Difference between revisions of "James Pond 3: Operation Starfish"

From Sega Retro

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{{Bob
 
{{Bob
 
| bobscreen=JP3 Title.png
 
| bobscreen=JP3 Title.png
| publisher=[[Electronic Arts]]
+
| publisher={{company|[[Electronic Arts]]|system=MD}}
| developer=[[Millennium Interactive]] {{GG}} [[Teque London]]
+
{{company|[[U.S. Gold]]|system=GG}}
 +
| developer=
 +
{{company|[[Millennium Interactive]]|system=MD,GG}}
 +
{{company|[[Vectordean]]|system=MD,GG}}
 +
{{company|[[Teque London]]|system=GG}}
 
| system=[[Sega Mega Drive]], [[Sega Game Gear]]
 
| system=[[Sega Mega Drive]], [[Sega Game Gear]]
| romsize={{MD}} 2MB, {{GG}} 512kB
 
 
| sounddriver=
 
| sounddriver=
 
| peripherals=
 
| peripherals=
| releases={{releases
+
| players=1
 +
| genre=Action
 +
| releases={{releasesMD
 
| md_date_eu=1993-12-14
 
| md_date_eu=1993-12-14
 
| md_code_eu=E234SMXI
 
| md_code_eu=E234SMXI
| md_rrp_de=110
+
| md_rrp_uk=44.99{{magref|sfm|7|86}}
| md_date_us=1993-12{{fileref|GamePro US 054.pdf|page=65}}
+
| md_rrp_de=110{{magref|maniac|1993-12|59}}
| md_rrp_us=49.95{{fileref|GamePro US 054.pdf|page=65}}
+
| md_date_us=1993-12{{magref|gamepro|54|65}}
 +
| md_rrp_us=49.95{{magref|gamepro|54|65}}
 
| md_code_us=716601
 
| md_code_us=716601
 
| md_date_au=1993
 
| md_date_au=1993
Line 18: Line 24:
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{releasesGG
 
{{releasesGG
| gg_date_eu=1995
+
| gg_date_eu=1995-06{{magref|mms|31|78}}
 
| gg_code_eu=79158-50
 
| gg_code_eu=79158-50
 +
| gg_rrp_uk=29.99{{magref|mms|31|78}}
 +
| gg_rrp_de=79,-{{fileref|GamesWorld DE 0708.pdf|page=85}}
 
}}
 
}}
| genre=Action
 
 
| vrc=ga
 
| vrc=ga
 
| elspa=3
 
| elspa=3
 +
| otherformats={{NonSega|AmigaAGA|CD32|SNES}}
 
}}
 
}}
'''''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.
+
'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' (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 Commodore Amiga, it was ported to the Amiga CD32, SNES, [[Sega Mega Drive]] and [[Sega Game Gear]].
+
Initially programmed for the [[Commodore Amiga]], it was ported to the Amiga CD32, [[Super Nintendo]], [[Sega Mega Drive]] and [[Sega Game Gear]].
  
 
==Gameplay==
 
==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.
 
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.  
+
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.
 
Through clever programming the game simultaneously zooms and rotates text and logos during the title sequence, operations normally not supported by the Mega Drive.
  
 
==Production credits==
 
==Production credits==
[[Category:Use Creditstable template]]
+
{{creditstable|
 
{{multicol|
 
{{multicol|
:'''Design''': Chris Sorrell
+
*'''Design:''' Chris Sorrell
:'''Main Programming''': Chris Sorrell
+
*'''Main Programming:''' Chris Sorrell
:'''Additional Programming''': Alan McCarthy
+
*'''Additional Programming:''' Alan McCarthy
:'''Graphics''': Sean Nicholls, Leavon Archer, Chris Sorrell
+
*'''Graphics:''' Sean Nicholls, Leavon Archer, Chris Sorrell
:'''Music''': Richard Joseph
+
*'''Music:''' Richard Joseph
:'''Sound Effects''': Richard Joseph
+
*'''Sound Effects:''' Richard Joseph
:'''Level Design''': Philip Bak, Katie Lea, Rupert Easterbrook, Gary Richards, Stuart Burrows, Stuart Green
+
*'''Level Design:''' Philip Bak, Katie Lea, Rupert Easterbrook, Gary Richards, Stuart Burrows, Stuart Green
:'''In‑game Text''': Martin Oliver, Chris Sorrell
+
*'''In‑game Text:''' Martin Oliver, Chris Sorrell
:'''Producer''': Kevin Shrapnell
+
*'''Producer:''' Kevin Shrapnell
:'''Associate Producer''': Rupert Easterbrook
+
*'''Associate Producer:''' Rupert Easterbrook
:'''Game Testing''': Nick Goldsworthy, Graham Harbour, David Bowry, Jamie Bradshaw, Darren King
+
*'''Game Testing:''' Nick Goldsworthy, Graham Harbour, David Bowry, Jamie Bradshaw, Darren King
:'''Special Thanks To''': Ian Saunter, Michael Hayward, all friends of Pond
+
*'''Special Thanks To:''' Ian Saunter, Michael Hayward, all friends of Pond
 +
}}
 +
| console=MD
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Magazine articles==
 +
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}
 +
 
