The Lawnmower Man (Mega Drive)

From Sega Retro

For the Sega Mega-CD game, see The Lawnmower Man (Mega-CD).

n/a

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The Lawnmower Man
System(s): Sega Mega Drive
Publisher: Time Warner Interactive[1], Atod[1]
Developer:
Distributor: Ecofilmes (PT)
Licensor: Sales Curve Interactive
Original system(s): Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Sound driver: Teque London/Peter Hennig
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
US
T-48336
Videogame Rating Council: GA
Sega Mega Drive
EU
T-48336-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Mega Drive
PT
MDJ48336
Sega Mega Drive
UK
£44.9944.99[3] T-48336-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Mega Drive
AU
$99.9599.95[5][6] FLAW00SMC
Non-Sega versions
No results

The Lawnmower Man is an action video game based on the movie of the same name. The game features a mixture of 2D action platforming segments and pseudo-3D first-person virtual reality segments. This version of the game was released for the Sega Mega Drive, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and Game Boy, with a different game being released for the Sega Mega-CD and IBM PC computers.

Curiously this game was originally announced as The Lawnmower Man II, many years before the film sequel was released. The numeral was eventually dropped.

A Sega port of a sequel called Cyberwar was announced but never materialised.

Story

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Jobe

Dr. Lawrence Angelo is a scientist working for Virtual Space Industries (VSI) in "Project 5," a secret research facility that attempts to increase the intelligence of primates using psychotropic drugs and virtual reality (VR) training. Dr. Angelo is reluctant to use the research for military purposes, and after one of the chimps escapes and shoots a guard, Dr. Angelo is given a forced vacation. While taking notes on the need for experiment with a human subject, he discovers Jobe Smith, a man with an intellectual disability who makes his living by doing odd jobs such as mowing the grass. Angelo takes in Jobe, subjecting him to VR treatment. The first experiments quickly increase Jobe's intelligence, but after an accident, Dr. Angelo stops the experiments. The Shop, a secret agency overseeing Project 5, reinserts the drugs responsible for Jobe's violent behavior into the program and speeds up the treatment. As Jobe develops telekinetic powers, he starts to take revenge on those who abused him before he began the treatments and plots to take over all of the computers in the world.

Gameplay

Players take control of either Dr. Angelo or Carla Parkette (the mother of Jobe's best friend). Gameplay is split between side-scrolling run-and-gun levels and Virtual Reality sections, which are entered by portals in the platforming levels. Players visit several locations from the movie, such as Harley's Gas 'Er Up and the VSI headquarters. There is a two-player mode, where the side-scrolling levels are played simultaneously but the players take turns playing the Virtual Reality segments. There are three difficulty levels (Easy, Medium, and Hard).

The goal of the run-and-gun levels is to explore the area for a portal to provide access to a Virtual Reality world. Along the way, characters must shoot various enemies and fight bosses. Characters move with Left and Right, duck with Down, and jump with B. Characters fire their main guns with A. The guns fire a tall spread of bullets. They are also armed with "bit stream weapons," a more powerful shot that can be charged by holding C and fired by releasing. The characters collect weapon upgrades or data discs by shooting enemies and certain objects in the levels. Though enemies require multiple hits to destroy, a character loses a life when hit only one time, whether by a weapon or by contact with the enemy. The character respawns immediately if the player has extra lives remaining. Once the player has collected a number of data discs, the discs morph into a Virtual Cyber Suit that gives the character protection from one hit. Falling into bottomless pits in the warehouse levels causes the character to respawn on the nearest platform without costing a life.

The Virtual Reality segments are 3D segments based on the CG sequences of the movie. Players have no control over the forward momentum of their characters in these sections, with the D-Pad used to move in any direction. There are three different types of Virtual Reality segments. The Virtual World uses a first-person perspective, and the objective is to dodge obstacles such as trees and arches to get to the exit. Cyber War is similar to Virtual World but stops at set points to shoot "battle chimps." Cyber Run and Cyber Tube are set in the third person and involve fast travel through a VR environment and occasional shooting of obstacles. Shooting is done with A, B, or C. In all segments, players have a limited number of hit points and lose a life and restart the section upon losing all of them.

Players start the game with three continues with three lives each. There is no penalty for using a continue (characters restart from the same point as if they only lost a life, and the player's score is not reset).

Items

These items are found in the platforming levels.

