Difference between revisions of "Zool"

From Sega Retro
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The objective of each stage is to collect a certain amount of items (the design of which varies depending on the world) and then find the exit beacon (a giant coin). The status bar on the bottom of the screen shows how many more items need to be collected and also has an arrow that points to the direction of the exit. Each world contains four different stages, with the fourth stage having a boss fight before the exit.
 
The objective of each stage is to collect a certain amount of items (the design of which varies depending on the world) and then find the exit beacon (a giant coin). The status bar on the bottom of the screen shows how many more items need to be collected and also has an arrow that points to the direction of the exit. Each world contains four different stages, with the fourth stage having a boss fight before the exit.
  
−
Zool has three hit points and loses one whenever he takes damage from an enemy. When he runs out of hit points, he can only take one more hit before losing a life. There is no way to replenish hit points, but he starts each stage with full health. Each stage is timed, and Zool loses a life if he runs out of time. He retains all of the items he has collected if he loses a life.
+
Zool has three hit points and loses one whenever he takes damage from an enemy. When he runs out of hit points, he can only take one more hit before losing a life. Some enemies drop hearts that can restore a point of health, and Zool starts each stage with full health. Each stage is timed, and Zool loses a life if he runs out of time. He retains all of the items he has collected if he loses a life.
  
 
The game contains a number of embedded minigames, including several arcade games, a scrolling space shooter and a game accessible only by making Zool play a certain tune on an in-game piano or finding certain invisible warp points.
 
The game contains a number of embedded minigames, including several arcade games, a scrolling space shooter and a game accessible only by making Zool play a certain tune on an in-game piano or finding certain invisible warp points.

Revision as of 18:38, 18 February 2022

n/a

  • Mega Drive
  • Master System
  • Sega Game Gear
    EU/JP
  • Sega Game Gear
    US

Zool Title.png

Zool SMS Title.png

Zool GG Title.png

Zool GG US Title.png

Zool
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear
Publisher:
Sega Mega Drive
Sega Game Gear
GameTek (US)
Sega Mega Drive
Electronic Arts (EU)
Sega Master System
Sega Game Gear
Gremlin Graphics Software (EU)
Sega Game Gear
Nisshouiwai Infocom (JP)
Developer:
Sound driver: Krisalis sound driver
Genre: Action[1][2][3]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
US 		$59.9559.95[4] T-83096
Videogame Rating Council: GA
Sega Mega Drive
EU 		E264SMXI
Sega Mega Drive
UK 		£44.9944.99[6][7] E264SMXI
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Master System
EU 		27075-50
Sega Master System
UK 		£29.9929.99[9][8] 27075-50
Sega Game Gear
JP 		¥3,8003,800 T-149017
Sega Game Gear
US 		$39.9539.95 T-83048
Videogame Rating Council: GA
Sega Game Gear
EU 		123018-50
Sega Game Gear
UK 		£29.9929.99[11][8] 123018-50
Non-Sega versions

Zool or Zool: Ninja of the Nth Dimension, known as Zool no Yume Bouken (ズールのゆめぼうけん) in Japan, is a platform game developed by Gremlin Graphics for the Commodore Amiga in 1992 as an answer to the "mascot wars" of the early 1990s spearheaded by Super Mario Bros. and Sonic the Hedgehog. The success of Zool success saw it brought to a number of platforms, including the Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, and Sega Game Gear during late 1993 and 1994.

Story

While investigating a disturbance in the nth dimension, Zool is caught in a vortex and crashes his ship in a strange land. He learns that the evil Krool has conquered seven worlds, including the one he has found, and that he must free these worlds from Krool's grip in order to make it back home.

