Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin

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Spider-Man vs The Kingpin Title.png

Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear, Sega Mega CD
Publisher: Sega,
Sega Game Gear
Flying Edge
Developer:
Genre: Action

















Release Date RRP Code

Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin (スパイダーマン), commonly referred to as just Spider-Man and also referred in the Mega-CD as The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin, is a platform video game based on the Spider-Man Marvel comic book series. In the game you control Spider-Man, who must defeat various enemies and famous villains in an attempt to stop a bomb and save New York. Mary Jane is also kidnapped by Venom.

The game was initially released on the Sega Mega Drive and Sega Master System in 1991, being the first the one that got more recognition. This version was later updated for the Mega CD release, with refined levels, graphics and a CD audio soundtrack. The game was very successful, so much so that some sources claim that two thirds of Mega Drive owners owned this game in some form or another. In Australia, the game was eventually bundled with The Incredible Hulk.

It is claimed that this game's success is what convinced Marvel Comics to continue the licensing deal they had with Sega.

Master System and Game Gear Gameplay

Master System version is a platforming game. Players can use Spider-Man's various powers to fight criminals and negotiate obstacles. Button 1 attacks while button 2 makes Spider-Man Jump. Pressing button 1 while holding left or right will make Spider-Man to fire his web shot to stun enemy for a while. Pressing button 1 while holding left or right while in mid-air will make Spider-Man use his webs to swing around. Pressing and holding button 2 while near a climbable wall will make Spider-Man crawl over the surfaces. Unlike Mega Drive version, Spider-Man can only crawl over background objects. Pressing button 1 and 2 at the same time will activate option mode. Here players can turn-on or off the music, sound effects, take photographs or return to Spider-Man's home to rest. Resting however will make players start the level from beginning.

Time is in short supply. Spider-Man must find all keys necessary to defuse the bomb in 24 hours. Resting will be avaiable after 2nd stage when Dr. Stange will give him a stone that will teleport him home. Resting will recover the lost health but will take precious time.

Another thing that is in short supply is the Spider-Man's web cartidges. Taking photographs of Super-Villans is the only way to replace the used cartidges. Spider-Man can take these pictures to Robbie Robertson (Daily Bugle's editor) to gain money. Robertson will only accept pictures of super villains though. He will not be interested in pictures of regular thugs. Also, he will only accept pictures of a Super-Villain only once. Meaning, if you fight a Super-Villain, take pictures and return home, give pictures to Robbie and fight that villain again and take pictures, he will not be interested.

In this version Mary Jane is not kidnapped but she will still show up at the end of the game if best ending obtained.

This version while having inferior in-game graphics to 16-bit version, has nicely drawn panel illustrations as cutscenes. In Mega Drive versioni story is narrated through simple text. (Possibly only part this version is superior to Mega Drive version)

Master System version is also infamous for its very high difficulty even in the easiest setting. Some players reported that they couldn't even pass stage 3, especially stage 3-2 (the key level).

Two secret easter-eggs are found in the game. One is a Pac-Man type mini-game with Spider-Man characters and a secret room which will allow Spider-Man dress like Venom. Both can only be acquired while playing Nightmare difficulty.

Master System version was one of the last Master Sytem games released in North American region.

Stages

In most stages all lesser thugs (Humanoid enemies only. Bat, rats or other animals do not count) must be defeated for boss to appear. Spider-Man's spider senses will alert you to bosses.

In front of Daily Bugle Police is hot on your tail. Enter Daily Bugle building from top floor and, as Peter Parker, find out why everyone is after you. Single level. No bosses. No Keys.

Warehouse Time to find a way to prove your innocence. Investigate nearby warehouse and search for clues. One mid-boss, a guy driving a forklift and main boss : Dr. Octopus. Single level. Key is automatically acquired after boss fight.

Sewers Your old friend Dr. Connors has transformed to The Lizard and fled to the sewers. Navigate deadly traps and pitfalls and acquire Lizard's key. Two levels. Key is in the second level.

Power Station Confront Electro in his domain. Evade lightning bolts and gun-toting thugs as your look for his key. Two levels. Key is in the second level.

Central Park Defeat muggers and look for Sandman who can only be defeated by luring him to the fire hydrants. He drops the key after he is defeated. Single level.

Streets of New York Criminals are wreaking havoc in the streets. Spider-Man has to face two of his sworn enemies: Hobgoblin and Venom. Two levels. Boss fight in each. Venom shows up without need to defeat lesser thugs. Keys are acquired automatically.

