Whip Rush

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WhipRush MD US TitleScreen.png

WhipRush MDTitleScreen.png

Whip Rush
System(s): Sega Mega Drive
Publisher: Sega (Japan), Renovation Products (US)
Developer:
Sound driver: SMPS Z80
Genre: Shooting[1][2]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP
¥6,0006,000 G-4031
Sega Mega Drive
US
T-49016

Whip Rush, called Whip Rush: Wakusei Voltegas no Nazo (ウィップラッシュ 惑星ボルテガスの謎) in Japan, is a Sega Mega Drive horizontal shoot-'em-up developed by VIC Tokai. Published in Japan by Sega in May 1990, it was later published in the United Stated by Renovation Products in October that same year.

Story

In the 22nd century, mankind has drained every planet in the Solar System of its natural resources. Three Alpha-type robotic spaceships left the overpopulated Earth on a mission to find similar planets to colonize. After five years, the pilots reported finding a similar planet they learned was called Voltegas (Voltegeus in the US version), but upon approach, their transmission was lost and the ships never re-established contact. Less than a week after the discovery, a massive alien vessel materialized in the vicinity of Mars and started attacking the Earth. It is now up to Earth's smallest but most powerful spaceship, the Whip Rush, to stop the invasion of the Voltegians and discover the fate of the missing colony ships.

Gameplay

The game is a side-scrolling shoot-'em-up. Stages scroll mostly horizontally but also include vertical segments. The player must battle enemy forces and ultimately a boss at the end of the stage. The stage design emphasizes maneuvering the Whip Rush around obstacles. The Whip Rush can move in any direction using the D-Pad and fires with B. The weapon has rapid-fire. The Whip Rush's movement speed can be adjusted with A; the current speed is shown in a meter at the top of the screen.

The Whip Rush starts with a basic weapon and can be equipped with new weapons, which are collected from capsules found in each stage. Weapons are upgraded up to two times by collecting the same weapon icon successively. The weapon level is maintained but not increased when changing to a different weapon. Additionally, the Whip Rush can find Power Claws, which are support drones that follow it and mirror its fire. The Power Claws have two positions, above and below the Whip Rush and to the left and right of it, which are rotated with C. The Power Claws are invulnerable and can be used to ram enemies by holding B+C. Ramming the Power Claws sends them in opposite directions along the vertical or horizontal axis depending on their orientation, which is an effective way to deal with enemies at angles that the Whip Rush cannot directly attack with its standard armaments.

The Whip Rush takes damage from enemy fire or by touching enemies, obstacles, or terrain. If it has a power-up weapon equipped, it loses it and reverts to the starting weapon. If it takes damage when the starting weapon is equipped, the Whip Rush is destroyed and the player loses a life. The game ends if the player runs out of lives, but it can be continued if the player has credits remaining. The number of lives that the player starts with depends on the difficulty level (Easy, Normal, or Hard). The player gains an extra life at 50,000 and 100,000 points and every 100,000 points after that.

Weapons

The color of the Whip Rush and Power Claws changes to indicate the currently equipped weapon.

Whip Rush, Weapons, Standard.png

Standard
Shoots a stream of energy bullets forwards. It is the starting weapon and the weapon to which the Whip Rush reverts upon taking damage. It does less damage and covers less area than the other weapons and cannot be upgraded. The Power Claws shoot in opposite directions away from the Whip Rush; rotating them to the horizontal position adds additional frontal fire while still covering the rear.

Whip Rush, Weapons, Laser.png

Whip Rush, Items.png
Lasers
Shoots powerful laser beams forwards. It is the strongest weapon but also the least adaptable. The first upgrade adds a second laser beam, and the second upgrade adds a third laser beam. This is the only weapon that cannot shoot backwards at all, so the player is reliant on using the Power Claws to ram enemies behind the Whip Rush. The Power Claws also shoot lasers forwards.

Whip Rush, Weapons, Missiles.png

Whip Rush, Items.png
Missiles
Fires missiles forwards. It covers the most area of all the weapons when fully upgraded. Missiles seek nearby enemies. The first upgrade adds a second stream of missiles behind the Whip Rush, and the second upgrade adds a second stream of missiles to the front. The Power Claws shoot streams of missiles at acute angles.

