Difference between revisions of "Action 52"
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− | {{stub}}'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is an unlicensed [[Sega Mega Drive]] game compilation multicart developed by [[FarSight Technologies]] and published by [[Active Enterprises]]. An extensively-redesigned port of the publisher's infamous 1991 [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] multicart ''[[wikipedia:Action 52|Action 52]]'', it was released exclusively in the United States in May 1995 at a retail price of $199.{{magref|gamepro|34|16}} While considered far superior to the original release, the title remains relatively basic and poor in gameplay design. | + | {{stub}}'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is an unlicensed [[Sega Mega Drive]] game compilation multicart developed by [[FarSight Technologies]] and published by [[Active Enterprises]]. An extensively-redesigned port of the publisher's infamous 1991 [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] multicart ''[[wikipedia:Action 52|Action 52]]'', it was released exclusively in the United States in May 1995 at a retail price of $199.{{magref|gamepro|34|16}} While considered far superior to the original NES release, the title remains relatively basic and poor in gameplay design. |
==Games== | ==Games== | ||
− | Each game is color coded, with a legend on the first screen when the cartridge is booted up: {{yellow|Expert}}, {{purple|Intermediate}}, {{green|Beginner}}, {{blue|Two Player}}, {{white|Special}}. All of the games can be exited by pausing then pressing {{C}} while paused; which will return the game to the title screen. | + | Each game is color coded, with a legend on the first screen when the cartridge is booted up: {{yellow|Expert}}, {{purple|Intermediate}}, {{green|Beginner}}, {{blue|Two Player}}, {{white|Special}}. All of the games can be exited by pausing with {{start}} then pressing {{C}} while paused; which will return the game to the title screen. |
===List of games=== | ===List of games=== | ||
− | |||
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=224| | {{InfoTable|imagewidths=224| | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title=1: ''Go Bonkers'' ( | + | | title=1: ''Go Bonkers'' ({{yellow|Expert}}) |
− | | | + | | screenshot=Action52 MD GoBonkers.png |
− | | desc=Known simply as "Bonkers" on the in-game list. You control a green ball that will bounce all the way up and all the way down on a vertical field. You can move it left and right with the D- | + | | screenshot2=Action52 MD GoBonkers Titlescreen.png |
+ | | tabs=yes | ||
+ | | desc=Known simply as "Bonkers" on the in-game list. You control a green ball that will bounce all the way up and all the way down on a vertical field. You can move it left and right with the D-Button. The ball will destroy bricks of matching colors; touching a grey brick with a different color will change the ball's color (however, the ball cannot be changed back to green using the gray bricks with green in the middle). Hitting a Black Cross brick will make you lose one ball and revert the ball color to green. After all colored bricks are removed, simply remove the remaining bricks with green in the middle to clear the level. Also worth mentioning, this is one of the few games of the cart to have a title screen. | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
Line 36: | Line 37: | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title=3: ''Dyno-Tennis'' ( | + | | title=3: ''Dyno-Tennis'' ({{blue|Two player}}) |
| image=Notavailable.svg | | image=Notavailable.svg | ||
| desc=Simple tennis game. Player 1 is the orange dinosaur; Player 2 is the purple one. {{left}} and {{right}} move. {{C}} swings. Most points after 10 sets wins. | | desc=Simple tennis game. Player 1 is the orange dinosaur; Player 2 is the purple one. {{left}} and {{right}} move. {{C}} swings. Most points after 10 sets wins. | ||
Line 48: | Line 49: | ||
| title=5: ''Star Ball'' (expert) | | title=5: ''Star Ball'' (expert) | ||
| image=Notavailable.svg | | image=Notavailable.svg | ||
− | | desc=Simple pinball game. {{Left}} flips the left flipper; {{C}} flips the right. There appears to be multiple tables; the manual mentions that collecting all bonuses and destroying all the enemies you can, will take to the next table. | + | | desc=Simple pinball game. {{Left}} flips the left flipper; {{C}} flips the right flipper. There appears to be multiple tables; the manual mentions that collecting all bonuses and destroying all the enemies you can, will take to the next table. |
