The Terminator is a game that was released in 1992 by Virgin Games and Probe Software for the Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear video game systems. It is based on the 1984 film of the same name. Though it shares the same title and basic premise, it is unrelated to the Sega Mega-CD version.
The game focuses on a soldier named Kyle Reese who was sent back in time from the future to protect a woman named Sarah Connor. A cyborg from the future is also sent back in time to assassinate Sarah Connor. While the games have the same themes and identical amount of stages, the Mega Drive version differs from the Game Gear and Master System versions in terms of stage design, enemy layout etc. Generally speaking, the 8-bit versions put a bigger focus on platforming.
Gameplay
The game is a side scrolling shooter with objectives that vary level to level. Level 1 sets Kyle in the future in search of a time machine. Level 2 has Kyle searching for Sarah in present time while Level 3 has him reuniting with her after a brief separation. The final level features a deadly confrontation with the Terminators endoskeleton. The first level features three weapons while the levels after that have only one. Players have a 5 health points which deplete with each hit from enemies taken. This is replaced by a percentage bar in the Game Gear and Master System versions.
In the Sega Mega Drive version there are also selectable difficulty levels which affect gameplay. The difficulty level affects item placement in stage 1 (easy gives you the rifle earlier) and the drop rate of health items. On higher difficulty levels, drop rates are so low that luck plays a big part in clearing the game, as the game is designed in a way that taking damage is unavoidable.
throws bombs or fires the rifle. jumps. If you collect plantable bombs, plants one. (replaced by an automatically planeted on in the Game Gear and Master System versions). In the 8-bit versions, Kyle can die by falling from high places.
Health is restored by collecting randomly dropped bottles in the 16-bit version, while there is no way to restore health in the 8-bit versions aside from clearing a stage. The game has no lives and no continue system.
Score is awarded for defeating enemies. However, in all versions, enemies spawn infinitely, making the score counter pointless.
Levels
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Los Angeles, 2029 AD
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Players have three weapons at their disposal in this level: Timed Explosives, Grenades, and a Machine Gun. Enemies include Armored Tanks, Hunter Killers, and Terminators. The objective is to destroy a reactor and head into the Time Machine before an explosion ensues.
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Los Angeles, 1984
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This level takes place on the streets of Los Angeles. Enemies include police officers, helicopters, firebomb hurlers, and the Terminator. The level ends in the Tech Noir disco.
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West Palm Police Station
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This level takes place in the police station as Reese tries to escape from captivity. The enemy list is the same as the previous level. The level ends after Kyle reaches Sarah Connor.
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The Final Confrontation
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This level takes place in Cyberdyne's factory. Kyle must confront the Terminator's endoskeleton form. The level ends when Kyle leads the Terminator into a machine press.
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Versions
The Sega Mega Drive version contains unused music tracks and animation quality is inconsistent. This hints that the game was rushed out in an unfinished state. The fact that a Sega Mega-CD version exists that is much richer in content and reuses certain sounds, fonts etc. as well as crediting "Dave Perry" behind the original concept (Dave aka David Perry was the programmer of the Mega Drive version) further fortifies that.
The game doesn't perform a region check and thus runs on every region hardware.
Production credits
Mega Drive version
- Programmed by: David Perry
- Artwork by: Nick Bruty
- Additional Artwork by: Hugh Riley
- Interludes Artwork by: Saul Marchese
- Sprite Animation by: Tony Shorten
- Screenplay Adaptation by: Neil Young
- Music by: Matt Furniss
- Music Driver by: Shaun Hollingworth
- Quality Assurance by: Fergus Mc Govern
- Produced for Probe Software by: Neil Young
For Virgin Games...
- Executive Producer: Dr. Stephen H. Clarke-Willson
- Produced for Virgin Games by: Lyle J. Hall II
- Quality Assurance by: Lyle J. Hall II, Andy Green, Ian Mathias
- Manual by: Cathie A. Bartz
- The Terminator is a James Cameron Film
- The Terminator (C) 1984 Cinema '84
- A Greenberg Brothers Partnership.
- All Rights Reserved
- Licensed by: Hemdale Film Corporation
- Sublicensed by: Bethesda Softworks
- The Terminator TM Designates a trademark of Cinema '84 - A Greenberg Brothers Partnership.
