Cool Spot

From Sega Retro

n/a

Cool Spot Title.png

Cool Spot
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Game Gear, Sega Master System
Publisher: Virgin Games
Developer:
Sound driver:
Sega Mega Drive
GEMS
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP 		¥8,0008,000 T-70013
Sega Mega Drive
US 		$54.9954.99[3] T-70196
Sega Mega Drive
EU 		T-70196-50
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Mega Drive
KR 		GM93031JT
Sega Master System
EU 		MK-27068-50
Sega Master System
PT 		MS27078
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Game Gear
US 		T-70108
Sega Game Gear
EU 		T-70108-50

Cool Spot (クールスポット) is a 1993 platform video game developed and published by Virgin Interactive staring the then mascot of 7-up, the 7-up spot. It is a sequel to Spot: The Video Game, a puzzle game similar to Ataxx initially released on the Commodore Amiga and Atari ST.

Cool Spot was developed with the Sega Mega Drive in mind, and due to its success was ported to other platforms, including the Amiga, DOS computers, Game Boy, Sega Game Gear, Sega Master System and Super NES. During development it was referred to as Spot: The Quest For Cool,

The game was followed by the isometric platformer Spot Goes to Hollywood in 1995.

Gameplay

The gameplay, summarized in the introductory picture before you go to the first level, is very simple - the player character's goal is to explore each level collection the red dots scattered throughout. Once the player has collected enough, he'll be able to clear the level by finding a cage with an ally character trapped inside, and breaking it.

Besides the spots, levels have typical platformer elements - Items, traps, and enemies. Enemies can usually be defeated by firing the player's fizz-like projectile (B/2) at them until they burst. Said projectile can be directed by the D-pad (including diagonals) and is also used to open the cages. C/1 jumps (holding Up jumps higher).

Bonus levels can be unlocked by collecting an even greater amount of red dots than is necessary for level completion; usually, the amount of dots for a bonus level are close to the amount of total dots on a stage. Bonus levels give the player even more Extra Life opportunities.

Levels

CoolSpot MD level01.png

Level 1 - Shell Shock

CoolSpot MD level02.png

Level 2 - Pier Pressure

CoolSpot MD level03.png

Level 3 - Off the Wall

CoolSpot MD level04.png

Level 4 - Wading Around

CoolSpot MD level05.png

Level 5 - Toying Around
Not present in the 8-bit versions.

CoolSpot MD level06.png

Level 6 - Radical Rails

CoolSpot MD level07.png

Level 7 - Wound Up
Not present in the 8-bit versions.

CoolSpot MD level08.png

Level 8 - Loco Motive
Not present in the 8-bit versions.

CoolSpot MD level09.png

Level 9 - Back to the Wall

CoolSpot MD level10.png

Level 10 - Dock and Roll

CoolSpot MD level11.png

Level 11 - Surf Patrol

Versions

Cool Spot was developed with the Sega Mega Drive in mind before being ported to other platforms.

As Spot stood as a mascot for 7-up, Cool Spot was originally intended to help promote the 7-up soft drink, however curiously most 7-up branding was removed following its initial North American release. The PAL and subsequent Super NES versions still credit the Seven-Up company for the license to use the Spot character, but all branded bottles are replaced with unlabeled alternatives (such as the bottle Spot rides in the introduction).

The PAL Mega Drive versions were were partially optimised to have correct music speed, put the gameplay is slower than in the NTSC version. As a result, forcing the game to run at 60Hz causes the music to play too fast.

Most conversions of the game retain the same core gameplay as seen in the Mega Drive version, however in the case of weaker systems such as the Master System and Game Gear, graphics and audio are cut back.

The Super NES version, released several months after the Mega Drive original, offers more colourful (and in some cases, more "animated") graphics, but at the expense of screen resolution. In this case, the assets, designed for the Mega Drive's 320x224 display, were not re-worked for the 256x224 resolution of the Super NES, and subsequently appear wider than originally intended (alongside a reduced field of view). However, the Super NES version is able to make use of semi-transparent sprites which not achievable on standard Mega Drive hardware.

