Michael Jackson's Moonwalker

From Sega Retro

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Moonwalker Title.png

Michael Jackson's Moonwalker
System(s): Sega System 18, Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Genre: Action

















Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP
¥6,0006,000 G-4028
Sega Mega Drive
US
Sega Mega Drive
EU
Sega Mega Drive
UK
£34.9934.99[2]
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Mega Drive
BR
Sega Master System
US
$29.9529.95[5] 7052
Sega Master System
EU
7052
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Master System
BR
026070
Sega Master System
KR
GB2004JG

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Michael Jackson's Moonwalker (マイケルジャクソンズ ムーンウォーカー) is the name of two video game tie-ins made by Sega based on the 1988 film, Moonwalker. A third (sometimes subtitled as The Computer Game) was released by U.S. Gold for home computers, but had no involvement from Sega. As the name suggests it is endorsed by pop sensation Michael Jackson, who would go on to have a long history working with Sega.

Moonwalker is made up of a number of short films and does not tell a coherent story from beginning to end. As a result, all versions of Michael Jackson's Moonwalker are based on one segment of the film, Smooth Criminal, which sees Jackson using various music and dance related abilities on a quest to save kidnapped children from the hands of the evil "Mr. Big" and various American gangsters.

History

The game was originally released for the Sega System 18 arcade platform in 1990. This version is played from an isometric perspective and behaves similarly to a beat-'em-up game. Moonwalker was then retooled and re-released as a 2D side-scroller for the Sega Mega Drive and Sega Master System. Though the two games vary considerably, both have the same goals and incorporated synthesized versions of the musician's hits, such as "Beat It" and "Smooth Criminal".

In the early days of the Mega Drive, Moonwalker was often used as a flagship product of Sega's system (particularly in North America), with Jackson's persona being used along with many other celebrities in an effort to put a dent in sales of Nintendo products.

Even though both versions of the game have a stage takes place in a graveyard and have the "Thriller dance" which can be performed, the theme of Thriller does not feature in either game (being replaced with Another Part of Me). It is suspected that the reason for this was that Michael did not write the song (Rod Temperton wrote Thriller for Michael). However, in the first revision (REV 00), excerpts of Thriller are used for the dance attacks in the Round 3 stages.

The Sega versions of Moonwalker have now achieved cult status and are remembered for being a memorable point in Jackson's career, marking a change in stage personas between the albums "Thriller" and "Bad". Jackson would work with Sega on several future products - he would be responsible for much of the music in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (though remains uncredited) and features in both Space Channel 5 and Space Channel 5: Part 2.

In North America, the Master System version was released alongside the redesigned Master System II console.

A sequel was planned but later dropped due to child molestation accusations to Michael Jackson in 1993.

Gameplay

Arcade version

The arcade Moonwalker is played from a top-down isometric perspective. Players assume the role of Michael Jackson and are armed with a basic melee attack. All enemies on-screen can also be forced to "dance", which will cause damage in the process. Something which is never explained is how up to three Michael Jacksons, all sporting different attire, can play at once.

If players find Jackson's chimp, Bubbles, they will turn into a robot and have the ability to fire projectiles.

Sadly the arcade version is known to be plagued with a "suicide battery" - a battery which, after it stops working, makes the arcade board completely unusable. This makes a working arcade Moonwalker a rare sight in the modern age. Some boards however are capable of being revived through chip replacement which in some cases changes the "(C) 1990 Sega" copyright in the title to "(C) 1990 RESS" which refers to a resurrected board.

Console version

Console versions of Moonwalker play similarly to their arcade counterpart, but are played from a 2D perspective. As with the arcade version the objective is to go around destroying enemies while finding the missing children. C/1 jumps, B/pressing 2 kicks, and A/holding 2 spins/shoots your hat at enemies. Music is shortened in this version.

This version is notable for having several pointless features which do not appear to have much effect on gameplay (for example, B + Left/Right moonwalks and it is also possible to do crotch grabs). Up opens doors and sewer lids. Once all the children in a level are saved, Bubbles the Monkey will appear and will point you in the direction of Mr. Big, and once you get to the right spot you will have to fight a barrage of his cronies to complete the stage. The Master System version cuts the Bubbles scene and goes right to the boss barrage.

If a meteor falls out of the sky, catch it to turn into a giant mech that shoots lasers and is invincible for a short period of time. You cannot rescue children while invincible.