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
Line 56: | Line 57: | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title=7: ''Daytona'' ( | + | | title=7: ''Daytona'' ({{yellow|Expert}}) |
− | | | + | | screenshot=Action52 MD Daytona.png |
− | | desc=Simple 3D racing game. Hold {{C}} to accelerate; | + | | desc=Simple 3D racing game. the goal is to win many races as possible, thereby increasing cash winnings and enter the ultimate race, the "Daytona". Hold {{C}} to accelerate; brake with {{B}}, Steer with {{left}} and {{right}} and hit {{A}} to switch between low and high gears. |
+ | |||
+ | Players start the game with $ 3,700 and will be charged an entrance fee to enter each race; with the entrance fee increasing as the races progress. Players must avoid hitting obstacles and other cars; or else the car will take damage and be completely stopped. Payment will be deducted for any damage incurred to the car, and the game ends if the player runs out of money. | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title=8: ''15 Puzzle'' ( | + | | title=8: ''15 Puzzle'' ({{yellow|Expert}}) |
− | | | + | | screenshot=Action52 MD 15Puzzle.png |
− | | desc=[[wikipedia:Fifteen puzzle| | + | | desc=Action 52's adaptation of [[wikipedia:Fifteen puzzle|Fifteen puzzle.]] Players must get all the scrambled numbers in order under a 5 minute time limit. Use the Directional buttons to move the cursor and {{C}} to move the selected block. |
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title=9: ''Sketch'' ( | + | | title=9: ''Sketch'' ({{yellow|Expert}}) |
− | | | + | | screenshot=Action52 MD Sketch.png |
− | | desc=Line art canvas. D- | + | | desc=Line art canvas. D-Button moves the pencil. Hold {{C}} to draw. {{B}} changes pen size. {{A}} changes pen color. This is similar to [[Art Alive!]] by using the same pencil sprite and other features. |
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title=10: ''Star Duel'' ( | + | | title=10: ''Star Duel'' ({{blue|Two player}}) |
| image=Notavailable.svg | | image=Notavailable.svg | ||
| desc= | | desc= | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title=11: ''Haunted Hills'' ( | + | | title=11: ''Haunted Hills'' ({{yellow|Expert}}) |
− | | | + | | screenshot=Action52 MD HauntedHills.png |
− | | desc=Known as "Haunted Hill" in-game. | + | | screenshot2=Action52 MD HauntedHills Titlescreen.png |
+ | | tabs=yes | ||
+ | | desc=Known as "Haunted Hill" in-game, and also one of the few games on the card to have a title screen. Tommy Tow is lost in the haunted hills and he must the way out by collecting all of the hidden diamonds. | ||
+ | |||
+ | D-Button moves Tommy left and right; {{C}} makes Tommy attack with his torch, and {{B}} jumps. | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title=12: ''Alfredo & the Fettucinni's'' ( | + | | title=12: ''Alfredo & the Fettucinni's'' ({{yellow|Expert}}) |
− | | | + | | screenshot=Notavailable.svg |
− | | desc=Known as "Alfredo" in-game. | + | | desc=Known as just "Alfredo" in-game. Alfredo must catch the fettuccini's and pasta's and avoid the sausages and the meatballs. D-Button moves Alfredo. |
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title=13: ''The Cheetahmen'' ( | + | | title=13: ''The Cheetahmen'' ({{yellow|Expert}}) |
− | | | + | | screenshot=Action52 MD Cheetahmen.png |
− | | desc= | + | | screenshot2=Action52 MD Cheetahmen Titlescreen.png |
+ | | tabs=yes | ||
+ | | desc=Use Aries, Apollo and Hercules to find all the stolen cheetah cubs in every level. D-Button moves, {{B}} jumps and {{C}} attacks. Each Cheetahmen has their own attacks: | ||
+ | Hercules punches, Apollo shoots a crossbow and Aries uses his clubs. | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title=14: ''Skirmish'' ( | + | | title=14: ''Skirmish'' ({{blue|Two player}}) |
| image=Notavailable.svg | | image=Notavailable.svg | ||
| desc= | | desc= | ||
Line 141: | Line 151: | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title=24: '' | + | | title=24: ''Mouse Trap'' ({{purple|Intermediate}}) |
| image=Notavailable.svg | | image=Notavailable.svg | ||
− | | desc= | + | | desc=Known in-game as "Mousetrap". |
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
Line 176: | Line 186: | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title=31: ''Street Skater'' ( | + | | title=31: ''Street Skater'' ({{purple|Intermediate}}) |
| image=Notavailable.svg | | image=Notavailable.svg | ||
| desc=Known simply as "Skater" in the game. | | desc=Known simply as "Skater" in the game. | ||