Production credits

Mega Drive version

Note: Michael Merren is only credited as producer in the PAL version.

  • Programmed by: David Perry
  • Animation by: Mike Dietz, Shawn McLean, Clark Sorensen
  • Background Art by: Christian Laursen
  • Music, Sound FX & Samples by: Tommy Tallarico
  • Executive Game Designer: David Bishop
  • Level Design: Bill 'Boy' Anderson
  • Game Design: The 'Global' Team
  • Additional Background Art by: Rene Boutin
  • Art Supervision: Stan Gorman, Mike Dietz
  • Artists: Roger Hardy, Willis Wong
  • Sprite Management Engineer: Tim Williams, Doug Cope
  • Samples by: Steven S. Henifin
  • Quality Assurance Manager: Michael D. Gater
  • Testing and Quality Assurance: Noah Tool, Justin Norr, Danny Lewis, Mike Glosecki, Bijan Shaheer, Adam Ryan, Scott Duckett
  • Producer: Cathie A. Bartz-Todd, Michael Merren
  • Executive Producers: Neil Young, Dr. Stephen H. Clarke-Willson
Source:
In-game credits
CoolSpot MD US credits.pdf
[8]

Master System version

Cool Spot
  • Origional Game Designed by: [sic] Virgin Games Inc
  • Programmed by: David Leitch
  • Graphics by: Doug Townsley
  • Music & SFX by: Krisalis
  • Produced by: John Roberts
  • Testing by: James Dillon, Graham Tizzard
Source:
In-game credits (demo sequence)[9]


Game Gear version

  • Origional Game Designed by: [sic] Virgin Games Inc
  • Programmed by: David Leitch
  • Graphics by: Doug Townsley
  • Music & SFX by: Krisalis
  • Produced by: John Roberts
  • Testing by: J. Dillon, G. Tizzard
Source:
In-game credits (demo sequence)[10]


Magazine articles

Main article: Cool Spot/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: Cool Spot/Promotional material.

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
63 №1994-03, p17[11]
66 №, p85[12]
92 [13]
85 [14]
90 [15]
53 №271, p38
91 №17, p33-35
85 [16]
85 [17]
50 №1994-02, p43
92
89 №10, p18-21
93 №9, p42-43
86 №7, p80
95 [18]
85 №7/93, p90-91[19]
89 №17, p68-70
90 [20]
85 №32, p62-65
85
80 №43, p60-62
93 №19, p24-26
90 №8, p32-34
86 [21]
90 №5/93, p6-7[22]
90 [23]
Sega Mega Drive
 84
Based on
26 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
80
[24]
Æskan (IS)
97
[25]
Alaab Alcomputtar (SA)
89
[26]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
83
[27]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
63
[28]
Consoles + (FR)
92
[29]
Cool Gamer (RU)
80
[30]
Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US) NTSC-U
92
[31]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
85
[14]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
70
[32]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 4 (RU)
80
[33]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
90
[15]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
53
[34]
Game Power (IT)
91
[35]
Game Power (IT) PAL
92
[36]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
85
[37]
GamesMaster (UK) PAL
85
[38]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
85
[39]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
50
[40]
Joypad (FR) PAL
94
[41]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
89
[42]
Mega (UK) PAL
93
[43]
Mega Action (UK)
86
[44]
Mega Force (FR)
95
[45]
Mega Fun (DE) NTSC-U
85
[46]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
92
[47]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
89
[48]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
90
[49]
Player One (FR)
85
[50]
Power Up! (UK)
87
[51]
Power Play (DE)
79
[52]
ProGames (BR)
100
[53]
Power Unlimited (NL) NTSC
85
[54]
Score (CZ)
82
[55]
Sega Magazin (DE)
88
[2]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
80
[56]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
93
[57]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
90
[58]
Sega Force (SE)
90
[22]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
86
[59]
Sega Mega Drive Review (RU)
90
[60]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
66
[61]
Supergame (BR) NTSC-U
87
[62]
Supersonic (FR)
90
[63]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
83
[64]
Video Games (DE)
79
[65]
Sega Mega Drive
 85
Based on
46 reviews

