Michael Jackson's Moonwalker

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

n/a

Mega Drive
Master System

Michael Jackson's Moonwalker

System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System

Publisher: Sega

Developer:

Sega R&D 2

Arc

Sound driver:

SMPS 68000

Genre: Action^[1]^[2]^[3], Arcade^[4]

Number of players: 1-2

Release	Date	RRP	Code
JP	1990-08-25^[2]	¥6,0006,000	G-4028
US	1990-08^[5]
EU	1991-02^[6]
PT	199x		MDJ1013
UK	1991-02^[6]	£34.9934.99^[7]^[8]
SE (Rental)	199x
AU	199x
CA	199x
BR	199x
US	1990	$29.9529.95^[9]	7052
EU	1991-02^[10]		7052
BX	199x
PT	1991		MSJ7052
UK	1991-02^[10]	£29.9929.99^[7]^[11]	7052
UK (VHS bundle)	199x
AU	199x
BR	1991-06^[12]		026070
KR	199x		GB2004JG
UK	199x	£?	?

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. / jumps, /pressing kicks, and /holding 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, + / moonwalks and it is also possible to do crotch grabs). 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

	Club 30

	Street

	Woods

	Cavern

	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^[13].

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

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

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

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average

Publication

Version

Score

1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)

40

^[32]

ACE (UK)

62

^[14]

Beep! MegaDrive (JP)

NTSC-J

78

^[33]

Buzz! Computers (UK)

83

^[34]

Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)

88

^[18]

The Complete Guide to Sega (UK)

85

^[35]

Console XS (UK)

PAL

86

^[36]

Cool Gamer (RU)

40

^[37]

Computer & Video Games (UK)

88

^[38]

Electronic Gaming Monthly (US)

NTSC-U

70

^[5]

Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)

71

^[21]

Famitsu (JP)

NTSC-J

65

^[39]

The Games Machine (IT)

91

^[40]

Hobby Consolas (ES)

78

^[41]

Joystick (FR)

87

^[23]

Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)

PAL

64

^[42]

Mega Drive Fan (JP)

NTSC-J

81

^[43]

Mega (UK)

PAL

78

^[44]

Mega Play (US)

NTSC-U

73

^[45]

MegaTech (UK)

85

^[24]

MegaTech (UK)

PAL

72

^[6]

Mean Machines (UK)

81

^[46]

Mean Machines Sega (UK)

85

^[47]

Player One (FR)

96

^[48]

Power Play (DE)

59

^[49]

Raze (UK)

NTSC

87

^[50]

Sega Power (UK)

PAL

90

^[51]

Sega Power (UK)

PAL

75

^[30]

Sega Pro (UK)

84

^[31]

Sega Pro (UK)

PAL

84

^[52]

Sega Saturn Magazine (JP)

NTSC-J

71

^[53]

Tricks 16 bit (RU)

68

^[54]

Zero (UK)

91

^[55]

	77
Based on 33 reviews

Michael Jackson's Moonwalker

Mega Drive, JP
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, US
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, US (cart misprint)
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, EU
<div style="margin:auto; max-width:Expression error: Unexpected < operator.px"> 320x120px Cover
Cart PCB

Mega Drive, PT
Cover

Mega Drive, SE (Rental)

Mega Drive, AU

Mega Drive, BR (cardboard)
Cover

Mega Drive, BR
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, CA
Cover

Master System version

Sega Retro Average

Publication

Version

Score

The Complete Guide to Sega (UK)

PAL

80

^[56]

Console XS (UK)

PAL

85

^[68]

Computer & Video Games (UK)

70

^[69]

Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)

71

^[60]

GamePro (US)

NTSC-U

64

^[70]

Joystick (FR)

PAL

90

^[62]

Mega Play (US)

NTSC-U

68

^[71]

Mean Machines (UK)

80

^[46]

Mean Machines Sega (UK)

80

^[72]

Player One (FR)

91

^[73]

Power Play (DE)

55

^[74]

Score (CZ)

58

^[75]

Sega Power (UK)

