James Pond: Underwater Agent

From Sega Retro

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James Pond Title.png

James Pond: Underwater Agent
System(s): Sega Mega Drive
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer:
Distributor: Tec Toy (BR)
Sound driver: Electronic Arts/Rob Hubbard
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
US 		$49.9549.95[3][4] 705301
Sega Mega Drive
EU 		E174SMXI
Sega Mega Drive
DE 		DM 100100 E174SMXI
Sega Mega Drive
UK 		£34.9934.99[5][6] E174SMXI
Sega Mega Drive
SE
(Rental)
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Mega Drive
BR
Non-Sega versions

James Pond: Underwater Agent is first in a series of games developed by Millennium Interactive. It was first released on the Commodore Amiga and Atari ST in 1990, then it was ported to the Sega Mega Drive and Acorn Archimedes in 1991.

Story

A nefarious supervillain named Doctor Maybe (a play on Dr. No) has overtaken the ruthless megacorporation Acme Oil Company. He is filling the oceans with radiation and toxic waste and threatening all the world from his underwater lair. The protagonist of the story and player character of the game is an intelligent, mutated anthropomorphic mudskipper named James Pond and hired by the British Secret Service to protect the seas and take out the bad guys in underwater areas.

The game spoofs the James Bond movies, with level names mimicking their titles.

Gameplay

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Home.png

James Pond's home

In the game, the player controls a fish named James Pond, who needs to complete a series of missions in order to stop the evil Doctor Maybe from polluting the world's oceans. Unlike later games in the series, James Pond is not a traditional platform game, as most of the game takes place underwater (similar to Ecco the Dolphin). Before each mission, Pond is given mission criteria, typically collecting items or escorting animals. Missions often consist of multiple areas, which Pond can traverse by entering crevices in the walls and floors. Enemies include other sea creatures and some humans.

Pond can swim in any direction using the D-Pad. He can shoot bubbles by pressing A or B to trap enemies, then swim into the enemies while they are trapped to turn them into collectible items. Enemies eventually break out of the bubbles if left alone. Power-ups and bonus items can be picked up by simply swimming into them. Pond can pick up and drop keys and other mission-critical collectibles by pressing Down+A/B. When near the surface of the water, Pond can jump out of the water by pressing Up, which can be used to reach dry land for more items. While on dry land, he jumps by pressing Up or C.

There is a set amount of time to complete the mission objectives, then find an exit pipe and enter it by holding Down while floating over it. The exit pipes are locked until Pond completes the objectives. Usually, additional objectives can be completed for bonus points if the player has time. The time remaining is shown on the left side of the bottom status area. Two counters beside the timer show the number of objectives completed (on top) and the number of objectives remaining (on bottom).

The "Fishometer" is a meter on the right side of the bottom status area that represents Pond's health. It goes down as he takes damage from enemies, and he loses a chance if he loses the entire Fishometer (but revives in place if he has extra chances remaining). The Fishometer also decreases when Pond is out of the water or in a bonus room, but it is replenished when it returns to the water or leaves the room. The game ends if Pond loses all of his chances or if he fails to complete a mission in time, but it can be continued up to two times. Extra chances are given every 100,000 points until reaching 500,000 points, then only at 10,500,000, 11,000,000, 20,500,000, 21,000,000, and 30,500,000 points (but only up to a maximum of four chances at any time).

Pond starts each mission at a home pipe. He can re-enter the home pipe by holding Down while floating over it, which takes him to his house. The player can store special items at the house or retrieve them to use at later missions. Returning home also heals Pond, though the mission timer continues to tick down while he is home.

Items

Good

These items have a good effect.

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Items.png
 Fairy Wand
Causes a sea nymph to dance around Pond, rendering him invulnerable to damage for a duration.
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Items.png
 Heart
Give Pond an extra chance (up to a maximum of 4 at a time).

Bad

These items have a bad effect.

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Items.png
 Bomb
Explodes multiple times after being touched by Pond, harming him. Pond can run away to try to avoid the explosions.
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Items.png
 Skull Potion
Makes the enemies on the screen move faster and act more aggressively.
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Items.png
 Cod Liver Oil Bottle
Temporarily makes Pond dizzy and unable to control.
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Items.png
 Glue Pot
Temporarily sticks Pond in place. He can still attack while stuck.

Bonus

These items can be collected for points.

