Populous

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Populous

System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System

Publisher:

Electronic Arts (US/EU), Sega (JP),

TecMagik

Developer: Bullfrog

Genre: Simulation

Number of players: 1

Release	Date	RRP	Code
JP	1991-08-09	¥6,0006,000	G-4057
US	1990		701601
EU	1990-12^[1]		E097SMXI
BR	1992-05^[2]
EU	1991-10^[3]		27014-50
AU	199x
BR	199x		025040

Populous (ポピュラス) is a 1989 computer simulation game by Bullfrog originally released for the Commodore Amiga and Atari ST .It was ported to the Sega Mega Drive internationally and Sega Master System in Europe. The American Mega Drive version does not have any TMSS support at all.

The Mega Drive Populous is said to have been the first game Electronic Arts released for the system (or indeed any Sega console).

Gameplay

In Populous, players play as a deity who controls land to affect peoples's lives in the hopes of crushing followers of another deity. The game is played from an isometric perspective, although unlike later attempts at simulations (such as Sim City 2000), there is no scrolling.

History

Legacy

Populous' sequel, Two Tribes: Populous II (a renamed version of Populous II: Trials of the Olympian Gods) was also released for the Mega Drive, as well as the more combat-orientated Power Monger.

Magazine articles

Main article: Populous/Magazine articles.

Artwork

Promotional material

Master System print advert in The Complete Guide to Sega (UK) #1 (1991-05-xx)
also published in:

Raze (UK) #11: "September 1991" (1991-07-25)^[5]

Master System print advert in Raze (UK) #12: "October 1991" (1991-08-29)

Master System print advert in Micro News (FR) #49: "Eté 1991" (1991-xx-xx)

Print advert in Mega Force (FR) #2: "Septembre/Octobre 1991" (1991-09-13)

Master System print advert in Hobby Consolas (ES) #1: "Octubre 1991" (1991-xx-xx)

Master System print advert in Game Power (IT) #1: "Dicembre 1991" (1991-1x-xx)

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average

Publication

Version

Score

1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)

60

^[17]

ACE (UK)

91

^[6]

Aktueller Software Markt (DE)

75

^[18]

Beep! MegaDrive (JP)

NTSC-J

70

^[19]

Buzz! Computers (UK)

84

^[20]

Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)

94

^[9]

The Complete Guide to Sega (UK)

94

^[21]

Console XS (UK)

PAL

75

^[22]

Famitsu (JP)

NTSC-J

75

^[23]

Game Mania (UK)

90

^[24]

Game Power (IT)

82

^[10]

Hippon Super (JP)

NTSC-J

60

^[25]

Hobbytes (RO)

72

^[26]

Joystick (FR)

92

^[27]

Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)

90

^[28]

Mega Drive Fan (JP)

NTSC-J

63

^[29]

MegaTech (UK)

91

^[11]

Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)

80

^[30]

Mean Machines (UK)

93

^[12]

Mean Machines Sega (UK)

91

^[31]

Player One (FR)

96

^[13]

Power Play (DE)

86

^[32]

Raze (UK)

NTSC

89

^[14]

Sega Power (UK)

PAL

93

^[15]

Sega Power (UK)

PAL

100

^[33]

Sega Pro (UK)

70

^[16]

Sega Pro (UK)

PAL

65

^[34]

Sega Saturn Magazine (JP)

NTSC-J

60

^[35]

Supergame (BR)

80

^[2]

Tilt (FR)

95

^[36]

Tricks 16 bit (RU)

78

^[37]

Zero (UK)

85

^[38]

	82
Based on 32 reviews

Populous

Mega Drive, US
Cover
Cart

Mega Drive, EU
Cover
Cart

Mega Drive, JP
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, BR
Cover
Cart

Master System version

Sega Retro Average

Publication

Version

Score

Ação Games (BR)

69

^[44]

Aktueller Software Markt (DE)

75

^[18]

Consoles + (FR)

95

^[45]

Console XS (UK)

PAL

88

^[46]

Computer & Video Games (UK)

92

^[39]

Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)

94

^[40]

Game Mania (UK)

90

^[47]

Game Power (IT)

90

^[10]

Games-X (UK)

90

^[48]

Hobby Consolas (ES)

