Michael Jackson's Moonwalker
From Sega Retro
| Michael Jackson's Moonwalker | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| System(s): Sega System 18, Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Publisher: Sega | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Developer: Sega,  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Genre: Action | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Michael Jackson's Moonwalker (マイケルジャクソンズ ムーンウォーカー) is the name of two video game tie-ins made by Sega based on the 1988 film, Moonwalker. A third (sometimes subtitled as The Computer Game) was released by U.S. Gold for home computers, but had no involvement from Sega. As the name suggests it is endorsed by pop sensation Michael Jackson, who would go on to have a long history working with Sega.
Moonwalker is made up of a number of short films and does not tell a coherent story from beginning to end. As a result, all versions of Michael Jackson's Moonwalker are based on one segment of the film, Smooth Criminal, which sees Jackson using various music and dance related abilities on a quest to save kidnapped children from the hands of the evil "Mr. Big" and various American gangsters.
Contents
History
The game was originally released for the Sega System 18 arcade platform in 1990. This version is played from an isometric perspective and behaves similarly to a beat-'em-up game. Moonwalker was then retooled and re-released as a 2D side-scroller for the Sega Mega Drive and Sega Master System. Though the two games vary considerably, both have the same goals and incorporated synthesized versions of the musician's hits, such as "Beat It" and "Smooth Criminal".
In the early days of the Mega Drive, Moonwalker was often used as a flagship product of Sega's system (particularly in North America), with Jackson's persona being used along with many other celebrities in an effort to put a dent in sales of Nintendo products.
Even though both versions of the game have a stage takes place in a graveyard and have the "Thriller dance" which can be performed, the theme of Thriller does not feature in either game (being replaced with Another Part of Me). It is suspected that the reason for this was that Michael did not write the song (Rod Temperton wrote Thriller for Michael). However, in the first revision (REV 00), excerpts of Thriller are used for the dance attacks in the Round 3 stages.
The Sega versions of Moonwalker have now achieved cult status and are remembered for being a memorable point in Jackson's career, marking a change in stage personas between the albums "Thriller" and "Bad". Jackson would work with Sega on several future products - he would be responsible for much of the music in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (though remains uncredited) and features in both Space Channel 5 and Space Channel 5: Part 2.
In North America, the Master System version was released alongside the redesigned Master System II console.
A sequel was planned but later dropped due to child molestation accusations to Michael Jackson in 1993.
Gameplay
Arcade version
The arcade Moonwalker is played from a top-down isometric perspective. Players assume the role of Michael Jackson and are armed with a basic melee attack. All enemies on-screen can also be forced to "dance", which will cause damage in the process. Something which is never explained is how up to three Michael Jacksons, all sporting different attire, can play at once.
If players find Jackson's chimp, Bubbles, they will turn into a robot and have the ability to fire projectiles.
Sadly the arcade version is known to be plagued with a "suicide battery" - a battery which, after it stops working, makes the arcade board completely unusable. This makes a working arcade Moonwalker a rare sight in the modern age. Some boards however are capable of being revived through chip replacement which in some cases changes the "(C) 1990 Sega" copyright in the title to "(C) 1990 RESS" which refers to a resurrected board.
Console version
Console versions of Moonwalker play similarly to their arcade counterpart, but are played from a 2D perspective. As with the arcade version the objective is to go around destroying enemies while finding the missing children. 
/
jumps, 
/pressing 
kicks, and 
/holding spins/shoots your hat at enemies. Music is shortened in this version.
This version is notable for having several pointless features which do not appear to have much effect on gameplay (for example, + 
/
moonwalks and it is also possible to do crotch grabs). 
opens doors and sewer lids. Once all the children in a level are saved, Bubbles the Monkey will appear and will point you in the direction of Mr. Big, and once you get to the right spot 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.
Production credits
Arcade version
BGM
- Round 1 -Cavern-
- Bad
- Round 2 -Amusement Quarter-
- Smooth Criminal
- Round 3 -Night Street-
- Beat It
- Round 4 -Graveyard-
- Another Part of Me
- Round 5 -Evil Fortress-
- Bad ~Reprise~
- Ending
- Billie Jean
All Songs Written and Composed by: Michael Jackson
- Available on CD, Tapes and Records
Game Concept and Design by: Michael Jackson
Mega Drive version
Planner: Koi
Planner Assistant: Captain Elf
Designer: Doydoy, Chie Sama, Jiyna
Programmer: Ekas, Mt. Book, 610
Programmer Assistant: Nas Atagan
Sound Composer: Jimita
Sound Assistant: Middle Village, Iagan
Sound Adviser: Bo
Special Thanks: Al Nilsen
Game Concept and Design by: Michael Jackson
Master System version
Designers: Udi, Sadou, Fudou
Planners: Tomozou, Asohy, Pata
Sound Programmer: T N
Programmers: Minepy, Kidopyu, Mochaponpon, Kozaoyaji
Presented by: Sega
Magazine articles
- Main article: Michael Jackson's Moonwalker/Magazine articles.
