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

From Sega Retro

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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

















Number of players: 1
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[6] 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.

Story

The infamous criminal known as The Kingpin has planted a bomb in New York City, blaming Spider-Man for it. Now Spider-Man must defeat various enemies and Super-Villains, avoiding the police and population at the same time, in an attempt to stop the bomb within 24 hours, to save New York and prove his innocence.

Gameplay

The 8-bit version of Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin is an action game split into eight stages, where the player can use Spider-Man's various powers to fight criminals and negotiate obstacles, while searching for all the keys necessary to defuse the bomb, within the limit of twenty four hours.

1 attacks and 2 jumps. Pressing 1 while holding Left or Right fires a webshot that stuns enemies for a few seconds. In midair, pressing 1 while holding Left or Right makes Spider-Man use his webs to swing around. Pressing and holding 2 near a climbable wall will make him crawl over the surfaces. Unlike the Mega Drive version, he can only crawl over background objects.

1+2 brings up an option mode, where it's possible to toggle the music and sound effects on and off, take photographs or return to Peter Parker's home to rest — which recovers health at the expense of time. Resting, however, makes you restart the level and only becomes available after the second stage, when a stone that teleports you home is given by Dr. Strange.

Spider-Man's web cartridges are limited and taking photographs of Super-Villains is the only way to replace them. You must hand said photographs to Robbie Robertson (the Daily Bugle's editor) in order to gain money, though he only accepts one photograph of each Super-Villain and only once.

Stages

In most stages all lesser enemies (humanoid only, animals do not count) must be defeated for the boss to appear. Spider-Man's spider senses will alert you when a boss is coming.

Notavailable.svg In Front of Daily Bugle
Police is hot on your tail. Enter the Daily Bugle building from top floor and, as Peter Parker, find out why everyone is after you. It's a single level, featuring no boss and no keys.
Notavailable.svg Warehouse
Time to find a way to prove your innocence. Investigate the nearby warehouse and search for clues. This time you will fight a mid-boss — a guy driving a forklift — as well as a stage boss: Dr. Octopus. This is also a single level and the key is acquired upon defeating Dr. Octopus.
Notavailable.svg Sewers
Your old friend Dr. Connors has transformed into The Lizard and fled to the sewers. Navigate deadly traps and pitfalls to acquire The Lizard's key. There are two levels on this stage, with the key being in the second.
Notavailable.svg Power Station
Confront Electro in his domain, evading lightning bolts and gun-toting thugs, as you look for his key. Like the previous stage, it has two levels and the key is in the second.
Notavailable.svg Central Park
Defeat muggers and look for Sandman, who can only be defeated by luring him to the fire hydrants. Only one level this time and the key is gained after Sandman is knocked out.
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. Once again there are two levels, each featuring a boss fight. Venom shows up without the need to defeat all the lesser thugs and both keys are acquired automatically.
Notavailable.svg Underground
Time to stop The Kingpin from finalizing his ultimate plan. Defeat both Dr. Octopus and The Lizard, who have returned for a rematch, stop the bomb by punching the keys in the right order and finally capture The Kingpin. The final stage too, has two levels. If you run away during the battle with Kingpin, he will run away and you will not 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 cutscenes. This is, perhaps, the only aspect 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.[8]

Production credits

Master System version

Spiderman vs. The Kingpin a Sega of America Production
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
Spider-Man, 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

Main article: Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin (8-bit)/Promotional material.

Physical scans

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
83 №118, p34-36[2]
76 №25, p35/36[9]
81 №1, p42-44[10]
75 №1, p36/37[11]
92 №1, p108/109[12]
92 №19, p170/171
73 №43, p80
87 №11, p80-82[13]
90 №12, p48/49[14]
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
[15]
Console XS (UK) PAL
80
[16]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
83
[2]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
87
[17]
Game Mania (UK)
87
[18]
Game Power (IT)
81
[10]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
80
[9]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
75
[11]
Joypad (FR)
92
[12]
Joystick (FR)
92
[19]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
73
[20]
Mean Machines (UK)
87
[13]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
87
[21]
Player One (FR)
90
[14]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
57
[3]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
25
[22]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
80
[23]
Video Games (DE)
65
[24]
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
Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin SMS EU Manual.pdf
Manual
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
Master System, BR (newer)
SpiderMan SMS BR Box Back newer.jpgNospine.pngSpiderMan SMS BR Box newer.jpg
Cover
Master System, MX

