James Pond 3: Operation Starfish

n/a

Mega Drive
Game Gear

James Pond 3: Operation Starfish

System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Game Gear

Publisher:

Electronic Arts

U.S. Gold

Developer:

Millennium Interactive

Vectordean

Teque London

Distributor:

Tec Toy (BR)

Genre: Action^[1]

Number of players: 1

Release	Date	RRP	Code
US	1993-12^[2]	$49.9549.95^[2]	716601
EU	1993-12-14		E234SMXI
DE	1993-12-14	DM 110110^[6]	E234SMXI
UK	1993-09^[3]	£44.9944.99^[4]^[5]	E234SMXI
SE (Rental)	199x
AU	1993
BR	199x		046300
EU	1995-06^[7]		79158-50
DE	1995	DM 79.0079.00^[8]	79158-50
UK	1995-06^[7]	£29.9929.99^[7]	79158-50

Non-Sega versions
Amiga (AGA) Amiga CD32 Super NES

James Pond 3: Operation Starfish (sometimes spelt James Pond 3: Operation Starfi5h, in reference to the in-game F.I.5.H. secret service), is the third and last game in the James Pond series and is a direct sequel to James Pond II: Codename RoboCod. The working title for the game was James Pond 3: Splash Gordon, a pun on Flash Gordon.

Initially programmed for the Sega Mega Drive, it was ported to the Commodore Amiga, Amiga CD32, Super Nintendo and Sega Game Gear.

Story

Following his defeat in James Pond II: Codename RoboCod, the evil Dr. Maybe learns of the high quality cheese that lies on the Moon. Hiring a workforce of rats, Dr. Maybe begins mining the moon for cheese so he can conquer the global markets and fund his operations. In order to stop Dr. Maybe, James Pond, along with his new sidekick, Finnius Frog, journey to the Moon in order to put a stop to Dr. Maybe's mining operations.

Gameplay

Like its predecessor, the game is a platformer, this time set in space and contains elements of non-linear stage progression. The gameplay seems to be inspired by both Sonic the Hedgehog and Super Mario World. The Robocod suit from the prequel was completely dropped for a new system that allows to carry, throw and use objects. A new playable frog character was also introduced, although he needs to be rescued first.

The game employs a highly complicated password system, using colored symbols instead of letters and numbers.

Through clever programming the game simultaneously zooms and rotates text and logos during the title sequence, operations normally not supported by the Mega Drive.

Development

A Sega Master System version game was planned, but eventually cancelled.

Production credits

Design: Chris Sorrell
Main Programming: Chris Sorrell
Additional Programming: Alan McCarthy
Graphics: Sean Nicholls, Leavon Archer, Chris Sorrell
Music: Richard Joseph
Sound Effects: Richard Joseph
Level Design: Philip Bak, Katie Lea, Rupert Easterbrook, Gary Richards, Stuart Burrows, Stuart Green
In‑game Text: Martin Oliver, Chris Sorrell
Producer: Kevin Shrapnell
Associate Producer: Rupert Easterbrook
Game Testing: Nick Goldsworthy, Graham Harbour, David Bowry, Jamie Bradshaw, Darren King
Special Thanks To: Ian Saunter, Michael Hayward, all friends of Pond

Magazine articles

Main article: James Pond 3: Operation Starfish/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Print advert in Mega Force (FR) #21: "Octobre 1993" (1993-10-08)
also published in:

Mega Fun (DE) #1994-01: "01/94" (1993-12-22)^[9]

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average

Publication

Version

Score

1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)

50

^[11]

Aktueller Software Markt (DE)

83

^[12]

Console Mania (IT)

PAL

90

^[13]

Consoles + (FR)

94

^[14]

Computer & Video Games (UK)

PAL

75

^[15]

Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US)

NTSC-U

84

^[16]

Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)

60

^[17]

Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 7 (RU)

40

^[18]

GamePro (US)

NTSC-U

78

^[2]

GamesMaster (UK)

PAL

93

^[19]

Hyper (AU)

87

^[20]

Joypad (FR)

PAL

89

^[21]

Joypad (HU)

88

^[22]

MAN!AC (DE)

75

^[23]

Mega (UK)

