Aero the Acro-Bat

From Sega Retro

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Aero the Acro-Bat
System(s): Sega Mega Drive
Publisher: Sunsoft
Developer:
Distributor: Ecofilmes (PT)
Sound driver: GEMS
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
US
$49.9949.99[2] T-15056
Sega Mega Drive
EU
T-15056-50
Sega Mega Drive
PT
MDJ15056
Sega Mega Drive
UK
£39.9939.99[4][5] T-15056-50
Non-Sega versions

Aero the Acro-Bat is a platform game developed by Iguana Entertainment and published by Sunsoft for the Sega Mega Drive and Super NES in 1993. A Japanese version was planned[6] but cancelled.

Story

A spoiled, rich kid named Edgar Ektor was a regular attendant at the World of Amusement Circus and Funpark, but he was banned after a failed prank almost killed a lion. Twenty years later, Edgar became a powerful and evil industrialist. Aided by Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel and his Psycho Circus gang, Edgar sabotages the funpark and kidnaps all the circus performers. Aero the Acro-Bat, the circus' greatest star, is the only hope for rescuing the performers (including his girlfriend Aeriel) and putting a stop to Edgar's evil schemes.

Gameplay

The game is a side-scrolling platformer played as the acrobatic bat Aero, who needs to stop the mad scientist Edgar Ektor, who is trying to rid the world of amusement and fun. The game features four worlds, each consisting of four or five acts. Most acts require Aero to accomplish certain goals before finding the exit, such as falling through a number of magic hoops or rescuing a captured circus performer, although a few only require Aero to find the exit before advancing to the next act.

Aero moves with Left and Right and ducks with Down. He jumps with B and hovers with his wings with C. Aero can also collect stars, which he can throw at enemies with A. He can throw stars while jumping but not while walking or ducking. Aero climbs ladders with Up and Down and slides down them with C. When standing on a tightrope, he can drop down and hang on the tightrope with C.

Aero can perform a diagonal drill maneuver with B again in midair. His drill move is his main method of attack, since jumping on enemies hurts Aero, and can also be used to extend his jump. He can drill once per jump normally, but he can find an item that allows him to drill twice. He drills upward before the apex of the jump and downward after the apex. It can be manually aimed with Up+B to hit reach enemies and platforms above him or aimed down with Down+C to attack enemies on the ground.

Aero has a health bar and starts each stage with three hit points (which can be extended up to five hit points by collecting items). He loses a hit point whenever he takes damage from an enemy and loses a life when he loses every hit point. Some hazards, such as spikes and lava, cost Aero a life regardless of his health meter. Aero can gain more health and more lives by finding items in the stages. Aero also gets an extra life for every 20,000 points earned. Stages are timed, but the time remaining is used for bonus points and there is otherwise no penalty for running out of time. Aero gets an extra life for completing a "perfect round" (by collecting every item in the stage and finding the exit before time runs out).

Objects

Aero the Acro-Bat, Objects.png
Cannon
Aero can push the cannon into position with Left or Right. While standing on it, he can load himself into it with Down and fire it by pressing B when the height meter is at the desired position.
Aero the Acro-Bat, Objects.png
Bubble Machine
Generates bubbles that Aero can use as platforms, but the bubbles pop once they reach a certain height. Like the cannon, Aero can push the bubble machine into position with Left or Right.
Aero the Acro-Bat, Objects.png
Star Platform
Acts as a platform. Every time Aero jumps on it, the number of stars decreases; if the platform only has one star, the next jump causes it to disappear.
Aero the Acro-Bat, Objects.png
Checkpoint
Aero revives at the last checkpoint passed if he loses a life.
Aero the Acro-Bat, Objects.png
Trampoline
Bounces Aero in the air. He bounces a greater height every time he bounces off a trampoline.
Aero the Acro-Bat, Objects.png
Diving Board
Aero can jump off a diving board to dive into a water tank, collecting items or passing through hoops on the way down. Diving into a water tank is worth 250 points.
Aero the Acro-Bat, Objects.png
Trapeze
Aero can jump onto a trapeze to hang from it while it swings.
Aero the Acro-Bat, Objects.png
Hoop
Aero can jump through hoops for bonus points. A normal hoop is worth 100 points, a paper hoop is worth 150 points, and a flaming hoop is worth 100 points.
Aero the Acro-Bat, Objects.png
Warp Hoop
Jumping through a warp hoop transports Aero to another part of the stage, often to a hidden room that is otherwise inaccessible. There is also a warp hoop that appears at the end of every stage after Aero has completed the stage objectives.
Aero the Acro-Bat, Objects.png
Balloon
Aero can stand on balloons. Balloons rise upward when Aero is standing on them and drop back down after he jumps off.
Aero the Acro-Bat, Objects.png
Unicycle
Aero can ride a unicycle down a tightrope. He is invincible while he is on a unicycle and defeats enemies by riding into them.