 +
==Promotional material==
 +
{{gallery
 +
|{{galleryPrintAd
 +
|MegaForce FR 21.pdf|megaforce|21|20-21
 +
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 
==Physical scans==
 
==Physical scans==
 
===Mega Drive version===
 
===Mega Drive version===
{{ ratings
+
{{ratings
 
| icon=MD
 
| icon=MD
 
| asm=83
 
| asm=83
 
| consolesplus=94
 
| consolesplus=94
| consolesplus_source={{num|25|page=108/109/110}}
+
| consolesplus_source={{num|25|page=108-110}}
 +
| cvg=75
 +
| cvg_source={{magref|cvg|144|81}}
 
| gamepro=78
 
| gamepro=78
| gamepro_source={{num|54|page=61|pdf=GamePro US 054.pdf|pdfpage=65}}
+
| gamepro_source={{magref|gamepro|54|65|printpage=61}}
 
| gamesmaster=93
 
| gamesmaster=93
 
| gamesmaster_source={{num|11|page=76/77}}
 
| gamesmaster_source={{num|11|page=76/77}}
 
| joypad=89
 
| joypad=89
| joypad_source={{num|25|page=160/161}}
+
| joypad_source={{magref|joypad|25|160|printpage=160/161}}
 +
| maniac=75
 +
| maniac_source={{magref|maniac|2|58|printpage=58/59}}
 
| mdag=78
 
| mdag=78
 
| mdag_source={{num|16|page=}}
 
| mdag_source={{num|16|page=}}
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| megatech_source={{num|23|page=66-68}}
 
| megatech_source={{num|23|page=66-68}}
 
| mms=89
 
| mms=89
| mms_source={{num|14|page=80-82|pdf=MeanMachinesSega14UK.pdf|pdfpage=80}}
+
| mms_source={{magref|mms|14|80|printpage=80-82}}
 
| playerone=90
 
| playerone=90
| playerone_source={{num|36|page=88/89/90}}
+
| playerone_source={{num|36|page=88-90}}
 
| segapower=87
 
| segapower=87
 
| segapower_source={{num|49|page=54/55}}
 
| segapower_source={{num|49|page=54/55}}
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| segapro_source={{num|26|page=36/37}}
 
| segapro_source={{num|26|page=36/37}}
 
| segazuk=91
 
| segazuk=91
| segazuk_source={{num|13|page=42/43/44}}
+
| segazuk_source={{num|13|page=42-44}}
 
| sfm=83
 
| sfm=83
| sfm_source={{num|6|page=58-60|pdf=SegaForceMega UK 06.pdf|pdfpage=58}}
+
| sfm_source={{magref|sfm|6|58|printpage=58-60}}
 
| stc=87
 
| stc=87
 
| stc_source={{num|25|page=10/11}}
 
| stc_source={{num|25|page=10/11}}
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| cover=
 
| cover=
 
| cart=
 
| cart=
 +
}}{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Mega Drive
 +
| region=FR
 +
| manual=James Pond III MD FR Manual.pdf
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
===Game Gear version===
 