Source: In-game credits
Developed by Probe Software
- Programmed by: David Perry
- Graphics by: Nick Bruty
- Music/Sound Effects: Krisalis Software
- Produced by: Neil Young
Published by Virgin Games, Inc
- Executive Producer: Dr. Stephen H. Clarke-Willson
- Product Manager: Lyle J. Hall II
- Quality Assurance by: Lyle J. Hall II, Tommy Tallarico, Michael D. Gater, Jeff Wagoner, Noah Tool, Ron Friedman, Bert Pelascini
- Manual by: Cathie A. Bartz
- Edited by: Lisa Marcinko
Source: US manual[14]
Master System version
- The Terminator was published by: Virgin Games
- Developed in the UK for Virgin by: Probe Software Limited, England
- Programmed by: Dominic Wood
- Artwork by: Mark Knowles
- Audio by: Krisalis Software
- Music by: Matt Furniss
- Interlude and Credit Sequences: Brian Rogers
- Designed for Probe Software by: Neil Young, Dominic Wood, Mark Knowles
- Product Quality Assurance by: Andy Green, Ian Mathias, Darren Lloyd
- Produced for Virgin Games by: Ian Mathias
- Produced for Probe Software by: Neil Young
- The Terminator (C) 1984 Cinema 84
- Greenberg Brothers Partnership
- All Rights Reserved
- Licensed by: Hemdale Film Corporation
- Sublicensed by: Bethesda Softworks
- The Terminator TM Designates a Trademark of Cinema 84
- Greenberg Brothers Partnership
Source: In-game credits
Game Gear version
- The Terminator was Published by: Virgin Games
- Developed in the UK for Virgin by: Probe Software Ltd, England
- Programmed by: Dominic Wood
- Artwork by: Mark Knowles
- Audio by: Krisalis Software
- Music by: Matt Furnis
- Interlude and Credit Sequences by: Brian Rogers
- Designed for Probe Software by: Neil Young, Dominic Wood, Mark Knowles
- Quality Assurance by: Andy Green, Ian Mathias, Darren Lloyd
- Produced for Virgin Games by: Ian Mathias
- Produced for Probe Software by: Neil Young
- The Terminator (C) 1984 Cinema 84
- Greenberg Brothers Partnership
- All Rights Reserved
- Licensed by: Hemdale Film Corporation
- Sublicensed by: Bethesda Softworks
- The Terminator (TM) Designates a Trademark of Cinema 84
Source: In-game credits
Developed by Probe Software
Published by Virgin Games, Inc
- Producer: Lyle J. Hall II
- UK Production: Ian Mathias
- Manual: Lyle J. Hall II
- Manual Editing: Lisa Marcinko
- Testing and Quality Assurance: Darren Lloyd, Michael Gater, Noah Tool, Justin Norr, Joey Kuras
Source: US manual[15]
Magazine articles
- Main article: The Terminator/Magazine articles.
Promotional material
- Main article: The Terminator/Promotional material.
Physical scans
Mega Drive version
Mega Drive, US
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Cover
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Cart Manual
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Mega Drive, EU
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Cover
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Cart Manual
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Master System version
Master System, EU
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Cover
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Cart Manual
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Master System, AU
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Cart
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Game Gear version
Game Gear, US
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Cart Manual
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Game Gear, EU
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Cart
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Technical information
ROM dump status
System |
Hash |
Size |
Build Date |
Source |
Comments |
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?
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1MB
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1992-05
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Cartridge (US)
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?
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1MB
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1992-04
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Cartridge (EU)
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?
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1992-04-15
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Page
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?
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CRC32
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edc5c012
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MD5
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f224907676a09c7f0404c95c316f1503
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SHA-1
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eaf733d385e61526b90c1b194bf605078d43e2d3
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256kB
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Cartridge (EU)
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✔
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CRC32
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e3d5ce9a
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MD5
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ba2aa1c3c3d0a24acbb2e86c1fb0aadf
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SHA-1
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bea0a1d0271faa2273e4cf1e968241d018c81da1
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256kB
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Cartridge (BR)
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Rev 1
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?
