Theme Park

From Sega Retro

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  • Sega Saturn
    Theme Park
  • Sega Saturn
    NTSC-J
  • Sega Mega Drive
    /
    Sega Mega-CD

Themepark title.png

Themepark Saturn JP SSTitle.png

ThemePark MD TitleScreen.png

Theme Park
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Mega-CD, Sega Saturn
Publisher:
Sega Mega Drive
Sega Saturn
Electronic Arts (US/EU)
Sega Mega-CD
Domark
Sega Saturn
Electronic Arts Victor (JP)
Developer:
Supporting companies:
Distributor:
Sega Mega Drive
SF Interactive Media (SE rental)
Sega Mega Drive
Electronic Arts Australasia (AU)
Sega Mega-CD
Acclaim Entertainment (EU)
Sound driver:
Sega Mega Drive
Images Software/Russel Shaw
Sega Saturn
SCSP/CD-DA (20 tracks)
Genre: Simulation[1][2]

















Number of players: 1
Official in-game languages:
Sega Mega Drive
Sega Mega-CD
  • English
  • Français
  • Deutsch
  • Español
    • Sega Saturn
  • English
  • Français
  • Deutsch
  • Español
  • Svenska
    • Release Date RRP Code
    Sega Mega Drive
    US     		736701
    ESRB: Kids to Adults
    Sega Mega Drive
    US ▼
    (Sega Channel)     		SUBsub
    ESRB: Kids to Adults
    Sega Mega Drive
    EU     		E286SMXI
    ELSPA: 3+ OK
    Sega Mega Drive
    DE     		DM 139.00139.00[6] E286SMXI
    Sega Mega Drive
    UK     		£44.9944.99[4][5] E286SMXI
    ELSPA: 3+ OK
    Sega Mega Drive
    SE
    (rental)
    Sega Mega Drive
    AU
    Sega Mega Drive
    CA ▼
    (Sega Channel)     		SUBsub
    Sega Mega-CD
    EU     		T-88055-50
    ELSPA: 3+ OK
    Sega Mega-CD
    PT
    Sega Mega-CD
    UK     		T-88055-50
    ELSPA: 3+ OK
    Sega Saturn
    JP     		¥5,800 (5,974)5,800e[8] T-10605G
    Sega Saturn
    US     		T-5001H
    ESRB: Kids to Adults
    Sega Saturn
    EU     		T-5001H-50
    E286SSXI
    ELSPA: 3+ OK
    Sega Saturn
    DE     		T-5001H-50
    E286SSXI
    USK: 0
    Sega Saturn
    PT     		STJ308X
    Sega Saturn
    UK     		T-5001H-50
    ELSPA: 3+ OK
    Sega Saturn
    PL
    Non-Sega versions

    Theme Park (テーマパーク) is a management simulator developed by Bullfrog Productions and published by Electronic Arts in 1994. It was released for a variety of systems, including the Sega Mega Drive, Sega Mega-CD, Sega Saturn in the following year.

    From a Sega perspective the game is fairly interesting, as it technically released twice on the Saturn in Japan, first as regular Theme Park seen here, and again as Shin Theme Park, a localised variant. The game was originally designed with a mouse in mind, but none of the Sega ports are compatible with their respective mouse add ons, whether that be the Sega Mouse or Shuttle Mouse.

    Gameplay

    Theme Park was the first successful theme park simulator, and would go on to inspire other Theme games and the RollerCoaster Tycoon series. Players are given a plot of land and are tasked with buying (and creating) rides, as well as organising the general layout of the park, staff and attempting to keep visitors happy without going bankrupt.

    Rides

    All versions

    Monorail
    Bouncy Castle
    Tree House
    Merry-Go-Round
    Rubber Tubing
    Maze
    Roller Coaster
    Super Spinner
    Observatory
    Ghost House
    Plane Flyer
    Big Wheel
    Observation Tower/High Tower
    Pirate Boat
    Flight Sim
    Haunted House/Spooky House

    Mega Drive/Mega-CD exclusive

    Barn Dance
    Worm Hole
    Clown Ride
    Speedway
    Band
    Buzzy Bee
    Octopus
    Subride
    Magic Carpet
    Dolphin Acts

    Saturn exclusive

    These rides aren't in the 16-bit versions, but were in the original IBM PC version, as well as the Saturn.

