Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage

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Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage
System(s): Sega Mega Drive
Publisher: Acclaim Entertainment
Developer: Software Creations, The Black Team
Licensor: Marvel Entertainment Group
Sound driver: Sound Images v1.2
Genre: Action
Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code JP 1995-05-26 ¥7,8007,800 T-81256-50 US 1994-08 T-81256 US (Box Set) 1994 EU 1994 T-81256-50 UK 1994-10 £49.9949.99 T-81256-50 SE (Rental) 199x AU 199x $119.95119.95 FMAX01SMC
Non-Sega versions Super NES

Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage, or simply Maximum Carnage (マキシマムカーネイジ) is a beat-'em-up game based on the Spider-Man universe. It was released for the Sega Mega Drive in 1994.

Sega Master System and Game Gear versions were planned, but never released.

Story

Cletus Kasidy, alter ego of insane Super-Villain Carnage escapes from Ravencroft maximum security prison and teams up with equally bloodthristy villains Shriek, Carrion, Demogoblin and Doppelganger. They immidiately start killing and causing mayhem around the New York City.

Spider-Man after an encounter with Shriek and Demogoblin, gets wounded but saved by Cloak and Dagger. Meanwhile, vigilante Venom hears about Carnage's return and returns to New York and forms and uneasy alliance with Spider-Man in order to stop the monsterous Carnage and his partners-in-crime.

Realizing that stopping Carnage and the rest of his cronies will not be easy, Spider-Man also recruits a group of Super-Heroes.

Story is narrated though comic book panels.

Gameplay

Maximum Carnage is a single player beat 'em up. Controls are quite similar to other games of this genre at the time such as Final Fight or Streets of Rage 3.

Players can take control of either Spider-Man or Venom. There is little difference between two characters other than Spider-Man is faster while Venom hits much harder.

Pressing button repeatedly allows players to launch a combo. After hitting enemies for a while, character's life bar will start to blink. Hitting or grabbing & attacking an enemy while flashing life bar will launch a "Power Hit" causing immense damage.

Pressing forward or back twice allows characters to run towards that direction. Pressing button while running makes a running tackle attack.

button jumps. Pressing while jumping and holding up will allow players to grab on a vertical wall, if there is one avaiable. Quickly pressing back and will make a back-flip attack, causing damage to the enemy in front of the player.

Pressing while jumping up will throw a jump kick, while pressing while jumping forward will launch a flying kick.

Pressing and at the same time will lauch a desperation attack, causing enemies around the player but also costing some amount of life.

Walking towards an enemy will allow players to grab them. While grabbing, repeatedly pressing will launch a grab combo attack. While grabbing and enemy, pressing Up will allow the players to lift up the enemy above their heads. Pressing while this state throws the enemy like an object. Pressing and at the same time while lifting the enemy above your head will make players to spin the enemy around like a flail, causing damage all around the player but also reducing health. While doing the grab combo, pressing the opposite direction you are facing throws the enemy behind you.

Tapping the button fire a web shot. This will hold the enemy in place for a few second but only one enemy can be stunned this way. Holding the button will create a web shield that will protect the player while standing still.

Pressing Left or Right and at the same time will fire a web line. This line will pull the enemy towards you and allow you to grab them from distance. If there are two enemies at the same line in both of your front and back firing a web line will pull both enemies and damage them with a Double Smash.

Pressing Up while pressing , or pressing with a 6-button controller will fire a web line for players to climb. It can be shot diagonally as well and allow players to web sling.

Player can climb walls with either web line or grabbing it. Players can attack, jump down, fire a web pellet and shoot a web line with the same control while climbing.

Selecting back-up heroes can be done with by pressing Start or pressing the button in a 6-button controller. Pressing and at the same time, or pressing button will call that hero.

Power-Ups

	Small Heart
	Recovers 25% of health
	Large Heart
	Fully recovers health
	Spider-Man / Venom Symbol
	Extra Life
	Exclamation Mark
	Extra continue

