Worms

From Sega Retro

n/a

  • Mega Drive
  • Sega Saturn
    NTSC-U
  • Sega Saturn
    NTSC-J
  • Sega Saturn
    PAL

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Worms title.png

Worms Saturn JP SSTitle.png

Worms Saturn EU Title.png

Worms
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Saturn
Publisher: Ocean Software (US/EU)
Sega Saturn
I'MAX (JP)
Developer:
Distributor:
Sega Saturn
Roadshow Interactive (AU)
Sound driver:
Sega Saturn
SCSP/CD-DA (7 tracks)
Peripherals supported:
Sega Mega Drive
Team Player
Sega Saturn
Shuttle Mouse
Genre: Active Simulation (アクティブ シミュレーション)[1], Action[2]

















Number of players: 1-16
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
EU 		MK-1198-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Mega Drive
UK 		£39.9939.99[5] MK-1198-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Mega Drive
AU
OFLC: G
Sega Saturn
JP 		¥5,8005,800 T-22405G
Sega Rating: All Ages
Sega Saturn
US 		T-16403H
ESRB: Kids to Adults
Sega Saturn
EU 		T-16403H-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Saturn
DE 		T-16403H-50
USK: 6
Sega Saturn
PT 		SJ0303X
Sega Saturn
UK 		£44.9944.99[9] T-16403H-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Saturn
PL 		219zł219
Sega Saturn
BR 		193206
Tectoy: Todas as Idades
Non-Sega versions

Worms (ワームス) is a turn based strategy game developed by Team 17, and was originally published by Ocean Software for the Amiga in 1995. It is the first in a long-running series of Worms games, and was ported to a variety of platforms, including the Sega Mega Drive and Sega Saturn.

Gameplay

Gameplay screenshot from the Saturn version.

The game involves players controlling a team of worms supplied with a variety of different weapons, and the aim is to eliminate all the enemy worms on a 2D playfield. Each team has a total of four worms, and up to four teams can fight against each other, leading to a total of 16 worms on the terrain.

Teams take turns to move one of their worms, using their arsenal to move around and to deal damage to enemy worms within the alotted turn time. Worms are killed by reducing their health points to zero, dropping them in the water, or launching them off the left or right edges of the map. Additional weapons may also be provided during rounds in the form of crate drops, however they can be destroyed if shot at.

The round ends when only one team remains on the landscape, and a team will win a match when they win enough rounds. Depending on the game settings, a round can go into Extra Time if it takes too long to determine a winner, with all remaining worms having their health reduced to one, making any damage fatal. Players can play League games, where stats are tracked, or Friendly games that don't affect stats.

Worms was revolutionary at the time due to its use of randomly generated and fully destructible landscapes; an explosion for example will leave a round crater, thus limiting the area worms can stand on and potentially creating the need for a different strategy.

Weapons

Worms Saturn Sprite Weapons.png
 Bazooka
A basic projectile weapon that fires an explosive shell with variable firing power at any angle, dealing up to 50 points of damage. The shell is affected by wind, so players will need to take the wind into account when using this weapon.
Worms Saturn Sprite Weapons.png
 Homing Missile
A projectile weapon fired like the Bazooka, however it can lock on to a designated target and will fly directly towards it in an arching path even if there are obstructions in the way. If it doesn't collide with something, it will orbit its target then lose its lock-on and fly off in a direction. Additional Homing Missiles can be found inside crates.

This weapon is not available in the Mega Drive version.

Worms Saturn Sprite Weapons.png
 Grenade
A basic throwing weapon that can be thrown with variable power at any angle, dealing up to 50 damage. Before throwing, the user can set the fuse time between 1 and 5 seconds, and how strong the Grenade's bounces should be. Unlike the Bazooka, it is not affected by wind.
Worms Saturn Sprite Weapons.png
 Cluster Bomb
A Grenade-like weapon that is used in the same way, including setting the fuse time and bounce setting. The Cluster Bomb differs from the Grenade in that the explosion is weaker, however releases several clusters that explode upon contact. The amount of damage depends on how many clusters hit the target. Additional Cluster Bombs can be found inside crates.
Worms Saturn Sprite Weapons.png
 Shotgun
A firearm that shoots in a straight line and has two shots. After firing the first shot, the user can use their remaining turn time to move around and take the second shot. Each shot does up to 25 damage.
Worms Saturn Sprite Weapons.png
 Uzi
A firearm that fires 10 bullets at a fast rate, each bullet dealing 5 damage up to a maximum of 50.
Worms Saturn Sprite Weapons.png
 Fire Punch
A close-combat weapon that makes the user leap into the air with a punch, cutting through terrain and hitting any worm, dealing 30 points of fixed damage.
Worms Saturn Sprite Weapons.png
 Dragon Ball
A close-combat weapon that makes the user launch a fireball directly in front that will send any worm flying in the fireball's direction, dealing 30 points of fixed damage.
Worms Saturn Sprite Weapons.png
 Dynamite
A stick of Dynamite that is simply dropped in front of the user. It has a powerful explosion that sends worms flying, dealing up to 75 damage. Unlike most other weapons, the user is given 5 seconds to steer clear of the Dynamite before it explodes. Additional Dynamite can be found inside crates.
Worms Saturn Sprite Weapons.png
 Mine
An explosive that is dropped in front of the user. It can be placed as a hazard to protect tunnels, or placed directly on top of a worm as a less powerful substitute for the Dynamite, with the user having 5 seconds to steer clear. It can deal up to 50 damage.

