Michael Jackson's Moonwalker

From Sega Retro

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

n/a

  • Mega Drive
  • Master System

Moonwalker MD title.png

Moonwalker SMS 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[1][2][3], Arcade[4]

















Number of players:
Sega Mega Drive
1-2
Sega Master System
1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP
¥6,0006,000 G-4028
Sega Mega Drive
US
Sega Mega Drive
EU
Sega Mega Drive
PT
MDJ1013
Sega Mega Drive
UK
£34.9934.99[7][8]
Sega Mega Drive
SE
(Rental)
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Mega Drive
CA
Sega Mega Drive
BR
Sega Master System
US
$29.9529.95[9] 7052
Sega Master System
EU
7052
Sega Master System
BX
Sega Master System
PT
MSJ7052
Sega Master System
UK
£29.9929.99[7][11] 7052
Sega Master System
UK
(VHS bundle)
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Master System
BR
026070
Sega Master System
KR
GB2004JG
Arcade (Mega-Tech System)
UK
£? ?

























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 popular music artist Michael Jackson. Developed by Sega AM7 and released for the Sega Mega Drive in late 1990, the game was ported to the Sega Master System in early 1991 by developer Arc, and is based on the 1988 film Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker.

The game, along with its arcade counterpart Michael Jackson's Moonwalker (System 18), is notable for being one of the earliest uses of direct celebrity endorsement in video game production.[13][14]

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.[15]

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, although 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, briefly transforming Michael into the giant robot from the movie and giving him the abilities of flight, eye lasers, and homing missiles. 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.[15]

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.[15]

Rounds

Moonwalker MD Club30.png

Club 30

Notavailable.svg

Street

Notavailable.svg

Woods

Notavailable.svg

Cavern

Notavailable.svg

The Enemy Hideout

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
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
40
[16]
ACE (UK)
62
[17]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
78
[18]
Buzz! Computers (UK)
83
[19]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
88
[20]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK)
85
[21]
Console XS (UK) PAL
86
[22]
Cool Gamer (RU)
40
[23]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
88
[24]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
70
[5]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
71
[25]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
65
[26]
The Games Machine (IT)
91
[27]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
78
[28]
Joystick (FR)
87
[29]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
64
[30]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
81
[31]
Mega (UK) PAL
78
[32]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
73
[33]
MegaTech (UK)
85
[34]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
72
[6]
Mean Machines (UK)
81
[35]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
85
[36]
Player One (FR)
96
[37]
Power Play (DE)
59
[38]
Raze (UK) NTSC
87
[39]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
90
[40]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
75
[41]
Sega Pro (UK)
84
[42]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
84
[43]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
71
[44]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
68
[45]
Zero (UK)
91
[46]
Sega Mega Drive
77
Based on
33 reviews

Michael Jackson's Moonwalker

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, 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
Moonwalker MD EU BoxCover.jpg
Cover
Moonwalker MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Moonwalker MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Moonwalker MD EU pcb.jpg
PCB
Mega Drive, PT
Moonwalker MD PT cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, SE (Rental)

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
Moonwalker MD CA cover.jpg
Cover

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK) PAL
80
[47]
Console XS (UK) PAL
85
[48]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
70
[49]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
71
[50]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
64
[51]
Joystick (FR) PAL
90
[52]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
68
[53]
Mean Machines (UK)
80
[35]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
80
[54]
Player One (FR)
91
[55]
Power Play (DE)
55
[56]
Score (CZ)
58
[57]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
83
[58]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
50
[59]
Sega Pro (UK)
81
[42]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
85
[60]
Tilt (FR)
40
[61]
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
Moonwalker SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
MichaelJacksonsMoonwalkerSMSEUManual6L.pdf
Manual
Master System, EU (8 languages)
Moonwalker SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
Moonwalker SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
MichaelJacksonsMoonwalkerSMSEUManual6L.pdf
Manual
Master System, UK (VHS bundle)
Moonwalker SMS UK vhsbundle front.jpg
Cover
Master System, BX
Moonwalker SMS BX cover.jpg
Cover
MichaelJacksonsMoonwalkerSMSEUManual6L.pdf
Manual
Moonwalker SMS BX Manual.jpg
Manual (BX)
Master System, PT
Moonwalker SMS PT cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, AU (Horizontal manual; Hotline/NIAL stickers)
Moonwalker SMS AU hotline cover.jpg
Cover
Moonwalker SMS AU cartback.jpgMoonwalker SMS AU cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU (Vertical manual; NIAL sticker)
Moonwalker SMS AU nial cover.jpg
Cover
Moonwalker SMS AU cartback.jpgMoonwalker SMS AU cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU (Not for rental sticker)
Moonwalker SMS AU norental cover.jpg
Cover
Moonwalker SMS AU cartback.jpgMoonwalker SMS AU cart.jpg
Cart
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 Mega Drive
 ?
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
1990-04-24 Page
Sega Master System
 ?
CRC32 56cc906b
MD5 aa3bc8467e80a6aaab02051818ecb035
SHA-1 939416cebb381458d28ff628afb3d1f80293afa9
256kB Cartridge (EU/US)