    Snakes and Ladders
    Planet Rocket
    Clown Acts
    Parasol Chairs
    Race Car Ride
    Cowboy Acts
    Space Shuttle
    Loop the Loop
    Corkscrew

    Shops

    Coffee Shop
    Balloon World
    Mr. Wally Ices
    Big Time Fries
    Pokey Cola
    Duck Shoot/Hook a Duck
    Big Time Burger
    Novelty Shop
    Saloon
    Gun Shoot
    Tin Can Alley/Duck Shoot
    Steak Restaurant/Toy Land
    Coconut Shy
    Race Track
    Arcade

    Features

    Birch Tree
    Tree Stump Fence
    Lamp Post
    White Fence
    Orange Tree
    Apple Tree
    Castle Wall
    Not in the 16-bit versions.
    Privet Hedge
    Not in the 16-bit versions.
    Tropical Bush/Tropics Tree
    Rose Bush
    Weeping Tree
    Palm Tree
    Spooky Tree
    Oak Tree
    Not in the 16-bit versions.
    Outhouse/Toilet Shed
    Lake
    Boggy Crapper/Out House
    Super Toilet
    Centre Fountain

    Staff

    While the Saturn version has five different types of entertainer, the 16-bit versions condense it into one, who looks like a clown.

    ThemePark Saturn Sprite Staff.png
    		 Teddy Man
    ThemePark Saturn Sprite Staff.png
    		 Shark Man
    ThemePark Saturn Sprite Staff.png
    		 Handyman
    ThemePark Saturn Sprite Staff.png
    		 Chicken Man
    ThemePark Saturn Sprite Staff.png
    		 Strong Man
    ThemePark Saturn Sprite Staff.png
    		 Mechanic
    ThemePark Saturn Sprite Staff.png
    		 Rhino Man
    ThemePark Saturn Sprite Staff.png
    		 Guard

    History

    Legacy

    Theme Park would later see a true sequel in the form of the fully 3D Theme Park World (known as Sim Theme Park in North America) in 1999.

    Versions

    Mega Drive version

    The Mega Drive version of Theme Park is stripped back from the IBM PC original, partly due to cartridge space but also a decision to simplify and speed up gameplay. Low level management aspects such as buying shares in rival parks and ordering replacement stock for shops was omitted for the latter reason[12]. In addition, the user no longer has to set patrol zones for staff, with a new AI routine causing them to actively seek out broken rides or rubbish. Rides are also more durable, and are less likely to explode and destroy parts of the park.

    Many of the samples were cut, though roughly 300kB of the ROM is still devoted to sound[13]. The Mega Drive port also adds more rides, bringing the total number to 27. Games cannot be saved in the Mega Drive version, meaning all progress is lost of the console is turned off or reset.

    One trick used in the Mega Drive version to save space was to draw most of the in-game graphics "flat", shifting pixels at runtime to give the illusion of an oblique camera perspective[12]. Snow and desert stages, not seen in the computer versions, were created by changing the palette of the grass[13]. The adviser also only appears when needed, rather than being a permanent feature of the HUD.

    Mega-CD version

    Theme Park on the Mega-CD derives from its Mega Drive incarnation, with an added CD soundtrack and re-introduced full motion video clips. There is still no saving on the Mega-CD - while the idea was discussed, it was ruled out as saves would have required several megabytes - far bigger than what was available with the CD BackUp RAM Cart[14].

    Production credits

    Mega-CD version

    • Designed by: Bullfrog Productions Ltd.
    • FMV Implementation: Interactive Studios
    • Original Sega Programming: Andy Beale
    • Original Sega Producer: Mark Webley
    • Original Sega Graphics: Paul McLaughlin, Chris Hill, Fin McGechie, Mark Healey
    • Original Version: Peter Molyneux, Demis Hassabis
    • Sound & Music: Russell Shaw
    • Sound Implementation: Images Software
    FOR DOMARK SOFTWARE
    • Mega CD Conversion: Jim Blackler
    • FMV Implmentation: Images Software
    • Product Manager: Mark Gilbert
    Source:
    EU manual
    ThemeParkMegaCDEUManual.pdf
    [15]

