Difference between revisions of "Ristar"

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| tab2=NTSC-J
 
| tab2=NTSC-J
 
| publisher=[[Sega]]
 
| publisher=[[Sega]]
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| developer={{company|[[Sega CS]]|system=MD}}
+
| developer={{company|[[Sega CS1]]{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20210605201059/https://twitter.com/motekin/status/1030419232171810817}}|system=MD|role=early development<ref>based on producers Minoru Kanari (1992) and Yoji Ishii (1993)</ref>}}
 +
{{company|[[Sega CS3]]|system=MD|role=later development<ref>based on producers Makoto Oshitani (1993) and Hiroshi Aso (1994)</ref>}}
 
{{company|[[M2]]{{ref|https://www.mtwo.co.jp/development/retrogame-2/#tab-1}}|system=VC}}
 
{{company|[[M2]]{{ref|https://www.mtwo.co.jp/development/retrogame-2/#tab-1}}|system=VC}}
−
| system=[[Sega Mega Drive]], [[Virtual Console]], [[Steam]], [[Android]], [[iOS]]
+
| system=[[Sega Mega Drive]], [[Virtual Console]], [[Nintendo Switch Online]], [[Steam]], [[Android]], [[iOS]]
 
| sounddriver=[[SMPS 68000]] (modified)
 
| sounddriver=[[SMPS 68000]] (modified)
 
| peripherals=
 
| peripherals=
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| md_code_uk=1555-50
 
| md_code_uk=1555-50
 
| md_rating_uk=3
 
| md_rating_uk=3
−
| md_rrp_uk=44.99{{magref|cvg|160|100}}{{magref|mega|28|32}}
+
| md_rrp_uk=44.99{{magref|mega|28|32}}
 
| md_date_de=1995-02-17
 
| md_date_de=1995-02-17
 
| md_code_de=1555-50
 
| md_code_de=1555-50
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}}
 
}}
 
{{releasesSwitch
 
{{releasesSwitch
−
| switchonline_date_jp=2021-10-25
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| switchonline_date_jp=2021-10-26{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20211026030416/https://store-jp.nintendo.com/list/software/70010000046986.html}}
−
| switchonline_date_us=2021-10-25
+
| switchonline_rrp_jp=sub
−
| switchonline_date_eu=2021-10-25
+
| switchonline_date_us=2021-10-25{{ref|https://archive.ph/Q1rJk|https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/1449023950957252646}}
 +
| switchonline_rrp_us=sub
 +
| switchonline_date_eu=2021-10-26{{ref|https://archive.ph/DfKlt|https://twitter.com/NintendoEurope/status/1449031563715530753}}
 +
| switchonline_rrp_eu=sub
 +
| switchonline_date_uk=2021-10-26{{ref|https://archive.ph/mgq51|https://twitter.com/NintendoUK/status/1453019027635412996}}
 +
| switchonline_rrp_uk=sub
 +
| switchonline_date_au=2021-10-26{{ref|https://archive.ph/X8J2r|https://twitter.com/NintendoAUNZ/status/1452816937591836675}}
 +
| switchonline_rrp_au=sub
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{releasesDigital
 
{{releasesDigital
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At first glance, Ristar has basic platforming skills as he can jump about his own height with {{A}} or {{C}} (by default), and cannot look up or down. Ristar's main ability, and the core mechanic of the game, are his stretchy arms. To kill enemies, the player must grab them with Ristar's arms with {{B}}, and after releasing {{B}} Ristar will headbutt the enemy. This is the only way to eliminate enemies as jumping on them will not work. Ristar's arms can also be used for many other purposes, such as climbing walls, swinging across poles and even finding bonuses (health points, 1UPs, etc.) by stretching them into tiny breaches in walls (the player may also find them by headbutting certain sections of certain walls). A very important aspect of this ability is to ride Star Handles to perform a Meteor Strike, which is used to move from one location to another without having to walk as well as take out enemies. While performing a Meteor Strike, Ristar can change his direction mid-flight on Normal difficulty, but cannot on harder difficulties.
 
At first glance, Ristar has basic platforming skills as he can jump about his own height with {{A}} or {{C}} (by default), and cannot look up or down. Ristar's main ability, and the core mechanic of the game, are his stretchy arms. To kill enemies, the player must grab them with Ristar's arms with {{B}}, and after releasing {{B}} Ristar will headbutt the enemy. This is the only way to eliminate enemies as jumping on them will not work. Ristar's arms can also be used for many other purposes, such as climbing walls, swinging across poles and even finding bonuses (health points, 1UPs, etc.) by stretching them into tiny breaches in walls (the player may also find them by headbutting certain sections of certain walls). A very important aspect of this ability is to ride Star Handles to perform a Meteor Strike, which is used to move from one location to another without having to walk as well as take out enemies. While performing a Meteor Strike, Ristar can change his direction mid-flight on Normal difficulty, but cannot on harder difficulties.
  
−
In levels with water, Ristar has the ability to explore underwater without needing to breathe. He can also swim underwater with ease in all eight cardinal directions, and can use his arms to swim faster with {{A}} or {{C}}. His grabbing ability is just as effective underwater as it is on dry land.
+
Certain sections have wall ladders or ceiling bars for Ristar to climb with. While climbing a ladder, Ristar can use {{Up}} or {{Down}} to move, {{A}} or {{C}} to jump off, or {{B}} to spin as a means of avoiding damage. While hanging from ceiling bars, he can move with {{Left}} or {{Right}} and let go with {{A}} or {{C}}. In levels with water, Ristar has the ability to explore underwater without needing to breathe. He can also swim underwater with ease in all eight cardinal directions, and can use his arms to swim faster with {{A}} or {{C}}. His grabbing ability is just as effective underwater as it is on dry land.
  
−
The game has a simple health system: the player starts with 4 or 2 stars (depending on the difficulty selected), the max number of stars is 4. Every time Ristar is hit, the player will lose one star. There are situations where they'll lose all their health, but these are rare. The player may replenish health by collecting items. ''Ristar'' also has a very basic life/continue system: once the player loses all of their lives, they'll be taken to a continue screen where they can choose to keep going with the game or give up. The player may earn more continues by clearing the Bonus Stages quickly.
+
The game has a simple health system: the player starts with 4 or 2 stars (depending on the difficulty selected), the max number of stars is 4. Every time Ristar is hit, the player will lose one star, and a life is lost if all stars are gone. There are situations where they'll instantly lose all their health, but these are rare. The player may replenish health by collecting items. ''Ristar'' also has a very basic life/continue system: once the player loses all of their lives, they'll be taken to a continue screen where they can choose to keep going with the game or give up. The player may earn more continues by clearing the Bonus Stages quickly.
  
 
Earning points comes mainly from toppling enemies (generally awards 100 points) and Yellow Jewels. At the end of an area, the player can use a Star Handle to exit the area with as much altitude as possible for a bonus of up to 20,100 points. After defeating a boss, the player is awarded points based on secrets found, and how much the player takes damage (the fewer times they are hit, the better the bonus). Extra lives are awarded for very 30,000 points earned.
 
Earning points comes mainly from toppling enemies (generally awards 100 points) and Yellow Jewels. At the end of an area, the player can use a Star Handle to exit the area with as much altitude as possible for a bonus of up to 20,100 points. After defeating a boss, the player is awarded points based on secrets found, and how much the player takes damage (the fewer times they are hit, the better the bonus). Extra lives are awarded for very 30,000 points earned.
  
