Time Gal

From Sega Retro

For the Sega Saturn version, see Time Gal & Ninja Hayate.

n/a

  • Sega Mega-CD
    NTSC-U
  • Sega Mega-CD
    NTSC-J
  • Sega Mega-CD
    PAL
  • Mega LD

TimeGal title.png

TimeGal MCD JP Title.png

TimeGal MCD EU Title.png

TimeGal MLD US title.jpg

Time Gal
System(s): Sega Mega-CD, Sega Mega LD
Publisher:
Sega Mega-CD
Wolf Team (JP)
Sega Mega-CD
Renovation Products (US)
Sega Mega-CD
Sega (EU)
Mega LD
Taito
Developer:
Licensor: Taito
Original system(s): Arcade Boards
Developer(s) of original games: Taito
Genre:
Sega Mega-CD
Action[1]
Mega LD
Game[2]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega-CD
JP
¥7,8007,800 T-32114
Sega Mega-CD
US
$49.9949.99[3][5] T-6214
Sega Mega-CD
EU
4417
Sega Mega-CD
DE
DM 99.0099.00[9] 4417
Sega Mega-CD
FR
4417
Sega Mega-CD
UK
£44.9944.99[6][7] 4417
Mega LD
JP
¥98009800 PEASJ5039
Non-Sega versions

Time Gal (タイムギャル) is a Sega Mega-CD full-motion video comedy adventure game developed by Wolf Team. First published in Japan by Wolf Team themselves in November 1992, the game is a port of the 1985 Taito arcade game Time Gal, an interactive movie produced by Japanese animation studio Toei Animation.

A Sega Mega LD port was later developed courtesy of HighTech Lab. Japan, published in Japan and the United States by Taito in 1995.

Story

The story is set in a fictional future where time travel is being perfected. Just before a televised unveiling of a new time machine, a criminal named Luda steals the time machine with intentions of altering the past to his desires. Reika (referred to as "Time Gal" in the Western manuals) must travel to the different time periods to track down Luda and thwart his plans.

Characters

Time Gal, Characters, Reika.png

Reika
The protagonist and titular "Time Gal." An energetic and cheerful time traveler who is pursuing the criminal Luda through time and space.

Time Gal, Characters, Luda.png

Luda
A time bandit who stole a time device and intends to use it to take over the world by changing history.

Gameplay

Time Gal, Time Stop.png

Time stop

Time Gal, Time Warp.png

Time warp

The gameplay is that of an on-rails FMV action game with quick-time events as established by games such as Dragon's Lair. As the FMV rolls, the player has to react and press a button in time with what is happening. Pressing the D-Pad in any direction moves Reika in that direction, while A, B, or C make her shoot her gun or use whatever weapon she has.

The player has to press the correct button as indicated by the reaction jewels on the border and an audible tone. When all the jewels flash simultaneously, the player must use Reika's weapon. If the player makes a bad move or takes too long to react, a death sequence plays and a life is lost. The harder the difficulty, the less time the player has to press the correct button; on Hard difficulty, the jewels do not flash, so the player must pay attention and see what object flashes in the FMV to make the correct move. At specific points in gameplay, Reika activates a "Time Stop". When this happens, the player is given three choices to make and has seven seconds to make a choice. If the wrong choice is made, the player loses a life. To raise the challenge, the FMV may sometimes be mirrored, reversing the directional inputs.

Scoring is based on how well the player performs as well as the difficulty level. The player scores points for successfully completing reactions. If a level is completed without making a single mistake, the player is awarded a greater bonus. An extra life is awarded at 100,000 points, with additional lives awarded every 200,000 points when playing on the Hard difficulty. When the game is completed, an "All Clear" bonus is awarded, along with an additional 50,000 points for each life remaining. Scores are not saved to the Mega-CD's backup RAM and are lost when the system is turned off.