    Saturn version

    • Designed by: Bullfrog Productions Ltd.
    • Conversion by: Krisalis Software Ltd.
    • Programming by: Simeon Pashley
    • Original Programming by: Peter Molyneux, Demis Hassabis, Mark Webley, Guy Simmns, Mark Lamport, James Robertson, Mike Diskett
    • Graphics and Art Concepts by: Paul McLaughlin, Chris Hill, Fin McGechie, Mike Mann, Mark Healey, Andy Sandham
    • Introduction Sequence designed by: Chris Hill
    • Sound & Music by: Russell Shaw
    • Testing by: Jeff Brutus, Ken Malcolm, Peter Hughes, Robert Byrne, Nick Harper, Matt Sullivan, James Smith
    • Management: Les Edgar
    • PR & Marketing: Cathy Campos, Sean Ratcliffe
    For Electronic Arts
    • Documentation: Matt Miles Griffiths
    • Documentation Layout: Tom Peters
    • Quality Aassurance: Logan Parr
    Source:
    US manual
    Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: 3225196 Done '/usr/bin/gs' '-sDEVICE=jpeg' '-sOutputFile=-' '-dFirstPage=1' '-dLastPage=1' '-dSAFER' '-r150' '-dBATCH' '-dNOPAUSE' '-q' '/home/sonicret/domains/segaretro.org/public_html/images/d/dc/Themepark_sat_us_manual.pdf' 3225197 Segmentation fault | '/usr/bin/convert' '-depth' '8' '-quality' '95' '-resize' '2187' '-' '/home/sonicret/domains/segaretro.org/public_html/images/temp/transform_c34dd5789e16.jpg'
    [16]

    Magazine articles

    Main article: Theme Park/Magazine articles.

    Promotional material

    Main article: Theme Park/Promotional material.

    Physical scans

    Mega Drive version

    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Score Source
    91 №162
    Sega Mega Drive
    		 91
    Based on
    1 review
    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Version Score
    1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
    60
    		[17]
    Consoles + (FR)
    89
    		[18]
    Cool Gamer (RU)
    80
    		[19]
    Digitiser (UK)
    90
    		[20]
    Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
    60
    		[21]
    Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 3 (RU)
    60
    		[22]
    Fusion (US)
    25
    		[23]
    GamesMaster (UK) PAL
    86
    		[24]
    Games World: The Magazine (UK) PAL
    91
    		[25]
    Joypad (FR) PAL
    80
    		[26]
    MAN!AC (DE) PAL
    77
    		[27]
    Mega (UK) PAL
    92
    		[28]
    Mega Fun (DE) PAL
    88
    		[29]
    Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
    93
    		[30]
    Player One (FR)
    88
    		[31]
    Power Unlimited (NL)
    75
    		[32]
    Sega Magazin (DE) PAL
    88
    		[33]
    Sega News (CZ)
    90
    		[34]
    Sega Power (UK) PAL
    93
    		[5]
    Sega Pro (UK) PAL
    91
    		[35]
    Todo Sega (ES)
    92
    		[36]
    Top Consoles (FR)
    75
    		[37]
    Tricks 16 bit (RU)
    79
    		[38]
    Video Games (DE) PAL
    82
    		[39]
    Sega Mega Drive
    		 80
    Based on
    24 reviews

    Theme Park

    Mega Drive, US
    ThemePark MD US Box.jpg
    Cover
    ThemePark MD US-EU Cart.jpg
    Cart
    ThemePark MD US Manual.pdf
    Manual
    Mega Drive, EU (4 Language Manual)
    ThemePark MD EU Box.jpg
    Cover
    ThemePark MD US-EU Cart.jpg
    Cart
    ThemePark MD EU UK Manual.jpg
    Manual
    Mega Drive, EU (5 Language Manual)

    ThemePark MD US-EU Cart.jpg
    Cart
    ThemePark MD EU 5Lang Manual.jpg
    Manual
    Mega Drive, UK (Alton Towers)
    ThemePark MD UK altontowers cover.jpg
    Cover
    ThemePark MD US-EU Cart.jpg
    Cart
    ThemePark MD EU UK Manual.jpg
    Manual
    Mega Drive, FR

    Theme Park MD FR Manual.pdf
    Manual
    Mega Drive, SE (rental; SF)
    ThemePark MD SE rental Box back.jpgThemePark MD SE rental Box spine.jpgThemePark MD SE rental Box.jpg
    Cover