Cool Spot

Mega Drive, US
Coolspot md us cover.jpg
Cover
Cool Spot MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Cool Spot MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
Cool Spot MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
COOLSPOTCARTEUR.JPG
Cart
Cool Spot MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Mega Drive, EU (Classic Mega Drive)
CoolSpot MD EU Box Classic.jpg
Cover
COOLSPOTCARTEUR.JPG
Cart
Mega Drive, JP
Cool Spot MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
CoolSpot MD JP CartTop.jpg
CoolSpot MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, AU

Cool Spot Megadrive AU Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, KR
CoolSpot MD KR Box.jpg
Cover
CoolSpot MD KR Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, SE (Rental)

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
74 №12/93, p112[66]
82 [4]
86 №37, p154
91 [67]
75 №49, p52-53
90 №27, p55
91 [68]
83 №8/93, p24[69]
Sega Master System
 84
Based on
8 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Joypad (FR)
91
[70]
Mega Force (FR)
88
[71]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
74
[72]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
82
[4]
Player One (FR)
86
[73]
Sega Magazin (DE)
88
[74]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
75
[75]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
90
[76]
Sega Force (SE)
83
[69]
Sega Master Force (UK) PAL
91
[77]
Todo Sega (ES) PAL
87
[78]
Sega Master System
 85
Based on
11 reviews

Cool Spot

Master System, EU
Cool Spot SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
CoolSpot SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
CoolSpotSMSEUManual7L.pdf
Manual
Master System, AU

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
78 №53, p54[79]
90 №52, p188[80]
71 №26
78 №1/94, p83[81]
74 №12/93, p112[66]
90 [82]
75 №49, p52-53
95 №27, p60
90 [6]
95 №8/93, p27[83]
Sega Game Gear
 84
Based on
10 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Digitiser (UK)
90
[84]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
78
[79]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
90
[80]
Joypad (FR)
71
[85]
Joypad (HU)
90
[86]
Megablast (DE) PAL
78
[81]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
74
[72]
Megazone (AU)
88
[87]
Sega Magazin (DE)
88
[74]
Sega News (CZ)
85
[88]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
75
[75]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
95
[89]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
86
[90]
Sega Force (SE)
95
[83]
Sega Master Force (UK) PAL
90
[91]
Todo Sega (ES)
87
[92]
Sega Game Gear
 85
Based on
16 reviews

Cool Spot

Game Gear, US
CoolSpot GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngCool Spot GG US front.jpg
Cover
Cool Spot GG US cart.jpg
Cart
Cool Spot GG US Manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, EU
CoolSpot GG EU Box Back.jpgNospine.pngCool Spot GG EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
Cool Spot GG EU cart.jpg
Cart

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega Drive
✔
CRC32 f024c1a1
MD5 74aeac0e83d75842ebee4cb86a89acd1
SHA-1 9a214e0eab58ddb8e9d752e41fce2ce08e6c39a7
1MB 1993-05 Cartridge (US)
Sega Mega Drive
✔
CRC32 5f09fa41
MD5 fe5d4230dde728a3f7e0da5cb6c17bc3
SHA-1 b6dc5d4c29b2161f7252828cf267117e726d8e82
1MB 1993-05 Cartridge (EU)
Sega Mega Drive
✔
CRC32 e869efb1
MD5 202349abae72c5328b46f75ab0e65d0a
SHA-1 e32826ca9ae5173d5ef9722b52bfcb4ad390a7bb
1MB 1993-07 Cartridge (JP/KR)
Sega Mega Drive
 ?
CRC32 0ebaa4a8
MD5 6b78857672b5cb69e04448adf2569e41
SHA-1 9b42bb33186ddc759a469ed3e0ee12e5dee0b809
1MB 1993-05 Page
Sega Master System
 ?
CRC32 13ac9023
MD5 b4c33bdba2472003f87ed193e51b2c9b
SHA-1 cf36c1900d1c658cbfd974464761d145af3467c8
256kB Cartridge (EU)
Sega Game Gear
 ?
CRC32 ba0714db
MD5 1ee49b56f0c349cc63eb0a60602f160e
SHA-1 68c94b4ebd33016c3f0b4ee2b6f5524040e5503e
256kB Cartridge (EU)
Sega Game Gear
 ?
CRC32 2c758fc8
MD5 7f55c7e4696a9ad316e57c3f14a77f39
SHA-1 c5f39a81c33327dc86b41d6f416efe09b131e14d
256kB Cartridge (US)