Characters

Allies

	Spider-Man (Playable)
	When frail college student Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider, he soon realized that he gained the powers of a human sized spider, such as immense strenght and ability to climb surfaces. With his Spider-Senses which will alert him of any danger and web shooters built thanks to his scientific genius, Peter Parker became Spider-Man. Despite he initially used his new found powers for personal gain, a tragic incident which cost him his uncle made him change his ways and made him become one of the most popular and recognizable super heroes in the comic book universe. In game, Spider-Man is much faster than Venom. His power hit is a rolling kick that will hit enemies both in front of and behind him. Spider-Man can be called as an ally during the final levels of the game by Venom. He fires Reed Richards' sonic gun which will cause heavy damage to all enemies in the screen, including Carnage.
	Venom (Playable)
	A former journalist, Eddie Brock's career was ruined when Spider-Man uncovered the identity of a serial killer Brock mistakenly identified as a different person. Burning with hatred towards Spider-Man who he held responsible for ruining his life, Brock was molded with the living symbiote creature Spider-Man unknowingly brought to Earth after the "Secret Wars" story line. One of the most relentless enemies of the Spider-Man, Venom eventually gave up on his vendetta and instead became a ruthless, super-powered vigilante to hunt down those who hurt innocents. Despite his dislike of Spider-Man, Venom considers Carnage his own personal responsbility and forms and uneasy alliance with the Wall-Crawler. Venom is capable of crawling walls and shooting organic webs as a result of symbiote's earlier partnership with the Spider-Man. Venom also immensely strong thanks to his own muscular body and physical power of the symbiote. In game, Venom is much more stronger yet slower than Spider-Man. His movements, especially his grabs are slower than Spider-Man, which can put him in danger when surrounded. His Power Hit damages all enemies in a straight line. Venom can be called as an ally during the final levels of the game by Spider-Man. He fires Reed Richards' sonic gun which will cause heavy damage to all enemies in the screen, including Carnage.
	Black Cat
	Daughter of a famous cat-burglar, beautiul and flirtatious Felicia Hardy initially decided to follow his father's footsteps. After being pursued by Spider-Man several times, their relationship eventually blossomed to love but it was cut short due to Black Cat's reckless antics. Black Cat nevertheless gave up on her life of crime and started working as a vigilante in order to make a name for herself and leave his checkered past behind. When called by Spider-Man, Black Cat will cartwheel around the screen, damaging all enemies in the way. When called by Venom, Black Cat will pound on a random enemy in the screen, causing damage. She will then cartwheel out of the screen, damaging whoever in her way.
	Cloak and Dagger
	Tyrone Johnson and Tandy Bowen were run-aways when they met on the streets of New York. Joining up in order to survive, they were both kidnapped and then used as test subjects by a renegade Pharmaceutical company. This experiment gave Tyrone power to use darkness both a tool of teleportation and a weapon while it allowed Tandy to use light as projectile weapons. They patrol the streets of New York as vigilante duo "Cloak and Dagger" to protect the innocent from villains, especially drug dealers. Cloak envelops the entire screen with his darkness powers and damages all enemies. Dagger fires multiple light projectiles around the screen, damaging almost all enemies.
	Firestar
	Angelica Jones is a mutant who can generate microwave energy from her body. She can use this energy as method of flight and can fire concentrated bolt of microwave. After nearly losing her father and watching her boyfriend arrested, Angelica become a much more hardened and vengeful person. Tracking down a remorseless monster like Carnage will put Angelica's personality into the ultimate test. Firestar is a member of the Super-Hero team New Warriors. Those who are familiar with early Marvel cartoons might also remember her as one of Spider-Man's partners in 1981 tv series, "Spider-Man and Amazing Friends". (She ditched the skin-tight suit, though) When called by Spider-Man, Firestar flies in, picks an enemy and fires microwave blasts towards and around that enemy. Her blasts are more effective against Carnage. When called by Venom, Firestar files across the screen firing microwave blasts across the screen.
	Captain America
	A frail military recruit, Steve Rogers volunteered for the top secret program in order to fight for his country during World War II. After receiving the Super Soldier serum and vita-rays, Steve Rogers become Captain America and fought against Axis Powers, playing a crucial part in defeating them. After remaining in suspended animation for decades, Captain was revived and returned the fight against evil. Exceptionally fit, smart and armed with an indestructible shield, he leads the Super Hero group, Avengers. When called, Captain America swings his shield across the screen, damaging all enemies in both ground and air.
	Deathlok
	Michael Collins underwent a cybernetic operation after a crippling accident. Rather than saving his life, the operation turned him into a cyborg and made his life even more difficult than before. As Deathlok, Collins works as a vigilante proving that there is still a man inside his Frankenstein-esque body. When called, Deathlok will fire his weapons towards the both sides of the screen. He is very useful against annoying hard to hit enemies like Carrion.
	Iron Fist
	When Danny Rand got lost in Himalayan Mountains, he was taken in by the monks of the secret city of K'un L'un and taught in the ways of the ancient order of warriors. After years of training he returned to New York as Iron Fist, a peerless martial artist capable of breaking anything as long as he can concentrate his power to his fists. He worked years as vigilante with his close friend Luke Cage (aka. "Power Man") in their own firm "Heroes for Hire". When called by Spider-Man, Iron Fist will use his healing powers to completely fill the player's health. When called by Venom, Iron Fist will flying kick across the screen, damaging all enemies on the ground.
	Morbius
	Dr. Michael Morbius decided to use an experimental serum after he realized that he was terminally ill. While the cure fixed his health, it also gave him a craving for blood, hyper-sensitivity to light and hideously disfigured him. Formerly a villain due to his condition, Morbius redeemed himself after meeting Spider-Man and other heroes multiple times. During day, he works feverishly to find a cure for his condition, at night he becomes Morbius, the living vampire and preys upon those who prey on innocent. When called by Spider-Man, Morbius sucks the life enemy of all enemies on the ground and damages them. When called by Venom, Morbius flies across the screen. All enemies in the screen (except Carnage and co.) will be stunned allowing the players to attack without the fear or reprisal.