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Bonus Items.png
 Bonus Items
These items give bonus points and recover a small amount of health when collected.
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Items.png
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Items.png
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Items.png
 Super Bonus Items
These are especially valuable bonus items that are usually hidden. The Golden Coin awards 5,000 points, the Golden Trophy awards 10,000 points, and the Golden Chest awards 20,000 points.
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Letters.png
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Letters.png
 Letters
Letters can be collected in the "bad" secret rooms. Pond receives 50 points for collecting a letter. If he collects all of the letters to spell out "JAMES POND" and returns home, the player is rewarded with 10,000,000 points.

Special

These items give Pond enhanced abilities. Each item can be stored in Pond's house so it can be used on a later mission. Pond can only use one special item at a time, and he cannot use a special item and carry an object (such as a key) at the same time.

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Special Items.png
 Top Hat
Reduces the amount of damage that Pond takes from enemies.
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Special Items.png
 Goldfish Bowl
Reduces the amount of health that Pond loses while out of the water.
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Special Items.png
 Pair of Shades
Allows Pond to see jellyfish, which are normally invisible.
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Special Items.png
 Ray Gun
Allows Pond to attack enemies with a ray gun, which works both in and out of the water. Enemies shot with the gun are eliminated immediately, rather than encased in bubbles that need to be popped, and this is Pond's only means of defeating enemies on land. This item does not appear when the game is played on a North American console.

Creatures

Most undersea creatures are hostile to Pond, but a few are helpful.

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Creatures.png
 Mushrooms
Instantly teleports Pond to another location (usually to another mushroom). These are essential for navigating the missions as they become larger and more maze-like, and some areas can only be reached by teleporting.
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Creatures.png
 Red Starfish
Gives Pond "super speed," which makes him move faster. Collecting 7 red starfish gives him "hyper speed," which makes him move even faster. Lasts until Pond loses a chance.
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Creatures.png
 Yellow Starfish
Replenishes the Fishometer.
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Creatures.png
 Green Starfish
Enhances Pond's bubbles so that that bubbles can float up after being fired, increasing the likelihood that they capture an enemy. Lasts until Pond loses a chance.
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Creatures.png
 Dark Starfish
Temporarily inhibits Pond's movement.
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Creatures.png
 Oyster
Follows Pond around and attacks the next 8 enemies that come close enough to it.
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Creatures.png
 Pelican
Grabs Pond and carries him a distance if he is close to the surface of the water.
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Creatures.png
 Squid
Temporarily blinds Pond if he touches one (causing the screen to go black). Pond can still be attacked by enemies while he is blinded.
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Creatures.png
 Jellyfish
These enemies are invisible and can only be seen with the Pair of Shades item.

Missions

Some missions have multiple exits that lead to different missions or have exit pipes that lead somewhere other than the next mission, so the missions are not necessarily played in order. Entering a pipe that leads to an already completed mission goes to an empty version of that mission with no enemies or objectives, where Pond can swim straight to the exit pipe.

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 1 Intro.png

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 1.png

  • James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 1 Intro.png

  • James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 1.png

License to Bubble
There are six lobsters trapped in cages, and Pond must rescue at least four of them before they are abducted by a diver. Pond needs a
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage Items.png
key to open each cage.

The first exit pipe goes to mission 2 and the second exit pipe goes to mission 3.

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 2 Intro.png

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 2.png

  • James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 2 Intro.png

  • James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 2.png

From Three Mile Island with Love
A pond has been polluted with radioactive waste. There are seven pink fish in the pond, and Pond must rescue at least four of them. These fish follow Pond when he touches them; he must lead them, one at a time, to the home pipe at the start of the mission.

The exit pipe goes to mission 4.

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 3 Intro.png

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 3.png

  • James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 3 Intro.png

  • James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 3.png

A View to a Spill
An oil platform is leaking oil into the ocean. Pond must blow it up by collecting
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage Items.png
bundles of dynamite and dropping them at either of the platform's base legs. The mission timer does not start ticking down on this mission until the first bundle of dynamite is planted. There are seven bundles of dynamite, and Pond must place at least five of them to complete the mission.

The exit pipe goes to mission 4.

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 4 Intro.png

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 4.png

  • James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 4 Intro.png

  • James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 4.png

The Fish with the Golden Bar
Pond must investigate a shipwreck. There are eight
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage Items.png
gold bars that were on the ship when it sank, and Pond must recover at least five of them and take them to a rowboat at the surface. The shipwreck is located in a deep cavern below the starting area.

