Greendog: The Beached Surfer Dude!

From Sega Retro

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  • Mega Drive
  • Game Gear

Greendog title.png

Greendog GG Title.png

Greendog: The Beached Surfer Dude!
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Game Gear
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Supporting companies:
Sound driver:
Sega Mega Drive
GEMS
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
US
$49.9949.99[3] 1035
Sega Mega Drive
EU
1035
Sega Mega Drive
PT
MDJ1035
Sega Mega Drive
UK
£39.9939.99[5][7] 1035
Sega Mega Drive
SE
(Rental)
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Mega Drive
CA
Sega Mega Drive
BR
Sega Mega Drive
AS
Sega Game Gear
US
$34.9534.95[9] 2429
Videogame Rating Council: GA
Sega Game Gear
BR
075270

Greendog: The Beached Surfer Dude! is a Sega Mega Drive action platform game developed by Interactive Designs and published by Sega. First released in September 1992, it was later ported to the Sega Game Gear by the same developer the following year, although a planned European release[10] of this version failed to materialise.

The game takes place on a number of Caribbean islands and features a calypso music soundtrack.

Story

The eponymous protagonist of the story is Greendog, the player character, a laid-back, cool surfer and skater with a mop of bleached blonde hair. He has surfed most of the biggest waves around, including off the coast of Australia, California and in the Mediterranean, and is always in search of the biggest waves which will give him the biggest thrill and he cares for little else in life. He does not say much except "dude" and "cool."

One day, while surfing in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of the Grenada islands, Greendog is knocked off his surfboard by the biggest freak wave he has ever seen, and falls unconscious in the sea. When he wakes on the beach, he is apparently in another version of our world, or at least some form of very vivid dreamworld, and a mysterious and apparently magical gold pendant is tied around his neck and he is unable to remove it. His girlfriend Bambi finds him and explains to Greendog that the pendant is of Aztec origin and carries a terrible curse; it dooms the wearer to be attacked by animals and wild primeval creatures and, worst of all, prohibits surfing.

The only way that Greendog can lift the curse is to travel to a lost Aztec civilization and track down six pieces of a sacred Aztec treasure which were scattered across the Caribbean Islands.

Gameplay

Mega Drive version

Greendog, Island Hopping.png

Island Hopping

The game involves traversing several side-scrolling levels. Left and Right move Greendog around, C jumps, and Down crouches. The cursed pendant causes animals and locals to freak out and become hostile when Greendog approaches them. Greendog is armed with only a flying disc (a Frisbee) that flies a short distance in front of him before returning. He can shoot it at enemies to destroy them or at various objects. B throws the disc, and Up+B throws the disc diagonally upward in the direction that Greendog is facing. Greendog can throw the disc while jumping or crouching. Every 10,000 points, Greendog receives a Flying Disc Bonus (announced by a chime), which temporarily increases the power of the disc.

Greendog has a damage meter that goes up as he takes damage from enemies and hazards (as opposed to a hit point meter that goes down). The player can find items that reduce the damage meter by attacking enemies and objects such as totem poles and garbage cans. If Greendog fills the damage meter, he loses his flying disc; he loses a life if he does not collect it quickly or takes additional damage.

Greendog can find Power Items throughout the levels that temporarily enhance his flying disc, freeze enemies, or provide invincibility. He can store up to four of them in slots at the top of the screen. The A button uses the rightmost item.

The game has some homages to earlier side-scrolling adventure games, such as Pitfall! as the character often has to swing on vines to advance and many of the levels take place in a tropical jungle or in an ancient Mesoamerican temple. Greendog has numerous contraptions and toys, such as a "pedal-copter," inline skates, and a skateboard, which are used to complete some of the levels. When piloting the pedal-copter, B punches and CCCCC ascends. Greendog's dog Fetch appears at certain points and can hinder by trying to eat food items or help by attacking enemies.

