Flashback

From Sega Retro

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Flashback Title.png

Flashback
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Mega-CD
Publisher: U.S. Gold, Sunsoft (JP),
Sega Mega-CD
Sega
Developer:
Original system(s): Amiga
Sound driver:
Sega Mega Drive
GEMS
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1
Official in-game languages:

Sega Mega Drive
  • English
  • Français
  • 日本語
    • Sega Mega-CD
  • English
    • Release Date RRP Code
    Sega Mega Drive
    JP     		¥8,0008,000 T-15083
    Sega Mega Drive
    US     		$64.9564.95[2] T-79066
    Sega Mega Drive
    EU     		79066-50
    Sega Mega Drive
    AU
    Sega Mega Drive
    BR     		045070
    Sega Mega-CD
    US     		4448
    Non-Sega versions

    This short article is in need of work. You can help Sega Retro by adding to it.

    Flashback (フラッシュバック), known in the US as Flashback: The Quest for Identity, is a platform-action game for the Commodore Amiga developed by Delphine Software International and published by U.S. Gold in 1992.

    Arguably Delphine Software's greatest work, it has been ported to a variety of platforms, including the Sega Mega Drive and Sega Mega-CD, as well as 3DO, Acorn Archimedes, Atari Jaguar, CD-i, IBM PC, FM Towns, iPhone OS, Mac OS, PC-9801, and Super NES. CD-based versions tend to include full motion video cutscenes and an enhanced music soundtrack, but are essentially the same game.

    Gameplay

    In Flashback the player controls Conrad B. Hart, who having escaped from aliens finds himself in the jungles of Titan with his memory erased. He must recover his memory and save earth from an alien attack. The game is largely inspired by Prince of Persia, though has many notable improvements such as a weapon system. The game was well received due to its fluid animations and stealth-like gameplay.

    The Sega versions of the game have one notable difference than other versions - Conrad wears a white shirt, presumably due to a more limited on-screen color palette.

    Levels

    Flashback MD PlanetTitan.png

    		Planet Titan

    Notavailable.svg

    		New Washington

    Notavailable.svg

    		Death Tower

    Notavailable.svg

    		Earth

    Notavailable.svg

    		The Secret Base of "Paradise"

    Notavailable.svg

    		The Planet of Morphs

    History

    Legacy

    The game was followed by a 3D sequel, Fade to Black, a PC and PlayStation exclusive which was also intended for release on the Sega Saturn and was released for Dreamcast in 2018 as Fade to Black: Flashback 2. Plans for a third game in the series called Flashback Legends was due for the Game Boy Advance, but was cancelled. Leaked prototypes show a significant amount of graphical and story changes that barely resemble the world built up in the previous titles. A remake of the game developed by VectorCell was released in 2013.

    JoshProd released a new version for the Sega Dreamcast in 2017.

    Production credits

    Mega Drive version

    The FlashBack Team is...
    • Programmers: Benoist Aron, Philippe Chastel, Paul Cuisset, Frederic Savoir
    • Graphic Artists: Patrick Daher, Thierry Levastre, Denis Mercier, Thierry Perreau, Christian Robert, Fabrice Visserot
    • Hardware Engineer: Thierry Gaerthner
    • Story: Paul Cuisset
    • Level Design: Paul Cuisset, Patrick Daher, Denis Mercier, Frederic Savoir, Fabrice Visserot
    • Music: Jean Baudlot, Fabrice Visserot
    • Sound fx: Benoist Aron, Philippe Chastel, Paul Cuisset, Fabrice Visserot
    • Actors: Benoist Aron, Patrick Daher, Thierry Levastre, Denis Mercier, Thierry Perreau, Christian Robert, Fabrice Visserot
    • Video directors: Patrick Daher, Thierry Perreau, Fabrice Visserot
    • Video Co-directors: Thierry Levastre, Denis Mercier, Christian Robert
    • Video sfx: Paul Cuisset, Thierry Perreau, Fabrice Visserot
    • Testers: Phil Bradley, Patricia Cuisset, Simon Hadlington, Daniel Llewellyn, Jean-Pierre Luck, Martin Smith
    • Many thanks to...: Lori Christensen, Patricia Cuisset, Anne-Marie Joassim, Jean-Pierre Luck, Marc Minier
    • Special Credits to...: Cross Products for the SNASM development system., Sega of America for GEMS sound tool.
    • Directed by: Paul Cuisset
    • Produced by: Delphine Software / US Gold
    (c) MCMXCIII
    Source:
    In-game credits