Items

Aero the Acro-Bat, Items.png
Sucker
Worth 100 points.
Aero the Acro-Bat, Items.png
Cheese
Worth 150 points.
Aero the Acro-Bat, Items.png
Soda
Worth 200 points.
Aero the Acro-Bat, Items.png
Hot Dog
Worth 250 points.
Aero the Acro-Bat, Items.png
Cupcake
Worth 300 points.
Aero the Acro-Bat, Items.png
Bonus Icon
Grants Aero access to the bonus act after completing the current stage. There is one of these hidden in each world.
Aero the Acro-Bat, Items.png
Parachute
Equips Aero with a parachute, allowing him to safely maneuver while falling. It lasts until Aero hits the ground.
Aero the Acro-Bat, Items.png
Wings
Lets Aero fly for a short time.
Aero the Acro-Bat, Items.png
Magical Stars
Collect stars to throw at enemies with A.
Aero the Acro-Bat, Items.png
Lightning
Lets Aero perform his drill move twice in midair. Lasts until the end of the stage or until Aero loses a life.
Aero the Acro-Bat, Items.png
Free Aero
Gives the player an extra life.
Aero the Acro-Bat, Items.png
Health Bar
Increments Aero's health bar by a hit point, up to a maximum of 5.
Aero the Acro-Bat, Items.png
Clock
Adds an extra minute to the timer. It has no effect if the timer has already run down to zero.
Aero the Acro-Bat, Items.png
Invincibility
Makes Aero invincible for a duration.
Aero the Acro-Bat, Items.png
Key
Allows Aero to open doors and cages in some stages.

Worlds

All worlds except for the Woods have 5 acts and a boss act (as well as a hidden bonus act).

Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 1-1.png

Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 1-2.png

Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 1-3.png

Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 1-4.png

Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 1-5.png

Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 1 Boss.png

  • Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 1-1.png

  • Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 1-2.png

  • Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 1-3.png

  • Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 1-4.png

  • Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 1-5.png

  • Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 1 Boss.png

Circus
The bosses are the Stilt Brothers.

Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 2-1.png

Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 2-2.png

Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 2-3.png

Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 2-4.png

Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 2-5.png

Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 2 Boss.png

  • Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 2-1.png

  • Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 2-2.png

  • Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 2-3.png

  • Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 2-4.png

  • Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 2-5.png

  • Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 2 Boss.png

Funpark
The boss is a mechanical clown named Mr. Bubbles, operated by Zero.

Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 3-1.png

Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 3-2.png

Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 3-3.png

Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 3-4.png

  • Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 3-1.png

  • Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 3-2.png

  • Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 3-3.png

  • Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 3-4.png

The Woods

Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 4-1.png

Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 4-2.png

Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 4-3.png

Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 4-4.png

Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 4-5.png

Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 4 Boss.png

  • Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 4-1.png

  • Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 4-2.png

  • Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 4-3.png

  • Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 4-4.png

  • Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 4-5.png

  • Aero the Acro-Bat, Stage 4 Boss.png

Museum of Horrors

Bonus act

Aero enters a bonus act after completing the current stage if he finds a Bonus Icon item. Every world has a bonus act except for the Woods. The bonus act is filled with food items for bonus points and contains no enemies.

