Difference between revisions of "Xenon 2: Megablast"

Latest revision as of 07:36, 22 October 2024

n/a

Mega Drive
Master System

Xenon 2: Megablast

System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System

Publisher: Virgin Games

Image Works (first release)

Developer: The Bitmap Brothers, The Assembly Line

Data Design Interactive

Distributor:

Hent Gruppen (SE rental)

Original system(s): Amiga, Atari ST

Genre: Arcade^[1]

Number of players: 1-2

Release	Date	RRP	Code
EU	1992-10^[2]		T-70076-50
UK	1992-11-12^[3]	£34.9934.99^[4]^[5]	T-70076-50
SE (Rental)	199x
AU	199x
EU	1991-10^[6]^[7]		27012-50
EU (Virgin Games)	1992-11-05^[11]		27038-50
PT	199x
UK	1991-11-21^[8]	£29.9929.99^[9]^[10]	27012-50
UK (Virgin Games)	1992-11-05^[12]		27038-50
AU	199x		FXEN00SEC

Non-Sega versions
Amiga Archimedes Atari ST CDTV Game Boy IBM PC Jaguar PC-9801 UX X68000

This short article is in need of work. You can help Sega Retro by adding to it.

Xenon 2: Megablast is a scrolling shoot-'em-up developed by The Bitmap Brothers and The Assembly Line and published by Image Works (and later Virgin Games) for a variety of systems including the Sega Mega Drive and Sega Master System. It is the sequel to 1988's home computer game Xenon, which was also the first game by Bitmap Brothers.

The game was notable for its soundtrack, an arrangement by David Whittaker of the 1988 song Megablast (Assault on Precinct 13) (which is also where the game's subtitle comes from), originally from British group Bomb the Bass. Megablast theme is based on the theme song of the 1976 film by John Carpenter, Assault on Precinct 13 (or more specifically, the 1983 disco version), with samples from the 1969 song You Can Make it if You Try by Sly & the Family Stone.

While North America and Japan got some of the other versions of the game, the Sega versions remained exclusive to Europe. PCM Complete was set to publish the Mega Drive port in Japan^[13], but the version was cancelled.

Gameplay

The game is a typical vertical shoot-'em-up: move around the screen with the D-pad and shoot with , collecting credits dropped from enemies which can then be spent in a shop in exchange for weapon upgrades. Your ship continuously moves upwards, however it is also possible for reverse for a short period of time (as some of the forks in the road lead to dead-ends).

History

Legacy

According to Mike Montgomery from the Bitmap Brothers, 32X and Mega-CD ports were considered, but no publisher could be found.

Versions

The Sega Mega Drive version is the more faithful port of the game, although there is heavy slowdown and sprite flickering. The color palette is also overly saturated, with too much blue and green compared to the grays of the original. The final stage (mechanical world) is completely missing from the game.

Re-creating the Megablast theme on the Amiga was considered a substantial technical achievement in 1989, as while parts of the song were stripped out (most notably the introduction), the majority of the song remains in-tact (albeit with some slight differences due to using Amiga-generated waveforms for the instruments). This includes the samples, which although are heard at a lower quality than the source material, made Xenon II one of the first games to faithfully re-create a commercial song with non-expanded Amiga hardware.

However, despite this being one of the main selling points for Xenon II, the Mega Drive version omits all sampled audio, leaving a purely synthesized tune with gaps where the samples used to be. It also plays slightly too fast.

The Sega Master System version omits player bullets during heavy processor workload, several bosses have been removed and the final stage is also missing.

Production credits

Designed by: The Bitmap Brothers
Programmed by: Patricia Curtis, The Assembly Line
Graphics by: Mark Coleman
Music from: Bomb the Bass
Sound programming: John M. Phillips

Uncredited

Music arrangement: David Whittaker

Magazine articles

Main article: Xenon 2: Megablast/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

UK print advert

Mega Drive/Master System print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #132: "November 1992" (1992-10-15)

Print advert in Mega Force (ES) #7: "Noviembre 1992" (1992-xx-xx)
also published in:

Hobby Consolas (ES) #14: "Noviembre 1992" (1992-xx-xx)^[14]