 
===Items===
 
===Items===
−
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=50|
+
{{InfoTable|
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Little Star{{fileref|Ristar md us manual.pdf|page=12}} / 1UP{{fileref|Ristar md jp manual.pdf|page=9}}
 
| title=Little Star{{fileref|Ristar md us manual.pdf|page=12}} / 1UP{{fileref|Ristar md jp manual.pdf|page=9}}
−
| sprite=
+
| sprite={{sprite|Ristar MD Sprite Items.png|2|crop_width=24|crop_height=16|crop_x=0}}
 
| desc=Awards the player an extra life.
 
| desc=Awards the player an extra life.
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Little Star (grey){{fileref|Ristar md us manual.pdf|page=12}}
 
| title=Little Star (grey){{fileref|Ristar md us manual.pdf|page=12}}
−
| sprite=
+
| sprite={{sprite|Ristar MD Sprite Items.png|2|crop_width=24|crop_height=24|crop_x=24}}
 
| desc=Appears only in Round 3-1. Can be used as a decoy to set off traps safely.
 
| desc=Appears only in Round 3-1. Can be used as a decoy to set off traps safely.
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Restore Star{{fileref|Ristar md us manual.pdf|page=12}} / Life Item (ライフアイテム){{fileref|Ristar md jp manual.pdf|page=9}} (yellow)
 
| title=Restore Star{{fileref|Ristar md us manual.pdf|page=12}} / Life Item (ライフアイテム){{fileref|Ristar md jp manual.pdf|page=9}} (yellow)
−
| sprite=
+
| sprite={{sprite|Ristar MD Sprite Items.png|2|crop_width=15|crop_height=16|crop_x=48}}
 
| desc=Restores one star to Ristar's health.
 
| desc=Restores one star to Ristar's health.
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Restore Star{{fileref|Ristar md us manual.pdf|page=12}} / Life Item (ライフアイテム){{fileref|Ristar md jp manual.pdf|page=9}} (blue)
 
| title=Restore Star{{fileref|Ristar md us manual.pdf|page=12}} / Life Item (ライフアイテム){{fileref|Ristar md jp manual.pdf|page=9}} (blue)
−
| sprite=
+
| sprite={{sprite|Ristar MD Sprite Items.png|2|crop_width=15|crop_height=16|crop_x=63}}
 
| desc=Restores up to three stars to Ristar's health.
 
| desc=Restores up to three stars to Ristar's health.
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Yellow Jewel{{fileref|Ristar md us manual.pdf|page=12}} / Score Item (スコアアイテム){{fileref|Ristar md jp manual.pdf|page=9}}
 
| title=Yellow Jewel{{fileref|Ristar md us manual.pdf|page=12}} / Score Item (スコアアイテム){{fileref|Ristar md jp manual.pdf|page=9}}
−
| sprite=
+
| sprite={{sprite|Ristar MD Sprite Items.png|2|crop_width=16|crop_height=16|crop_x=78}}
 
| desc=Worth between 100 and 1,600 points, depending on how hard it is to reach.
 
| desc=Worth between 100 and 1,600 points, depending on how hard it is to reach.
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Star Handle{{fileref|Ristar md us manual.pdf|page=12}}
 
| title=Star Handle{{fileref|Ristar md us manual.pdf|page=12}}
−
| sprite=
+
| sprite={{sprite|Ristar MD Sprite Items.png|2|crop_width=40|crop_height=29|crop_x=94}}
 
| desc=Ristar can swing from these to perform Meteor Strikes. Hold {{Left}} or {{Right}} depending on which direction Ristar is swinging in, then release {{B}}.
 
| desc=Ristar can swing from these to perform Meteor Strikes. Hold {{Left}} or {{Right}} depending on which direction Ristar is swinging in, then release {{B}}.
 
}}
 
}}
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{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Round 1 - Planet Flora/Neer
 
| title=Round 1 - Planet Flora/Neer
−
| screenshot=Flora.png
+
| screenshot=Ristar MD Round1-1.png
−
| desc=Planet Flora is the first level of ''Ristar'', and is a generic grassland/jungle trope, with lots of vegetation similar to the flora found in ''Sonic'' games. It is pretty easy and mainly about getting used to the controls. The second area includes a darker jungle setting.
+
| screenshot2=Ristar MD Round1-2.png
 +
| screenshot3=Ristar MD Round1Boss.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=Planet Flora is the first level of ''Ristar'', and is a generic grassland/jungle trope, with lots of vegetation similar to the flora found in ''Sonic'' games. It is pretty easy and mainly about getting used to the controls, with the first area ending in a mini-boss against a large serpent. The second area includes a darker jungle setting, with trees that Ristar can knock over to form a bridge.
  
−
Riho, the boss of Flora, is also easy to defeat. He will be possessing the planet's elder, making him attack Ristar with wind spells. Ristar has to attack the elder multiple times to shake Riho off so he can attack him.
+
Riho, the boss of Flora, is also easy to defeat. He will be possessing the planet's elder, making him attack Ristar with wind spells that will hold Ristar in place and leave him vulnerable, requiring the player to mash the buttons to break free. Ristar has to attack the elder multiple times to shake Riho off so he can attack him.
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Round 2 - Planet Undertow/Leatow
 
| title=Round 2 - Planet Undertow/Leatow
−
| screenshot=Undertow ristar.png
+
| screenshot=Ristar MD Round2-1.png
 +
| screenshot2=Ristar MD Round2-2.png
 +
| screenshot3=Ristar MD Round2Boss.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 
| desc=Planet Undertow is the aquatic ruin level where nasty fish foes are abound. This planet gives the player the opportunity to try out Ristar's underwater swimming abilities, though they should be aware that it's rather tricky to grab things here. The background in the first area, like in Planet Flora, is a bit lighter than in the second area, which is made of a totally submerged series of tunnels filled with enemies that must be defeated in order to move on, with little to no sections of dry land.
 
| desc=Planet Undertow is the aquatic ruin level where nasty fish foes are abound. This planet gives the player the opportunity to try out Ristar's underwater swimming abilities, though they should be aware that it's rather tricky to grab things here. The background in the first area, like in Planet Flora, is a bit lighter than in the second area, which is made of a totally submerged series of tunnels filled with enemies that must be defeated in order to move on, with little to no sections of dry land.
  
−
The boss here is Ohsat, a hammerhead shark who mainly resides in the background to hammer pillars, and periodically swim to the foreground to attack. This is when the player can attack him.
+
The boss here is Ohsat, a hammerhead shark who mainly resides in the background to hammer pillars, and periodically swim to the foreground to attack. This is when the player can attack him. Each time Ohsat is attacked, one of the corks in the holes will be knocked loose, draining the water and creating less swimming room for both Ristar and Ohsat.
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Round 3 - Planet Scorch/Onaclove
 
| title=Round 3 - Planet Scorch/Onaclove
−
| screenshot=Scorch ristar.png
+
| screenshot=Ristar MD Round3-1.png
−
| desc=Planet Scorch follows the archetype of the fiery industrial world and is considerably harder than the previous planets. The second the player lands on the planet they'll face a rain of flaming meteors which only goes away a few seconds after. Scorch also requires a high level of mastery of all the basic skills (jumping and grabbing). There's a mini-boss involving a memory game at the end of the first area. The second area has lift systems that will require the use of Ristar's arms to operate, and sections where mooks will detonate bombs and destroy the terrain.
+
| screenshot2=Ristar MD Round3-2.png
 +
| screenshot3=Ristar MD Round3Boss.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=Originally a planet of eternal summer, Planet Scorch follows the archetype of the fiery industrial world and is considerably harder than the previous planets. The second the player lands on the planet they'll face a rain of flaming meteors which only goes away a few seconds after, and traps that will necessitate the use of decoy statues. Scorch also requires a high level of mastery of all the basic skills (jumping and grabbing). There's a mini-boss involving a memory game at the end of the first area. The second area, set within an underground factory, has lift systems that will require the use of Ristar's arms to operate, and sections where mooks will detonate bombs and destroy the terrain.
  
 
The boss is Adahan, a mole inside a robotic exoskeleton. His attacks will involve using his claws to attack Ristar directly or to send sand waves at him. After inflicting a certain number of hits, he will destroy the ground and have Ristar fall down a long shaft, taking the fight to freefall.
 
