Michael Jackson's Moonwalker

From Sega Retro

For the Sega System 18 arcade game, see Michael Jackson's Moonwalker (System 18).

n/a

Moonwalker MD title.png

Michael Jackson's Moonwalker
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Sound driver:
Sega Mega Drive
SMPS 68000
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1-2
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][3]
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Mega Drive
CA
Sega Mega Drive
BR
Sega Master System
US 		$29.9529.95[7] 7052
Sega Master System
EU 		7052
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Master System
BR 		026070
Sega Master System
KR 		GB2004JG

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 one of two video game tie-ins made by Sega based on the 1988 film, Moonwalker. The other is an arcade version produced for Sega System 18 hardware, and 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.

Gameplay

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.

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.

Rounds

Moonwalker MD Club30.png

Club 30

Notavailable.svg

Street

Notavailable.svg

Woods

Notavailable.svg

Cavern

Notavailable.svg

The Enemy Hideout

History

Release

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.

In North America, the Master System version was released alongside the redesigned Master System II console. In the United Kingdom, it was initially only packaged with Master System consoles, not becoming a stand-alone product until six months later[9].

Legacy

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.

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

Production credits

Mega Drive version

Master System version


Magazine articles

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

Promotional material

Main article: Michael Jackson's Moonwalker/Promotional material.

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
61 [10]
78 №1990-09, p23[11]
71 №, p84[12]
88 [13]
81 №0, p44-46
88 №108, p80/81[14]
71 [15]
65 №109, [1]
91 №26, p36
78 №5, p87[16]
87 [17]
64 №5, p93
78 №9, p21
85 [18]
72 №18, p93
81 [1]
96 №4, p24/25[19]
59 №10/90, p140[20]
87 №2, p42/43[21]
90 №17, p10/11
80 №23, p54
84 [22]
84 №18, p66
91 №14, p130/131
Sega Mega Drive
 80
Based on
24 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
40
[23]
ACE (UK)
62
[10]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
78
[24]
Buzz! Computers (UK)
83
[25]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
88
[13]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK)
85
[26]
Console XS (UK) PAL
86
[27]
Cool Gamer (RU)
40
[28]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
88
[14]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
70
[4]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
71
[15]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
65
[29]
The Games Machine (IT)
91
[30]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
78
[16]
Joystick (FR)
87
[17]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
64
[31]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
81
[32]
Mega (UK) PAL
78
[33]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
73
[34]
MegaTech (UK)
85
[18]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
72
[35]
Mean Machines (UK)
81
[36]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
85
[37]
Player One (FR)
96
[19]
Power Play (DE)
59
[38]
Raze (UK) NTSC
87
[21]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
90
[39]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
75
[40]
Sega Pro (UK)
84
[22]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
84
[41]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
71
[42]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
68
[43]
Zero (UK)
91
[44]
Sega Mega Drive
 77
Based on
33 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
Michael Jackson's Moonwalker MD BR Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, CA

Mega Drive, SE (Rental)

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
80 [45]
80 №0, p44/45
70 [46]
70 [47]
71 [48]
64 №20, p66/67[49]
90 [50]
80 №4, p34/35[51]
91 №9, p20/21[52]
55 №7/91, p137
83 №17, p18/19
60 №23, p58
81 [22]
40 №91, p80/81[53]
Sega Master System
 73
Based on
14 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK) PAL
80
[45]
Console XS (UK) PAL
85
[54]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
70
[55]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
71
[48]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
64
[49]
Joystick (FR) PAL
90
[50]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
68
[56]
Mean Machines (UK)
80
[36]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
80
[57]
Player One (FR)
91
[52]
Power Play (DE)
55
[58]
Score (CZ)
58
[59]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
83
[9]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
50
[60]
Sega Pro (UK)
81
[22]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
85
[61]
Tilt (FR)
40
[53]
Video Games (DE)
59
[62]
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
Moonwalker SMS BR Cart.jpg
Cart
MJMoonwalker SMS BR Manual.pdf
Manual
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

Mega-Tech version

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

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
Sega Master System
 ?
CRC32 56cc906b
MD5 aa3bc8467e80a6aaab02051818ecb035
SHA-1 939416cebb381458d28ff628afb3d1f80293afa9
256kB Cartridge (EU/US)

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Mean Machines, "January 1991" (UK; 1991-01-03), page 36
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 File:Raze UK 11.pdf, page 76
  3. ↑ Sega Power, "April 1991" (UK; 1991-03-07), page 11
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 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
  5. ↑ Mean Machines, "January 1991" (UK; 1991-01-03), page 35
  6. ↑ File:CVG UK 111.pdf, page 80
  7. ↑ File:GamePro US 020.pdf, page 83
  8. ↑ File:AcaoGames BR 001.pdf, page 08
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Sega Power, "April 1991" (UK; 1991-03-07), page 18
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 ACE, "November 1990" (UK; 1990-10-xx), page 89
  11. ↑ File:BeepMD_JP_1990-09.pdf, page 25
  12. ↑ File:SSM_JP_19950901_1995-09.pdf, page 86
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume IV" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 32
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 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
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 72
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 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
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Joystick, "Octobre 1990" (FR; 1990-xx-xx), page 88
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 MegaTech, "Xmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-06), page 79
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 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
  20. ↑ File:PowerPlay DE 032.pdf, page 140
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 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
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 Sega Pro, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-16), page 19
  23. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 134
  24. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "September 1990" (JP; 1990-08-XX), page 25
  25. ↑ Buzz! Computers (UK) (+0:00)
  26. ↑ The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 48
  27. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 132
  28. ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 127
  29. ↑ Famitsu, "" (JP; 1990-xx-xx), page 1
  30. ↑ The Games Machine, "Dicembre 1990" (IT; 1990-1x-xx), page 36
  31. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 93
  32. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "November 1990" (JP; 1990-10-08), page 63
  33. ↑ Mega, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 21
  34. ↑ Mega Play, "November/December 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 29
  35. ↑ MegaTech, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 93
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 Mean Machines, "January 1991" (UK; 1991-01-03), page 44
  37. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 140
  38. ↑ Power Play, "11/90" (DE; 1990-10-12), page 140
  39. ↑ Sega Power, "April 1991" (UK; 1991-03-07), page 10
  40. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 54
  41. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 66
  42. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 86
  43. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 114
  44. ↑ Zero, "December 1990" (UK; 1990-1x-xx), page 130
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 22
  46. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "March 1991" (UK; 1991-02-16), page 78
  47. ↑ Computer + Video Giochi, "Aprile 1991" (IT; 1991-xx-xx), page 94
  48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 146
  49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 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
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 Joystick, "Mai 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 146
  51. ↑ File:MeanMachines UK 04.pdf, page 34
  52. ↑ 52.0 52.1 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
  53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 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
  54. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 142
  55. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "March 1991" (UK; 1991-02-16), page 94
  56. ↑ Mega Play, "March/April 1991" (US; 1991-04-xx), page 45
  57. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 135
  58. ↑ Power Play, "7/91" (DE; 1991-06-12), page 137
  59. ↑ Score, "Srpen 1994" (CZ; 1994-08-01), page 57
  60. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 58
  61. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 71
  62. ↑ Video Games, "2/91" (DE; 1991-06-07), page 78


Michael Jackson's Moonwalker

Moonwalker MD title.png

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Prototypes: 1990-04-24
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