Marble Madness

From Sega Retro

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MarbleMadness Title.png

Marble Madness
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear
Publisher:
Sega Mega Drive
Electronic Arts, Tengen (JP),
Sega Master System
Virgin Games,
Sega Game Gear
Tengen
Developer:
Distributor:
Sega Game Gear
Domark (EU)
Original system(s): Arcade boards
Developer(s) of original games: Atari Games
Peripherals supported:
Sega Mega Drive
Sega Mouse
Genre: Puzzle

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP 		¥6,8006,800 T-48113
Sega Mega Drive
US 		708901
Sega Mega Drive
EU 		E004SMXI
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Master System
EU 		27024-50
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Game Gear
US 		301033-0161
Sega Game Gear
EU 		T-48058-50
Sega Game Gear
PT 		GGJ48058

Marble Madness (マーブルマッドネス) is an arcade game developed by Atari Games and released in 1984. Its popularity saw numerous ports to home platforms, including the Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear.

Gameplay

The object of the game is to move a marble down an isometric field from one point to another, making sure not to fall of ledges or be damaged in other ways. The original arcade release relied heavily on a trackball controller, but the console ports rely on directional pad, meaning the control is less accurate. On the Mega Drive, the D-pad moves the ball in the on-screen direction of the button press. For example, Up will move the marble vertically up on the screen, with the respective effect in the arena.

History

The rights to the game were passed across a multitude of developers and publishers. In 1991 Electronic Arts had publishing rights, and produced a copy of the game for the Mega Drive in North America and Europe. While this version is complete, music porting and text drawing is somewhat sloppy, some of the graphics were recreated, colors were changed (most notably, the marble is now red), and the marble's motion restrictions were somewhat relaxed (allowing for jumps and drops not possible in other versions of the game).

Atari Games' home console division Tengen produced their own Mega Drive copy for the Japanese market in 1993, which is different to the Electronic Arts version. This is similar to the situation regarding the Mega Drive port of Klax, in which Namco produced their own copy for Japan. This Japanese version, which appears to have been produced internally by Tengen of Japan, is much more faithful to the original game (but whether or not it is a direct port is unknown), and features trackball support through the Sega Mouse.

Virgin Games published a Master System version the following year.

Tengen would also publish the Game Gear version. Both the Master System and Game Gear ports were created by Steve Lamb.

Production credits

Mega Drive version (US/EU)

  • Genesis version By: Michael Schwartz
  • Music and Sound By: Steve Hayes
©1991 Atari Games Corporation and Electronic Arts


Mega Drive version (JP)

As with Gauntlet IV, there are two screens of credits. The first screen, the original arcade version's credits, shows after three demo loops.

  • Designer/Graphics Programmer: Mark Cerny
  • Game Programmer: Bob Flanagan
  • Animator: Sam Comstock
  • Sound Design: Hal Canon, Brad Fuller
  • Hardware Design: S Ly, J Margolin, D Paauw, D Snyder
  • System Support: C Downend, M Hoff, J Ritter
  • Software Support: M Albaugh, M Mahar, R Moore
  • Hardware Support: J Castillo, E Durfey, P McCarthy, N Minh


The second screen, the porting credits, comes 12 loops later; just sit back.

  • Project Leader/Programmer: Jun Amanai
  • Programmer: Takayuki Muraoka
  • Graphics Conversion: Ken-ichi Nemoto
  • Audio Conversion: Kenji Yokoyama
  • Customer Service: Naomi Takahashi, Mizuho Yoshioka
  • Special Thanks: Bill Hindorff


Master System version

TM Atari Games Corporation.
Licensed to Tengen.
©1992 Tengen All Rights Reserved


Game Gear version

TM Atari Games Corporation.
Licensed to Tengen.
©1992 Tengen All Rights Reserved.
  • Code By: Steve Lamb.


Magazine articles

Main article: Marble Madness/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: Marble Madness/Promotional material.

