Difference between revisions of "Growl"

From Sega Retro

(summary)
(expanded)
Line 26: Line 26:
 
| otherformats={{NonSega|Arcade}}
 
| otherformats={{NonSega|Arcade}}
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{stub}}'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''', known in Japan as '''''Runark''''' (ルナーク), is a [[Sega Mega Drive]] beat-'em-up game developed by [[I.T.L.]] and published by [[Taito]]. A port of the publisher's titular 1990 arcade game ''[[wikipedia:Growl (video game)|Growl]]'', it was first released in Japan in November 1991{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20200702232146/https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html}}, and was later brought to the United States in the following months. The American release would eventually be officially distributed in France with a French-language manual{{ref|http://www.guardiana.net/MDG-Database/Mega%20Drive/RunArk/#v290}}, and ''Growl'' would even be published in South Korea by [[Samsung]].
+
'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''', known in Japan as '''''Runark''''' (ルナーク), is a [[Sega Mega Drive]] beat-'em-up game developed by [[I.T.L.]] and published by [[Taito]]. A port of the publisher's titular 1990 arcade game ''[[wikipedia:Growl (video game)|Growl]]'', it was first released in Japan in November 1991{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20200702232146/https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html}}, and was later brought to the United States in the following months. The American release would eventually be officially distributed in France with a French-language manual{{ref|http://www.guardiana.net/MDG-Database/Mega%20Drive/RunArk/#v290}}, and ''Growl'' would even be published in South Korea by [[Samsung]].
 +
 
 +
==Story==
 +
{{ScreenThumb|Growl, Introduction.png|width=200|Introduction}}
 +
A worldwide craze to own exotic pets has led to many species being hunted to near-extinction by the poaching and smuggling ring calling itself the Rendow Animal Protection Organization (RAPO). The Protector of Animals' World Society (PAWS) has committed itself to ending this trade and defeating RAPO.
  
 
==Gameplay==
 
==Gameplay==
−
You play as one of four early-20th-century rangers trying to stop a group of poachers from making many species of wild animals extinct. {{A}} punches, {{B}} jumps. If an enemy drops a weapon, {{A}} picks it up and uses it, and {{C}} lets it go. If you don't have a weapon in your hand, {{C}} performs a spinning kick, {{Up}}+{{C}} performs a spinning jump kick, and {{Left}}+{{C}} and {{Right}}+{{C}} performs a leaping kick in the appropriate direction.
+
{{ScreenThumb|Growl, Character Select.png|width=200|Character select}}
 +
The game is a belt-scrolling beat-'em-up. The player begins the game by choosing from one of four different forest rangers, each with a different amount of health, attack strength, and jumping height. The character walks with {{left}} and {{right}} and moves in and out of the plane with {{up}} and {{down}}. He jumps with {{B}} and attacks with {{A}}. He can perform a variety of different attacks (punches, kicks, and finishing blows) depending on the position of an enemy. Without a weapon equipped, he performs a spinning kick with {{A}}+{{B}} or with {{C}} or a leaping kick with {{left}}+{{C}} or {{right}}+{{C}}, though these special moves cost a small amount of health and cannot be performed if the player does not have enough health remaining.
 +
 
 +
The player can procure weapons by destroying barrels and wooden crates or disarming certain enemies. There are a total of eight weapons which can be obtained: three melee weapons (a pipe, a sword and a whip), two throwing weapons (knives and hand grenades), and three firearms (a revolver, an M-16 assault rifle, and a four-barreled rocket launcher). The barrels and crates can be picked up and thrown at enemies as well. When the assault rifle or rocket launcher runs out of ammunition, they are still wielded by the player as melee weapons. The revolver, on the other hand, is thrown by the player after all of its bullets are used. The player can drop the current weapon with {{C}}. If a weapon lies on the ground after a certain period, it vanishes completely.
 +
 
 +
Some of the stages have animals that help out the player after they are rescued from a poacher, such as an eagle, a herd of deer, and an elephant.
 +
 