PAL

90

^[5]

Mega Action (UK)

PAL

88

^[24]

Mega Force (FR)

90

^[25]

Mega Fun (DE)

PAL

85

^[26]

MegaTech (UK)

PAL

85

^[27]

Mean Machines Sega (UK)

PAL

89

^[28]

Player One (FR)

90

^[29]

Power Up! (UK)

83

^[30]

Sega Magazin (DE)

PAL

87

^[31]

Sega Power (UK)

PAL

87

^[32]

Sega Pro (UK)

PAL

83

^[33]

Sega Zone (UK)

PAL

91

^[34]

Sega Force Mega (UK)

PAL

83

^[35]

Sonic the Comic (UK)

PAL

87

^[36]

Todo Sega (ES)

78

^[37]

Tricks 16 bit (RU)

78

^[38]

Video Games (DE)

PAL

64

^[39]

	81
Based on 31 reviews

James Pond 3: Operation Starfish

Mega Drive, US
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, EU (4 Language Manual)
Cover
Cart Manual Case & sticker

Mega Drive, EU (5 Language Manual)
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, FR

Manual

Mega Drive, SE rental (HENT orange)
Cover

Mega Drive, BR
Cover

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average

Publication

Version

Score

Consoles + (FR)

PAL

87

^[40]

Digitiser (UK)

87

^[41]

Hobby Consolas (ES)

76

^[42]

Mega Fun (DE)

PAL

67

^[43]

Mean Machines Sega (UK)

PAL

88

^[7]

Player One (FR)

PAL

87

^[44]

Play Time (DE)

65

^[45]

Power Unlimited (NL)

79

^[46]

Sega Power (UK)

PAL

76

^[47]

Todo Sega (ES)

79

^[48]

Top Consoles (FR)

60

^[49]

Video Games (DE)

PAL

74

^[50]

	77
Based on 12 reviews

James Pond 3: Operation Starfish

Game Gear, EU
Cover
Cart Manual

Technical information

Main article: James Pond 3: Operation Starfish/Technical information.

References

↑ File:JamesPond3 GG EU Box Back.jpg
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 GamePro, "January 1994" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 65
↑ Sega Pro, "October 1993" (UK; 1993-09-09), page 34
↑ Sega Force Mega, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-16), page 86
↑ ^5.0 ^5.1 Mega, "November 1993" (UK; 1993-10-21), page 41
↑ MAN!AC, "12/93" (DE; 1993-11-10), page 59
↑ ^7.0 ^7.1 ^7.2 ^7.3 Mean Machines Sega, "May 1995" (UK; 1995-03-28), page 78
↑ Games World Magazin, "" (DE; 1995-0x-xx), page 85
↑ Mega Fun, "01/94" (DE; 1993-12-22), page 8
↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx)
↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 101
↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "Avril 1994" (DE; 1994-03-07), page 112
↑ Console Mania, "Febbraio 1994" (IT; 1994-0x-xx), page 76
↑ Consoles +, "Novembre 1993" (FR; 1993-1x-xx), page 108
↑ Computer & Video Games, "November 1993" (UK; 1993-10-15), page 81
↑ Electronic Games (1992-1995), "January 1994" (US; 1993-12-21), page 82
↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 322
↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 7, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 171
↑ GamesMaster, "November 1993" (UK; 1993-10-21), page 76
↑ Hyper, "February 1994" (AU; 199x-xx-xx), page 38
↑ Joypad, "Novembre 1993" (FR; 1993-1x-xx), page 160
↑ Joypad, "1/1995" (HU; 1995-xx-xx), page 22
↑ MAN!AC, "12/93" (DE; 1993-11-10), page 58
↑ Mega Action, "November 1993" (UK; 1993-10-07), page 7
↑ Mega Force, "Novembre 1993" (FR; 1993-11-10), page 120
↑ Mega Fun, "11/93" (DE; 1993-10-20), page 84
↑ MegaTech, "November 1993" (UK; 1993-10-20), page 66
↑ Mean Machines Sega, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-10-xx), page 80
↑ Player One, "Novembre 1993" (FR; 1993-1x-xx), page 88
↑ Power Up!, "Saturday, January 08, 1994" (UK; 1994-01-08), page 1
↑ Sega Magazin, "September/Oktober 1993" (DE; 1993-09-01), page 60
↑ Sega Power, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-xx), page 54
↑ Sega Pro, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-11), page 36
↑ Sega Zone, "November 1993" (UK; 1993-10-28), page 42
↑ Sega Force Mega, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-16), page 84
↑ Sonic the Comic, "May 13th 1994" (UK; 1994-04-30), page 10
↑ Todo Sega, "Enero 1994" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 66
↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 93
↑ Video Games, "3/94" (DE; 1994-02-23), page 82
↑ Consoles +, "Juin 1995" (FR; 1995-0x-xx), page 78
↑ Digitiser (UK) (1995-05-15)
↑ Hobby Consolas, "Agosto 1995" (ES; 1995-xx-xx), page 94
↑ Mega Fun, "06/95" (DE; 1995-05-24), page 66
↑ Player One, "Juin 1995" (FR; 1995-0x-xx), page 100
↑ Play Time, "7/95" (DE; 1995-06-07), page 114
↑ Power Unlimited, "Jaagang 3, Jul/Aug 1995" (NL; 1995-06-28), page 27
↑ Sega Power, "June 1995" (UK; 1995-04-20), page 65
↑ Todo Sega, "Julio 1995" (ES; 1995-0x-xx), page 54
↑ Top Consoles, "Juin 1995" (FR; 1995-0x-xx), page 106
↑ Video Games, "6/95" (DE; 1995-05-17), page 108