Enemies

	Carnage
	Cletus Kasidy was a serial killer who was arrested and sentenced to death for multiple murders. In the Ravencroft Prison, Kasidy was the cellmate of Eddie Brock, the infamous Venom. When Brock's symbiote partner returned after being thought dead, the two united and escaped from the prison. Brock did not realize that his symbiote "gave birth" to an another one. Kasidy bonded with this newly born symbiote and became Carnage, a villain whose sole purpose is to cause death and misery. Kasidy is an extremely dangerous individual. Because of the abusive life he experienced, he has a nihilistic and sociopathic personality. He does not think about the consequences of his actions and believes that murder is the ultimate form of freedom. He does not have a goal or ultimate motive he would work towards to. He only wants to kill people. As Carnage, Kasidy can transform his arms into sharp objects such as axes and sword and unlike Venom, he can fire these as projectile. Even though he can't fire webs, he can use his symbiote as ropes to swing around like Venom. This, coupled by the fact that he is fused with equally insane and powerful alien creature makes him one of the most dangerous villans world has even faced. His only weaknesses are the ones shared by Venom: Fire and extremely loud noises. Carnage is an extremely difficult opponent in the game. Whenever he appears, he randomly attacks across the screen, wildly flailing his arms. He also has a stomp attack. Both of these moves can take a large amount of health from the player. Since he is also very, very fast that makes him almost impossible to hit. Attacking him from behind, using desperation attacks or calling allies into combat is the only sure way to defeat him.
	Shriek
	Frances Barrison is an insane criminal who just like, Cassidy, grew up in an abusive household. Starting her criminal career as a drug dealer, Barrison's sanity degenerated even further due to the her experiences as a criminal, such as being shot in the head and being swallowed by Cloak's darkness powers. Now an insane super-villain obsessed with having a family of her own, Shriek witnessed the Carnage's escape from the Ravencroft and asked him to spring her out as well. Realizing that the unhinged young woman is as insane as himself, Kasidy recruited her to his team. Shriek believes that Maxium Carnage team is her family: She is a mother, Carnage is the father and the rest are her children. In addition to her psychic powers which can cause insanity, shriek can use her psychic powers as lethal projectiles. But her greatest power might be her warped mind. In combat, Shriek uses long range energy bolts as her weapons. She is quite hard to hit but she can be grabbed by web lines. (She is the only member of the Maximum Carnage team to have this disadvantage) She can also fire her bolts to the ground and lift herself up, landing on top of the player. Quickly move out of the way when this happens.
	Doppelganger
	This horrifying, twisted copy of Spider-Man was created by Super-Villain Magus during the infinity war. Even though it was believed to be destroyed during the same story arc, Doppelganger was saved by Demogoblin and the two became partners. The two parted their ways after a fight. It later resurfaced during the events of the game. Just like Carrion, Doppelganger believes that he is surrogate son of Shriek. Doppelganger is a six armed clone of Spider-Man with a hideous appearance. Only capable of rudimentary intelligence, it is usually goes berserk and attacks all around him if he is not guided by Shriek. Doppelganger has multiple attacks that they are hard to evade. While a punch combo can work, it will not cause much damage. He can randomly fire his web shooters from afar to can grab you and hit multiple times if he gets too close. If he crouches down, get out of his way as he will launch a flying attack towards you.
	Demogoblin
	Demogoblin came to being after Jason Macendale, formerly known as Hobgoblin travelled to hell and offered his soul to a powerful demon in return of power to defeat his enemies. Demon lord agreed to give him power and possessed him, however due to their differencies, demon eventually separated himself from Macendale, and become a new super-villan called Demogoblin. Demogoblin is a religious fanatic. He has no interest in wealth or personal power and only interested in punishing sinners. Since his definition of "sin" is very broad, anyone can find themselves becoming a victim of his wrath. He joins forces with Carnage to "cleanse the sinful city" of New York, despite the fact that he abhor's Carnage's undisciplined personality. Demogoblin usually found flying around with a flaming demon, which looks like Hobgoblin's glider. He can be attacked and pushed out of his glider. On the ground, players should make sure that he is just out of their attack reach as he is capable of breaking the punch combo, resulting in player and Demogoblin trading punches. He can also throw pumpkin bombs while flying around.
	Carrion
	Second person to wear the title Carrion, Malcolm McBride was a scientist in Empire State University. After being infected by a virus designed by Miles Warren, another insane and relentless enemy of Spider-Man. McBride became Carrion, believing himself to be a clone of Warren. Carrion was defeated multiple time by Spider-Man and this time returns after being drawn into the violence caused by Carnage and his group. Believing that he is the surrogate son of Shriek, Carrion happily joins the massacre. Carrion is capable of flying and draining life force of his victims thanks to his exposure to Warren's virus. In game, Carrion usually accompanies the rest of the Maximum Carnage team. Slowly gliding towards the player and grabbing them from head and draining their energy. While he has lower health than other villans, he is very hard to hit and pulls back after each hit. He is more of a nuisance rather than and actual threat.

