Marble Madness

From Sega Retro

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MarbleMadness Title.png

Marble Madness
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear
Publisher:
Sega Mega Drive
Electronic Arts, Tengen (JP),
Sega Master System
Virgin Games,
Sega Game Gear
Tengen
Developer:
Distributor:
Sega Game Gear
Domark (EU)
Genre: Puzzle

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code

Marble Madness (マーブルマッドネス) is an arcade game developed by Atari Games and released in 1984. Its popularity saw numerous ports to home platforms, including the Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear.

The rights to the game were passed across a multitude of developers and publishers. In 1991 Electronic Arts had publishing rights, and produced a copy of the game for the Mega Drive in North America and Europe. While this version is complete, music porting and text drawing is somewhat sloppy, some of the graphics were recreated, colors were changed (most notably, the marble is now red), and the marble's motion restrictions were somewhat relaxed (allowing for jumps and drops not possible in other versions of the game).

Atari Games' home console division Tengen produced their own Mega Drive copy for Japanese audiences in 1993, which is different to the Electronic Arts version. This is similar to the situation regarding the Mega Drive port of Klax, in which Namco produced their own copy for the Japanese. This Japanese version, which appears to have been produced internally by Tengen of Japan, is much more faithful to the original game (but whether or not it is a direct port is unknown), and apparently features trackball support (through what is unknown, though it is likely through either the Sega Mouse (which is listed on the box) or Sports Pad).

Virgin Games published a Master System version the following year.

Tengen would also publish the Game Gear version. Both the Master System and Game Gear ports were created by Steve Lamb.

Gameplay

The object of the game is to move a marble down an isometric field from one point to another, making sure not to fall of ledges or be damaged in other ways. The original arcade release relied heavily on a trackball controller, but the console ports rely on directional pad, meaning the control is less accurate. On the Mega Drive, the D-pad moves the ball in the on-screen direction of the button press. For example, Up will move the marble vertically up on the screen, with the respective effect in the arena.

Production Credits

Mega Drive Version (US/EU)

Genesis Version By Michael Schwartz
Music and Sound By Steve Hayes
©1991 Atari Games Corporation and Electronic Arts
Licensed By Sega Enterprises Ltd.

Mega Drive Version (JP)

As with Gauntlet IV, there are two screens of credits. The first screen, the original arcade version's credits, shows after three demo loops.

  • Designer/Graphics Programmer: Mark Cerny
  • Game Programmer: Bob Flanagan
  • Animator: Sam Comstock
  • Sound Design: Hal Canon, Brad Fuller
  • Hardware Design: S Ly, J Margolin, D Paauw, D Snyder
  • System Support: C Downend, M Hoff, J Ritter
  • Software Support: M Albaugh, M Mahar, R Moore
  • Hardware Support: J Castillo, E Durfey, P McCarthy, N Minh

The second screen, the porting credits, comes a number (around 10-12?) of loops later; just sit back.

  • Project Leader/Programmer: Jun Amanai
  • Programmer: Takayuki Muraoka
  • Graphics Conversion: Ken-ichi Nemoto
  • Audio Conversion: Kenji Yokoyama
  • Customer Service: Naomi Takahashi, Mizuho Yoshioka
  • Special Thanks: Bill Hindorff

Master System Version

TM Atari Games Corporation.
Licensed to Tengen. ©1992 Tengen All Rights Reserved
Licensed by Sega Enterprises.
Programmed By Steve Lamb

Physical Scans

Mega Drive Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
82 №10, p86/87
80 №4, p24
79 №23, p140
69 №5, p63
73 №2, p44/45/46
88 №16, p82/83/84
75 №19, p90
85 №28, p34/35
81 №3, p68
82 №18, p66
82 №4, p66/67[1]
89 №1, p10
Sega Mega Drive
 80
Based on
12 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
50
[2]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
70
[3]
Consoles + (FR)
82
[4]
Console XS (UK) PAL
82
[5]
Dengeki Mega Drive (JP) NTSC-J
72
[6]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
55
[7]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
88
[8]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
63
[9]
FX (UK)
82
[10]
Génération 4 (FR)
89
[11]
Game Zone (UK) PAL
80
[12]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
70
[13]
Joypad (FR)
80
[14]
Joystick (FR)
79
[15]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)
69
[16]
Mega Force (FR) PAL
95
[17]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
73
[18]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
60
[19]
Mean Machines (UK) PAL
88
[20]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
88
[21]
Player One (FR)
75
[22]
Play Time (DE)
47
[23]
Power Up! (UK)
65
[24]
Power Play (DE)
67
[25]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
66
[26]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
81
[27]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
82
[28]
Sega Force (SE)
76
[29]
Sega Force (UK)
82
[30]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
82
[31]
Super Juegos (ES)
59
[32]
Supersonic (FR)
89
[33]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
72
[34]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
70
[35]
Video Games (DE)
70
[36]
Sega Mega Drive
 74
Based on
35 reviews

Marble Madness

Mega Drive, US
MarbleMadness MD US Box.jpg
Cover
MarbleMadness MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, EU
MarbleMadness MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
MarbleMadness MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, JP
MarbleMadness MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, AU

