Cliffhanger

From Sega Retro

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

n/a

  • Mega Drive
  • Mega-CD

Cliffhanger MDTitleScreen.png

Cliffhanger MCD Title.png

Cliffhanger
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Mega-CD
Publisher: Sony Imagesoft
Developer:
Distributor:
Sega Mega Drive
Hent Gruppen (SE rental) (older)
Sega Mega Drive
SF Interactive Media (SE rental) (newer)
Sega Mega-CD
Tec Toy (BR)
Licensor: TriStar Pictures
Sound driver:
Sega Mega Drive
Sega Mega-CD
GEMS
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
US 		T-93036
Videogame Rating Council: GA
Sega Mega Drive
EU 		T-93036-50
Sega Mega Drive
UK 		£39.9939.99[4] T-93036-50
Sega Mega Drive
SE
(Rental)
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Mega-CD
US 		T-93075
Videogame Rating Council: MA-13
Sega Mega-CD
BR 		063130
Non-Sega versions

Cliffhanger is a Sega Mega Drive and Sega Mega-CD beat-'em-up game released in 1993. It was developed by Malibu Interactive and published by Sony Imagesoft as a tie-in to the 1993 Sylvester Stallone film Cliffhanger.

Story

Ex-mountain rescue ranger Gabe Walker and his friend Hal Tucker answer a distress call to rescue a few trapped hikers stranded in a plane crash. When they arrive there, they they discover the distress call was a fake and are taken prisoner by a ruthless gang of international thieves led by psychopathic former military intelligence operative Eric Qualen. They are forced at gunpoint to help Qualen find three suitcases containing $100 million, which were lost after a failed airplane heist. After Gabe escapes death, he sets to save Hal and defeat Qualen in the Colorado mountain range.

Gameplay

The game is a belt-scrolling beat-em-'up. The player controls Gabe Walker, who must fight a group of terrorists trying to stop him from saving his partner Hal. Gabe walks in any direction using the D-Pad. He runs with Left Left or Right Right. He jumps with C. If he jumps while running, he can leap across a large gap. Levels have occasional platforming sections in which Gabe must carefully jump across bottomless pits or deep water or cross a chasm by climbing a rope. In some sections, he must climb a wall in the background using the D-Pad. Holding A causes him to climb more quickly, but he falls if he is hit while climbing quickly.

Gabe attacks enemies by punching with A or kicking with B. Using the same attack successively chains into multiple moves. Gabe backhands behind him by pressing the D-Pad away from the opponent while he is punching. He rams enemies by pressing A while running. He can perform a flying kick after jumping (but cannot punch in midair). He performs a spinning back kick by holding B, which knocks enemies down. He performs a "super kick" (a spinning sweep kick) with A+B, which can be used to hit enemies all around him when he is surrounded, though this maneuver costs some health. He can block attacks with B+C (but cannot block weapons). He can duck by pressing Down while blocking. He picks up weapons (which are dropped by enemies) with A when standing over them, which replace his punches. The weapons are knives, which Gabe swipes to attack multiple enemies in an area, and uzis, which provide a limited ranged attack.

His health is depicted by a red bar. He loses a life if he runs out of health. He replenishes his health by resting at a campfire. The player can choose how many lives to start the game with. The Mega Drive version has unlimited continues; the Mega-CD version has limited continues and gives the player fewer continues for starting with more lives. Extra lives are given every 100,000 points earned.

The Mega-CD version includes 3D levels where Gabe snowboards down a mountain while being chased by an avalanche. On these levels, Gabe moves with Left and Right. He speeds up with B and slows down with Down. He jumps with A. In these levels, he replenishes his health when passing through checkpoints in tunnels. He loses a life if he runs out of health or if the avalanche (shown as a bar on the right) catches up to him.

Levels

The snowboarding sections are only present in the Mega-CD version.