PAL

83

^[13]

Sega Power (UK)

PAL

50

^[66]

Sega Pro (UK)

81

^[31]

Sega Pro (UK)

PAL

85

^[76]

Tilt (FR)

40

^[77]

Video Games (DE)

59

^[78]

	72
Based on 18 reviews

Michael Jackson's Moonwalker

Master System, US
Cover
Manual

Master System, EU (6 languages)
Cover
Manual

Master System, EU (8 languages)
Cover

Master System, UK (VHS bundle)
Cover

Master System, BX^†
Cover
Manual Manual (BX)

Master System, PT
Cover

Master System, AU (Horizontal manual; Hotline/NIAL stickers)
Cover
Cart

Master System, AU (Vertical manual; NIAL sticker)
Cover
Cart

Master System, AU (Not for rental sticker)
Cover
Cart

Master System, BR (cardboard)
Cover
Cart Manual

Master System, BR
Cover

Master System, KR
Cover
Cart

Master System, KR (Alt)
Cover

Master System, KR (Alt B)
Cover

Mega-Tech version

Mega-Tech,
Cover
Cart

Technical information

ROM dump status

System

Hash

Size

Build Date

Source

Comments

✔

CRC32	6a70791b
MD5	7baf9fb775ee130bd7a4a779cb3bb612
SHA-1	8960bac2027cdeadb07e535a77597fb783e1433b

512kB

1990-07

Cartridge

v00

✔

CRC32	11ce1f9e
MD5	73b63cac3f15bfe4a7bad170654878a9
SHA-1	70d9b760c87196af364492512104fa18c9d69cce

512kB

1990-07

Cartridge

v01

?

CRC32
MD5
SHA-1

1990-04-24

Page

?

CRC32	56cc906b
MD5	aa3bc8467e80a6aaab02051818ecb035
SHA-1	939416cebb381458d28ff628afb3d1f80293afa9

256kB

Cartridge (EU/US)

References

Michael Jackson's Moonwalker
	Main page \| Comparisons \| Maps \| History \| Hidden content \| Development \| Magazine articles \| Video coverage \| Reception \| Promotional material \| Region coding \| Technical information \| Bootlegs Prototypes: 1990-04-24

[:File:Moonwalker_md_jp_cover.jpg_p-1] File:Moonwalker md jp cover.jpg

[https:.2F.2Fweb.archive.org.2Fweb.2F20200720095133.2Fhttps:.2F.2Fsega.jp.2Fhistory.2Fhard.2Fmegadrive.2Fsoftware.html-2] 2.0 ^2.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-20 09:51)

[:File:Moonwalker_SMS_KR_backcover.jpg_p-3] File:Moonwalker SMS KR backcover.jpg

[:File:Moonwalker_SMS_EU_6lang_cover.jpg_p-4] File:Moonwalker SMS EU 6lang cover.jpg

[:File:EGM_US_014.pdf_p18-5] 5.0 ^5.1 Electronic Gaming Monthly, "September 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 18

[:File:MegaTech_UK_18.pdf_p93-6] 6.0 ^6.1 ^6.2 MegaTech, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 93

[:File:Raze_UK_11.pdf_p76-7] 7.0 ^7.1 Raze, "September 1991" (UK; 1991-07-25), page 76

[:File:SegaPower_UK_17.pdf_p11-8] Sega Power, "April 1991" (UK; 1991-03-07), page 11

[:File:GamePro_US_020.pdf_p83-9] GamePro, "March 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 83

[:File:MeanMachines_UK_04.pdf_p35-10] 10.0 ^10.1 Mean Machines, "January 1991" (UK; 1991-01-03), page 35

[:File:CVG_UK_111.pdf_p80-11] Computer & Video Games, "February 1991" (UK; 1991-01-16), page 80

[:File:AcaoGames_BR_001.pdf_p08-12] Ação Games, "Maio 1991" (BR; 1991-05-21), page 08

[:File:SegaPower_UK_17.pdf_p18-13] 13.0 ^13.1 Sega Power, "April 1991" (UK; 1991-03-07), page 18