    Mega-CD version

    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Score Source
    {{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
    Based on
    0 review
    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Version Score
    MAN!AC (DE) PAL
    77
    		[40]
    Player One (FR)
    89
    		[41]
    Player One (FR)
    90
    		[42]
    Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
    90
    		[43]
    Sega Power (UK) PAL
    90
    		[44]
    Video Games (DE) PAL
    81
    		[45]
    Sega Mega-CD
    		 86
    Based on
    6 reviews

    Theme Park

    Mega-CD, EU
    ThemePark MCD EU Box Back.jpgThemePark MCD EU Box Front.jpg
    Cover
    ThemePark MCD EU spinecard.jpg
    Spinecard
    ThemePark MCD EU disc.jpg
    Disc
    ThemeParkMegaCDEUManual.pdf
    Manual
    Mega-CD, PT

    Saturn version

    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Score Source
    Sega Saturn
    		 Division by zero.
    Based on
    0 review
    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Version Score
    Consoles + (FR)
    91
    		[46]
    Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
    80
    		[47]
    Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
    75
    		[48]
    Fun Generation (DE)
    80
    		[49]
    GamePro (DE)
    87
    		[50]
    GamePro (UK)
    91
    		[51]
    Gamers (DE) PAL
    87
    		[52]
    Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
    69
    		[53]
    Hobby Consolas (ES) PAL
    90
    		[54]
    MAN!AC (DE) PAL
    80
    		[55]
    Mega Fun (DE) PAL
    89
    		[56]
    Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
    90
    		[57]
    Player One (FR)
    91
    		[58]
    Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J
    69
    		[59]
    Saturn+ (UK) PAL
    89
    		[60]
    Sega News (CZ)
    85
    		[61]
    Sega Power (UK) PAL
    92
    		[62]
    Sega Pro (UK) PAL
    92
    		[63]
    Sega Saturn Magazine (UK)
    90
    		[10]
    Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
    77
    		[64]
    Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
    70
    		[65]
    Total Saturn (UK) PAL
    88
    		[66]
    Sega Saturn
    		 84
    Based on
    22 reviews

    Theme Park

    Saturn, JP
    ThemePark Saturn JP Box Back.jpgThemePark Saturn JP Box Front.jpg
    Cover
    ThemePark Saturn JP Spinecard.jpg
    Spinecard
    ThemePark Saturn JP Disc.jpg
    Disc
    Saturn, US
    ThemePark Saturn US Box Back.jpgThemePark Saturn US Box Front.jpg
    Cover
    ThemePark Sat US disc.jpg
    Disc
    Themepark sat us manual.pdf
    Manual
    Saturn, EU
    ThemePark Saturn EU cover.jpg
    Cover
    ThemePark Saturn EU Disc.jpg
    Disc
    Saturn, DE
    ThemePark Saturn EU Box.jpg
    Cover
    ThemePark Saturn EU Disc.jpg
    Disc
    Saturn, PT
    ThemePark Saturn PT cover.jpg
    Cover
    ThemePark Saturn EU Disc.jpg
    Disc

    Technical information

    Main article: Theme Park/Technical information.