Items

Junk food
Greendog, Items, Junk Food.png
Corn Dog
Awards 100 bonus points.
Greendog, Items, Junk Food.png
Hot Dog
Awards 100 bonus points.
Greendog, Items, Junk Food.png
Ice Cream
Awards 100 bonus points.
Greendog, Items, Junk Food.png
Pizza
Awards 500 bonus points.
Greendog, Items, Junk Food.png
Donut
Awards 500 bonus points.
Greendog, Items, Junk Food.png
Burger
Awards 1,000 bonus points.
Greendog, Items, Junk Food.png
Fries
Awards 1,000 bonus points.
Greendog, Items, Junk Food.png
Cola
Reduces the damage meter.
Greendog, Items, Junk Food.png
Bone
If Fetch grabs a bone, he stops going after the food items. If Greendog grabs the bone, Fetch attacks nearby enemies instead.
Greendog, Items, Junk Food.png
Extra Life
Gives the player an extra life.
Power items
Greendog, Items, Power Items.png
Super Disc
Conjures a flying disc that hovers in the air and automatically seeks out and attacks enemies as it finds them. Lasts only for a short time. Greendog can still use his regular flying disc while this item is active.
Greendog, Items, Power Items.png
Clock
Freezes all enemies temporarily. Frozen enemies can still harm Greendog if he touches them but can still be attacked as well.
Greendog, Items, Power Items.png
Umbrella Hat
Provides Greendog with temporary invulnerability.

Stages

Each stage ends with an Ancient Aztec Ruins segment where Greendog finds a piece of treasure. In between stages, there are "Island Hopping" segments where Greendog travels over the sea in his pedal-copter to the next island.

Greendog, Stage 1-1.png

Greendog, Stage 1-2.png

  • Greendog, Stage 1-1.png

  • Greendog, Stage 1-2.png

Grenada

Greendog, Stage 2-1.png

Greendog, Stage 2-2.png

  • Greendog, Stage 2-1.png

  • Greendog, Stage 2-2.png

Mustique

Greendog, Stage 3-1.png

Greendog, Stage 3-2.png

  • Greendog, Stage 3-1.png

  • Greendog, Stage 3-2.png

Curaçao

Greendog, Stage 4-1.png

Greendog, Stage 4-2.png

Greendog, Stage 4-3.png

  • Greendog, Stage 4-1.png

  • Greendog, Stage 4-2.png

  • Greendog, Stage 4-3.png

Jamaica

Greendog, Stage 5-1.png

Greendog, Stage 5-2.png

  • Greendog, Stage 5-1.png

  • Greendog, Stage 5-2.png

Saba

Greendog, Stage 6-1.png

Greendog, Stage 6-2.png

  • Greendog, Stage 6-1.png

  • Greendog, Stage 6-2.png

St. Vincent

Game Gear version

The Game Gear version has the same mechanics as the Mega Drive version. Greendog is moved with Left and Right, throws his flying disc with 1, jumps with 2, and crouches with Down. He cannot throw his flying disc upward in this version. To use Power Items, the player must pause the game with  START  and press 1. The pause overlay is also the only way to check Greendog's health, lives, and score since these elements are not visible during gameplay.

The game has all of the stages from the Mega Drive version except St. Vincent; instead, its Aztec Ruins level has been added to Saba. Greendog's pedal-copter (and the corresponding Island Hopping segments) and inline skates are also absent. Some additional challenges have been added to the Aztec Ruins skateboarding levels, such as falling boulders and dark sections.

Items

Junk food
Greendog GG, Items.png
Corn Dog
Awards 100 bonus points.
Greendog GG, Items.png
Ice Cream
Awards 100 bonus points.
Greendog GG, Items.png
Pizza
Awards 500 bonus points.
Greendog GG, Items.png
Donut
Awards 500 bonus points.
Greendog GG, Items.png
Burger
Awards 1,000 bonus points.
Greendog GG, Items.png
Fries
Awards 1,000 bonus points.
Greendog GG, Items.png
Cola
Reduces the damage meter.
Greendog GG, Items.png
Bone
If Fetch grabs a bone, he stops going after the food items. If Greendog grabs the bone, Fetch attacks nearby enemies instead.
Greendog GG, Items.png
Extra Life
Gives the player an extra life.
Power items
Greendog GG, Items.png
Super Disc
Conjures a flying disc that hovers in the air and automatically seeks out and attacks enemies as it finds them. Lasts only for a short time. Greendog can still use his regular flying disc while this item is active.
Greendog GG, Items.png
Clock
Freezes all enemies temporarily. Frozen enemies can still harm Greendog if he touches them but can still be attacked as well.
Greendog GG, Items.png
Umbrella Hat
Provides Greendog with temporary invulnerability.

