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

1

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 an action platform game starring Michael Jackson. Developed by Sega AM7 and released for the Sega Mega Drive in late 1990, it was ported to the Sega Master System in early 1991 by developer Arc.

The game, along with its predecessor Michael Jackson's Moonwalker (System 18), is notable for being one of the earliest uses of direct celebrity endorsement in video game production.

Plot

The game is based on the Smooth Criminal segment of Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker, following Jackson in suit and fedora through stages based on his different music videos as he rescues children from the drug dealer Mr. Big.^[13]

Gameplay

Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker is an action platform game which emphasises exploration, and plays similiarly to the developer’s previous game Shinobi. Jackson has attacks based on his dance moves, such as throwing his fedora, and a significant jumping ability. Jackson also has the ability to both crotch grab and moonwalk. Neither have any ability on gameplay, and exist for purely aesthetic reasons.

In certain levels, rescuing a certain child first triggers a comet to fall from the sky that can be grabbed, transforming Michael into the giant robot from the movie and giving him the abilities of flight, eye lasers, and homing missles. Jackson also automatically changes into this form for the penultimate showdown with Mr. Big's henchmen. In the Sega Mega Drive version, Jackson additionally transforms into a spaceship for the final battle, which consists of a flight simulator-like minigame.^[13]

All incarnations of the game feature Dance Magic, a special ability where enemies are compelled to dance to short beats from Bad, Thriller, and Another Part of Me before being defeated as a result.^[13]

Rounds

	Club 30

	Street

	Woods

	Cavern

	The Enemy Hideout

History

Released in the early days of the Sega Mega Drive, Moonwalker was one of Sega’s flagship titles (particularly in North America), with Jackson's persona being used alongside other celebrities like Joe Montana in an effort to put a dent in sales of Nintendo products.

In North America, the Sega Master System version was released alongside the Sega Master System II. In the United Kingdom, it was that system’s pack-in game upon release, and did not become a standalone product until six months later.^[14]

=Legacy

Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker, particularly the Sega Mega Drive original, achieved cult status as a classic for the 16-bit platform.

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

^[33]

ACE (UK)

62

^[15]

Beep! MegaDrive (JP)

NTSC-J

78

^[34]

Buzz! Computers (UK)

83

^[35]

Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)

88

^[19]

The Complete Guide to Sega (UK)

85

^[36]

Console XS (UK)

PAL

86

^[37]

Cool Gamer (RU)

40

^[38]

Computer & Video Games (UK)

88

^[39]

Electronic Gaming Monthly (US)

NTSC-U

70

^[5]

Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)

71

^[22]

Famitsu (JP)

NTSC-J

65

^[40]

The Games Machine (IT)

91

^[41]

Hobby Consolas (ES)

78

^[42]

Joystick (FR)

87

^[24]

Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)

PAL

64

^[43]

Mega Drive Fan (JP)

NTSC-J

81

^[44]

Mega (UK)

PAL

78

^[45]

Mega Play (US)

NTSC-U

73

^[46]

MegaTech (UK)

85

^[25]

MegaTech (UK)

PAL

72

^[6]

Mean Machines (UK)

81

^[47]

Mean Machines Sega (UK)

85

^[48]

Player One (FR)

96

^[49]

Power Play (DE)

59

^[50]

Raze (UK)

NTSC

87

^[51]

Sega Power (UK)

PAL

90

^[52]

Sega Power (UK)

PAL

75

^[31]

Sega Pro (UK)

84

^[32]

Sega Pro (UK)

PAL

84

^[53]

Sega Saturn Magazine (JP)

NTSC-J

71

^[54]

Tricks 16 bit (RU)

68

^[55]

Zero (UK)

91

^[56]

	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

^[57]

Console XS (UK)

PAL

85

^[69]

Computer & Video Games (UK)

70

^[70]

Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)

71

^[61]

GamePro (US)

NTSC-U

64

^[71]

Joystick (FR)

PAL

90

^[63]

Mega Play (US)

NTSC-U

68

^[72]

Mean Machines (UK)

80

^[47]

Mean Machines Sega (UK)

80

^[73]

Player One (FR)

91

^[74]

Power Play (DE)

55

^[75]

Score (CZ)

58

^[76]

Sega Power (UK)

PAL

83

^[14]

