Michael Jackson's Moonwalker

From Sega Retro

For the Sega System 18 arcade game, see Michael Jackson's Moonwalker (System 18).

n/a

Moonwalker MD title.png

Michael Jackson's Moonwalker
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Sound driver:
Sega Mega Drive
SMPS 68000
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP 		¥6,0006,000 G-4028
Sega Mega Drive
US
Sega Mega Drive
EU
Sega Mega Drive
UK 		£34.9934.99[2][3]
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Mega Drive
CA
Sega Mega Drive
BR
Sega Master System
US 		$29.9529.95[7] 7052
Sega Master System
EU 		7052
Sega Master System
PT 		MSJ7052
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Master System
BR 		026070
Sega Master System
KR 		GB2004JG

Michael Jackson's Moonwalker (マイケルジャクソンズ ムーンウォーカー) is the name of one of two video game tie-ins made by Sega based on the 1988 film, Moonwalker. The other is an arcade version produced for Sega System 18 hardware, and a third (sometimes subtitled as The Computer Game) was released by U.S. Gold for home computers, but had no involvement from Sega. As the name suggests it is endorsed by pop sensation Michael Jackson, who would go on to have a long history working with Sega.

Gameplay

Moonwalker is made up of a number of short films and does not tell a coherent story from beginning to end. As a result, all versions of Michael Jackson's Moonwalker are based on one segment of the film, Smooth Criminal, which sees Jackson using various music and dance related abilities on a quest to save kidnapped children from the hands of the evil "Mr. Big" and various American gangsters.

Console versions of Moonwalker play similarly to their arcade counterpart, but are played from a 2D perspective. As with the arcade version the objective is to go around destroying enemies while finding the missing children. C/1 jumps, B/pressing 2 kicks, and A/holding 2 spins/shoots your hat at enemies. Music is shortened in this version.

This version is notable for having several pointless features which do not appear to have much effect on gameplay (for example, B + Left/Right moonwalks and it is also possible to do crotch grabs). Up opens doors and sewer lids. Once all the children in a level are saved, Bubbles the Monkey will appear and will point you in the direction of Mr. Big, and once you get to the right spot you will have to fight a barrage of his cronies to complete the stage. The Master System version cuts the Bubbles scene and goes right to the boss barrage.

If a meteor falls out of the sky, catch it to turn into a giant mech that shoots lasers and is invincible for a short period of time. You cannot rescue children while invincible.

Rounds

Moonwalker MD Club30.png

Club 30

Notavailable.svg

Street

Notavailable.svg

Woods

Notavailable.svg

Cavern

Notavailable.svg

The Enemy Hideout

History

Release

In the early days of the Mega Drive, Moonwalker was often used as a flagship product of Sega's system (particularly in North America), with Jackson's persona being used along with many other celebrities in an effort to put a dent in sales of Nintendo products.

Even though both versions of the game have a stage takes place in a graveyard and have the "Thriller dance" which can be performed, the theme of Thriller does not feature in either game (being replaced with Another Part of Me). It is suspected that the reason for this was that Michael did not write the song (Rod Temperton wrote Thriller for Michael). However, in the first revision (REV 00), excerpts of Thriller are used for the dance attacks in the Round 3 stages.

In North America, the Master System version was released alongside the redesigned Master System II console. In the United Kingdom, it was initially only packaged with Master System consoles, not becoming a stand-alone product until six months later[9].

Legacy

The Sega versions of Moonwalker have now achieved cult status and are remembered for being a memorable point in Jackson's career, marking a change in stage personas between the albums "Thriller" and "Bad". Jackson would work with Sega on several future products - he would be responsible for much of the music in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (though remains uncredited) and features in both Space Channel 5 and Space Channel 5: Part 2.

A sequel was planned but later dropped due to child molestation accusations to Michael Jackson in 1993.

Production credits

Mega Drive version

Master System version


Magazine articles

Main article: Michael Jackson's Moonwalker/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: Michael Jackson's Moonwalker/Promotional material.