The game also offers Visual Mode, where players can watch any of the scenes in the game using the passwords awarded after successful completion of each time period, with the ability to watch either the entire level uninterrupted or every possible failure sequence.

Levels

There are 16 levels in the game, each of them taking place in different time periods. The order in which the time periods are played through is different each time, though Reika always starts a new game in a B.C. period, and must work her way through to early A.D. and present day, and then back to the future. As a result of the random progression, the levels are listed here in chronological order.

Time Gal, Time Periods, BC 70,000,000.png

B.C. 70,000,000
Password: BMCFXWRL (US/EU) / DODZILLA (JP) 

Time Gal, Time Periods, BC 65,000,000.png

B.C. 65,000,000
Password: GJRPQVKS (US/EU) / DINOSAUR (JP) 

Time Gal, Time Periods, BC 30,000.png

B.C. 30,000
Password: THMZCYFB (US/EU) / STONEAGE (JP) 

Time Gal, Time Periods, BC 1600.png

B.C. 1600
Password: RYFGSXDK (US/EU) / ELEPHANT (JP) 

Time Gal, Time Periods, BC 44.png

B.C. 44
Password: FTGBDQPW (US/EU) / OSIRIIYA (JP) 

Time Gal, Time Periods, AD 500.png

A.D. 500
Password: VSLCZKTJ (US/EU) / HARDWORK (JP) 

Time Gal, Time Periods, AD 999.png

A.D. 999
Password: CYVZPBMG (US/EU) / DEATHOUL (JP) 
This level is called A.D. 666 in the Japanese version.

Time Gal, Time Periods, AD 1588.png

A.D. 1588
Password: DRXHTLQJ (US/EU) / SOUTHERN (JP) 

Time Gal, Time Periods, AD 1941.png

A.D. 1941
Password: WBMRJZVH (US/EU) / WORLDWAR (JP) 

Time Gal, Time Periods, AD 1991.png

A.D. 1991
Password: SHKXGJWF (US/EU) / LANDMINE (JP) 

Time Gal, Time Periods, AD 2001.png

A.D. 2001
Password: XPTMCSHD (US/EU) / RECKLESS (JP) 

Time Gal, Time Periods, AD 2010.png

A.D. 2010
Password: ZVYFLGQJ (US/EU) / ASTEROID (JP) 

Time Gal, Time Periods, AD 3001.png

A.D. 3001
Password: QWCDHRKT (US/EU) / MURDERER (JP) 

Time Gal, Time Periods, AD 3999.png

A.D. 3999
Password: PLQTVMXY (US/EU) / BRANCHER (JP) 

Time Gal, Time Periods, AD 4000.png

A.D. 4000
Password: LKDWBSYF (US/EU) / STARWARS (JP) 

Time Gal, Time Periods, AD 4001.png

A.D. 4001
Password: KVGPRZCW (US/EU) / THANKYOU (JP) 
This time period is always last and concludes with Reika's showdown with Luda.

History

Legacy

The game was bundled with Ninja Hayate in the Sega Saturn release Time Gal & Ninja Hayate.

Versions

The original arcade version was a LaserDisc game similar to Dragon's Lair. All of the animation frames were redrawn for the Mega-CD release to accommodate its limited color palette. Though other ports of the game are higher-resolution and more faithful to the original, the Mega-CD version remains the only version to be released in Western territories. The Western releases removed some failure sequences where Reika loses articles of clothing.

Production credits

Mega-CD version

Japanese version

Source:
In-game credits (JP)
TimeGal MCD JP SSEnding.pdf
[10]

