Lemmings

From Sega Retro

n/a

  • Sega Mega Drive
    NTSC-U/J
  • Sega Mega Drive
    PAL
  • Master System
  • Game Gear

Lemmings Title.png

Lemmings MD EU TitleScreen.png

Lemmings SMS Title.png

Lemmings GG Title.png

Lemmings
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear
Publisher:
Sega Mega Drive
Sunsoft (Japan, US)
Sega Mega Drive
Sega (Europe)
Sega Master System
Sega Game Gear
Sega
Developer:
Licensor: Psygnosis
Original system(s): Amiga
Developer(s) of original games: DMA Design, Psygnosis
Sound driver:
Sega Mega Drive
Sunsoft sound driver
Peripherals supported:
Sega Game Gear
Gear-to-Gear Cable
Genre: Action[1][2], Puzzle[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]

















Number of players:
Sega Mega Drive
Sega Game Gear
1-2,
Sega Master System
1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP
¥7,8007,800 T-15063
Sega Mega Drive
US
$49.9549.95[10] T-15026
Sega Mega Drive
EU
1704
Sega Mega Drive
PT
Sega Mega Drive
UK
£39.9939.99[12] 1704
Sega Mega Drive
SE
(Rental)
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Mega Drive
KR
GM8037JT
Sega Master System
EU
7108
Sega Master System
PT
Sega Master System
UK
£29.9929.99[13] 7108
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Master System
BR
025200
Sega Master System
KR
GB2032JG
Sega Game Gear
JP
¥3,5003,500 G-3317
Sega Game Gear
US
2431
Sega Game Gear
EU
2431
Sega Game Gear
PT
Sega Game Gear
UK
£29.9929.99[14] 2431
Sega Game Gear
BR
075210
Non-Sega versions

Lemmings (レミングス) is a very successful strategy game developed by DMA Design and published by Psygnosis for the Amiga in 1991. It stands as being one of the most ported games in history, seeing a release on dozens of platforms including the Sega Mega Drive, Sega Game Gear and Sega Master System.

Gameplay

Lemmings MD Gameplay.png

Gameplay screenshot from the Mega Drive version.

The player's task is to guide a number of Lemmings to a goal within the time limit, trying to make sure they do not kill themselves from hazards or long falls during transit. Lemmings can be set to do certain functions such as digging or blocking, though the player only has a limited number of these skills in supply, which varies per level. Lemmings fall out from a trapdoor at a set rate, which the player can adjust to make the trapdoor release Lemmings at faster or slower rates (up to 99), but will be unable to lower the rate past the minimum assigned to the current level.

If the player successfully rescues a set percentage of Lemmings, which varies by level, they will be able to move on to the next level, otherwise they must retry the level. If the player finds themselves in an unwinnable situation, needs to get rid of remaining Blockers or simply wants to restart the level, they can select the Nuke'em button on the HUD, which will stop any more Lemmings from entering the level and make all remaining Lemmings explode, ending the level.

Typically, there is a total of 120 levels to complete, each of them categorised into four difficulty ratings with 30 levels each: "Fun", "Tricky", "Taxing" and "Mayhem". The Mega Drive version adds two extra difficulty ratings with their own sets of levels, "Present" and "SUNSOFT", bringing the total number to 180, the most levels in any version of Lemmings.

There is also a two-player mode with 20 levels. In this mode, each player is presented with their own view of the map in vertical split-screen (or each player's individual screen in the Game Gear version), and the objective is to be the first player to safely guide Lemmings to their own goal. Each player can only give skills to the Lemmings of their respective colour (blue for P1, green for P2), but getting a Lemming into the opposite goal counts as a point for the goal's owner (e.g. if one of player 2's Lemmings enters player 1's goal, it counts as a point for player 1), so a player can exploit this to steal points from the other. A player wins when they rescue more Lemmings than the other player, or the other player loses all of their Lemmings. The Master System version does not include the two-player mode.

Skills

Lemmings that have not been given a skill will be referred to as Walkers.