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
61 [10]
78 [11]
71 №, p84[12]
88 [13]
81 №0, p44-46
88 [14]
71 [15]
65 №109, [1]
91 №26, p36
78 [16]
87 [17]
64 №5, p93
78 №9, p21
85 [18]
72 №18, p93
81 [1]
96 [19]
59 [20]
87 [21]
90 №17, p10/11
80 №23, p54
84 [22]
84 №18, p66
91 №14, p130/131
Sega Mega Drive
 80
Based on
24 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
40
[23]
ACE (UK)
62
[10]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
78
[24]
Buzz! Computers (UK)
83
[25]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
88
[13]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK)
85
[26]
Console XS (UK) PAL
86
[27]
Cool Gamer (RU)
40
[28]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
88
[29]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
70
[4]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
71
[15]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
65
[30]
The Games Machine (IT)
91
[31]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
69
[32]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
78
[33]
Joystick (FR)
87
[17]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
64
[34]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
81
[35]
Mega (UK) PAL
78
[36]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
73
[37]
MegaTech (UK)
85
[18]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
72
[38]
Mean Machines (UK)
81
[39]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
85
[40]
Player One (FR)
96
[41]
Power Play (DE)
59
[42]
Raze (UK) NTSC
87
[43]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
90
[44]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
75
[45]
Sega Pro (UK)
84
[22]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
84
[46]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
71
[47]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
68
[48]
Zero (UK)
91
[49]
Sega Mega Drive
 77
Based on
34 reviews

Michael Jackson's Moonwalker

Mega Drive, US
Moonwalker MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Moonwalker MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Moonwalker md us manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US (cart misprint)
Moonwalker MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Moonwalker MD US Cart Misprint.jpg
Cart
Moonwalker md us manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
<div style="margin:auto; max-width:Expression error: Unexpected < operator.px"> 320x120px
Cover
Moonwalker MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, JP
Moonwalker md jp cover.jpg
Cover
MJMoonwalker MD JP CartTop.jpg
Moonwalker MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Moonwalker md jp manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, AU

Mega Drive, BR (cardboard)
Moonwalker MD BR Box Cardboard.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, BR
Moonwalker MD BR Box.jpg
Cover
Moonwalker MD BR Cart.jpg
Cart
Michael Jackson's Moonwalker MD BR Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, CA

Mega Drive, SE (Rental)

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
80 [50]
80 №0, p44/45
70 [51]
70 [52]
71 [53]
64 [54]
90 [55]
80 [56]
91 [57]
55 №7/91, p137
83 №17, p18/19
60 №23, p58
81 [22]
40 [58]
Sega Master System
 73
Based on
14 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK) PAL
80
[50]
Console XS (UK) PAL
85
[59]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
70
[60]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
71
[53]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
64
[61]
Joystick (FR) PAL
90
[55]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
68
[62]
Mean Machines (UK)
80
[39]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
80
[63]
Player One (FR)
91
[64]
Power Play (DE)
55
[65]
Score (CZ)
58
[66]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
83
[9]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
50
[67]
Sega Pro (UK)
81
[22]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
85
[68]
Tilt (FR)
40
[69]
Video Games (DE)
59
[70]
Sega Master System
 72
Based on
18 reviews

Michael Jackson's Moonwalker

Master System, US
Moonwalker SMS US cover.jpg
Cover
Moonwalker sms us manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, EU (6 languages)
Moonwalker SMS EU 6lang cover.jpg
Cover
MichaelJacksonsMoonwalkerSMSEUManual6L.pdf
Manual
Master System, EU (8 languages)
Moonwalker SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
Master System, AU

Master System, BR (cardboard)
Moonwalker SMS BR cover.jpg
Cover
Moonwalker SMS BR Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, BR
MJMoonwalker SMS BR Box(code bar).jpg
Cover
Master System, KR
Moonwalker SMS KR Alt backcover.jpgNospine.pngMoonwalker SMS KR Alt cover.jpg
Cover
Moonwalker SMS KR cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, KR (Alt)
Moonwalker SMS KR AltB cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, KR (Alt B)
Moonwalker SMS KR backcover.jpgNospine.pngMoonwalker SMS KR cover.jpg
Cover

Mega-Tech version

Mega-Tech,
Moonwalker MT cover.jpg
Cover
Moonwalker MT Cart.jpg
Cart

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega Drive
✔
CRC32 6a70791b
MD5 7baf9fb775ee130bd7a4a779cb3bb612
SHA-1 8960bac2027cdeadb07e535a77597fb783e1433b
512kB 1990-07 Cartridge v00
Sega Mega Drive
✔
CRC32 11ce1f9e
MD5 73b63cac3f15bfe4a7bad170654878a9
SHA-1 70d9b760c87196af364492512104fa18c9d69cce
512kB 1990-07 Cartridge v01
Sega Master System
 ?
CRC32 56cc906b
MD5 aa3bc8467e80a6aaab02051818ecb035
SHA-1 939416cebb381458d28ff628afb3d1f80293afa9
256kB Cartridge (EU/US)