References

  1. File:Moonwalker md jp cover.jpg
  2. 2.0 2.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-20 09:51)
  3. File:Moonwalker SMS KR backcover.jpg
  4. File:Moonwalker SMS EU 6lang cover.jpg
  5. 5.0 5.1 Electronic Gaming Monthly, "September 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 18
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 MegaTech, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 93
  7. 7.0 7.1 Raze, "September 1991" (UK; 1991-07-25), page 76
  8. Sega Power, "April 1991" (UK; 1991-03-07), page 11
  9. GamePro, "March 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 83
  10. 10.0 10.1 Mean Machines, "January 1991" (UK; 1991-01-03), page 35
  11. Computer & Video Games, "February 1991" (UK; 1991-01-16), page 80
  12. Ação Games, "Maio 1991" (BR; 1991-05-21), page 08
  13. File:BangorDailyNews US 1990-01-17; Page 19.png
  14. File:DetroitFreePress US 1990-12-13; Page 36 (3C).png
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/michael-jacksons-moonwalker-genesissms
  16. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 134
  17. ACE, "November 1990" (UK; 1990-10-xx), page 89
  18. Beep! MegaDrive, "September 1990" (JP; 1990-08-XX), page 25
  19. Buzz! Computers (UK) (+0:00)
  20. Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume IV" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 32
  21. The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 48
  22. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 132
  23. Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 127
  24. Computer & Video Games, "November 1990" (UK; 1990-10-16), page 80
  25. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 72
  26. Famitsu, "" (JP; 1990-xx-xx), page 1
  27. The Games Machine, "Dicembre 1990" (IT; 1990-1x-xx), page 36
  28. Hobby Consolas, "Febrero 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 79
  29. Joystick, "Octobre 1990" (FR; 1990-xx-xx), page 88
  30. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 93
  31. Mega Drive Fan, "November 1990" (JP; 1990-10-08), page 63
  32. Mega, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 21
  33. Mega Play, "November/December 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 29
  34. MegaTech, "Xmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-06), page 79
  35. 35.0 35.1 Mean Machines, "January 1991" (UK; 1991-01-03), page 44
  36. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 140
  37. Player One, "Décembre 1990" (FR; 1990-xx-xx), page 24
  38. Power Play, "11/90" (DE; 1990-10-12), page 140
  39. Raze, "December 1990" (UK; 1990-10-25), page 42
  40. Sega Power, "April 1991" (UK; 1991-03-07), page 10
  41. Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 54
  42. 42.0 42.1 Sega Pro, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-16), page 19
  43. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 66
  44. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 86
  45. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 114
  46. Zero, "December 1990" (UK; 1990-1x-xx), page 130
  47. The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 22
  48. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 142
  49. Computer & Video Games, "March 1991" (UK; 1991-02-16), page 94
  50. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 146
  51. GamePro, "March 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 82
  52. Joystick, "Mai 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 146
  53. Mega Play, "March/April 1991" (US; 1991-04-xx), page 45
  54. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 135
  55. Player One, "Mai 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 20
  56. Power Play, "7/91" (DE; 1991-06-12), page 137
  57. Score, "Srpen 1994" (CZ; 1994-08-01), page 57
  58. Sega Power, "April 1991" (UK; 1991-03-07), page 18
  59. Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 58
  60. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 71
  61. Tilt, "Juin 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 80
  62. Video Games, "2/91" (DE; 1991-06-07), page 78


Michael Jackson's Moonwalker

Moonwalker MD title.png

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Sega Mega Drive
Prototypes: 1990-04-24