Line 196: | Line 206: | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title=35: '' | + | | title=35: ''Shoot Out'' ({{purple|Intermediate}}) |
| image=Notavailable.svg | | image=Notavailable.svg | ||
− | | desc= | + | | desc=Listed in-game as "Shootout". |
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
Line 206: | Line 216: | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title=37: '' | + | | title=37: ''Speedboat'' ({{green|Beginner}}) |
| image=Notavailable.svg | | image=Notavailable.svg | ||
− | | desc= | + | | desc=Listed in-game as "Speed Boat". |
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
Line 216: | Line 226: | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title=39: ''G-Force Fighter'' ( | + | | title=39: ''G-Force Fighter'' ({{green|Beginner}}) |
| image=Notavailable.svg | | image=Notavailable.svg | ||
| desc=Referred as "G Fighter" in-game | | desc=Referred as "G Fighter" in-game | ||
Line 236: | Line 246: | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title=43: ''Magic Bean'' ( | + | | title=43: ''Magic Bean'' ({{green|Beginner}}) |
| image=Notavailable.svg | | image=Notavailable.svg | ||
| desc=Based on the ''Jack and the Beanstalk'' fairytale. | | desc=Based on the ''Jack and the Beanstalk'' fairytale. | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title=44: ''Apache Chopper'' ( | + | | title=44: ''Apache Chopper'' ({{green|Beginner}}) |
| image=Notavailable.svg | | image=Notavailable.svg | ||
| desc=Known as "Apache" in-game | | desc=Known as "Apache" in-game | ||
Line 258: | Line 268: | ||
| title=47: ''Sharp Shooter'' (beginner) | | title=47: ''Sharp Shooter'' (beginner) | ||
| image=Notavailable.svg | | image=Notavailable.svg | ||
− | | desc= | + | | desc=Listed in-game as "Sharpshooter". |
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
Line 272: | Line 282: | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
| title=50: ''The Boss'' (beginner) | | title=50: ''The Boss'' (beginner) | ||
− | | | + | | screenshot=Action52 MD The Boss.png |
− | | desc={{Left}} and {{Right}} moves, {{Up}} and {{Down}} climbs the ladders and {{C}} shoots. | + | | desc=The Lizard gang is loose. Collect all of the hidden money bags in the hideout; {{Left}} and {{Right}} moves, {{Up}} and {{Down}} climbs the ladders and {{C}} shoots. |
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
| title=51: ''1st Video Game'' (two player) | | title=51: ''1st Video Game'' (two player) | ||
| image=Notavailable.svg | | image=Notavailable.svg | ||
− | | desc=Referred as " | + | | desc=Referred as "1st Game" at the in-game menu. The game itself is a rendition of ''Pong'' (which post-dates the first "video game" by many years). |
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title=52: ''Action 52 Challenge'' ( | + | | title=52: ''Action 52 Challenge'' ({{white|Special}}) |
| image=Notavailable.svg | | image=Notavailable.svg | ||
| desc=Simply referred as "Challenge" in-game, is an endurance test which puts the player into a random series of the highest levels of the other remaining 46 single-player games. | | desc=Simply referred as "Challenge" in-game, is an endurance test which puts the player into a random series of the highest levels of the other remaining 46 single-player games. | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=''Sound Test'' ({{white|Special}}) | ||
+ | | screenshot=Notavailable.svg | ||
+ | | desc= Listen to the games music and sound effects. | ||
}} | }} | ||
}} | }} | ||
Line 306: | Line 320: | ||
|{{gitem|Com 2001 advert 1 FI.jpg|FI advert (1993)}} | |{{gitem|Com 2001 advert 1 FI.jpg|FI advert (1993)}} | ||
|{{gitem|Compelit advert 1 FI.jpg|FI advert (1993)}} | |{{gitem|Compelit advert 1 FI.jpg|FI advert (1993)}} | ||
− | |{{gitem| | + | |{{gitem|Com 2001 advert FI 3.jpg|FI print advert}} |
|{{galleryPrintAd | |{{galleryPrintAd | ||
|gamepro|54|146 | |gamepro|54|146 |
Revision as of 16:35, 11 November 2023
Action 52 | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
System(s): Sega Mega Drive | ||||||||||
Publisher: Active Enterprises | ||||||||||
Developer: FarSight Technologies[1] | ||||||||||
Supporting companies: Nu Romantic Productions (sound) | ||||||||||
Original system(s): Nintendo Family Computer | ||||||||||
Developer(s) of original games: Active Enterprises | ||||||||||
Game total: 52 | ||||||||||
Sound driver: GEMS | ||||||||||
Genre: Compilation | ||||||||||
Number of players: 1-2 | ||||||||||
|
This short article is in need of work. You can help Sega Retro by adding to it.
