Difference between revisions of "Socket"
From Sega Retro
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| − | '''''Socket''''', known as '''''Time Dominator 1st''''' (タイムドミネーター 1st) in Japan, is a platform game released for the [[Mega Drive]] in 1993. It was developed and published by [[VIC Tokai]] and stars a time travelling duck named Socket, built to | + | '''''Socket''''', known as '''''Time Dominator 1st''''' (タイムドミネーター 1st) in Japan, is a platform game released for the [[Mega Drive]] in 1993. It was developed and published by [[VIC Tokai]] and stars a time travelling duck named Socket, built to "fight" in the "mascot wars" initiated by the rivalry between Super Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog. The game was released in Japan and North America, but not in Europe. |
| − | ''Socket'' borrows many elements from ''[[sonic:Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' and its sequels, causing it to be labled as a "Sonic clone". Like Sonic there is an emphasis on speed, with the game offering several "High Speed Areas" in an attempt to woo fans of Sega's game. There are also "labyrinth" areas, which have a greater emphasis on exploration of the level. Items are collected by destroying capsules, similar to Sonic, and a time attack mode is offered. | + | ''Socket'' borrows many elements from ''[[sonic:Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' and its sequels, causing it to be labled as a "Sonic clone". Like Sonic there is an emphasis on speed, with the game offering several "High Speed Areas" in an attempt to woo fans of Sega's game. There are also "labyrinth" areas, which have a greater emphasis on exploration of the level. Items are collected by destroying capsules, similar to Sonic, and a time attack mode is offered. |
{{A}} and {{C}} make Socket jump, while {{B}} allows him to kick, acting the primary method of defense within the game. As the name may suggest, Socket requires electricity to keep going, and so must collect lightning bolts in order to stay alive. His health will otherwise deteriorate over time. Socket has a machine allowing him to travel through time, so each level is set in a different time period as well as setting. | {{A}} and {{C}} make Socket jump, while {{B}} allows him to kick, acting the primary method of defense within the game. As the name may suggest, Socket requires electricity to keep going, and so must collect lightning bolts in order to stay alive. His health will otherwise deteriorate over time. Socket has a machine allowing him to travel through time, so each level is set in a different time period as well as setting. | ||
Socket was the subject of mixed reviews at the time of release. ''[[Sega Zone (Magazine)|Sega Zone]]'' gave the game the lowest possible score on the basis that it was a Sonic clone. | Socket was the subject of mixed reviews at the time of release. ''[[Sega Zone (Magazine)|Sega Zone]]'' gave the game the lowest possible score on the basis that it was a Sonic clone. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Levels== | ||
| + | Stages in ''Socket'' follow a format rarely seen in other games - they are split into three "sub-stages", each sporting a different change of pace. The first sub-stage is merely called a "High Speed Area", playing to the fast speeds of ''Socket''. High Speed Areas have their own set of graphics and could be seen as completely independant stages, but the game classes them as part of a three-act stage. High speed areas presumably are what ''Socket'' must overcome in order to travel through time and reach his destination. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The second sub-stage, now set in a specific time period, is deemed an "Athletic Area", resembling more of what you might see in a ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' platformer. They are a more balanced mixture of running and jumping than the high speed areas. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The third and final sub-stage is called a "Labyrinth Area", and is much like the above aside from the fact that Socket needs to find a door (i.e. there is a need for exploration). Going through that door will inevitably put Socket up against a boss. | ||
| + | {| class="wikitable" | ||
| + | | rowspan="2"|[[File:Socket EmeraldForest.png|200px]] | ||
| + | !valign="top" style="height:1em; text-align:left;"|Emerald Forest | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |valign="top"|do do do do, do... dododo do | ||
| + | |||
| + | bing bing bing bing | ||
| + | |||
| + | (info here) | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | rowspan="2"|[[File:Socket TreasureCastle.png|200px]] | ||
| + | !valign="top" style="height:1em; text-align:left;"|Treasure Castle | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |valign="top"| | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | rowspan="2"|[[File:Socket OlienCavern.png|200px]] | ||
| + | !valign="top" style="height:1em; text-align:left;"|Olien Cavern | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |valign="top"| | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | rowspan="2"|[[File:Socket StoneAge.png|200px]] | ||
| + | !valign="top" style="height:1em; text-align:left;"|Stone Age | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |valign="top"| | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | rowspan="2"|[[File:Socket Antiquity.png|200px]] | ||
| + | !valign="top" style="height:1em; text-align:left;"|Antiquity | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |valign="top"| | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | rowspan="2"|[[File:Socket Future.png|200px]] | ||
| + | !valign="top" style="height:1em; text-align:left;"|Future | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |valign="top"| | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | rowspan="2"|[[File:Socket TimeCastle.png|200px]] | ||
| + | !valign="top" style="height:1em; text-align:left;"|Time Castle | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |valign="top"| | ||
| + | |} | ||
==Manuals== | ==Manuals== | ||
Revision as of 15:11, 25 September 2011
This short article is in need of work. You can help Sega Retro by adding to it.
| Socket |
|---|
| System(s): Sega Mega Drive |
| Publisher: VIC Tokai |
| Developer: VIC Tokai, Graphic Research (sound) |
| Sound driver: GRC/later custom |
| Genre: Action |
Socket, known as Time Dominator 1st (タイムドミネーター 1st) in Japan, is a platform game released for the Mega Drive in 1993. It was developed and published by VIC Tokai and stars a time travelling duck named Socket, built to "fight" in the "mascot wars" initiated by the rivalry between Super Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog. The game was released in Japan and North America, but not in Europe.
Socket borrows many elements from Sonic the Hedgehog and its sequels, causing it to be labled as a "Sonic clone". Like Sonic there is an emphasis on speed, with the game offering several "High Speed Areas" in an attempt to woo fans of Sega's game. There are also "labyrinth" areas, which have a greater emphasis on exploration of the level. Items are collected by destroying capsules, similar to Sonic, and a time attack mode is offered.
and 
make Socket jump, while 
allows him to kick, acting the primary method of defense within the game. As the name may suggest, Socket requires electricity to keep going, and so must collect lightning bolts in order to stay alive. His health will otherwise deteriorate over time. Socket has a machine allowing him to travel through time, so each level is set in a different time period as well as setting.
Socket was the subject of mixed reviews at the time of release. Sega Zone gave the game the lowest possible score on the basis that it was a Sonic clone.
Levels
Stages in Socket follow a format rarely seen in other games - they are split into three "sub-stages", each sporting a different change of pace. The first sub-stage is merely called a "High Speed Area", playing to the fast speeds of Socket. High Speed Areas have their own set of graphics and could be seen as completely independant stages, but the game classes them as part of a three-act stage. High speed areas presumably are what Socket must overcome in order to travel through time and reach his destination.
The second sub-stage, now set in a specific time period, is deemed an "Athletic Area", resembling more of what you might see in a Sonic the Hedgehog platformer. They are a more balanced mixture of running and jumping than the high speed areas.
The third and final sub-stage is called a "Labyrinth Area", and is much like the above aside from the fact that Socket needs to find a door (i.e. there is a need for exploration). Going through that door will inevitably put Socket up against a boss.
|
Emerald Forest |
|---|---|
| do do do do, do... dododo do
bing bing bing bing (info here) | |
|
Treasure Castle |
|
Olien Cavern |
|
Stone Age |
|
Antiquity |
|
Future |
|
Time Castle |
Manuals
Physical Scans
| Mega Drive, US |
|---|
 Cover
|
 Cart |
| Mega Drive, JP |
|---|
 Cover
|
 Cart |