This weapon is not available in the Mega Drive version.

Worms Saturn Sprite Weapons.png
 Airstrike
A remote weapon that drops a group of missiles from the sky on a designated target. Additional Airstrikes can be found inside crates.
Worms Saturn Sprite Weapons.png
 Teleport
The Teleport allows the user to teleport to any empty space they can fit into, however ends their turn. Additional Teleports can be found inside crates.
Worms Saturn Sprite Weapons.png
 Blowtorch
A digging weapon that can be used to make tunnels through the landscape, making it a useful tool for Darkside play. It can also burn any worms that are in the way, with diminishing returns for each hit.
Worms Saturn Sprite Weapons.png
 Drill
A digging weapon that can be used to dig directly downwards, drilling a hole into the landscape. It can also hurt any worms that are in the way, with diminishing returns for each hit.
Worms Saturn Sprite Weapons.png
 Ninja Rope
This weapon can be fired into the terrain, after which the user can then swing around.

This weapon is not available in the Mega Drive version.

Worms Saturn Sprite Weapons.png
 Bungee
When selected, the Bungee will be used when the user walks off a ledge and the falling distance is high enough. The user can then swing around and can cut the rope at any time by pressing the fire button to make a safe landing or to fly in a direction

This weapon is not available in the Mega Drive version.

Worms Saturn Sprite Weapons.png
 Girders
Allows the user to build a Girder nearby, which can be used either as a defensive barrier, a makeshift bridge or an aid in Grenade bouncing. The Girder's angle can be adjusted.

This weapon is not available in the Mega Drive version.

Worms Saturn Sprite Weapons.png
 Kamikaze
Makes the user fly in a straight line in the direction they are facing, knocking any worm out of the way for 30 damage. For the first few seconds of flight, the user can even cut through the terrain, however they will eventually explode, instantly killing the user. As worms will die from using this weapon, it is best used with worms who are at low health.
Worms Saturn Sprite Weapons.png
 Prod
A close-combat weapon that makes the user poke any worm standing in front. This weapon does no damage by itself and is merely for humiliation, however can be used to push an enemy into water or a mine.
Worms Saturn Sprite Weapons.png
 Skip Go
Simply ends the user's turn without attacking.
Worms Saturn Sprite Weapons.png
 Surrender
Using this makes the user's team forfeit the current round.
Worms Saturn Sprite Weapons.png
 Exploding Sheep
A farmland animal that will run and jump around the landscape once deployed. The user can manually detonate the sheep after deploying it, but will detonate by itself after 20 seconds. It is as powerful as the Dynamite, dealing up to 75 damage.

This weapon is normally only available in weapon crates, and replaces the Mine on the weapons panel when collected in the Saturn version. The Mega Drive version lists it as a separate weapon instead.

Worms Saturn Sprite Weapons.png
 Banana Bomb
A throwing weapon similar to the Cluster Bomb, however the initial explosion and the banana clusters are much more powerful, having the same power as Dynamite and dealing 75 damage per explosion. The user can set the fuse time and bounce setting.

This weapon is normally only available in weapon crates, and replaces the Cluster Bomb on the weapons panel when collected in the Saturn version. The Mega Drive version lists it as a separate weapon instead.

Worms Saturn Sprite Weapons.png
 Minigun
A firearm that fires more bullets at a faster rate than the Uzi, and can deal serious damage if all of the bullets hit the same target.

This weapon is normally only available in weapon crates, and replaces the Uzi on the weapons panel when collected in the Saturn version. The Mega Drive version lists it as a separate weapon instead.

Versions

While the gameplay is largely the same between the Mega Drive and Saturn versions of Worms, the Saturn version benefits from a number of enhancements from the IBM PC version, including graphical upgrades, an in-game soundtrack, and FMV cutscenes. The Mega Drive version is more similar to the Amiga original in presentation, however is held back by limitations of the 16-bit hardware. The Mega Drive version is also missing some weapons, and only has four landscape themes.