Stages

Greendog GG, Stage 1-1.png

Greendog GG, Stage 1-2.png

  • Greendog GG, Stage 1-1.png

  • Greendog GG, Stage 1-2.png

Grenada

Greendog GG, Stage 2-1.png

Greendog GG, Stage 2-2.png

  • Greendog GG, Stage 2-1.png

  • Greendog GG, Stage 2-2.png

Mustique

Greendog GG, Stage 3-1.png

Greendog GG, Stage 3-2.png

  • Greendog GG, Stage 3-1.png

  • Greendog GG, Stage 3-2.png

Curaçao

Greendog GG, Stage 4-1.png

Greendog GG, Stage 4-2.png

  • Greendog GG, Stage 4-1.png

  • Greendog GG, Stage 4-2.png

Jamaica

Greendog GG, Stage 5-1.png

Greendog GG, Stage 5-2.png

Greendog GG, Stage 5-3.png

  • Greendog GG, Stage 5-1.png

  • Greendog GG, Stage 5-2.png

  • Greendog GG, Stage 5-3.png

Saba

History

The titular Greendog, American surfer Ric Green.

Conceptualized by Sega of America producer Michael Latham around characters from the obscure 1988 board game Surf Trip[11][12][13][14] (created by surfer Ric Green[15][16] and illustrated by American artist Cam de Leon[17][18][19][11]), Greendog was partly inspired by Latham’s experiences growing up in the Caribbean. While the producer had greater ambitions for the game's design, Sega of America’s marketing department were not as convinced, and Interactive Designs were only provided half the expected budget and a short five-month development cycle.[20]

Legacy

The game's perceived attitude has seen it become the star of community parody, notably seeing a resurgence in popularity thanks to YouTube personality Joe Redifer of Game Sack. First appearing in episode 154, and being introduced with an eagerly 1990s-"attitude"-filled exclamation of "Green-DAAAWG", Redifer’s exaggerated pronunciation has since become associated with the game’s modern identity.

Production credits

Mega Drive version

Source:
In-game credits
Greendog MD credits.pdf
[21]

Source:
US manual
Greendog MD US Manual.pdf
[22]

Game Gear version

Source:
In-game credits
Greendog GG credits.pdf
[23]

Magazine articles

Main article: Greendog: The Beached Surfer Dude!/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Television advertisements

Print advertisements

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Mega Force (ES) #6: "Octubre 1992" (1992-xx-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Video Games (DE) #1992-11: "11/92" (1992-10-28)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Mega Force (ES) #7: "Noviembre 1992" (1992-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Hobby Consolas (ES) #14: "Noviembre 1992" (1992-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Sega Force (SE) #1992-02: "2/92" (1992-11-19)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg

Photo gallery

Ric Green's "Surf Trip: The Board Game"

Autographed copy of Greendog: The Beached Surfer Dude!

GreendogAutographA.jpeg
GreendogAutographA.jpeg
GreendogAutographB.jpeg
GreendogAutographB.jpeg
GreendogAutographC.jpeg
GreendogAutographC.jpeg

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
[26]
Consoles + (FR)
70
[27]
Cool Gamer (RU)
50
[28]
Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US)
84
[29]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
65
[30]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
60
[31]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
40
[32]
Excalibur (CZ)
70
[33]
GameFan (US)
72
[34]
Game Power (IT)
63
[35]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
98
[3]
Game Informer (US)
85
[36]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
89
[37]
Joypad (FR)
88
[38]
Joystick (FR) NTSC-U
90
[39]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)
70
[40]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
70
[41]
Mega (UK) PAL
57
[42]
Mega Force (FR)
85
[43]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
73
[44]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
56
[45]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
49
[5]
Player One (FR)
90
[46]
Play Time (DE)
73
[47]
Power Up! (UK)
73
[48]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
68
[49]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
82
[50]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
80
[51]
Sega Force (SE)
81
[52]
Sega Force (UK)
72
[53]
Supergame (BR) NTSC-U
71
[54]
Supergame (BR)
71
[8]
Supersonic (FR)
78
[55]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
70
[56]
User (GR) PAL
82
[57]
Video Games (DE)
63
[58]
Sega Mega Drive
72
Based on
36 reviews

Greendog: The Beached Surfer Dude!

Mega Drive, US (Made in Japan Cart)
Greendog MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Greendog MD US Cart Alt.jpg
Cart
Greendog MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US (Assembled in USA cart)
Greendog MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Greendog md us cart.jpg
Cart
Greendog MD US PrintedInUSA Manual.jpg
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
Greendog MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
Greendog MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Greendog MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Greendog MD EU pcb.jpg
PCB
Mega Drive, UK
Greendog MD UK Box Cover.jpg
Cover
Greendog MD US Cart Alt.jpg
Cart
Greendog MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, PT
Greendog MD PT cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, SE rental (HENT black)
Greendog MD SE Rental Box back.jpgNospine.pngGreendog MD SE Rental Box.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, AU
Greendog MD AU cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, BR
Greendog MD BR Box.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, AS
Greendog MD AS Box.jpg
Cover
Greendog MD AS Cart.jpg
Cart
Greendog MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Mega Drive, CA
Greendog MD CA Box.jpg
Cover
Greendog MD US Cart Alt.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
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
75
[9]
Sega Game Gear
75
Based on
1 review

Greendog: The Beached Surfer Dude!