James Pond 3: Operation Starfish
	Main page \| Comparisons \| Maps \| Hidden content \| Magazine articles \| Video coverage \| Reception \| Region coding \| Technical information \| Bootlegs No results

James Pond games for Sega systems
	James Pond: Underwater Agent (1991) \| James Pond II: Codename RoboCod (1991) \| The Aquatic Games Starring James Pond and The Aquabats (1992) \| James Pond 3: Operation Starfish (1993)
	James Pond II: Codename RoboCod (1993)
	James Pond II: Codename RoboCod (1993) \| James Pond 3: Operation Starfish (1995)

[:File:JamesPond3_GG_EU_Box_Back.jpg_p-1] File:JamesPond3 GG EU Box Back.jpg

[:File:GamePro_US_054.pdf_p65-2] 2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 GamePro, "January 1994" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 65

[:File:SegaPro_UK_24.pdf_p34-3] Sega Pro, "October 1993" (UK; 1993-09-09), page 34

[:File:SegaForceMega_UK_07.pdf_p86-4] Sega Force Mega, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-16), page 86

[:File:Mega_UK_14.pdf_p41-5] 5.0 ^5.1 Mega, "November 1993" (UK; 1993-10-21), page 41

[:File:MAN.21AC_DE_1993-12.pdf_p59-6] MAN!AC, "12/93" (DE; 1993-11-10), page 59

[:File:MeanMachinesSega31UK.pdf_p78-7] 7.0 ^7.1 ^7.2 ^7.3 Mean Machines Sega, "May 1995" (UK; 1995-03-28), page 78

[:File:GamesWorld_DE_0708.pdf_p85-8] Games World Magazin, "" (DE; 1995-0x-xx), page 85

[:File:MegaFun_DE_1994-01.pdf_p8-9] Mega Fun, "01/94" (DE; 1993-12-22), page 8

[10] Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx)

[11] 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 101

[:File:ASM_DE_1994-04.pdf_p112-12] Aktueller Software Markt, "Avril 1994" (DE; 1994-03-07), page 112

[:File:ConsoleMania_IT_027.pdf_p76-13] Console Mania, "Febbraio 1994" (IT; 1994-0x-xx), page 76

[:File:ConsolesPlus_FR_025.pdf_p108-14] Consoles +, "Novembre 1993" (FR; 1993-1x-xx), page 108

[:File:CVG_UK_144.pdf_p81-15] Computer & Video Games, "November 1993" (UK; 1993-10-15), page 81

[:File:ElectronicGames2_US_16.pdf_p82-16] Electronic Games (1992-1995), "January 1994" (US; 1993-12-21), page 82

