Crack Down

From Sega Retro

n/a

CrackDown Title.png

Crack Down
System(s): Sega System 24, Sega Mega Drive, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, IBM PC, ZX Spectrum, Virtual Console, Steam
Publisher: Sega
Sega Mega Drive
Sage's Creation (US)
Amiga
Amstrad CPC
Atari ST
Commodore 64
ZX Spectrum
U.S. Gold
Developer:
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Arcade (System 24)
JP		 ¥? ?
Arcade (System 24)
US		 $? ?





























Sega Mega Drive
JP 		¥6,0006,000 G-4024
Sega Mega Drive
US 		$49.9549.95[2] 47046
Sega Mega Drive
EU
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Mega Drive
BR
Amiga
FR
Amiga
UK 		£24.9924.99[3]
Amiga
UK
(Kixx)
Atari ST
FR
Atari ST
UK 		£24.9924.99[3]
Amstrad CPC
ES
(Cassette)
Amstrad CPC
UK
(Cassette)
Amstrad CPC
UK
(Kixx)
Commodore 64
US
(Disk) 		$34.9534.95[6]
Commodore 64
UK
(Cassette) 		£10.9910.99[7]
Commodore 64
UK
(Disk) 		£14.9914.99
Commodore 64
UK
(Kixx) 		£3.993.99[8]
ZX Spectrum
ES
(Cassette)
ZX Spectrum
ES
(Especial 8 Bits)
ZX Spectrum
UK
(Cassette)
ZX Spectrum
UK
(Kixx)
IBM PC compatibles
US
Wii Virtual Console
JP ▼ 		600pts600
Wii Virtual Console
EU ▼ 		800pts800
CERO
Missing Parameter!

Crack Down (クラックダウン) is a top-down arcade shoot-'em-up title developed by Sega for their Sega System 24 arcade board.

Gameplay

The game features two heroes, Ben Breaker and Andy Attacker, who have to get through a series of levels as quickly as possible by placing bombs on marked X spots scattered around the levels. The levels are heavily defended, but the player has an array of weaponry including a cannon, machine gun, and superbombs at their disposal in order to stay alive.

Crack Down is unusual in that its System 24 roots mean that the screen is always split into two. As a result, one of the main complaints for weaker systems (with lower screen resolutions) is that the majority of the screen is not used when playing a one-player game.

History

Legacy

Crack Down' has subsequently been ported to a variety of systems, including the Sega Mega Drive, Commodore Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS and ZX Spectrum. The Mega Drive version is a common choice for compilations, and has therefore seen several re-releases among other early Mega Drive titles. It has also been brought to the Wii's Virtual Console service.

For whatever reason, Sega had Sage's Creation publish the Mega Drive port in North America (it may have had to do with HOT-B making the port).

Versions

Amiga and Atari ST versions

The Amiga and Atari ST versions were created simultaneously by Arc Developments, following their home computer conversions of Forgotten Worlds.

While an arcade machine was obtained to help with the conversions, the lack of any sort of pause button or tile viewer on the unit meant initially the team were forced to copy the graphics by eye in Deluxe Paint III[9]. Attempts were made to reverse engineer the System 24 hardware (or more specifically the internal floppy disk format)[9], but this proved unsuccessful and Sega of Japan refused to give the team any technical details[10]. Sega did provide a black and white copy of some of the game's graphics, however[10].

Graphics were drawn on Amigas, before being transferred over to IBM PC compatibles (using the Amiga-to-IBM file utility Dos2Dos) for the main development of the game[10]. Once on the PC, a bespoke program would be run to strip the graphics files of unnecessary data prior to use. During development the graphics spanned at least 36 floppy disks[10].

The Amiga and Atari ST versions omit the intermission screens to save space.

There is a known glitch in the Amiga version of the game which causes the final level to crash. While more recent patches by fans have fixed the problem, it was never addressed during the game's original production run.

Amstrad CPC and ZX Spectrum versions

The Amstrad CPC and ZX Spectrum versions were also created by Arc Developments, and also used a similar system of drawing the graphics on an Amiga with Deluxe Paint III, while writing the code on an IBM PC[11]. Two weeks were spent bringing the game to the Amstrad CPC[12], after which a further two weeks were spent converting the CPC code to the Spectrum[12].

Using a technique developed in the Spectrum ports of Forgotten Worlds and X-Out, graphics scroll two pixels at a time[12]. This technique does not affect the way the Spectrum draws graphics on-screen however, so in order to overcome colour clash all in-game graphics share the same two colours[12].

