The Terminator (Mega-CD)

From Sega Retro

For the Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear games, see The Terminator.

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Terminator MCD title.png

The Terminator
System(s): Sega Mega-CD
Publisher: Virgin Games
Developer:
Licensor: Hemdale Film Corporation, Bethesda Softworks
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega-CD
US 		$52.9952.99[1] T-70015
Videogame Rating Council: MA-13
Sega Mega-CD
EU 		T-70015-50
BBFC: Parental Guidance (PG)
Sega Mega-CD
DE 		DM 119.95119.95[7] T-70015-50
Sega Mega-CD
UK 		£44.9944.99[5][6] T-70015-50
BBFC: Parental Guidance (PG)
Sega Mega-CD
AU 		FTER03SMR
OFLC: G8

The Terminator is a Sega Mega-CD action platform game developed and published by Virgin Games. Based on the 1984 film The Terminator, the game was released in June 1993 to positive reception, particularly in regards to composer Tommy Tallarico's soundtrack. The game is based on the Mega Drive version, but it has been significantly reworked and is substantially longer.

The game was a standout title for both Virgin Games and the Sega Mega-CD platform, and was praised for its detailed graphics and animation, its memorable soundtrack, and the inclusion of digitized scenes from the original film.

Story

Terminator CD, Cutscene.png

Cutscene

The game follows the story of the film. In the future, man and machine are locked in an existential war with one another. Skynet, the artificial intelligence controlling the machines and trying to eradicate the human race, sends a cyborg assassin back in time to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor, the mother of resistance leader John Connor. John Connor, in turn, sends soldier Kyle Reese back in time to find Sarah first and protect her.

Gameplay

The Terminator is a run-and-gun platform game where the player plays as the time-traveling soldier Kyle Reese. The early levels are set in the apocalyptic future of 2029 during the war between humanity and the machines. At the end of the Skynet stages, Reese travels back in time to Los Angeles in 1984.

Reese is moved with Left and Right. He is armed with a rifle with unlimited ammunition that is fired with B. The rifle can be upgraded by finding weapon power-ups throughout the stages. In both time periods, the rifle is initially single-shot but all of the upgraded weapons can be rapidly fired by holding the button. He throws grenades in 2029 and pipe bombs in 1984 with A. These weapons are limited in quantity but can be found as item pick-ups. He kneels with Down and jumps with C. He climbs ladders with Up and descends them with Down. All weapons can be used while crouching, jumping, running, or on ladders. The rifle can also be fired in the upward diagonal directions when standing or the downward diagonal directions when on a ladder. Reese also controls elevators with Up and Down.

Reese has a health gauge, which can be replenished by finding health pick-ups. Reese takes damage from enemies, hazards, and falling from great heights. He loses a life if he loses all of his health, though extra lives can be found throughout the stages as well. The game ends if the player runs out of lives. There are no continues and no save or password system.

Items

Terminator CD, Items.png
 Partial Health Pack
Replenishes a quarter of Reese's health gauge.
Terminator CD, Items.png
 Full Health Pack
Fully replenishes Reese's health gauge.
Terminator CD, Items.png
 Flak Vest
Temporary shields Reese from damage.
Terminator CD, Items.png
 1-Up
Awards the player with an extra life.
Terminator CD, Items.png
 Bomb Canister
Gives Reese three more grenades or pipe bombs.
Terminator CD, Items.png
 Node
Checkpoint where Reese is revived after losing a life.

Weapons

2029

Terminator CD, Weapons.png
 Repeater Rifle
An improved version of the standard rifle that has continuous fire. Found in the Human Outpost stage.
Terminator CD, Weapons.png
 Battle Rifle
Shoots fewer but stronger shots. Found near the end of the Skynet Base 1 stage.

1984

Terminator CD, Weapons.png
 M15 CAW
An improved version of the standard rifle that has continuous fire. Found in the City Streets stage.
Terminator CD, Weapons.png
 M205
Shoots fewer but stronger shots. Found in the TechNoir Bar stage.
Terminator CD, Weapons.png
 Flame Thrower
Powerful weapon that hurls balls of fire. Found in the Cyberdyne Factory 1 stage.
Terminator CD, Weapons.png
 Grenade Launcher
Slow-firing weapon that lobs grenades. Found near the end of the Cyberdyne Factory 2 stage.