The first exit pipe goes to mission 2 and the second exit pipe goes to mission 3. The third exit pipe only unlocks after the player has completed missions 2 and 3, and it goes to mission 5.

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 5 Intro.png

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 5.png

  • James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 5 Intro.png

  • James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 5.png

For Your Fins Only!
Acme Oil is polluting the Mediterranean coast. Pond must find at least six
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage Items.png
toxic waste containers and take them to one of the beaches at the surface for the "tough guys" to walk into them and be knocked unconscious.

The first exit pipe goes to mission 6 and the second exit pipe goes to mission 7.

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 6 Intro.png

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 6.png

  • James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 6 Intro.png

  • James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 6.png

Fishfingers
Smugglers are hiding their contraband in the English Channel. Pond must find at least seven of the ten
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage Items.png
bags of "swag" and drop them in front of a "beach bum" on the surface to be destroyed. Some of the brick walls underwater have segments that disappear momentarily on regular intervals.

The exit pipe goes to mission 8.

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 7 Intro.png

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 7.png

  • James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 7 Intro.png

  • James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 7.png

They Only Live Once
Arctic trappers are hunting seals. There are eight seals on the land above, and Pond must rescue at least five of them. Seals follow Pond when he touches them; he must lead them, one at a time, to the home pipe at the start of the mission.

The exit pipe goes to mission 8.

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 8 Intro.png

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 8.png

  • James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 8 Intro.png

  • James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 8.png

Leak and Let Die
Two Acme Oil tankers are leaking oil into the sea. Pond must use
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage Items.png
sponges to plug all ten leaks in the tankers.

The second exit pipe goes to mission 6 and the third exit pipe goes to mission 7. The first exit pipe only unlocks after the player has completed missions 6 and 7, and it goes to mission 9.

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 9 Intro.png

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 9.png

  • James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 9 Intro.png

  • James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 9.png

Orchids Are Forever
A rainforest is being threatened by construction workers. Pond must save the trees by finding
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage Items.png
poisonous orchids and planting them next to the trees. There are nine trees, and Pond must protect at least eight of them. Orchids are found both underwater and on the surface.

The exit pipe goes to mission 10.

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 10 Intro.png

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 10.png

  • James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 10 Intro.png

  • James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 10.png

Moneyraker
The lost city of Atlantis has been found. Pond must recover at least seven of the ten
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage Items.png
priceless vases from its ruins and take them to the rowboats at the surface before the criminals can steal them.

The exit pipe goes to mission 11.

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 11 Intro.png

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 11.png

  • James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 11 Intro.png

  • James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 11.png

The Mermaid Who Loved Me
Mad scientists are trying to capture and experiment on mermaids. Pond must rescue at least seven of the nine mermaids. Mermaids follow Pond when he gives them a
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage Items.png
comb; he must lead them, one at a time, to the home pipe at the start of the mission.

The exit pipe goes to mission 12.

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 12 Intro.png

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 12.png

  • James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 12 Intro.png

  • James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage 12.png

Dr. Maybe
Human agents have found Pond's secret base. Pond must collect eight of the ten
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Stage Items.png
pears to eat, deposit each in the home pipe, and escape. The mission automatically ends when the objective is fulfilled, with no exit pipe.

Secret rooms

Missions contain three kinds of hidden rooms, accessed by swimming into crevices: "bad" rooms, which contain monsters and a bonus letter; "neutral" rooms, which contain treasure chests that release good and bad items; and "good" rooms, which are filled with bonus items as well as a yellow starfish for restoring health. Leaving a room and re-entering it always returns to a bad room.

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Bad Room.png

Bad room
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Bad Room.png

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Neutral Room.png

Neutral room
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Neutral Room.png

James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Good Room.png

Good room
James Pond Underwater Agent MD, Good Room.png

Production credits

  • Game Design: Chris Sorrell
  • Graphics: Chris Sorrell
  • Programmer: Steve Bak
  • Original Music and Sound Effects: Richard Joseph
  • Music and Sound Effects Translation: Michael Barlow
  • Producer: Christopher Erhardt
  • Associate Producer: Roland Kippenhan III
  • Product Management: Lesley Mansford, Robert Sears
  • Art Director: Nancy L. Fong
  • Package Illustration: Mark Nightingale
  • Documentation: Michael Humes
  • Documentation Layout: Jennie Maruyama
  • Game Testers: Ed Gwynn, Michael Meischeid, Jeffrey Lee, Michael A. Lubuguin
  • Quality Assurance: Michael C. Prince
Source:
US manual
James Pond MD US Manual.pdf
[7]

Magazine articles

Main article: James Pond: Underwater Agent/Magazine articles.