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
70 №1993-09, p19[7]
82 №, p83[8]
82 [9]
63 №245, p38
80 №4, p24
70 №1993-09, p49
79 [10]
69 №5, p63
73 [11]
88 [12]
75 [13]
85 №28, p34/35
81 [14]
82 №18, p66
82 [15]
76 №1/92, p14[16]
89 [17]
Sega Mega Drive
 78
Based on
17 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
50
[18]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
70
[19]
Consoles + (FR)
82
[20]
Console XS (UK) PAL
82
[21]
Dengeki Mega Drive (JP) NTSC-J
72
[22]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
55
[23]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
88
[24]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
63
[25]
FX (UK)
82
[26]
Génération 4 (FR)
89
[27]
Game Zone (UK) PAL
80
[28]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
70
[29]
Joypad (FR)
80
[30]
Joystick (FR)
79
[10]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)
69
[31]
Mega Force (FR) PAL
95
[32]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
73
[33]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
60
[34]
Mean Machines (UK) PAL
88
[35]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
88
[36]
Player One (FR)
75
[13]
Play Time (DE)
47
[37]
Power Up! (UK)
65
[38]
Power Play (DE)
67
[39]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
66
[40]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
81
[14]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
82
[41]
Sega Force (SE)
76
[16]
Sega Force (UK)
82
[42]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
82
[43]
Super Juegos (ES)
59
[44]
Supersonic (FR)
89
[17]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
72
[45]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
70
[46]
Video Games (DE)
70
[47]
Sega Mega Drive
 74
Based on
35 reviews

Marble Madness

Mega Drive, US
MarbleMadness MD US Box.jpg
Cover
MarbleMadness MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Marblemadness md us manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
MarbleMadness MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
MarbleMadness MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, JP
MarbleMadness MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
MarbleMadness MD JP CartTop.jpg
Marblemadness md jp cart.jpg
Cart
Marble Madness MD JP Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, AU

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
60 [48]
88 №11, p66/67
88 [49]
70 [50]
40 [51]
69 №33, p27
88 [52]
70 №2/92, p24[53]
76 [54]
Sega Master System
 72
Based on
9 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Consoles + (FR)
60
[55]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
70
[56]
Joypad (FR)
88
[57]
Joystick (FR)
88
[49]
Mean Machines (UK) PAL
70
[58]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
70
[59]
Player One (FR)
40
[60]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
69
[61]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
88
[62]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
88
[63]
Sega Force (SE)
70
[53]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
76
[5]
Supersonic (FR)
76
[64]
Video Games (DE)
60
[65]
Sega Master System
 72
Based on
14 reviews

Marble Madness

Master System, EU
MarbleMadness SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
MarbleMadness SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU

MarbleMadness SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
92 [66]
84 №11, p63
85 №12, p100
89 [67]
75 [68]
74 №34, p39
79 №10, p48
77 [69]
Sega Game Gear
 82
Based on
8 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Consoles + (FR)
92
[66]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
70
[70]
Game Zone (UK) PAL
84
[71]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
87
[72]
Joypad (FR)
85
[73]
Joystick (FR)
89
[67]
Player One (FR)
75
[74]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
74
[75]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
79
[76]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
79
[77]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
77
[78]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
70
[79]
Video Games (DE)
61
[80]
Sega Game Gear
 79
Based on
13 reviews

Marble Madness

Game Gear, US
MarbleMadness GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngMarbleMadness GG US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Marble Madness GG EU cart.jpg
Cart
Marble Madness GG US Manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, EU
MarbleMadness GG EU Box Back.jpgNospine.pngMarbleMadness GG EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
Marble Madness GG EU cart.jpg
Cart

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega Drive
✔
CRC32 79eba28a
MD5 ab99c73cffd808ddd93c43e2f52cc92d
SHA-1 059e99fde8726a45a584007186913eb9a01f738e
512kB 1992-02 Cartridge (US/EU)
Sega Master System
 ?
CRC32 bf6f3e5f
MD5 97832999dd6d2ba467b5625006b018a0
SHA-1 f5efe0635e283a08f98272a9ff1bc7d37c35692c
256kB Cartridge (EU)
Sega Game Gear
 ?
CRC32 9559e339
MD5 b83f36fd113a8f75f1a29652acb641fc
SHA-1 42c5cd5afebbf860a8ad80ea684f9b216762109e
256kB Cartridge (US/EU)