The boss is Adahan, a mole inside a robotic exoskeleton. His attacks will involve using his claws to attack Ristar directly or to send sand waves at him. After inflicting a certain number of hits, he will destroy the ground and have Ristar fall down a long shaft, taking the fight to freefall.
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{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Round 4 - Planet Sonata/Neuos
 
| title=Round 4 - Planet Sonata/Neuos
−
| screenshot=Ristar 001.PNG
+
| screenshot=Ristar MD Round4-1.png
−
| desc=Planet Sonata is considered by many players the most creative stage in ''Ristar''—even one of the most original stage to ever appear in a platform game at that time. Sonata revolves solely around music and the level is vastly decorated in a musical theme: grabbing poles are flutes and, handholds are trumpets and enemies even launch dangerous musical notes at the player. The first area (which takes in a strangely futuristic background) is made of four sections and in each of these sections there's a very singular objective: deliver metronomes to the songbirds in order to advance through the level. The mini-boss consists of toppling three mechanical bird heads. The second area is much more related to disco/dance, especially the background music, though apparently it takes place in some kind of dark castle or chamber.
+
| screenshot2=Ristar MD Round4-2.png
 +
| screenshot3=Ristar MD Round4Boss.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=Planet Sonata is considered by many players the most creative stage in ''Ristar''—even one of the most original stage to ever appear in a platform game at that time. Sonata revolves solely around music and the level is vastly decorated in a musical theme: grabbing poles are flutes and, handholds are trumpets and enemies even launch dangerous musical notes at the player. The first area (which takes in a strangely futuristic background) is made of four sections and in each of these sections there's a very singular objective: deliver metronomes to the songbirds in order to advance through the level. The mini-boss consists of toppling three mechanical bird heads. The second area takes place in an indoor chamber and is much more related to disco/dance, especially the background music. Timpani drums will bounce Ristar high into the air, and stepping on certain floors will make dancing guitars come to life.
  
−
Awaueck, a giant hawk, is Sonata's boss. It will take out the bird that is singing on the perch and fill the theater with its dreadful tone-deaf singing. The player must knock it off the perch in order to attack it, while watching out for its divebomb and feather attacks.
+
Awaueck, a giant hawk, is Sonata's boss. It will take out the bird that is singing on the perch and fill the theater with its dreadful tone-deaf singing. The player must knock it off the perch in order to attack it, while watching out for its divebomb and feather attacks as well as falling ceiling tiles.
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Round 5 - Planet Freon/Elykiki
 
| title=Round 5 - Planet Freon/Elykiki
−
| screenshot=Freon ristar.png
+
| screenshot=Ristar MD Round5-1.png
−
| desc=Planet Freon is an ice planet. The first area is child's play, with lots of spinners and slippery floors. Throughout all of this area, Ristar will be closely followed by a strange alien who he'll fight at the end in a peculiar snowball fight. The second area is nowhere as easy and consists mostly of swimming around in near-frozen water.
+
| screenshot2=Ristar MD Round5-2.png
 +
| screenshot3=Ristar MD US Round5Boss.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=Planet Freon is an ice planet with icy walls that are too cold for Ristar to grab on to in most cases. The first area is child's play, with lots of spinners and slippery floors. Throughout all of this area, Ristar will be closely followed by a strange alien who he'll fight at the end in a peculiar snowball fight. The second area is nowhere as easy and consists mostly of swimming around in near-frozen water.
  
 
In the boss area, the strange alien who stalked Ristar during the first area will actually aid him in defeating Itamor—this is done by hurling bowls of hot soup provided by him into Itamor's mouth. Itamor attacks by tossing frozen treats at Ristar, and will periodically freeze him solid with his icy breath, then proceed to suck him up and chew on him.
 
In the boss area, the strange alien who stalked Ristar during the first area will actually aid him in defeating Itamor—this is done by hurling bowls of hot soup provided by him into Itamor's mouth. Itamor attacks by tossing frozen treats at Ristar, and will periodically freeze him solid with his icy breath, then proceed to suck him up and chew on him.
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{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Round 6 - Planet Automaton/Rewope
 
| title=Round 6 - Planet Automaton/Rewope
−
| screenshot=Automation.PNG
+
| screenshot=Ristar MD Round6-1.png
−
| desc=Planet Automaton, a mechanical world populated by robots, is a mixed bag: the first area is incredibly challenging with many spikes to swing over, and a section with no gravity that the player must swim through—it is also somewhat similar to mechanical levels in ''Sonic'' games like Scrap Brain Zone and Metropolis Zone. The second area is far less difficult, and instead involves the player finding crystals to power teleporters that will transport them to different rooms, each with their own puzzles to solve.
+
| screenshot2=Ristar MD Round6-2.png
 +
| screenshot3=Ristar MD Round6Boss.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=Planet Automaton is a mechanical world populated by robots that serves as Greedy's robot factory in the Western versions, or a gravitationally unstable research facility for artifical black holes in the Japanese version. Its difficulty is a mixed bag: the first area is incredibly challenging with many spikes to swing over, and a section with no gravity that the player must swim through—it is also somewhat similar to mechanical levels in ''Sonic'' games like Scrap Brain Zone and Metropolis Zone. The second area is far less difficult, and instead involves the player finding crystals to power teleporters that will transport them to different rooms, each with their own puzzles to solve.
  
 
Automaton's boss is Uranim, who will attack with various fighting moves and projectiles offered to him by Inonis, Greedy's right-hand man. Attacking him enough times will make him collapse, and the player will then have to avoid Inonis' claw and make it attack Uranim to inflict damage.
 
Automaton's boss is Uranim, who will attack with various fighting moves and projectiles offered to him by Inonis, Greedy's right-hand man. Attacking him enough times will make him collapse, and the player will then have to avoid Inonis' claw and make it attack Uranim to inflict damage.
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{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Round 7 - Castle Greedy
 
| title=Round 7 - Castle Greedy
−
| screenshot=Greedy's Spaceship.png
+
| screenshot=Ristar MD Round7-1.png
−
| desc=Castle Greedy is where the last fight with Greedy happens, although the player will still have to go through another mini-boss before him inside his spaceship.
+
| screenshot2=Ristar MD Round7-2.png
 +
| screenshot3=Ristar MD Round7Greedy.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=Castle Greedy is where the last fight with Greedy happens, although the player will still have to go through a few additional challenges before him inside his spaceship. The first is a short climb up through a platforming section, followed by a fight against Inonis in a cycloptic mech armed with a boomerang, turrets and a plasma cannon. Attacking the mech enough times will shut it down and force Inonis to repair it, making him vulnerable to attack.
 +
 
 +
The final battle against Greedy begins with Greedy summoning floating turrets to attack Ristar, then will deal with the little star himself by teleporting around and shooting projectiles from the air. When hit enough times, Greedy will pull his cape back and begin creating black holes that will instantly kill Ristar if he gets sucked into them, as well as firing lightning bolts into the ground. To avoid being sucked in, Ristar will need to hold on to an enemy.
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
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===Passwords===
 
===Passwords===
−
''Ristar'' allows the player to input codes in the options menu, which can result in different styles of play, among other things. If a code is not 6 letters long like SUPER, then any character can be added after the password and it will still work. SUPERB is a very common example.
+
''Ristar'' allows the player to input six-letter codes in the options menu, which can result in different styles of play, among other things. If a code is not 6 letters long like <tt>SUPER</tt>, then any character can be added after the password and it will still work. <tt>SUPERB</tt> is a very common example.
  
−
The game reveals four, six-letter passwords after the ending depending on how many treasures the player has collected. Super Hard password gets revealed if the player beats the game on Hard difficulty no matter how many treasures they have.
+
The game reveals four passwords after the ending depending on how many treasures the player has collected. The Super Hard password gets revealed if the player beats the game on Hard difficulty no matter how many treasures they have.
 
{| class="prettytable sortable"
 
{| class="prettytable sortable"
 
|-
 
|-
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! Effect
 
! Effect
 
|-
 
|-
−
| MAGURO
+
| <tt>MAGURO</tt>
 
| "ONCHI". Onchi Music mode and credits music in sound test.
 
| "ONCHI". Onchi Music mode and credits music in sound test.
 
|-
 
|-
−
| MUSEUM
+
| <tt>MUSEUM</tt>
 
| "BOSS". Boss Rush mode.
 
| "BOSS". Boss Rush mode.
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ILOVEU
+
| <tt>ILOVEU</tt>
 
| "RD.SEL". Stage select.
 
| "RD.SEL". Stage select.
 
|-
 
|-
−
| DOFEEL
+
| <tt>DOFEEL</tt>
 
| "ATTACK". Time Attack mode for bonus stages.
 
| "ATTACK". Time Attack mode for bonus stages.
 
|-
 
|-
−
| SUPER
+
| <tt>SUPER</tt>
 
| Super Hard mode.
 
| Super Hard mode.
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
There a number of [[Ristar/Hidden content|hidden passwords]] too.
+
There are a number of [[Ristar/Hidden content#Passwords|hidden passwords]] too.
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
 
