Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin (8-bit)

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SpiderMan SMS title.png

Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin
System(s): Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear
Publisher:
Sega Master System
Sega,
Sega Game Gear
Flying Edge
Developer:
Genre: Action

















Release Date RRP Code
Sega Master System
US
Sega Master System
EU 		7065
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Master System
BR 		025290
Sega Game Gear
US 		$34.9534.95[4] T-81028
Sega Game Gear
EU 		T-81028-50

Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin, commonly referred to as just Spider-Man or Spiderman, is a platform video game based on the Spider-Man Marvel comic book series released for the Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear in 1991 and 1992 respectively. The Master System version was released at the same time as a Sega Mega Drive version, which although follows the same plot, is a different game to this version.

Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin sees the player control Spider-Man, who must defeat various enemies and famous villains from the comic book series in an attempt to stop a bomb and save New York.

Gameplay

Players can use Spider-Man's various powers to fight criminals and negotiate obstacles, while searching for all the keys necessary to defuse a bomb installed in New York, within 24 hours.

1 attacks while 2 makes Spider-Man jump. Pressing 1 while holding Left or Right makes Spider-Man fire his webshot to stun the enemy for a while. In mid-air, pressing 1 while holding Left or Right will make Spider-Man use his webs to swing around. Pressing and holding 2 near a climbable wall will make Spider-Man crawl over the surfaces. Unlike the Mega Drive version, Spider-Man can only crawl over background objects.

Pressing 1 and 2 at the same time activates an option mode, where players can turn on or off the music and sound effects, take photographs or return to Spider-Man's home to rest. Resting, however, will make the player restart the level and only becomes available after the second stage, when Dr. Strange gives him a stone that teleport him home. Resting recovers the lost health at the expense of time.

Spider-Man's web cartridges are limited and taking photographs of Super-Villains is the only way to replace them. The player can take pictures to Robbie Robertson (Daily Bugle's editor) to gain money, though he only accepts pictures of Super-Villains and only once.

Stages

In most stages all lesser thugs (Humanoid enemies only. Bat, rats or other animals do not count) must be defeated for boss to appear. Spider-Man's spider senses will alert you to bosses.

Notavailable.svg In front of Daily Bugle
Police is hot on your tail. Enter Daily Bugle building from top floor and, as Peter Parker, find out why everyone is after you. Single level. No bosses. No Keys.
Notavailable.svg Warehouse
Time to find a way to prove your innocence. Investigate nearby warehouse and search for clues. One mid-boss, a guy driving a forklift and main boss : Dr. Octopus. Single level. Key is automatically acquired after boss fight.
Notavailable.svg Sewers
Your old friend Dr. Connors has transformed to The Lizard and fled to the sewers. Navigate deadly traps and pitfalls and acquire Lizard's key. Two levels. Key is in the second level.
Notavailable.svg Power Station
Confront Electro in his domain. Evade lightning bolts and gun-toting thugs as your look for his key. Two levels. Key is in the second level.
Notavailable.svg Central Park
Defeat muggers and look for Sandman who can only be defeated by luring him to the fire hydrants. He drops the key after he is defeated. Single level.
Notavailable.svg Streets of New York
Criminals are wreaking havoc in the streets. Spider-Man has to face two of his sworn enemies: Hobgoblin and Venom. Two levels. Boss fight in each. Venom shows up without need to defeat lesser thugs. Keys are acquired automatically.
Notavailable.svg Underground
Time to stop Kingpin from finalizing his ultimate plan. Defeat both Dr. Octopus and The Lizard who returned for a rematch. Stop the bomb by punching the keys in order and finally capture Kingpin. Two levels. If you run away during battle with Kingpin, he will run away and you won't get the best ending.

Versions

While having inferior in-game graphics compared to the 16-bit port, the 8-bit version has nicely drawn panel illustrations as cut-scenes. This is, perhaps, the only aspect of this version that can be considered superior to the Mega Drive version, which has the story narrated through simple text.

The Master System version is infamous for its very high difficulty, even in the easiest setting. Some players reported that they couldn't even pass stage 3, especially stage 3-2 (the key level).

Two secret easter-eggs are found in the game. One is a Pac-Man type mini-game with Spider-Man characters and a secret room which will allow Spider-Man dress like Venom. Both can only be acquired while playing Nightmare difficulty.[6]

Production credits

Master System version

  • Spiderman vs. The Kingpin a Sega of America Production
  • Programming: Paul Hutchinson (Assisted by John Kennedy)
  • Graphics: Whitney Caughlan, Alan Murphy, Paul Hutchinson
  • Music and Sound: Paul Hutchinson
  • Game Design: Christopher Erhardt
  • Produced by: Ed Annunziata
  • Tested by: Rich Fishman, Jeff Todd, Jim Goddard, Jim Gould, Casey Grimm, Bert Mauricio
  • Spiderman, Peter Parker, Dr. Octopus, The Lizard, Electro, Sandman, Hobgoblin, Venom, The Kingpin, Dr. Strange, Jonah Jameson, Mary Jane, Robbie Robertson and the distinctive likenesses thereof are Trademarks of the Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. and are used with permission.
  • Spiderman © 1990 Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc.
  • All Rights Reserved
  • Source Codes © 1990 Sega of America, Inc.
  • This program is produced under license from the Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc.
Source:
In-game credits

