Michael Jackson's Moonwalker

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Michael Jackson's Moonwalker
System(s): Sega System 18, Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sega
Genre: Action

Michael Jackson's Moonwalker (マイケルジャクソンズ ムーンウォーカー) is an isometric video game based on the film of the same name created by U.S. Gold and Sega in 1989 and 1990 that incorporate the personage of and were co-developed by Michael Jackson himself. The arcade version for the Sega System 18 arcade platform, home video games and home computer versions all differ in terms of gameplay, but the story and concept remain constant. The story, which is taken from the Moonwalker film, follows Michael, using various music and dance related abilities, on a quest to save kidnapped children from the hands of the evil "Mr. Big". The games incorporated synthesized versions of the musician's hits, such as "Beat It" and "Smooth Criminal". The games have now achieved cult status and are remembered for being a memorable point in Jackson's change to a different stage persona from "Thriller", to "Bad".

It was later ported to the Sega Mega Drive and Sega Master System as a 2D sidescroller, and when U.S. Gold obtained the rights in Europe, was brought to home computers as a top-down game. All three have the same basic goal. Due to the official endorsement from Michael Jackson, sales of the Mega Drive would accelerate in its early years.

Gameplay

Console Version

The game is a basic platformer where you must go around destroying enemies while finding the missing children. / jumps, /pressing kicks, and /holding spins/shoots your hat at enemies. Combinations of the buttons and the D-pad perform different moves (for example, + / moonwalks). opens doors and sewer lids. Merely walk into a child to save it. Once all the children in a level are saved, Bubbles the Monkey comes and will point you in the direction of Mr. Big; you must go where he is pointing. Mr. Big will gloat about how you cannot catch him and you will have to fight a barrage of his cronies to complete the stage. The Master System version cuts the Bubbles scene and goes right to the boss barrage.

If a meteor falls out of the sky, catch it to turn into a giant mech that shoots lasers and is invincible for a short period of time. You cannot rescue children while invincible.

Manuals

Mega Drive Version

• JP Manual ^(info) ()

Physical Scans

Sega Retro Average
Publication Score Source ACE (UK) Consoles + (FR) Computer & Video Games (UK) Hobby Consolas (ES) Joystick (FR) Mean Machines (UK) Player One (FR) Power Play (DE)

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Sega Retro Average
Publication Version Score

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Michael Jackson's Moonwalker

Mega Drive Version

Mega Drive, US
Cover
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Mega Drive, EU
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Mega Drive, JP
Cover

Mega Drive, BR
Cover
Cart

Master System Version

Master System, EU
Cover