The Terminator

From Sega Retro

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Terminator MD title.png

The Terminator
System(s): Sega Game Gear, Sega Master System, Sega Mega Drive
Publisher: Virgin Games
Developer:
Genre: Action

















Release Date RRP Code

The Terminator is a game that was released in 1992 by Virgin Interactive and Probe Entertainment Limited for the Sega Game Gear, Sega Master System and Sega Mega Drive video game systems. It is based on the 1984 film of the same name.

The game focuses on a soldier named Kyle Reese who was sent back in time from the future to protect a woman named Sarah Connor. A cyborg from the future is also sent back in time to assassinate Sarah Connor. While the games have the same themes and identical amount of stages, the Mega Drive version differs from the Game Gear and Master System versions in terms of stage design, enemy layout etc. Generally speaking, the 8-bit versions put a bigger focus on platforming.

Gameplay

The game is a side scrolling shooter with objectives that vary level to level. Level 1 sets Kyle in the future in search of a time machine. Level 2 has Kyle searching for Sarah in present time while Level 3 has him reuniting with her after a brief separation. The final level features a deadly confrontation with the Terminators endoskeleton. The first level features three weapons while the levels after that have only one. Players have a 5 health points which deplete with each hit from enemies taken. This is replaced by a percentage bar in the Game Gear and Master System versions.

In the Sega Mega Drive version there are also selectable difficulty levels which affect gameplay. The difficulty level affects item placement in stage 1 (easy gives you the rifle earlier) and the drop rate of health items. On higher difficulty levels, drop rates are so low that luck plays a big part in clearing the game, as the game is designed in a way that taking damage is unavoidable.

B throws bombs or fires the rifle. C jumps. If you collect plantable bombs, A plants one. (replaced by an automatically planeted on in the Game Gear and Master System versions). In the 8-bit versions, Kyle can die by falling from high places. Health is restored by collecting randomly dropped bottles in the 16-bit version, while there is no way to restore health in the 8-bit versions aside from clearing a stage. The game has no lives and no continue system.

Score is awared for defeating enemies. However, in all versions, enemies spawn infinitely, making the score counter pointless.

Levels

TTerminator1 MD.png Los Angeles, 2029 AD
Players have three weapons at their disposal in this level: Timed Explosives, Grenades, and a Machine Gun. Enemies include Armored Tanks, Hunter Killers, and Terminators. The objective is to destroy a reactor and head into the Time Machine before an explosion ensues.
TTerminator2 MD.png Los Angeles, 1984
This level takes place on the streets of Los Angeles. Enemies include police officers, helicopters, firebomb hurlers, and the Terminator. The level ends in the Tech Noir disco.
TTerminator3 MD.png West Palm Police Station
This level takes place in the police station as Reese tries to escape from captivity. The enemy list is the same as the previous level. The level ends after Kyle reaches Sarah Connor.
TTerminator4 MD.png The Final Confrontation
This level takes place in cyberdynes factory. Kyle must confront the Terminators endo skeleton form. The level ends when Kyle leads the Terminator into a machine press.

Trivia

  • The Sega Mega Drive version contains unused music tracks and animation quality is inconsitent. This hints that the game was rushed out in an unfinished state. The fact that a Sega Mega CD version exists that is much richer in content and reuses certain sounds, fonts etc. as well as crediting "Dave Perry" behind the original concept (Dave aka David Perry was the programmer of the Mega Drive version) further fortifies that.
  • The game doesn't perform a region check and thus runs on every region hardware.

Credits

Mega Drive Version

The Terminator was published by Virgin Games, Inc
Developed in the UK for Virgin by Probe Software Limited, England
Programmed by David Perry
Artwork by Nick Bruty
Additional Artwork by Hugh Riley
Interludes Artwork by Saul Marchese
Sprite Animation by Tony Shorten
Screenplay Adaption by Neil Young
Music by Matt Furniss
Music Driver by Shaun Hollingworth
Quality Assurance by Fergus Mc Govern
Produced for Probe Software by Neil Young
For Virgin Games...

Executive Producer: Dr. Stephen H. Clarke-Willson
Produced for Virgin Games by Lyle J. Hall II
Quality Assurance by Lyle J. Hall II, Andy Green, Ian Mathias
Manual by Cathie A. Bartz

The Terminator is a James Cameron Film
 The Terminator (C) 1984 Cinema '84
A Greenberg Brothers Partnership.
All Rights Reserved
Licensed by Hemdale Film Corporation
Sublicensed by Bethesda Softworks
The Terminator TM Designates a trademark of Cinema '84 - A Greenberg Brothers Partnership.