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CRC32
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c029a5fd
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MD5
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b9190f130f728ba8c05d82d5f01fde21
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SHA-1
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1889d019bd9f5919517805a2e02a9691de5ef634
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256kB
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Cartridge (US/EU)
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References
- ↑ File:Terminator GG EU backcover.jpg
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 GamePro, "February 1992" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 53
- ↑ GamePro, "January 1992" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 80
- ↑ Sega Pro, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-21), page 33
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Sega Force, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-xx), page 61
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Sega Power, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-04), page 22
- ↑ Sega Pro, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-16), page 7
- ↑ Sega Force, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-09), page 55
- ↑ GamePro, "July 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 94
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 GamePro, "August 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 86
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 GamesMaster, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-03), page 92
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Computer & Video Games, "October 1992 (Go! Issue 12)" (UK; 1992-09-15), page 20
- ↑ Sega Zone, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-28), page 57
- ↑ File:TTerminator md us manual.pdf, page 11
- ↑ File:The Terminator GG US Manual.pdf, page 11
- ↑ Computer & Video Games, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-15), page 20-21 (20)
- ↑ Consoles +, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 54-56 (54)
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 106
- ↑ GamePro, "February 1992" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 50-51 (52)
- ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Septiembre 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 40-43 (40)
- ↑ Joypad, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 50-51 (50)
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Joystick, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 167
- ↑ Mega, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-16), page 86-87 (86)
- ↑ MegaTech, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-20), page 46-48 (46)
- ↑ Mean Machines, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-28), page 84-86 (84)
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 Sega Pro, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-21), page 32-34 (32)
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 Sega Force, "2/92" (SE; 1992-11-19), page 19
- ↑ Sega Force, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-xx), page 58-59 (60)
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 Supersonic, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 10
- ↑ Zero, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-11), page 26-27 (26)
- ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 240
- ↑ Consoles +, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 54
- ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 221
- ↑ Computer & Video Games, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-15), page 20
- ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "March 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 28
- ↑ FX (UK) (+6:20)
- ↑ 37.0 37.1 Game Power, "Luigio/Agosto 1992" (IT; 1992-0x-xx), page 64
- ↑ GamePro, "February 1992" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 52
- ↑ GamesMaster (UK) "Series 1, episode 1" (1992-01-07, 24:00) (+6:20)
- ↑ Game Zone, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-24), page 28
- ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Septiembre 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 40
- ↑ Joypad, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 50
- ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 95
- ↑ Mega, "September 1993" (UK; 1993-08-19), page 89
- ↑ Mega, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-16), page 87
- ↑ Mega Fun, "08/92" (DE; 1992-08-18), page 23
- ↑ MegaTech, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-20), page 46
- ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Noviembre 1992" (ES; 1992-1x-xx), page 77
- ↑ Mean Machines, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-28), page 84
- ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 142
- ↑ Play Time, "11/92" (DE; 1992-10-07), page 92
- ↑ Power Up!, "Saturday, September 26, 1992" (UK; 1992-09-26), page 1
- ↑ 53.0 53.1 Sega Pro, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-21), page 32
- ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 68
- ↑ Sega Force, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-xx), page 60
- ↑ Supergame, "Setembro 1992" (BR; 1992-09-xx), page 32
- ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 26
- ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "September 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 58
- ↑ Video Games, "9/92" (DE; 1992-08-26), page 58
- ↑ Zero, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-11), page 26
- ↑ Computer & Video Games, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-15), page 22-23 (22)
- ↑ Consoles +, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 110-111 (110)
- ↑ 63.0 63.1 Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 160
- ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Septiembre 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 44-45 (44)
- ↑ Joypad, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 82-83 (82)
- ↑ Joypad, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 57
- ↑ Mean Machines, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-28), page 88-89 (88)
- ↑ Player One, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-07-10), page 110-111 (106)
- ↑ Sega Force, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-09), page 54-55 (54)
- ↑ 70.0 70.1 Supersonic, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 19
- ↑ 71.0 71.1 Zero, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-xx), page 37
- ↑ Computer & Video Games, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-15), page 22
- ↑ Game Zone, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-xx), page 40
- ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Septiembre 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 44
- ↑ Joypad, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 82
- ↑ Joystick, "Octobre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 152
- ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Enero 1993" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 57
- ↑ Mean Machines, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-28), page 110
- ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 136
- ↑ Player One, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-07-10), page 110
- ↑ Play Time, "12/92" (DE; 1992-11-04), page 87
- ↑ Sega Power, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-04), page 24
- ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 72
- ↑ Sega Force, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-09), page 54
- ↑ Video Games, "8/92" (DE; 1992-07-22), page 98
- ↑ Computer & Video Games, "October 1992 (Go! Issue 12)" (UK; 1992-09-15), page 20-21 (20)
- ↑ 87.0 87.1 Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 171
- ↑ 88.0 88.1 Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 70
- ↑ GamePro, "August 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 84 (86)
- ↑ 90.0 90.1 Joypad, "Janvier 1993" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 142
- ↑ 91.0 91.1 Joystick, "Février 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 194
- ↑ 92.0 92.1 Mean Machines Sega, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-xx), page 120
- ↑ Player One, "Mars/Avril 1993" (FR; 1993-03-10), page 115 (107)
- ↑ Sega Zone, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-28), page 56-57 (56)
- ↑ 95.0 95.1 Sega Force, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-08), page 76
- ↑ Player One, "Mars/Avril 1993" (FR; 1993-03-10), page 115
- ↑ Play Time, "3/93" (DE; 1993-02-10), page 109
- ↑ Sega Power, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-01), page 62
- ↑ Sega Pro, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-08), page 58
- ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 75
- ↑ Sega Zone, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-28), page 56
- ↑ Video Games, "10/92" (DE; 1992-09-30), page 129