Lemmings MD Sprite Skills.png
Climber
Allows a Lemming to climb most walls he runs into. This skill is permanent for the rest of the level, even if the Lemming is given another skill. When stacked with the Floater skill, the Lemming becomes an "Athlete".
Lemmings MD Sprite Skills.png
Floater
Allows a Lemming to use an umbrella to survive falls that would normally kill a Lemming. This skill is permanent for the rest of the level, even if the Lemming is given another skill. When stacked with the Climber skill, the Lemming becomes an "Athlete".
Lemmings MD Sprite Skills.png
Bomber
Makes a Lemming explode after 5 seconds, killing him and destroying part of the terrain around him in the process. The explosion will not hurt other Lemmings.
Lemmings MD Sprite Skills.png
Blocker
Makes a Lemming stop moving and block other Lemmings from passing him. A Blocker cannot use any other skill (other than Bomber) unless another Lemming digs under him, becoming a Walker again.
Lemmings MD Sprite Skills.png
Builder
Makes a Lemming build an upward bridge in front of him. He will lay down up to 12 bricks, after which he will shrug at the player before going back to being a Walker unless the player commands him to continue building. A Builder will stop prematurely if the bridge hits a solid object or he bumps his head on a ceiling.
Lemmings MD Sprite Skills.png
Basher
Makes a Lemming dig horizontally through any suitable terrain that's directly in front of him, and will continue to do so until there is no more suitable terrain to dig through or he is given another task.
Lemmings MD Sprite Skills.png
Miner
Makes a Lemming dig in a diagonally downward direction through any suitable terrain with a pickaxe, and will continue to do so until there is no more suitable terrain to dig through or he is given another task.
Lemmings MD Sprite Skills.png
Digger
Makes a Lemming dig straight down through any suitable terrain beneath him, and will continue to do so until there is no more suitable terrain to dig through or he is given another task.

Versions

The Sega versions are slightly stripped back from the Amiga original, particularly on the Master System, where music and level layouts are slightly adjusted. The Master System version also lacks a map, and cuts back on the amount of Lemmings on-screen (the compensation being an adjusted difficulty level, i.e. fewer Lemmings need to be saved).

All three versions add new levels specific to each platform. The Mega Drive version replaces some of the later levels with those seen in Oh No! More Lemmings, redesigned with the original game's graphics and different names, and has a special stage featuring the characters from Sunsoft's Hebereke series.

Neither version supports any form of mouse (or trackball) control.

Production credits

Mega Drive version

  • Game Programmer: Mikio.I
  • Graphics Designers: Hiroshi Ito, Dai Ozawa, Yukio Obayashi, Hiroyuki Karashima, Shigeyuki Asa, Tom.S
  • Music Composer: Takayama
  • Sound Programmer: Tsukamoto
  • Technical Adviser: Teq.S.Inaba
  • Prints Editors: Mihoko.O, Master Mori
  • Sales Manager: Masato Kawai
  • Supervisor: Hirokun
  • Total Director: A.T
  • Special Thanks: Kawabe San, NAOPi, Mrs.ANDO, Ikko., Hac.F, Masaru Aoyanagi, Satoru Takabayashi, Michio Okasaka, Yoshihisa Shigekiyo, Thuyoshi Matumoto, Hideyo Kawaguchi, Kimoto, Hiroshi Shiraishi, Joe.Robbins, Rita Zimmerer, Karen Shadley, Steve Gehrke, Kazuko Harman
  • Producer: K.Yoshida
  • Licensed By: Psygnosis
Source:
In-game credits

Source:
Uncredited


Master System version

  • Code: Dominic Wood
  • Art: Mark Knowles
  • Producer: Neil Young
Source:
In-game credits


Game Gear version

  • Code: Dominic Wood
  • Art: Mark Knowles
  • Producer: Neil Young
Source:
In-game credits

Source:
Uncredited


Magazine articles

Main article: Lemmings/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: Lemmings/Promotional material.

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)
70
[20]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
77
[21]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
63
[22]
Consoles + (FR)
95
[23]
Digitiser (UK) PAL
80
[24]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
73
[25]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
70
[26]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 7 (RU)
40
[27]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
93
[28]
Excalibur (CZ)
75
[29]
Game Mania (UK) NTSC
92
[30]
Game Power (IT)
79
[31]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
73
[10]
GamesMaster (UK) NTSC-U
80
[32]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
60
[33]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
92
[34]
Joypad (FR) NTSC-U
85
[35]
Joystick (FR) NTSC-U
88
[36]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) NTSC-U
92
[37]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)
92
[38]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
68
[39]
Mega (UK) NTSC-U
90
[40]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
78
[41]
MegaTech (UK) NTSC-U
92
[42]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
80
[43]
Marukatsu Mega Drive (JP) NTSC-J
73
[44]
Player One (FR)
87
[45]
Play Time (DE)
88
[46]
Power Unlimited (NL)
72
[47]
Sega Power (UK) NTSC-U
85
[48]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
90
[49]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
90
[50]
Sega Zone (UK) NTSC-U
92
[51]
Sega Force (UK)
81
[52]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
73
[53]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
88
[54]
Video Games (DE)
85
[55]
Sega Mega Drive
80
Based on
37 reviews

