Marble Madness

From Sega Retro

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MarbleMadness Title.png

Marble Madness
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear
Publisher:
Sega Mega Drive
Electronic Arts, Tengen (JP),
Sega Master System
Virgin Games,
Sega Game Gear
Tengen
Developer:
Distributor:
Sega Game Gear
Domark (EU)
Developer(s) of original games: Atari Games
Peripherals supported:
Sega Mega Drive
Sega Mouse
Genre: Puzzle

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP 		¥6,8006,800 T-48113
Sega Mega Drive
US 		708901
Sega Mega Drive
EU 		E004SMXI
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Master System
EU 		27024-50
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Game Gear
US 		301033-0161
Sega Game Gear
EU 		T-48058-50

Marble Madness (マーブルマッドネス) is an arcade game developed by Atari Games and released in 1984. Its popularity saw numerous ports to home platforms, including the Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear.

Gameplay

The object of the game is to move a marble down an isometric field from one point to another, making sure not to fall of ledges or be damaged in other ways. The original arcade release relied heavily on a trackball controller, but the console ports rely on directional pad, meaning the control is less accurate. On the Mega Drive, the D-pad moves the ball in the on-screen direction of the button press. For example, Up will move the marble vertically up on the screen, with the respective effect in the arena.

History

The rights to the game were passed across a multitude of developers and publishers. In 1991 Electronic Arts had publishing rights, and produced a copy of the game for the Mega Drive in North America and Europe. While this version is complete, music porting and text drawing is somewhat sloppy, some of the graphics were recreated, colors were changed (most notably, the marble is now red), and the marble's motion restrictions were somewhat relaxed (allowing for jumps and drops not possible in other versions of the game).

Atari Games' home console division Tengen produced their own Mega Drive copy for the Japanese market in 1993, which is different to the Electronic Arts version. This is similar to the situation regarding the Mega Drive port of Klax, in which Namco produced their own copy for Japan. This Japanese version, which appears to have been produced internally by Tengen of Japan, is much more faithful to the original game (but whether or not it is a direct port is unknown), and features trackball support through the Sega Mouse.

Virgin Games published a Master System version the following year.

Tengen would also publish the Game Gear version. Both the Master System and Game Gear ports were created by Steve Lamb.

Production credits

Mega Drive version (US/EU)


Mega Drive version (JP)

As with Gauntlet IV, there are two screens of credits. The first screen, the original arcade version's credits, shows after three demo loops.

  • Designer/Graphics Programmer: Mark Cerny
  • Game Programmer: Bob Flanagan
  • Animator: Sam Comstock
  • Sound Design: Hal Canon, Brad Fuller
  • Hardware Design: S Ly, J Margolin, D Paauw, D Snyder
  • System Support: C Downend, M Hoff, J Ritter
  • Software Support: M Albaugh, M Mahar, R Moore
  • Hardware Support: J Castillo, E Durfey, P McCarthy, N Minh


The second screen, the porting credits, comes 12 loops later; just sit back.

  • Project Leader/Programmer: Jun Amanai
  • Programmer: Takayuki Muraoka
  • Graphics Conversion: Ken-ichi Nemoto
  • Audio Conversion: Kenji Yokoyama
  • Customer Service: Naomi Takahashi, Mizuho Yoshioka
  • Special Thanks: Bill Hindorff


Master System version


Game Gear version


Magazine articles

Main article: Marble Madness/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

