Difference between revisions of "Socket"

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{{rom|MD|sha1=fee9eb272362bd6f36d552a9ebfd25f5f0db7d2f|md5=9df8251cbfe05a47a5ff8fd9cf328b32|crc32=3c14e15a|size=1MB|date=1993-07|source=Cartridge (US)|comments=|icon=|quality=good}}
 
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==References==
 
==References==

Revision as of 02:43, 25 April 2023

n/a

  • NTSC-U
  • NTSC-J

Socket Title.png

TimeDominator1st MD Title.png

Socket
System(s): Sega Mega Drive
Publisher: VIC Tokai
Developer:
Sound driver: GRC/later custom
Genre: Action[1][2]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP 		¥7,8007,800 T-23033
Sega Mega Drive
US 		T-23046
Videogame Rating Council: GA
Sega Mega Drive
KR 		GM94001JT

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

Socket, known as Time Dominator 1st (タイムドミネーター 1st) in Japan, is a Sega Mega Drive action platform game developed and published by VIC Tokai. Released in the United States in August 1993, it was later released in Japan in March 1994. The game is a mascot platformer, with the protagonist's design and overall gameplay significantly influenced by Sonic the Hedgehog.

Story

Socket stars a time-travelling android duck named Socket (Minute in the Japanese version), hired to stop the treachery of the evil Time Dominator.

Gameplay

Socket borrows many elements from Sonic the Hedgehog and its sequels, causing it to be labelled as a "Sonic clone". Like Sonic there is an emphasis on speed, with the game offering several "High Speed Areas" in an attempt to woo fans of Sega's game. There are also "labyrinth" areas, which have a greater emphasis on exploration of the level. Items are collected by destroying capsules, similar to Sonic, and a time attack mode is offered.

A and C make Socket/Minute jump, while B allows him to kick, acting the primary method of defense within the game. As the name may suggest, Socket/Minute requires electricity to keep going, and so must collect lightning bolts in order to stay alive. His health will otherwise deteriorate over time. Socket/Minute has a machine allowing him to travel through time, so each level is set in a different time period as well as setting.

Socket was the subject of mixed reviews at the time of release. Sega Zone gave the game the lowest possible score on the basis that it was a Sonic clone.

Levels

Stages in Socket follow a format rarely seen in other games - they are split into three "sub-stages", each sporting a different change of pace. The first sub-stage is merely called a "High Speed Area", playing to the fast speeds of Socket. High Speed Areas have their own set of graphics and could be seen as completely independent stages, but the game classes them as part of a three-Act stage. High speed areas presumably are what Socket must overcome in order to travel through time and reach his destination. In the Japanese version, the High Speed Areas are arranged differently.

The second sub-stage, now set in a specific time period, is deemed an "Athletic Area", resembling more of what the player might see in a Sonic the Hedgehog platformer. They are a more balanced mixture of running and jumping than the high speed areas.

The third and final sub-stage is called a "Labyrinth Area", and is much like the above aside from the fact that Socket needs to find a door (i.e. there is a need for exploration). Going through that door will inevitably put Socket up against the boss. Other doors will send him to a mini-game area.

Socket EmeraldForest.png

Emerald Forest

Socket TreasureCastle.png

Treasure Castle

Socket OlienCavern.png

Olien Cavern

Socket StoneAge.png

Stone Age

Socket Antiquity.png

Antiquity

Socket Future.png

Future

Socket TimeCastle.png

Time Castle

Development

A Super Nintendo Entertainment System port of the game was planned, but eventually cancelled.

Versions

Localised names

Also known as
Language Localised Name English Translation
English (US) Socket Socket
Japanese タイムドミネーター 1st Time Dominator 1st
Korean 타임 도미네이터 Time Dominator

Production credits

  • Director: Dark Side Toshi
  • Map Design: Lovely Nao, Good By Mitsu
  • Character Design: Dark Side Toshi, Bird West, Good By Mitsu
  • Main Program: Gantaro
  • Map Program: Honey Ishihara
  • Enemy Program: Norimono Hakubutsukan
  • Sound Composer: Fumito Tamayama, Yoko Suzuki, Shigenori Masuko, Yasuyuki Hamada
  • Planner: Toshi.Nao.Mitu
Source:
In-game credits

Magazine articles

Main article: Socket/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Socket SCES1993 MD US Flyer.jpg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Sega Visions (US) #15: "October/November 1993" (1993-xx-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg

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)
40
[4]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
58
[5]
Console Mania (IT)
89
[6]
Cool Gamer (RU)
40
[7]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
60
[8]
Mega (UK) NTSC-U
41
[9]
Mega Fun (DE) NTSC-U
71
[10]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) NTSC-U
68
[11]
Sega Power (UK) NTSC-U
64
[12]
Sega Pro (UK) NTSC-U
84
[13]
Sega Zone (UK) NTSC-U
0
[14]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
63
[15]
Video Games (DE) NTSC-U
72
[16]
Sega Mega Drive
 58
Based on
13 reviews

Socket

Mega Drive, JP
Socket md jp cover.jpg
Cover
TimeDominator1ST MD JP CartTop.jpg
Socket MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Socket md jp manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US
Socket md us cover.jpg
Cover
Socket MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, KR
Socket MD KR cover.jpg
Cover
Socket MD KR cart.jpg
Cart

Technical information

Main article: Socket/Technical information.

References

  1. ↑ File:Socket md jp cover.jpg
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-02 23:21)
  3. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "November 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 119
  4. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 212
  5. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "October 1993" (JP; 1993-09-08), page 24
  6. ↑ Console Mania, "Gennaio 1994" (IT; 199x-xx-xx), page 71
  7. ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 192
  8. ↑ Hippon Super, "October 1993" (JP; 1993-09-03), page 41
  9. ↑ Mega, "February 1994" (UK; 1994-01-20), page 38
  10. ↑ Mega Fun, "03/94" (DE; 1994-02-23), page 106
  11. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-01-28), page 84
  12. ↑ Sega Power, "February 1994" (UK; 1994-01-06), page 73
  13. ↑ Sega Pro, "February 1994" (UK; 1993-12-30), page 64
  14. ↑ Sega Zone, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-23), page 58
  15. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 87
  16. ↑ Video Games, "2/94" (DE; 1994-01-26), page 50


Socket

Socket Title.png

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