Stages

Terminator CD, Stage 1.png

Human Outpost

Terminator CD, Stage 2.png

Terminator CD, Stage 2 Boss.png

  • Terminator CD, Stage 2.png

  • Terminator CD, Stage 2 Boss.png

Holocaust L.A.

Terminator CD, Stage 3.png

Terminator CD, Stage 3 Boss.png

  • Terminator CD, Stage 3.png

  • Terminator CD, Stage 3 Boss.png

Skynet Base 1

Terminator CD, Stage 4.png

Terminator CD, Stage 4 Boss.png

  • Terminator CD, Stage 4.png

  • Terminator CD, Stage 4 Boss.png

Skynet Base 2

Terminator CD, Stage 5.png

City Streets

Terminator CD, Stage 6.png

Terminator CD, Stage 6 Boss.png

  • Terminator CD, Stage 6.png

  • Terminator CD, Stage 6 Boss.png

City Rooftops

Terminator CD, Stage 7.png

Terminator CD, Stage 7 Boss.png

  • Terminator CD, Stage 7.png

  • Terminator CD, Stage 7 Boss.png

TechNoir Bar

Terminator CD, Stage 8.png

Terminator CD, Stage 8 Boss.png

  • Terminator CD, Stage 8.png

  • Terminator CD, Stage 8 Boss.png

Police Station

Terminator CD, Stage 9.png

Terminator CD, Stage 9 Boss.png

  • Terminator CD, Stage 9.png

  • Terminator CD, Stage 9 Boss.png

Cyberdyne Factory 1

Terminator CD, Stage 10.png

Terminator CD, Stage 10 Boss.png

  • Terminator CD, Stage 10.png

  • Terminator CD, Stage 10 Boss.png

Cyberdyne Factory 2

Music and sound

The game has been particularly praised for its soundtrack, which was composed by Tommy Tallarico and includes hard rock, pop, and techno music.


“ If you played The Terminator CD, the graphics were still very much 16-bit-looking and the music you'd hear would be like music on the radio or on an album – and it was a bit jarring. So I would get into screaming matches with the producers because they told me they didn't want that proper music in the game. They said it doesn't sound like a videogame and I said exactly – it doesn't have to any more! „

— Tommy Tallarico[8]


The game uses QSound. The developers were given the rights to use the Terminator theme but not the original recording, so it was re-recorded in MIDI for the game.

Production credits

The game divides its credits into two: the main developers are listed in the introduction, while assistant staff are listed in the end credits.

  • Developed by: Virgin Games
  • Programmed by: Salias Warner
  • Script: Erik Yeo, Justin Norr
  • Set Design: Nick Bruty, Kevin Toft
  • Character Design: Doug Cope, Roger Hardy, Clark Sorensen
  • Original Music: Tommy Tallarico
  • Video and Sound: Steve Henifin
  • Original Concept: Dave Perry
  • Producers: Tom Gibson, Barry Pringle
Source:
In-game credits (opening)
Terminator MCD opening credits.pdf
[9]
  • Design Assistance: Justin Norr, Kevin Norr, Mark Yamada
  • Programming Assistance: John Alvaardo, Matt From, David Perry
  • Artists: Mike Dietz, Shawn Maclean, Barry J.S. Pringle, Dean Ruggles, Edward Schofield, Bob Steele, Bob Stevenson, Daniel Wong, Willis Wong
  • Quality Assurance: Mike McCaa, Chris McFarland, Jared Brinkley, David Fries, Bijan Shaheer, Harvard Bonin, Nick Camerota, Susan Haight, Erik Harshman, Ken Love, Paul Moore, Chad Soares, Chris Toft, Jon Williams, Noah Tool, Tim Williams
  • Executive Producers: Doc Clarke-Willson, Guy Johnson, David Bishop
  • Production: Seth Mandlesohn, Craig Warmsley, Jeff Buccellato, Kevin Norr
  • Produced With: ROM DevBios from Malibu Interactive
Music Mixed in QSound™ by Buzz Borrowes
©1993 Virgin Games USA.
Source:
In-game credits (ending)
Terminator MCD ending credits.pdf
[10]