References

  1. ↑ File:SegaForce UK 04.pdf, page 67
  2. ↑ Sega Pro, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-xx-xx), page 9
  3. ↑ Sega Pro, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-21), page 39
  4. ↑ Sega Power, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-05), page 11
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 File:SegaForce UK 07.pdf, page 68 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaForce UK 07.pdf_p68" defined multiple times with different content
  6. ↑ File:GamePro US 036.pdf, page 90
  7. ↑ File:BeepMD_JP_1993-09.pdf, page 21
  8. ↑ File:SSM_JP_19950901_1995-09.pdf, page 85
  9. ↑ Consoles +, "Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 86/87 (86)
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Joystick, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 140
  11. ↑ MegaTech, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-20), page 44-46 (44)
  12. ↑ Mean Machines, "January 1992" (UK; 1991-12-27), page 82-84 (82)
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Player One, "Avril 1992" (FR; 1992-04-10), page 90
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Sega Pro, "Christmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-12), page 68
  15. ↑ Sega Force, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 66/67 (66)
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 File:SegaForce SE 1992 01.pdf, page 14 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaForce SE 1992 01.pdf_p14" defined multiple times with different content
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Supersonic, "Mai/Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 10
  18. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 123
  19. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "September 1993" (JP; 1993-08-07), page 21
  20. ↑ Consoles +, "Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 86
  21. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 131
  22. ↑ Dengeki Mega Drive, "August 1993" (JP; 1993-07-08), page 37
  23. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "March 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 28
  24. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 67
  25. ↑ Famitsu, "1993-08-20,27" (JP; 1993-08-06), page 38
  26. ↑ FX (UK) (+0:00)
  27. ↑ Génération 4, "Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 153
  28. ↑ Game Zone, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-24), page 24
  29. ↑ Hippon Super, "September 1993" (JP; 1993-08-03), page 49
  30. ↑ Joypad, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 1991-12-1x), page 96
  31. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 63
  32. ↑ Mega Force, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 1992-01-15), page 98
  33. ↑ MegaTech, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-20), page 44
  34. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Junio 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 80
  35. ↑ Mean Machines, "January 1992" (UK; 1991-12-27), page 82
  36. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 139
  37. ↑ Play Time, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-06), page 93
  38. ↑ Power Up!, "Saturday, March 14, 1992" (UK; 1992-03-14), page 1
  39. ↑ Power Play, "3/92" (DE; 1992-02-12), page 140
  40. ↑ Sega Power, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-06), page 36
  41. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 66
  42. ↑ Sega Force, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 66
  43. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85
  44. ↑ Super Juegos, "Mayo 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 48
  45. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 108
  46. ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "March 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 42
  47. ↑ Video Games, "1/92" (DE; 1992-02-03), page 30
  48. ↑ Consoles +, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 132/133 (132)
  49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 Joystick, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 205
  50. ↑ Mean Machines, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-28), page 72/73 (72)
  51. ↑ Player One, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-07-10), page 135 (131)
  52. ↑ Sega Pro, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-21), page 38/39 (38)
  53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 File:SegaForce SE 1992 02.pdf, page 24 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaForce SE 1992 02.pdf_p24" defined multiple times with different content
  54. ↑ Sega Force, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-xx), page 66 (68)
  55. ↑ Consoles +, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 132
  56. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 143
  57. ↑ Joypad, "Août/Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-07-1x), page 66
  58. ↑ Mean Machines, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-28), page 72
  59. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 135
  60. ↑ Player One, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-07-10), page 135
  61. ↑ Sega Power, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-02), page 27
  62. ↑ Sega Pro, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-21), page 38
  63. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 71
  64. ↑ Supersonic, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 24
  65. ↑ Video Games, "8/92" (DE; 1992-07-22), page 99
  66. ↑ 66.0 66.1 Consoles +, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 119
  67. ↑ 67.0 67.1 Joystick, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 165
  68. ↑ Player One, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-09-10), page 116 (112)
  69. ↑ Sega Force, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-13), page 56/57 (56)
  70. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 167
  71. ↑ Game Zone, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-19), page 63
  72. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Septiembre 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 62
  73. ↑ Joypad, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 100
  74. ↑ Player One, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-09-10), page 116
  75. ↑ Sega Power, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-06), page 39
  76. ↑ Sega Pro, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-16), page 48
  77. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 74
  78. ↑ Sega Force, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-13), page 56
  79. ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "September 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 85
  80. ↑ Video Games, "8/92" (DE; 1992-07-22), page 121
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