Overseas version

  • Producers: J.Asanuma, M.Uno
  • Director: K.Iijima
  • Planner: H.Suzuki, H.Ogawa
  • Main Programming: S.Hirachi
  • Sega CD Programing: C.Tokuhiro
  • Visual Directors: T.Okano, T.Konishi
  • Design Supervised by: K.Nagata
  • Graphics by: T.Okano, K.Tazima, M.Matsushima, T.Hamada, M.Yasumori, H.Nakajima, M.Kaneda, Y.Nishitani, M.Kimura, K.Fujita, K.Tajiri, D.Moriyama, K.Ishiguro, M.Andou, Y.Inagaki
  • Opening Music Composed by: S.Tamura
  • Ending Music Composed by: M.Sakuraba
  • Public Relations: Karen Safran, Mitch Kampf, Kenji Goshima
  • U.S. R&D: Kenji Goshima, Corey Tresidder
  • Manual Text: Corey Tresidder
  • Packaging: Modre Pricedesign
  • Translator: Rie Yamada
  • Thanks to: K.Gotou, M.Uchida, T.Kunimatsu, I.Kadowaki, S.Rokumoto, H.Nina, H.Hashimoto
  • Special Thanks to: K.Fukushima
© 1993 Renovation Products
© Taito America Corp.
Source:
In-game credits (US)
Time Gal MCD US credits.pdf
[11]

Mega LD version

  • Game Design by: Hidehiro Fujiwara
  • Soft Program by: Takashi Kuriyama
  • Gal Created by: Hiroaki Satoh, Toshiyuki Nishimura
  • Sound Director: Yosio Imamura
Picture Staff

Magazine articles

Main article: Time Gal/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

TimeGal SCES1993 MCD US Flyer.jpg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (US) #46: "May 1993" (1993-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (JP) #1992-09: "September 1992" (1992-08-08)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (JP) #1992-10: "October 1992" (1992-09-08)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (JP) #1992-11: "November 1992" (1992-10-08)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (JP) #1992-12: "December 1992" (1992-11-07)
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Mega-CD version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
Sega Mega-CD
Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(RU)
50
[12]
(JP) NTSC-J
75
[13]
(US) NTSC-U
75
[14]
(UK)
50
[15]
(JP) NTSC-J
50
[16]
(US)
89
[17]
(IT) NTSC
80
[18]
(US) NTSC-U
90
[19]
(JP) NTSC-J
80
[20]
(JP) NTSC-J
71
[21]
(UK) NTSC-J
71
[22]
(UK) PAL
70
[23]
(FR)
78
[24]
(DE) PAL
68
[25]
(UK) NTSC
59
[26]
(JP) NTSC-J
73
[27]
(UK) NTSC
63
[28]
(UK)
72
[29]
(BR)
75
[30]
(DE)
82
[9]
(UK) PAL
71
[6]
(UK) NTSC-J
86
[31]
(UK) NTSC-J
80
[32]
(UK) NTSC
72
[33]
(JP) NTSC-J
79
[34]
(UK) PAL
60
[35]
(BR)
83
[36]
(ES)
78
[37]
(RU)
80
[38]
(DE) NTSC-U
51
[39]
Sega Mega-CD
72
Based on
30 reviews

Time Gal

Mega-CD, JP
TimeGal MCD JP Box Back.jpgTimeGal MCD JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
TimeGal MCD JP Disc.jpg
Disc
TimeGal MCD JP manual.pdf
Manual
Mega-CD, US
TimeGal MCD US Box Back.jpgTimeGal MCD US Box Front.jpg
Cover
TimeGal MCD US Disc.jpg
Disc
Timegal mcd us manual.pdf
Manual
Mega-CD, EU
TimeGal MCD EU Box Back.jpgTimeGal MCD EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
TimeGal MCD EU Disc.jpg
Disc
TimeGalMegaCDEUManual.PDF
Manual