Promotional material
System 18 JP flyer
System 18 EU flyer
FR TV advert (shorter version)
Mega Drive JP TV advert 2
also published in:
- Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) #13: "August 1990" (1990-xx-xx)[7]
- GamePro (US) #12: "July 1990" (1990-xx-xx)[8]
- VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) #18: "July 1990" (1990-0x-xx)[9]
also published in:
- GamePro (US) #13: "August 1990" (1990-xx-xx)[10]
- VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) #19: "August 1990" (1990-0x-xx)[11]
also published in:
- GamePro (US) #16: "November 1990" (1990-xx-xx)[12]
- Game Players Sega Guide! (US) #0101: "Vol. 1, No. 1: Fall 1990" (1990-10-xx)[13]
- Sega Visions (US) #3: "Winter 1990/1991" (1990-xx-xx)[14]
also published in:
- Computer & Video Games (UK) #114: "May 1991" (1991-04-14)[15]
K IT 31.pdf¦page#75¦Mega Drive IT print advert in K (IT) #31: "Settembre 1991" (1991-xx-xx)K IT 32.pdf¦page#2¦Mega Drive IT print advert in K (IT) #32: "Ottobre 1991" (1991-xx-xx)
also published in:
- Sega Visions (US) #5: "Summer 1991" (1991-xx-xx)[16]
- Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) #27: "October 1991" (1991-xx-xx)[17]
also published in:
- Computer & Video Games (UK) #114: "May 1991" (1991-04-14)[18]
Physical scans
System 18 version
| Sega Retro Average | ||||
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N/A |
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| Based on 0 reviews | |
| System 18, US | ||||
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| System 18, JP | ||||
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Mega-Tech version
| Mega-Tech, |
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 Cover
|
 Cart |
Mega Drive version
 |
77 |
|---|---|
| Based on 34 reviews | |
| Mega Drive, US |
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 Cover
|
 Cart  Manual |
| Mega Drive, US (cart misprint) |
|---|
Cover
|
 Cart Manual |
| Mega Drive, EU |
|---|
| <div style="margin:auto; max-width:Expression error: Unexpected < operator.px">
320x120px Cover
|
 Cart |
| Mega Drive, JP |
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 Cover
|
  Cart  Manual |
| Mega Drive, AU |
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|
| Mega Drive, BR (cardboard) |
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 Cover
|
| Mega Drive, BR |
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 Cover
|
 Cart |
| Mega Drive, CA |
|---|
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Master System version
| Sega Retro Average | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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72 |
|---|---|
| Based on 18 reviews | |
| Master System, US |
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 Cover
|
 Manual |
| Master System, EU (6 languages) |
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 Cover
|
 Manual |
| Master System, EU (8 languages) |
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 Cover
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| Master System, AU |
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| Master System, BR (cardboard) |
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 Cover
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 Cart |
| Master System, BR |
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.jpg) Cover
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| Master System, KR |
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   Cover
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 Cart |
| Master System, KR (Alt) |
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 Cover
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| Master System, KR (Alt B) |
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  Cover
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Technical information
ROM dump status
| System | Hash | Size | Build Date | Source | Comments | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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512kB | 1990-07 | Cartridge | v00 | |||||||||
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512kB | 1990-07 | Cartridge | v01 |
References
- ↑ File:CVG UK 107.pdf, page 126
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 File:Raze UK 11.pdf, page 76
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 File:EGM US 014.pdf, page 18 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name ":File:EGM US 014.pdf_p18" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ File:CVG UK 111.pdf, page 80
- ↑ File:GamePro US 020.pdf, page 83
- ↑ File:AcaoGames BR 001.pdf, page 08
- ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "August 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 7
- ↑ GamePro, "July 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 61
- ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "July 1990" (US; 1990-0x-xx), page 59
- ↑ GamePro, "August 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 53
- ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "August 1990" (US; 1990-0x-xx), page 13
- ↑ GamePro, "November 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 100
- ↑ Game Players Sega Guide!, "Vol. 1, No. 1: Fall 1990" (US; 1990-10-xx), page 8
- ↑ Sega Visions, "Winter 1990/1991" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 22
- ↑ Computer & Video Games, "May 1991" (UK; 1991-04-14), page 67
- ↑ Sega Visions, "Summer 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 10
- ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "October 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 142