[:File:ACE_UK_38.pdf_p89-14] 14.0 ^14.1 ACE, "November 1990" (UK; 1990-10-xx), page 89

[:File:BeepMD_JP_1990-09.pdf_p25_.2823.29-15] Beep! MegaDrive, "September 1990" (JP; 1990-08-XX), page 23 (25)

[:File:SSM_JP_19950901_1995-09.pdf_p86_.2884.29-16] Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 84 (86)

[:File:SSM_JP_19950901_1995-09.pdf_p2_.28568.2.2F3.29-17] Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 568.2/3 (2)

[:File:CGtC_UK_04.pdf_p32-18] 18.0 ^18.1 Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume IV" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 32

[:File:ConsolesPlus_FR_000.pdf_p44_.2844-46.29-19] Consoles +, "Tilt Hors-Serie" (FR; 1991-07-xx), page 44-46 (44)

[:File:CVG_UK_108.pdf_p80_.2880.2F81.29-20] Computer & Video Games, "November 1990" (UK; 1990-10-16), page 80/81 (80)

[:File:MeanMachinesEssentialSegaGuide_Book_UK.pdf_p72-21] 21.0 ^21.1 Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 72

[:File:HobbyConsolas_ES_005.pdf_p79_.2887.29-22] Hobby Consolas, "Febrero 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 87 (79)

[:File:Joystick_FR_009.pdf_p88-23] 23.0 ^23.1 Joystick, "Octobre 1990" (FR; 1990-xx-xx), page 88

[:File:MegaTech_UK_01.pdf_p79-24] 24.0 ^24.1 MegaTech, "Xmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-06), page 79

[:File:MeanMachines_UK_04.pdf_p36-25] Mean Machines, "January 1991" (UK; 1991-01-03), page 36

[:File:PlayerOne_FR_004.pdf_p24_.2824.2F25.29-26] Player One, "Décembre 1990" (FR; 1990-xx-xx), page 24/25 (24)

[:File:PowerPlay_DE_1990-10.pdf_p140-27] Power Play, "10/90" (DE; 1990-09-14), page 140

[:File:Raze_UK_02.pdf_p42_.2842.2F43.29-28] Raze, "December 1990" (UK; 1990-10-25), page 42/43 (42)

[:File:SegaPower_UK_17.pdf_p10_.2810.2F11.29-29] Sega Power, "April 1991" (UK; 1991-03-07), page 10/11 (10)

[:File:SegaPower_UK_23.pdf_p54-30] 30.0 ^30.1 Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 54

[:File:SegaPro_UK_04.pdf_p19-31] 31.0 ^31.1 ^31.2 ^31.3 Sega Pro, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-16), page 19

[32] 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 134

[:File:BeepMD_JP_1990-09.pdf_p25-33] Beep! MegaDrive, "September 1990" (JP; 1990-08-XX), page 25

[buzz1991-01-18-34] Buzz! Computers (UK) (+0:00)

[:File:TheCompleteGuideToSega_UK.pdf_p48-35] The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 48

[:File:Console_XS_UK_01.pdf_p132-36] Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 132

[37] Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 127

[:File:CVG_UK_108.pdf_p80-38] Computer & Video Games, "November 1990" (UK; 1990-10-16), page 80

[39] Famitsu, "" (JP; 1990-xx-xx), page 1

[40] The Games Machine, "Dicembre 1990" (IT; 1990-1x-xx), page 36

[:File:HobbyConsolas_ES_005.pdf_p79-41] Hobby Consolas, "Febrero 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 79

[:File:MDAG_UK_05.pdf_p93-42] Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 93

[:File:Mdfan_JP_1990-11.pdf_p63-43] Mega Drive Fan, "November 1990" (JP; 1990-10-08), page 63

[:File:Mega_UK_09.pdf_p21-44] Mega, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 21

[:File:MegaPlay_US_01.pdf_p29-45] Mega Play, "November/December 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 29