Production credits

Mega Drive version

  • Planning: Kobupan
  • Screenplay: 2468Drive, Kanazawa
  • Programming: SA.160A, EC.NA.DF.OE, Ebuc, Soft MA
  • Graphic Design: Kanazawa, Nagasaki, Gunma
  • Music Composed by: Sega
  • Music Arranged by: Mecanoize
  • Sound Design: YMOIMO by MS
  • Special Thanks to: Hokkaido, Chiba, Kanagawa, Help 1, Help 2, Help 3
  • Director: SA.160A
  • Producer: 2468Drive


Digital manuals

  • Steam manual

Magazine articles

Main article: Crack Down/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

  • System 24 US flyer

  • System 24 US flyer (alt)

  • System 24 JP flyer

Logo-pdf.svg
Mega Drive print advert in Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) #19: "February 1991" (1991-xx-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Home computers print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #101: "April 1990" (1990-03-16)
also published in:
  • ACE (UK) #32: "May 1990" (1990-04-xx)[16]
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Home computers print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #104: "July 1990" (1990-06-16)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Home computers print advert in Génération 4 (FR) #21: "Avril 1990" (1990-0x-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

System 24 version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
75 №92, p78[17]
Arcade
 75
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Arcade
 N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Crack Down

System 24, US
System 24, JP

Mega-Tech version

Mega-Tech,
CrackDown MT cover.jpg
Cover

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
75 №2, p31[18]
72 №22, p36[2]
60 №8
71 №30, p102[19]
65 №6, p29[20]
72 №5, p91
72 №23, p79
65 №1, p77[21]
84 №5, p66-68[22]
82 №14, p118[23]
83 №10, p37[24]
78 №10, p51[3]
60 №19, p12
80 №23, p53
88 №2, p19[25]
82 №18, p64
75 №90, p80
Sega Mega Drive
 74
Based on
17 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
40
[26]
Ação Games (BR)
75
[18]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
63
[27]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK)
83
[28]
Console XS (UK) PAL
82
[29]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
73
[30]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
58
[31]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
72
[2]
Games-X (UK) PAL
60
[32]
Génération 4 (FR)
71
[19]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
60
[33]
Joystick (FR) NTSC-J
82
[23]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
72
[34]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
67
[35]
Mega (UK)
72
[36]
MegaTech (UK)
65
[21]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
70
[37]
Mean Machines (UK)
84
[22]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
65
[38]
Player One (FR)
83
[24]
Power Play (DE)
65
[39]
Raze (UK) PAL
78
[3]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
60
[40]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
75
[41]
Sega Pro (UK)
88
[25]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
82
[42]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
59
[43]
Tilt (FR)
75
[44]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
57
[45]
User (GR) PAL
86
[46]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US)
50
[47]
Video Games (DE)
57
[48]
Sega Mega Drive
 70
Based on
32 reviews

Crack Down

Mega Drive, US
CrackDown MD US Box.jpg
Cover
CrackDown MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
CrackDown MD US manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
CrackDown MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
CrackDown MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, JP
CrackDown MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
CrackDown MD JP CartTop.jpg
CrackDown MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Crackdown md jp manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, AU

Mega Drive, BR
CrackDown MD BR Box.jpg
Cover

Amiga version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
85 №2, p32/33[49]
76 №6, p134[50]
90 №60
Amiga
 84
Based on
3 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
The Australian Commodore Review (AU)
80
[51]
Amiga Joker (DE)
68
[52]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
70
[53]
CU Amiga (UK)
85
[49]
Joystick (FR)
76
[50]
Power Play (DE)
67
[54]
User (GR)
80
[55]
Zzap!64 (UK)
90
[56]
Amiga
 77
Based on
8 reviews

Crack Down

Amiga, UK

Amiga, UK (Kixx)
CrackDown Amiga EU Box Front Kixx.jpg
Cover

Amstrad CPC version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
80 №6, p134[50]
90 №46, p32/33[57]
Amstrad CPC
 85
Based on
2 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
57
[58]
CPC Attack! (UK)
72
[59]
Joystick (FR)
80
[50]
Zzap! (IT)
90
[57]
Amstrad CPC
 75
Based on
4 reviews

Crack Down

Amstrad CPC, UK (cassette)

Amstrad CPC, UK (disk)

CrackDown CPC EU Disk Back.jpgCrackDown CPC EU Disk Front.jpg
Disk
Amstrad CPC, UK (Kixx)
CrackDown CPC UK Box Kixx.jpg
Cover
Amstrad CPC, ES (cassette)
CrackDown CPC ES Box Cassette Erbe.jpg
Cover
CrackDown CPC ES Cassette Erbe.jpg
Cassette

Atari ST version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
90 №29, p43[60]
92 №21, p10/11[61]
76 №4, p116[62]
Atari ST
 86
Based on
3 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
68
[58]
The Games Machine (UK)
90
[60]
Génération 4 (FR)
92
[61]
Joystick (FR)
76
[62]
Power Play (DE)
67
[54]
ST Action (UK)
74
[63]
Atari ST
 78
Based on
6 reviews

