Socket

From Sega Retro


This short article is in need of work. You can help Sega Retro by adding to it.


n/a

Socket Title.png

Socket
System(s): Sega Mega Drive
Publisher: VIC Tokai
Developer:
Sound driver: GRC/later custom
Genre: Action

















Release Date RRP Code

Socket, known as Time Dominator 1st (タイムドミネーター 1st) in Japan, is a platform game released for the Mega Drive in 1993, developed and published by VIC Tokai. The game was released in Japan and North America, but not in Europe.

It features a time travelling duck as a protagonist named Socket (named Minute in the japanese version) hired to stop an evil time-travelling overlord known as the Time Dominator, who is the boss of each stage.

Socket borrows many elements from Sonic the Hedgehog and its sequels, causing it to be labelled as a "Sonic clone". Like Sonic there is an emphasis on speed, with the game offering several "High Speed Areas" in an attempt to woo fans of Sega's game. There are also "labyrinth" areas, which have a greater emphasis on exploration of the level. Items are collected by destroying capsules, similar to Sonic, and a time attack mode is offered.

A and C make Socket/Minute jump, while B allows him to kick, acting the primary method of defense within the game. As the name may suggest, Socket/Minute requires electricity to keep going, and so must collect lightning bolts in order to stay alive. His health will otherwise deteriorate over time. Socket/Minute has a machine allowing him to travel through time, so each level is set in a different time period as well as setting.

Socket was the subject of mixed reviews at the time of release. Sega Zone gave the game the lowest possible score on the basis that it was a Sonic clone.

Levels

Stages in Socket follow a format rarely seen in other games - they are split into three "sub-stages", each sporting a different change of pace. The first sub-stage is merely called a "High Speed Area", playing to the fast speeds of Socket. High Speed Areas have their own set of graphics and could be seen as completely independent stages, but the game classes them as part of a three-act stage. High speed areas presumably are what Socket must overcome in order to travel through time and reach his destination. In the japanese version, the High Speed Areas are arranged differently.

The second sub-stage, now set in a specific time period, is deemed an "Athletic Area", resembling more of what you might see in a Sonic the Hedgehog platformer. They are a more balanced mixture of running and jumping than the high speed areas.

The third and final sub-stage is called a "Labyrinth Area", and is much like the above aside from the fact that Socket needs to find a door (i.e. there is a need for exploration). Going through that door will inevitably put Socket up against the boss. Template:Sections

Physical Scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
41 №17, p38
68 №17, p84/85/86
64 №51, p73
84 №28, p64/65
0 №15, p58/59
Sega Mega Drive
51
Based on
5 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
40
[1]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
58
[2]
Console Mania (IT)
89
[3]
Cool Gamer (RU)
40
[4]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
60
[5]
Mega (UK) NTSC-U
41
[6]
Mega Fun (DE) NTSC-U
71
[7]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) NTSC-U
68
[8]
Sega Power (UK) NTSC-U
64
[9]
Sega Pro (UK) NTSC-U
84
[10]
Sega Zone (UK) NTSC-U
0
[11]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
63
[12]
Video Games (DE) NTSC-U
72
[13]
Sega Mega Drive
58
Based on
13 reviews

Socket

Mega Drive, US
Socket md us cover.jpg
Cover
Socket MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, JP
Socket md jp cover.jpg
Cover
Socket MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Socket md jp manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, KR

Socket MD KR cart.jpg
Cart