    Mega-CD version

    Flashback SEGA-CD Team:
    • Programmer: Benoist ARON
    • 3-D Graphics: Denis MERCIER
    • Additional 3-D Graphics: Thierry PERREAU
    • Musics composed by: Fabrice VISSEROT, Jean BAUDLOT, Marc MINIER, Patrick SIGWALT
    • Musics recorded & mixed by: Marc MINIER, Patrick SIGWALT
    • Additional Engineering: François COUSIN
    • In-Game Musics: Pierre-André ATHANE, Pascal PERINO
    • Photo Director: Alain RAMOND
    • Voices recorded & mixed by: Yves BOURVON
    • Voices: Randall PRICE, Bruce BENINGTON-PORTER, Joe MAY, Cary GUY, Lori CHRISTENSEN, Olivier TOUSSAINT, Manone THUMIAH, Anne-Marie JOASSIM
    • Testers: Dan LLEWELLYN, Jason SHELDON, Richard HOLDSWORTH, Brian SCHORR, Thomas MARX, Mike SCHMITT
    • Art Director: Denis MERCIER
    • Project Manager: Benoist ARON
    • Directed by: Paul CUISSET
    • Music digitally recorded and mixed at: DELPHINE Studios, PARIS.
    Flashback GENESIS Team:
    • Programmers: Benoist Aron, Philippe CHASTEL, Paul CUISSET, Frederic SAVOIR
    • Graphic Artists: Patrick DAHER, Thierry LEVASTRE, Denis MERCIER, Thierry PERREAU, Christian ROBERT, Fabrice VISSEROT
    • Hardware Engineer: Thierry GAERTHNER
    • Story: Paul CUISSET
    • Level Design: Paul CUISSET, Patrick DAHER, Denis MERCIER, Frederic SAVOIR, Fabrice VISSEROT
    • Testers: Phil BRADLEY, Patricia CUISSET, Simon HADLINGTON, Daniel LLEWELLYN, Jean-Pierre LUCK, Martin SMITH


    © MCMXCIV
    Source:
    In-game credits


    Source:
    US manual
    Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: 424201 Done '/usr/bin/gs' '-sDEVICE=jpeg' '-sOutputFile=-' '-dFirstPage=1' '-dLastPage=1' '-dSAFER' '-r150' '-dBATCH' '-dNOPAUSE' '-q' '/home/sonicret/domains/segaretro.org/public_html/images/a/a5/Flashback_mcd_us_manual.pdf' 424202 Segmentation fault | '/usr/bin/convert' '-depth' '8' '-quality' '95' '-resize' '2197' '-' '/home/sonicret/domains/segaretro.org/public_html/images/temp/transform_1d9fa37db473.jpg'
    [7]

    Magazine articles

    Main article: Flashback/Magazine articles.

    Promotional material

    Main article: Flashback/Promotional material.

    Physical scans

    Mega Drive version

    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Score Source
    92 [8]
    73 [9]
    84 [10]
    96 [11]
    94 [12]
    93 [13]
    94 №19, p39-41
    100 [14]
    93 №7, p78
    94 №19
    60 №1994-01, p40
    97 [15]
    90 №10, p14-17
    94 №9, p52-53
    92 №2, p22-23
    97 [16]
    93 [17]
    96 [18]
    93 №43, p32-35
    94 №20, p42-43
    94 №8, p36-39
    93 [19]
    96 [20]
    93 [21]
    95 [22]
    90 [23]
    93 №8, p10-11
    Sega Mega Drive
    		 92
    Based on
    27 reviews
    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Version Score
    1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
    98
    		[24]
    Alaab Alcomputtar (SA)
    96
    		[25]
    Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
    92
    		[26]
    Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
    73
    		[27]
    Consoles + (FR)
    96
    		[28]
    Cool Gamer (RU)
    90
    		[29]
    Computer & Video Games (UK)
    94
    		[30]
    Digitiser (UK) PAL
    95
    		[31]
    Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US) NTSC-U
    91
    		[32]
    Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
    88
    		[33]
    Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
    90
    		[34]
    Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 6 (RU)
    70
    		[35]
    Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
    93
    		[13]
    Game Power (IT) PAL
    94
    		[36]
    GamePro (US) NTSC-U
    100
    		[37]
    GamesMaster (UK)
    94
    		[38]
    Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
    92
    		[39]
    Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
    94
    		[40]
    Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
    60
    		[41]
    Joypad (FR)
    97
    		[42]
    Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
    90
    		[43]
    Mega (UK) PAL
    94
    		[44]
    Mega Action (UK) PAL
    92
    		[45]
    Megablast (DE)
    79
    		[46]
    Mega Force (FR)
    97
    		[47]
    Mega Fun (DE) NTSC-U
    87
    		[48]
    MegaTech (UK) PAL
    95
    		[49]
    Mean Machines Sega (UK) NTSC-U
    93
    		[50]
    Player One (FR)
    96
    		[51]
    Power Up! (UK)
    92
    		[52]
    Sega Magazin (DE)
    85
    		[5]
    Sega Power (UK) NTSC-U
    93
    		[53]
    Sega Pro (UK) PAL
    94
    		[54]
    Sega Zone (UK) PAL
    94
    		[55]
    Sega Force (SE)
    96
    		[56]
    Sega Force (UK) PAL
    93
    		[57]
    Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
    84
    		[58]
    Supergame (BR)
    95
    		[59]
    Supergame (BR)
    90
    		[60]
    Supersonic (FR)
    93
    		[61]
    Tricks 16 bit (RU)
    86
    		[62]
    User (GR) PAL
    94
    		[63]
    Sega Mega Drive
    		 91
    Based on
    42 reviews