Crack Down

Atari ST, UK

Commodore 64 version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
71 №22, p48[8]
91 №100, p72/73[64]
87 №30, p61[65]
75 №68, p17[66]
88 №60, p10/11
90 №87, p44/45
83 №46, p32/33[57]
Commodore 64
 84
Based on
7 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
58
[58]
C-Lehti (FI)
79
[67]
Commodore Format (UK)
71
[8]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
91
[64]
The Games Machine (UK)
87
[65]
Power Play (DE)
54
[68]
Svet Kompjutera (YU)
60
[69]
Your Commodore (UK)
75
[66]
Zzap!64 (UK)
88
[56]
Zzap!64 (UK)
90
[70]
Zzap! (IT)
83
[57]
Commodore 64
 76
Based on
11 reviews

Crack Down

Commodore 64, US
CrackDown C64 US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngCrackDown C64 US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Commodore 64, UK

Commodore 64, UK (Kixx)
CrackDown C64 UK Box Kixx.jpg
Cover
CrackDown C64 UK Cassette Kixx.jpg
Cassette
Commodore 64, ES

DOS version

DOS, US
CrackDown DOS US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngCrackDown DOS US Box Front.jpg
Cover
CrackDown DOS US Disk.jpg
Disk

ZX Spectrum version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
88 №30, p61[65]
68 №125, p42/43[71]
ZX Spectrum
 78
Based on
2 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
The Games Machine (UK)
88
[65]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
60
[72]
Sinclair User (UK)
68
[71]
ZX Spectrum
 72
Based on
3 reviews

Crack Down

ZX Spectrum, UK

ZX Spectrum, UK (Kixx)
CrackDown Spectrum EU Box Kixx.jpg
Cover
ZX Spectrum, ES
CrackDown Spectrum EU Erbe Box.jpg
Cover
ZX Spectrum, ES (Especial 8 Bits)
CrackDown Spectrum ES Box Especial.jpg
Cover

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega Drive
✔
CRC32 b9ce9051
MD5 f0a0a4e19e9f962afb304fbcadd8f101
SHA-1 949cd961a99e9c35388cf6a4db5e866102ed27a2
512kB 1990-10 Cartridge (US)
Sega Mega Drive
✔
CRC32 d012a47a
MD5 d8da9b0ac3f479a339677b2b5a02be8e
SHA-1 7c146c24216bb333eaa3b08e358582e4465b145e
512kB 1990-10 Cartridge (EU)
Sega Mega Drive
✔
CRC32 538aaa5d
MD5 45479878d32cd32af5ffa29a6263605c
SHA-1 1082c89920699dbc6f6672c9b0519b3d0f626ba5
512kB 1990-10 Cartridge (JP)