SpiderMan SMS MX box back.jpg

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
65 №14, p136[25]
93 №129 (Go!), p10/11[7]
70 №38, p126[6]
90 №9, p59
84 №13, p146
88 №32, p147[26]
79 №7, p48/49[27]
78 №24, p90/91[28]
70
84 №31, p37
92 №6, p36/37[29]
92 №13, p26/27
75 №1/92, p25[30]
91 №5, p72/73[31]
Sega Game Gear
 82
Based on
14 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Alaab Alcomputtar (SA)
90
[32]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
52
[33]
Consoles + (FR)
65
[25]
Console XS (UK) PAL
92
[34]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
93
[7]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
88
[35]
Game Mania (UK)
85
[36]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
70
[6]
Game Zone (UK) PAL
90
[37]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
75
[38]
Joypad (FR)
84
[39]
Joystick (FR) PAL
88
[26]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
48
[40]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
63
[41]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
86
[42]
Player One (FR)
78
[43]
Play Time (DE)
80
[44]
Power Unlimited (NL)
80
[45]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
84
[46]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
92
[29]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
92
[47]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
92
[48]
Sega Force (SE)
75
[30]
Sega Force (UK)
91
[31]
Supersonic (FR)
85
[49]
User (GR) PAL
86
[50]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
70
[51]
Video Games (DE)
43
[52]
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
Error creating thumbnail: convert: pixel cache allocation failed `/tmp/magick-8FfeolnQsqJjm8d02tLprrRiE2iwcfZb[0]' @ error/cache.c/AcquireCacheNexusPixels/5133.
Manual
Game Gear, EU
SpiderMan GG EU Box Back.jpgNospine.pngAmazingSpidermanVSKingpin gg eu cover.jpg
Cover
AmazingSpidermanVSKingpin gg eu cart.jpg
Cart

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Master System
 ?
CRC32 908ff25c
MD5 fa10ee70e43385e88e5d1a008716668b
SHA-1 02ebee891d88bacdadd37a3e75e05763b7ad3c9b
256kB Cartridge (EU/US)
Sega Game Gear
 ?
CRC32 2651024e
MD5 13e2e27559b0ae898306506219dcc68b
SHA-1 46b064b4b5a6444ce0e64e16a7e5cec2087fb4d3
256kB Cartridge (US/EU)

References

  1. ↑ File:EGM US 024.pdf, page 112
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 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
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 28
  4. ↑ File:Supergame BR 04.pdf, page 40
  5. ↑ File:SegaVisions US 08.pdf, page 58
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 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
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 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
  8. ↑ http://www.smspower.org/Cheats/SpiderManVsTheKingpin-SMS
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 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
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 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
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 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
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 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
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 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
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 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
  15. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "Februar 1992" (DE; 1992-01-10), page 129
  16. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 145
  17. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 157
  18. ↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 81
  19. ↑ Joystick, "Septembre 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 170
  20. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Diciembre 1991" (ES; 1991-1x-xx), page 80
  21. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 136
  22. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 59
  23. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 72
  24. ↑ Video Games, "2/91" (DE; 1991-06-07), page 80
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 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
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 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
  27. ↑ File:MeanMachinesSega07UK.pdf, page 48
  28. ↑ File:PlayerOne FR 024.pdf, page 86
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 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
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 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
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 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
  32. ↑ Alaab Alcomputtar, "" (SA; 1995-08-xx), page 74
  33. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "Juli 1993" (DE; 1993-06-14), page 45
  34. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 149
  35. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 170
  36. ↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 70
  37. ↑ Game Zone, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-24), page 59
  38. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Septiembre 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 96
  39. ↑ Joypad, "Octobre 1992" (FR; 1992-10-xx), page 146
  40. ↑ Mega Fun, "07/92" (DE; 1992-0x-xx), page 30
  41. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Enero 1993" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 66
  42. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 143
  43. ↑ Player One, "Octobre 1992" (FR; 1992-10-10), page 90
  44. ↑ Play Time, "(8/9)/92" (DE; 1992-07-08), page 96
  45. ↑ Power Unlimited, "Nummer 4, November 1993" (NL; 1993-10-27), page 30
  46. ↑ Sega Power, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-07), page 37
  47. ↑ Sega Pro, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-08), page 26
  48. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 74
  49. ↑ Supersonic, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 26
  50. ↑ User, "Máios 1993" (GR; 1993-0x-xx), page 50
  51. ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "July 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 64
  52. ↑ 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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