Production credits

Arcade version

BGM

  • Round 1 -Cavern-
    • Bad
  • Round 2 -Amusement Quarter-
    • Smooth Criminal
  • Round 3 -Night Street-
    • Beat It
  • Round 4 -Graveyard-
    • Another Part of Me
  • Round 5 -Evil Fortress-
    • Bad ~Reprise~
  • Ending
    • Billie Jean

All Songs Written and Composed by: Michael Jackson

  • Available on CD, Tapes and Records

Game Concept and Design by: Michael Jackson

Mega Drive version

Planner: Koi
Planner Assistant: Captain Elf
Designer: Doydoy, Chie Sama, Jiyna
Programmer: Ekas, Mt. Book, 610
Programmer Assistant: Nas Atagan
Sound Composer: Jimita
Sound Assistant: Middle Village, Iagan
Sound Adviser: Bo
Special Thanks: Al Nilsen
Game Concept and Design by: Michael Jackson

Master System version

Designers: Udi, Sadou, Fudou
Planners: Tomozou, Asohy, Pata
Sound Programmer: T N
Programmers: Minepy, Kidopyu, Mochaponpon, Kozaoyaji
Presented by: Sega

Magazine articles

Main article: Michael Jackson's Moonwalker/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

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Mega Drive print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1990-07: "July 1990" (1990-06-08)
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Mega Drive print advert in Sega Visions (US) #1: "June/July 1990" (1990-xx-xx)
also published in:
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Mega Drive print advert in Game Players (US) #0208: "Vol. 2 No. 8 August 1990" (1990-0x-xx)
also published in:
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Print advert in Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) #16: "November 1990" (1990-xx-xx)
also published in:
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Mega Drive print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #111: "February 1991" (1991-01-16)
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Print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #112: "March 1991" (1991-02-16)
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Print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #113: "April 1991" (1991-03-16)
also published in:
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Print advert in Hobby Consolas (ES) #2: "Noviembre 1991" (1991-1x-xx)
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K IT 31.pdf¦page#75¦Mega Drive IT print advert in K (IT) #31: "Settembre 1991" (1991-xx-xx)K IT 32.pdf¦page#2¦Mega Drive IT print advert in K (IT) #32: "Ottobre 1991" (1991-xx-xx)

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Print advert in Sega Visions (US) #4: "April/May 1991" (1991-xx-xx)
also published in:
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Master System print advert in Sega Visions (US) #6: "Fall 1991" (1991-xx-xx)
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Master System print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #111: "February 1991" (1991-01-16)
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Master System print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #113: "April 1991" (1991-03-16)
also published in:
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Master System print advert in K (IT) #25: "Febbraio 1991" (199x-xx-xx)
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Physical scans

System 18 version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
90 №106, p68[19]
90 №1990-09, p43
Arcade
90
Based on
2 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Arcade
N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Michael Jackson's Moonwalker

System 18, US
Moonwalker System18 US Marquee.jpg
System 18, JP

Mega-Tech version

Mega-Tech,
Moonwalker MT cover.jpg
Cover
Moonwalker MT Cart.jpg
Cart

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
61 №38, p89[20]
88 №4, p32[21]
81 №0, p44-46
88 №108, p80/81[22]
71 №1, p72[23]
91 №26, p36
78 №5, p87[24]
87 №9, p88[25]
64 №5, p93
78 №9, p21
85 №1, p79[26]
72 №18, p93
81 №4, p36[27]
96 №4, p24/25[28]
59 №10/90, p140[29]
87 №2, p42/43[30]
90 №17, p10/11
80 №23, p54
84 №4, p19[31]
84 №18, p66
91 №14, p130/131
Sega Mega Drive
81
Based on
21 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
40
[32]
ACE (UK)
62
[20]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
78
[33]
Buzz! Computers (UK)
83
[34]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
88
[21]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK)
85
[35]
Console XS (UK) PAL
86
[36]
Cool Gamer (RU)
40
[37]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
88
[22]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
70
[3]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
71
[23]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
65
[38]
The Games Machine (IT)
91
[39]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
69
[40]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
78
[24]
Joystick (FR)
87
[25]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
64
[41]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
81
[42]
Mega (UK) PAL
78
[43]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
73
[44]
MegaTech (UK)
85
[26]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
72
[45]
Mean Machines (UK)
81
[46]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
85
[47]
Player One (FR)
96
[28]
Power Play (DE)
59
[48]
Raze (UK) NTSC
87
[30]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
90
[49]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
75
[50]
Sega Pro (UK)
84
[31]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
84
[51]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
71
[52]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
68
[53]
Zero (UK)
91
[54]
Sega Mega Drive
77
Based on
34 reviews