Mega LD version

Mega LD, JP
Time Gal MegaLD JP Top.jpg
Error creating thumbnail: convert: Insufficient memory (case 4) `/home/sonicret/domains/segaretro.org/public_html/images/3/3c/TimeGal_MLD_JP_Box_Back.jpg' @ error/jpeg.c/JPEGErrorHandler/338. Error code: 1
Time Gal MegaLD JP Spine.jpg
Error creating thumbnail: convert: Insufficient memory (case 4) `/home/sonicret/domains/segaretro.org/public_html/images/7/7c/TimeGal_MLD_JP_Box_Front.jpg' @ error/jpeg.c/JPEGErrorHandler/338. Error code: 1
Cover
Time Gal MegaLD JP Disc SideB.pngTime Gal MegaLD JP Disc SideA.png
Disc
Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/gs: Permission denied convert: no decode delegate for this image format `' @ error/constitute.c/ReadImage/587. convert: no images defined `/home/sonicret/domains/segaretro.org/public_html/images/temp/transform_b3c71cdb2cd2.jpg' @ error/convert.c/ConvertImageCommand/3229.
Manual
Time Gal MegaLD JP Obi.jpg
Obi
Error creating thumbnail: convert: Insufficient memory (case 4) `/home/sonicret/domains/segaretro.org/public_html/images/c/c5/Time_Gal_MegaLD_JP_Front+Obi.jpg' @ error/jpeg.c/JPEGErrorHandler/338. Error code: 1
Front+Obi

Technical information

Main article: Time Gal/Technical information.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 https://sega.jp/fb/segahard/mcd/soft_licensee.html (Wayback Machine: 2019-06-10 17:56)
  2. LA Express, "Vol. 14" (JP; 1996-02), page 4
  3. 3.0 3.1 GamePro, "July 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 65
  4. https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video.sega/c/_LT0HolZKZI/m/OSsf8WHncJMJ
  5. File:TimeGal SCES1993 MCD US Flyer.jpg
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Sega Power, "August 1993" (UK; 1993-07-01), page 50
  7. Mega Power, "February 1994" (UK; 1994-01-20), page 81
  8. Select Round, "Septembre 1993" (FR; 1993-xx-xx), page 2
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 Sega Magazin, "September/Oktober 1993" (DE; 1993-09-01), page 32
  10. File:TimeGal MCD JP SSEnding.pdf
  11. File:Time Gal MCD US credits.pdf
  12. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 243
  13. Beep! MegaDrive, "November 1992" (JP; 1992-10-08), page 29
  14. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "April 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 30
  15. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 126
  16. Famitsu, "1992-11-13,20" (JP; 1992-10-30), page 1
  17. GameFan, "Volume 1, Issue 2: December 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 9
  18. Game Power, "Ottobre 1993" (IT; 1993-xx-xx), page 60
  19. GamePro, "July 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 66
  20. Hippon Super, "November 1992" (JP; 1992-10-03), page 45
  21. Mega Drive Fan, "March 1993" (JP; 1993-02-xx), page 59
  22. Mega, "February 1993" (UK; 1993-01-21), page 42
  23. Mega Action, "August 1993" (UK; 1993-07-15), page 32
  24. Mega Force, "Mega-CD Force: Le Supplément Spécial Mega-CD" (FR; 1993-xx-xx), page 30
  25. Mega Fun, "09/93" (DE; 1993-08-18), page 40
  26. MegaTech, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 60
  27. Marukatsu Mega Drive, "November 1992" (JP; 1992-10-xx), page 107
  28. Mean Machines Sega, "July 1993" (UK; 1993-05-25), page 52
  29. Power Up!, "Saturday, August 21, 1993" (UK; 1993-08-21), page 1
  30. ProGames, "Agosto 1993" (BR; 1993-0x-xx), page 30
  31. Sega Pro, "February 1993" (UK; 1993-01-14), page 62
  32. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 74
  33. Sega Force, "March 1993" (UK; 1993-02-04), page 60
  34. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85
  35. Sonic the Comic, "10th July 1993" (UK; 1993-07-10), page 11
  36. Supergame, "Maio 1993" (BR; 1993-05-xx), page 30
  37. Todo Sega, "Noviembre 1993" (ES; 1993-1x-xx), page 76
  38. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 268
  39. Video Games, "9/93" (DE; 1993-08-25), page 39


Time Gal

TimeGal title.png

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