- ↑ Computer & Video Games, "May 1991" (UK; 1991-04-14), page 33
- ↑ File:CVG UK 106.pdf, page 68
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 File:ACE UK 38.pdf, page 89 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name ":File:ACE UK 38.pdf_p89" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 21.0 21.1 File:CGtC UK 04.pdf, page 32 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name ":File:CGtC UK 04.pdf_p32" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 22.0 22.1 File:CVG UK 108.pdf, page 80 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name ":File:CVG UK 108.pdf_p80" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 23.0 23.1 Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, Virgin Books, page 72 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesEssentialSegaGuide Book UK.pdf_p72" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 24.0 24.1 File:HobbyConsolas ES 005.pdf, page 79 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name ":File:HobbyConsolas ES 005.pdf_p79" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 25.0 25.1 File:Joystick FR 009.pdf, page 88 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name ":File:Joystick FR 009.pdf_p88" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 26.0 26.1 File:MegaTech UK 01.pdf, page 79 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name ":File:MegaTech UK 01.pdf_p79" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ File:MeanMachines UK 04.pdf, page 36
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 File:PlayerOne FR 004.pdf, page 24 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name ":File:PlayerOne FR 004.pdf_p24" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ File:PowerPlay DE 032.pdf, page 140
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 File:Raze UK 02.pdf, page 42 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name ":File:Raze UK 02.pdf_p42" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 31.3 File:SegaPro UK 04.pdf, page 19 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 04.pdf_p19" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 04.pdf_p19" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 04.pdf_p19" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 134
- ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "September 1990" (JP; 1990-08-XX), page 25
- ↑ Buzz! Computers (UK) (+0:00)
- ↑ The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 48
- ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 132
- ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 127
- ↑ Famitsu, "" (JP; 1990-xx-xx), page 1
- ↑ The Games Machine, "Dicembre 1990" (IT; 1990-1x-xx), page 36
- ↑ Game Informer, "July 2001" (US; 2001-0x-xx), page 106
- ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 93
- ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "November 1990" (JP; 1990-10-08), page 63
- ↑ Mega, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 21
- ↑ Mega Play, "November/December 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 29
- ↑ MegaTech, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 93
- ↑ 46.0 46.1 Mean Machines, "January 1991" (UK; 1991-01-03), page 44
- ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 140
- ↑ Power Play, "11/90" (DE; 1990-10-12), page 140
- ↑ Sega Power, "April 1991" (UK; 1991-03-07), page 10
- ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 54
- ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 66
- ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 86
- ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 114
- ↑ Zero, "December 1990" (UK; 1990-1x-xx), page 130
- ↑ 55.0 55.1 File:TheCompleteGuideToSega UK.pdf, page 22 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name ":File:TheCompleteGuideToSega UK.pdf_p22" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ File:CVG UK 112.pdf, page 78
- ↑ File:CVG IT 04.pdf, page 94
- ↑ 58.0 58.1 Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, Virgin Books, page 146 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesEssentialSegaGuide Book UK.pdf_p146" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 59.0 59.1 File:GamePro US 020.pdf, page 82 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name ":File:GamePro US 020.pdf_p82" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 60.0 60.1 File:Joystick FR 016.pdf, page 146 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name ":File:Joystick FR 016.pdf_p146" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ File:MeanMachines UK 04.pdf, page 34
- ↑ 62.0 62.1 File:PlayerOne FR 009.pdf, page 20 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name ":File:PlayerOne FR 009.pdf_p20" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 63.0 63.1 File:Tilt FR 091.pdf, page 80 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name ":File:Tilt FR 091.pdf_p80" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 142
- ↑ Computer & Video Games, "March 1991" (UK; 1991-02-16), page 94
- ↑ Mega Play, "March/April 1991" (US; 1991-04-xx), page 45
- ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 135
- ↑ Power Play, "7/91" (DE; 1991-06-12), page 137
- ↑ Score, "Srpen 1994" (CZ; 1994-08-01), page 57
- ↑ Sega Power, "April 1991" (UK; 1991-03-07), page 18
- ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 58
- ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 71
- ↑ Video Games, "2/91" (DE; 1991-06-07), page 78
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