Psycho Fox

From Sega Retro

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Psycho Fox Title.png

Psycho Fox
System(s): Sega Master System
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Supporting companies:
Genre: Action[1]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Master System
US
$29.9529.95[3] 7032
Sega Master System
EU
7032
Sega Master System
PT
Sega Master System
UK
£24.9524.95[5][6] 7032
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Master System
BR
Sega Master System
AE
Sega Master System
KR
GB-7032

Psycho Fox is a Sega Master System game developed by VIC Tokai and published by Sega in 1989. It is a platform game starring Psycho Fox, who must rid the land of an evil god named Madfox Daimyōjin. "Psycho" is meant to mean "psychic," similar to its use in Psychic World. Due to a typo, some European cartridges are labeled as "Psyco Fox."

Psycho Fox is second in a line of similar platformers by VIC Tokai, succeeding the 1988 Famicom release of Kakefu Kimi no Jump Tengoku: Speed Jigoku (released in the West in 1990 as Kid Kool and the Quest for the Seven Wonder Herbs), and preceding the 1990 Sega Mega Drive game, Magical Hat no Buttobi Turbo! Daibouken (which was extensively reworked to become Decap Attack when released in the West).

In Brazil, the game was re-released in 1995 with graphical changes as Sapo Xulé Vs Os Invasores do Brejo.

Story

Psycho Fox, Ending.png

Shrine

Among a group of fox priests who worship the Inari Daimyojin (Fox Deity), an evil fox named Madfox Daimyōjin has infiltrated his way to the highest ranks and taken over the shrine. After seizing power, Madfox corrupted the land and created hordes of creatures. One young fox has been chosen by his people to rid the land of this evil deity.

Gameplay

Psycho Fox, Pause Menu.png

Pause menu

Psycho Fox is a side-scrolling platform game. The player takes control of Psycho Fox, a fox with the ability to transform himself into other animals. Psycho Fox can be moved around with Left and Right or crouch with Down. He can punch enemies at short range with 1 and jump with 2. He can punch enemies while moving or in midair but not while crouching. He can also defeat enemies by jumping on them; the first hit stomps the enemy into the ground, but the enemy can recover from this momentarily if not jumped on again. Some enemies must be jumped on several times to be defeated.

The physics of the game have much heavier inertia than most other platformers. Psycho Fox's jump covers very little horizontal distance unless he first builds momentum by running, for instance. Momentum can also affect stopping distance. Acceleration is relatively slow from a complete stop but less onerous from a partial stop. Psycho Fox can skip across water if he is running.

The goal is to make it to the "Round End" sign at the end of each level. The screen does not scroll backward, so the player cannot backtrack, but it does scroll downward after traveling up. Levels are designed with ground paths as well as higher routes on aerial platforms.

Psycho Fox uses a Shinto stick to change into other animals, each of which has its own special ability. He must find a Psycho Stick item to transform; each transformation consumes a stick. There are also other items that Psycho Fox can find to help him on his journey. The  PAUSE  button brings up a menu that allows the player to choose an item to use. Psycho Fox also has an ally named Bird Fly, who perches on his back like a backpack. Bird Fly can be thrown at enemies with 1, replacing the punch attack (though Psycho Fox can still punch by hitting 1 again while Bird Fly is deployed). He returns to Psycho Fox like a boomerang after being thrown. Bird Fly can hit multiple enemies when thrown, both on his way out and his way back. Bird Fly leaves for boss fights but returns afterwards.

Psycho Fox loses a life if he takes any damage from enemies or hazards, including falling into water traps. If Psycho Fox is hit while carrying Bird Fly, Bird Fly goes away and the player does not lose a life. The player starts with three lives and can obtain more through eggs and through bonus games. If the player runs out of lives, the game ends, but the player can continue it from the beginning of the current round from the title screen. The player can continue as many times as desired but loses all items in doing so.