Master System print advert in Game Power (IT) #2: "Gennaio 1992" (199x-xx-xx)

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average

Publication

Version

Score

1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)

50

^[15]

Beep! MegaDrive (JP)

NTSC-J

53

^[16]

Console XS (UK)

PAL

88

^[17]

Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)

59

^[18]

Game Power (IT)

65

^[19]

Hobby Consolas (ES)

82

^[20]

Joypad (FR)

PAL

50

^[21]

Joystick (FR)

PAL

52

^[22]

Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)

PAL

72

^[23]

Mega (UK)

PAL

45

^[24]

Mega Action (UK)

88

^[25]

Mega Fun (DE)

PAL

61

^[26]

Mean Machines (UK)

82

^[27]

Mean Machines Sega (UK)

82

^[28]

Power Play (DE)

67

^[29]

Sega Power (UK)

PAL

66

^[5]

Sega Pro (UK)

PAL

86

^[30]

Sega Pro (UK)

PAL

86

^[31]

Sega Force (SE)

82

^[32]

Sega Force (UK)

PAL

76

^[33]

Tricks 16 bit (RU)

69

^[34]

Video Games (DE)

PAL

53

^[35]

Zero (UK)

82

^[36]

	69
Based on 23 reviews

Xenon 2: Megablast

Mega Drive, EU
Cover
Cart Manual PCB

Mega Drive, SE (rental; Hent; black)
Cover

Mega Drive, AU
Cover
Cart Manual

Master System version

Sega Retro Average

Publication

Version

Score

Aktueller Software Markt (DE)

50

^[37]

Console XS (UK)

PAL

85

^[38]

Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)

88

^[39]

Game Power (IT)

94

^[40]

Gamers (DE)

27

^[41]

Games-X (UK)

80

^[42]

Game Zone (UK)

PAL

90

^[43]

Hobby Consolas (ES)

66

^[44]

Joypad (FR)

78

^[45]

Joystick (FR)

86

^[46]

Mega Force (FR)

PAL

55

^[47]

Mean Machines (UK)

PAL

84

^[48]

Mean Machines Sega (UK)

84

^[49]

Player One (FR)

12

^[50]

Player One (FR)

41

^[51]

Sega Power (UK)

PAL

87

^[52]

Sega Pro (UK)

PAL

85

^[53]

Sega Pro (UK)

85

^[54]

Sega Pro (UK)

PAL

89

^[55]

Sega Pro (UK)

PAL

85

^[56]

Supersonic (FR)

81

^[57]

Supersonic (FR)

81

^[58]

Video Games (DE)

57

^[59]

	73
Based on 23 reviews

Xenon 2: Megablast

Master System, EU (Image Works)
Cover
Cart

Master System, EU (Virgin Games)
Cover
Cart Manual

Master System, PT (Virgin Games)

Master System, AU (Image Works)
Cover
Cart Manual

Master System, AU (Virgin Games)
Cover

Master System, AU (Classics)
Cover
Cart

Technical information

Main article: Xenon 2: Megablast/Technical information.

References

NEC Retro has more information related to Xenon 2: Megablast

Xenon 2: Megablast
	Main page \| Comparisons \| Maps \| Hidden content \| Magazine articles \| Reception \| Region coding \| Technical information No results

[:File:Xenon2_SMS_EU_Box_Imageworks.jpg_p-1] File:Xenon2 SMS EU Box Imageworks.jpg

[:File:MegaTech_UK_08.pdf_p20-2] MegaTech, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-20), page 20

[3] Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1992-11-16), page 28

[:File:MeanMachines_UK_17.pdf_p50-4] Mean Machines, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-27), page 50

[:File:SegaPower_UK_28.pdf_p36-5] 5.0 ^5.1 Sega Power, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-06), page 36

[:File:SegaPro_UK_01.pdf_p9-6] Sega Pro, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-xx-xx), page 9

[:File:SegaPower_UK_22.pdf_p16-7] Sega Power, "September 1991" (UK; 1991-08-01), page 16

[8] Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1991-11-18), page 27

[:File:SegaPro_UK_01.pdf_p39-9] Sega Pro, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-xx-xx), page 39

