Back to the Future Part III

From Sega Retro

n/a

  • Mega Drive
  • Master System

BttF3 title.png

BttF3 SMS Title.png

Back to the Future Part III
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System
Publisher:
Sega Mega Drive
Arena Entertainment (US)
Sega Mega Drive
Sega Master System
Image Works (EU)
Developer:
Supporting companies:
Licensor: Universal City Studios, Amblin Entertainment
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
US 		T-69046
Sega Mega Drive
EU 		T-69046-50
Sega Mega Drive
UK 		£34.9934.99[1][2] T-69046-50
Sega Mega Drive
SE
(Rental)
Sega Mega Drive
BR 		043040
Sega Master System
EU 		MK 27020-50
Sega Master System
PT
Sega Master System
UK 		£32.9932.99[3] MK 27020-50
Sega Master System
AU
Non-Sega versions

Back to the Future Part III is a Sega Mega Drive action game developed by Probe Software. Based on the titular 1990 film Back to the Future Part III, it was first published in the United States by Arena Entertainment in late 1991, and was later brought to Europe by Image Works the following February.

The game was received poorly due to its short length and brutal difficulty level, particularly that of its first stage. The game is most known today for both its exceptionally poor gameplay design and its visibly darkened palette — a result of a programming error which infamously shipped in the final product.

A Sega Master System version was developed alongside the original courtesy of Krisalis Software, and released in March 1992.

Story

The game follows the plot of the film on which it is based. Marty McFly learns that his friend Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown, trapped in 1885, was killed by Buford "Mad Dog" Tannen. Marty travels back in time to 1885 to rescue Doc and return once again to 1985, but matters are complicated when Doc falls in love with Clara Clayton.

Gameplay

The game consists of four levels, each employing a different style of gameplay. The player can attempt each as many times as desired if not initially successful. There is no password or save system.

Levels

BttF3 MD Level1Intro.png

BttF3 MD Level1.png

  • BttF3 MD Level1Intro.png

  • BttF3 MD Level1.png

The Buckboard Chase
A notoriously hard level in which players, controlling Doc Brown riding a horse, need to catch up with love interest Clara Clayton before she falls into a ravine. A/1 fires a gun in the direction of the D-pad (unless pointing downwards, where Doc can pick up fallen objects for extra points), while B/2 makes the horse jump. If Doc is hit and subsequently falls off the horse three times, he begins again from the start.

The speed of play, combined with artistic choices and the constant barrage of threats makes this stage far more challenging than later levels. Obstacles (which are not always easy to distinguish from the background) quickly emerge from the right (save for bandits which chase Doc from the left and fire at him) and require quick reflexes to avoid (to the point where it becomes more of a memory test). Much of the game's negative press comes from this level alone.

Back to the Future Part III, Stage 2 Establish.png

Back to the Future Part III, Stage 2.png

  • Back to the Future Part III, Stage 2 Establish.png

  • Back to the Future Part III, Stage 2.png

The Shooting Gallery
Players control Marty as he shoots targets in a target range. Hit ducks and bandits and avoid old ladies. Aim with Left and Right and shoot with A, B, or C. There are three vertical positions for shooting higher targets: press Down to move up and Up to move down. The challenge is timed and ends when the clock goes from 12 o'clock to 12 o'clock again. Different targets are worth different amounts of points. The player must get a sufficiently high score in order to progress, otherwise the challenge repeats. A bonus round can be obtained by shooting the multi-colored ducks. This segment is missing from the Master System version of the game.

Back to the Future Part III, Stage 3 Establish.png

Back to the Future Part III, Stage 3.png

  • Back to the Future Part III, Stage 3 Establish.png

  • Back to the Future Part III, Stage 3.png

Pie Throwing
Players control Marty as he uses pie dishes to fight off Buford's men and eventually Buford himself. Buford's men pop out from a number of fixed locations, fire, and then hide again. Marty has a limited amount of dishes in hand but can "reload" by walking to the table. On the Mega Drive version, either A, B, or C can be used to throw a dish; on the Master System version, only 1 throws a dish. The challenge uses an isometric perspective, and Marty can only move along one axis with Left and Right. He can change the direction he is facing (and therefore aim) with Up (directly in front of Marty), Left (45 degrees left from the front), and Right (45 degrees right from the front). Marty dies if he gets shot too many times.

Back to the Future Part III, Stage 4 Establish.png

Back to the Future Part III, Stage 4.png

  • Back to the Future Part III, Stage 4 Establish.png

  • Back to the Future Part III, Stage 4.png

The Train
A platforming segment in which players control Marty as he makes away across the train, collecting speed logs necessary to get the train up to 88 miles per hour (142 km/h) while fending off enemies and avoiding obstacles such as hooks or puffs of smoke. This segment must be completed within a time limit. On the Mega Drive version, either A or C can be used to throw a dish and B jumps; on the Master System version, 1 throws a dish and 2 jumps. Marty dies if he takes too much damage from enemies, hits a railway sign, falls between cars, or touches the steam from the engine. He respawns at certain checkpoints. If he runs out of time, the challenge can be retried from the very beginning.