===Development===
 
===Development===
−
Ristar was developed on the code base of [[Sega CS]]'s previous titles [[Honoo no Toukyuuji Dodge Danpei]] and [[The Hybrid Front]].{{ref|http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/User:Andlabs/Sega}}
+
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Development}}
 +
Ristar was developed on the code base of [[Sega CS]]'s previous titles ''[[Honoo no Toukyuuji Dodge Danpei]]'' and ''[[The Hybrid Front]]''.{{ref|http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/User:Andlabs/Sega}}
  
 
===Connections with Sonic the Hedgehog===
 
===Connections with Sonic the Hedgehog===
−
''Ristar'''s gameplay alone has garnered it lots of comparisons to the early ''Sonic'' games. The most significant link between ''Ristar'' and ''Sonic'' is the fact that ''Ristar'' was built on the ''[[sonic:Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' engine, including the level engine and music engine. Another strong link to ''Sonic'' was the prototype design of Ristar, named Feel — the character had a striking resemblance to Sonic, being a spherical yellow and black "rabbit," and even had identical shoes. Ristar also performed cameos along with other Sega characters in ''[[Shenmue]]'', ''[[Segagaga]]'' and ''[[Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing]]''.
+
''Ristar'''s gameplay alone has garnered it lots of comparisons to the early ''Sonic'' games. The most significant link between ''Ristar'' and ''Sonic'' is the fact that ''Ristar'' was built on the ''[[sonic:Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' engine, including the level engine and music engine. Another strong link to ''Sonic'' was the prototype design of Ristar, named Feel — the character had a striking resemblance to Sonic, being a spherical yellow and black "rabbit," and even had identical shoes.
  
 
===Legacy===
 
===Legacy===
 
''Ristar'' was re-released in 2002 (JP, NA) / 2003 (EU) as part of the ''[[Sonic Mega Collection]]'' on the [[Nintendo GameCube]] and in 2004 (JP, NA) / 2005 (EU) as part of the ''[[Sonic Mega Collection Plus]]'' on the [[PlayStation 2]] and the [[Xbox]]. To play ''Ristar'' in the GameCube edition, the player must play ''[[sonic:Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles|Sonic 3 & Knuckles]]'', ''[[Flicky]]'', ''[[sonic:Blue Sphere|Blue Sphere]]'', and ''[[sonic:Knuckles the Echidna in Sonic the Hedgehog 2|Knuckles in Sonic 2]]'' 30 times each; in the ''Plus'' edition, they must be played 20 times each.
 
''Ristar'' was re-released in 2002 (JP, NA) / 2003 (EU) as part of the ''[[Sonic Mega Collection]]'' on the [[Nintendo GameCube]] and in 2004 (JP, NA) / 2005 (EU) as part of the ''[[Sonic Mega Collection Plus]]'' on the [[PlayStation 2]] and the [[Xbox]]. To play ''Ristar'' in the GameCube edition, the player must play ''[[sonic:Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles|Sonic 3 & Knuckles]]'', ''[[Flicky]]'', ''[[sonic:Blue Sphere|Blue Sphere]]'', and ''[[sonic:Knuckles the Echidna in Sonic the Hedgehog 2|Knuckles in Sonic 2]]'' 30 times each; in the ''Plus'' edition, they must be played 20 times each.
 +
 +
Ristar also performed cameos along with other Sega characters in ''[[Shenmue]]'', ''[[Segagaga]]'' and ''[[Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing]]''.
  
 
==Versions==
 
==Versions==
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==Downloadable content==
 
==Downloadable content==
−
{{dlctable|
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{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Downloadable content}}
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{{dlc|Remove non-SEGA adverts
 
−
| ios_date_us=2017-08-09{{ref|1=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821191452/https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ristar/id1249354397?mt=8}}
 
−
| ios_rrp_us=1.99{{ref|1=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821191452/https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ristar/id1249354397?mt=8}}
 
−
| ios_date_uk=2017-08-09{{ref|1=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821191538/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/ristar/id1249354397?mt=8}}
 
−
| ios_rrp_uk=1.99{{ref|1=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821191538/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/ristar/id1249354397?mt=8}}
 
−
| ios_date_eu=2017-08-09{{ref|1=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106034011/https://itunes.apple.com/fr/app/ristar/id1249354397?mt=8}}
 
−
| ios_rrp_eu=2.29{{ref|1=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106034011/https://itunes.apple.com/fr/app/ristar/id1249354397?mt=8}}
 
−
| ios_date_au=2017-08-09{{ref|1=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106034048/https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/ristar/id1249354397?mt=8}}
 
−
| ios_rrp_au=2.99{{ref|1=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106034048/https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/ristar/id1249354397?mt=8}}
 
−
| android_date_us=2017-08-09{{ref|1=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821190934/https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sega.ristar}}
 
−
| android_rrp_us=1.99{{ref|1=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821190934/https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sega.ristar}}
 
−
| android_date_uk=2017-08-09{{ref|1=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821190934/https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sega.ristar}}
 
−
| android_rrp_uk=1.99
 
−
| android_date_eu=2017-08-09{{ref|1=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821190934/https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sega.ristar}}
 
−
| android_rrp_eu=2.29
 
−
| android_date_au=2017-08-09{{ref|1=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821190934/https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sega.ristar}}
 
−
| android_rrp_au=2.99
 
−
}}
 
−
}}
 
  
 
==Production credits==
 
==Production credits==
−
{{multicol|
+
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Production credits}}
−
{{creditstable|
 
−
{{creditsheader|- Staff -}}
 
−
*'''Game Planner:''' [[Akira Nishino]], [[Takeshi Niimura]]
 
−
*'''Chief Designer:''' [[Takumi Miyake]]
 
−
*'''Character Designer:''' [[Yuji Uekawa]]
 
−
*'''Planet Designers:''' [[Kouki Mogi|Koki Mogi]], Kazuyuki Iwasawa, Mikiharu Ooiwa
 
−
*'''Character Voice:''' Eriko Hanada
 
−
*'''Music Composer:''' [[Tomoko Sasaki]]
 
−
*'''Sound Programmers:''' [[Hiroshi Kubota]], Junya Kozakai
 
−
*'''Boss Programmer:''' [[Hiromasa Kaneko]]
 
−
*'''Player Programmer:''' [[Shigeru Yoshida]]
 
−
*'''Enemy Programmer:''' Naomi Hirai
 
−
*'''Effect Programmer:''' [[Takuya Matsumoto]]
 
−
*'''Project Director:''' [[Atsuhiko Nakamura]]
 
−
*'''Art Director:''' [[Yukio Sato]]
 
−
*'''Manual Director:''' [[Hiroyuki Mitsui]]
 
−
*'''Manual Designer:''' Yukiko Yahagi
 
−
*'''Manual Writer:''' [[Chieko Nakamura]]
 
−
*'''Test Players:''' [[Norihiro Sekine]], Haruyuki Hashimoto, [[Hideki Yokaichiya]]
 
−
*'''Special Thanks to:''' [[Osamu Hori]], Kenji Morita, [[Naofumi Hataya]], [[Masafumi Ogata|Masashi Ogata]], Naoko Hamada, [[Toshiko Arisaka]], [[Rica Terajima]], [[Ryoichi Hasegawa]]
 
−
*'''Producers:''' [[Hiroshi Aso]], [[Makoto Oshitani]], [[Yoji Ishii]], [[Minoru Kanari]]
 
−
{{creditsheader|- SOA Staff -}}
 
−
*'''Producer:''' [[Rhonda Van]]
 
−
*'''Assistant Producer:''' [[Erik Wahlberg]]
 
−
*'''Marketing Product Manager:''' [[Pamela Kelly]]
 
−
*'''Lead Tester:''' [[Marc Dawson]]
 
−
*'''Assistant Lead Tester:''' [[Lancelot Nelson|Lance Nelson]]
 
−
*'''Presented by:''' [[Sega Enterprises, Ltd.]]
 
−
| console=MD
 
−
}}
 
−
}}
 
−
Note: Osamu Hori may have either been the lead programmer or his code on ''[[Honoo no Toukyuuji: Dodge Danpei]]'' was used as a basis for Ristar's (Pyramid Magic needs to be checked).''
 