  • JuegateloTodo ES PrintAd 1992-11.jpg

    Mega Drive ES print advert

  • Tengen GG US PrintAdvert.jpg

    Game Gear US print advert

  • GameGear Coleccion ES PrintAd 1993-03.jpg

    Game Gear ES print advert

  • MasterSystemIIJuegos ES PrintAd 1993-03 02.jpg

    Master System ES print advert

Logo-pdf.svg
Game Gear print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #131: "October 1992" (1992-09-15)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Master System print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #132: "November 1992" (1992-10-15)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Gamers (DE) #1992-01: "Februar/März 1992" (1992-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
82 №10, p86/87[6]
80 №4, p24
79 №23, p140[7]
69 №5, p63
73 №2, p44-46[8]
88 №16, p82-84[9]
75 №19, p90[10]
85 №28, p34/35
81 №3, p68[11]
82 №18, p66
82 №4, p66/67[12]
76 №1/92, p14[13]
89 №1, p10[14]
Sega Mega Drive
 80
Based on
13 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
50
[15]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
70
[16]
Consoles + (FR)
82
[6]
Console XS (UK) PAL
82
[17]
Dengeki Mega Drive (JP) NTSC-J
72
[18]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
55
[19]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
88
[20]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
63
[21]
FX (UK)
82
[22]
Génération 4 (FR)
89
[23]
Game Zone (UK) PAL
80
[24]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
70
[25]
Joypad (FR)
80
[26]
Joystick (FR)
79
[7]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)
69
[27]
Mega Force (FR) PAL
95
[28]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
73
[8]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
60
[29]
Mean Machines (UK) PAL
88
[9]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
88
[30]
Player One (FR)
75
[10]
Play Time (DE)
47
[31]
Power Up! (UK)
65
[32]
Power Play (DE)
67
[33]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
66
[34]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
81
[11]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
82
[35]
Sega Force (SE)
76
[13]
Sega Force (UK)
82
[12]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
82
[36]
Super Juegos (ES)
59
[37]
Supersonic (FR)
89
[14]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
72
[38]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
70
[39]
Video Games (DE)
70
[40]
Sega Mega Drive
 74
Based on
35 reviews

Marble Madness

Mega Drive, US
MarbleMadness MD US Box.jpg
Cover
MarbleMadness MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Marblemadness md us manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
MarbleMadness MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
MarbleMadness MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, JP
MarbleMadness MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
MarbleMadness MD JP CartTop.jpg
Marblemadness md jp cart.jpg
Cart
Marble Madness MD JP Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, AU

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
60 №11, p132/133[41]
88 №11, p66/67
88 №29, p205[42]
70 №21, p72/73[43]
40 №22, p135[44]
69 №33, p27
88 №8, p38/39[45]
70 №2/92, p24[46]
76 №7, p66[4]
Sega Master System
 72
Based on
9 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Consoles + (FR)
60
[41]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
70
[47]
Joypad (FR)
88
[48]
Joystick (FR)
88
[42]
Mean Machines (UK) PAL
70
[43]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
70
[49]
Player One (FR)
40
[50]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
69
[51]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
88
[45]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
88
[52]
Sega Force (SE)
70
[46]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
76
[4]
Supersonic (FR)
76
[53]
Video Games (DE)
60
[54]
Sega Master System
 72
Based on
14 reviews

Marble Madness

Master System, EU
MarbleMadness SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
MarbleMadness SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU

MarbleMadness SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
92 №12, p119[55]
84 №11, p63
85 №12, p100
89 №30, p165[56]
75 №23, p116[57]
74 №34, p39
79 №10, p48
77 №9, p56/57[58]
Sega Game Gear
 82
Based on
8 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Consoles + (FR)
92
[55]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
70
[59]
Game Zone (UK) PAL
84
[60]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
87
[61]
Joypad (FR)
85
[62]
Joystick (FR)
89
[56]
Player One (FR)
75
[63]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
74
[64]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
79
[65]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
79
[66]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
77
[58]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
70
[67]
Video Games (DE)
61
[68]
Sega Game Gear
 79
Based on
13 reviews

Marble Madness

Game Gear, US
MarbleMadness GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngMarbleMadness GG US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Marble Madness GG EU cart.jpg
Cart
Marble Madness GG US Manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, EU
MarbleMadness GG EU Box Back.jpgNospine.pngMarbleMadness GG EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
Marble Madness GG EU cart.jpg
Cart

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega Drive
✔
CRC32 79eba28a
MD5 ab99c73cffd808ddd93c43e2f52cc92d
SHA-1 059e99fde8726a45a584007186913eb9a01f738e
512kB 1992-02 Cartridge (US/EU)