Gameplay

Zool is a fast-paced platform game where players control the gremlin ninja Zool. Zool is moved with Left and Right and jumps with B (or 1 in the 8-bit versions). He attacks by shooting a ranged projectile with A (or 2). He can kneel with Down and does a kick and fires his shot with Down+A. He can fire his shot in mid-air by pressing A after jumping (or 1 after the apex of the jump). Holding C while jumping makes Zool perform a spinning attack (or 1 before or at the apex of the jump). He grabs on to walls when he jumps onto them and can climb them with Up and Down or by jumping up them (he cannot jump up walls in the 8-bit versions). Pushing Down while running causes a sliding attack. Because of the fast pace of the game and the enemy placement, it is necessary to progress slowly and make use of the sliding attack to avoid taking too much damage.

The objective of each stage is to collect a certain amount of items (the design of which varies depending on the world) and then find the exit beacon (a giant coin). The status bar on the bottom of the screen shows how many more items need to be collected and also has an arrow that points to the direction of the exit. Each world contains four different stages, with the fourth stage having a boss fight before the exit.

Zool has three hit points and loses one whenever he takes damage from an enemy. When he runs out of hit points, he can only take one more hit before losing a life. Some enemies drop hearts that can restore a point of health, and Zool starts each stage with full health. Each stage is timed, and Zool loses a life if he runs out of time. He retains all of the items he has collected if he loses a life.

The game contains a number of embedded minigames, including several arcade games, a scrolling space shooter and a game accessible only by making Zool play a certain tune on an in-game piano or finding certain invisible warp points.

Worlds

Zool, Stage 1.png

Zool, Stage 1 Boss.png

The Sweet World

Zool, Stage 2.png

Zool, Stage 2 Boss.png

The Music World

Notavailable.svg

The Fruit World

Notavailable.svg

The Tool World
This world is not present in the 8-bit versions of the game.

Notavailable.svg

The Toy World

Notavailable.svg

The Fairground World

Notavailable.svg

The Desert Island World
This world is not present in the 8-bit versions of the game.

Items

Zool, Items.png
 Bomb
Destroys all enemies on the screen.
Zool, Items.png
 Jumping Zool
Temporarily gives Zool an enhanced jump.
Zool, Items.png
 Shield
Temporary makes Zool invincible.
Zool, Items.png
 1-Up
Awards the player an extra life.
Zool, Items.png
 Two Zool
Creates a "shadow Zool" that follows Zool and mirrors his movements, including his attacks.
Zool, Items.png
 Goal
Ends the stage if the player has found the necessary amount of collectibles.
Zool, Items.png
 Restart Point
Checkpoint where Zool is revived after losing a life. Stand in front of it and hold down A (or 2) to activate.

History

Legacy

The game ends with a cliffhanger and clear hint a sequel. While Zool was followed by Zool 2, it was not brought to a Sega system.

Zool Redimensioned, a remaster of the game, was released in August 2021. It was developed by Sumo Digital Academy and published by Secret Mode on the Steam platform. It was based on the Mega Drive version, which was included as a bonus.

Versions

Compared to the Amiga original, the Sega Mega Drive version runs faster and has multiple parallax scrolling background planes instead of the Amiga's typical "copper mode" color gradients.

Localised names

Also known as
Language Localised Name English Translation
English Zool: Ninja of the Nth Dimension Zool: Ninja of the Nth Dimension
English (US) Zool: Ninja of the Nth Dimension Zool: Ninja of the Nth Dimension
Japanese ズールのゆめぼうけん Zool no Yume Bouken

Production credits

Mega Drive version

  • Sega/Game Code: Paul Hiley
  • Game/Frontend Code: George Allan
  • Artists: Ade Carless, Paul Gregory, Damon Godley
  • Music: Patrick Phelan, Krysalis
  • Maps: Paul Gregory, Ade Carless, Tony Dawson, Paul Green
  • Additional Help: Mick Lister
  • Test: Lee Campbell, Tony Howe, Rob Millington, Simon Short
  • Produced by: Mark Glossop