[:File:Raze_UK_06.pdf_p16-10] Raze, "April 1991" (UK; 1991-02-28), page 16

[11] Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1992-11-02), page 10

[12] Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1992-11-02), page 10

[:File:93WinterCatalogueTVGameWorld_JP.pdf_p25-13] Sega '93 Winter Catalogue: TV Game World, page 25

[:File:HobbyConsolas_ES_014.pdf_p10-14] Hobby Consolas, "Noviembre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 10

[15] 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 270

[:File:BeepMD_JP_1992-08.pdf_p28-16] Beep! MegaDrive, "August 1992" (JP; 1992-07-08), page 28

[:File:Console_XS_UK_01.pdf_p137-17] Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 137

[:File:MeanMachinesEssentialSegaGuide_Book_UK.pdf_p118-18] Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 118

[:File:GamePower_IT_13.pdf_p62-19] Game Power, "Gennaio 1993" (IT; 199x-xx-xx), page 62

[:File:HobbyConsolas_ES_016.pdf_p78-20] Hobby Consolas, "Enero 1993" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 78

[:File:Joypad_FR_014.pdf_p48-21] Joypad, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 48

[:File:Joystick_FR_033.pdf_p201-22] Joystick, "Décembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 201

[:File:MDAG_UK_05.pdf_p95-23] Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 95

[:File:Mega_UK_02.pdf_p66-24] Mega, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-15), page 66

[:File:MegaAction_UK_01.pdf_p65-25] Mega Action, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 65

[:File:MegaFun_DE_1992-11.pdf_p38-26] Mega Fun, "11/92" (DE; 1992-10-xx), page 38

[:File:MeanMachines_UK_17.pdf_p48-27] Mean Machines, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-27), page 48

[:File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf_p143-28] Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 143

[:File:PowerPlay_DE_1993-02.pdf_p142-29] Power Play, "2/93" (DE; 1993-01-xx), page 142

[:File:SegaPro_UK_18.pdf_p68-30] Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 68

[:File:SegaPro_UK_12.pdf_p42-31] Sega Pro, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-10), page 42

[:File:SegaForce_SE_1992_02.pdf_p15-32] Sega Force, "2/92" (SE; 1992-11-19), page 15

[:File:SegaForce_UK_17.pdf_p81-33] Sega Force, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-04-01), page 81

[34] Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 233

[:File:VideoGames_DE_1993-02.pdf_p88-35] Video Games, "2/93" (DE; 1993-01-27), page 88

[:File:Zero_UK_36.pdf_p61-36] Zero, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 61

[:File:ASM_DE_1992-02.pdf_p129-37] Aktueller Software Markt, "Februar 1992" (DE; 1992-01-10), page 129

[:File:Console_XS_UK_01.pdf_p147-38] Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 147

[:File:MeanMachinesEssentialSegaGuide_Book_UK.pdf_p163-39] Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 163

[:File:GamePower_IT_02.pdf_p36-40] Game Power, "Gennaio 1992" (IT; 199x-xx-xx), page 36

[:File:Gamers_DE_1992-01.pdf_p48-41] Gamers, "Februar/März 1992" (DE; 1992-xx-xx), page 48

[:File:GamesX_UK_33.pdf_p26-42] Games-X, "5th-11th December 1991" (UK; 1991-12-05), page 26

[:File:GameZone_UK_01.pdf_p24-43] Game Zone, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-10-08), page 24

[:File:HobbyConsolas_ES_007.pdf_p161-44] Hobby Consolas, "Abril 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 161

[:File:Joypad_FR_001.pdf_p110-45] Joypad, "Octobre 1991" (FR; 1991-09-17), page 110

[:File:Joystick_FR_019.pdf_p190-46] Joystick, "Septembre 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 190

[:File:MegaForce_FR_02.pdf_p94-47] Mega Force, "Septembre/Octobre 1991" (FR; 1991-09-13), page 94

[:File:MeanMachines_UK_13.pdf_p78-48] Mean Machines, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-27), page 78

[:File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf_p137-49] Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 137

[:File:PlayerOne_FR_016.pdf_p95-50] Player One, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 95

[:File:PlayerOne_FR_022.pdf_p134-51] Player One, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-07-10), page 134