 +
The character has a limited amount of health, indicated in the status area at the bottom of the screen, which is lost by taking damage from enemies or using special moves. The player can pick up apples to restore some health. If the player runs out of health, the game ends, but it can be continued as long as there are continues remaining.
 +
 
 +
===Characters===
 +
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=50|
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Gen
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Growl, Characters.png | 1.5 | crop_width=32 | crop_height=56 | crop_x=0 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=He has good health and attack and a high jump.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Burn
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Growl, Characters.png | 1.5 | crop_width=32 | crop_height=56 | crop_x=32 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=He has high health and a good jump but low attack strength.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Khan
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Growl, Characters.png | 1.5 | crop_width=32 | crop_height=56 | crop_x=64 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=He has high health and a high jump but low attack strength.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Jack
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Growl, Characters.png | 1.5 | crop_width=32 | crop_height=56 | crop_x=96 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=He has the highest attack strength and a good jump but the least health.
 +
}}
 +
}}
  
 
===Battlefields===
 
===Battlefields===
−
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=200|
+
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=320|
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Machanga
 
| title=Machanga
−
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
+
| screenshot=Growl, Stage 1-1.png
 +
| screenshot2=Growl, Stage 1-2.png
 +
| screenshot3=Growl, Stage 1-3.png
 +
| screenshot4=Growl, Stage 1-4.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 
| desc=
 
| desc=
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=The Unwelcome Passenger
 
| title=The Unwelcome Passenger
−
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
+
| screenshot=Growl, Stage 2.png
 
| desc=
 
| desc=
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Down on the Docks
 
| title=Down on the Docks
−
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
+
| screenshot=Growl, Stage 3-1.png
 +
| screenshot2=Growl, Stage 3-2.png
 +
| screenshot3=Growl, Stage 3-3.png
 +
| screenshot4=Growl, Stage 3-4.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 
| desc=
 
| desc=
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Cargo of Death
 
| title=Cargo of Death
−
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
+
| screenshot=Growl, Stage 4-1.png
 +
| screenshot2=Growl, Stage 4-2.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 
| desc=
 
| desc=
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Jungle Battle
 
| title=Jungle Battle
−
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
+
| screenshot=Growl, Stage 5-1.png
 +
| screenshot2=Growl, Stage 5-2.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 
| desc=
 
| desc=
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Daggers in the Dark
 
| title=Daggers in the Dark
−
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
+
| screenshot=Growl, Stage 6-1.png
 +
| screenshot2=Growl, Stage 6-2.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 
| desc=
 
| desc=
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=The RAPO Base
 
| title=The RAPO Base
−
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
+
| screenshot=Growl, Stage 7-1.png
 +
| screenshot2=Growl, Stage 7-2.png
 +
| screenshot3=Growl, Stage 7-3.png
 +
| screenshot4=Growl, Stage 7-4.png
 +
| screenshot5=Growl, Stage 7-5.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 
| desc=
 
| desc=
 
}}
 
}}

Revision as of 19:15, 3 May 2022

n/a

  • NTSC-U
  • NTSC-J

Growl MDTitleScreen.png

Runark MDTitleScreen.png

Growl
System(s): Sega Mega Drive
Publisher: Taito (JP, US, FR) Samsung (KR)
Developer:
Original system(s): Taito F2 System
Developer(s) of original games: Taito
Sound driver: SMPS Z80
Genre: Action[1]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP 		¥6,8006,800 T-11153
Sega Mega Drive
US 		11076
Sega Mega Drive
FR 		11076
Sega Mega Drive
KR 		GM4016JT
Non-Sega versions

Growl, known in Japan as Runark (ルナーク), is a Sega Mega Drive beat-'em-up game developed by I.T.L. and published by Taito. A port of the publisher's titular 1990 arcade game Growl, it was first released in Japan in November 1991[1], and was later brought to the United States in the following months. The American release would eventually be officially distributed in France with a French-language manual[2], and Growl would even be published in South Korea by Samsung.

