a fish friend for 150 treasure from Scuttle's shop.
Items
Items are found inside treasure chests or clams or purchased from Scuttle's Magical Collection.
Polyp | |
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Ariel or Triton must find all of the polyps and transform them back into merpeople (by touching them or shooting them with the normal weapon) to open the exit that leads to the boss of the level. | |
Key | |
Used to open treasure chests. Costs 150 treasure in the shop. | |
Treasure Chest | |
Contains items, but requires a key to unlock. Float above a chest to open it. This uses up one key. | |
Heart | |
Gives the player another try. Costs 900 treasure in the shop. | |
Star or Thunderbolt | |
Gives the Ariel or Triton another super weapon shot. Costs 50 treasure in the shop. | |
Gem | |
Gives the player 50 treasure. | |
Coin | |
Gives the player 100 treasure. | |
Pearl | |
Gives the player 200 treasure. | |
Store | |
Enters Scuttle's Magical Collection, where items can be purchased in exchange for treasure. |
Levels
The Reef | |
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Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣ | |
The Sunken Ship | |
Map: 1️⃣ | |
Atlantis | |
Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣ | |
The Cave | |
Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣ | |
Production credits
Mega Drive version
- Game Design: Barbara Michalec
- Producer: Stewart Kosoy
- Lead Tester: Unni Pillai
- Testers: Marianne Arotzarena, Michael Baldwin, Tom Bryne, Brenda Daverin, Alex Fairchild, Ivan Foong, Richie Hideshima, Lawrence Jeung, Tony Lynch, Matt Macchia, Julio Martinez, Heather Meigs, Jon Van, Gabriel Watts
- Test Manager: Steve Apour
- Assistant Product Manager: France Tantiado
- Producer: Patrick Gilmore
- Account Executive: Cathy G, Fortier
- Programmers: Barbara Michaelec, Karl Robillard, Ron Thompson
- Artists: Dana Christianson, Geoff Knoble, Tom Moon
- Animation: John Roy
- Manual by: Ruth Zultner Writing Services and Arcadian Design
Magazine articles
- Main article: Ariel the Little Mermaid/Magazine articles.
Promotional material
also published in:
- (ES) #16: "Enero 1993" (199x-xx-xx)[13]
also published in:
- (ES) #1: "Abril 1993" (1993-03-15)[14]
also published in:
- (ES) #19: "Abril 1993" (1993-xx-xx)[15]
Physical scans
Mega Drive version
Sega Retro Average | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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58 | |
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Based on 23 reviews |
Mega Drive, US (cardboard)(Majesco Sales) |
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Mega Drive, SE (rental; Hent; black) |
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Game Gear version
Sega Retro Average | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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55 | |
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Based on 12 reviews |
Master System version
Master System, BR |
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Technical information
- Main article: Ariel the Little Mermaid/Technical information.
References
- ↑ File:AtLM GG EU Box Back.jpg
- ↑ GamePro, "September 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 30
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 GamesMaster, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-03), page 14
- ↑ Sega Pro, "Christmas 1992" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 14
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Computer & Video Games, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-15), page 86
- ↑ MegaTech, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-20), page 13
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Sega Pro, "April 1993" (DE; 1993-03-26), page 54
- ↑ Sega Visions, "February/March 1993" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 100
- ↑ Sega Pro, "March 1993" (UK; 1993-02-11), page 19
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Sega Force, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-04-01), page 34
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Sega Zone, "March 1993" (UK; 1993-02-11), page 59
- ↑ File:Ariel MD US Manual.pdf, page 12
- ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Enero 1993" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 24
- ↑ Todo Sega, "Abril 1993" (ES; 1993-03-15), page 3
- ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Abril 1993" (ES; 1993-xx-xx), page 10
- ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 21
- ↑ Alaab Alcomputtar, "" (SA; 1995-06-xx), page 80
- ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "Avril 1993" (DE; 1993-03-08), page 133
- ↑ Consoles +, "Février 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 98
- ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 17
- ↑ Game Power, "Marzo 1993" (IT; 1993-0x-xx), page 81
- ↑ Joypad, "Février 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 106
- ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "March 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 40
- ↑ Mega, "March 1993" (UK; 1993-02-18), page 56
- ↑ MegaTech, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-20), page 38
- ↑ Player One, "Décembre 1992" (FR; 1992-12-10), page 140
- ↑ Play Time, "4/93" (DE; 1993-03-10), page 114
- ↑ Power Up!, "Saturday, January 23, 1993" (UK; 1993-01-23), page 1
- ↑ Power Play, "3/93" (DE; 1993-02-10), page 104
- ↑ Score, "Červen 1994" (CZ; 1994-06-01), page 59
- ↑ Sega Power, "March 1993" (UK; 1993-02-04), page 31
- ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 64
- ↑ Sega Pro, "March 1993" (UK; 1993-02-11), page 64
- ↑ Sega Force, "3/93" (SE; 1993-05-13), page 19
- ↑ Sega Force, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 84
- ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 15
- ↑ Video Games, "3/93" (DE; 1993-02-24), page 85
- ↑ Consoles +, "Avril 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 123
- ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 164
- ↑ Gamers, "März/April 1994" (DE; 1994-03-04), page 78
- ↑ Joypad, "Février 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 113
- ↑ Mega Byte, "March 13, 1993" (UK; 1993-03-13), page 1
- ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "March 1993" (UK; 1993-02-28), page 68
- ↑ Player One, "Mai/Juin 1993" (FR; 1993-05-10), page 109
- ↑ Sega Power, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-06), page 48
- ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 44
- ↑ Supergame, "Maio 1993" (BR; 1993-05-xx), page 36
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