Magazine articles

Main article: The Terminator (Mega-CD)/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (US) #14: "August/September 1993" (1993-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (US) #51: "October 1993" (1993-xx-xx)
also published in:
  • (US) #15: "October/November 1993" (1993-xx-xx)[11]
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (US) #57: "April 1994" (1994-xx-xx)
also published in:
  • (US) #57: "April 1994" (1994-xx-xx)[12]
  • (US) #0705: "Vol. 7 No. 5 May 1994" (1994-0x-xx)[13]
  • (US) #58: "May 1994" (1994-xx-xx)[14]
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
(BR)
69
[15]
(IT) PAL
84
[16]
(FR)
87
[17]
(US) NTSC-U
62
[18]
(US) NTSC-U
83
[1]
(FR) PAL
86
[19]
(DE) PAL
68
[20]
(UK) PAL
67
[21]
(FR)
85
[22]
(UK) PAL
69
[23]
(FR)
80
[24]
(UK) PAL
58
[25]
(UK) PAL
65
[26]
(FR)
92
[27]
(DE) NTSC-U
54
[28]
(US) NTSC-U
80
[29]
Sega Mega-CD
 74
Based on
16 reviews

The Terminator (Mega-CD)

Mega-CD, US
TheTerminator MCD US Box Back.jpgTheTerminator MCD US Box Front.jpg
Cover
TheTerminator MCD US Disc.jpg
Disc
Terminator mcd us manual.pdf
Manual
Mega-CD, EU
TheTerminator MCD EU Box Back.jpgTheTerminator MCD EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
TheTerminator MCD EU Disc.jpg
Disc
TerminatorMegaCDEUManual.pdf
Manual
Mega-CD, AU
TheTerminator MCD AU back.jpgNospine-small.pngTheTerminator MCD AU front.jpg
Cover

Technical information

Main article: The Terminator (Mega-CD)/Technical information.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 GamePro, "June 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 64
  2. ↑ Mega Play, "June 1993" (US; 1993-0x-xx), page 44
  3. ↑ Sega Force Mega, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-16), page 8
  4. ↑ Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1994-03-07), page 17
  5. ↑ Mega, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-16), page 45
  6. ↑ Mega Power, "May 1994" (UK; 1994-04-21), page 61
  7. ↑ Video Games, "9/93" (DE; 1993-08-25), page 43
  8. ↑ https://www.retrogamer.net/profiles/developer/tommy-tallarico/
  9. ↑ File:Terminator MCD opening credits.pdf
  10. ↑ File:Terminator MCD ending credits.pdf
  11. ↑ Sega Visions, "October/November 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 36
  12. ↑ GamePro, "April 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 25
  13. ↑ Game Players, "Vol. 7 No. 5 May 1994" (US; 1994-0x-xx), page 23
  14. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "May 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 209
  15. ↑ Ação Games, "Março 1994" (BR; 1994-03-01), page 28
  16. ↑ Console Mania, "Aprile 1994" (IT; 1994-0x-xx), page 94
  17. ↑ Consoles +, "Avril 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 112
  18. ↑ Game Players, "Vol. 7 No. 3 March 1994" (US; 1994-0x-xx), page 50
  19. ↑ Joypad, "Avril 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 98
  20. ↑ MAN!AC, "04/94" (DE; 1994-03-09), page 39
  21. ↑ Mega, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-16), page 44
  22. ↑ Mega Force, "Avril 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 76
  23. ↑ MegaTech, "February 1994" (UK; 1994-01-20), page 64
  24. ↑ Player One, "Avril 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 98
  25. ↑ Sega Power, "February 1994" (UK; 1994-01-06), page 74
  26. ↑ Sega Zone, "February 1994" (UK; 1994-01-27), page 63
  27. ↑ Supersonic, "Avril 1994" (FR; 1994-xx-xx), page 16
  28. ↑ Video Games, "3/94" (DE; 1994-02-23), page 76
  29. ↑ VideoGames, "April 1994" (US; 1994-0x-xx), page 82


The Terminator (Mega-CD)

Terminator MCD title.png

Main page | Comparisons | Maps | Hidden content | Magazine articles | Reception | Technical information


Sega Mega-CD
Prototypes: 1993-05-11



RoboCop and Terminator franchise games for Sega systems
Sega Mega Drive
 The Terminator (1992) | T2: The Arcade Game (1992) | RoboCop 3 (1993) | Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1993) | RoboCop Versus The Terminator (1993)
Sega Master System
 The Terminator (1992) | T2: The Arcade Game (1993) | RoboCop 3 (1993) | Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1993) | RoboCop Versus The Terminator (1994)
Sega Game Gear
 The Terminator (1992) | T2: The Arcade Game (1993) | RoboCop 3 (1993) | Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1993) | RoboCop Versus The Terminator (1994)
Sega Mega-CD
 The Terminator (1993)
Pinball
 RoboCop (1989)
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