Vectorman

From Sega Retro

n/a

Vectorman.png

Vectorman
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Virtual Console, Steam, RealOne Arcade, Android, iOS
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Distributor:
Sega Mega Drive
Majesco Sales (US Mega Hit Series re-release)
Sound driver: GEMS
Genre: Action[1]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
US
$59.9959.99[4] 1577
ESRB: Kids to Adults
Sega Mega Drive
US
(Mega Hit)
$19.9919.99[5] 1577
ESRB: Kids to Adults
Sega Mega Drive
EU
1577-50
Sega Mega Drive
DE
DM 119119 1577-50
Sega Mega Drive
PT
MDJ1577
Sega Mega Drive
UK
£49.9949.99[6] 1577-50
Sega Mega Drive
GR
Sega Mega Drive
AU
FVEC00SMC
OFLC: G8
Sega Mega Drive
BR
046930
Tectoy: Todas as Idades
Wii Virtual Console
JP
600pts600[12]
CERO: A
Wii Virtual Console
US
800pts800[7]
ESRB: Everyone
Wii Virtual Console
EU
800pts800[8]
PEGI: 7+
Wii Virtual Console
AU
800pts800[10]
OFLC: Parental Guidance (PG)
RealOne Arcade
US
Steam
US
$2.992.99[15] 34280
ESRB: Everyone
Steam
EU
€2.492.49[15] 34280
PEGI: 7+
Steam
DE
€2.492.49[15] 34280
USK: 6
Steam
UK
£1.991.99[15] 34280
PEGI: 7+
Steam
AU
$3.493.49[15] 34280
OFLC: Parental Guidance (PG)
Steam Linux
US
$0.990.99[17] 34280
ESRB: Everyone
Steam Linux
EU
€0.990.99[17] 34280
PEGI: 7+
Steam Linux
DE
€0.990.99[17] 34280
USK: 6
Steam Linux
UK
£0.790.79[17] 34280
PEGI: 7+
Steam Linux
AU
$1.351.35[17] 34280
OFLC: Parental Guidance (PG)
Steam OS X
US
$0.990.99[17] 34280
ESRB: Everyone
Steam OS X
EU
€0.990.99[17] 34280
PEGI: 7+
Steam OS X
DE
€0.990.99[17] 34280
USK: 6
Steam OS X
UK
£0.790.79[17] 34280
PEGI: 7+
Steam OS X
AU
$1.351.35[17] 34280
OFLC: Parental Guidance (PG)
Google Android OS
US
(Sega Forever)
FREEfree
ESRB: Everyone
Google Android OS
EU
(Sega Forever)
FREEfree
PEGI: 7+
Google Android OS
DE
(Sega Forever)
FREEfree
USK: 6
Google Android OS
AU
(Sega Forever)
FREEfree
OFLC: Parental Guidance (PG)
iOS
US
(Sega Forever)
FREEfree
12+
iOS
EU
(Sega Forever)
FREEfree
12+

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Vectorman (ベクターマン) is a Sega Mega Drive action platform game developed by BlueSky Software and published by Sega. First released in the United States in October 1995, it is best known for constructing its characters with spherical sprites to simulate three-dimensional animation, and has been frequently rereleased in a number of first-party Sega game collections.

Blurb

By the year 2049 Earth has been turned into a toxic waste dump! Humankind has fled into space leaving behind an army of mechanized "Orbots" to clean up the mess! But when the Orbot leader, WarHead, goes haywire and starts a robot revolt, only a lonely sludge barge pilot named VECTORMAN can pull the plug!


  • VectorMan can morph! Change into a speeding train, a power drill, mechanical fish, or a dune buggy gone berserk.


  • Overthrow the Orbots with awesome weapon power-ups like Shockwave, Bolo, and Orb.


  • The best graphics yet on Genesis! - Eye-popping 3D effects and silky-smooth animation!

US box[19]


Story

In 2049, the human population of Earth embarks on a migratory voyage to try to colonize other planets. They leave mechanical "orbots" to clean up the mess they made on Earth through littering and pollution. Raster, a high-level orbot who watches Earth through a planetwide computer network, is accidentally attached to a working nuclear missile by a lesser orbot and goes insane, becoming an evil dictator named Warhead. He declares himself ruler of Earth, and begins preparing to execute any humans who dare return to their planet.

Enter Vectorman, a humble orbot in charge of cleaning up toxic sludge by simply discharging it into the sun. As he lands on Earth after his last trip, he finds chaos and confusion. Because all the other Orbots are controlled by Warhead (Vectorman having not been affected because he was away), Vectorman takes it upon himself to destroy the errant orbot and restore peace to Earth.