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 File:SegaForce UK 18.pdf, page 61
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Sega Magazin, "September/Oktober 1993" (DE; 1993-09-01), page 56
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 File:GamePro US 045.pdf, page 47
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Mean Machines Sega, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-10-xx), page 100
  5. ↑ Sega Force Mega, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-16), page 65
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Sega Force Mega, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-16), page 73
  7. ↑ File:GamePro US 051.pdf, page 158
  8. ↑ File:CoolSpot MD US credits.pdf
  9. ↑ File:CoolSpot SMS credits.png
  10. ↑ File:CoolSpot GG credits.png
  11. ↑ File:BeepMD_JP_1994-03.pdf, page 19
  12. ↑ File:SSM_JP_19950901_1995-09.pdf, page 87
  13. ↑ Consoles +, "Juin 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 106-109 (97)
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Electronic Gaming Monthly, "May 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 28
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 33
  16. ↑ GamePro, "April 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 42-43 (46)
  17. ↑ GamesMaster, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-04-19), page 60-62 (62)
  18. ↑ Mega Force, "Juin 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 84-87 (87)
  19. ↑ File:MegaFun DE 1993-07.pdf, page 83
  20. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-04-24), page 52-54 (52)
  21. ↑ Sega Force, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-06), page 58-61 (58)
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 File:SegaForce SE 1993 05.pdf, page 6 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaForce SE 1993 05.pdf_p6" defined multiple times with different content
  23. ↑ Supersonic, "Juillet/Août 1993" (FR; 1993-xx-xx), page 34-35 (31)
  24. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 51
  25. ↑ Æskan, "" (IS; 1993-06-01), page 1
  26. ↑ Alaab Alcomputtar, "" (SA; 1995-06-xx), page 80
  27. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "August 1993" (DE; 1993-07-12), page 52
  28. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "March 1994" (JP; 1994-02-08), page 19
  29. ↑ Consoles +, "Juin 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 106
  30. ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 55
  31. ↑ Electronic Games (1992-1995), "June 1993" (US; 1993-05-11), page 52
  32. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 302
  33. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 4, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 92
  34. ↑ Famitsu, "1994-02-25" (JP; 1994-02-10), page 1
  35. ↑ Game Power, "Maggio 1993" (IT; 1993-0x-xx), page 35
  36. ↑ Game Power, "Gennaio 1994" (IT; 199x-xx-xx), page 86
  37. ↑ GamePro, "April 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 46
  38. ↑ GamesMaster, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-04-19), page 60
  39. ↑ Game Informer, "May/June 1993" (US; 1993-0x-xx), page 52
  40. ↑ Hippon Super, "February 1994" (JP; 1994-01-06), page 43
  41. ↑ Joypad, "Juin 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 72
  42. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-04-29), page 18
  43. ↑ Mega, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 42
  44. ↑ Mega Action, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-04), page 80
  45. ↑ Mega Force, "Juin 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 84
  46. ↑ Mega Fun, "07/93" (DE; 1993-06-23), page 82
  47. ↑ Mega Play, "June 1993" (US; 1993-0x-xx), page 64
  48. ↑ MegaTech, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-04-23), page 68