Production credits

Mega Drive version

  • Programming: Francis Little, Gavin Harwood (East Point Software)
  • Project Manager: Martin O'Donnel (Team 17)
  • Graphics: Andy Davidson (Team 17), Roy Stewart (East Point Software)
  • Audio: Bjorn Lynne, Andy Severn (Team 17)
  • Design/Concept: Andy Davidson (Team 17)
  • Creative Director: Martyn Brown (Team 17)
  • Q.A.: Phil and The Wolves (Team 17), Ocean Q.A. (Ocean)
Source:
In-game credits


Saturn version

  • Coding+Add.Design: Pieter Opdam, Gary Symons
  • FMV+Add.Coding: Karl Morton
  • Concept+Design: Andy Davidson
  • Sound+Music: Bjorn Lynne
  • Graphics: Rico Holmes
  • Add.Graphics: Simon Butler
  • FMV Animation: Cris Blyth
  • Add.Animation: John Allardice
  • Testing+Qa: The Wolves
  • Production: Martyn Brown
Source:
In-game credits (JP)
Worms Saturn JP SSCredits.png
[11]

Magazine articles

Main article: Worms/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Worms Saturn FR PrintAdvert.jpg
Saturn FR print advert
Worms Saturn FR PrintAdvert.jpg
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Print advert in Consoles + (FR) #51: "Février 1996" (1996-0x-xx)
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Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Mega Force (FR) #48: "Mars 1996" (1996-0x-xx)
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Print advert in Velikiy Drakon (RU) #60: "xxxx xxxx" (2002-09-05)
also published in:
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Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
64 №39, p42/43
Sega Mega Drive
 64
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
60
[13]
Consoles + (FR)
85
[14]
Cool Gamer (RU)
80
[15]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
25
[16]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 2 (RU)
80
[17]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
88
[18]
Joypad (FR)
85
[19]
MAN!AC (DE) PAL
69
[20]
Mega Force (FR) PAL
90
[21]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
87
[22]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
79
[5]
Player One (FR) PAL
92
[23]
Sega Magazin (DE)
87
[24]
Sega News (CZ)
87
[25]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
78
[26]
Sonic the Comic (UK) PAL
85
[27]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
87
[28]
Video Games (DE) PAL
70
[29]
Sega Mega Drive
 79
Based on
18 reviews

Worms

Mega Drive, EU
Worms md eu cover.jpg
Cover
Worms MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Worms MD EU Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, UK
Worms MD UK cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, CZ/SK (DDC Agency)
Worms md eu cover.jpg
Cover
Worms MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Notavailable.svg
Manual
Mega Drive, AU

Saturn version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
86 №39, p62/63
Sega Saturn
 86
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Consoles + (FR)
89
[30]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
86
[31]
Fun Generation (DE) PAL
100
[32]
Game Players (US) NTSC-U
94
[33]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
55
[34]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
64
[35]
Hacker (HR)
89
[36]
Intelligent Gamer's Fusion (US) NTSC-U
83
[37]
MAN!AC (DE) PAL
76
[20]
Maximum (UK)
50
[38]
Mega Force (FR) PAL
92
[39]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
88
[40]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
87
[41]
Next Generation (US) NTSC-U
75
[42]
Player One (FR)
94
[43]
Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J
52
[44]
Saturn+ (UK) PAL
91
[45]
Secret Service (PL)
65
[46]
Sega Magazin (DE)
88
[47]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
60
[48]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
93
[49]
Sega Saturn Magazine (UK) PAL
90
[9]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
63
[50]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
72
[51]
Total Saturn (UK) PAL
89
[52]
Última Generación (ES)
80
[53]
Video Games (DE) PAL
85
[54]
VideoGames (US) NTSC-U
80
[55]
Sega Saturn
 80
Based on
28 reviews

Worms

Saturn, JP
Worms Saturn JP Box Back.jpgWorms Saturn JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
Worms Saturn JP Spinecard.jpg
Spinecard
Worms Saturn JP Disc.jpg
Disc
Saturn, US
Worms Saturn US Box Back.jpgWorms Saturn US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Worms Sat US disc.jpg
Disc
Worms sat us manual.pdf
Manual
Saturn, EU
Worms saturn eu cover.jpg
Cover
Worms saturn eu cd.jpg
Disc
Saturn, DE
Worms Sat DE cover.jpg
Cover
Worms saturn eu cd.jpg
Disc
Saturn, PT
Worms Sat PT Box Back.jpgWorms Sat PT Box Spine.jpgWorms Sat PT Box Front.jpg
Cover
Worms Sat PT Disc.jpg
Disc
Saturn, BR
Worms Saturn BR Box Back.jpgNospine.pngWorms Saturn BR Box Front.jpg
Cover

Technical information

Main article: Worms/Technical information.