Lemmings

Mega Drive, JP
Lemmings MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
Lemmings MD JP CartTop.jpg
Lemmings MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Lemmings MD JP Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US
Lemmings MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Lemmings MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, EU
Lemmings MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
Lemmings MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Lemmings MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Mega Drive, EU (Alt Cover)

Mega Drive, FR

Lemmings MD FR Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, PT

Mega Drive, SE (Rental)

Mega Drive, CZ (ITO CS)
Lemmings MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
Lemmings MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Notavailable.svg
Manual[56]
Mega Drive, AU
Lemmings MD AU cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, KR
Lemmings MD SK Box.jpg
Cover
Lemmings MD KR carttop.jpg
Lemmings MD KR cartback.jpgLemmings MD KR 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
94
[57]
Computer & Video Games (UK) PAL
92
[58]
Computer + Video Giochi (IT)
92
[59]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
96
[60]
Game Mania (UK) PAL
95
[61]
Gamers (DE)
73
[62]
Hobby Consolas (ES) PAL
80
[63]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
83
[43]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
95
[64]
Player One (FR) PAL
80
[65]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
89
[66]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
89
[67]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
89
[68]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
90
[69]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
93
[70]
Video Games (DE)
80
[71]
Sega Master System
88
Based on
16 reviews

Lemmings

Master System, EU
Lemmings SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
Lemmings SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Lemmings SMS EU Manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, PT
Lemmings SMS PT cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, AU

Lemmings SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU (AFP8 sticker)
Lemmings SMS AU afp8 cover.jpg
Cover
Lemmings SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU (AFP8 sticker #2)
Lemmings SMS AU afp8 alt cover.jpg
Cover
Lemmings SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU (AFP11 sticker)
Lemmings SMS AU afp11 cover.jpg
Cover
Lemmings SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU (Classics)
Lemmings SMS AU classics cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, BR
Lemmings SMS BR Box (no codebar).jpg
Cover
Lemmings SMS BR Cart Back.jpgLemmings SMS BR Cart.jpg
Cart
Lemmings SMS BR Manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, BR (newer)
Lemmings SMS BR Box.jpg
Cover
Lemmings SMS BR Cart (no codebar).jpg
Cart
Master System, KR
Lemmings SMS KR cover.jpg
Cover

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Alaab Alcomputtar (SA)
90
[72]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
70
[73]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
94
[74]
Computer + Video Giochi (IT)
94
[75]
Digitiser (UK)
80
[76]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
63
[77]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
92
[78]
Game Mania (UK)
92
[79]
Gamers (DE)
73
[62]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
60
[80]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
80
[63]
Joypad (FR)
91
[81]
Joystick (FR)
91
[82]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
75
[43]
Player One (FR)
91
[83]
Play Time (DE)
96
[84]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
88
[85]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
83
[67]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
88
[86]
Sega Force (SE)
83
[87]
Sega Force (UK)
94
[14]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
71
[88]
Supergame (BR)
73
[19]
User (GR) PAL
87
[89]
Video Games (DE)
72
[90]
Sega Game Gear
83
Based on
25 reviews

Lemmings

Game Gear, JP
Lemmings GG JP Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngLemmings GG JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
Lemmings GG JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, US
Lemmings GG US Box Back.jpgLemmings GG US Box Spine.jpgLemmings GG US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Lemmings GG US Cart.jpg
Cart
Lemmings GG US Manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, US (alt)

Lemmings GG US cart alt.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, EU
Lemmings GG EU Box Back.jpgLemmings GG EU BoxSpine.jpgLemmings GG EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
Lemmings GG EU cart.jpg
Cart
Lemmings GG EU Manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, PT

Game Gear, BR
Lemmings GG BR back.jpgNospine.pngLemmings GG BR Box.jpg
Cover
Lemmings gg br cart.jpg
Cart

Technical information

Main article: Lemmings/Technical information.