Whip Rush, Weapons, Fireballs.png

Whip Rush, Items.png
Fireballs
Shoots fireballs in the opposite of the last pressed direction. It is the most flexible weapon to aim and can also aimed in intermediate directions, though aiming can be tricky since it conflicts with movement. The first upgrade adds a second stream of fireballs in the same direction, and the second upgrade changes the firing pattern from a line to a sinusoid to cover a taller area. The Power Claws shoot fireballs forwards.

Items

Whip Rush, Items.png
Capsule
Attack to release an item.
Whip Rush, Items.png
Laser
Changes the current weapon to Lasers or upgrades the weapon level, up to two times, if already equipped.
Whip Rush, Items.png
Missile
Changes the current weapon to Missiles or upgrades the weapon level, up to two times, if already equipped.
Whip Rush, Items.png
Fireball
Changes the current weapon to Fireballs or upgrades the weapon level, up to two times, if already equipped.
Whip Rush, Items.png
Power Claw
Spawns a Power Claw drone to follow the Whip Rush and augment its fire. Power Claws can also be used to ram enemies. The Whip Rush can have up to two Power Claws.

Stages

Whip Rush, Stage 1-1.png

Whip Rush, Stage 1-2.png

Whip Rush, Stage 1-3.png

Whip Rush, Stage 1 Boss.png

  • Whip Rush, Stage 1-1.png

  • Whip Rush, Stage 1-2.png

  • Whip Rush, Stage 1-3.png

  • Whip Rush, Stage 1 Boss.png

Stage 1

Whip Rush, Stage 2-1.png

Whip Rush, Stage 2-2.png

Whip Rush, Stage 2-3.png

Whip Rush, Stage 2 Boss.png

  • Whip Rush, Stage 2-1.png

  • Whip Rush, Stage 2-2.png

  • Whip Rush, Stage 2-3.png

  • Whip Rush, Stage 2 Boss.png

Stage 2

Whip Rush, Stage 3-1.png

Whip Rush, Stage 3-2.png

Whip Rush, Stage 3-3.png

Whip Rush, Stage 3 Boss.png

  • Whip Rush, Stage 3-1.png

  • Whip Rush, Stage 3-2.png

  • Whip Rush, Stage 3-3.png

  • Whip Rush, Stage 3 Boss.png

Stage 3

Whip Rush, Stage 4-1.png

Whip Rush, Stage 4-2.png

Whip Rush, Stage 4-3.png

Whip Rush, Stage 4 Boss 1.png

Whip Rush, Stage 4 Boss 2.png

  • Whip Rush, Stage 4-1.png

  • Whip Rush, Stage 4-2.png

  • Whip Rush, Stage 4-3.png

  • Whip Rush, Stage 4 Boss 1.png

  • Whip Rush, Stage 4 Boss 2.png

Stage 4

Whip Rush, Stage 5-1.png

Whip Rush, Stage 5-2.png

Whip Rush, Stage 5-3.png

Whip Rush, Stage 5 Boss.png

  • Whip Rush, Stage 5-1.png

  • Whip Rush, Stage 5-2.png

  • Whip Rush, Stage 5-3.png

  • Whip Rush, Stage 5 Boss.png

Stage 5

Whip Rush, Stage 6-1.png

Whip Rush, Stage 6-2.png

Whip Rush, Stage 6-3.png

Whip Rush, Stage 6 Boss.png

  • Whip Rush, Stage 6-1.png

  • Whip Rush, Stage 6-2.png

  • Whip Rush, Stage 6-3.png

  • Whip Rush, Stage 6 Boss.png

Stage 6

Whip Rush, Stage 7-1.png

Whip Rush, Stage 7-2.png

Whip Rush, Stage 7-3.png

Whip Rush, Stage 7 Boss.png

  • Whip Rush, Stage 7-1.png

  • Whip Rush, Stage 7-2.png

  • Whip Rush, Stage 7-3.png

  • Whip Rush, Stage 7 Boss.png

Stage 7

Versions

Localised names

Also known as
Language Localised Name English Translation
English (US) Whip Rush Whip Rush
Japanese ウィップラッシュ 惑星ボルテガスの謎 Whip Rush: Wakusei Voltegas no Nazo