  
 
==Digital manuals==
 
==Digital manuals==
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 
Ristar Steam manual.pdf|Steam manual
 
Ristar Steam manual.pdf|Steam manual
 +
Ristar MD US MDMini2 manual.pdf|Mega Drive Mini 2 US manual
 +
Ristar MD EU MDMini2 manual.pdf|Mega Drive Mini 2 EU manual
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
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|gamepro|68|9
 
|gamepro|68|9
 
|sv|24|51
 
|sv|24|51
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|gameplayers|0805|57
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}}
 +
|{{galleryPrintAd
 +
|gamechamp|1995-04|2
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
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| icon=MD
 
| icon=MD
 
| digitiser=79
 
| digitiser=79
−
| gamefan=93
 
 
| gamesmaster=57
 
| gamesmaster=57
 
| gamesmaster_source={{num|26|page=40/41}}
 
| gamesmaster_source={{num|26|page=40/41}}
−
| megaforce=92
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
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{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
 
| console=Mega Drive
 
| console=Mega Drive
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| region=CZ
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| region=CZ ([[Datart]])
 
| cover=
 
| cover=
 
| cart=Ristar-eu-cart.jpg
 
| cart=Ristar-eu-cart.jpg
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==Technical information==
 
==Technical information==
−
===ROM dump status===
+
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Technical information}}
−
{{romtable|
 
−
{{rom|MD|sha1=1d15ff596dd4f3b2c1212a2e0c6e2b72f62c001e|md5=ecf9d0bac130fed7b6a54a67d7b27df7|crc32=6511aa61|size=2MB|date=1994-09|source=Cartridge (US/EU)|comments=|quality=good|prototype=}}
 
−
{{rom|MD|sha1=a4dd8dc0b673afe7372ba9c05c8d6090302dcf4e|md5=376f344f8ef5a4f8365867c9e94efb3e|crc32=ce464f0e|size=2MB|date=1994-09|source=Cartridge (JP)|comments=|quality=good|prototype=}}
 
−
{{rom|MD|sha1=d887378bed61a5be60664d3fe6559f78cc95d119|md5=ed51ed819a7521f512c38146ebf0c30f|crc32=7c5c7a0a|size=2MB|date=1994-07-01|source=CD-R disc|comments=|quality=good|prototype=yes}}
 
−
{{rom|MD|sha1=85b82470e5395e96e01a7339c81b60832ea3ab1a|md5=1a85211604a4ad278fdc511e20534a0d|crc32=6becccc9|size=2MB|date=1994-07-18|source=CD-R disc|comments=|quality=good|prototype=yes}}
 
−
{{rom|MD|sha1=078846cd7a6f86c6fe71c95b1d13e89e66bd9b25|md5=bcd30ad949ac4fb71bd74cf6ed96ea9a|crc32=4371f046|size=2MB|date=1994-08-12|source=CD-R disc|comments=|quality=good|prototype=yes}}
 
−
{{rom|MD|sha1=a54553ffa55fbdfc43cfb61af10ca0a79683ec75|md5=0cdf27d24a6b65e255e0d660a47eda53|crc32=d0c74fdd|size=2MB|date=1994-08-26|source=CD-R disc|comments=|quality=good|prototype=yes}}
 
−
}}
 
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
Line 550: Line 529:
 
{{RistarOmni}}
 
{{RistarOmni}}
 
[[Category:Sega Channel games]]
 
[[Category:Sega Channel games]]
 +
[[Category:Mega Drive Mini 2 games]]

Revision as of 11:04, 18 February 2024

For the Sega Game Gear game, see Ristar (Game Gear).

n/a

  • NTSC-U/PAL
  • NTSC-J

Ristar final.PNG

Ristar MD JP TitleScreen.png

Ristar
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Virtual Console, Nintendo Switch Online, Steam, Android, iOS
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Sound driver: SMPS 68000 (modified)
Genre: Action[5][6][7]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP 		¥6,8006,800 G-4126
Sega Rating: All Ages
Sega Mega Drive
US 		1555
ESRB: Kids to Adults
Sega Mega Drive
EU 		1555-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Mega Drive
DE 		DM 129.00129.00[9] 1555-50
Sega Mega Drive
PT 		MDJ1555
Sega Mega Drive
UK 		£44.9944.99[8] 1555-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Mega Drive
BR 		046550
Tectoy: Todas as Idades
Sega Mega Drive
KR 		GM95001JG
Wii Virtual Console
JP ▼ 		600pts600[15]
CERO: A
Wii Virtual Console
US ▼ 		800pts800[10]
ESRB: Everyone
Wii Virtual Console
EU ▼ 		800pts800[11]
PEGI: 3+
Wii Virtual Console
DE ▼ 		800pts800[11]
USK: 0
Wii Virtual Console
AU ▼ 		800pts800[16]
OFLC: General (G)
Nintendo Switch Online
JP ▼ 		SUBsub
Nintendo Switch Online
US ▼ 		SUBsub
Nintendo Switch Online
EU ▼ 		SUBsub
Nintendo Switch Online
UK ▼ 		SUBsub
Nintendo Switch Online
AU ▼ 		SUBsub
Steam
US ▼ 		$2.992.99[23] 34312
ESRB: Everyone
Steam
EU ▼ 		€2.492.49[23] 34312
PEGI: 3+
Steam
UK ▼ 		£1.991.99[23] 34312
PEGI: 3+
Steam
AU ▼ 		$3.493.49[23] 34312
OFLC: General (G)
Steam Linux
US ▼ 		$0.990.99[25] 34312
ESRB: Everyone
Steam Linux
EU ▼ 		€0.990.99[25] 34312
PEGI: 3+
Steam Linux
UK ▼ 		£0.790.79[25] 34312
PEGI: 3+
Steam Linux
AU ▼ 		$1.351.35[25] 34312
OFLC: General (G)
Steam OS X
US ▼ 		$0.990.99[25] 34312
ESRB: Everyone
Steam OS X
EU ▼ 		€0.990.99[25] 34312
PEGI: 3+
Steam OS X
UK ▼ 		£0.790.79[25] 34312
PEGI: 3+
Steam OS X
AU ▼ 		$1.351.35[25] 34312
OFLC: General (G)
Google Android OS
US ▼
(Sega Forever) 		FREEfree
ESRB: Everyone
Google Android OS
EU ▼
(Sega Forever) 		FREEfree
PEGI: 3+
Google Android OS
DE ▼
(Sega Forever) 		FREEfree
USK: 0
Google Android OS
AU ▼
(Sega Forever) 		FREEfree
OFLC: General (G)
iOS
US ▼
(Sega Forever) 		FREEfree
4+
iOS
EU ▼
(Sega Forever) 		FREEfree
4+

Ristar, released as Ristar The Shooting Star (リスター・ザ・シューティングスター) in Japan, is a Sega Mega Drive action platform game developed by Sega CS and published by Sega. Released in early 1995 to positive reviews, it was one of the final first-party Sega games released for the aging 16-bit platform.

Story

In Ristar, we follow the story of a far away solar system, Valdi, that was corrupted by an evil tyrant called Greedy. Greedy forced the leaders of each of the seven planets the system is composed of to work for him, enslaved the people and kidnapped Ristar's father. Desperate, they make a plea for help. It is answered by Ristar The Shooting Star, a tiny humanoid yellow star with long, elastic arms. To free the population and liberate his father, Ristar must fight Greedy's minions throughout every planet, restore the leaders and eventually fight Greedy himself.

In the Japanese version of the game, the story is different. Ristar's father is never mentioned, and instead the plea for help is answered by the Star Goddess, Oruto, who creates Ristar to fight Greedy and restore happiness to the Valdi system.

Gameplay

At first glance, Ristar has basic platforming skills as he can jump about his own height with A or C (by default), and cannot look up or down. Ristar's main ability, and the core mechanic of the game, are his stretchy arms. To kill enemies, the player must grab them with Ristar's arms with B, and after releasing B Ristar will headbutt the enemy. This is the only way to eliminate enemies as jumping on them will not work. Ristar's arms can also be used for many other purposes, such as climbing walls, swinging across poles and even finding bonuses (health points, 1UPs, etc.) by stretching them into tiny breaches in walls (the player may also find them by headbutting certain sections of certain walls). A very important aspect of this ability is to ride Star Handles to perform a Meteor Strike, which is used to move from one location to another without having to walk as well as take out enemies. While performing a Meteor Strike, Ristar can change his direction mid-flight on Normal difficulty, but cannot on harder difficulties.