Michael Jackson's Moonwalker

Mega Drive, US
Moonwalker MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Moonwalker MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Moonwalker md us manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US (cart misprint)
Moonwalker MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Moonwalker MD US Cart Misprint.jpg
Cart
Moonwalker md us manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
<div style="margin:auto; max-width:Expression error: Unexpected < operator.px"> 320x120px
Cover
Moonwalker MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, JP
Moonwalker md jp cover.jpg
Cover
MJMoonwalker MD JP CartTop.jpg
Moonwalker MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Moonwalker md jp manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, AU

Mega Drive, BR (cardboard)
Moonwalker MD BR Box Cardboard.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, BR
Moonwalker MD BR Box.jpg
Cover
Moonwalker MD BR Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, CA

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
80 №1, p22[55]
80 №0, p44/45
70 №112, p78[56]
70 №4, p94[57]
71 №1, p146[58]
64 №20, p66/67[59]
90 №16, p146[60]
80 №4, p34/35[61]
91 №9, p20/21[62]
55 №7/91, p137
83 №17, p18/19
60 №23, p58
81 №4, p19[31]
40 №91, p80/81[63]
Sega Master System
73
Based on
14 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK) PAL
80
[55]
Console XS (UK) PAL
85
[64]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
70
[65]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
71
[58]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
64
[59]
Joystick (FR) PAL
90
[60]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
68
[66]
Mean Machines (UK)
80
[46]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
80
[67]
Player One (FR)
91
[62]
Power Play (DE)
55
[68]
Score (CZ)
58
[69]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
83
[70]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
50
[71]
Sega Pro (UK)
81
[31]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
85
[72]
Tilt (FR)
40
[63]
Video Games (DE)
59
[73]
Sega Master System
72
Based on
18 reviews

Michael Jackson's Moonwalker

Master System, US
Moonwalker SMS US cover.jpg
Cover
Moonwalker sms us manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, EU (6 languages)
Moonwalker SMS EU 6lang cover.jpg
Cover
MichaelJacksonsMoonwalkerSMSEUManual6L.pdf
Manual
Master System, EU (8 languages)
Moonwalker SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
Master System, AU

Master System, BR (cardboard)
Moonwalker SMS BR cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, BR
MJMoonwalker SMS BR Box(code bar).jpg
Cover
Master System, KR
Moonwalker SMS KR Alt backcover.jpgNospine.pngMoonwalker SMS KR Alt cover.jpg
Cover
Moonwalker SMS KR cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, KR (Alt)
Moonwalker SMS KR AltB cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, KR (Alt B)
Moonwalker SMS KR backcover.jpgNospine.pngMoonwalker SMS KR cover.jpg
Cover

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega Drive
CRC32 6a70791b
MD5 7baf9fb775ee130bd7a4a779cb3bb612
SHA-1 8960bac2027cdeadb07e535a77597fb783e1433b
512kB 1990-07 Cartridge v00
Sega Mega Drive
CRC32 11ce1f9e
MD5 73b63cac3f15bfe4a7bad170654878a9
SHA-1 70d9b760c87196af364492512104fa18c9d69cce
512kB 1990-07 Cartridge v01