Lawnmower Man MD, Items.png
Compact Disc
Increases the Data Encryption level (a gauge seen next to the player's lives). Once the gauge reaches the green section, the discs morph into a Virtual Cyber Suit that protects the character from a hit.
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Extra Life
Gives the player an extra life.
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Energize
Temporarily grants the character invincibility and causes the character's gun to disintegrate enemies.
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Increase Firepower
Increases the damage and density of the character's weapon fire.
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Homing Bullets
Changes the character's weapon to a shot that seeks enemies.
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Pulse Weapon
Changes the character's weapon to a shot that resembles a digital signal.
Lawnmower Man MD, Items.png
Rear-Firing Bullet
Changes the character's weapon to a shot that shoots to the rear.
Lawnmower Man MD, Items.png
Rover
Changes the character's weapon to a large, ring-shaped shot. The rings close in on enemies upon contact.
Lawnmower Man MD, Items.png
Smart Bomb
Explodes in a radius that destroys any enemies it touches.
Lawnmower Man MD, Items.png
Lawnmower Man MD, Items.png
Score Multiplier
Adds to the player's score multiplier (seen in between the Data Encryption gauge and the score). Any points earned are multiplied by this number.

Objects

These objects are found in the platforming levels.

Lawnmower Man MD, Objects.png
Lawnmower Man MD, Objects.png
Portal
Ends the platforming level and enters a Virtual Reality section. Shoot to change from "Access Denied" to "Access Granted," then enter by pressing Up when standing over it.
Lawnmower Man MD, Objects.png
Computer Terminal
Provides access to a mini-game that awards power-ups if successfully completed. Enter by pressing Up when standing in front of it.

Levels

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Industrial Zone

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Suburbia 1

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Virtual Atlantis

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Suburbia 2

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Cyberwar Zone 1

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Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 6 Boss 1.png

Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 6 Boss 2.png

  • Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 6.png

  • Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 6 Boss 1.png

  • Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 6 Boss 2.png

Suburbia 3

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Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 7-2.png

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  • Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 7-1.png

  • Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 7-2.png

  • Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 7-3.png

The Cyber Run

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Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 8 Boss 1.png

Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 8 Boss 2.png

  • Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 8.png

  • Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 8 Boss 1.png

  • Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 8 Boss 2.png

VSI Warehouse 1

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Cyber Dusk

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The Roof

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VSI Warehouse 2

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Concrete Jungle

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Cyberwar Zone 2

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Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 14 Boss.png

Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 15.png

Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 15 Boss.png

  • Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 14.png

  • Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 14 Boss.png

  • Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 15.png

  • Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 15 Boss.png

VSI Warehouse 3

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Cyber Office

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Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 18 Boss.png

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  • Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 17.png

  • Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 18 Boss.png

  • Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 18.png

The Shop 1

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Cyber Egypt

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Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 20 Boss 3.png

  • Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 20 Boss 1.png

  • Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 20 Boss 2.png

  • Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 21.png

  • Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 20 Boss 3.png

The Shop 2

Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 22.png

Cyberwar Zone 3

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The Shop 3

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Cosmic City

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The Shop 4

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  • Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 26-1.png

  • Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 26-2.png

  • Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 26-3.png

  • Lawnmower Man MD, Stage 26-4.png

The Cyber Tube

Lawnmower Man MD, Final Boss.png

Cyber Jobe

Computer terminals

There are several computer terminals found in the platforming levels that can be entered to play a mini-game, resembling an IQ test. The tests require completing a pattern of shapes or numbers in the top row by selecting a tile on the bottom row (using Left and Right to choose a tile and A, B, or C to select it). The tests are timed; choosing correctly adds more time while choosing incorrectly costs time. There are five tests in all.

If the player is successful, the character is returned to the platforming level and the terminal is destroyed, releasing a cache of power-ups (including an extra life). Otherwise, if the player runs out of time, the test ends with no reward given.

Lawnmower Man MD, Computer Terminal 1.png

Shapes 1
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Lawnmower Man MD, Computer Terminal 2.png

Shapes 2
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Lawnmower Man MD, Computer Terminal 3.png

Numbers
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Production credits

  • Game Designer: Simon Pick
  • Programmers: Kev Brady, Chris Nilsson, Kevin Parker
  • Graphic Artist: Rob Whittaker, Porl Perrot
  • Original Music and Sound Effects: Allister Brimble
  • SEGA Music and Sound Effects: Teque London
  • Producer: Sean Kelly
  • Executive Producers: Jane Cavanagh, Rob Henderson
  • Play Testers: Chris Lipscombe, Matt Sansom, Mike Wolliston, Rob Boone, Nick Ryan
  • TWI Producer: Ken Humphries
  • Manual Editing: Jon Mongelluzzo
  • Manual Design: Beeline Group
Source:
US manual
Lawnmowerman MD US Manual.pdf
[7]