Certain sections have wall ladders or ceiling bars for Ristar to climb with. While climbing a ladder, Ristar can use Up or Down to move, A or C to jump off, or B to spin as a means of avoiding damage. While hanging from ceiling bars, he can move with Left or Right and let go with A or C. In levels with water, Ristar has the ability to explore underwater without needing to breathe. He can also swim underwater with ease in all eight cardinal directions, and can use his arms to swim faster with A or C. His grabbing ability is just as effective underwater as it is on dry land.

The game has a simple health system: the player starts with 4 or 2 stars (depending on the difficulty selected), the max number of stars is 4. Every time Ristar is hit, the player will lose one star, and a life is lost if all stars are gone. There are situations where they'll instantly lose all their health, but these are rare. The player may replenish health by collecting items. Ristar also has a very basic life/continue system: once the player loses all of their lives, they'll be taken to a continue screen where they can choose to keep going with the game or give up. The player may earn more continues by clearing the Bonus Stages quickly.

Earning points comes mainly from toppling enemies (generally awards 100 points) and Yellow Jewels. At the end of an area, the player can use a Star Handle to exit the area with as much altitude as possible for a bonus of up to 20,100 points. After defeating a boss, the player is awarded points based on secrets found, and how much the player takes damage (the fewer times they are hit, the better the bonus). Extra lives are awarded for very 30,000 points earned.

Items

Ristar MD Sprite Items.png
 Little Star[29] / 1UP[30]
Awards the player an extra life.
Ristar MD Sprite Items.png
 Little Star (grey)[29]
Appears only in Round 3-1. Can be used as a decoy to set off traps safely.
Ristar MD Sprite Items.png
 Restore Star[29] / Life Item (ライフアイテム)[30] (yellow)
Restores one star to Ristar's health.
Ristar MD Sprite Items.png
 Restore Star[29] / Life Item (ライフアイテム)[30] (blue)
Restores up to three stars to Ristar's health.
Ristar MD Sprite Items.png
 Yellow Jewel[29] / Score Item (スコアアイテム)[30]
Worth between 100 and 1,600 points, depending on how hard it is to reach.
Ristar MD Sprite Items.png
 Star Handle[29]
Ristar can swing from these to perform Meteor Strikes. Hold Left or Right depending on which direction Ristar is swinging in, then release B.

Rounds

Note: the level names were changed when brought to the West.

Ristar MD Round1-1.png

Ristar MD Round1-2.png

Ristar MD Round1Boss.png

  • Ristar MD Round1-1.png

  • Ristar MD Round1-2.png

  • Ristar MD Round1Boss.png

Round 1 - Planet Flora/Neer
Planet Flora is the first level of Ristar, and is a generic grassland/jungle trope, with lots of vegetation similar to the flora found in Sonic games. It is pretty easy and mainly about getting used to the controls, with the first area ending in a mini-boss against a large serpent. The second area includes a darker jungle setting, with trees that Ristar can knock over to form a bridge.

Riho, the boss of Flora, is also easy to defeat. He will be possessing the planet's elder, making him attack Ristar with wind spells that will hold Ristar in place and leave him vulnerable, requiring the player to mash the buttons to break free. Ristar has to attack the elder multiple times to shake Riho off so he can attack him.

Ristar MD Round2-1.png

Ristar MD Round2-2.png

Ristar MD Round2Boss.png

  • Ristar MD Round2-1.png

  • Ristar MD Round2-2.png

  • Ristar MD Round2Boss.png

Round 2 - Planet Undertow/Leatow
Planet Undertow is the aquatic ruin level where nasty fish foes are abound. This planet gives the player the opportunity to try out Ristar's underwater swimming abilities, though they should be aware that it's rather tricky to grab things here. The background in the first area, like in Planet Flora, is a bit lighter than in the second area, which is made of a totally submerged series of tunnels filled with enemies that must be defeated in order to move on, with little to no sections of dry land.

The boss here is Ohsat, a hammerhead shark who mainly resides in the background to hammer pillars, and periodically swim to the foreground to attack. This is when the player can attack him. Each time Ohsat is attacked, one of the corks in the holes will be knocked loose, draining the water and creating less swimming room for both Ristar and Ohsat.

Ristar MD Round3-1.png

Ristar MD Round3-2.png

Ristar MD Round3Boss.png

  • Ristar MD Round3-1.png

  • Ristar MD Round3-2.png

  • Ristar MD Round3Boss.png

Round 3 - Planet Scorch/Onaclove
Originally a planet of eternal summer, Planet Scorch follows the archetype of the fiery industrial world and is considerably harder than the previous planets. The second the player lands on the planet they'll face a rain of flaming meteors which only goes away a few seconds after, and traps that will necessitate the use of decoy statues. Scorch also requires a high level of mastery of all the basic skills (jumping and grabbing). There's a mini-boss involving a memory game at the end of the first area. The second area, set within an underground factory, has lift systems that will require the use of Ristar's arms to operate, and sections where mooks will detonate bombs and destroy the terrain.

The boss is Adahan, a mole inside a robotic exoskeleton. His attacks will involve using his claws to attack Ristar directly or to send sand waves at him. After inflicting a certain number of hits, he will destroy the ground and have Ristar fall down a long shaft, taking the fight to freefall.

Ristar MD Round4-1.png

Ristar MD Round4-2.png

Ristar MD Round4Boss.png

  • Ristar MD Round4-1.png

  • Ristar MD Round4-2.png

  • Ristar MD Round4Boss.png

Round 4 - Planet Sonata/Neuos
Planet Sonata is considered by many players the most creative stage in Ristar—even one of the most original stage to ever appear in a platform game at that time. Sonata revolves solely around music and the level is vastly decorated in a musical theme: grabbing poles are flutes and, handholds are trumpets and enemies even launch dangerous musical notes at the player. The first area (which takes in a strangely futuristic background) is made of four sections and in each of these sections there's a very singular objective: deliver metronomes to the songbirds in order to advance through the level. The mini-boss consists of toppling three mechanical bird heads. The second area takes place in an indoor chamber and is much more related to disco/dance, especially the background music. Timpani drums will bounce Ristar high into the air, and stepping on certain floors will make dancing guitars come to life.

Awaueck, a giant hawk, is Sonata's boss. It will take out the bird that is singing on the perch and fill the theater with its dreadful tone-deaf singing. The player must knock it off the perch in order to attack it, while watching out for its divebomb and feather attacks as well as falling ceiling tiles.

Ristar MD Round5-1.png

Ristar MD Round5-2.png

Ristar MD US Round5Boss.png

  • Ristar MD Round5-1.png

  • Ristar MD Round5-2.png

  • Ristar MD US Round5Boss.png

Round 5 - Planet Freon/Elykiki
Planet Freon is an ice planet with icy walls that are too cold for Ristar to grab on to in most cases. The first area is child's play, with lots of spinners and slippery floors. Throughout all of this area, Ristar will be closely followed by a strange alien who he'll fight at the end in a peculiar snowball fight. The second area is nowhere as easy and consists mostly of swimming around in near-frozen water.

In the boss area, the strange alien who stalked Ristar during the first area will actually aid him in defeating Itamor—this is done by hurling bowls of hot soup provided by him into Itamor's mouth. Itamor attacks by tossing frozen treats at Ristar, and will periodically freeze him solid with his icy breath, then proceed to suck him up and chew on him.

Ristar MD Round6-1.png

Ristar MD Round6-2.png

Ristar MD Round6Boss.png

  • Ristar MD Round6-1.png

  • Ristar MD Round6-2.png

  • Ristar MD Round6Boss.png

Round 6 - Planet Automaton/Rewope
Planet Automaton is a mechanical world populated by robots that serves as Greedy's robot factory in the Western versions, or a gravitationally unstable research facility for artifical black holes in the Japanese version. Its difficulty is a mixed bag: the first area is incredibly challenging with many spikes to swing over, and a section with no gravity that the player must swim through—it is also somewhat similar to mechanical levels in Sonic games like Scrap Brain Zone and Metropolis Zone. The second area is far less difficult, and instead involves the player finding crystals to power teleporters that will transport them to different rooms, each with their own puzzles to solve.

Automaton's boss is Uranim, who will attack with various fighting moves and projectiles offered to him by Inonis, Greedy's right-hand man. Attacking him enough times will make him collapse, and the player will then have to avoid Inonis' claw and make it attack Uranim to inflict damage.