Gameplay

The game itself is a straightforward 2D action platformer. Vectorman is an orbot (something like a robot) powered with a ball gun in his hand; powerups include a machine gun, "bolo" gun, and triple-fire guns. A and B both shoot and C jumps. C twice will launch Vectorman into a brief boost.

Vectorman possesses the ability to transform, through the use of powerups, into several different forms: including a drill, to cut through floors; a bomb, to destroy all surrounding enemies or breakable walls; and an aquatic form, useful for swimming underwater. In addition to powerup transformations, 3 levels host unique morphed forms with which to combat bosses in. Overall, the game consists of 16 levels.

Stages

Vectorman MD stage1.png

Vectorman MD stage1boss.png

Day 1: Terraport

Vectorman MD stage2.gif

Notavailable.svg

Day 2: Metalhead

Vectorman MD stage3.png

Notavailable.svg

Day 3: Tidal Surge

Vectorman MD stage4.png

Vectorman MD stage4boss.png

Day 4: Absolute Zero

Vectorman MD stage5.gif

Notavailable.svg

Day 5: Arctic Ridge

Vectorman MD stage6.png

Notavailable.svg

Day 6: Bamboo Mill

Vectorman MD stage7.png

Notavailable.svg

Day 7: Rock 'N' Roller

Notavailable.svg

Notavailable.svg

Day 8: Death Alley

Notavailable.svg

Vectorman MD stage9boss.png

Day 9: Hydroponic Lab

Vectorman MD stage10.gif

Notavailable.svg

Day 10: Superstructure

Vectorman MD stage11.gif

Notavailable.svg

Day 11: Stayin' Alive

Vectorman MD stage12.gif

Notavailable.svg

Day 12: Nightscape

Vectorman MD stage13.gif

Notavailable.svg

Day 13: Dark Ruins

Vectorman MD stage14.gif

Vectorman MD stage14boss.gif

Day 14: Underground Vault

Vectorman MD stage15.gif

Notavailable.svg

Day 15: Worldlink Center

Vectorman MD stage16.gif

Vectorman MD stage16boss.gif

Day 16: Twist and Shout

Vectorman MD bonusstage.gif

Bonus Stage

History

Prerelease

Release

In North America, special randomly distributed copies of Vectorman have a special "you win" screen at the end of the game, along with a phone number which could be called and an address. If consumers sent these special cartridges back to Sega of America before July 31st, 1996, they would receive prizes - one $25,000 prize (won by Keolamanaokalahuinui "Keola" Kaula of Albuquerque[4]), ten £10,000 prizes or one of ninety Sega Saturn systems[20].

Vectorman was both a critical and commercial success, and was re-released in North America as part of the Mega Hit Series. It was acclaimed for its gameplay, level design and 3d graphics, and a great techno soundtrack.

Legacy

Vectorman was not originally released in Japan, with its debut in the country coming through the PC compilation Sega Archives From USA Vol.1. It was released on the Wii Virtual Console on February 27, 2007 in Japan and April 5, 2007 in Europe, and in North America on September 22, 2008. In accordance with Nintendo's modern anti-seizure policies, this release has been patched to alter the flashing of certain elements, most notably the quick strobing displayed when destroying an in-game television.[21] A PC conversion was reportedly announced in 1996[22] but never materialised.

Sonic Gems Collection has both Vectorman and its sequel as unlockable games. Vectorman can be unlocked by playing the compilation for at least 5 hours or by having a save file of Sonic Heroes or Sonic Mega Collection on the memory card. Both games were the only bonus titles to be kept on the international versions of the collection.

Sega Mega Drive Collection also features Vectorman and its sequel, this time as games available without the need for unlocking. Sega Mega Drive Ultimate Collection also contains the game.

A sequel, Vectorman 2 was produced for the Sega Mega Drive, and was released in 1996.

Although BlueSky Software, the original developer of both Vectorman games closed in 2001, a Vectorman game for the PlayStation 2 was announced in 2003 but was soon cancelled.

Vectorman was at one point planned to be made into a 3D animated movie by Ideal Entertainment, with a tentative release date of late 1997[23]. This never materialised.