[:File:MeanMachines_UK_04.pdf_p44-46] 46.0 ^46.1 Mean Machines, "January 1991" (UK; 1991-01-03), page 44

[:File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf_p140-47] Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 140

[:File:PlayerOne_FR_004.pdf_p24-48] Player One, "Décembre 1990" (FR; 1990-xx-xx), page 24

[:File:PowerPlay_DE_1990-11.pdf_p140-49] Power Play, "11/90" (DE; 1990-10-12), page 140

[:File:Raze_UK_02.pdf_p42-50] Raze, "December 1990" (UK; 1990-10-25), page 42

[:File:SegaPower_UK_17.pdf_p10-51] Sega Power, "April 1991" (UK; 1991-03-07), page 10

[:File:SegaPro_UK_18.pdf_p66-52] Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 66

[:File:SSM_JP_19950901_1995-09.pdf_p86-53] Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 86

[54] Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 114

[:File:Zero_UK_14.pdf_p130-55] Zero, "December 1990" (UK; 1990-1x-xx), page 130

[:File:TheCompleteGuideToSega_UK.pdf_p22-56] 56.0 ^56.1 The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 22

[:File:ConsolesPlus_FR_000.pdf_p44_.2844.2F45.29-57] Consoles +, "Tilt Hors-Serie" (FR; 1991-07-xx), page 44/45 (44)

[:File:CVG_UK_112.pdf_p78-58] Computer & Video Games, "March 1991" (UK; 1991-02-16), page 78

[:File:CVG_IT_04.pdf_p94-59] Computer + Video Giochi, "Aprile 1991" (IT; 1991-xx-xx), page 94

[:File:MeanMachinesEssentialSegaGuide_Book_UK.pdf_p146-60] 60.0 ^60.1 Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 146

[:File:GamePro_US_020.pdf_p82_.2866.2F67.29-61] GamePro, "March 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 66/67 (82)

[:File:Joystick_FR_016.pdf_p146-62] 62.0 ^62.1 Joystick, "Mai 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 146

[:File:MeanMachines_UK_04.pdf_p34_.2834.2F35.29-63] Mean Machines, "January 1991" (UK; 1991-01-03), page 34/35 (34)

[:File:PlayerOne_FR_009.pdf_p20_.2820.2F21.29-64] Player One, "Mai 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 20/21 (20)

[:File:SegaPower_UK_17.pdf_p18_.2818.2F19.29-65] Sega Power, "April 1991" (UK; 1991-03-07), page 18/19 (18)

[:File:SegaPower_UK_23.pdf_p58-66] 66.0 ^66.1 Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 58

[:File:Tilt_FR_091.pdf_p80_.2880.2F81.29-67] Tilt, "Juin 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 80/81 (80)

[:File:Console_XS_UK_01.pdf_p142-68] Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 142

[:File:CVG_UK_112.pdf_p94-69] Computer & Video Games, "March 1991" (UK; 1991-02-16), page 94

[:File:GamePro_US_020.pdf_p82-70] GamePro, "March 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 82

[:File:MegaPlay_US_03.pdf_p45-71] Mega Play, "March/April 1991" (US; 1991-04-xx), page 45

[:File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf_p135-72] Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 135

[:File:PlayerOne_FR_009.pdf_p20-73] Player One, "Mai 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 20

[74] Power Play, "7/91" (DE; 1991-06-12), page 137

[:File:Score_CZ_08.pdf_p57-75] Score, "Srpen 1994" (CZ; 1994-08-01), page 57

[:File:SegaPro_UK_18.pdf_p71-76] Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 71

[:File:Tilt_FR_091.pdf_p80-77] Tilt, "Juin 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 80

[:File:VideoGames_DE_1991-02.pdf_p78-78] Video Games, "2/91" (DE; 1991-06-07), page 78

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Michael Jackson's Moonwalker

From Sega Retro

Contents

Gameplay

Rounds

History

Release

Legacy

Production credits

Mega Drive version

Master System version

Magazine articles

Promotional material

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Master System version

Mega-Tech version

Technical information

ROM dump status

References