    Flashback

    Mega Drive, US
    Flashback MD US Box.jpg
    Cover
    Flashback MD US Cart.jpg
    Cart
    Flashback MD US Manual.pdf
    Manual
    Mega Drive, EU
    Flashback MD EU Box.jpg
    Cover
    Flashback MD EU Cart.jpg
    Cart
    Mega Drive, JP
    Flashback md jp cover.jpg
    Cover
    Flashback MD JP CartTop.jpg
    Flashback md jp cart.jpg
    Cart
    Mega Drive, AU

    Mega Drive, BR
    Flashback md br cover.jpg
    Cover
    Flashback MD BR Cart.jpg
    Cart
    Flashback md br manual.pdf
    Manual
    Mega Drive, SE (Rental)

    Mega Drive, FR

    Flashback MD FR Manual.pdf
    Manual

    Mega-CD version

    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Score Source
    75 [64]
    83 [65]
    60 [66]
    Sega Mega-CD
    		 73
    Based on
    3 reviews
    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Version Score
    Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
    75
    		[67]
    GamePro (US) NTSC-U
    83
    		[68]
    Next Generation (US) NTSC-U
    50
    		[69]
    Sega Mega-CD
    		 69
    Based on
    3 reviews

    Flashback

    Mega-CD, US
    Flashback MCD US Box Back.jpgFlashback MCD US Box Front.jpg
    Cover
    Flashback mcd us disc.jpg
    Disc
    Flashback mcd us manual.pdf
    Manual

    Technical information

    ROM dump status

    System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
    Sega Mega Drive
    ✔
    CRC32 23a9616d
    MD5 111e1694facbe6879640ccf83040cd20
    SHA-1 bce40031f6adab48670c8a2d73e42f3a3dcba97c
    		1.5MB 1993-01-20 Cartridge (US)
    Sega Mega Drive
    ✔
    CRC32 33cd2b65
    MD5 55977f8786715847ba2061708e49beeb
    SHA-1 225b405274d39541e07488fdd33de8f854624bf1
    		1.5MB 1993-01 Cartridge (US)
    Sega Mega Drive
    ✔
    CRC32 6f311c83
    MD5 cef0031bd4612df7d4eac6bd71f7648d
    SHA-1 31372b2c056eacb747de0a706de3899d224f2c92
    		1.5MB 1993-01-20 Cartridge (EU)
    Sega Mega Drive
    ✔
    CRC32 b790e3b4
    MD5 9a445d5b0d1cd873ce743743b8faec31
    SHA-1 5082180974a125b5f9c01c96410c0fdbfb707d2b
    		1.5MB 1993-01-20 Cartridge (JP)