Versions

Version history

Main article: Vectorman/Changelog.
System Version Size Date Comment Ref Icon
Google Android OS
0000040000010000000000000000004.1.0 57MB 201912032019-12-03 [1] Vectorman Android icon 410.png
Download.svg (info) (56.77 MB)
Google Android OS
0000020000000000010000000000002.0.1 45MB 201906032019-06-03 [24] Vectorman Android icon 110.png
Download.svg (info) (45.48 MB)
Google Android OS
0000020000000000000000000000002.0.0 45MB 201901312019-01-31 [25] Vectorman Android icon 110.png
Download.svg (info) (44.66 MB)
Google Android OS
0000010000010000010000000000001.1.1 44MB 201810312018-10-31 [26] Vectorman Android icon 110.png
Download.svg (info) (43.98 MB)
Google Android OS
0000010000010000000000000000001.1.0 42MB 201806202018-06-20 [27] Vectorman Android icon 110.png
Download.svg (info) (41.96 MB)
iOS
0000040000010000000000000000004.1.0 145.3MB 201912122019-12-12 [28]
iOS
0000020000000000020000000000002.0.2 201906032019-06-03
iOS
0000020000000000000000000000002.0.0 201901312019-01-31
iOS
0000010000040000000000000000001.4.0 140MB 201810312018-10-31 [29]
iOS
0000010000010000000000000000001.1.0 133.7MB 201806202018-06-20 [30]

Downloadable content

Main article: Vectorman/Downloadable content.

Production credits

BlueSky Software
Sega

Uncredited


Digital manuals

Magazine articles

Main article: Vectorman/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: Vectorman/Promotional material.

Artwork

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
92 №36, p46/47
Sega Mega Drive
92
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(RU)
70
[32]
(FR)
44
[33]
(FR)
85
[34]
(RU)
90
[35]
(UK)
96
[36]
(US) NTSC-U
83
[37]
(RU)
70
[38]
(RU)
90
[39]
(DE)
80
[40]
(US) NTSC-U
63
[41]
(US) NTSC-U
91
[42]
(US) NTSC-U
90
[43]
(US) NTSC-U
98
[44]
(UK)
91
[45]
(DE)
80
[46]
(UK) PAL
82
[47]
(ES) PAL
86
[48]
(DE) PAL
80
[49]
(DE) PAL
78
[50]
(UK) PAL
90
[51]
(FR)
90
[52]
(CZ)
82
[53]
(UK) PAL
90
[54]
(UK) PAL
90
[55]
(YU)
90
[56]
(UK)
90
[6]
(ES)
87
[57]
(RU)
89
[58]
(RU)
90
[59]
(DE) PAL
85
[60]
(US) NTSC-U
90
[61]
Sega Mega Drive
84
Based on
31 reviews

Vectorman

Mega Drive, US
Vectorman MD US Box Back.jpgVectorman MD US Box Spine.jpgVectorman md us cover.jpg
Cover
Vectorman md us cart.jpg
Cart
Vectorman md us manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US (Mega Hit Series)
Vectorman MD US Box Back MHS.jpgVectorman MD US Box Spine MHS.jpgVectormanMHS md us cover.jpg
Cover
Vectorman MD US Cart MHS.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, US
(Mega Hit Series) (Majesco Sales)
Vectorman MD US Box Back MHS Alt.jpgNospine.pngVectorman MD US Box Front MHS Alt.jpg
Cover
Vectorman MD US Cart MHS Alt.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, EU
Vectorman md eu cover.jpg
Cover
Vectorman MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Vectorman MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Vectorman MD EU pcb.jpg
PCB
Mega Drive, PT
Vectorman MD PT cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, GR

Mega Drive, CZ (Datart)
Vectorman md cz cover.jpg
Cover
Vectorman MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Notavailable.svg
Manual
Mega Drive, AU
Vectorman MD AU cover.jpg
Cover
Vectorman MD AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Vectorman MD AU manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, BR
VectormanMDBrCover.jpg
Cover
VectormanMDBrCartTop.jpg
VectormanMDBrCart.jpg
Cart
Vectorman md br manual.pdf
Manual

Technical information

Main article: Vectorman/Technical information.