Master System version

  • Main Code: Siz
  • Additional Code: Richard Stevenson
  • Music Composition: Patrick Phelan
  • Sound: Krisalis Software
  • Art: Michael Hirst, Ade Carless, Greggs, Pete Daniels
  • Map and Level Design: Mike Lister, Michael Hirst
  • Project Manager: Tony Casson
  • Development Manager: James North-Hearn
© Gremlin Graphics, 1993

Game Gear version

  • Main Code: Siz
  • Additional Code: Richard Stevenson
  • Music Composition: Patrick Phelan
  • Sound: Krisalis Software
  • Art: Michael Hirst, Ade Carlesss, Pete Daniels, Greggs
  • Map and Level Design: Mike Lister, Michael Hirst
  • Project Manager: Tony Casson
  • Development Manager: James North-Hearn
Copyright 1993 Gremlin Graphics


Magazine articles

Main article: Zool/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #145: "December 1993" (1993-11-15)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #146: "January 1994" (1993-12-15)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Consoles + (FR) #25: "Novembre 1993" (1993-1x-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Video Games (DE) #1993-12: "12/93" (1993-11-22)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Sega Magazin (DE) #7: "Juni 1994" (1994-05-11)
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
70 №12, p78/79
78 №26
70 [12]
Sega Mega Drive
 73
Based on
3 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
50
[13]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
83
[14]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
55
[15]
Console Mania (IT)
86
[16]
Consoles + (FR)
93
[17]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
82
[18]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
58
[19]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
60
[20]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 10 (RU)
80
[21]
Freak (IL)
80
[22]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
85
[4]
Gamers (DE)
53
[23]
Hyper (AU)
79
[24]
Joker (SI)
87
[25]
Joypad (FR) PAL
78
[26]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
83
[27]
Mega (UK) PAL
74
[28]
Mega Action (UK) PAL
80
[7]
Mega Force (FR)
84
[29]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
74
[30]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
71
[31]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
67
[32]
Player One (FR)
65
[33]
Play Time (DE)
64
[34]
Power Up! (UK)
76
[35]
Power Unlimited (NL)
81
[36]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
78
[37]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
84
[38]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
86
[39]
Sega Force Mega (UK) PAL
80
[40]
Sega Force (SE)
72
[41]
Sonic the Comic (UK) PAL
83
[42]
Todo Sega (ES) PAL
85
[43]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
71
[44]
Video Games (DE) PAL
74
[45]
VideoGames (US) NTSC-U
50
[46]
Sega Mega Drive
 75
Based on
36 reviews

Zool

Mega Drive, US
Zool MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Zool MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Zool MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
Zool MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
Zool MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Zool MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Mega Drive, UK (English-only manual)

Mega Drive, AU
Zool MD AU cover.jpg
Cover

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Sega Master System
 N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Zool

Master System, EU
Zool SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
Zool SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Sega Game Gear
 N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Zool

Game Gear, JP
Zool GG JP Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngZool GG JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
Zool GG JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, US
Zool GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngZool GG US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Zool GG US Cart.jpg
Cart
Zool GG US Manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, EU
Zool GG EU Box Back.jpgZool GG EU BoxSpine.jpgZool GG EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
Zool GG EU cart.jpg
Cart
Zool GG EU Manual.jpg
Manual

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega Drive
 ?
CRC32 cb2939f1
MD5 2d28ddb5be02a3b3612ba73ca064edb5
SHA-1 ee016f127b81f1ca2565738fa47fac0c4ed15c97
1MB 1994-01 Cartridge (US)
Sega Mega Drive
✔
CRC32 1ee58b03
MD5 98a9c42c965a336c2c3e6dca5319d031
SHA-1 cab14f63b7d00b35a11a3a7f60cf231199121dc8
1MB 1993-09 Cartridge (EU)
Sega Master System
 ?
CRC32 9d9d0a5f
MD5 42fb44c9a2c82b8c4aef8191c1b5676f
SHA-1 aed98f2fc885c9a6e121982108f843388eb46304
256kB Cartridge (EU)
Sega Game Gear
 ?
CRC32 b287c695
MD5 db7dc3e8f0d46f0396af99a87ff0489f
SHA-1 8143c1d5e6c677ae5dd8143620b9fd02be8873f6
256kB Cartridge (US)
Sega Game Gear
 ?
CRC32 23904898
MD5 3c200f229978af32c223bccd65428426
SHA-1 40b68abd8f2419178ea2e0d02412c29306bff46c
256kB Cartridge (EU)
Sega Game Gear
 ?
CRC32 e35ef7ed
MD5 ff5f8ad2c620e25d2b028f2e1fed2b54
SHA-1 2c799ee084b858cb71cfaa7a3f6d3a4f364b6c43
256kB Cartridge (JP)