Story

Growl, Introduction.png

Introduction

A worldwide craze to own exotic pets has led to many species being hunted to near-extinction by the poaching and smuggling ring calling itself the Rendow Animal Protection Organization (RAPO). The Protector of Animals' World Society (PAWS) has committed itself to ending this trade and defeating RAPO.

Gameplay

Growl, Character Select.png

Character select

The game is a belt-scrolling beat-'em-up. The player begins the game by choosing from one of four different forest rangers, each with a different amount of health, attack strength, and jumping height. The character walks with Left and Right and moves in and out of the plane with Up and Down. He jumps with B and attacks with A. He can perform a variety of different attacks (punches, kicks, and finishing blows) depending on the position of an enemy. Without a weapon equipped, he performs a spinning kick with A+B or with C or a leaping kick with Left+C or Right+C, though these special moves cost a small amount of health and cannot be performed if the player does not have enough health remaining.

The player can procure weapons by destroying barrels and wooden crates or disarming certain enemies. There are a total of eight weapons which can be obtained: three melee weapons (a pipe, a sword and a whip), two throwing weapons (knives and hand grenades), and three firearms (a revolver, an M-16 assault rifle, and a four-barreled rocket launcher). The barrels and crates can be picked up and thrown at enemies as well. When the assault rifle or rocket launcher runs out of ammunition, they are still wielded by the player as melee weapons. The revolver, on the other hand, is thrown by the player after all of its bullets are used. The player can drop the current weapon with C. If a weapon lies on the ground after a certain period, it vanishes completely.

Some of the stages have animals that help out the player after they are rescued from a poacher, such as an eagle, a herd of deer, and an elephant.

The character has a limited amount of health, indicated in the status area at the bottom of the screen, which is lost by taking damage from enemies or using special moves. The player can pick up apples to restore some health. If the player runs out of health, the game ends, but it can be continued as long as there are continues remaining.

Characters

Growl, Characters.png
 Gen
He has good health and attack and a high jump.
Growl, Characters.png
 Burn
He has high health and a good jump but low attack strength.
Growl, Characters.png
 Khan
He has high health and a high jump but low attack strength.
Growl, Characters.png
 Jack
He has the highest attack strength and a good jump but the least health.

Battlefields

Growl, Stage 1-1.png

Growl, Stage 1-2.png

Growl, Stage 1-3.png

Growl, Stage 1-4.png

  • Growl, Stage 1-1.png

  • Growl, Stage 1-2.png

  • Growl, Stage 1-3.png

  • Growl, Stage 1-4.png

Machanga

Growl, Stage 2.png

The Unwelcome Passenger

Growl, Stage 3-1.png

Growl, Stage 3-2.png

Growl, Stage 3-3.png

Growl, Stage 3-4.png

  • Growl, Stage 3-1.png

  • Growl, Stage 3-2.png

  • Growl, Stage 3-3.png

  • Growl, Stage 3-4.png

Down on the Docks

Growl, Stage 4-1.png

Growl, Stage 4-2.png

  • Growl, Stage 4-1.png

  • Growl, Stage 4-2.png

Cargo of Death

Growl, Stage 5-1.png

Growl, Stage 5-2.png

  • Growl, Stage 5-1.png

  • Growl, Stage 5-2.png

Jungle Battle

Growl, Stage 6-1.png

Growl, Stage 6-2.png

  • Growl, Stage 6-1.png

  • Growl, Stage 6-2.png

Daggers in the Dark

Growl, Stage 7-1.png

Growl, Stage 7-2.png

Growl, Stage 7-3.png

Growl, Stage 7-4.png

Growl, Stage 7-5.png

  • Growl, Stage 7-1.png

  • Growl, Stage 7-2.png

  • Growl, Stage 7-3.png

  • Growl, Stage 7-4.png

  • Growl, Stage 7-5.png

The RAPO Base

Versions

Even though the arcade machine supported up to four players simultaneously, the Mega Drive version of Growl is a one-player only game. All sampled speech has been removed in the Sega conversion, and is substituted with captions at the bottom of the screen.