===Game Gear version===
{{ ratings
+
{{ratings
 
| icon=GG
 
| icon=GG
 
| consolesplus=87
 
| consolesplus=87
 
| consolesplus_source={{num|44|page=78}}
 
| consolesplus_source={{num|44|page=78}}
 
| mms=88
 
| mms=88
| mms_source={{num|31|page=78/79|pdf=MeanMachinesSega31UK.pdf|pdfpage=78}}
+
| mms_source={{magref|mms|31|78|printpage=78/79}}
 
| playerone=87
 
| playerone=87
 
| playerone_source={{num|54|page=100/101}}
 
| playerone_source={{num|54|page=100/101}}
Line 127: Line 156:
 
| back=JamesPond3 GG EU Box Back.jpg
 
| back=JamesPond3 GG EU Box Back.jpg
 
| spinemissing=yes
 
| spinemissing=yes
| cart=
+
| cart=JamesPond3 GG EU Cart.jpg
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Technical information==
 +
===ROM dump status===
 +
{{romtable|
 +
{{rom|MD|sha1=df7fca887e7988e24ab2d08b015c6db2902fe571|md5=0a72b5846ff1766662809318cf000c22|crc32=26f64b2a|size=2MB|date=1993-09|source=Cartridge (US/EU)|comments=|quality=good|prototype=}}
 +
{{rom|GG|sha1=53790EDEE813A0A444B0369FD15672BB2A343780|md5=1C88D6F7784EFB05D2548F9F903889F3|crc32=68BB7F71|size=512kB|date= |source=Cartridge (EU)|comments=|quality=|prototype=}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
<references />
+
<references/>
 +
 
 +
{{JamesPond3Omni}}
 +
{{JamesPond}}

Revision as of 08:00, 18 January 2020

n/a

JP3 Title.png

James Pond 3: Operation Starfish
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Game Gear
Publisher:
Sega Mega Drive
Electronic Arts
Sega Game Gear
U.S. Gold
Developer:
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
US
$49.9549.95[3] 716601
Sega Mega Drive
EU
E234SMXI
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Mega Drive
BR
Sega Game Gear
EU
79158-50
Non-Sega versions

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

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.

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

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Mega Force (FR) #21: "Octobre 1993" (1993-10-08)
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
83
94 №25, p108-110
75 [6]
78 [7]
93 №11, p76/77
89 [8]
75 [9]
78 №16
90 №14, p41
88 №6, p26/27
90
85 №23, p66-68
89 [10]
90 №36, p88-90
87 №49, p54/55
83 №26, p36/37
91 №13, p42-44
83 [11]
87 №25, p10/11
Sega Mega Drive
86
Based on
19 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
50
[12]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
83
[13]
Console Mania (IT) PAL
90
[14]
Consoles + (FR)
94
[15]
Computer & Video Games (UK) PAL
75
[6]
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
[3]
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
[24]
Mega Action (UK) PAL
88
[25]
Mega Force (FR)
90
[26]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
85
[27]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
85
[28]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
89
[29]
Player One (FR)
90
[30]
Power Up! (UK)
83
[31]
Sega Magazin (DE) PAL
87
[32]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
87
[33]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
83
[34]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
91
[35]
Sega Force Mega (UK) PAL
83
[36]
Sonic the Comic (UK) PAL
87
[37]
Todo Sega (ES)
78
[38]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
78
[39]
Video Games (DE) PAL
64
[40]
Sega Mega Drive
81
Based on
31 reviews

James Pond 3: Operation Starfish

Mega Drive, US
JP3 MD US Box.jpg
Cover
JamesPond3 MD US-EU Cart Top.jpg
JamesPond3 MD US-EU Cart Back.jpgJP3 MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
James Pond 3 MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
JP3 MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
JamesPond3 MD US-EU Cart Top.jpg
JamesPond3 MD US-EU Cart Back.jpgJP3 MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, BR

Mega Drive, FR

James Pond III MD FR Manual.pdf
Manual

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
87 №44, p78
88 [41]
87 №54, p100/101
76 №67, p65
Sega Game Gear
85
Based on
4 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Consoles + (FR) PAL
87
[42]
Digitiser (UK)
87
[43]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
76
[44]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
67
[45]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
88
[4]
Player One (FR) PAL
87
[46]
Play Time (DE)
65
[47]
Power Unlimited (NL)
79
[48]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
76
[49]
Todo Sega (ES)
79
[50]
Top Consoles (FR)
60
[51]
Video Games (DE) PAL
74
[52]
Sega Game Gear
77
Based on
12 reviews

James Pond 3: Operation Starfish

Game Gear, EU
JamesPond3 GG EU Box Back.jpgNospine.pngJamesPond3 GG EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
JamesPond3 GG EU Cart.jpg
Cart