References

  1. ↑ File:Worms Saturn JP Box Back.jpg
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://sega.jp/fb/segahard/ss/soft_licensee3.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-03-20 23:05)
  3. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "August 1996" (UK; 1996-07-11), page 53
  4. ↑ File:LeicesterMercury UK 1996-07-20 16.jpg
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Mean Machines Sega, "August 1996" (UK; 1996-07-05), page 64
  6. ↑ http://www.sega-saturn.com/saturn/other/june-n.htm (Wayback Machine: 1997-06-06 05:51)
  7. ↑ https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video.sega/c/mWd1tfu0z2Q/m/j1eryuvwWXYJ
  8. ↑ Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1996-01-22), page 21
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Sega Saturn Magazine, "January 1996" (UK; 1995-12-15), page 86
  10. ↑ http://www.tectoy.com.br/releases/index.htm (Wayback Machine: 1998-06-25 19:48)
  11. ↑ File:Worms_Saturn_JP_SSCredits.png
  12. ↑ Velikiy Drakon, "xxxx xxxx" (RU; 2003-02-07), page 68
  13. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 268
  14. ↑ Consoles +, "Mai 1996" (FR; 1996-0x-xx), page 125
  15. ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 238
  16. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "September 1996" (UK; 1996-08-11), page 80
  17. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 2, "" (RU; 2000-xx-xx), page 363
  18. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Febrero 1996" (ES; 1996-xx-xx), page 62
  19. ↑ Joypad, "Mars 1996" (FR; 1996-0x-xx), page 74
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 MAN!AC, "02/96" (DE; 1996-01-10), page 62
  21. ↑ Mega Force, "Mars 1996" (FR; 1996-0x-xx), page 84
  22. ↑ Mega Fun, "02/96" (DE; 1996-01-24), page 68
  23. ↑ Player One, "Mars 1996" (FR; 1996-0x-xx), page 99
  24. ↑ Sega Magazin, "Februar 1996" (DE; 1996-01-10), page 12
  25. ↑ Sega News, "Říjen 1996" (CZ; 1996-xx-xx), page 23
  26. ↑ Sega Power, "March 1996" (UK; 1996-01-18), page 51
  27. ↑ Sonic the Comic, "29 October 1996" (UK; 1996-10-16), page 10
  28. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 227
  29. ↑ Video Games, "2/96" (DE; 1996-01-24), page 86
  30. ↑ Consoles +, "Mai 1996" (FR; 1996-0x-xx), page 124
  31. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "May 1996" (US; 1996-xx-xx), page 32
  32. ↑ Fun Generation, "03/96" (DE; 1996-02-12), page 53
  33. ↑ Game Players, "Vol. 9 No. 5 May 1996" (US; 1996-04-xx), page 64
  34. ↑ GamePro, "June 1996" (US; 1996-xx-xx), page 68
  35. ↑ Game Informer, "May 1996" (US; 1996-0x-xx), page 40
  36. ↑ Hacker, "02/1996" (HR; 1996-xx-xx), page 61
  37. ↑ Intelligent Gamer's Fusion, "Volume 2, Number 8: May 1996" (US; 1996-0x-xx), page 86
  38. ↑ Maximum, "January 1996" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 144
  39. ↑ Mega Force, "Décembre 1995" (FR; 1995-1x-xx), page 74
  40. ↑ Mega Fun, "03/96" (DE; 1996-02-20), page 81
  41. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "February 1996" (UK; 1995-12-xx), page 68
  42. ↑ Next Generation, "June 1996" (US; 1996-05-21), page 120
  43. ↑ Player One, "Décembre 1995" (FR; 1995-1x-xx), page 106
  44. ↑ Saturn Fan, "1997 No. 5" (JP; 1997-02-28), page 140
  45. ↑ Saturn+, "Christmas 1995" (UK; 1995-12-14), page 54
  46. ↑ Secret Service, "Marzec 1996" (PL; 1996-03-01), page 21
  47. ↑ Sega Magazin, "April 1996" (DE; 1996-03-13), page 80
  48. ↑ Sega Power, "March 1996" (UK; 1996-01-18), page 48
  49. ↑ Sega Pro, "January 1996" (UK; 1995-11-30), page 46
  50. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "1997-08 (1997-03-21)" (JP; 1997-03-07), page 140
  51. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "Readers rating final data" (JP; 2000-03), page 14
  52. ↑ Total Saturn, "Volume One Issue Four" (UK; 1996-12-29), page 69
  53. ↑ Última Generación, "Marzo 1996" (ES; 1996-0x-xx), page 54
  54. ↑ Video Games, "2/96" (DE; 1996-01-24), page 68
  55. ↑ VideoGames, "July 1996" (US; 1996-06-18), page 63


Worms

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Sega Mega Drive
Prototypes: Prototype



Worms games for Sega systems or published by Sega
Worms (1996) | Worms Armageddon (1999) | Worms World Party (2001) | Worms 3D (2003) | Worms Forts: Under Siege (2004)
Worms Pinball (unreleased)
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