Cliffhanger CD, Stage 1-1.png

Cliffhanger CD, Stage 1-2.png

Cliffhanger CD, Stage 1-3.png

  • Cliffhanger CD, Stage 1-1.png

  • Cliffhanger CD, Stage 1-2.png

  • Cliffhanger CD, Stage 1-3.png

The Escape from Qualen

Cliffhanger CD, Stage 2.png

Cliffhanger CD, Stage 2 Boss.png

  • Cliffhanger CD, Stage 2.png

  • Cliffhanger CD, Stage 2 Boss.png

In Search of the Second Case

Cliffhanger CD, Stage 3-1.png

Cliffhanger CD, Stage 3-2.png

Cliffhanger CD, Stage 3-3.png

Cliffhanger CD, Stage 3-3 Boss.png

  • Cliffhanger CD, Stage 3-1.png

  • Cliffhanger CD, Stage 3-2.png

  • Cliffhanger CD, Stage 3-3.png

  • Cliffhanger CD, Stage 3-3 Boss.png

On to Douglas Cabin — and Jessie

Cliffhanger CD, Stage 4-1.png

Cliffhanger CD, Stage 4-2.png

Cliffhanger CD, Stage 4-3.png

Cliffhanger CD, Stage 4-4.png

Cliffhanger CD, Stage 4-5.png

  • Cliffhanger CD, Stage 4-1.png

  • Cliffhanger CD, Stage 4-2.png

  • Cliffhanger CD, Stage 4-3.png

  • Cliffhanger CD, Stage 4-4.png

  • Cliffhanger CD, Stage 4-5.png

Qualen Cops a Chopper — and Grabs Jessie! / Get the Third Money Case and Snowboard Your Way to Safety

Cliffhanger CD, Stage 5.png

Cliffhanger CD, Stage 5 Boss 1.png

Cliffhanger CD, Stage 5 Boss 2.png

  • Cliffhanger CD, Stage 5.png

  • Cliffhanger CD, Stage 5 Boss 1.png

  • Cliffhanger CD, Stage 5 Boss 2.png

The Climb to the Top of the Bitker Ladder

Cliffhanger CD, Stage 6.png

Cliffhanger CD, Stage 6 Boss.png

  • Cliffhanger CD, Stage 6.png

  • Cliffhanger CD, Stage 6 Boss.png

All That Money Lost!

Cliffhanger CD, Final Boss.png

Face to Face with Qualen

History

Development

Programmer Chris Shrigley has released the source code to the game on his web site. The game was based on the source code from the game Ex-Mutants (also developed by Malibu Interactive).

Versions

The Mega-CD includes 3D snowboarding levels, a CD audio soundtrack derived from the film score, and full-motion video clips from the movie (including a Story option on the main menu that plays an introductory sequence).

Production credits

Mega Drive version

For Sony Imagesoft
Motion Picture Copyright © 1993 Cliffhanger B.V. All Rights Reserved
  • Executive Producer: Rich Robinson
  • Producer: Mary Ann Norris
  • Assistant Producers: Patrick Goodman, David Poe
  • Game Testing: Jose Cruz, Mike Giam, David Jaffe
For Sony Electronic Publishing Company
  • Olaf Olafsson, Lester Greenman, Peter Dille, Jeff Benjamin
For Malibu Interactive
  • Programmer: Chris Shrigley
  • Producer: James Maxwell
  • Assistant Producer: Justin Monast
  • Designers: James Maxwell, Dan MacArthur
  • Artists: Jeff Godfrey, Damon DuBois, Joan Igawa, Chris Ward, Richard Beston
  • Music and Sound FX by: Audiocyberworks, Eric Hammond, Keith Arem
  • Game Testing: Darin Johnson, Alan Fernandez, Ben Kutcher, James Guintu
Source:
In-game credits
Cliffhanger MD credits.pdf
[6]

Mega-CD version

For Sony Imagesoft
Motion Picture Copyright © 1993 Cliffhanger B.V. All Rights Reserved
For Sony Imagesoft
  • Executive Producer: Rich Robinson
  • Producer: Mary Ann Norris
  • Assistant Producers: David Poe, Patrick Goodman
  • Game Testing: Jose Cruz, Andre Leighton, Steve Ceragiol
For Sony Electronic Publishing Company
  • Olaf Olafsson, Lester Greenman, Peter Dille, Jeff Benjamin
For Malibu Interactive
Fighting Section
  • Programmer: Chris Shrigley
  • Producer: James Maxwell
  • Assistant Producer: Justin Monast
  • Designers: James Maxwell, Dan MacArther
  • Artists: Jeff Godfrey, Damon DuBois, Joan Igawa, Chris Ward, Richard Bestan
  • Sound FX: Eric Hammond
  • Game Testing: Darin Johnson, Alan Fernandez, Ben Kutcher, James Guintu
For Malibu Interactive
Snowboarding Section
  • Designers: James Maxwell, John O'Brien
  • Artists: Stephen Thomson, Richard Bestan
  • Programmer: John O'Brien
  • Sound FX: Eric Hammond
  • Video Captured by: Justin Monast
Source:
In-game credits
Cliffhanger MCD credits.pdf
[7]

Magazine articles

Main article: Cliffhanger/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Television advertisements