    References

    Necretro-round.svg
    NEC Retro has more information related to Theme Park
    1. ↑ File:ThemePark Saturn JP Box Back.jpg
    2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://sega.jp/fb/segahard/ss/soft_licensee1.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-03-20 23:04)
    3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MERwuwZK9YM (Ghostarchive)
    4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Sega Magazine, "June 1995" (UK; 1995-05-15), page 12
    5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Sega Power, "June 1995" (UK; 1995-04-20), page 34
    6. ↑ Games World Magazin, "" (DE; 1995-0x-xx), page 67
    7. ↑ Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1995-08-28), page 20
    8. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "1995-14 (1995-12-22)" (JP; 1995-12-08), page 26
    9. ↑ https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video.sega/c/T4WkQJmhX1I/m/tnm7n7htwDsJ
    10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Sega Saturn Magazine, "November 1995" (UK; 1995-10-26), page 64
    11. ↑ Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1995-11-06), page 36
    12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Mean Machines Sega, "November 1994" (UK; 1994-09-30), page 30
    13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Mean Machines Sega, "November 1994" (UK; 1994-09-30), page 29
    14. ↑ Interview: Jim Blackler by Segacollection.com
    15. ↑ File:ThemeParkMegaCDEUManual.pdf, page 33
    16. ↑ File:Themepark sat us manual.pdf, page 53
    17. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 242
    18. ↑ Consoles +, "Mai 1995" (FR; 1995-0x-xx), page 108
    19. ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 223
    20. ↑ Digitiser (UK) (1995-06-07)
    21. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 363
    22. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 3, "" (RU; 2000-xx-xx), page 344
    23. ↑ Fusion, "Volume 1, Number 4: November 1995" (US; 1995-1x-xx), page 120
    24. ↑ GamesMaster, "May 1995" (UK; 1995-04-16), page 63
    25. ↑ Games World: The Magazine, "June 1995" (UK; 1995-0x-xx), page 72
    26. ↑ Joypad, "Avril 1995" (FR; 1995-0x-xx), page 91
    27. ↑ MAN!AC, "05/95" (DE; 1995-04-12), page 65
    28. ↑ Mega, "June 1995" (UK; 1995-05-31), page 16
    29. ↑ Mega Fun, "06/95" (DE; 1995-05-24), page 68
    30. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "May 1995" (UK; 1995-03-28), page 18
    31. ↑ Player One, "Mai 1995" (FR; 1995-0x-xx), page 70
    32. ↑ Power Unlimited, "Jaagang 3, Jul/Aug 1995" (NL; 1995-06-28), page 30
    33. ↑ Sega Magazin, "Dezember 1995" (DE; 1995-11-15), page 54
    34. ↑ Sega News, "Leden 1997" (CZ; 1997-xx-xx), page 27
    35. ↑ Sega Pro, "May 1995" (UK; 1995-04-13), page 78
    36. ↑ Todo Sega, "Mayo 1995" (ES; 1995-0x-xx), page 32
    37. ↑ Top Consoles, "Mai 1995" (FR; 1995-0x-xx), page 112
    38. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 26
    39. ↑ Video Games, "10/95" (DE; 1995-09-27), page 78
    40. ↑ MAN!AC, "01/96" (DE; 1995-12-06), page 71
    41. ↑ Player One, "Juillet/Août 1995" (FR; 1995-0x-xx), page 114
    42. ↑ Player One, "Novembre 1995" (FR; 1995-1x-xx), page 140
    43. ↑ Sega Magazine, "July 1995" (UK; 1995-06-15), page 86
    44. ↑ Sega Power, "August 1995" (UK; 1995-06-15), page 46
    45. ↑ Video Games, "10/95" (DE; 1995-09-27), page 106
    46. ↑ Consoles +, "Novembre 1995" (FR; 1995-1x-xx), page 170
    47. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "January 1996" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 40
    48. ↑ Famitsu, "1995-12-29" (JP; 1995-12-15), page 1
    49. ↑ Fun Generation, "06/95" (DE; 1995-0x-xx), page 84
    50. ↑ GamePro, "November 1995" (DE; 1995-10-04), page 74
    51. ↑ GamePro, "March 1996" (UK; 1996-01-25), page 28
    52. ↑ Gamers, "Dezember 1995" (DE; 1995-11-08), page 61
    53. ↑ Game Informer, "December 1995" (US; 1995-1x-xx), page 47
    54. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Enero 1996" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 104
    55. ↑ MAN!AC, "11/95" (DE; 1995-10-11), page 56
    56. ↑ Mega Fun, "01/96" (DE; 1995-12-20), page 72
    57. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "November 1995" (UK; 1995-09-29), page 66
    58. ↑ Player One, "Novembre 1995" (FR; 1995-1x-xx), page 120
    59. ↑ Saturn Fan, "1996 No. 5" (JP; 1996-02-16), page 68
    60. ↑ Saturn+, "Easter/April 1996" (UK; 1996-03-07), page 59
    61. ↑ Sega News, "Leden 1997" (CZ; 1997-xx-xx), page 25
    62. ↑ Sega Power, "December 1995" (UK; 1995-10-19), page 60
    63. ↑ Sega Pro, "November 1995" (UK; 1995-10-05), page 38
    64. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "1995-14 (1995-12-22)" (JP; 1995-12-08), page 204
    65. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "Readers rating final data" (JP; 2000-03), page 15
    66. ↑ Total Saturn, "Volume One Issue Four" (UK; 1996-12-29), page 57


    Theme Park

    Themepark title.png

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