References

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NEC Retro has more information related to Lemmings
  1. 1.0 1.1 File:Lemmings MD JP Box.jpg
  2. 2.0 2.1 File:Lemmings MD EU Box.jpg
  3. File:Lemmings GG EU Box Back.jpg
  4. File:Lemmings GG JP Box Front.jpg
  5. 5.0 5.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/gamegear/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2018-12-07 04:57)
  6. 6.0 6.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-02 23:21)
  7. File:Lemmings SMS EU Box.jpg
  8. File:Lemmings SMS KR cover.jpg
  9. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-xx-xx), page 6
  10. 10.0 10.1 GamePro, "August 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 44
  11. 11.0 11.1 GamesMaster, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-03), page 14
  12. Sega Force, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 81
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 Mean Machines Sega, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-xx), page 88
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Sega Force, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-05), page 72
  15. Sega Visions, "November/December 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 93
  16. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1992-11-23), page 18
  17. 17.0 17.1 Sega Force, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-05), page 71
  18. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1992-11-23), page 18
  19. 19.0 19.1 Supergame, "Maio 1993" (BR; 1993-05-xx), page 37
  20. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 113
  21. Aktueller Software Markt, "Oktober 1992" (DE; 1992-09-11), page 137
  22. Beep! MegaDrive, "November 1992" (JP; 1992-10-08), page 28
  23. Consoles +, "Décembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 114
  24. Digitiser (UK) (1993-03-31)
  25. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "May 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 26
  26. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 325
  27. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 7, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 210
  28. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 66
  29. Excalibur, "" (CZ; 1993-04-10), page 31
  30. Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 80
  31. Game Power, "Ottobre 1992" (IT; 1992-xx-xx), page 37
  32. GamesMaster, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-03), page 86
  33. Hippon Super, "November 1992" (JP; 1992-10-03), page 46
  34. Hobby Consolas, "Diciembre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 60
  35. Joypad, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 46
  36. Joystick, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 172
  37. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-xx-xx), page 20
  38. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 62
  39. Mega Drive Fan, "February 1993" (JP; 1993-01-xx), page 59
  40. Mega, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-15), page 62
  41. Mega Play, "March/April 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 61
  42. MegaTech, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-20), page 22
  43. 43.0 43.1 43.2 Micromanía (segunda época), "Enero 1993" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 64
  44. Marukatsu Mega Drive, "November 1992" (JP; 1992-10-xx), page 109
  45. Player One, "Décembre 1992" (FR; 1992-12-10), page 90
  46. Play Time, "2/93" (DE; 1993-01-07), page 112
  47. Power Unlimited, "Jaargang 3, Februari 1995" (NL; 1995-01-25), page 54
  48. Sega Power, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-05), page 56
  49. Sega Pro, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-12), page 34
  50. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 66
  51. Sega Zone, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-xx), page 68
  52. Sega Force, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 80
  53. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 86
  54. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 18
  55. Video Games, "9/92" (DE; 1992-08-26), page 94
  56. https://aukro.cz/lemmings-sega-mega-drive-7026201913
  57. Consoles +, "Février 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 114
  58. Computer & Video Games, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-15), page 86
  59. Computer + Video Giochi, "Gennaio 1993" (IT; 199x-xx-xx), page 93
  60. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 142
  61. Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 81
  62. 62.0 62.1 Gamers, "Dezember/Januar 1993" (DE; 1992-11-19), page 86
  63. 63.0 63.1 Hobby Consolas, "Enero 1993" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 16
  64. Mean Machines Sega, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-xx), page 70
  65. Player One, "Décembre 1992" (FR; 1992-12-10), page 133
  66. Sega Power, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-05), page 42
  67. 67.0 67.1 Sega Pro, "February 1993" (UK; 1993-01-14), page 32
  68. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 71
  69. Sega Zone, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-xx), page 70
  70. Sega Force, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-05), page 70
  71. Video Games, "1/93" (DE; 1992-12-16), page 108
  72. Alaab Alcomputtar, "" (SA; 1995-08-xx), page 74
  73. Beep! MegaDrive, "February 1993" (JP; 1993-01-08), page 22
  74. Computer & Video Games, "December 1992 (Go! Issue 14)" (UK; 1992-11-15), page 18
  75. Computer + Video Giochi, "Gennaio 1993" (IT; 199x-xx-xx), page 72
  76. Digitiser (UK) (1993-01-29)
  77. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "November 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 32
  78. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 167
  79. Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 70
  80. Hippon Super, "March 1993" (JP; 1993-02-04), page 39
  81. Joypad, "Janvier 1993" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 148
  82. Joystick, "Février 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 186
  83. Player One, "Janvier/Février 1993" (FR; 1993-01-10), page 133
  84. Play Time, "3/93" (DE; 1993-02-10), page 108
  85. Sega Power, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-03), page 77
  86. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 74
  87. Sega Force, "2/93" (SE; 1993-03-18), page 23
  88. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 88
  89. User, "Septémvrios 1993" (GR; 1993-0x-xx), page 54
  90. Video Games, "12/92" (DE; 1992-11-23), page 134


Lemmings

Lemmings Title.png

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Lemmings games for Sega systems
Lemmings (1992) | Lemmings 2: The Tribes (8-bit) (1994) | 3D Lemmings (1996)