Underground Time to stop Kingpin from finalizing his ultimate plan. Defeat both Dr. Octopus and The Lizard who returned for a rematch. Stop the bomb by punching the keys in order and finally capture Kingpin. Two levels. If you run away during battle with Kingpin, he will run away and you won't get the best ending.

Production Credits

Mega Drive Version

Sega of America, Inc.
Programming: Burt Sloane, Jonathan Miller
Produced By: Ed Annunziata
Game Design: Christopher Erhardt
Art: Scott Haile, Joe Ellen Reiss, Jennifer Martin, Susan Greene
Music and Effects: Mark Steven Miller, John Karr, Dave Javelosa
Testing: Richard Fishman, Casey Grimm, Mark Lindstrom, Bert Mauricio, Michael Tyau
Thanks To: Dave Foley, Clyde Grossman

Mega CD Version

Producers: Steven Apour, Stewart Kosoy
Design: Burt Sloane, Bridget McKenna, Douglas Herring, Lisa Sands
Programming: Monkey Business Inc., Burt Sloane
Additional Programming: David Foley, Rob Rummell
Project Management: Monkey Business Inc., Lisa Sands
Art Direction: Burt Sloane
Art: Douglas Herring, Alan Murphy, Ian Murphy
Cinema Animations: Gray Matter
Voices: DMP Entertainment
Level Layout: Don Isbell, Dean Sitton
Additional Level Layout: Dante Anderson, Heather Meigs, Greg Becksted, Mike Pagendarm, Ken Chao, Stephen Patterson, Atom Ellis, Bill Person, Casey Grimm, Jill Schwartz, Keith Higashihara, Chris Sinclair, Jason Kuo, Ben Szymkowiak, Mark Lindstrom, Christine Watson
Music Composed & Produced by: Spencer Nilsen, David Young
"Swingtime" by: Spencer Nilsen, Eric Martin
Lead Vocals: Eric Martin
Guitars: Erik Frykman, Greg Strong
Drums: Brad Kaiser
Sound & Effects: Brian Coburn
Marketing: France Tantiado
Manual: Carol Ann Hanshaw
Package Illustration: Dave DeVries, (Tom Lyle, Scott Hanna)
Lead Testers: Ben Szymkowiak, Crisi Albertson, Roman Greco
Testers: Rey Alferez, Richard Gangwish, Dante Anderson, Wesley Gittens, Greg Becksted, Casey Grimm, Srini Chandra, Richie Hideshima, Ken Chao, Keith Higashihara, Glen Cureton, Jason Kuo, Atom Ellis, Simon Lu, Alex Fairchild, Juklio Martinez, David Forster, Pete McNab, Heather Meigs, Tim Spengler, Vince Nason, Siegie Stangenberg, Vy Nong, Conan Tigard, Mike Palser, Kurt Tindle, Mark Paniagua, Jeff Todd, Andrew Podesta, Maria Tuzzo, Isaac Ramey, Erik Wahlberg, Kirk Rogers, Paul Walker, Jon Russel, Katy Weathers, Chris Sinclair
Special Thanks: Dominique Adevereaux, Lisa Best, Trish Dunne, Clint Dyer, Alan Gordon, Frank McGinn, Justin McCormick, Dana Moreshead, Steve Patterson, Steve Payne, Mike Thomas, Katy Weathers
This game is dedicated to the memory of: Patrick Lippert

Physical Scans

Mega Drive Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
80 №19
92 №1
86 №19, p170/171
91 №1
90
86
63
70
Sega Mega Drive
82
Based on
8 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
50
[1]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
43
[2]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
63
[3]
Console XS (UK) PAL
85
[4]
Cool Gamer (RU)
50
[5]
Dragon (US) NTSC-U
100
[6]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
86
[7]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
60
[8]
Game Power (IT)
79
[9]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
100
[10]
Games-X (UK)
80
[11]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
60
[12]
Joypad (FR) PAL
92
[13]
Joystick (FR)
86
[14]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
64
[15]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
63
[16]
Mega (UK) PAL
89
[17]
Mega (UK) PAL
92
[18]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
91
[19]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
88
[20]
Mean Machines (UK)
90
[21]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
91
[22]
Megazone (AU)
82
[23]
Player One (FR)
86
[24]
Power Play (DE)
59
[25]
Power Unlimited (NL)
70
[26]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
78
[27]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
85
[28]
Sega Opisaniy i sekretov (RU)
65
[29]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
61
[30]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
80
[31]
Sega Mega Drive
76
Based on
31 reviews

Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin

Mega Drive, US
AmazingSpidermanVSKingpin md us cover.jpg
Cover
AmazingSpidermanVSKingpin md us cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, EU
AmazingSpidermanVSKingpin md eu cover.jpg
Cover
AmazingSpidermanVSKingpin md eu cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, JP
AmazingSpidermanVSKingpin md jp cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, BR
Amazingspiderman md br cover.jpg
Cover

Mega CD Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
82 №25, p142
71
87 №14, p106/107/108
Sega Mega-CD
80
Based on
3 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Sega Mega-CD
N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin

Mega CD, US
AmazingSpidermanVSKingpin scd us backcover.jpgNospine.pngAmazingSpidermanVSKingpin scd us cover.jpg
Cover
AmazingSpidermanVSKingpin scd us disc.png
Disc
Mega CD, EU
TASMvstKP MCD EU Box Back.jpgAmazingSpidermanVSKingpin scd eu cover.jpg
Cover
Spidermanvskingpin mcd eu disc.jpg
Disc

Game Gear Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
84 №13
79 №7, p48/49
78
70
91
Sega Game Gear
80
Based on
5 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Sega Game Gear
N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin

Game Gear, US
AmazingSpidermanVSKingpin gg us cover.jpg
Cover
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Cart
Game Gear, EU
AmazingSpidermanVSKingpin gg eu cover.jpg
Cover
AmazingSpidermanVSKingpin gg eu cart.jpg
Cart

Master System Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
83 №118
81
75
92
92 №19, p170/171
73 №2/43
87
Sega Master System
83
Based on
7 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Sega Master System
N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin

Master System, US
AmazingSpidermanVSKingpin ms us cover.jpg
Cover
AmazingSpidermanVSKingpin ms us cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, EU
SpiderMan SMS EU cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, EU
Marvel variant
SpiderMan SMS EU Marvel cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, EU
Capcom variant
AmazingSpidermanVSKingpin ms eu cover.jpg
Cover
AmazingSpidermanVSKingpin ms eu cart.jpg
Cart



Spider-Man games for Sega systems
Arcade
Spider-Man: The Videogame (1991)
Sega Mega Drive
Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin (1991) | Spider-Man and the X-Men in Arcade's Revenge (1993) | Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage (1994) | Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1995) | Venom - Spider-Man: Separation Anxiety (1995)
Sega Master System
Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin (1991) | Spider-Man: Return of the Sinister Six (1993)
Sega Game Gear
Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin (1992) | Spider-Man: Return of the Sinister Six (1993) | Spider-Man and the X-Men in Arcade's Revenge (1994)
Sega Mega-CD
Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin (1993)
Sega 32X
Spider-Man: Web of Fire (1996)
Sega Dreamcast
Spider-Man (2001)
  1. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 219
  2. Aktueller Software Markt, "November 1991" (DE; 1991-10-11), page 154
  3. Beep! MegaDrive, "October 1991" (JP; 1991-09-07), page 35
  4. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 134
  5. Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 203
  6. Dragon, "Vol. XVI, No. 8: January 1992" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 66
  7. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 94
  8. Famitsu, "1991-10-25" (JP; 1991-10-11), page 1
  9. Game Power, "Dicembre 1991" (IT; 1991-1x-xx), page 44
  10. GamePro, "August 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 36
  11. Games-X, "29th August-4th September 1991" (UK; 1991-08-29), page 36
  12. Hippon Super, "November 1991" (JP; 1991-10-04), page 91
  13. Joypad, "Octobre 1991" (FR; 1991-09-17), page 48
  14. Joystick, "Septembre 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 170
  15. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 94
  16. Mega Drive Fan, "January 1992" (JP; 1991-12-07), page 101
  17. Mega, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 21
  18. Mega, "May 1994" (UK; 1994-04-21), page 65
  19. MegaTech, "Xmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-06), page 52
  20. MegaTech, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-04-23), page 95
  21. Mean Machines, "September 1991" (UK; 1991-08-29), page 66
  22. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 140
  23. Megazone, "August/September 1991" (AU; 1991-xx-xx), page 21
  24. Player One, "Septembre 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 32
  25. Power Play, "11/91" (DE; 1991-10-11), page 150
  26. Power Unlimited, "Nummer 4, November 1993" (NL; 1993-10-27), page 30
  27. Sega Power, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-10-04), page 28
  28. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 67
  29. Sega Opisaniy i sekretov, "14000 Opisaniy i sekretov" (RU; 2003-03-11), page 173
  30. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 87
  31. VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "September 1991" (US; 1991-0x-xx), page 49