References

  1. File:CVG UK 107.pdf, page 126
  2. 2.0 2.1 File:Raze UK 11.pdf, page 76
  3. 3.0 3.1 File:EGM US 014.pdf, page 18 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:EGM US 014.pdf_p18" defined multiple times with different content
  4. File:CVG UK 111.pdf, page 80
  5. File:GamePro US 020.pdf, page 83
  6. File:AcaoGames BR 001.pdf, page 08
  7. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "August 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 7
  8. GamePro, "July 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 61
  9. VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "July 1990" (US; 1990-0x-xx), page 59
  10. GamePro, "August 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 53
  11. VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "August 1990" (US; 1990-0x-xx), page 13
  12. GamePro, "November 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 100
  13. Game Players Sega Guide!, "Vol. 1, No. 1: Fall 1990" (US; 1990-10-xx), page 8
  14. Sega Visions, "Winter 1990/1991" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 22
  15. Computer & Video Games, "May 1991" (UK; 1991-04-14), page 67
  16. Sega Visions, "Summer 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 10
  17. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "October 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 142
  18. Computer & Video Games, "May 1991" (UK; 1991-04-14), page 33
  19. File:CVG UK 106.pdf, page 68
  20. 20.0 20.1 File:ACE UK 38.pdf, page 89 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ACE UK 38.pdf_p89" defined multiple times with different content
  21. 21.0 21.1 File:CGtC UK 04.pdf, page 32 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CGtC UK 04.pdf_p32" defined multiple times with different content
  22. 22.0 22.1 File:CVG UK 108.pdf, page 80 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 108.pdf_p80" defined multiple times with different content
  23. 23.0 23.1 Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, Virgin Books, page 72 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesEssentialSegaGuide Book UK.pdf_p72" defined multiple times with different content
  24. 24.0 24.1 File:HobbyConsolas ES 005.pdf, page 79 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:HobbyConsolas ES 005.pdf_p79" defined multiple times with different content
  25. 25.0 25.1 File:Joystick FR 009.pdf, page 88 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joystick FR 009.pdf_p88" defined multiple times with different content
  26. 26.0 26.1 File:MegaTech UK 01.pdf, page 79 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MegaTech UK 01.pdf_p79" defined multiple times with different content
  27. File:MeanMachines UK 04.pdf, page 36
  28. 28.0 28.1 File:PlayerOne FR 004.pdf, page 24 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:PlayerOne FR 004.pdf_p24" defined multiple times with different content
  29. File:PowerPlay DE 032.pdf, page 140
  30. 30.0 30.1 File:Raze UK 02.pdf, page 42 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Raze UK 02.pdf_p42" defined multiple times with different content
  31. 31.0 31.1 31.2 31.3 File:SegaPro UK 04.pdf, page 19 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 04.pdf_p19" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 04.pdf_p19" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 04.pdf_p19" defined multiple times with different content
  32. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 134
  33. Beep! MegaDrive, "September 1990" (JP; 1990-08-XX), page 25
  34. Buzz! Computers (UK) (+0:00)
  35. The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 48
  36. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 132
  37. Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 127
  38. Famitsu, "" (JP; 1990-xx-xx), page 1
  39. The Games Machine, "Dicembre 1990" (IT; 1990-1x-xx), page 36
  40. Game Informer, "July 2001" (US; 2001-0x-xx), page 106
  41. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 93
  42. Mega Drive Fan, "November 1990" (JP; 1990-10-08), page 63
  43. Mega, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 21
  44. Mega Play, "November/December 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 29
  45. MegaTech, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 93
  46. 46.0 46.1 Mean Machines, "January 1991" (UK; 1991-01-03), page 44
  47. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 140
  48. Power Play, "11/90" (DE; 1990-10-12), page 140
  49. Sega Power, "April 1991" (UK; 1991-03-07), page 10
  50. Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 54
  51. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 66
  52. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 86
  53. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 114
  54. Zero, "December 1990" (UK; 1990-1x-xx), page 130
  55. 55.0 55.1 File:TheCompleteGuideToSega UK.pdf, page 22 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TheCompleteGuideToSega UK.pdf_p22" defined multiple times with different content
  56. File:CVG UK 112.pdf, page 78
  57. File:CVG IT 04.pdf, page 94
  58. 58.0 58.1 Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, Virgin Books, page 146 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesEssentialSegaGuide Book UK.pdf_p146" defined multiple times with different content
  59. 59.0 59.1 File:GamePro US 020.pdf, page 82 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:GamePro US 020.pdf_p82" defined multiple times with different content
  60. 60.0 60.1 File:Joystick FR 016.pdf, page 146 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joystick FR 016.pdf_p146" defined multiple times with different content
  61. File:MeanMachines UK 04.pdf, page 34
  62. 62.0 62.1 File:PlayerOne FR 009.pdf, page 20 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:PlayerOne FR 009.pdf_p20" defined multiple times with different content
  63. 63.0 63.1 File:Tilt FR 091.pdf, page 80 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Tilt FR 091.pdf_p80" defined multiple times with different content
  64. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 142
  65. Computer & Video Games, "March 1991" (UK; 1991-02-16), page 94
  66. Mega Play, "March/April 1991" (US; 1991-04-xx), page 45
  67. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 135
  68. Power Play, "7/91" (DE; 1991-06-12), page 137
  69. Score, "Srpen 1994" (CZ; 1994-08-01), page 57
  70. Sega Power, "April 1991" (UK; 1991-03-07), page 18
  71. Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 58
  72. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 71
  73. Video Games, "2/91" (DE; 1991-06-07), page 78