92

^[49]

Joystick (FR)

94

^[42]

Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)

75

^[50]

Player One (FR)

97

^[43]

Raze (UK)

PAL

90

^[4]

Sega Power (UK)

PAL

96

^[51]

Sega Power (UK)

PAL

100

^[52]

Sega Pro (UK)

PAL

88

^[53]

Tilt (FR)

95

^[36]

Video Games (DE)

88

^[54]

Zero (UK)

90

^[55]

	89
Based on 20 reviews

Populous

Master System, EU
Cover
Cart

Master System, BR
Cover
Cart

Master System, AU

Cart

References

NEC Retro has more information related to Populous

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 File:ACE UK 40.pdf, page 165
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 File:Supergame BR 10.pdf, page 30 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Supergame BR 10.pdf_p30" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Supergame BR 10.pdf_p30" defined multiple times with different content
↑ File:SegaPro UK 01.pdf, page 9
↑ ^4.0 ^4.1 ^4.2 File:Raze UK 11.pdf, page 28 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Raze UK 11.pdf_p28" defined multiple times with different content
↑ Raze, "September 1991" (UK; 1991-07-25), page 83
↑ ^6.0 ^6.1 File:ACE UK 38.pdf, page 86 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ACE UK 38.pdf_p86" defined multiple times with different content
↑ File:BeepMD_JP_1991-09.pdf, page 37
↑ File:SSM_JP_19950901_1995-09.pdf, page 87
↑ ^9.0 ^9.1 File:CGtC UK 04.pdf, page 34 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CGtC UK 04.pdf_p34" defined multiple times with different content
↑ ^10.0 ^10.1 ^10.2 ^10.3 File:GamePower IT 01.pdf, page 34 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:GamePower IT 01.pdf_p34" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:GamePower IT 01.pdf_p34" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:GamePower IT 01.pdf_p34" defined multiple times with different content
↑ ^11.0 ^11.1 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
↑ ^12.0 ^12.1 File:MeanMachines UK 02.pdf, page 50 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachines UK 02.pdf_p50" defined multiple times with different content
↑ ^13.0 ^13.1 File:PlayerOne FR 004.pdf, page 30 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:PlayerOne FR 004.pdf_p30" defined multiple times with different content
↑ ^14.0 ^14.1 File:Raze UK 02.pdf, page 70 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Raze UK 02.pdf_p70" defined multiple times with different content
↑ ^15.0 ^15.1 File:SegaPower UK 13.pdf, page 30 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPower UK 13.pdf_p30" defined multiple times with different content
↑ ^16.0 ^16.1 File:SegaPro UK 05.pdf, page 21 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 05.pdf_p21" defined multiple times with different content
↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 178
↑ ^18.0 ^18.1 Aktueller Software Markt, "Dezember 1991" (DE; 1991-11-15), page 152
↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "September 1991" (JP; 1991-08-08), page 35
↑ Buzz! Computers (UK) (+0:00)
↑ The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 49
↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 133
↑ Famitsu, "1991-08-23,30" (JP; 1991-08-09), page 1
↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 80
↑ Hippon Super, "September 1991" (JP; 1991-08-03), page 90
↑ Hobbytes, "1/1994" (RO; 1994-xx-xx), page 31
↑ Joystick, "Décembre 1990" (FR; 1990-1x-xx), page 144
↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 62
↑ Mega Drive Fan, "November 1991" (JP; 1991-10-08), page 91
↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Febrero 1991" (ES; 1991-0x-xx), page 26
↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 140
↑ Power Play, "11/90" (DE; 1990-10-12), page 138
↑ 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 87
↑ ^36.0 ^36.1 Tilt, "Décembre 1991" (FR; 1991-1x-xx), page 75
↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 21
↑ Zero, "January 1991" (UK; 1990-12-06), page 122
↑ ^39.0 ^39.1 File:CVG UK 118.pdf, page 104 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 118.pdf_p104" defined multiple times with different content
↑ ^40.0 ^40.1 Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, Virgin Books, page 149 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesEssentialSegaGuide Book UK.pdf_p149" defined multiple times with different content
↑ File:HobbyConsolas ES 003.pdf, page 35
↑ ^42.0 ^42.1 File:Joystick FR 018.pdf, page 189 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joystick FR 018.pdf_p189" defined multiple times with different content
↑ ^43.0 ^43.1 File:PlayerOne FR 011.pdf, page 40 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:PlayerOne FR 011.pdf_p40" defined multiple times with different content
↑ Ação Games, "Setembro 1993" (BR; 1993-09-01), page 37
↑ Consoles +, "Tilt Hors-Serie" (FR; 1991-07-xx), page 48
↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 143
↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 81
↑ Games-X, "12th-18th September 1991" (UK; 1991-09-12), page 36
↑ Hobby Consolas, "Diciembre 1991" (ES; 1991-1x-xx), page 36
↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Diciembre 1991" (ES; 1991-1x-xx), page 73
↑ Sega Power, "August 1991" (UK; 1991-07-04), page 10
↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 58
↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 72
↑ Video Games, "2/91" (DE; 1991-06-07), page 84
↑ Zero, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-xx-xx), page 85

