The Terminator (Mega-CD)

From Sega Retro

For the Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear games, see The Terminator.

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Terminator MCD title.png

The Terminator
System(s): Sega Mega-CD
Publisher: Virgin Games
Developer:
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega-CD
US 		$52.9952.99[1] T-70015
Videogame Rating Council: MA-13
Sega Mega-CD
EU 		T-70015-50
BBFC: Parental Guidance (PG)
Sega Mega-CD
DE 		DM 119.95119.95[5] T-70015-50
Sega Mega-CD
UK 		£44.9944.99[3][4] T-70015-50
BBFC: Parental Guidance (PG)
Sega Mega-CD
AU 		FTER03SMR
OFLC: G8

The Terminator is a Sega Mega-CD action platform game developed and published by Virgin Games. Based on the 1984 film The Terminator, the game was released in June 1993 to positive reception, particularly in regards to composer Tommy Tallarico's soundtrack.

The game was a standout title for both Virgin Games and the Sega Mega-CD platform, and was praised for its detailed graphics and animation, a memorable soundtrack, and the inclusion of digitized scenes from the original film.

Story

The game follows the story of the film. In the future, man and machine are locked in an existential war with one another. Skynet, the artificial intelligence controlling the machines and trying to eradicate the human race, sends a cyborg assassin back in time to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor, the mother of resistance leader John Connor. John Connor, in turn, sends soldier Kyle Reese back in time to find Sarah first and protect her.

Gameplay

The Terminator is a run-and-gun platform game where the player plays as the time-traveling soldier Kyle Reese. The early levels are set in the apocalyptic future of 2029 during the war between humanity and the machines. At the end of the Skynet stages, Reese travels back in time to Los Angeles in 1984.

B fires Reese's rifle. The rifle can be upgraded by finding weapon power-ups throughout the stages. In both time periods, the rifle is initially single-shot but all of the upgraded weapons can be rapidly fired by holding the button. A throws grenades in 2029 and pipe bombs in 1984. These weapons are limited in quantity but can be found as item pick-ups. C jumps. Up climbs ladders, Down descends ladders or crouches. All weapons can be used while crouching, jumping, running, or on ladders. The rifle can also be fired in the upward diagonal directions when standing or the downward diagonal directions when on a ladder.

Reese has a health gauge, which can be replenished by finding health pick-ups. He loses a life if he loses all of his health, though extra lives can be found throughout the stages as well. Reese can also find Flak Vests that temporary shield him from damage. Small nodes are used as checkpoints. There are no continues or a save or password system.

The overall length is around 45 to 60 minutes of gameplay, compared to the Mega Drive version that is around 15 minutes of gameplay long. The game also features a number of bosses, though they are not significantly more challenging than standard enemies.

Stages

Terminator CD, Stage 1.png

Human Outpost

Terminator CD, Stage 2.png

Terminator CD, Stage 2 Boss.png

Holocaust L.A.

Terminator CD, Stage 3.png

Terminator CD, Stage 3 Boss.png

Skynet Base 1

Terminator CD, Stage 4.png

Terminator CD, Stage 4 Boss.png

Skynet Base 2

Terminator CD, Stage 5.png

City Streets

Terminator CD, Stage 6.png

Terminator CD, Stage 6 Boss.png

City Rooftops

Terminator CD, Stage 7.png

Terminator CD, Stage 7 Boss.png

TechNoir Bar

Terminator CD, Stage 8.png

Terminator CD, Stage 8 Boss.png

Police Station

Terminator CD, Stage 9.png

Terminator CD, Stage 9 Boss.png

Cyberdyne Factory 1

Terminator CD, Stage 10.png

Terminator CD, Stage 10 Boss.png

Cyberdyne Factory 2

Production credits

Note: this game divides its credits into two - the "main" developers are listed in the introduction, while assistant staff are listed in the end credits.

  • Developed by: Virgin Games
  • Programmed by: Salias Warner
  • Script: Erik Yeo, Justin Norr
  • Set Design: Nick Bruty, Kevin Toft
  • Character Design: Doug Cope, Roger Hardy, Clark Sorensen
  • Original Music: Tommy Tallarico
  • Video and Sound: Steve Henifin
  • Original Concept: Dave Perry
  • Producers: Tom Gibson, Barry Pringle
Source:
In-game introduction credits


  • Design Assistance: Justin Norr, Kevin Norr, Mark Yamada
  • Programming Assistance: John Alvaardo, Matt From, David Perry
  • Artists: Mike Dietz, Shawn Maclean, Barry J.S. Pringle, Dean Ruggles, Edward Schofield, Bob Steele, Bob Stevenson, Daniel Wong, Willis Wong
  • Quality Assurance: Mike McCaa, Chris McFarland, Jared Brinkley, David Fries, Bijan Shaheer, Harvard Bonin, Nick Camerota, Susan Haight, Erik Harshman, Ken Love, Paul Moore, Chad Soares, Chris Toft, Jon Williams, Noah Tool, Tim Williams
  • Executive Producers: "Doc" Clarke-Willson, Guy Johnson, David Bishop
  • Production: Seth Mandlesohn, Craig Warmsley, Jeff Buccellato, Kevin Norr
  • Produced With: ROM DevBios from Malibu Interactive
Music Mixed in QSound™ by Buzz Borrowes
©1993 Virgin Games USA.
Source:
In-game end credits