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega Drive
CRC32 26f64b2a
MD5 0a72b5846ff1766662809318cf000c22
SHA-1 df7fca887e7988e24ab2d08b015c6db2902fe571
2MB 1993-09 Cartridge (US/EU)
Sega Game Gear
 ?
CRC32 68bb7f71
MD5 1c88d6f7784efb05d2548f9f903889f3
SHA-1 53790edee813a0a444b0369fd15672bb2a343780
512kB Cartridge (EU)

References

  1. Sega Force Mega, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-16), page 86
  2. MAN!AC, "12/93" (DE; 1993-11-10), page 59
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 GamePro, "January 1994" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 65
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Mean Machines Sega, "May 1995" (UK; 1995-03-28), page 78
  5. File:GamesWorld DE 0708.pdf, page 85
  6. 6.0 6.1 Computer & Video Games, "November 1993" (UK; 1993-10-15), page 81
  7. GamePro, "January 1994" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 61 (65)
  8. Joypad, "Novembre 1993" (FR; 1993-1x-xx), page 160/161 (160)
  9. Joypad, "Novembre 1993" (FR; 1993-1x-xx), page 58/59 (58)
  10. Mean Machines Sega, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-10-xx), page 80-82 (80)
  11. Sega Force Mega, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-16), page 58-60 (58)
  12. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 101
  13. Aktueller Software Markt, "Avril 1994" (DE; 1994-03-07), page 112
  14. Console Mania, "Febbraio 1994" (IT; 1994-0x-xx), page 76
  15. Consoles +, "Novembre 1993" (FR; 1993-1x-xx), page 108
  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
  19. GamesMaster, "November 1993" (UK; 1993-10-21), page 76
  20. Hyper, "February 1994" (AU; 199x-xx-xx), page 38
  21. Joypad, "Novembre 1993" (FR; 1993-1x-xx), page 160
  22. Joypad, "1/1995" (HU; 1995-xx-xx), page 22
  23. MAN!AC, "12/93" (DE; 1993-11-10), page 58
  24. Mega, "November 1993" (UK; 1993-10-21), page 41
  25. Mega Action, "November 1993" (UK; 1993-10-07), page 7
  26. Mega Force, "Novembre 1993" (FR; 1993-11-10), page 120
  27. Mega Fun, "11/93" (DE; 1993-10-20), page 84
  28. MegaTech, "November 1993" (UK; 1993-10-20), page 66
  29. Mean Machines Sega, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-10-xx), page 80
  30. Player One, "Novembre 1993" (FR; 1993-1x-xx), page 88
  31. Power Up!, "Saturday, January 08, 1994" (UK; 1994-01-08), page 1
  32. Sega Magazin, "September/Oktober 1993" (DE; 1993-09-01), page 60
  33. Sega Power, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-xx), page 54
  34. Sega Pro, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-11), page 36
  35. Sega Zone, "November 1993" (UK; 1993-10-28), page 42
  36. Sega Force Mega, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-16), page 84
  37. Sonic the Comic, "May 13th 1994" (UK; 1994-04-30), page 10
  38. Todo Sega, "Enero 1994" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 66
  39. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 93
  40. Video Games, "3/94" (DE; 1994-02-23), page 82
  41. Mean Machines Sega, "May 1995" (UK; 1995-03-28), page 78/79 (78)
  42. Consoles +, "Juin 1995" (FR; 1995-0x-xx), page 78
  43. Digitiser (UK) (1995-05-15)
  44. Hobby Consolas, "Agosto 1995" (ES; 1995-xx-xx), page 94
  45. Mega Fun, "06/95" (DE; 1995-05-24), page 66
  46. Player One, "Juin 1995" (FR; 1995-0x-xx), page 100
  47. Play Time, "7/95" (DE; 1995-06-07), page 114
  48. Power Unlimited, "Jaagang 3, Jul/Aug 1995" (NL; 1995-06-28), page 27
  49. Sega Power, "June 1995" (UK; 1995-04-20), page 65
  50. Todo Sega, "Julio 1995" (ES; 1995-0x-xx), page 54
  51. Top Consoles, "Juin 1995" (FR; 1995-0x-xx), page 106
  52. Video Games, "6/95" (DE; 1995-05-17), page 108


James Pond 3: Operation Starfish

JP3 Title.png

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James Pond games for Sega systems
Sega Mega Drive
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)
Sega Master System
James Pond II: Codename RoboCod (1993)
Sega Game Gear
James Pond II: Codename RoboCod (1993) | James Pond 3: Operation Starfish (1995)