Game Gear version

  • Spiderman vs. The Kingpin a Sega of America Production
  • Programming: Paul Hutchinson
  • Graphics: Whitney Caughlan, Alan Murphy, Paul Hutchinson
  • Music and Sound: Paul Hutchinson
  • Game Design: Christopher Erhardt
  • Produced by: Stewart Kosoy
  • Tested by: Rich Fishman, Bert Mauricio, Steve Patterson, Ben Szymkowiak, Michael Tyau
  • Spiderman, Peter Parker, Dr. Octopus, The Lizard, Electro, Sandman, Hobgoblin, Venom, The Kingpin, Dr. Strange, Jonah Jameson, Mary Jane, Robbie Robertson and the distinctive likenesses thereof are Trademarks of Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. and are used with permission.
Source:
In-game credits

Magazine articles

Main article: Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin (8-bit)/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

  • MasterSystemIIJuegos ES PrintAd 1993-03 02.jpg

    Master System ES print advert

Logo-pdf.svg
Master System print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #118: "September 1991" (1991-08-15)
also published in:
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Master System print advert in Sega Visions (US) #6: "Fall 1991" (1991-xx-xx)
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Game Gear print advert in Sega Visions (US) #8: "May/June 1992" (1992-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Game Gear print advert in Sega Visions (US) #8: "May/June 1992" (1992-xx-xx)
also published in:
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Master System print advert in Ação Games (BR) #13: "Maio 1992" (1992-05-xx)
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Master System print advert in Action Games (AR) #2: "Julio 1992" (1992-xx-xx)
also published in:
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Physical scans

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
83 №118, p34-36[1]
76 №25, p35/36[10]
81 №1, p42-44[11]
75 №1, p36/37[12]
92 №1, p108/109[13]
92 №19, p170/171
73 №2/43
87 №11, p80-82[14]
90 №12, p48/49[15]
57 №23, p28/29
40 №23, p59
Sega Master System
 77
Based on
11 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
58
[16]
Console XS (UK) PAL
80
[17]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
83
[1]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
87
[18]
Game Mania (UK)
87
[19]
Game Power (IT)
81
[11]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
80
[10]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
75
[12]
Joypad (FR)
92
[13]
Joystick (FR)
92
[20]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
73
[21]
Mean Machines (UK)
87
[14]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
87
[22]
Player One (FR)
90
[15]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
57
[23]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
25
[24]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
80
[25]
Video Games (DE)
65
[26]
Sega Master System
 77
Based on
18 reviews

Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin (8-bit)

Master System, US
AmazingSpidermanVSKingpin ms us cover.jpg
Cover
AmazingSpidermanVSKingpin ms us cart.jpg
Cart
Spiderman sms us manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, EU
SpiderMan SMS EU cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, EU
Marvel variant
SpiderMan SMS EU Marvel cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, EU
Capcom variant
AmazingSpidermanVSKingpin ms eu cover.jpg
Cover
AmazingSpidermanVSKingpin ms eu cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU

Master System, BR
SpiderMan SMS BR Box.jpg
Cover
SpiderMan SMS BR Cart.jpg
Cart
SpiderMan SMS BR Manual.pdf
Manual

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
65 №14, p136[27]
93 №129 (Go!), p10/11[5]
70 №38, p126[4]
90 №9, p59
84 №13, p146
88 №32, p147[28]
79 №7, p48/49[29]
78 №24, p90/91[30]
70
84 №31, p37
92 №6, p36/37[31]
92 №13, p26/27
75 №1/92, p25[32]
91 №5, p72/73[33]
Sega Game Gear
 82
Based on
14 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Alaab Alcomputtar (SA)
90
[34]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
52
[35]
Consoles + (FR)
65
[27]
Console XS (UK) PAL
92
[36]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
93
[5]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
88
[37]
Game Mania (UK)
85
[38]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
70
[4]
Game Zone (UK) PAL
90
[39]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
75
[40]
Joypad (FR)
84
[41]
Joystick (FR) PAL
88
[28]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
48
[42]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
63
[43]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
86
[44]
Player One (FR)
78
[45]
Play Time (DE)
80
[46]
Power Unlimited (NL)
80
[47]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
84
[48]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
92
[31]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
92
[49]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
92
[50]
Sega Force (SE)
75
[32]
Sega Force (UK)
91
[33]
Supersonic (FR)
85
[51]
User (GR) PAL
86
[52]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
70
[53]
Video Games (DE)
43
[54]
Sega Game Gear
 79
Based on
28 reviews

Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin (8-bit)