Ristar MD Round7-1.png

Ristar MD Round7-2.png

Ristar MD Round7Greedy.png

  • Ristar MD Round7-1.png

  • Ristar MD Round7-2.png

  • Ristar MD Round7Greedy.png

Round 7 - Castle Greedy
Castle Greedy is where the last fight with Greedy happens, although the player will still have to go through a few additional challenges before him inside his spaceship. The first is a short climb up through a platforming section, followed by a fight against Inonis in a cycloptic mech armed with a boomerang, turrets and a plasma cannon. Attacking the mech enough times will shut it down and force Inonis to repair it, making him vulnerable to attack.

The final battle against Greedy begins with Greedy summoning floating turrets to attack Ristar, then will deal with the little star himself by teleporting around and shooting projectiles from the air. When hit enough times, Greedy will pull his cape back and begin creating black holes that will instantly kill Ristar if he gets sucked into them, as well as firing lightning bolts into the ground. To avoid being sucked in, Ristar will need to hold on to an enemy.

Ristar bonus round.png

Bonus Stages
In Bonus Stages, found by locating special Star Handles in each area of a Round, the player will have one minute to attain a treasure chest and collect its treasure; the first Bonus Stage is very easy and consists of only one Star Handle, but they eventually get more and more bothersome. The player only has one try for each Bonus Stage. Also, completing them very rapidly will award the player one free continue. The items in the treasure chests are useless themselves, but if the player collects enough of them, they will reveal secret passwords at the end of the game.

Passwords

Ristar allows the player to input six-letter codes in the options menu, which can result in different styles of play, among other things. If a code is not 6 letters long like SUPER, then any character can be added after the password and it will still work. SUPERB is a very common example.

The game reveals four passwords after the ending depending on how many treasures the player has collected. The Super Hard password gets revealed if the player beats the game on Hard difficulty no matter how many treasures they have.

Code Effect
MAGURO "ONCHI". Onchi Music mode and credits music in sound test.
MUSEUM "BOSS". Boss Rush mode.
ILOVEU "RD.SEL". Stage select.
DOFEEL "ATTACK". Time Attack mode for bonus stages.
SUPER Super Hard mode.

There are a number of hidden passwords too.

History

Development

Main article: Ristar/Development.

Ristar was developed on the code base of Sega CS's previous titles Honoo no Toukyuuji Dodge Danpei and The Hybrid Front.[31]

Connections with Sonic the Hedgehog

Ristar's gameplay alone has garnered it lots of comparisons to the early Sonic games. The most significant link between Ristar and Sonic is the fact that Ristar was built on the Sonic the Hedgehog engine, including the level engine and music engine. Another strong link to Sonic was the prototype design of Ristar, named Feel — the character had a striking resemblance to Sonic, being a spherical yellow and black "rabbit," and even had identical shoes.

Legacy

Ristar was re-released in 2002 (JP, NA) / 2003 (EU) as part of the Sonic Mega Collection on the Nintendo GameCube and in 2004 (JP, NA) / 2005 (EU) as part of the Sonic Mega Collection Plus on the PlayStation 2 and the Xbox. To play Ristar in the GameCube edition, the player must play Sonic 3 & Knuckles, Flicky, Blue Sphere, and Knuckles in Sonic 2 30 times each; in the Plus edition, they must be played 20 times each.

Ristar also performed cameos along with other Sega characters in Shenmue, Segagaga and Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing.

Versions

Version history

Main article: Ristar/Changelog.
System Version Size Date Comment Ref Icon
Google Android OS
 0000040000010000010000000000004.1.1 57MB 202001092020-01-09 [32] Ristar Android icon 411.png
Download.svg (info) (57.27 MB)
Google Android OS
 0000020000000000010000000000002.0.1 46MB 201905222019-05-22 [33] Ristar Android icon 100.png
Download.svg (info) (45.92 MB)
Google Android OS
 0000020000000000000000000000002.0.0 45MB 201901312019-01-31 [34] Ristar Android icon 100.png
Download.svg (info) (45.1 MB)
Google Android OS
 0000010000020000020000000000001.2.2 44MB 201810312018-10-31 [35] Ristar Android icon 100.png
Download.svg (info) (44.42 MB)
Google Android OS
 0000010000020000010000000000001.2.1 43MB 201808062018-08-06 [36] Ristar Android icon 100.png
Download.svg (info) (42.68 MB)
Google Android OS
 0000010000010000010000000000001.1.1 49MB 201709262017-09-26 [37] Ristar Android icon 111.png
Download.svg (info) (48.82 MB)
Google Android OS
 0000010000010000000000000000001.1.0 49MB 201709052017-09-05 [38] Ristar Android icon 100.png
Download.svg (info) (48.81 MB)
Google Android OS
 0000010000000000000000000000001.0.0 53MB 201708092017-08-09 [38] Ristar Android icon 100.png
Download.svg (info) (52.79 MB)
iOS
 0000040000010000010000000000004.1.1 144.9MB 202001092020-01-09 [39]
iOS
 0000020000000000020000000000002.0.2 151.6MB 201906032019-06-03 [40]
iOS
 0000020000000000010000000000002.0.1 201905222019-05-22
iOS
 0000020000000000000000000000002.0.0 143.4MB 201901312019-01-31 [41]
iOS
 0000010000020000020000000000001.2.2 139.8MB 201810312018-10-31 [42]
iOS
 0000010000020000010000000000001.2.1 133.5MB 201808062018-08-06 [43]
iOS
 0000010000010000020000000000001.1.2 179MB 201709252017-09-25 [44]
iOS
 0000010000010000010000000000001.1.1 179MB 201709052017-09-05 [45]
iOS
 0000010000000000000000000000001.0 190MB 201708092017-08-09 [27]

Localised names

Also known as
Language Localised Name English Translation
English Ristar Ristar
English (US) Ristar Ristar
Japanese リスター・ザ・シューティングスター Ristar The Shooting Star

Downloadable content

Main article: Ristar/Downloadable content.

Production credits

Main article: Ristar/Production credits.

Digital manuals

  • Steam manual

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    convert: no images defined `/home/sonicret/domains/segaretro.org/public_html/images/temp/transform_39f44b1cef5e.jpg' @ error/convert.c/ConvertImageCommand/3229.

    Mega Drive Mini 2 US manual

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    Mega Drive Mini 2 EU manual

Magazine articles

Main article: Ristar/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Keep Devilishly Warm This Winter flyer NL.png
NL flyer
Keep Devilishly Warm This Winter flyer NL.png
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Sega Visions (US) #23: "February/March 1995" (199x-xx-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Game Champ (KR) #1995-04: "xxxx" (199x-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg

Artwork

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
79
57 №26, p40/41
Sega Mega Drive
 68
Based on
2 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
50
[49]
Consoles + (FR)
89
[50]
Cool Gamer (RU)
70
[51]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
83
[52]
Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US) NTSC-U
67
[53]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
73
[54]
GameFan (US) NTSC-U
93
[55]
Game Players (US) NTSC-U
79
[56]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
80
[57]
GamesMaster (UK) PAL
73
[58]
Games World: The Magazine (UK) PAL
83
[59]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
81
[60]
Joypad (FR) PAL
85
[61]
MAN!AC (DE) PAL
81
[62]
Mega (UK) PAL
82
[8]
Mega Force (FR) PAL
92
[63]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
84
[64]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
84
[65]
Next Generation (US) NTSC-U
50
[66]
Player One (FR)
90
[67]
Play Time (DE)
83
[68]
Power Up! (UK)
84
[69]
Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J
69
[70]
Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
87
[71]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
74
[72]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
90
[73]
Sega Force (SE)
73
[74]
Sega Mega Drive Review (RU)
72
[75]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
75
[76]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
83
[77]
Sonic the Comic (UK) PAL
86
[78]
Super Juegos (ES)
93
[79]
Todo Sega (ES)
92
[80]
Top Consoles (FR)
65
[81]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
83
[82]
Última Generación (ES)
72
[83]
Video Games (DE) PAL
72
[84]
VideoGames (US)
80
[85]
Sega Mega Drive
 79
Based on
38 reviews

Ristar

Mega Drive, JP
Ristar-jp-box.jpg
Cover
Ristar MD JP CartTop.jpg
Ristar MD JP Cart Back.jpgRistar MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Ristar md jp manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US
Ristar-us-box.jpg
Cover
Ristar-us-cart.jpg
Cart
Ristar md us manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
Ristar-eu-box.jpg
Cover
Ristar-eu-cart.jpg
Cart
Ristar Megadrive EU Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, FR (Blister pack)
Ristar MD FR blister front.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, PT

Mega Drive, BR
Ristar MD BR Box.jpg
Cover
Ristar MD BR Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, KR
Ristar MD KR cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, KR (alt)
Ristar MD KR alt cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, CZ (Datart)

Ristar-eu-cart.jpg
Cart
Ristar MD CZ Manual.jpg
Manual

Technical information

Main article: Ristar/Technical information.