[:File:SegaPower_UK_24.pdf_p20-52] Sega Power, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-10-04), page 20

[:File:SegaPro_UK_01.pdf_p38-53] Sega Pro, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-xx-xx), page 38

[:File:SegaPro_UK_06.pdf_p31-54] Sega Pro, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 31

[:File:SegaPro_UK_09.pdf_p31-55] Sega Pro, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-18), page 31

[:File:SegaPro_UK_18.pdf_p72-56] Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 72

[:File:Supersonic_FR_02.pdf_p29-57] Supersonic, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 29

[:File:Supersonic_FR_04.pdf_p18-58] Supersonic, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 18

[:File:VideoGames_DE_1991-03.pdf_p78-59] Video Games, "3/91" (DE; 1991-09-06), page 78

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@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 | developer={{company|[[The Bitmap Brothers]]}}, {{company|[[The Assembly Line]]}}
 {{company|[[Data Design Interactive]]|system=SMS}}
+| distributor={{company|[[Hent Gruppen]]|region=SE rental|system=MD}}
 | system=[[Sega Mega Drive]], [[Sega Master System]]
+| originalsystem=[[Amiga]], [[Atari ST]]
 | sounddriver=
 | peripherals=
@@ Line 16: / Line 18: @@
 | md_date_eu=1992-10{{magref|megatech|8|20}}<!--1992-02{{magref|mm|17|50}} 1992-03{{magref|segapower|26|11}} -->
 | md_code_eu=T-70076-50
-| md_date_uk=1992-10{{magref|megatech|8|20}}<!--1991-12-01{{magref|gamesx|32|6}}, 1992-01{{magref|segapro|4|7}}, 1992-02{{magref|mm|17|50}}, 1992-03{{magref|segapower|26|11}} -->
+| md_date_uk=1992-11-12{{magref|ctw|413|28}}<!--1991-12-01{{magref|gamesx|32|6}}, 1992-01{{magref|segapro|4|7}}, 1992-02{{magref|mm|17|50}}, 1992-03{{magref|segapower|26|11}}, 1992-10{{magref|megatech|8|20}}-->
 | md_code_uk=T-70076-50
 | md_rrp_uk=34.99{{magref|mm|17|50}}{{magref|segapower|28|36}}
@@ Line 25: / Line 27: @@
 | sms_date_eu=1991-10{{magref|segapro|1|9}}{{magref|segapower|22|16}}
 | sms_code_eu=27012-50
-| sms_date_uk=1991-10{{magref|segapro|1|9}}{{magref|segapower|22|16}}
+| sms_date_uk=1991-11-21{{magref|ctw|363|27}}<!--1991-10{{magref|segapro|1|9}}{{magref|segapower|22|16}}-->
 | sms_code_uk=27012-50
 | sms_rrp_uk=29.99{{magref|segapro|1|39}}{{magref|raze|6|16}}
@@ Line 103: / Line 105: @@
 | console=Mega Drive
 | region=EU
-| cover=Xenon2 MD EU Box.jpg
+| cover=Xenon2 MD AU Cover.jpg
 | cart=Xenon2 MD EU Cart.jpg
 | manual=Xenon 2 Megablast MD EU Manual.pdf
 | item1=Xenon2 MD EU pcb.jpg
 | item1name=PCB
+}}{{Scanbox
+| console=Mega Drive
+| region=SE (rental; [[Hent Gruppen|Hent]]; black)
+| cover=Xenon2 MD SE Rental Cover.jpg
+| cart=
 }}{{Scanbox
 | console=Mega Drive
@@ Line 114: / Line 121: @@
 | cart=Xenon2 MD AU Cart.jpg
 | manual=Xenon2 MD AU Manual.jpg
-}}{{Scanbox
-| console=Mega Drive
-| region=SE rental (HENT black)
-| cover=Xenon2 MD SE Rental Cover.jpg
-| cart=
 }}

Difference between revisions of "Xenon 2: Megablast"

From Sega Retro

Latest revision as of 07:36, 22 October 2024

Contents

Gameplay

History

Legacy

Versions

Production credits

Uncredited

Magazine articles

Promotional material

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Master System version

Technical information

References