Magazine articles

Main article: The Lawnmower Man (Mega Drive)/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) #65: "December 1994" (1994-xx-xx)
also published in:
  • GamePro (US) #66: "January 1995" (199x-xx-xx)[8]
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Mean Machines Sega (UK) #26: "December 1994" (1994-10-28)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Velikiy Drakon (RU) #33: "xxxx xxxx" (1997-08-07)
also published in:
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
[12]
Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US) NTSC-U
58
[13]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
60
[14]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
70
[15]
Game Players (US) NTSC-U
75
[16]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
75
[17]
Games World: The Magazine (UK)
67
[18]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
65
[19]
Joypad (FR)
83
[20]
MAN!AC (DE) PAL
65
[21]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
47
[22]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
73
[23]
Play Time (DE) PAL
35
[24]
Sega Magazin (DE)
58
[25]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
68
[26]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
74
[27]
Todo Sega (ES)
66
[28]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
74
[29]
Video Games (DE) PAL
52
[30]
VideoGames (US) NTSC-U
80
[31]
Sega Mega Drive
66
Based on
20 reviews

The Lawnmower Man (Mega Drive)

Mega Drive, US
LawnmowerMan MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Lawnmowerman MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Lawnmowerman MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
Lawnmowerman MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
LawnmowerMan MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Lawnmower Man MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
LawnmowerMan MD EU pcb.jpg
PCB
Mega Drive, PT
LawnmowerMan MD PT cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, PT (alt)
LawnmowerMan MD PT alt cover.jpg
Cover
LawnmowerMan MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Lawnmower Man MD PT Manual.jpg
Manual
Lawnmower Man MD EU Manual.jpg
EU Manual
Mega Drive, AU
LawnmowerMan MD AU Box.jpg
Cover
LawnmowerMan MD AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Lawnmower Man MD AU Manual.jpg
Manual

Technical information

Main article: The Lawnmower Man (Mega Drive)/Technical information.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Atod
  2. Game Players, "Vol. 7 No. 10 October 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 12
  3. 3.0 3.1 Computer & Video Games, "August 1994" (UK; 1994-07-15), page 46
  4. Sega Power, "September 1994" (UK; 1994-08-04), page 29
  5. 5.0 5.1 File:NewReleases 1994-11 AU Catalogue.pdf, page 13
  6. Sega Megazone, "January 1995" (AU; 199x-xx-xx), page 26
  7. File:Lawnmowerman MD US Manual.pdf, page 12
  8. GamePro, "January 1995" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 147
  9. Velikiy Drakon, "xxxx xxxx" (RU; 1997-09-01), page 2
  10. Velikiy Drakon, "xxxx xxxx" (RU; 1997-10-18), page 78
  11. Velikiy Drakon, "xxxx xxxx" (RU; 1997-12-07), page 89
  12. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 113
  13. Electronic Games (1992-1995), "December 1994" (US; 1994-1x-xx), page 166
  14. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "November 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 46
  15. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 325
  16. Game Players, "Vol. 7 No. 10 October 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 113
  17. GamePro, "December 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 136
  18. Games World: The Magazine, "February 1995" (UK; 1994-12-xx), page 15
  19. Hobby Consolas, "Marzo 1995" (ES; 1995-xx-xx), page 118
  20. Joypad, "Novembre 1994" (FR; 1994-1x-xx), page 57
  21. MAN!AC, "12/94" (DE; 1994-11-09), page 84
  22. Mega Fun, "12/94" (DE; 1994-11-23), page 124
  23. Mean Machines Sega, "November 1994" (UK; 1994-09-30), page 92
  24. Play Time, "12/94" (DE; 1994-11-09), page 106
  25. Sega Magazin, "Dezember 1994" (DE; 1994-11-17), page 83
  26. Sega Power, "December 1994" (UK; 1994-10-20), page 82
  27. Sega Pro, "December 1994" (UK; 1994-11-03), page 76
  28. Todo Sega, "Mayo 1995" (ES; 1995-0x-xx), page 50
  29. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 18
  30. Video Games, "12/94" (DE; 1994-11-23), page 94
  31. VideoGames, "December 1994" (US; 1994-1x-xx), page 128


The Lawnmower Man (Mega Drive)

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