References

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NEC Retro has more information related to Marble Madness
  1. ↑ File:SegaForce UK 04.pdf, page 67
  2. ↑ File:SegaPro UK 01.pdf, page 9
  3. ↑ File:SegaPro UK 08.pdf, page 39
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 File:SegaForce UK 07.pdf, page 68 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaForce UK 07.pdf_p68" defined multiple times with different content
  5. ↑ File:GamePro US 036.pdf, page 90
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 File:ConsolesPlus FR 010.pdf, page 86 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ConsolesPlus FR 010.pdf_p86" defined multiple times with different content
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 File:Joystick FR 023.pdf, page 140 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joystick FR 023.pdf_p140" defined multiple times with different content
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 File:MegaTech UK 02.pdf, page 44 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MegaTech UK 02.pdf_p44" defined multiple times with different content
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 File:MeanMachines UK 16.pdf, page 82 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachines UK 16.pdf_p82" defined multiple times with different content
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 File:PlayerOne FR 019.pdf, page 90 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:PlayerOne FR 019.pdf_p90" defined multiple times with different content
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 File:SegaPro UK 03.pdf, page 68 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 03.pdf_p68" defined multiple times with different content
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 File:SegaForce UK 04.pdf, page 66 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaForce UK 04.pdf_p66" defined multiple times with different content
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 File:SegaForce SE 1992 01.pdf, page 14 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaForce SE 1992 01.pdf_p14" defined multiple times with different content
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 File:Supersonic FR 01.pdf, page 10 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Supersonic FR 01.pdf_p10" defined multiple times with different content
  15. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 123
  16. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "September 1993" (JP; 1993-08-07), page 21
  17. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 131
  18. ↑ Dengeki Mega Drive, "August 1993" (JP; 1993-07-08), page 37
  19. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "March 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 28
  20. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 67
  21. ↑ Famitsu, "1993-08-20,27" (JP; 1993-08-06), page 38
  22. ↑ FX (UK) (+0:00)
  23. ↑ Génération 4, "Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 153
  24. ↑ Game Zone, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-24), page 24
  25. ↑ Hippon Super, "September 1993" (JP; 1993-08-03), page 49
  26. ↑ Joypad, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 1991-12-1x), page 96
  27. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 63
  28. ↑ Mega Force, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 1992-01-15), page 98
  29. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Junio 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 80
  30. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 139
  31. ↑ Play Time, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-06), page 93
  32. ↑ Power Up!, "Saturday, March 14, 1992" (UK; 1992-03-14), page 1
  33. ↑ Power Play, "3/92" (DE; 1992-02-12), page 140
  34. ↑ Sega Power, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-06), page 36
  35. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 66
  36. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85
  37. ↑ Super Juegos, "Mayo 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 48
  38. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 108
  39. ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "March 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 42
  40. ↑ Video Games, "1/92" (DE; 1992-02-03), page 30
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 File:ConsolesPlus FR 011.pdf, page 132 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ConsolesPlus FR 011.pdf_p132" defined multiple times with different content
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 File:Joystick FR 029.pdf, page 205 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joystick FR 029.pdf_p205" defined multiple times with different content
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 File:MeanMachines UK 21.pdf, page 72 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachines UK 21.pdf_p72" defined multiple times with different content
  44. ↑ File:PlayerOne FR 022.pdf, page 131
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 File:SegaPro UK 08.pdf, page 38 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 08.pdf_p38" defined multiple times with different content
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 File:SegaForce SE 1992 02.pdf, page 24 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaForce SE 1992 02.pdf_p24" defined multiple times with different content
  47. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 143
  48. ↑ Joypad, "Août/Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-07-1x), page 66
  49. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 135
  50. ↑ Player One, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-07-10), page 135
  51. ↑ Sega Power, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-02), page 27
  52. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 71
  53. ↑ Supersonic, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 24
  54. ↑ Video Games, "8/92" (DE; 1992-07-22), page 99
  55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 File:ConsolesPlus FR 012.pdf, page 119 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ConsolesPlus FR 012.pdf_p119" defined multiple times with different content
  56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 File:Joystick FR 030.pdf, page 165 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joystick FR 030.pdf_p165" defined multiple times with different content
  57. ↑ File:PlayerOne FR 023.pdf, page 112
  58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 File:SegaForce UK 09.pdf, page 56 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaForce UK 09.pdf_p56" defined multiple times with different content
  59. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 167
  60. ↑ Game Zone, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-19), page 63
  61. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Septiembre 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 62
  62. ↑ Joypad, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 100
  63. ↑ Player One, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-09-10), page 116
  64. ↑ Sega Power, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-06), page 39
  65. ↑ Sega Pro, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-16), page 48
  66. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 74
  67. ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "September 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 85
  68. ↑ Video Games, "8/92" (DE; 1992-07-22), page 121
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