Animals

Psycho Fox, Animal Forms.png
Fox
The original form of Psycho Fox, which has balanced characteristics.
Psycho Fox, Animal Forms.png
Hippopotamus
The hippopotamus is slow and cannot jump very high, but this form can punch through special destructible blocks.
Psycho Fox, Animal Forms.png
Monkey
The monkey is slightly slower than the fox but can jump higher than the other creatures.
Psycho Fox, Animal Forms.png
Tiger
The tiger is the fastest runner. His jump is lower, but he can jump farther while running.

Items

Items are contained in eggs or sometimes dropped by defeated enemies. Punch an egg to break it open. Sometimes eggs contain no item or an enemy.

The Psycho Stick, Straw Effigy, and Magic Medicine items are collected in an inventory and not used immediately. The Money Bag item is collected and saved for bonus games. The player can hold a maximum of nine of each item. The  PAUSE  button opens a menu for selecting and using items.

Psycho Fox, Items.png
Egg
Punch to break open.
Psycho Fox, Items.png
Psycho Stick
Allows Psycho Fox to transform into another animal.
Psycho Fox, Items.png
Straw Effigy
Destroys all enemies on screen when used.
Psycho Fox, Items.png
Magic Medicine
Grants temporarily invincibility. Stars encircle Psycho Fox for the duration of the effect.
Psycho Fox, Items.png
Money Bag
Used as credits for the bonus game. Money Bags are lost if the player loses a life.
Psycho Fox, Items.png
Extra Life
The egg releases an apparition of the current animal, who runs away. The player must catch the apparition to earn an extra life.
Psycho Fox, Items.png
Bird Fly
Summons Bird Fly, who acts as a projectile attack for Psycho Fox and protects him from a hit.

Stages

Stages consist of three rounds followed by a fight against a Boss Monster.

Psycho Fox, Stage 1-1.png

Psycho Fox, Stage 1-2.png

Psycho Fox, Stage 1-3.png

Psycho Fox, Stage 1-3 Boss.png

  • Psycho Fox, Stage 1-1.png

  • Psycho Fox, Stage 1-2.png

  • Psycho Fox, Stage 1-3.png

  • Psycho Fox, Stage 1-3 Boss.png

Mystical Mountains
Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣ | 3️⃣ 
The boss fight is against the Mad Tumber.

Psycho Fox, Stage 2-1.png

Psycho Fox, Stage 2-2.png

Psycho Fox, Stage 2-3.png

Psycho Fox, Stage 2-3 Boss.png

  • Psycho Fox, Stage 2-1.png

  • Psycho Fox, Stage 2-2.png

  • Psycho Fox, Stage 2-3.png

  • Psycho Fox, Stage 2-3 Boss.png

Skull Land
Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣ | 3️⃣ 
The boss fight is against the Robo Fly.

Psycho Fox, Stage 3-1.png

Psycho Fox, Stage 3-2.png

Psycho Fox, Stage 3-3.png

Psycho Fox, Stage 3-3 Boss.png

  • Psycho Fox, Stage 3-1.png

  • Psycho Fox, Stage 3-2.png

  • Psycho Fox, Stage 3-3.png

  • Psycho Fox, Stage 3-3 Boss.png

Diabolical Desert
Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣ | 3️⃣ 
The boss fight is against the Doramaru.

Psycho Fox, Stage 4-1.png

Psycho Fox, Stage 4-2.png

Psycho Fox, Stage 4-3.png

Psycho Fox, Stage 4-3 Boss.png

  • Psycho Fox, Stage 4-1.png

  • Psycho Fox, Stage 4-2.png

  • Psycho Fox, Stage 4-3.png

  • Psycho Fox, Stage 4-3 Boss.png

Wind Zone
Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣ | 3️⃣ 
The boss fight is a rematch against the Robo Fly.