Magazine articles

Main article: The Terminator (Mega-CD)/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

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Print advert in Sega Visions (US) #14: "August/September 1993" (1993-xx-xx)
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Print advert in GamePro (US) #51: "October 1993" (1993-xx-xx)
also published in:
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Print advert in Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) #57: "April 1994" (1994-xx-xx)
also published in:
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Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
Sega Mega-CD
 Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Ação Games (BR)
69
[10]
Console Mania (IT) PAL
84
[11]
Consoles + (FR)
87
[12]
Game Players (US) NTSC-U
62
[13]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
83
[1]
Joypad (FR) PAL
86
[14]
MAN!AC (DE) PAL
68
[15]
Mega (UK) PAL
67
[16]
Mega Force (FR)
85
[17]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
69
[18]
Player One (FR)
80
[19]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
58
[20]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
65
[21]
Supersonic (FR)
92
[22]
Video Games (DE) NTSC-U
54
[23]
VideoGames (US) NTSC-U
80
[24]
Sega Mega-CD
 74
Based on
16 reviews

The Terminator (Mega-CD)

Mega-CD, US
TheTerminator MCD US Box Back.jpgTheTerminator MCD US Box Front.jpg
Cover
TheTerminator MCD US Disc.jpg
Disc
Terminator mcd us manual.pdf
Manual
Mega-CD, EU
TheTerminator MCD EU Box Back.jpgTheTerminator MCD EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
TheTerminator MCD EU Disc.jpg
Disc
TerminatorMegaCDEUManual.pdf
Manual
Mega-CD, AU
TheTerminator MCD AU back.jpgNospine-small.pngTheTerminator MCD AU front.jpg
Cover

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega-CD
 ?
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
474,737,088 CD (EU) T-70015-50
Sega Mega-CD
✔
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
468,937,056 CD (US) T-70015
Sega Mega-CD
 ?
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
1993-05-11 CD-R Page

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 GamePro, "June 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 64
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Sega Force Mega, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-16), page 8
  3. ↑ Mega, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-16), page 45
  4. ↑ Mega Power, "May 1994" (UK; 1994-04-21), page 61
  5. ↑ Video Games, "9/93" (DE; 1993-08-25), page 43
  6. ↑ Sega Visions, "October/November 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 36
  7. ↑ GamePro, "April 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 25
  8. ↑ Game Players, "Vol. 7 No. 5 May 1994" (US; 1994-0x-xx), page 23
  9. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "May 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 209
  10. ↑ Ação Games, "Março 1994" (BR; 1994-03-01), page 28
  11. ↑ Console Mania, "Aprile 1994" (IT; 1994-0x-xx), page 94
  12. ↑ Consoles +, "Avril 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 112
  13. ↑ Game Players, "Vol. 7 No. 3 March 1994" (US; 1994-0x-xx), page 50
  14. ↑ Joypad, "Avril 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 98
  15. ↑ MAN!AC, "04/94" (DE; 1994-03-09), page 39
  16. ↑ Mega, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-16), page 44
  17. ↑ Mega Force, "Avril 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 76
  18. ↑ MegaTech, "February 1994" (UK; 1994-01-20), page 64
  19. ↑ Player One, "Avril 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 98
  20. ↑ Sega Power, "February 1994" (UK; 1994-01-06), page 74
  21. ↑ Sega Zone, "February 1994" (UK; 1994-01-27), page 63
  22. ↑ Supersonic, "Avril 1994" (FR; 1994-xx-xx), page 16
  23. ↑ Video Games, "3/94" (DE; 1994-02-23), page 76
  24. ↑ VideoGames, "April 1994" (US; 1994-0x-xx), page 82


The Terminator (Mega-CD)

Terminator MCD title.png

Main page | Comparisons | Maps | Hidden content | Magazine articles | Reception | Technical information


Sega Mega-CD
Prototypes: 1993-05-11



RoboCop and Terminator franchise games for Sega systems
Sega Mega Drive
 The Terminator (1992) | T2: The Arcade Game (1992) | RoboCop 3 (1993) | Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1993) | RoboCop Versus The Terminator (1993)
Sega Master System
 The Terminator (1992) | T2: The Arcade Game (1993) | RoboCop 3 (1993) | Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1993) | RoboCop Versus The Terminator (1994)
Sega Game Gear
 The Terminator (1992) | T2: The Arcade Game (1993) | RoboCop 3 (1993) | Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1993) | RoboCop Versus The Terminator (1994)
Sega Mega-CD
 The Terminator (1993)
Pinball
 RoboCop (1989)
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