Print advertisements

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Game Players (US) #0612: "Vol. 6 No. 12 December 1993" (1993-1x-xx)
also published in:
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Logo-pdf.svg
Mega Drive print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #145: "December 1993" (1993-11-15)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Mega Drive print advert in Video Games (DE) #1993-12: "12/93" (1993-11-22)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Mega Drive print advert in Todo Sega (ES) #9: "Diciembre 1993" (1993-1x-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
Sega Mega Drive
 Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
40
[10]
Consoles + (FR)
62
[11]
Cool Gamer (RU)
40
[12]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
50
[13]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
63
[1]
Hyper (AU)
64
[14]
MAN!AC (DE) PAL
48
[15]
Mega (UK) PAL
29
[4]
Score (CZ)
30
[16]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
49
[17]
Sega Mega Drive
 47
Based on
10 reviews

Cliffhanger

Mega Drive, US
Cliffhanger MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Cliffhanger MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Cliffhanger MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
Cliffhanger-Megadrive-EUR.jpg
Cover
Cliffhanger MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Cliffhanger MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Mega Drive, FR

Cliffhanger MD FR Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, SE (rental; Hent)
Cliffhanger MD SE Rental Hent Box Back.jpgNospine.pngCliffhanger MD SE Rental Hent Cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, SE (rental; SF)
Cliffhanger MD SE Box Rental back.jpgCliffhanger MD SE Box Rental spine.jpgCliffhanger MD SE Box Rental.jpg
Cover

Mega-CD version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
Sega Mega-CD
 Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
73
[18]
Joypad (FR) PAL
85
[19]
Mega (UK) NTSC-U
52
[20]
Mega Action (UK) PAL
72
[21]
Mega Force (FR)
79
[22]
MegaTech (UK) NTSC-U
49
[23]
Sega Power (UK) NTSC-U
29
[24]
Sega Pro (UK) NTSC-U
77
[25]
Sega Zone (UK) NTSC-U
21
[26]
Video Games (DE) NTSC-U
58
[27]
Sega Mega-CD
 59
Based on
10 reviews

Cliffhanger

Mega-CD, US
Cliffhanger MCD US Box Back.jpgCliffhanger MCD US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Cliffhanger MCD US Disc.jpg
Disc
Cliffhanger mcd us manual.pdf
Manual
Cliffhanger MCD US RegCard.pdf
Reg Card
Mega-CD, BR
Cliffhanger MCD BR Box Back.jpgNospine.pngCliffhanger MCD BR Box Front.jpg
Cover
Cliffhanger MCD US Disc.jpg
Disc

Technical information

Main article: Cliffhanger/Technical information.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 GamePro, "December 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 85
  2. ↑ MegaTech, "November 1993" (UK; 1993-10-20), page 26
  3. ↑ Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1994-01-31), page 2
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Mega, "May 1994" (UK; 1994-04-21), page 44
  5. ↑ GamePro, "November 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 213
  6. ↑ File:Cliffhanger MD credits.pdf
  7. ↑ File:Cliffhanger MCD credits.pdf
  8. ↑ Electronic Games (1992-1995), "January 1994" (US; 1993-12-21), page 85
  9. ↑ GamePro, "January 1994" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 221
  10. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 48
  11. ↑ Consoles +, "Avril 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 126
  12. ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 52
  13. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 301
  14. ↑ Hyper, "February 1994" (AU; 199x-xx-xx), page 69
  15. ↑ MAN!AC, "04/94" (DE; 1994-03-09), page 41
  16. ↑ Score, "Cervenec 1994" (CZ; 1994-07-01), page 58
  17. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 10
  18. ↑ GamePro, "June 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 54
  19. ↑ Joypad, "Février 1994" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 100
  20. ↑ Mega, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-17), page 44
  21. ↑ Mega Action, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-24), page 58
  22. ↑ Mega Force, "Février 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 124
  23. ↑ MegaTech, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-20), page 48
  24. ↑ Sega Power, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-03), page 44
  25. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-02-24), page 78
  26. ↑ Sega Zone, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-24), page 49
  27. ↑ Video Games, "4/94" (DE; 1994-03-23), page 38


Cliffhanger

Cliffhanger MDTitleScreen.png

Main page | Comparisons | Maps | Hidden content | Magazine articles | Video coverage | Reception | Region coding | Technical information | Bootlegs


Sega Mega Drive
Prototypes: 1994-01
Games based on movies starring Sylvester Stallone for Sega systems
Sega Master System
 Rambo: First Blood Part II (1986) | Rocky (1987) | Rambo III (1988)
Sega Mega Drive
 Rambo III (1989) | Cliffhanger (1993) | Demolition Man (1995) | Judge Dredd (1995)
Sega Mega-CD
 Cliffhanger (1993) | Demolition Man (1995)
Sega Game Gear
 Cliffhanger (1993) | Judge Dredd (1995)
Arcade
 Rambo (2008)
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