[:File:ACE_UK_40.pdf_p165-1] 1.0 ^1.1 File:ACE UK 40.pdf, page 165

[:File:Supergame_BR_10.pdf_p30-2] 2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 File:Supergame BR 10.pdf, page 30 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Supergame BR 10.pdf_p30" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Supergame BR 10.pdf_p30" defined multiple times with different content

[:File:SegaPro_UK_01.pdf_p9-3] File:SegaPro UK 01.pdf, page 9

[:File:Raze_UK_11.pdf_p28-4] 4.0 ^4.1 ^4.2 File:Raze UK 11.pdf, page 28 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Raze UK 11.pdf_p28" defined multiple times with different content

[:File:Raze_UK_11.pdf_p83-5] Raze, "September 1991" (UK; 1991-07-25), page 83

[:File:ACE_UK_38.pdf_p86-6] 6.0 ^6.1 File:ACE UK 38.pdf, page 86 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ACE UK 38.pdf_p86" defined multiple times with different content

[:File:BeepMD_JP_1991-09.pdf_p37-7] File:BeepMD_JP_1991-09.pdf, page 37

[:File:SSM_JP_19950901_1995-09.pdf_p87-8] File:SSM_JP_19950901_1995-09.pdf, page 87

[:File:CGtC_UK_04.pdf_p34-9] 9.0 ^9.1 File:CGtC UK 04.pdf, page 34 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CGtC UK 04.pdf_p34" defined multiple times with different content

[:File:GamePower_IT_01.pdf_p34-10] 10.0 ^10.1 ^10.2 ^10.3 File:GamePower IT 01.pdf, page 34 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:GamePower IT 01.pdf_p34" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:GamePower IT 01.pdf_p34" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:GamePower IT 01.pdf_p34" defined multiple times with different content

[:File:MegaTech_UK_01.pdf_p79-11] 11.0 ^11.1 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_02.pdf_p50-12] 12.0 ^12.1 File:MeanMachines UK 02.pdf, page 50 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachines UK 02.pdf_p50" defined multiple times with different content

[:File:PlayerOne_FR_004.pdf_p30-13] 13.0 ^13.1 File:PlayerOne FR 004.pdf, page 30 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:PlayerOne FR 004.pdf_p30" defined multiple times with different content

[:File:Raze_UK_02.pdf_p70-14] 14.0 ^14.1 File:Raze UK 02.pdf, page 70 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Raze UK 02.pdf_p70" defined multiple times with different content

[:File:SegaPower_UK_13.pdf_p30-15] 15.0 ^15.1 File:SegaPower UK 13.pdf, page 30 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPower UK 13.pdf_p30" defined multiple times with different content

[:File:SegaPro_UK_05.pdf_p21-16] 16.0 ^16.1 File:SegaPro UK 05.pdf, page 21 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 05.pdf_p21" defined multiple times with different content

[17] 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 178

[:File:ASM_DE_1991-12.pdf_p152-18] 18.0 ^18.1 Aktueller Software Markt, "Dezember 1991" (DE; 1991-11-15), page 152

[:File:BeepMD_JP_1991-09.pdf_p35-19] Beep! MegaDrive, "September 1991" (JP; 1991-08-08), page 35

[buzz1991-02-15-20] Buzz! Computers (UK) (+0:00)

