Dynamite Dux

From Sega Retro

n/a

Dynamite Dux Title.png

Dynamite Dux
System(s): Sega System 16, Sega Master System, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum
Publisher: Sega,
Amiga
Amstrad CPC
Atari ST
Commodore 64
ZX Spectrum
Activision
Developer:
Genre: Action

















Release Date RRP Code
Amiga
UK
£19.9919.99 [1]
Atari ST
UK
£24.9924.99 [1]
Amstrad CPC
UK
(Cassette)
£9.999.99 [1]
Amstrad CPC
UK
(Disk)
£14.9914.99 [1]
Commodore 64
UK
(Cassette)
£9.999.99 [1]
Commodore 64
UK
(Disk)
£14.9914.99 [1]
ZX Spectrum
UK
(Cassette)
£9.999.99 [1]
Sega Master System
EU
7029
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Master System
BR

Dynamite Dux is a video game developed by Sega's AM2 division for their Sega System 16 arcade platform. It follows two anthropomorphic blue and red ducks named "Bin" and "Pin" respectively as they attempt to rescue a girl called Lucy from the clutches of the evil Sorcerer Achacha.

Gameplay

Dynamite Dux is a beat 'em up game, though rather than relying purely on one-on-one combat the ducks can equip themselves with a variety of weapons, from water pistols to bazookas. The game is also populated with a variety of odd looking enemies and bosses. Colonel Sanders, for instance, can be seen at the very beginning of the first level.

Stages

  • Stage 1: Down Town
  • Stage 2: Japan
  • Stage 3: Jungle
  • Stage 4: Chicago
  • Stage 5: Texas
  • Final Stage: Achacha

History

Legacy

Dynamite Dux was ported to Sega's Master System in 1989 for European and Brazilian markets. This version removes Pin entirely, claiming Bin (renamed "Michael Bin") was the boyfriend of Lucy, transformed into a duck (rather than in other versions, where Bin and Pin are Lucy's pets). The Master System version also lacks two player co-operative support and omits stage 3 (Jungle) due to cartridge size limitations.

Activision, under license from Sega, brought versions of the game to several home computer platforms in Europe, including the Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum.

Bean the Dynamite, a character from AM2's later Arcade title Sonic the Fighters is based off Bin and Pin. He also appeared in the Sega Saturn title Fighters Megamix, and there is an unlockable Bin costume for him in that game.

Versions

Note: None of the 8-bit (including the Sega Master System) versions include the bonus rounds from the arcade. Likewise, only the Amiga and Atari ST versions support co-operative play.

With the exception of the Commodore 64 version which supports mapping this feature to a second joystick, jumping in all home computer versions requires the use of the keyboard's space bar, as the standard joystick layout for computers at the time was only to include one button.

An issue possibly affecting multiple versions of the game (but only definitely confirmed for the Amstrad CPC) is that should the player take damage while holding a water pistol (for the fire boss), there is a chance that the pistol will be knocked off screen, making the fight unbeatable.

Amstrad CPC version

The Amstrad CPC port lacks any in-game music and runs in a much smaller window than its siblings. While it retains the forks in the road, the user always has a choice of taking the upper or lower paths - neither are blocked off at any point, as is the case in the arcade original.

Atari ST version

The Atari ST version of Dynamite Dux is infamous, as if the user types in "NUDE", they are greeted with an altered introduction, in which a naked Lucy is carried off to a brothel.

Commodore 64 version

On the C64, Dynamite Dux has some unexplained music issues, in which some audio channels can't be heard during normal play.

ZX Spectrum version

The Spectrum port also lacks music, and the gameplay (minus the HUD) is presented entirely in two colours.

Production credits

System 16 version

  • Main Program: bin_chan_san
  • Assistant Programmer: duke
  • Ranking Program: oka_chan "punk boy"
  • Character Design: kiyo_chan
  • Back_Ground Design: "fixed_time_man"
  • Sound Design: hiro
  • Game Check: Ji_san "senior citizen"
  • "Achacha's Model": match
  • Special Thanks: sada "monster of marsh"
  • Producer: Yu Suzuki[5]

Magazine articles

Main article: Dynamite Dux/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Master System print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #100: "March 1990" (1990-02-16)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Home computers print advert in Commodore User (UK) #72: "September 1989" (1989-08-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

System 16 version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
90 №80, p82/83[8]
Arcade
90
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Arcade
N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Dynamite Dux