External links

References

  1. ↑ http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Interview:Kimihiro_Endou
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 File:GamePro US 022.pdf, page 38 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:GamePro US 022.pdf_p38" defined multiple times with different content
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 File:Raze UK 10.pdf, page 51 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Raze UK 10.pdf_p51" defined multiple times with different content
  4. ↑ File:Supergame BR 06.pdf, page 38
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 File:Generation4 FR 021.pdf, page 11
  6. ↑ File:CGW US 080.pdf, page 8
  7. ↑ File:CVG UK 101.pdf, page 8
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 File:CommodoreFormat UK 22.pdf, page 48 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CommodoreFormat UK 22.pdf_p48" defined multiple times with different content
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 File:TheOne UK 15.pdf, page 51
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 File:TheOne UK 15.pdf, page 52
  11. ↑ File:SinclairUser UK 094.pdf, page 64
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 File:SinclairUser UK 094.pdf, page 65
  13. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "March 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 49
  14. ↑ Sega Visions, "April/May 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 7
  15. ↑ Game Players Sega Guide!, "Vol. 2, No. 3: June/July 1991" (US; 1991-0x-xx), page 86
  16. ↑ ACE, "May 1990" (UK; 1990-04-xx), page 29
  17. ↑ File:CVG UK 092.pdf, page 78
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 File:AcaoGames BR 002.pdf, page 31 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:AcaoGames BR 002.pdf_p31" defined multiple times with different content
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 File:Generation4 FR 030.pdf, page 102 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Generation4 FR 030.pdf_p102" defined multiple times with different content
  20. ↑ File:HobbyConsolas ES 006.pdf, page 29
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 File:MegaTech UK 01.pdf, page 77 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MegaTech UK 01.pdf_p77" defined multiple times with different content
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 File:MeanMachines UK 05.pdf, page 66 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachines UK 05.pdf_p66" defined multiple times with different content
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 File:Joystick FR 014.pdf, page 118 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joystick FR 014.pdf_p118" defined multiple times with different content
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 File:PlayerOne FR 010.pdf, page 37 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:PlayerOne FR 010.pdf_p37" defined multiple times with different content
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 File:SegaPro UK 02.pdf, page 21 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 02.pdf_p21" defined multiple times with different content
  26. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 52
  27. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "January 1991" (JP; 1990-12-08), page 35
  28. ↑ The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 110
  29. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 128
  30. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 34
  31. ↑ Famitsu, "" (JP; 1990-1x-xx), page 1
  32. ↑ Games-X, "14th-20th June 1991" (UK; 1991-06-14), page 20
  33. ↑ Hippon Super, "January 1991" (JP; 1990-12-04), page 42
  34. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 91
  35. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "March 1991" (JP; 1991-02-08), page 99
  36. ↑ Mega, "August 1994" (UK; 1994-07-21), page 79
  37. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Agosto 1991" (ES; 1991-0x-xx), page 37
  38. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 138
  39. ↑ Power Play, "4/91" (DE; 1991-03-15), page 135
  40. ↑ Sega Power, "June 1991" (UK; 1991-05-02), page 12
  41. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 53
  42. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 64
  43. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 87
  44. ↑ Tilt, "Mai 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 80
  45. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 11
  46. ↑ User, "Ioúnios 1991" (GR; 1991-0x-xx), page 66
  47. ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "March 1991" (US; 1991-0x-xx), page 40
  48. ↑ Video Games, "1/91" (DE; 1991-03-27), page 79
  49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 File:CUAmiga UK 002.pdf, page 33 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CUAmiga UK 002.pdf_p33" defined multiple times with different content
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 50.2 50.3 File:Joystick FR 006.pdf, page 128 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joystick FR 006.pdf_p128" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joystick FR 006.pdf_p128" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joystick FR 006.pdf_p128" defined multiple times with different content
  51. ↑ The Australian Commodore Review, "Vol. 7 No. 9: September 1990" (AU; 1990-0x-xx), page 79
  52. ↑ Amiga Joker, "Juni/Juli '90" (DE; 1990-05-25), page 52
  53. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "August/September 1990" (DE; 1990-07-27), page 69
  54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 Power Play, "5/90" (DE; 1990-04-12), page 40
  55. ↑ User, "Ioúlios-Ávgoustos 1990" (GR; 1990-0x-xx), page 52
  56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 Zzap!64, "April 1990" (UK; 1990-03-15), page 10
  57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 57.2 57.3 File:Zzap IT 46.pdf, page 32 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Zzap IT 46.pdf_p32" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Zzap IT 46.pdf_p32" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Zzap IT 46.pdf_p32" defined multiple times with different content
  58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 58.2 Aktueller Software Markt, "Juni/Juli 1990" (DE; 1990-05-25), page 18
  59. ↑ CPC Attack!, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-04), page 30
  60. ↑ 60.0 60.1 File:TGM UK 29.pdf, page 43 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TGM UK 29.pdf_p43" defined multiple times with different content
  61. ↑ 61.0 61.1 File:Generation4 FR 021.pdf, page 10 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Generation4 FR 021.pdf_p10" defined multiple times with different content
  62. ↑ 62.0 62.1 File:Joystick FR 004.pdf, page 116 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joystick FR 004.pdf_p116" defined multiple times with different content
  63. ↑ ST Action, "April 1990" (UK; 1990-0x-xx), page 36
  64. ↑ 64.0 64.1 File:CVG UK 100.pdf, page 72 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 100.pdf_p72" defined multiple times with different content
  65. ↑ 65.0 65.1 65.2 65.3 File:TGM UK 30.pdf, page 61 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TGM UK 30.pdf_p61" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TGM UK 30.pdf_p61" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TGM UK 30.pdf_p61" defined multiple times with different content
  66. ↑ 66.0 66.1 File:YourCommodore UK 68.pdf, page 17 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:YourCommodore UK 68.pdf_p17" defined multiple times with different content
  67. ↑ C-Lehti, "4/90" (FI; 1990-09-13), page 61
  68. ↑ Power Play, "7/90" (DE; 1990-06-15), page 116
  69. ↑ Svet Kompjutera, "Oktobar 1990" (YU; 1990-xx-xx), page 58
  70. ↑ Zzap!64, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-xx), page 44
  71. ↑ 71.0 71.1 File:SinclairUser UK 125.pdf, page 42 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SinclairUser UK 125.pdf_p42" defined multiple times with different content
  72. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Junio 1990" (ES; 1990-0x-xx), page 24
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