Versions

Production credits

Mega Drive version

Source:
In-game credits (title screen)
BttF3 title.png
[4]


Master System version

Copyright UCS and Amblin 1991
All rights reserved
Source:
In-game credits (intro demo)
Back to the Future Part III SMS credits.pdf
[5]


Magazine articles

Main article: Back to the Future Part III/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Mega Drive print advert in Sega Visions (US) #6: "Fall 1991" (1991-xx-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Master System print advert in Mega Force (ES) #6: "Octubre 1992" (1992-xx-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Master System print advert in Mega Force (ES) #7: "Noviembre 1992" (1992-xx-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Master System print advert in Mega Force (ES) #11: "Marzo 1993" (1993-xx-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
50
[10]
Cool Gamer (RU)
20
[11]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
33
[12]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
30
[13]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK) PAL
77
[14]
Génération 4 (FR)
81
[15]
Game Players Sega Guide! (US) NTSC-U
40
[16]
Joystick (FR) NTSC
56
[17]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
25
[18]
Mega Action (UK)
62
[19]
Mega Force (FR)
65
[20]
Mega Force (FR) NTSC-U
55
[21]
Mean Machines (UK)
77
[22]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
77
[23]
Megazone (AU)
86
[24]
Power Play (DE)
21
[25]
Sega Power (UK)
35
[26]
Sega Pro (UK) NTSC-U
28
[27]
Sega Force (SE)
54
[28]
Supergame (BR)
79
[29]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
20
[30]
Video Games (DE)
39
[31]
Sega Mega Drive
 50
Based on
22 reviews

Back to the Future Part III

Mega Drive, US
BttF3 MD US Box.jpg
Cover
BttF3 MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Back To The Future Part III MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
BttF3 MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
BttF3 MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
BttF3 MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
BttF3 MD EU Manual (back).jpg
Manual (back)
BttFP3 MD EU pcb.jpg
PCB
BttFP3 MD EU pcb (alt).jpg
PCB (alt)
Mega Drive, BR
BttF3 MD BR Box.jpg
Cover
BttF3 MD BR Cart.jpg
Cart

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Consoles + (FR) PAL
50
[32]
Console XS (UK) PAL
79
[33]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK) PAL
67
[34]
Game Zone (UK) PAL
55
[35]
Hobby Consolas (ES) PAL
79
[36]
Joypad (FR) PAL
49
[37]
Joystick (FR) PAL
63
[38]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
70
[39]
Mean Machines (UK) PAL
68
[40]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
68
[41]
Player One (FR) PAL
28
[42]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
35
[43]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
73
[44]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
79
[45]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
33
[46]
Supersonic (FR)
79
[47]
User (GR) PAL
88
[48]
Sega Master System
 63
Based on
17 reviews

Back to the Future Part III

Master System, EU
BttF3 SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
BttF3 SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, PT
BttF3 SMS PT Box.jpg
Cover
BttF3 SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU
BttF3 SMS AU cover.jpg
Cover
BttF3 SMS AU cartback.jpgBttF3 SMS AU cart.jpg
Cart
Back To The Future Part III Master System AU Manual.pdf
Manual

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega Drive
✔
CRC32 66a388c3
MD5 165288c22589ef8c1a41e31215b52c34
SHA-1 a704a1538fb4392e4631e96dce11eeff99d9b04a
512kB 1991-07 Cartridge (US)
Sega Mega Drive
✔
CRC32 2737f92e
MD5 412167642219d26ffc5994d07e31c561
SHA-1 c808ee7f6f61c096ab73b68dd181e25fdcfde243
512kB 1991-07 Cartridge (EU)
Sega Master System
 ?
CRC32 2d48c1d3
MD5 3d24a52e98e6c85d7c059386451ce749
SHA-1 7d67dd38fea5dba4224a119cc4840f6fb8e023b9
256kB Cartridge (EU)

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Mean Machines, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-27), page 62
  2. ↑ Sega Power, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-06), page 25
  3. ↑ Sega Force, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 73
  4. ↑ File:BttF3 title.png
  5. ↑ File:Back to the Future Part III SMS credits.pdf
  6. ↑ Sega Visions, "Winter 1991/1992" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 9
  7. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Octubre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 46
  8. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Noviembre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 10
  9. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Marzo 1993" (ES; 1993-xx-xx), page 15
  10. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 24
  11. ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 21
  12. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "February 1992" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 26
  13. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 292
  14. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 23
  15. ↑ Génération 4, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 140
  16. ↑ Game Players Sega Guide!, "Vol. 3, No. 1: February/March 1992" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 68
  17. ↑ Joystick, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 156
  18. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 90
  19. ↑ Mega Action, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-30), page 80
  20. ↑ Mega Force, "Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-06-05), page 88
  21. ↑ Mega Force, "Novembre 1991" (FR; 1991-11-19), page 84
  22. ↑ Mean Machines, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-27), page 60
  23. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 137
  24. ↑ Megazone, "October/November 1991" (AU; 1991-xx-xx), page 28
  25. ↑ Power Play, "2/93" (DE; 1993-01-xx), page 142
  26. ↑ Sega Power, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-06), page 24
  27. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 64
  28. ↑ Sega Force, "2/92" (SE; 1992-11-19), page 13
  29. ↑ Supergame, "Maio 1992" (BR; 1992-05-xx), page 47
  30. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 17
  31. ↑ Video Games, "1/93" (DE; 1992-12-16), page 58
  32. ↑ Consoles +, "Mai 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 102
  33. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 138
  34. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 130
  35. ↑ Game Zone, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-20), page 44
  36. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Agosto 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 46
  37. ↑ Joypad, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 86
  38. ↑ Joystick, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 176
  39. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Octubre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 87
  40. ↑ Mean Machines, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-28), page 88
  41. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 132
  42. ↑ Player One, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-09-10), page 120
  43. ↑ Sega Power, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-06), page 44
  44. ↑ Sega Pro, "May 1992" (UK; 1992-04-16), page 54
  45. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 70
  46. ↑ Sega Force, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 72
  47. ↑ Supersonic, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 21
  48. ↑ User, "Ioúlios-Ávgoustos 1993" (GR; 1993-0x-xx), page 53


Back to the Future Part III

BttF3 title.png

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