Aero the Acro-Bat, Bonus Stage 1.png

Circus bonus act
Aero the Acro-Bat, Bonus Stage 1.png

Aero the Acro-Bat, Bonus Stage 2.png

Funpark bonus act
Aero the Acro-Bat, Bonus Stage 2.png

Aero the Acro-Bat, Bonus Stage 3.png

Museum bonus act
Aero the Acro-Bat, Bonus Stage 3.png

History

Legacy

The game was reasonably successful, and Aero became the mascot of Sunsoft in the West.[7] The game received a spin-off, Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel, and a sequel, Aero the Acro-Bat 2.

Versions

A version of the game was planned for the Atari Jaguar but cancelled.[8][9]

The game was ported to the Game Boy Advance in 2002. Unlike the original versions, this version uses a battery backup for saving and saw release in Japan under the title Acrobat Kid (アクロバットキッズ).

Production credits

  • Creator and Original Design: David Siller
  • Design and Layout: Nigel Cook
  • Additional Design: Team Aero
  • Aero Team Leader: Carl Wade
  • Aero Programmers: Richard Cowie, Carl Wade, Jeff Spangenberg, Darrin Stubbington, David Brevak, Dave Crummack
  • Aero Artists: Johnathan Casco, Adrian Ludley, Matt Stubbington, Jools Watsham
  • Character Design: David Siller, Justin Siller, Nigel Cook
  • Music and SFX: Fox Productions
  • Producers: Jeff Spangenberg, J. Moon
  • Executive Producer: David Siller
  • Director: Nigel Cook
  • Art Director: Matt Stubbington
  • Chairman: Masama Meada
  • Vice Chairman: Tad Shimamoto
  • Executive Vice President Coproducer: Rita Zimmerer
  • Director Sunsoft Japan: Kiharu Yoshida
  • Co-Producers: Justin Siller, Rene Boutin, Dan MacArthur
  • Technical Manager: Al Artus
  • Director of Marketing: Karen Shadley
  • Game Manual: Alison Quirion
  • Executive Assistant: Nanette Hyssong
  • Game Testers: Sam Patel, David Luszcz, Darin Horgan, Matt Ross, Jake Harman, Geoff Gillis, Steve Gerkhe, Laura Luszcz, Ryan Siller, Team Iguna
  • Thanks To: Kazuaki Goto, Masato Kawai, Akito Takeuchi
  • Customer Service: Errin Berry, June Ekert, Kaz Harman, Jamie Jorgensen, Julie Williams
  • Special Thanks: Kenji Toshioka, Bruce Reilly, Cathy Juby, Martha Hart, Karen Lillie, Mark Luszcz, Toko Okano, Connie Perez, Sherry Ross, Wunderman, Cato Johnson, Torme Co
  • Very Special Thanks: Debra Siller, Beth Spangenberg, Bo
Source:
In-game credits
Aero the Acro-Bat MD credits.pdf
[10]

Magazine articles

Main article: Aero the Acro-Bat/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

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Print advert in Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) #49: "August 1993" (1993-xx-xx)
also published in:
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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) #58: "May 1994" (1994-xx-xx)
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Print advert in LeveL (CZ) #1: "Leden 1995" (1995-01-24)
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Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
Sega Mega Drive
Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
80
[14]
Alaab Alcomputtar (SA)
80
[15]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
83
[16]
Consoles + (FR)
90
[17]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
76
[18]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
70
[19]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 5 (RU)
70
[20]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
85
[21]
Games World: The Magazine (UK) PAL
68
[5]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
69
[22]
Joypad (FR)
81
[23]
MAN!AC (DE) PAL
59
[24]
Mega (UK) NTSC-U
70
[25]
Mega Action (UK) PAL
84
[26]
Mega Force (FR) PAL
92
[27]
Mega Fun (DE) NTSC-U
78
[28]
Mega Machines (UK) PAL
79
[29]
MegaTech (UK) NTSC-U
70
[30]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) NTSC-U
80
[31]
Player One (FR)
95
[32]
Power Unlimited (NL)
92
[33]
Score (CZ)
65
[34]
Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
65
[3]
Sega Power (UK) NTSC-U
82
[35]
Sega Pro (UK) NTSC-U
84
[36]
Sega Zone (UK) NTSC-U
72
[37]
Sega Force (SE)
72
[38]
Todo Sega (ES)
76
[39]
Tricks (RU)
78
[40]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
77
[41]
Video Games (DE) PAL
73
[42]
Sega Mega Drive
77
Based on
31 reviews