[17] Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 322

[18] Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 7, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 171

[:File:GamesMaster_UK_011.pdf_p76-19] GamesMaster, "November 1993" (UK; 1993-10-21), page 76

[:File:Hyper_AU_003.pdf_p38-20] Hyper, "February 1994" (AU; 199x-xx-xx), page 38

[:File:Joypad_FR_025.pdf_p160-21] Joypad, "Novembre 1993" (FR; 1993-1x-xx), page 160

[22] Joypad, "1/1995" (HU; 1995-xx-xx), page 22

[:File:MAN.21AC_DE_1993-12.pdf_p58-23] MAN!AC, "12/93" (DE; 1993-11-10), page 58

[:File:MegaAction_UK_06.pdf_p7-24] Mega Action, "November 1993" (UK; 1993-10-07), page 7

[:File:MegaForce_FR_22.pdf_p120-25] Mega Force, "Novembre 1993" (FR; 1993-11-10), page 120

[:File:MegaFun_DE_1993-11.pdf_p84-26] Mega Fun, "11/93" (DE; 1993-10-20), page 84

[:File:MegaTech_UK_23.pdf_p66-27] MegaTech, "November 1993" (UK; 1993-10-20), page 66

[:File:MeanMachinesSega14UK.pdf_p80-28] Mean Machines Sega, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-10-xx), page 80

[:File:PlayerOne_FR_036.pdf_p88-29] Player One, "Novembre 1993" (FR; 1993-1x-xx), page 88

[30] Power Up!, "Saturday, January 08, 1994" (UK; 1994-01-08), page 1

[:File:SegaMagazin_DE_01.pdf_p60-31] Sega Magazin, "September/Oktober 1993" (DE; 1993-09-01), page 60

[:File:SegaPower_UK_49.pdf_p54-32] Sega Power, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-xx), page 54

[:File:SegaPro_UK_26.pdf_p36-33] Sega Pro, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-11), page 36

[:File:SegaZone_UK_13.pdf_p42-34] Sega Zone, "November 1993" (UK; 1993-10-28), page 42

[:File:SegaForceMega_UK_06.pdf_p84-35] Sega Force Mega, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-16), page 84

[36] Sonic the Comic, "May 13th 1994" (UK; 1994-04-30), page 10

[:File:TodoSega_ES_10.pdf_p66-37] Todo Sega, "Enero 1994" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 66

[38] Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 93

[:File:VideoGames_DE_1994-03.pdf_p82-39] Video Games, "3/94" (DE; 1994-02-23), page 82

[40] Consoles +, "Juin 1995" (FR; 1995-0x-xx), page 78

[digitiser1995-05-15-41] Digitiser (UK) (1995-05-15)

[:File:HobbyConsolas_ES_047.pdf_p94-42] Hobby Consolas, "Agosto 1995" (ES; 1995-xx-xx), page 94

[:File:MegaFun_DE_1995-06.pdf_p66-43] Mega Fun, "06/95" (DE; 1995-05-24), page 66

[:File:PlayerOne_FR_054.pdf_p100-44] Player One, "Juin 1995" (FR; 1995-0x-xx), page 100

[:File:PlayTime_DE_1995-07.pdf_p114-45] Play Time, "7/95" (DE; 1995-06-07), page 114

[:File:PowerUnlimited_NL_023_199507.pdf_p27-46] Power Unlimited, "Jaagang 3, Jul/Aug 1995" (NL; 1995-06-28), page 27

[:File:SegaPower_UK_67.pdf_p65-47] Sega Power, "June 1995" (UK; 1995-04-20), page 65

[:File:TodoSega_ES_28.pdf_p54-48] Todo Sega, "Julio 1995" (ES; 1995-0x-xx), page 54

[:File:TopConsoles_FR_03.pdf_p106-49] Top Consoles, "Juin 1995" (FR; 1995-0x-xx), page 106

[:File:VideoGames_DE_1995-06.pdf_p108-50] Video Games, "6/95" (DE; 1995-05-17), page 108

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James Pond 3: Operation Starfish

From Sega Retro

Contents

Story

Gameplay

Development

Production credits

Magazine articles

Promotional material

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Game Gear version

Technical information

References