Psycho Fox, Stage 5-1.png

Psycho Fox, Stage 5-2.png

Psycho Fox, Stage 5-3.png

Psycho Fox, Stage 5-3 Boss.png

  • Psycho Fox, Stage 5-1.png

  • Psycho Fox, Stage 5-2.png

  • Psycho Fox, Stage 5-3.png

  • Psycho Fox, Stage 5-3 Boss.png

Underground Passageway
Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣ | 3️⃣ 
The boss fight is a rematch against the Mad Tumbler.

Psycho Fox, Stage 6-1.png

Psycho Fox, Stage 6-2.png

Psycho Fox, Stage 6-3.png

Psycho Fox, Stage 6-3 Boss.png

  • Psycho Fox, Stage 6-1.png

  • Psycho Fox, Stage 6-2.png

  • Psycho Fox, Stage 6-3.png

  • Psycho Fox, Stage 6-3 Boss.png

Ice Zone
Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣ | 3️⃣ 
The boss fight is a rematch against the Doramaru.

Psycho Fox, Stage 7-1.png

Psycho Fox, Stage 7-2.png

Psycho Fox, Stage 7-3.png

Psycho Fox, Stage 7-3 Boss.png

  • Psycho Fox, Stage 7-1.png

  • Psycho Fox, Stage 7-2.png

  • Psycho Fox, Stage 7-3.png

  • Psycho Fox, Stage 7-3 Boss.png

Underground Cavern
Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣ | 3️⃣ 
The boss fight is against the Evil Madfox Daimyōjin.

Bonus Game

Bonus game

At the end of each round, there is a lottery minigame similar to amidakuji. The player can place multiple Psycho Foxes on five pathways. The number of Psycho Foxes given corresponds to the number of Money Bags found in the round. Multiple Psycho Foxes can be placed on the same pathway. Once they have all been placed, they walk up the path to the end, crossing whenever there is a juncture. The end can contain item prizes or a hole that Psycho Fox falls into for no prize.

If Psycho Fox arrives at a shrine at the end of the path, the numbers on the shrine spin around like a slot machine. The player can press 1 to stop the numbers. The player is then rewarded extra lives corresponding to the number that the shrine stopped on. If multiple foxes land on the shrine, the number is multiplied by the number of foxes (rather than rolling multiple times).

Production credits

  • Character Designer: Dark Side Toshi
  • Sub-Character Designer: Peetan Yamaguchi
  • Programmer: Blushed Machiya, Cheeked Shotaro
  • Map Designer: Monkey Naochan
  • Data Puncher: Big Nose Ohkawa
  • Sound Editor: Mr.Question
  • Responsible Person: Big Foot Shijoh
  • Director: Professor Toshi
  • Producer: The Rich Man
  • Produced by: SEGA
Source:
In-game credits
Psycho Fox SMS credits.pdf
[7]


Magazine articles

Main article: Psycho Fox/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (UK) #100: "March 1990" (1990-02-16)
also published in:
  • (UK) #30: "March 1990" (1990-02-01)[8]
  • (UK) #31: "April 1990" (1990-03-xx)[9]
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (UK) #101: "April 1990" (1990-03-16)
also published in:
  • (UK) #32: "May 1990" (1990-04-xx)[10]
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (UK) #102: "May 1990" (1990-04-16)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (US) #2: "October/November 1990" (1990-xx-xx)
also published in:
  • (US) #18: "January 1991" (199x-xx-xx)[11]
  • (US) #20: "March 1991" (1991-xx-xx)[12]
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (US) #4: "April/May 1991" (1991-xx-xx)
also published in:
  • (US) #5: "Summer 1991" (1991-xx-xx)[13]
  • (US) #27: "October 1991" (1991-xx-xx)[14]
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
90 [15]
Sega Master System
90
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(UK) PAL
84
[16]
(DE)
58
[17]
(UK)
92
[18]
(UK) PAL
92
[19]
(UK) PAL
88
[20]
(UK)
85
[21]
(US) NTSC-U
70
[2]
(UK)
90
[22]
(UK)
83
[23]
(UK)
90
[24]
(UK)
90
[25]
(DE)
73
[26]
(UK)
93
[27]
(UK) PAL
75
[28]
(UK)
87
[29]
(UK) PAL
88
[30]
(GR) PAL
68
[31]
Sega Master System
83
Based on
17 reviews