Sega Power (UK)

PAL

50

^[67]

Sega Pro (UK)

81

^[32]

Sega Pro (UK)

PAL

85

^[77]

Tilt (FR)

40

^[78]

Video Games (DE)

59

^[79]

	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

[http:.2F.2Fwww.hardcoregaming101.net.2Fmichael-jacksons-moonwalker-genesissms-13] 13.0 ^13.1 ^13.2 http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/michael-jacksons-moonwalker-genesissms

[:File:SegaPower_UK_17.pdf_p18-14] 14.0 ^14.1 Sega Power, "April 1991" (UK; 1991-03-07), page 18

[:File:ACE_UK_38.pdf_p89-15] 15.0 ^15.1 ACE, "November 1990" (UK; 1990-10-xx), page 89

[:File:BeepMD_JP_1990-09.pdf_p25_.2823.29-16] Beep! MegaDrive, "September 1990" (JP; 1990-08-XX), page 23 (25)

[:File:SSM_JP_19950901_1995-09.pdf_p86_.2884.29-17] Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 84 (86)

[:File:SSM_JP_19950901_1995-09.pdf_p2_.28568.2.2F3.29-18] Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 568.2/3 (2)

[:File:CGtC_UK_04.pdf_p32-19] 19.0 ^19.1 Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume IV" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 32

[:File:ConsolesPlus_FR_000.pdf_p44_.2844-46.29-20] Consoles +, "Tilt Hors-Serie" (FR; 1991-07-xx), page 44-46 (44)

[:File:CVG_UK_108.pdf_p80_.2880.2F81.29-21] Computer & Video Games, "November 1990" (UK; 1990-10-16), page 80/81 (80)

[:File:MeanMachinesEssentialSegaGuide_Book_UK.pdf_p72-22] 22.0 ^22.1 Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 72

[:File:HobbyConsolas_ES_005.pdf_p79_.2887.29-23] Hobby Consolas, "Febrero 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 87 (79)

[:File:Joystick_FR_009.pdf_p88-24] 24.0 ^24.1 Joystick, "Octobre 1990" (FR; 1990-xx-xx), page 88

[:File:MegaTech_UK_01.pdf_p79-25] 25.0 ^25.1 MegaTech, "Xmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-06), page 79

[:File:MeanMachines_UK_04.pdf_p36-26] Mean Machines, "January 1991" (UK; 1991-01-03), page 36

[:File:PlayerOne_FR_004.pdf_p24_.2824.2F25.29-27] Player One, "Décembre 1990" (FR; 1990-xx-xx), page 24/25 (24)

[:File:PowerPlay_DE_1990-10.pdf_p140-28] Power Play, "10/90" (DE; 1990-09-14), page 140

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

[:File:SegaPower_UK_17.pdf_p10_.2810.2F11.29-30] Sega Power, "April 1991" (UK; 1991-03-07), page 10/11 (10)

[:File:SegaPower_UK_23.pdf_p54-31] 31.0 ^31.1 Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 54

[:File:SegaPro_UK_04.pdf_p19-32] 32.0 ^32.1 ^32.2 ^32.3 Sega Pro, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-16), page 19

[33] 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 134

[:File:BeepMD_JP_1990-09.pdf_p25-34] Beep! MegaDrive, "September 1990" (JP; 1990-08-XX), page 25

[buzz1991-01-18-35] Buzz! Computers (UK) (+0:00)

[:File:TheCompleteGuideToSega_UK.pdf_p48-36] The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 48

[:File:Console_XS_UK_01.pdf_p132-37] Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 132

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

[:File:CVG_UK_108.pdf_p80-39] Computer & Video Games, "November 1990" (UK; 1990-10-16), page 80

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

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

[:File:HobbyConsolas_ES_005.pdf_p79-42] Hobby Consolas, "Febrero 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 79

[:File:MDAG_UK_05.pdf_p93-43] Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 93

[:File:Mdfan_JP_1990-11.pdf_p63-44] Mega Drive Fan, "November 1990" (JP; 1990-10-08), page 63

[:File:Mega_UK_09.pdf_p21-45] Mega, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 21

[:File:MegaPlay_US_01.pdf_p29-46] Mega Play, "November/December 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 29