Game Gear, US
SpiderMan GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngAmazingSpidermanVSKingpin gg us cover.jpg
Cover
AmazingSpidermanVSKingpin gg us cart.jpg
Cart
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Manual
Game Gear, EU
SpiderMan GG EU Box Back.jpgNospine.pngAmazingSpidermanVSKingpin gg eu cover.jpg
Cover
AmazingSpidermanVSKingpin gg eu cart.jpg
Cart

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 File:CVG UK 118.pdf, page 34 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 118.pdf_p34" defined multiple times with different content
  2. ↑ File:Supergame BR 04.pdf, page 40
  3. ↑ File:SegaVisions US 08.pdf, page 58
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 File:GamePro US 038.pdf, page 128 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:GamePro US 038.pdf_p128" defined multiple times with different content
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 File:Go UK 10.pdf, page 10 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Go UK 10.pdf_p10" defined multiple times with different content
  6. ↑ http://www.smspower.org/Cheats/SpiderManVsTheKingpin-SMS
  7. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-15), page 93
  8. ↑ GamePro, "July 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 89
  9. ↑ Action Games, "Agosto 1992" (AR; 1992-xx-xx), page 2
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 File:GamePro US 025.pdf, page 37 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:GamePro US 025.pdf_p37" defined multiple times with different content
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 File:GamePower IT 01.pdf, page 44 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:GamePower IT 01.pdf_p44" defined multiple times with different content
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 File:HobbyConsolas ES 001.pdf, page 36 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:HobbyConsolas ES 001.pdf_p36" defined multiple times with different content
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 File:Joypad FR 001.pdf, page 108 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joypad FR 001.pdf_p108" defined multiple times with different content
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 File:MeanMachines UK 11.pdf, page 80 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachines UK 11.pdf_p80" defined multiple times with different content
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 File:PlayerOne FR 012.pdf, page 48 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:PlayerOne FR 012.pdf_p48" defined multiple times with different content
  16. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "Februar 1992" (DE; 1992-01-10), page 129
  17. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 145
  18. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 157
  19. ↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 81
  20. ↑ Joystick, "Septembre 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 170
  21. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Diciembre 1991" (ES; 1991-1x-xx), page 80
  22. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 136
  23. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 28
  24. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 59
  25. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 72
  26. ↑ Video Games, "2/91" (DE; 1991-06-07), page 80
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 File:ConsolesPlus FR 014.pdf, page 136 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ConsolesPlus FR 014.pdf_p136" defined multiple times with different content
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 File:Joystick FR 032.pdf, page 147 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joystick FR 032.pdf_p147" defined multiple times with different content
  29. ↑ File:MeanMachinesSega07UK.pdf, page 48
  30. ↑ File:PlayerOne FR 024.pdf, page 86
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 File:SegaPro UK 06.pdf, page 36 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 06.pdf_p36" defined multiple times with different content
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 File:SegaForce SE 1992 01.pdf, page 25 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaForce SE 1992 01.pdf_p25" defined multiple times with different content
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 File:SegaForce UK 05.pdf, page 72 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaForce UK 05.pdf_p72" defined multiple times with different content
  34. ↑ Alaab Alcomputtar, "" (SA; 1995-08-xx), page 74
  35. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "Juli 1993" (DE; 1993-06-14), page 45
  36. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 149
  37. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 170
  38. ↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 70
  39. ↑ Game Zone, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-24), page 59
  40. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Septiembre 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 96
  41. ↑ Joypad, "Octobre 1992" (FR; 1992-10-xx), page 146
  42. ↑ Mega Fun, "07/92" (DE; 1992-0x-xx), page 30
  43. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Enero 1993" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 66
  44. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 143
  45. ↑ Player One, "Octobre 1992" (FR; 1992-10-10), page 90
  46. ↑ Play Time, "(8/9)/92" (DE; 1992-07-08), page 96
  47. ↑ Power Unlimited, "Nummer 4, November 1993" (NL; 1993-10-27), page 30
  48. ↑ Sega Power, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-07), page 37
  49. ↑ Sega Pro, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-08), page 26
  50. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 74
  51. ↑ Supersonic, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 26
  52. ↑ User, "Máios 1993" (GR; 1993-0x-xx), page 50
  53. ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "July 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 64
  54. ↑ Video Games, "9/92" (DE; 1992-08-26), page 131



Spider-Man games for Sega systems
Arcade
 Spider-Man: The Videogame (1991)
Sega Mega Drive
 Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin (1991) | Spider-Man and the X-Men in Arcade's Revenge (1993) | Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage (1994) | Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1995) | Venom - Spider-Man: Separation Anxiety (1995)
Sega Master System
 Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin (1991) | Spider-Man: Return of the Sinister Six (1993)
Sega Game Gear
 Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin (1992) | Spider-Man: Return of the Sinister Six (1993) | Spider-Man and the X-Men in Arcade's Revenge (1994)
Sega Mega-CD
 Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin (1993)
Sega 32X
 Spider-Man: Web of Fire (1996)
Sega Dreamcast
 Spider-Man (2001)
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