Aero the Acro-Bat

Mega Drive, US
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Cover
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Cart
Aero The Acrobat MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
AtA MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
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Cart
AeroTheAcrobat MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
AeroTheAcrobat MD EU Manual (back).png
Manual (back)
AeroTheAcrobat MD EU PCB.jpg
PCB
Mega Drive, PT
AerotheAcroBat MD PT cover.jpg
Cover
AtA MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart

Technical information

Main article: Aero the Acro-Bat/Technical information.

References

  1. VideoGames, "October 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 34
  2. GamePro, "October 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 68
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Sega Magazine, "July 1994" (UK; 1994-06-16), page 86
  4. Sega Pro, "November 1993" (UK; 1993-10-14), page 27
  5. 5.0 5.1 Games World: The Magazine, "April 1995" (UK; 1995-0x-xx), page 12
  6. Sega '93 Winter Catalogue: TV Game World, page 25
  7. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "August 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 96
  8. http://www.stformat.com/stf56/pages_nx1500/stf56_048.jpg
  9. http://www.stformat.com/stf57/pages_nx1500/stf57_050.jpg
  10. File:Aero the Acro-Bat MD credits.pdf
  11. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "September 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 17
  12. VideoGames, "November 1993" (US; 1993-1x-xx), page 20
  13. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "April 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 210
  14. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 12
  15. Alaab Alcomputtar, "" (SA; 1995-06-xx), page 80
  16. Aktueller Software Markt, "September 1994" (DE; 1994-08-08), page 125
  17. Consoles +, "Septembre 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 111
  18. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "January 1994" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 46
  19. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 286
  20. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 5, "" (RU; 200x-xx-xx), page 10
  21. GamePro, "October 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 66
  22. Game Informer, "September/October 1993" (US; 1993-0x-xx), page 30
  23. Joypad, "Septembre 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 113
  24. MAN!AC, "04/94" (DE; 1994-03-09), page 45
  25. Mega, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-16), page 54
  26. Mega Action, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-30), page 14
  27. Mega Force, "Septembre 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 98
  28. Mega Fun, "01/94" (DE; 1993-12-22), page 72
  29. Mega Machines, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-09), page 74
  30. MegaTech, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-21), page 52
  31. Mean Machines Sega, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-11-30), page 112
  32. Player One, "Septembre 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 80
  33. Power Unlimited, "Jaargang 2, Nummer 1, Januari 1994" (NL; 1993-12-29), page 32
  34. Score, "Říjen 1994" (CZ; 1994-10-01), page 55
  35. Sega Power, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-02), page 94
  36. Sega Pro, "Xmas Special 1993" (UK; 1993-12-02), page 38
  37. Sega Zone, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-23), page 66
  38. Sega Force, "4/94" (SE; 1994-06-01), page 12
  39. Todo Sega, "Febrero 1995" (ES; 1995-0x-xx), page 42
  40. Tricks, "Vypusk 7" (RU; 1996-xx-xx), page 22
  41. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 6
  42. Video Games, "1/94" (DE; 1993-12-19), page 92


Aero the Acro-Bat

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Aero the Acro-Bat, Items.png
Aero the Acro-Bat games for Sega systems
Aero the Acro-Bat (1993) | Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel (1994) | Aero the Acro-Bat 2 (1995)