External links

References

  1. ↑ @motekin on Twitter (Wayback Machine: 2021-06-05 20:10)
  2. ↑ based on producers Minoru Kanari (1992) and Yoji Ishii (1993)
  3. ↑ based on producers Makoto Oshitani (1993) and Hiroshi Aso (1994)
  4. ↑ https://www.mtwo.co.jp/development/retrogame-2/#tab-1
  5. ↑ File:Ristar-jp-box.jpg
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-20 09:51)
  7. ↑ Google Play (com.sega.ristar) (Wayback Machine: 2020-05-15 01:59)
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Mega, "January 1995" (UK; 1994-12-30), page 32
  9. ↑ Games World Magazin, "" (DE; 1995-02-17), page 12
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/ZqzRfRFTsBIJoxoUDFh8Tl-jtChfM5a9 (Wayback Machine: 2010-11-22 23:52)
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 http://www.nintendolife.com/games/megadrive/ristar (Wayback Machine: 2017-06-07 23:36)
  12. ↑ https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Virtual-Console-Wii-/Ristar--278722.html (archive.today)
  13. ↑ https://www.nintendo.de/Spiele/Virtual-Console-Wii-/Ristar--278722.html (archive.today)
  14. ↑ https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/software/01.html (Wayback Machine: 2017-11-23 05:03)
  15. ↑ http://vc.sega.jp:80/vc_rister/ (Wayback Machine: 2007-02-09 19:33)
  16. ↑ http://www.nintendo.com.au/index.php?action=catalogue&prodcat_id=41&prod_id=19763&pageID=4 (Wayback Machine: 2012-04-03 02:16)
  17. ↑ https://store-jp.nintendo.com/list/software/70010000046986.html (Wayback Machine: 2021-10-26 03:04)
  18. ↑ @NintendoAmerica on Twitter (archive.today)
  19. ↑ @NintendoEurope on Twitter (archive.today)
  20. ↑ @NintendoUK on Twitter (archive.today)
  21. ↑ @NintendoAUNZ on Twitter (archive.today)
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 https://steamdb.info/app/34312/ (Wayback Machine: 2019-11-08 23:10)
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 http://steamdb.info/app/34312/ (Wayback Machine: 2013-05-22 19:12)
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 24.5 24.6 24.7 https://steamdb.info/app/34312/history/?changeid=5755292
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 25.4 25.5 25.6 25.7 http://steamdb.info/app/34312/ (Wayback Machine: 2019-11-08 23:10)
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 Google Play (com.sega.ristar) (Wayback Machine: 2017-08-21 19:09)
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ristar/id1249354397?mt=8 (Wayback Machine: 2017-08-21 19:14)
  28. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/ristar/id1249354397?mt=8 (Wayback Machine: 2017-08-21 19:15)
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 29.4 29.5 File:Ristar md us manual.pdf, page 12
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 File:Ristar md jp manual.pdf, page 9
  31. ↑ http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/User:Andlabs/Sega
  32. ↑ Google Play (com.sega.ristar) (Wayback Machine: 2020-05-15 01:59)
  33. ↑ Google Play (com.sega.ristar) (Wayback Machine: 2019-12-02 01:21)
  34. ↑ Google Play (com.sega.ristar) (Wayback Machine: 2019-04-18 00:43)
  35. ↑ Google Play (com.sega.ristar) (Wayback Machine: 2018-11-06 03:42)
  36. ↑ Google Play (com.sega.ristar) (Wayback Machine: 2018-08-16 17:28)
  37. ↑ Google Play (com.sega.ristar) (Wayback Machine: 2017-10-08 17:22)
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 APKPure (com.sega.ristar) (Wayback Machine: 2018-08-16 17:30)
  39. ↑ https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ristar/id1249354397 (Wayback Machine: 2020-06-30 00:06)
  40. ↑ https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ristar/id1249354397 (Wayback Machine: 2019-09-29 11:54)
  41. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ristar/id1249354397?mt=8 (Wayback Machine: 2019-05-12 17:19)
  42. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ristar/id1249354397?mt=8 (Wayback Machine: 2018-11-06 03:42)
  43. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ristar/id1249354397?mt=8 (Wayback Machine: 2018-09-17 00:41)
  44. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ristar/id1249354397?mt=8 (Wayback Machine: 2017-10-29 02:02)
  45. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ristar/id1249354397?mt=8 (Wayback Machine: 2017-09-07 01:21)
  46. ↑ GamePro, "March 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 9
  47. ↑ Sega Visions, "May 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 51
  48. ↑ Game Players, "Vol. 8 No. 5 May 1995" (US; 1995-0x-xx), page 57
  49. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 189
  50. ↑ Consoles +, "Janvier 1995" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 92
  51. ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 170
  52. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "February 1995" (UK; 1995-01-15), page 66
  53. ↑ Electronic Games (1992-1995), "May 1995" (US; 1995-0x-xx), page 72
  54. ↑ Famitsu, "1995-02-24" (JP; 1995-02-10), page 1
  55. ↑ GameFan, "Volume 3, Issue 2: February 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 22
  56. ↑ Game Players, "Vol. 8 No. 2 February 1995" (US; 1995-0x-xx), page 52
  57. ↑ GamePro, "February 1995" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 38
  58. ↑ GamesMaster (UK) "Series 4, episode 15" (1994-12-27, 24:00) (+8:14)
  59. ↑ Games World: The Magazine, "March 1995" (UK; 1995-01-26), page 12
  60. ↑ Game Informer, "January 1995" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 8
  61. ↑ Joypad, "Février 1995" (FR; 1995-0x-xx), page 106
  62. ↑ MAN!AC, "03/95" (DE; 1995-02-08), page 68
  63. ↑ Mega Force, "Février 1995" (FR; 1995-0x-xx), page 60
  64. ↑ Mega Fun, "03/95" (DE; 1995-02-22), page 76
  65. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "February 1995" (UK; 1994-12-30), page 60
  66. ↑ Next Generation, "March 1995" (US; 1995-02-21), page 103
  67. ↑ Player One, "Février 1995" (FR; 1995-0x-xx), page 68
  68. ↑ Play Time, "3/95" (DE; 1995-02-08), page 104
  69. ↑ Power Up!, "Saturday, February 18, 1995" (UK; 1995-02-18), page 1
  70. ↑ Saturn Fan, "1995 May" (JP; 1995-04-07), page 47
  71. ↑ Sega Magazine, "January 1995" (UK; 1994-12-15), page 88
  72. ↑ Sega Power, "March 1995" (UK; 1995-01-19), page 50
  73. ↑ Sega Pro, "February 1995" (UK; 1994-12-29), page 40
  74. ↑ Sega Force, "3/95" (SE; 1995-06-20), page 12
  75. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Review, "2" (RU; 1996-01-03), page 109
  76. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "March 1995" (JP; 1995-02-08), page 130
  77. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85
  78. ↑ Sonic the Comic, "3rd March 1995" (UK; 1995-02-18), page 11
  79. ↑ Super Juegos, "Enero 1995" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 78
  80. ↑ Todo Sega, "Febrero 1995" (ES; 1995-0x-xx), page 28
  81. ↑ Top Consoles, "Mai 1995" (FR; 1995-0x-xx), page 132
  82. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 144
  83. ↑ Última Generación, "Abril 1995" (ES; 1995-0x-xx), page 92
  84. ↑ Video Games, "3/95" (DE; 1995-02-23), page 95
  85. ↑ VideoGames, "March 1995" (US; 1995-02-xx), page 67


Ristar

Ristar final.PNG

Main page | Comparisons | Maps | Downloadable content | Changelog | Credits | Hidden content | Bugs | Development | Magazine articles | Video coverage | Reception | Region coding | Technical information | Bootlegs


Sega Mega Drive
Prototypes: 1994-07-01 | 07-18 | 08-12 | 08-26
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