Action 52 is an unlicensed Sega Mega Drive game compilation multicart developed by FarSight Technologies and published by Active Enterprises. An extensively-redesigned port of the publisher's infamous 1991 Nintendo Entertainment System multicart Action 52, it was released exclusively in the United States in May 1995 at a retail price of $199.[2] While considered far superior to the original NES release, the title remains relatively basic and poor in gameplay design.
Contents
Games
Each game is color coded, with a legend on the first screen when the cartridge is booted up: Expert, Intermediate, Beginner, Two Player, Special. All of the games can be exited by pausing with START then pressing while paused; which will return the game to the title screen.
List of games
1: Go Bonkers (Expert) | |
---|---|
Known simply as "Bonkers" on the in-game list. You control a green ball that will bounce all the way up and all the way down on a vertical field. You can move it left and right with the D-Button. The ball will destroy bricks of matching colors; touching a grey brick with a different color will change the ball's color (however, the ball cannot be changed back to green using the gray bricks with green in the middle). Hitting a Black Cross brick will make you lose one ball and revert the ball color to green. After all colored bricks are removed, simply remove the remaining bricks with green in the middle to clear the level. Also worth mentioning, this is one of the few games of the cart to have a title screen. | |
2: Darksyne (expert) | |
You are a ship stuck in a room with enemies. As in Asteroids, you are bound by gravity, and holding and using the D-pad will allow you some limited form of motion. Holding gives you a shield with limited energy. shoots. Destroy all the enemies without hitting the walls of the level to move on to the next. | |
3: Dyno-Tennis (Two player) | |
Simple tennis game. Player 1 is the orange dinosaur; Player 2 is the purple one. and move. swings. Most points after 10 sets wins. | |
4: Ooze (expert) | |
Platforming run-and-gun where you play as the Ooze Boy. shoots (notoriously, Ooze Boy is not able to shoot while jumping); jumps. crouches; moving while crouched crawls. Falling from too high a slope will kill Ooze Boy. You are tasked to collect keys throughout each level, in order to progress to the next. | |
5: Star Ball (expert) | |
Simple pinball game. flips the left flipper; flips the right flipper. There appears to be multiple tables; the manual mentions that collecting all bonuses and destroying all the enemies you can, will take to the next table. | |
6: Sidewinder (expert) | |
After Burner/G-LOC clone, except you can move freely to the left and to the right (with scrolling too!). fires. | |
7: Daytona (Expert) | |
Simple 3D racing game. the goal is to win many races as possible, thereby increasing cash winnings and enter the ultimate race, the "Daytona". Hold to accelerate; brake with , Steer with and and hit to switch between low and high gears.
Players start the game with $ 3,700 and will be charged an entrance fee to enter each race; with the entrance fee increasing as the races progress. Players must avoid hitting obstacles and other cars; or else the car will take damage and be completely stopped. Payment will be deducted for any damage incurred to the car, and the game ends if the player runs out of money. | |
8: 15 Puzzle (Expert) | |
Action 52's adaptation of Fifteen puzzle. Players must get all the scrambled numbers in order under a 5 minute time limit. Use the Directional buttons to move the cursor and to move the selected block. | |
9: Sketch (Expert) | |
Line art canvas. D-Button moves the pencil. Hold to draw. changes pen size. changes pen color. This is similar to Art Alive! by using the same pencil sprite and other features. | |
10: Star Duel (Two player) | |
11: Haunted Hills (Expert) | |
Known as "Haunted Hill" in-game, and also one of the few games on the card to have a title screen. Tommy Tow is lost in the haunted hills and he must the way out by collecting all of the hidden diamonds.