  49. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-04-24), page 52
  50. ↑ Player One, "Juin/Juillet 1993" (FR; 1993-06-10), page 62
  51. ↑ Power Up!, "Saturday, June 26, 1993" (UK; 1993-06-26), page 1
  52. ↑ Power Play, "8/93" (DE; 1993-07-14), page 106
  53. ↑ ProGames, "Julho 1993" (BR; 1993-0x-xx), page 28
  54. ↑ Power Unlimited, "Nummer 2, September 1993" (NL; 1993-08-19), page 29
  55. ↑ Score, "Únor 1994" (CZ; 1994-02-01), page 44
  56. ↑ Sega Power, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-06), page 60
  57. ↑ Sega Pro, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-04-08), page 24
  58. ↑ Sega Zone, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-xx), page 32
  59. ↑ Sega Force, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-06), page 58
  60. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Review, "1" (RU; 1995-04-03), page 35
  61. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 87
  62. ↑ Supergame, "Junho 1993" (BR; 1993-06-xx), page 16
  63. ↑ Supersonic, "Juillet/Août 1993" (FR; 1993-xx-xx), page 34
  64. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 46
  65. ↑ Video Games, "7/93" (DE; 1993-06-30), page 94
  66. ↑ 66.0 66.1 File:MegaFun DE 1993-12.pdf, page 104
  67. ↑ Sega Master Force, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-11), page 14-16 (14)
  68. ↑ Sega Force Mega, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-16), page 64-65 (64)
  69. ↑ 69.0 69.1 File:SegaForce SE 1993 08.pdf, page 24 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaForce SE 1993 08.pdf_p24" defined multiple times with different content
  70. ↑ Joypad, "Décembre 1993" (FR; 1993-1x-xx), page 162
  71. ↑ Mega Force, "Décembre 1993" (FR; 1993-12-10), page 134
  72. ↑ 72.0 72.1 Mega Fun, "12/93" (DE; 1993-11-24), page 112
  73. ↑ Player One, "Décembre 1993" (FR; 1993-1x-xx), page 154
  74. ↑ 74.0 74.1 Sega Magazin, "November/Dezember 1993" (DE; 1993-11-03), page 20
  75. ↑ 75.0 75.1 Sega Power, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-xx), page 52
  76. ↑ Sega Pro, "Xmas Special 1993" (UK; 1993-12-02), page 55
  77. ↑ Sega Master Force, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-11), page 64
  78. ↑ Todo Sega, "Octubre 1993" (ES; 1993-xx-xx), page 44
  79. ↑ 79.0 79.1 File:EGM US 053.pdf, page 55 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:EGM US 053.pdf_p55" defined multiple times with different content
  80. ↑ 80.0 80.1 File:GamePro US 052.pdf, page 192 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:GamePro US 052.pdf_p192" defined multiple times with different content
  81. ↑ 81.0 81.1 File:Megablast DE 1994-01.pdf, page 83 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Megablast DE 1994-01.pdf_p83" defined multiple times with different content
  82. ↑ Sega Master Force, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-11), page 37
  83. ↑ 83.0 83.1 File:SegaForce SE 1993 08.pdf, page 27 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaForce SE 1993 08.pdf_p27" defined multiple times with different content
  84. ↑ Digitiser (UK) (1994-01-04)
  85. ↑ Joypad, "Décembre 1993" (FR; 1993-1x-xx), page 153
  86. ↑ Joypad, "3/1994" (HU; 1994-xx-xx), page 23
  87. ↑ Megazone, "October 1993" (AU; 1993-xx-xx), page 28
  88. ↑ Sega News, "Leden 1997" (CZ; 1997-xx-xx), page 36
  89. ↑ Sega Pro, "Xmas Special 1993" (UK; 1993-12-02), page 60
  90. ↑ Sega Zone, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-25), page 35
  91. ↑ Sega Master Force, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-11), page 73
  92. ↑ Todo Sega, "Noviembre 1993" (ES; 1993-1x-xx), page 64


Cool Spot

Cool Spot Title.png

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