[:File:TheCompleteGuideToSega_UK.pdf_p49-21] The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 49

[:File:Console_XS_UK_01.pdf_p133-22] Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 133

[23] Famitsu, "1991-08-23,30" (JP; 1991-08-09), page 1

[:File:GameMania_UK_05.pdf_p80-24] Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 80

[25] Hippon Super, "September 1991" (JP; 1991-08-03), page 90

[26] Hobbytes, "1/1994" (RO; 1994-xx-xx), page 31

[:File:Joystick_FR_011.pdf_p144-27] Joystick, "Décembre 1990" (FR; 1990-1x-xx), page 144

[:File:MDAG_UK_05.pdf_p62-28] Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 62

[:File:Mdfan_JP_1991-11.pdf_p91-29] Mega Drive Fan, "November 1991" (JP; 1991-10-08), page 91

[:File:Micromania2_ES_033.pdf_p26-30] Micromanía (segunda época), "Febrero 1991" (ES; 1991-0x-xx), page 26

[:File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf_p140-31] Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 140

[:File:PowerPlay_DE_1990-11.pdf_p138-32] Power Play, "11/90" (DE; 1990-10-12), page 138

[:File:SegaPower_UK_23.pdf_p54-33] Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 54

[:File:SegaPro_UK_18.pdf_p66-34] Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 66

[:File:SSM_JP_19950901_1995-09.pdf_p87-35] Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 87

[:File:Tilt_FR_097.pdf_p75-36] 36.0 ^36.1 Tilt, "Décembre 1991" (FR; 1991-1x-xx), page 75

[37] Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 21

[:File:Zero_UK_15.pdf_p122-38] Zero, "January 1991" (UK; 1990-12-06), page 122

[:File:CVG_UK_118.pdf_p104-39] 39.0 ^39.1 File:CVG UK 118.pdf, page 104 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 118.pdf_p104" defined multiple times with different content

[:File:MeanMachinesEssentialSegaGuide_Book_UK.pdf_p149-40] 40.0 ^40.1 Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, Virgin Books, page 149 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesEssentialSegaGuide Book UK.pdf_p149" defined multiple times with different content

[:File:HobbyConsolas_ES_003.pdf_p35-41] File:HobbyConsolas ES 003.pdf, page 35

[:File:Joystick_FR_018.pdf_p189-42] 42.0 ^42.1 File:Joystick FR 018.pdf, page 189 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joystick FR 018.pdf_p189" defined multiple times with different content

[:File:PlayerOne_FR_011.pdf_p40-43] 43.0 ^43.1 File:PlayerOne FR 011.pdf, page 40 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:PlayerOne FR 011.pdf_p40" defined multiple times with different content

[:File:AcaoGames_BR_042.pdf_p37-44] Ação Games, "Setembro 1993" (BR; 1993-09-01), page 37

[:File:ConsolesPlus_FR_000.pdf_p48-45] Consoles +, "Tilt Hors-Serie" (FR; 1991-07-xx), page 48

[:File:Console_XS_UK_01.pdf_p143-46] Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 143

[:File:GameMania_UK_05.pdf_p81-47] Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 81

[:File:GamesX_UK_21.pdf_p36-48] Games-X, "12th-18th September 1991" (UK; 1991-09-12), page 36

[:File:HobbyConsolas_ES_003.pdf_p36-49] Hobby Consolas, "Diciembre 1991" (ES; 1991-1x-xx), page 36

[:File:Micromania2_ES_043.pdf_p73-50] Micromanía (segunda época), "Diciembre 1991" (ES; 1991-1x-xx), page 73

[:File:SegaPower_UK_21.pdf_p10-51] Sega Power, "August 1991" (UK; 1991-07-04), page 10

[:File:SegaPower_UK_23.pdf_p58-52] Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 58

[:File:SegaPro_UK_18.pdf_p72-53] Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 72

[:File:VideoGames_DE_1991-02.pdf_p84-54] Video Games, "2/91" (DE; 1991-06-07), page 84

[:File:Zero_UK_24.pdf_p85-55] Zero, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-xx-xx), page 85

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Populous

From Sega Retro

Contents

Gameplay

History

Legacy

Magazine articles

Artwork

Promotional material

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Master System version

References