D-Button moves Tommy left and right; makes Tommy attack with his torch, and jumps. | |
12: Alfredo & the Fettucinni's (Expert) | |
Known as just "Alfredo" in-game. Alfredo must catch the fettuccini's and pasta's and avoid the sausages and the meatballs. D-Button moves Alfredo. | |
13: The Cheetahmen (Expert) | |
Use Aries, Apollo and Hercules to find all the stolen cheetah cubs in every level. D-Button moves, jumps and attacks. Each Cheetahmen has their own attacks:
Hercules punches, Apollo shoots a crossbow and Aries uses his clubs. | |
14: Skirmish (Two player) | |
15: Depth Charge (expert) | |
16: Minds Eye (expert) | |
17: Alien Attack (expert) | |
18: Billy Bob (expert) | |
19: Sharks (intermediate) | |
20: Knockout (two player) | |
21: Intruder (intermediate) | |
22: Echo (intermediate) | |
23: Freeway (intermediate) | |
Help the dog to bring all objects from one sidewalk to another while avoiding to get ran over by the vehicles. | |
24: Mouse Trap (Intermediate) | |
Known in-game as "Mousetrap". | |
25: Ninja (intermediate) | |
26: Slalom (intermediate) | |
27: Dauntless (intermediate) | |
28: Force One (intermediate) | |
29: Spidey (intermediate) | |
30: Appleseed (intermediate) | |
31: Street Skater (Intermediate) | |
Known simply as "Skater" in the game. | |
32: Sunday Driver (intermediate) | |
33: Star Evil (intermediate) | |
34: Air Command (intermediate) | |
35: Shoot Out (Intermediate) | |
Listed in-game as "Shootout". | |
36: Bombs Away (intermediate) | |
37: Speedboat (Beginner) | |
Listed in-game as "Speed Boat". | |
38: Dedant (beginner) | |
39: G-Force Fighter (Beginner) | |
Referred as "G Fighter" in-game | |
40: Man At Arms (beginner) | |
41: Norman (beginner) | |
42: Armor Battle (two player) | |
43: Magic Bean (Beginner) | |
Based on the Jack and the Beanstalk fairytale. | |
44: Apache Chopper (Beginner) | |
Known as "Apache" in-game | |
45: Paratrooper (beginner) | |
46: Sky Avenger (beginner) | |
47: Sharp Shooter (beginner) | |
Listed in-game as "Sharpshooter". | |
48: Meteor (beginner) | |
49: Black Hole (beginner) | |
50: The Boss (beginner) | |
The Lizard gang is loose. Collect all of the hidden money bags in the hideout; and moves, and climbs the ladders and shoots. | |
51: 1st Video Game (two player) | |
Referred as "1st Game" at the in-game menu. The game itself is a rendition of Pong (which post-dates the first "video game" by many years). | |
52: Action 52 Challenge (Special) | |
Simply referred as "Challenge" in-game, is an endurance test which puts the player into a random series of the highest levels of the other remaining 46 single-player games. | |
Sound Test (Special) | |
Listen to the games music and sound effects. |
History
Development
Vince Perri gave FarSight Technologies 1 year of developing time for the Mega Drive version of the game.
Mario González, which designed the NES version, did not worked in this one.
Release
Like the NES game of the same name, it sold poorly and was met with negative reception.
A Nintendo Super Famicom version of Action 52 was advertised alongside the Sega Mega Drive version, but was ultimately unreleased (presumably due to Active Enterprises' bankruptcy.)
Magazine articles
- Main article: Action 52/Magazine articles.
Promotional material
also published in:
- Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) #65: "December 1994" (1994-xx-xx)[3]
Physical scans
Sega Retro Average | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
40 | |
---|---|
Based on 2 reviews |
Mega Drive, TW[6] |
---|
Technical information
- Main article: Action 52/Technical information.
References
- ↑ http://www.farsightstudios.com/history.htm (Wayback Machine: 2001-12-01 17:24)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 GamePro, "May 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 16
- ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "December 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 359
- ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 25
- ↑ GamePro, "March 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 54
- ↑ https://tw.carousell.com/p/sega-md-%E7%B4%85%E7%99%BD%E6%A9%9F%E5%8D%A1%E5%B8%B6-super-52-in-1-1237332409/?t-id=m-Y4lyA8z-_1687987861591&t-referrer_browse_type=search_results&t-referrer_page_type=search&t-referrer_request_id=TV4uSZCnrjh6oSBx&t-referrer_search_query=sega&t-referrer_search_query_source=direct_search&t-referrer_sort_by=popular&t-tap_index=16
Action 52 | |
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Main page | Comparisons | Maps | Hidden content | Bugs | Magazine articles | Reception | Region coding | Technical information | Bootlegs |