History

This is one of the rarest Mega Drive games in Japan along with Acclaim's WWF Raw. Rather than roll out a line of exclusive Japanese packaging, Acclaim opted for giving the Japanese European packaging with very minor changes. As a result, this is the only game in the Mega Drive's official library to have the same product code across all regions (internally the game's code is T-81256-50 in Europe/Japan but the packaging says otherwise).

Strangely, while the game's packaging features the Acclaim name and logo, the game itself has the logo and name of LJN instead, who released the SNES version, and until the release of Spirit of Speed 1937, was the only game on a Sega platform to feature LJN.

Production credits

Software Creations Spidey Team

• Original Code: Paul Murray
• Sega Conversion: Andy Miah, Craig Mitchell, Paul Mashall, Mike Webb
• Original Main Artist: John Tatlock
• Sega Main Artist: Ste Pickford
• Sega Artists: Gavin Eagleton, Martin Holland, Andrew Threllfall
• Game Logic: Chun Wah Kong
• Artists: Justin Eagleton, Haydn Dalton
• Animators: Alan Moult, Clinton J Priest
• Original Musician: Chris Jojo
• Sound FX: Alistair Brimble
• Genesis Musicians: Tony Williams, Paul Tonge
• Additional Code: Kevin Edwards, Stephen Ruddy, John Buckley, Pete Andrew
• Game Testers: Malcolm Daglish, Dan Curley, Paul Lee, Suddi Raval, Davelee Thornton, Bone
• Associate Producers: Lorraine Broxton, Richard Kay
• Music Director: Paul Tonge
• Animation Directors: Steve Thomas, David MacLachlan
• Art Director: Ste Pickford
• Producer: John Pickford

Acclaim Development by The Black Team

• Producer: Mark Flitman
• Associate Producers: Tyrone Miller, Ken Kajikawa, Doug Yellin
• Analysts: Joe Allocco, Michael Archer, J.J. Mazziotto
• Special Thanks To: Linda Spelman, Dana Moreshead, Mike Thomas

Source:

In-game credits

Magazine articles

Main article: Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage/Promotional material.

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average
Publication Score Source

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Based on 0 review

Sega Retro Average

Publication Version Score 1700 igr dlya Sega (RU) 60 Alaab Alcomputtar (SA) 89 Aktueller Software Markt (DE) 42 Cool Gamer (RU) 60 Computer + Video Giochi (IT) 72 Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 3 (RU) 70 GamePro (US) NTSC-U 73 Games World: The Magazine (UK) PAL 72 Mega (UK) PAL 60 Mega Force (FR) PAL 79 Mega Fun (DE) 71 Megazin (SI) 78 Player One (FR) PAL 60 Play Time (DE) PAL 70 Tricks 16 bit (RU) 72 VideoGames (US) NTSC-U 40

	67
Based on 16 reviews

Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage

Mega Drive, JP
Cover
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Mega Drive, US (Black cart)
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, US (Red cart)
Cover
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Mega Drive, US (Box Set)
Cover
Contents

Mega Drive, EU
Cover
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Mega Drive, AU
Cover
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Mega Drive, SE (rental)

Technical information

ROM dump status

System	Hash	Size	Build Date	Source	Comments
✔	CRC32 8fa0b6e6 MD5 75af3f1e3b16d725cac258bfafaaea8a SHA-1 43624536cbebd65232abe4af042c0fa4b0d9e3b7	2MB	1994-08	Cartridge