Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin

From Sega Retro

For the Mega-CD version, see Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin (Mega-CD). For the Game Gear and Master System versions, see Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin (8-bit).

n/a

Spider-Man vs The Kingpin Title.png

Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin
System(s): Sega Mega Drive
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Licensor: Marvel Entertainment Group
Sound driver: GEMS
Genre: Action[1][2][3]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP
¥6,0006,000 G-4058
Sega Mega Drive
US
$54.9554.95[5] 1016
Sega Mega Drive
EU
1016
Sega Mega Drive
PT
Sega Mega Drive
UK
£29.9929.99[8] 1016
Sega Mega Drive
SE
(Rental)
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Mega Drive
CA
Sega Mega Drive
BR
Sega Mega Drive
BR
(Red)
Tectoy: Todas as Idades
Sega Mega Drive
KR
GM4018JG
Arcade (Mega-Tech System)
UK
£? ?

























Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin (スパイダーマン), commonly referred to as just Spider-Man, is a platform video game based on the Spider-Man Marvel comic book series. It was originally released in 1991 for the Sega Mega Drive (alongside a differing Master System version).

Story

Crime boss Wilson Fisk, known as the Kingpin, has stolen a nuclear bomb and plans to detonate it in twenty-four hours, destroying New York City. Moreover, he has sent a broadcast framing Spider-Man for the deed, turning the city against him. Spider-Man must fight six sinister supervillains, who have been hired by the Kingpin, to obtain the keys necessary to disarm the bomb before time runs out.

Gameplay

Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Pause Menu.png

Pause menu

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Peter Parker's apartment

The game is an action platformer where players control the superhero Spider-Man. He walks with Left and Right. He jumps with C and jumps off platforms with Down+C. He squats with Down and crawls with Down-left and Down-right. He can stick to walls and ceilings by holding C and then crawl along them with the D-pad. Spider-Man can cling to walls, buildings, and ladders in the background. He attacks by punching or kicking with B, which can be done while crouching or jumping.

Spider-Man has 24 hours to collect the five keys needed to disarm the bomb. Time ticks down faster than real time. Keys are dropped by bosses when they are defeated. Spider-Man has a life meter that diminishes as he takes damage from foes. If he runs out of life, the game ends. It can be continued from the beginning of the current stage, but this costs two hours of time. If time runs out, the game ends and cannot be continued.

Spider-Man performs special abilities with A. The player can change to a different ability by pausing the game with  START . The special abilities are:

  • Webbing, the default ability, allows Spider-Man to shoot webbing, which works as a projectile attack against enemies. Hitting a single enemy several times binds the enemy in webbing. Spider-Man can swing from webbing by jumping and holding A while in midair, which allows him to traverse longer distances than simply jumping. Using webbing costs a portion of Spider-Man's web meter.
  • Web Shield protects Spider-Man from damage for a certain number of hits. Activating Web Shield costs a portion of Spider-Man's web meter.
  • Camera is used to take pictures of Spider-Man fighting crime to sell to the Daily Bugle. Pictures of basic thugs are only worth $5. Spider-Man's Spider Sense alerts the player before tougher enemies or bosses appear, which are worth more. Only humanoid enemies are worth money; pictures of bat, rats, and other animals do not pay anything. Money is automatically exchanged for web in the score screen at the end of each stage. Spider-Man can take three pictures per stage.
  • Peter Parker returns to Spider-Man's apartment, where he replenishes life. However, time runs down quickly while he is recovering. Spider-Man can exit at any time and return to the same part of the stage that he just left.

Items

Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Items.png
Small Restore
Replenishes a small amount of the life or web meter.
Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Items.png
Large Restore
Replenishes a large amount of the life meter.
Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Items.png
Camera
Lets Spider-Man take another picture.

Stages

Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 1.png

Daily Bugle
Spider-Man saves an old lady from a thief with the police hot on his tail. Enter the Daily Bugle building from the top floor to complete the stage.

Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 2.png

Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 2 Subboss.png

Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 2 Boss.png

  • Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 2.png

  • Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 2 Subboss.png

  • Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 2 Boss.png

Warehouse
Investigate a nearby warehouse and search for clues before facing Dr. Octopus.

Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 3.png

Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 3 Boss.png

  • Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 3.png

  • Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 3 Boss.png

Sewers
Navigate deadly traps and pitfalls in the sewers before facing the Lizard and Venom.

Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 4.png

Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 4 Boss.png

  • Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 4.png

  • Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 4 Boss.png

Power Station
Evade lightning bolts and gun-toting thugs and confront Electro in his domain.

Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 5.png

Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 5 Boss.png

  • Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 5.png

  • Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 5 Boss.png

Central Park
Defeat muggers and look for Sandman, who can only be defeated by luring him to the fire hydrant, and Venom.

Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 6.png

Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 6 Boss 1.png

Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 6 Boss 2.png

  • Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 6.png

  • Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 6 Boss 1.png

  • Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 6 Boss 2.png

Streets of New York
Criminals are wreaking havoc in the streets, including the Hobgoblin and Venom.

Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 7.png

Underground
Venom captures Spider-Man's wife, Mary Jane.

Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 8.png

Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 8 Boss 1.png

Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 8 Boss 2.png

Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 8 Boss 3.png

  • Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 8.png

  • Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 8 Boss 1.png

  • Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 8 Boss 2.png

  • Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD, Stage 8 Boss 3.png

Final
Spider-Man fights Electro, the Lizard, the Hobgoblin, and Venom again. He must then disarm the bomb by inserting the keys into it. Finally, Spider-Man must defeat the Kingpin before Mary Jane is dropped into a pit of acid. The game ends if Mary Jane is killed.

History

Development

We were immersed in Spider-Man everything during the project. We had every kind of poster, doll, figure etc around us. The key for the game was twofold, artwork and fluidity of the character. The guys that did the engine did a great job getting the system in place where the character movement was very smooth. Given the limitations on the CPU, we ended up using tables instead of true physics calculations for things like the arc of the swing. Another innovation was the level and sprite tools that started to form during the project. We did everything on the MAC, with sprite/animation tools that let us preview the animations on the MAC, and then we could do builds right from MPW and download to the Genesis. The level tools also allowed for creation and editing of not only the level artwork, but also the enemy placement and parameters, letting us play with the level designs in a short time cycle. We also had great artists making the images look very true to the property.

David Foley[9]


Legacy

Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin was the first of several Mega Drive games to be released on the system with a Marvel Comics license (although it is not the first Mega Drive appearance of Spider-Man; he was a boss in 1989's The Revenge of Shinobi without Marvel's consent). It was a successful game for Sega, with sources claiming that two-thirds of Mega Drive owners owned a copy of this game in some form or another at the time.

The success lead to Marvel Comics continuing their licensing deal they had with Sega of America (mostly in the form of X-Men games), with Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin being updated for the Sega Mega-CD release, with refined levels, graphics and a CD audio soundtrack in 1993.

Production credits

Source:
In-game credits
Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD credits.pdf
[10]

Magazine articles

Main article: Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

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MX advert (1991)
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Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Sega Visions (US) #1: "June/July 1990" (1990-xx-xx)
also published in:
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Print advert in GamePro (US) #29: "December 1991" (1991-xx-xx)
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Print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #118: "September 1991" (1991-08-15)
also published in:
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Print advert in Mean Machines Sega (UK) #11: "September 1993" (1993-07-30)
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Print advert in Hobby Consolas (ES) #2: "Noviembre 1991" (1991-1x-xx)
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)
50
[15]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
43
[16]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
63
[17]
Console XS (UK) PAL
85
[18]
Cool Gamer (RU)
50
[19]
Dragon (US) NTSC-U
100
[20]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
86
[21]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
60
[22]
Game Power (IT)
79
[23]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
100
[24]
Games-X (UK)
80
[25]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
60
[26]
Joypad (FR) PAL
92
[27]
Joystick (FR)
86
[28]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
64
[29]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
63
[30]
Mega (UK) PAL
89
[31]
Mega (UK) PAL
92
[32]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
91
[33]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
88
[6]
Mean Machines (UK)
90
[34]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
91
[35]
Megazone (AU)
82
[36]
Player One (FR)
86
[37]
Power Play (DE)
59
[38]
Power Unlimited (NL)
70
[39]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
78
[40]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
85
[41]
Sega Opisaniy i sekretov (RU)
65
[42]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
61
[43]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
80
[5]
Sega Mega Drive
76
Based on
31 reviews

Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin

Mega Drive, JP
AmazingSpidermanVSKingpin md jp cover.jpg
Cover
SpiderManvTK MD JP CartTop.jpg
SpiderManvTK MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
AmazingSpidermanVSKingpin MD JP Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US
AmazingSpidermanVSKingpin md us cover.jpg
Cover
AmazingSpidermanVSKingpin md us cart.jpg
Cart
Spiderman md us manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
AmazingSpidermanVSKingpin md eu cover.jpg
Cover
AmazingSpidermanVSKingpin md eu cart.jpg
Cart
SpiderMan MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
SMvsKP MD EU pcb.jpg
PCB
Mega Drive, PT
SMvsKP MD PT cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, SE rental (HENT black)

Mega Drive, CZ (Datart)

SMvsKP MD CZ manual.png
Manual
Mega Drive, AU (Horizontal manual)
SMvsKP MD AU h cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, AU (Vertical manual)
SMvsKP MD AU v cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, BR
Amazingspiderman md br cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, BR (red)
SMvsKP MD BR red cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, CA
SpiderMan MD CA cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, KR
SpiderMan MD KR Box.jpg
Cover
SpiderMan MD KR carttop.jpg
SpiderMan MD KR cartback.jpgSpiderMan MD KR Cart.jpg
Cart

Technical information

Main article: Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin/Technical information.

External links

References

  1. File:AmazingSpidermanVSKingpin md jp cover.jpg
  2. 2.0 2.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-20 09:51)
  3. File:SpiderMan MD KR Box.jpg
  4. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "July 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 112
  5. 5.0 5.1 VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "September 1991" (US; 1991-0x-xx), page 49
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 MegaTech, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-04-23), page 95
  7. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1991-09-16), page 17
  8. Sega Power, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-10-04), page 29
  9. Interview: David Foley (2007-10-23) by Sega-16
  10. File:Spider-Man vs the Kingpin MD credits.pdf
  11. GamePro, "July 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 61
  12. VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "July 1990" (US; 1990-0x-xx), page 59
  13. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "August 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 7
  14. Computer & Video Games, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-15), page 93
  15. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 219
  16. Aktueller Software Markt, "November 1991" (DE; 1991-10-11), page 154
  17. Beep! MegaDrive, "October 1991" (JP; 1991-09-07), page 35
  18. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 134
  19. Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 203
  20. Dragon, "Vol. XVI, No. 8: January 1992" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 66
  21. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 94
  22. Famitsu, "1991-10-25" (JP; 1991-10-11), page 1
  23. Game Power, "Dicembre 1991" (IT; 1991-1x-xx), page 44
  24. GamePro, "August 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 36
  25. Games-X, "29th August-4th September 1991" (UK; 1991-08-29), page 36
  26. Hippon Super, "November 1991" (JP; 1991-10-04), page 91
  27. Joypad, "Octobre 1991" (FR; 1991-09-17), page 48
  28. Joystick, "Septembre 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 170
  29. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 94
  30. Mega Drive Fan, "January 1992" (JP; 1991-12-07), page 101
  31. Mega, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 21
  32. Mega, "May 1994" (UK; 1994-04-21), page 65
  33. MegaTech, "Xmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-06), page 52
  34. Mean Machines, "September 1991" (UK; 1991-08-29), page 66
  35. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 140
  36. Megazone, "August/September 1991" (AU; 1991-xx-xx), page 21
  37. Player One, "Septembre 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 32
  38. Power Play, "11/91" (DE; 1991-10-11), page 150
  39. Power Unlimited, "Nummer 4, November 1993" (NL; 1993-10-27), page 30
  40. Sega Power, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-10-04), page 28
  41. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 67
  42. Sega Opisaniy i sekretov, "14000 Opisaniy i sekretov" (RU; 2003-03-11), page 173
  43. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 87


Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin

Spider-Man vs The Kingpin Title.png

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Spider-Man games for Sega systems
Arcade
Spider-Man: The Videogame (1991)
Sega Mega Drive
Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin (1991) | Spider-Man and the X-Men in Arcade's Revenge (1993) | Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage (1994) | Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1995) | Venom - Spider-Man: Separation Anxiety (1995)
Sega Master System
Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin (1991) | Spider-Man: Return of the Sinister Six (1993)
Sega Game Gear
Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin (1992) | Spider-Man: Return of the Sinister Six (1993) | Spider-Man and the X-Men in Arcade's Revenge (1994)
Sega Mega-CD
Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin (1993)
Sega 32X
Spider-Man: Web of Fire (1996)
Sega Dreamcast
Spider-Man (2001)