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
79 №4, p95[9]
79 №1, p55[10]
90 №98, p116[11]
85 №29, p56[12]
85 №4, p42[13]
80 №2/26
79 №1, p133[14]
70 №2, p51[15]
64 №3, p18/19[16]
60 №23, p56
86 №2, p53[17]
58 №13, p24/25
Sega Master System
76
Based on
12 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
79
[9]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK) PAL
79
[10]
Console XS (UK) PAL
86
[18]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
90
[11]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
33
[19]
The Games Machine (UK)
85
[12]
Joystick (FR)
85
[13]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
80
[20]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
79
[14]
Megazone (AU) PAL
70
[21]
Player One (FR)
70
[15]
Power Play (DE)
73
[22]
S: The Sega Magazine (UK)
64
[16]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
50
[23]
Sega Pro (UK)
86
[17]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
58
[24]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
86
[25]
Sega Master System
74
Based on
17 reviews

Dynamite Dux

Master System, EU
Dyndux sms eu cover.jpg
Cover
Dyndux sms eu cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, BR
DynamiteDux SMS BR cover.jpg
Cover
DynamiteDux SMS BR Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU

DynamiteDux SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart

Amiga version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
84 №26, p71[1]
71 №73, p47[26]
83 №24, p85[27]
73 №8, p49[28]
72 №1, p50/51[29]
Amiga
77
Based on
5 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
ACE (UK)
84
[1]
Amiga Computing (UK)
71
[30]
Amiga Format (UK)
64
[31]
Amiga User International (UK)
50
[32]
Commodore User (UK)
71
[26]
The Games Machine (UK)
83
[27]
Games Preview (DK)
73
[28]
New Computer Express (UK)
100
[33]
The One (UK)
65
[34]
Zero (UK)
72
[29]
Zzap!64 (UK)
65
[35]
Amiga
73
Based on
11 reviews

Dynamite Dux

Amiga, UK
DynamiteDux Amiga EU Box Front.jpg
Cover

Amstrad CPC version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
84 №25, p79[36]
85 №39, p20/21[37]
Amstrad CPC
85
Based on
2 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Amstar (FR)
70
[38]
Amstrad Action (UK)
88
[39]
The Games Machine (UK)
84
[36]
Zzap! (IT)
85
[37]
Amstrad CPC
82
Based on
4 reviews

Dynamite Dux

Amstrad CPC, UK (cassette)

Amstrad CPC, UK (disk)

Amstrad CPC, ES
(cassette) (MCM)
DynamiteDux CPC ES Box Cassette MCM.jpg
Cover
Amstrad CPC, ES (disk) (MCM)
DynamiteDux CPC ES Box Disk MCM.jpg
Cover
Amstrad CPC, ES
(cassette) (The Hit Squad)
DynamiteDux CPC ES Box Cassette THS.jpg
Cover
Amstrad CPC, ES
(cassette) (Erbe)
DynamiteDux CPC ES Box Cassette Erbe.jpg
Cover

Atari ST version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
82 №94, p48/49[40]
83 №23, p86[41]
71 №1, p51[42]
Atari ST
79
Based on
3 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
58
[43]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
82
[40]
The Games Machine (UK)
83
[41]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
70
[44]
The One (UK)
65
[34]
Power Play (DE)
68
[45]
Zero (UK)
71
[29]
Atari ST
71
Based on
7 reviews

Dynamite Dux

Atari ST, UK

DynamiteDux ST UK DiskA.jpg
Disk 1
DynamiteDux ST UK DiskB.jpg
Disk 2

Commodore 64 version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
91 №75, p36/37
72 №39, p20/21[37]
Commodore 64
82
Based on
2 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Zzap!64 (UK)
57
[35]
Zzap! (IT)
72
[37]
Commodore 64
65
Based on
2 reviews

Dynamite Dux

Commodore 64, UK
DynamiteDux UK C64 Box Back.jpgNospine.pngDynamiteDux UK C64 Box Front.jpg
Cover

ZX Spectrum version

ZX Spectrum, UK

ZX Spectrum, ES
(MCM)
Dynamite Dux Spectrum EU MCM Box.jpg
Cover
ZX Spectrum, ES
(The Hit Squad)
Dynamite Dux Spectrum EU THS Box.jpg
Cover