Localised names

Also known as
Language Localised Name English Translation
English (US) Growl Growl
Japanese ルナーク Runark

Magazine articles

Main article: Growl/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: Growl/Promotional material.

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
30
[3]
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU) NTSC-J
30
[4]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
55
[5]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
55
[6]
Console XS (UK) NTSC-J
78
[7]
Cool Gamer (RU)
50
[8]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
50
[9]
Games-X (UK)
70
[10]
Génération 4 (FR)
70
[11]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
40
[12]
Joypad (FR)
62
[13]
Joystick (FR) NTSC-J
70
[14]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
59
[15]
MegaTech (UK) NTSC
50
[16]
Power Play (DE)
45
[17]
Sega Pro (UK) NTSC-J
70
[18]
Sega Pro (UK) NTSC-J
58
[19]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
54
[20]
Supergame (BR) NTSC-J
84
[21]
Tricks 16 bit (RU) NTSC-U
59
[22]
User (GR) NTSC-U
52
[23]
Sega Mega Drive
 57
Based on
21 reviews

Growl

Mega Drive, JP
Growl MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
RUNARK MD JP CartTop.jpg
Runark MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, US
Growl MD US cover.jpg
Cover
Growl MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Growl MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, FR

Mega Drive, KR
Runark MD KR cover.jpg
Cover
Runark MD KR Cart Back.jpgRunark MD KR Cart.jpg
Cart

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega Drive
✔
CRC32 f60ef143
MD5 3152ebc067925b0ca35d20290de0985a
SHA-1 63a08057fe9fd489590f39c5c06709266f625ab0
512kB 1991-11 Cartridge (US)
Sega Mega Drive
✔
CRC32 0894d8fb
MD5 5a41a9e23515f2a6097fcb279e345ba8
SHA-1 25a0322db3b82e3da6f1dab550b3e52f21be6b58
512kB 1991-11 Cartridge (JP/KR)
Sega Mega Drive
 ?
CRC32 aa973de7
MD5 0f6115db9cee69227fb9b14799d444fb
SHA-1 554885a8ec5fcd238cd6fce667f2c082ab138786
512kB 1991-08-26 CD-R disc Page

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-02 23:21)
  2. ↑ http://www.guardiana.net/MDG-Database/Mega%20Drive/RunArk/#v290
  3. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 132
  4. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 197
  5. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "März 1992" (DE; 1992-02-14), page 116
  6. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "December 1991" (JP; 1991-11-08), page 38
  7. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 133
  8. ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 179
  9. ↑ Famitsu, "1991-11-15,22" (JP; 1991-11-01), page 39
  10. ↑ Games-X, "28th November-4th December 1991" (UK; 1991-11-28), page 30
  11. ↑ Génération 4, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 138
  12. ↑ Hippon Super, "December 1991" (JP; 1991-11-05), page 89
  13. ↑ Joypad, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 1991-12-1x), page 90
  14. ↑ Joystick, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 114
  15. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "February 1992" (JP; 1992-01-08), page 89
  16. ↑ MegaTech, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-20), page 50
  17. ↑ Power Play, "3/92" (DE; 1992-02-12), page 136
  18. ↑ Sega Pro, "Christmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-12), page 60
  19. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 67
  20. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 87
  21. ↑ Supergame, "Julho 1992" (BR; 1992-07-xx), page 17
  22. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 83
  23. ↑ User, "Ioúlios 1992" (GR; 1992-0x-xx), page 88


Growl

Growl MDTitleScreen.png

Main page | Comparisons | Maps | Hidden content | Magazine articles | Reception | Promotional material | Region coding | Technical information | Bootlegs


Sega Mega Drive
Prototypes: 1991-08-26
Retrieved from "https://segaretro.org/index.php?title=Growl&oldid=773960"