Master System Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
60 №11, p132/133
88 №11, p66/67
88 №29, p205
70 №21, p72/73
40 №22, p135
69 №33, p27
88 №8, p38/39
76 №7, p66[37]
Sega Master System
 72
Based on
8 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Consoles + (FR)
60
[38]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
70
[39]
Joypad (FR)
88
[40]
Joystick (FR)
88
[41]
Mean Machines (UK) PAL
70
[42]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
70
[43]
Player One (FR)
40
[44]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
69
[45]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
88
[46]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
88
[47]
Sega Force (SE)
70
[48]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
76
[49]
Supersonic (FR)
76
[50]
Video Games (DE)
60
[51]
Sega Master System
 72
Based on
14 reviews

Marble Madness

Master System, EU
MarbleMadness SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
MarbleMadness SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart

Game Gear Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
92 №12, p119
84 №11, p63
85 №12, p100
89 №30, p165
75 №23, p116
74 №34, p39
79 №10, p48
77 №9, p56/57[52]
Sega Game Gear
 82
Based on
8 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Consoles + (FR)
92
[53]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
70
[54]
Game Zone (UK) PAL
84
[55]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
87
[56]
Joypad (FR)
85
[57]
Joystick (FR)
89
[58]
Player One (FR)
75
[59]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
74
[60]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
79
[61]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
79
[62]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
77
[63]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
70
[64]
Video Games (DE)
61
[65]
Sega Game Gear
 79
Based on
13 reviews

Marble Madness

Game Gear, US
MarbleMadness GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngMarbleMadness GG US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Marble Madness GG EU cart.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, EU
MarbleMadness GG EU Box Back.jpgNospine.pngMarbleMadness GG EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
Marble Madness GG EU cart.jpg
Cart
  1. ↑ File:SegaForce04UK.pdf, page 66
  2. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 123
  3. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "September 1993" (JP; 1993-08-07), page 21
  4. ↑ Consoles +, "Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 86
  5. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 131
  6. ↑ Dengeki Mega Drive, "August 1993" (JP; 1993-07-08), page 37
  7. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "March 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 28
  8. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 67
  9. ↑ Famitsu, "1993-08-20,27" (JP; 1993-08-06), page 38
  10. ↑ FX (UK) (+0:00)
  11. ↑ Génération 4, "Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 153
  12. ↑ Game Zone, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-24), page 24
  13. ↑ Hippon Super, "September 1993" (JP; 1993-08-03), page 49
  14. ↑ Joypad, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 1991-12-1x), page 96
  15. ↑ Joystick, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 140
  16. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 63
  17. ↑ Mega Force, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 1992-01-15), page 98
  18. ↑ MegaTech, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-20), page 44
  19. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Junio 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 80
  20. ↑ Mean Machines, "January 1992" (UK; 1991-12-27), page 82
  21. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 139
  22. ↑ Player One, "Avril 1992" (FR; 1992-04-10), page 90
  23. ↑ Play Time, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-06), page 93
  24. ↑ Power Up!, "Saturday, March 14, 1992" (UK; 1992-03-14), page 1
  25. ↑ Power Play, "3/92" (DE; 1992-02-12), page 140
  26. ↑ Sega Power, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-06), page 36
  27. ↑ Sega Pro, "Christmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-12), page 68
  28. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 66
  29. ↑ Sega Force, "1/92" (SE; 1992-xx-xx), page 14
  30. ↑ Sega Force, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 66
  31. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85
  32. ↑ Super Juegos, "Mayo 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 48
  33. ↑ Supersonic, "Mai/Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 10
  34. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 108
  35. ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "March 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 42
  36. ↑ Video Games, "1/92" (DE; 1992-02-03), page 30
  37. ↑ File:SegaForce07UK.pdf, page 68
  38. ↑ Consoles +, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 132
  39. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 143
  40. ↑ Joypad, "Août/Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-07-1x), page 66
  41. ↑ Joystick, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 205
  42. ↑ Mean Machines, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-28), page 72
  43. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 135
  44. ↑ Player One, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-07-10), page 135
  45. ↑ Sega Power, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-02), page 27
  46. ↑ Sega Pro, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-21), page 38
  47. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 71
  48. ↑ Sega Force, "2/92" (SE; 1992-11-19), page 24
  49. ↑ Sega Force, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-xx), page 68
  50. ↑ Supersonic, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 24
  51. ↑ Video Games, "8/92" (DE; 1992-07-22), page 99
  52. ↑ File:SegaForce09UK.pdf, page 56
  53. ↑ Consoles +, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 119
  54. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 167
  55. ↑ Game Zone, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-19), page 63
  56. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Septiembre 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 62
  57. ↑ Joypad, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 100
  58. ↑ Joystick, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 165
  59. ↑ Player One, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-09-10), page 116
  60. ↑ Sega Power, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-06), page 39
  61. ↑ Sega Pro, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-16), page 48
  62. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 74
  63. ↑ Sega Force, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-13), page 56
  64. ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "September 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 85
  65. ↑ Video Games, "8/92" (DE; 1992-07-22), page 121
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