External links

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Google Play (com.sega.vectorman) (Wayback Machine: 2020-05-26 20:03)
  2. https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video.sega/c/456J4RIXsTQ/m/lOOdh7JEtTYJ
  3. https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video.sega/c/BBsVunxhS-0/m/fDIBwqUxC4cJ
  4. 4.0 4.1 Press release: 1996-01-12: 12-year-old gamer wins $25,000 cash grand prize in Sega's videogame contest
  5. 6.0 6.1 Sega Saturn Magazine, "November 1995" (UK; 1995-10-26), page 89
  6. 7.0 7.1 http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/KOxRfAvULMqhQjxxXHikpQEBQjI1mvim (Wayback Machine: 2010-11-23 00:48)
  7. 8.0 8.1 http://www.nintendolife.com:80/games/megadrive/vectorman (Wayback Machine: 2017-09-11 17:03)
  8. https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Virtual-Console-Wii-/VECTORMAN--280020.html (archive.today)
  9. http://www.nintendo.com.au/index.php?action=catalogue&prodcat_id=41&prod_id=19786&pageID=4 (Wayback Machine: 2012-04-03 02:54)
  10. https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/software/02.html (Wayback Machine: 2018-03-05 23:11)
  11. http://vc.sega.jp:80/vc_vector/ (Wayback Machine: 2007-02-26 06:49)
  12. http://games.real.com/allgames.php?mode=spnav (Wayback Machine: 2004-08-02 23:32)
  13. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 https://steamdb.info/app/34280/ (Wayback Machine: 2019-11-21 21:32)
  14. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 http://steamdb.info/app/34280/ (Wayback Machine: 2013-05-22 19:58)
  15. 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 16.6 16.7 16.8 16.9 https://steamdb.info/app/34280/history/?changeid=5755250
  16. 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 17.6 17.7 17.8 17.9 http://steamdb.info/app/34280/ (Wayback Machine: 2019-11-21 21:32)
  17. 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 @segaforever on Twitter (Wayback Machine: 2018-10-12 22:53)
  18. File:Vectorman MD US Box Back.jpg
  19. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "December 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 22
  20. The Cutting Room Floor: Notes:Vectorman
  21. GamePro, "December 1996" (US; 1996-xx-xx), page 102
  22. GamePro, "November 1996" (US; 1996-xx-xx), page 30
  23. Google Play (com.sega.vectorman) (Wayback Machine: 2019-12-03 03:34)
  24. Google Play (com.sega.vectorman) (Wayback Machine: 2019-04-21 22:44)
  25. Google Play (com.sega.vectorman) (Wayback Machine: 2018-11-21 00:15)
  26. Google Play (com.sega.vectorman) (Wayback Machine: 2018-10-12 22:55)
  27. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vectorman-classic/id1176426500 (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-09 18:54)
  28. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/vectorman-classic/id1176426500?mt=8 (Wayback Machine: 2018-11-21 00:17)
  29. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/vectorman-classic/id1176426500?mt=8 (Wayback Machine: 2018-10-11 02:03)
  30. https://thegameofnerds.com/2021/06/29/vectorman-genesis-climate-activist-turns-25/
  31. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 255
  32. CD Consoles, "Novembre 1995" (FR; 1995-xx-xx), page 140
  33. Consoles +, "Novembre 1995" (FR; 1995-1x-xx), page 108
  34. Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 231
  35. Computer & Video Games, "November 1995" (UK; 1995-10-13), page 48
  36. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "November 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 42
  37. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 366
  38. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 5, "" (RU; 200x-xx-xx), page 251
  39. Fun Generation, "06/95" (DE; 1995-0x-xx), page 64
  40. Fusion, "Volume 1, Number 6: January 1996" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 100
  41. GameFan, "Volume 3, Issue 11: November 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 22
  42. Game Players, "Vol. 9 No. 1 January 1996" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 57
  43. GamePro, "November 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 72
  44. GamePro, "December 1995" (UK; 1995-10-28), page 50
  45. Gamers, "November 1995" (DE; 1995-10-11), page 48
  46. (UK) "Series 5, episode 5" (1995-10-19, 24:00) (+9:40)
  47. Hobby Consolas, "Noviembre 1995" (ES; 1995-xx-xx), page 98
  48. MAN!AC, "12/95" (DE; 1995-11-08), page 92
  49. Mega Fun, "11/95" (DE; 1995-10-18), page 72
  50. Mean Machines Sega, "November 1995" (UK; 1995-09-29), page 62
  51. Player One, "Novembre 1995" (FR; 1995-1x-xx), page 128
  52. Sega News, "Listopad 1996" (CZ; 1996-1x-xx), page 27
  53. Sega Power, "December 1995" (UK; 1995-10-19), page 48
  54. Sega Pro, "December 1995" (UK; 1995-11-02), page 50
  55. Svet Kompjutera, "April 1996" (YU; 1996-xx-xx), page 78
  56. Todo Sega, "Noviembre 1995" (ES; 1995-1x-xx), page 48
  57. Tricks, "Vypusk 8" (RU; 1996-xx-xx), page 32
  58. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 27
  59. Video Games, "11/95" (DE; 1995-10-25), page 92
  60. VideoGames, "November 1995" (US; 1995-10-24), page 89


Vectorman

Vectorman.png

Main page | Maps | Downloadable content | Changelog | Hidden content | Development | Magazine articles | Video coverage | Reception | Promotional material | Region coding | Technical information | Bootlegs


Music: (1996)



Games in the Vectorman Series
Vectorman (1995) | Vectorman 2 (1996) | Vectorman 3 (unreleased) | Vectorman (PlayStation 2) (Unreleased)
Vectorman related media
Music
(1996)