Game Gear, US
Greendog GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngGreendog GG US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Greendog GG US Cart.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, BR
Greendog GG BR Box.jpg
Cover
Greendog GG BR Cart.jpg
Cart

Technical information

Main article: Greendog: The Beached Surfer Dude!/Technical information.

External links

References

  1. K Horowitz (2016). Playing at the Next Level: A History of American Sega Games
  2. Sega Visions, "August/September 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 64
  3. 3.0 3.1 GamePro, "November 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 56
  4. Mega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-17), page 26
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 64
  6. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1992-10-12), page 13
  7. Sega Pro, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-08), page 40
  8. 8.0 8.1 Supergame, "Dezembro 1992" (BR; 1992-12-xx), page 38
  9. 9.0 9.1 GamePro, "January 1994" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 206
  10. Sega Pro, "August 1993" (UK; 1993-07-08), page 30
  11. 11.0 11.1 File:Trademark Surf Trip Reg Nº 1558214 1989-09-26 (United States Patent and Trademark Office).pdf
  12. https://www3.wipo.int/branddb/en/showData.jsp?ID=USTM.73776203
  13. File:TheOrangeCountyRegister US 1989-04-10 page 55.png
  14. Press Release: 1989-09-21: RETAILING : Every Dog Has His Day, and Star of Surfer Board Game Is No Exception
  15. 15.0 15.1 Sega Visions, "June/July 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 83
  16. https://archive.vn/8faRy/273669b08895cd9a49a9455723ce44323324691c.jpg
  17. https://i.ibb.co/h2mjjrS/53870696-2021991671438060-5926669708217267020-n.jpg (archive.today)
  18. https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/surf-trip-board-game-1988-artwork-cam-1831285370 (archive.today)
  19. File:SurfTripInc Registration 1988-06-14 (California Secretary of State).pdf
  20. K Horowitz (2016). Playing at the Next Level: A History of American Sega Games
  21. File:Greendog MD credits.pdf
  22. File:Greendog MD US Manual.pdf, page 9
  23. File:Greendog GG credits.pdf
  24. Hobby Consolas, "Octubre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 46
  25. Sega Force, "1/93" (SE; 1993-01-14), page 35
  26. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 92
  27. Consoles +, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 86
  28. Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 96
  29. Electronic Games (1992-1995), "October 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 73
  30. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "October 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 30
  31. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 320
  32. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 54
  33. Excalibur, "" (CZ; 1993-09-10), page 33
  34. GameFan, "Volume 1, Issue 1: October 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 6
  35. Game Power, "Novembre 1992" (IT; 1992-1x-xx), page 36
  36. Game Informer, "September/October 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 6
  37. Hobby Consolas, "Octubre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 100
  38. Joypad, "Octobre 1992" (FR; 1992-10-xx), page 68
  39. Joystick, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 158
  40. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-xx-xx), page 24
  41. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 92
  42. Mega, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-15), page 50
  43. Mega Force, "Octobre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 80
  44. Mega Fun, "09/92" (DE; 1992-09-22), page 35
  45. MegaTech, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-20), page 42
  46. Player One, "Octobre 1992" (FR; 1992-10-10), page 62
  47. Play Time, "12/92" (DE; 1992-11-04), page 90
  48. Power Up!, "Saturday, November 07, 1992" (UK; 1992-11-07), page 1
  49. Sega Power, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-01), page 28
  50. Sega Pro, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-08), page 36
  51. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 66
  52. Sega Force, "1/93" (SE; 1993-01-14), page 14
  53. Sega Force, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-08), page 56
  54. Supergame, "Novembro 1992" (BR; 1992-11-xx), page 22
  55. Supersonic, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 10
  56. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 83
  57. User, "Ioúnios 1993" (GR; 1993-0x-xx), page 48
  58. Video Games, "11/92" (DE; 1992-10-28), page 48


Greendog: The Beached Surfer Dude!

Greendog title.png

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