[:File:MeanMachines_UK_04.pdf_p44-47] 47.0 ^47.1 Mean Machines, "January 1991" (UK; 1991-01-03), page 44

[:File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf_p140-48] Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 140

[:File:PlayerOne_FR_004.pdf_p24-49] Player One, "Décembre 1990" (FR; 1990-xx-xx), page 24

[:File:PowerPlay_DE_1990-11.pdf_p140-50] Power Play, "11/90" (DE; 1990-10-12), page 140

[:File:Raze_UK_02.pdf_p42-51] Raze, "December 1990" (UK; 1990-10-25), page 42

[:File:SegaPower_UK_17.pdf_p10-52] Sega Power, "April 1991" (UK; 1991-03-07), page 10

[:File:SegaPro_UK_18.pdf_p66-53] Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 66

[:File:SSM_JP_19950901_1995-09.pdf_p86-54] Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 86

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

[:File:Zero_UK_14.pdf_p130-56] Zero, "December 1990" (UK; 1990-1x-xx), page 130

[:File:TheCompleteGuideToSega_UK.pdf_p22-57] 57.0 ^57.1 The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 22

[:File:ConsolesPlus_FR_000.pdf_p44_.2844.2F45.29-58] Consoles +, "Tilt Hors-Serie" (FR; 1991-07-xx), page 44/45 (44)

[:File:CVG_UK_112.pdf_p78-59] Computer & Video Games, "March 1991" (UK; 1991-02-16), page 78

[:File:CVG_IT_04.pdf_p94-60] Computer + Video Giochi, "Aprile 1991" (IT; 1991-xx-xx), page 94

[:File:MeanMachinesEssentialSegaGuide_Book_UK.pdf_p146-61] 61.0 ^61.1 Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 146

[:File:GamePro_US_020.pdf_p82_.2866.2F67.29-62] GamePro, "March 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 66/67 (82)

[:File:Joystick_FR_016.pdf_p146-63] 63.0 ^63.1 Joystick, "Mai 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 146

[:File:MeanMachines_UK_04.pdf_p34_.2834.2F35.29-64] Mean Machines, "January 1991" (UK; 1991-01-03), page 34/35 (34)

[:File:PlayerOne_FR_009.pdf_p20_.2820.2F21.29-65] Player One, "Mai 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 20/21 (20)

[:File:SegaPower_UK_17.pdf_p18_.2818.2F19.29-66] Sega Power, "April 1991" (UK; 1991-03-07), page 18/19 (18)

[:File:SegaPower_UK_23.pdf_p58-67] 67.0 ^67.1 Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 58

[:File:Tilt_FR_091.pdf_p80_.2880.2F81.29-68] Tilt, "Juin 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 80/81 (80)

[:File:Console_XS_UK_01.pdf_p142-69] Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 142

[:File:CVG_UK_112.pdf_p94-70] Computer & Video Games, "March 1991" (UK; 1991-02-16), page 94

[:File:GamePro_US_020.pdf_p82-71] GamePro, "March 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 82

[:File:MegaPlay_US_03.pdf_p45-72] Mega Play, "March/April 1991" (US; 1991-04-xx), page 45

[:File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf_p135-73] Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 135

[:File:PlayerOne_FR_009.pdf_p20-74] Player One, "Mai 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 20

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

[:File:Score_CZ_08.pdf_p57-76] Score, "Srpen 1994" (CZ; 1994-08-01), page 57

[:File:SegaPro_UK_18.pdf_p71-77] Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 71

[:File:Tilt_FR_091.pdf_p80-78] Tilt, "Juin 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 80

[:File:VideoGames_DE_1991-02.pdf_p78-79] Video Games, "2/91" (DE; 1991-06-07), page 78

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

[29]

[30]

[31]

[32]

[33]

[34]

[35]

[36]

[37]

[38]

[39]

[40]

[41]

[42]

[43]

[44]

[45]

[46]

[47]

[48]

[49]

[50]

[51]

[52]

[53]

[54]

[55]

[56]

[57]

[58]

[59]

[60]

[61]

[62]

[63]

[64]

[65]

[66]

[67]

[68]

[69]

[70]

[71]

[72]

[73]

[74]

[75]

[76]

[77]

[78]

[79]

Michael Jackson's Moonwalker

From Sega Retro

Contents

Plot

Gameplay

Rounds

History

=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