    References

    1. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "February 1993" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 69
    2. ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "March 1993" (US; 1993-0x-xx), page 32
    3. ↑ Mega, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-16), page 26
    4. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "November 1994" (UK; 1994-10-15), page 71
    5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Sega Magazin, "September/Oktober 1993" (DE; 1993-09-01), page 66
    6. ↑ Game Players, "Vol. 7 No. 10 October 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 12
    7. ↑ File:Flashback mcd us manual.pdf, page 30
    8. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "September 1993" (DE; 1993-08-09), page 137 (139)
    9. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "January 1994" (JP; 1993-12-08), page 24 (26)
    10. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 83 (85)
    11. ↑ Consoles +, "Mars 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 56-60 (60)
    12. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-04-15), page 34-37 (34)
    13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 46
    14. ↑ GamePro, "February 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 36-37 (38)
    15. ↑ Joypad, "Mars 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 72-75 (75)
    16. ↑ Mega Force, "Mars 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 94-98 (98)
    17. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-26), page 16-20 (16)
    18. ↑ Player One, "Mars/Avril 1993" (FR; 1993-03-10), page 64-67 (60)
    19. ↑ Sega Force Mega, "August 1993" (UK; 1993-06-24), page 89
    20. ↑ Sega Force, "4/93" (SE; 1993-07-08), page 6-7 (6)
    21. ↑ Sega Force, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-06), page 32-35 (32)
    22. ↑ Supergame, "Abril 1993" (BR; 1993-04-xx), page 6-7 (7)
    23. ↑ Supergame, "Maio 1993" (BR; 1993-05-xx), page 20-23 (20)
    24. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 82
    25. ↑ Alaab Alcomputtar, "" (SA; 1995-08-xx), page 72
    26. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "September 1993" (DE; 1993-08-09), page 139
    27. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "January 1994" (JP; 1993-12-08), page 26
    28. ↑ Consoles +, "Mars 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 56
    29. ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 86
    30. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-04-15), page 34
    31. ↑ Digitiser (UK) (1993-05-21)
    32. ↑ Electronic Games (1992-1995), "March 1995" (US; 1995-0x-xx), page 63
    33. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "May 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 24
    34. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 41
    35. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 6, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 24
    36. ↑ Game Power, "Luigio/Agosto 1993" (IT; 1993-0x-xx), page 41
    37. ↑ GamePro, "February 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 38
    38. ↑ GamesMaster (UK) "Series 2, episode 9" (1992-11-26, 24:00) (+6:48)
    39. ↑ Game Informer, "March/April 1993" (US; 1993-0x-xx), page 6
    40. ↑ Game Informer, "May 1998" (US; 1998-0x-xx), page 66
    41. ↑ Hippon Super, "January 1994" (JP; 1993-12-03), page 40
    42. ↑ Joypad, "Mars 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 72
    43. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-04-29), page 14
    44. ↑ Mega, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 52
    45. ↑ Mega Action, "July 1993" (UK; 1993-06-17), page 22
    46. ↑ Megablast, "4/93" (DE; 1993-09-29), page 40
    47. ↑ Mega Force, "Mars 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 94
    48. ↑ Mega Fun, "06/93" (DE; 1993-05-19), page 26
    49. ↑ MegaTech, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-04-23), page 56
    50. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-26), page 18
    51. ↑ Player One, "Mars/Avril 1993" (FR; 1993-03-10), page 64
    52. ↑ Power Up!, "Saturday, June 05, 1993" (UK; 1993-06-05), page 1
    53. ↑ Sega Power, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-06), page 32
    54. ↑ Sega Pro, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-13), page 42
    55. ↑ Sega Zone, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-xx), page 36
    56. ↑ Sega Force, "4/93" (SE; 1993-07-08), page 6
    57. ↑ Sega Force, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-06), page 32
    58. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85
    59. ↑ Supergame, "Abril 1993" (BR; 1993-04-xx), page 6
    60. ↑ Supergame, "Maio 1993" (BR; 1993-05-xx), page 20
    61. ↑ Supersonic, "Mars 1993" (FR; 1993-xx-xx), page 10
    62. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 14
    63. ↑ User, "Septémvrios 1993" (GR; 1993-0x-xx), page 26
    64. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "December 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 44/164 (46)
    65. ↑ GamePro, "January 1995" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 44 (68)
    66. ↑ Next Generation, "April 1995" (US; 1995-03-21), page 93 (95)
    67. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "December 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 46
    68. ↑ GamePro, "January 1995" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 68
    69. ↑ Next Generation, "April 1995" (US; 1995-03-21), page 95
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    NEC Retro has more information related to Flashback


    Flashback

    Flashback Title.png

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


    Sega Mega-CD
    Demos: Flashback (1995)


    Sega Mega Drive
    Prototypes: 1992-09-18



    Flashback games for Sega systems
    Sega Mega Drive
    		 Flashback (1993)
    Sega Mega-CD
    		 Flashback (1994) | Morphs: Flashback 2 (unreleased)
    Sega Saturn
    		 Fade to Black (unreleased)
    Sega Dreamcast
    		 Flashback (2017) | Fade to Black (2018)
    Retrieved from "https://segaretro.org/index.php?title=Flashback&oldid=542672"