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Mean Machines, "January 1991" (UK; 1991-01-03), page 36
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Raze, "September 1991" (UK; 1991-07-25), page 76
  3. ↑ Sega Power, "April 1991" (UK; 1991-03-07), page 11
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Electronic Gaming Monthly, "September 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 18
  5. ↑ Mean Machines, "January 1991" (UK; 1991-01-03), page 35
  6. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "February 1991" (UK; 1991-01-16), page 80
  7. ↑ GamePro, "March 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 83
  8. ↑ File:AcaoGames BR 001.pdf, page 08
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Sega Power, "April 1991" (UK; 1991-03-07), page 18
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 ACE, "November 1990" (UK; 1990-10-xx), page 89
  11. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "September 1990" (JP; 1990-08-XX), page 23 (25)
  12. ↑ File:SSM_JP_19950901_1995-09.pdf, page 86
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume IV" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 32
  14. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "November 1990" (UK; 1990-10-16), page 80/81 (80)
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 72
  16. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Febrero 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 87 (79)
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Joystick, "Octobre 1990" (FR; 1990-xx-xx), page 88
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 MegaTech, "Xmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-06), page 79
  19. ↑ Player One, "Décembre 1990" (FR; 1990-xx-xx), page 24/25 (24)
  20. ↑ Power Play, "10/90" (DE; 1990-09-14), page 140
  21. ↑ Raze, "December 1990" (UK; 1990-10-25), page 42/43 (42)
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 Sega Pro, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-16), page 19
  23. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 134
  24. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "September 1990" (JP; 1990-08-XX), page 25
  25. ↑ Buzz! Computers (UK) (+0:00)
  26. ↑ The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 48
  27. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 132
  28. ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 127
  29. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "November 1990" (UK; 1990-10-16), page 80
  30. ↑ Famitsu, "" (JP; 1990-xx-xx), page 1
  31. ↑ The Games Machine, "Dicembre 1990" (IT; 1990-1x-xx), page 36
  32. ↑ Game Informer, "July 2001" (US; 2001-0x-xx), page 106
  33. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Febrero 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 79
  34. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 93
  35. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "November 1990" (JP; 1990-10-08), page 63
  36. ↑ Mega, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 21
  37. ↑ Mega Play, "November/December 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 29
  38. ↑ MegaTech, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 93
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 Mean Machines, "January 1991" (UK; 1991-01-03), page 44
  40. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 140
  41. ↑ Player One, "Décembre 1990" (FR; 1990-xx-xx), page 24
  42. ↑ Power Play, "11/90" (DE; 1990-10-12), page 140
  43. ↑ Raze, "December 1990" (UK; 1990-10-25), page 42
  44. ↑ Sega Power, "April 1991" (UK; 1991-03-07), page 10
  45. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 54
  46. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 66
  47. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 86
  48. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 114
  49. ↑ Zero, "December 1990" (UK; 1990-1x-xx), page 130
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 22
  51. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "March 1991" (UK; 1991-02-16), page 78
  52. ↑ Computer + Video Giochi, "Aprile 1991" (IT; 1991-xx-xx), page 94
  53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 146
  54. ↑ GamePro, "March 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 66/67 (82)
  55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 Joystick, "Mai 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 146
  56. ↑ Mean Machines, "January 1991" (UK; 1991-01-03), page 34/35 (34)
  57. ↑ Player One, "Mai 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 20/21 (20)
  58. ↑ Tilt, "Juin 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 80/81 (80)
  59. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 142
  60. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "March 1991" (UK; 1991-02-16), page 94
  61. ↑ GamePro, "March 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 82
  62. ↑ Mega Play, "March/April 1991" (US; 1991-04-xx), page 45
  63. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 135
  64. ↑ Player One, "Mai 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 20
  65. ↑ Power Play, "7/91" (DE; 1991-06-12), page 137
  66. ↑ Score, "Srpen 1994" (CZ; 1994-08-01), page 57
  67. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 58
  68. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 71
  69. ↑ Tilt, "Juin 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 80
  70. ↑ Video Games, "2/91" (DE; 1991-06-07), page 78


Michael Jackson's Moonwalker

Moonwalker MD title.png

Main page | Comparisons | Maps | History | Hidden content | Development | Magazine articles | Video coverage | Reception | Promotional material | Region coding | Technical information | Bootlegs


Sega Mega Drive
Prototypes: 1990-04-24
Retrieved from "https://segaretro.org/index.php?title=Michael_Jackson%27s_Moonwalker&oldid=514211"