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 File:ACE UK 26.pdf, page 71 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ACE UK 26.pdf_p71" defined multiple times with different content
  2. 2.0 2.1 File:CVG UK 097.pdf, page 157
  3. File:CVG UK 100.pdf, page 56
  4. http://www.mamedb.com/game/ddux
  5. http://www.ysnet-inc.jp/#portfolio
  6. Commodore User, "October 1989" (UK; 1989-09-26), page 57
  7. Computer & Video Games, "October 1989" (UK; 1989-09-16), page 53
  8. File:SinclairUser UK 080.pdf, page 82
  9. 9.0 9.1 File:CGtC UK 04.pdf, page 95 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CGtC UK 04.pdf_p95" defined multiple times with different content
  10. 10.0 10.1 File:TheCompleteGuideToSega UK.pdf, page 55 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TheCompleteGuideToSega UK.pdf_p55" defined multiple times with different content
  11. 11.0 11.1 File:CVG UK 098.pdf, page 116 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 098.pdf_p116" defined multiple times with different content
  12. 12.0 12.1 File:TGM UK 29.pdf, page 56 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TGM UK 29.pdf_p56" defined multiple times with different content
  13. 13.0 13.1 File:Joystick FR 004.pdf, page 42 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joystick FR 004.pdf_p42" defined multiple times with different content
  14. 14.0 14.1 File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf, page 133 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf_p133" defined multiple times with different content
  15. 15.0 15.1 File:PlayerOne FR 002.pdf, page 51 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:PlayerOne FR 002.pdf_p51" defined multiple times with different content
  16. 16.0 16.1 File:StheSegaMagazine UK 03.pdf, page 18 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:StheSegaMagazine UK 03.pdf_p18" defined multiple times with different content
  17. 17.0 17.1 File:SegaPro UK 02.pdf, page 55 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 02.pdf_p55" defined multiple times with different content
  18. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 140
  19. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "March 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 16
  20. Micromanía (segunda época), "Julio 1990" (ES; 1990-0x-xx), page 48
  21. Megazone, "August 1990" (AU; 1990-0x-xx), page 39
  22. Power Play, "2/90" (DE; 1990-01-25), page 64
  23. Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 56
  24. Sega Pro, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-08), page 24
  25. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 70
  26. 26.0 26.1 File:CommodoreUser UK 73.pdf, page 47 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CommodoreUser UK 73.pdf_p47" defined multiple times with different content
  27. 27.0 27.1 File:TGM UK 24.pdf, page 85 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TGM UK 24.pdf_p85" defined multiple times with different content
  28. 28.0 28.1 File:GamesPreview DK 08.pdf, page 49 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:GamesPreview DK 08.pdf_p49" defined multiple times with different content
  29. 29.0 29.1 29.2 File:Zero UK 01.pdf, page 50 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Zero UK 01.pdf_p50" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Zero UK 01.pdf_p50" defined multiple times with different content
  30. Amiga Computing, "Volume 2, Number 7: December 1989" (UK; 1989-xx-xx), page 29
  31. Amiga Format, "November 1989" (UK; 1989-10-xx), page 41
  32. Amiga User International, "Volume 3, Number 11: November 1989" (UK; 1989-xx-xx), page 78
  33. New Computer Express, "October 7, 1989" (UK; 1989-10-05), page 60
  34. 34.0 34.1 The One, "October 1989" (UK; 1989-09-xx), page 91
  35. 35.0 35.1 Zzap!64, "March 1990" (UK; 1990-xx-xx), page 78
  36. 36.0 36.1 File:TGM UK 25.pdf, page 79 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TGM UK 25.pdf_p79" defined multiple times with different content
  37. 37.0 37.1 37.2 37.3 File:Zzap IT 39.pdf, page 20 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Zzap IT 39.pdf_p20" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Zzap IT 39.pdf_p20" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Zzap IT 39.pdf_p20" defined multiple times with different content
  38. Amstar, "Novembre 1989" (FR; 1989-xx-xx), page 100
  39. Amstrad Action, "December 1989" (UK; 1989-11-09), page 63
  40. 40.0 40.1 File:CVG UK 094.pdf, page 48 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 094.pdf_p48" defined multiple times with different content
  41. 41.0 41.1 File:TGM UK 23.pdf, page 86 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TGM UK 23.pdf_p86" defined multiple times with different content
  42. File:Zero UK 01.pdf, page 51
  43. Aktueller Software Markt, "Oktober 1989" (DE; 1989-08-28), page 42
  44. Micromanía (segunda época), "Marzo 1990" (ES; 1990-0x-xx), page 41
  45. Power Play, "11/89" (DE; 1989-10-09), page 25