Psycho Fox

Master System, US
Psycho Fox SMS US Box.jpg
Cover
Psychofox sms us manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, EU
PsychoFox EU cover.jpg
Cover
Psycho Fox SMS EU Manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, EU (Sega®)
Psycho Fox SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
Psycho Fox SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, EU (Typo cart)

Psycho Fox SMS EU Cart Typo.jpg
Cart
Master System, PT
PsychoFox SMS PT cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, AU

PsychoFox SMS AU cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU (NIAL sticker)
PsychoFox SMS AU nial cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, BR (cardboard)
PsychoFox SMS BR cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, BR
PsychoFox SMS BR2 Box.jpg
Cover
PsychoFox SMS BR2 Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, KR
PsychoFox SMS KR cover.jpg
Cover
PsychoFox SMS KR Cart Top.jpg
PsychoFox SMS KR Cart Back.jpgPsychoFox SMS KR cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, GCC
PsychoFox EU cover.jpg
Cover
Psycho Fox SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
PsychoFox GCC Manual.jpg
Manual

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Master System
CRC32 97993479
MD5 a9c2facf9ef536d095414ce2e7ce2f4f
SHA-1 278cc3853905626138e83b6cfa39c26ba8e4f632
256kB Cartridge (EU/US)
Sega Master System
 ?
CRC32 4bf0e1cc
MD5 1c0e96e0a9c70c99ac170c46acab7991
SHA-1 ab7b40bc696f533b5f9fcd0bbdb7fb00595ed4cc
256kB EPROM cartridge Page

References

  1. File:PsychoFox EU cover.jpg
  2. 2.0 2.1 Electronic Gaming Monthly, "June 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 18
  3. VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "July 1990" (US; 1990-0x-xx), page 46
  4. File:BristolEveningPost UK 1990-01-18 Page 83.jpg
  5. ACE, "April 1990" (UK; 1990-03-xx), page 61
  6. Computer & Video Games, "March 1990" (UK; 1990-02-16), page 56
  7. File:Psycho Fox SMS credits.pdf
  8. ACE, "March 1990" (UK; 1990-02-01), page 70
  9. ACE, "April 1990" (UK; 1990-03-xx), page 64
  10. ACE, "May 1990" (UK; 1990-04-xx), page 12
  11. GamePro, "January 1991" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 44
  12. GamePro, "March 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 22
  13. Sega Visions, "Summer 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 10
  14. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "October 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 142
  15. Consoles +, "Octobre 1991" (FR; 1991-10-05), page 128-130 (120)
  16. ACE, "October 1990" (UK; 1990-09-xx), page 60
  17. Aktueller Software Markt, "Oktober 1989" (DE; 1989-08-28), page 64
  18. Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume IV" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 104
  19. The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 59
  20. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 143
  21. Computer & Video Games, "January 1990" (UK; 1989-12-16), page 121
  22. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 150
  23. The Games Machine, "April 1990" (UK; 1990-03-15), page 34
  24. Mean Machines, "August 1991" (UK; 1991-07-27), page 76
  25. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 135
  26. Power Play, "11/89" (DE; 1989-10-09), page 64
  27. S: The Sega Magazine, "February 1990" (UK; 1990-01-04), page 4
  28. Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 59
  29. Sega Pro, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-20), page 21
  30. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 72
  31. User, "Ávgoustos 1992" (GR; 1992-0x-xx), page 87


Psycho Fox

Psycho Fox Title.png

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Sega Master System
Prototypes: Prototype