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(RU)
50
[8]
(RU)
50
[9]
(RU)
40
[10]
(BR)
58
[11]
(DE)
78
[12]
(UK) PAL
70
[13]
(US) NTSC-U
43
[1]
(UK)
63
[14]
(IT)
74
[15]
(US) NTSC-U
72
[4]
(UK)
80
[16]
(FR) PAL
75
[17]
(UK) PAL
79
[18]
(UK)
83
[19]
(UK)
77
[20]
(ES)
80
[21]
(UK) PAL
79
[22]
(UK)
77
[23]
(FR)
87
[24]
(DE)
71
[25]
(UK) PAL
86
[5]
(UK) PAL
83
[26]
(UK) PAL
50
[27]
(UK)
73
[28]
(UK) PAL
70
[29]
(BR)
85
[30]
(RU)
60
[31]
(DE)
66
[32]
(IT)
90
[33]
Sega Mega Drive
 71
Based on
29 reviews

James Pond: Underwater Agent

Mega Drive, US
JamesPond MD US backcover.jpgNospine.pngJamesPond MD US Box.jpg
Cover
JamesPond MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
James Pond MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
James Pond MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
JamesPond MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
James Pond UAgent MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Mega Drive, FR

James Pond MD FR Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, SE (Rental)

Mega Drive, AU

James Pond Underwater Agent Megadrive AU Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, BR
JamesPond MD BR Box.jpg
Cover

Technical information

Main article: James Pond: Underwater Agent/Technical information.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Electronic Gaming Monthly, "May 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 18
  2. ↑ https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/pO-7yTGzrcE/m/1EyQDXwRRX0J
  3. ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "May 1991" (US; 1991-0x-xx), page 43
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 GamePro, "June 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 49
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Raze, "June 1991" (UK; 1991-04-25), page 54
  6. ↑ Sega Power, "May 1991" (UK; 1991-04-04), page 11
  7. ↑ File:James Pond MD US Manual.pdf, page 9
  8. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 100
  9. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 101
  10. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 102
  11. ↑ Ação Games, "Julho 1991" (BR; 1991-07-xx), page 42
  12. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "Juni 1991" (DE; 1991-05-31), page 120
  13. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 131
  14. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 60
  15. ↑ Game Power, "Febbraio 1992" (IT; 1992-0-xx), page 52
  16. ↑ Games-X, "3rd May 1991" (UK; 1991-04-26), page 21
  17. ↑ Joystick, "Avril 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 114
  18. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 92
  19. ↑ Mega Action, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 65
  20. ↑ MegaTech, "Xmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-06), page 78
  21. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Septiembre 1991" (ES; 1991-0x-xx), page 28
  22. ↑ Mean Machines, "May 1991" (UK; 1991-05-01), page 16
  23. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 139
  24. ↑ Player One, "Mai 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 39
  25. ↑ Power Play, "5/91" (DE; 1991-04-12), page 136
  26. ↑ Sega Power, "May 1991" (UK; 1991-04-04), page 10
  27. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 53
  28. ↑ Sega Pro, "Christmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-12), page 61
  29. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 66
  30. ↑ Supergame, "Junho 1992" (BR; 1992-06-xx), page 21
  31. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 92
  32. ↑ Video Games, "2/91" (DE; 1991-06-07), page 94
  33. ↑ Zzap!, "Luglio 1991" (IT; 1991-xx-xx), page 65


James Pond: Underwater Agent

James Pond Title.png

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James Pond games for Sega systems
Sega Mega Drive
 James Pond: Underwater Agent (1991) | James Pond II: Codename RoboCod (1991) | The Aquatic Games Starring James Pond and The Aquabats (1992) | James Pond 3: Operation Starfish (1993)
Sega Master System
 James Pond II: Codename RoboCod (1993)
Sega Game Gear
 James Pond II: Codename RoboCod (1993) | James Pond 3: Operation Starfish (1995)
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