References

  1. ↑ File:Zool GG EU Box Back.jpg
  2. ↑ File:Zool GG JP Box Front.jpg
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://sega.jp/fb/segahard/gg/soft_licensee.html (Wayback Machine: 2013-01-01 20:24)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 GamePro, "March 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 50
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Mega, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-16), page 107
  6. ↑ Sega Force Mega, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-16), page 49
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Mega Action, "Christmas 1993" (UK; 1993-12-02), page 16
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 Sega Magazine, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-03-15), page 100
  9. ↑ Sega Master Force, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-11), page 23
  10. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1994" (DE; 1994-03-23), page 47
  11. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "July 1994" (UK; 1994-06-15), page 67
  12. ↑ SuperGamePower, "Abril 1994" (BR; 1994-0x-xx), page 45
  13. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 275
  14. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "Avril 1994" (DE; 1994-03-07), page 113
  15. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "August 1994" (JP; 1994-07-08), page 21
  16. ↑ Console Mania, "Gennaio 1994" (IT; 199x-xx-xx), page 117
  17. ↑ Consoles +, "Décembre 1993" (FR; 1993-1x-xx), page 146
  18. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-15), page 89
  19. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "January 1994" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 46
  20. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 369
  21. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 10, "" (RU; 2003-10-08), page 246
  22. ↑ Freak, "1/94" (IL; 1994-xx-xx), page 1
  23. ↑ Gamers, "Juli/August 1994" (DE; 1994-07-01), page 37
  24. ↑ Hyper, "January 1994" (AU; 199x-xx-xx), page 37
  25. ↑ Joker, "Maj 1994" (SI; 1994-xx-xx), page 21
  26. ↑ Joypad, "Décembre 1993" (FR; 1993-1x-xx), page 130
  27. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-1x-xx), page 34
  28. ↑ Mega, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 48
  29. ↑ Mega Force, "Décembre 1993" (FR; 1993-12-10), page 100
  30. ↑ Mega Fun, "01/94" (DE; 1993-12-22), page 74
  31. ↑ MegaTech, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-20), page 64
  32. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-11-30), page 96
  33. ↑ Player One, "Décembre 1993" (FR; 1993-1x-xx), page 146
  34. ↑ Play Time, "5/94" (DE; 1994-04-06), page 137
  35. ↑ Power Up!, "Saturday, January 08, 1994" (UK; 1994-01-08), page 1
  36. ↑ Power Unlimited, "Jaargang 2, Nummer 3, Maart 1994" (NL; 1994-02-23), page 38
  37. ↑ Sega Power, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-xx), page 46
  38. ↑ Sega Pro, "November 1993" (UK; 1993-10-14), page 70
  39. ↑ Sega Zone, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-25), page 36
  40. ↑ Sega Force Mega, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-16), page 48
  41. ↑ Sega Force, "2/94" (SE; 1994-02-23), page 24
  42. ↑ Sonic the Comic, "February 4th 1994" (UK; 1994-01-22), page 12
  43. ↑ Todo Sega, "Diciembre 1993" (ES; 1993-1x-xx), page 56
  44. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 236
  45. ↑ Video Games, "3/94" (DE; 1994-02-23), page 82
  46. ↑ VideoGames, "February 1994" (US; 1994-0x-xx), page 88


Zool

Zool Title.png

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