Production credits

  • Object and Scroll Designer: Yamanba, Kuninori Asano
  • Scroll Designer: Toshiya Kino
  • Title: Yamanba
  • Opening: Yamanba
  • Ending: Porten
  • Game Designer: Kazuaki Kinoshita
  • Programmer: Taka Yan, Nabechan, K.Iwa
  • Sound: Seriinu and Sebastian
Source:
In-game credits
Whip Rush MD credits.pdf
[5]
Source:
Sega TV Game Genga Gallery[6]

Magazine articles

Main article: Whip Rush/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

WhipRush MD US Flyer.jpg
US flyer
WhipRush MD US Flyer.jpg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Sega Visions (US) #2: "October/November 1990" (1990-xx-xx)
also published in:
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Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) #19: "February 1991" (1991-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1990-06: "June 1990" (1990-05-08)
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

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)
70
[8]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
70
[9]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
48
[10]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK)
48
[11]
Console XS (UK) PAL
85
[12]
Cool Gamer (RU)
20
[13]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
63
[14]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
63
[15]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
72
[16]
The Games Machine (UK)
79
[17]
Famicom Hisshoubon (JP) NTSC-J
50
[18]
Joystick (FR)
90
[19]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) NTSC
61
[20]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
69
[21]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
73
[22]
MegaTech (UK)
48
[23]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
48
[24]
Power Play (DE)
70
[25]
Sega Power (UK) NTSC
75
[26]
Sega Pro (UK)
83
[27]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
85
[28]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
58
[29]
Tilt (FR)
75
[30]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
59
[31]
User (GR) NTSC
86
[32]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
70
[33]
Sega Mega Drive
66
Based on
26 reviews

Whip Rush

Mega Drive, JP
WhipRush MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
WhipRush MD JP CartTop.jpg
WhipRush MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Whiprush md jp manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US
WhipRush MD US Box.jpg
Cover
WhipRush MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Whiprush md us manual.pdf
Manual

Technical information

Main article: Whip Rush/Technical information.

References

  1. File:WhipRush 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. https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/JVXpIBUKyDo/m/du5qVY3wReIJ
  4. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "September 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 66
  5. File:Whip Rush MD credits.pdf
  6. Sega TV Game Genga Gallery, Graphic Sha, page 105
  7. Game Players Sega Guide!, "Vol. 1, No. 1: Fall 1990" (US; 1990-10-xx), page 5
  8. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 263
  9. Beep! MegaDrive, "June 1990" (JP; 1990-05-08), page 109
  10. Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume IV" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 37
  11. The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 51
  12. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 136
  13. Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 235
  14. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "November 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 19
  15. Famitsu, "" (JP; 1990-0x-xx), page 1
  16. GamePro, "October 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 72
  17. The Games Machine, "August 1990" (UK; 1990-07-19), page 53
  18. Famicom Hisshoubon, "1990-11 (1990-06-01)" (JP; 1990-05-18), page 13
  19. Joystick, "Juillet/Août 1990" (FR; 1990-06-25), page 116
  20. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 95
  21. Mega Drive Fan, "October 1990" (JP; 1990-09-08), page 79
  22. Mega Play, "February 1991" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 41
  23. MegaTech, "Xmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-06), page 81
  24. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 143
  25. Power Play, "8/90" (DE; 1990-07-13), page 123
  26. Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 55
  27. Sega Pro, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 31
  28. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 68
  29. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 87
  30. Tilt, "Septembre 1990" (FR; 1990-0x-xx), page 94
  31. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 222
  32. User, "Ianouários 1991" (GR; 1991-xx-xx), page 66
  33. VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "November 1990" (US; 1990-1x-xx), page 54


Whip Rush

WhipRush MD US TitleScreen.png

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Sega Mega Drive
Prototypes: 1990-01-29