Master System Version

The Terminator was published by Virgin Games
Developed in the UK for Virgin by Probe Software Limited, England
Programmed by Mark Knowles
Audio by Krisalis Software
Music by Matt Furniss
Interlude and Credit Sequences: Brian Rogers
Designed for Probe Software by Neil Young, Dominic Wood, Mark Knowles
Product Quality Assurance by Andy Green, Ian Mathias, Darren Lloyd
Produced for Virgin Games by Ian Mathias
Produced for Probe Software by Neil Young
The Terminator (C) 1984 Cinema '84
Greenberg Brothers Partnership
All Rights Reserved
Licensed by Hemdale Film Corporation
Sublicensed by Bethesda Softworks
The Terminator TM Designates a trademark of Cinema '84 Greenberg Brothers Partnership

Promotional Material

  • Terminator MD US PrintAdvert.jpg

    Mega Drive US print advert

  • Mega Drive FR print advert

  • Terminator FR PrintAdvert.jpg

    FR print advert

  • Terminator ES PrintAd 1992-09.jpg

    ES print advert 1

  • JuegateloTodo ES PrintAd 1992-12.jpg

    Mega Drive ES print advert

Physical Scans

Mega Drive Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
91 №127, p20/21
81 №11, p54/55/56
92 №9, p28/29
90
86 №12
86 №30, p167
63 №5, p95
71 №12, p89
75 №16, p86/87
60 №6, p46/47/48
43 №21, p84-86[1]
87 №32, p22/23
92 №8, p32/33/34[2]
89 №18, p68
84 №7, p58/59[3]
84 №33, p26/27
Sega Mega Drive
 80
Based on
16 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
60
[4]
Consoles + (FR)
81
[5]
Cool Gamer (RU)
60
[6]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
91
[7]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
78
[8]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
41
[9]
FX (UK)
90
[10]
Game Power (IT)
90
[11]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
84
[12]
GamesMaster (UK)
87
[13]
Game Zone (UK) PAL
79
[14]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
90
[15]
Joypad (FR) PAL
86
[16]
Joystick (FR) PAL
86
[17]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
63
[18]
Mega (UK)
71
[19]
Mega (UK) PAL
75
[20]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
61
[21]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
60
[22]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
77
[23]
Mean Machines (UK)
43
[1]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
43
[24]
Play Time (DE)
72
[25]
Power Up! (UK)
68
[26]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
87
[27]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
92
[28]
Sega Pro (UK)
89
[29]
Sega Force (SE)
42
[30]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
84
[31]
Supergame (BR) NTSC-U
87
[32]
Supersonic (FR)
77
[33]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
79
[34]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
40
[35]
Video Games (DE)
53
[36]
Zero (UK)
84
[37]
Sega Mega Drive
 73
Based on
35 reviews

The Terminator

Mega Drive, US
TTerminator md us cover.jpg
Cover
TTerminator md us cart.jpg
Cart
TTerminator md us manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
TTerminator md eu cover.jpg
Cover
TTerminator md eu cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, SE (Rental)

Master System Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
90 №127, p22/23
82 №11, p110/111
83 №10, p40
80
80
92 №31, p152
68 №2/56
82 №21, p88/89[38]
79 №22, p110/111
81 №32, p24
90 №8, p32/33/34[2]
90 №8, p54/55[39]
80 №34, p37
Sega Master System
 83
Based on
13 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Computer & Video Games (UK)
90
[40]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
82
[41]
Game Power (IT)
87
[11]
Game Zone (UK)
83
[42]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
80
[43]
Joypad (FR)
92
[44]
Joystick (FR) PAL
92
[45]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
68
[46]
Mean Machines (UK) PAL
82
[47]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
82
[48]
Player One (FR)
79
[49]
Play Time (DE)
74
[50]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
81
[51]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
90
[28]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
90
[52]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
90
[53]
Supersonic (FR)
90
[54]
Video Games (DE)
66
[55]
Zero (UK)
80
[56]
Sega Master System
 83
Based on
19 reviews

The Terminator

Master System, EU
Terminator SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
Terminator SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, BR
Terminator SMS BR Box Back.jpgNospine.pngTerminator SMS BR Box.jpg
Cover
Master System, AU

Game Gear Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
81 №131, pGo!20/21
84 №1, p92
84 №16
82 №35, p194
82 №3, p120[57]
70 №29, p115
87 №36, p62
92 №13, p64
80 №1, p56/57
87 №11, p76[58]
Sega Game Gear
 83
Based on
10 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Computer & Video Games (UK)
81
[59]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
80
[60]
Game Mania (UK)
81
[61]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
90
[62]
GamesMaster (UK) PAL
84
[63]
Joypad (FR)
84
[64]
Joystick (FR) PAL
82
[65]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
82
[57]
Player One (FR)
70
[66]
Play Time (DE)
70
[67]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
87
[68]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
92
[69]
Sega Pro (UK)
91
[70]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
80
[71]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
87
[72]
Video Games (DE)
65
[73]
Sega Game Gear
 82
Based on
16 reviews

The Terminator

Game Gear, US
Terminator GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngTerminator GG US cover.jpg
Cover
Terminator GG US Cart.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, EU
Terminator GG EU backcover.jpgNospine.pngTerminator GG EU cover.jpg
Cover
Terminator GG EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, EU (Classic)
Terminator GG EU Box Front Classic.jpg
Cover
Terminator GG EU Cart.jpg
Cart



RoboCop and Terminator franchise games for Sega systems
Sega Mega Drive
 The Terminator (1992) | T2: The Arcade Game (1992) | RoboCop 3 (1993) | Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1993) | RoboCop Versus The Terminator (1993)
Sega Master System
 The Terminator (1992) | T2: The Arcade Game (1993) | RoboCop 3 (1993) | Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1993) | RoboCop Versus The Terminator (1994)
Sega Game Gear
 The Terminator (1992) | T2: The Arcade Game (1993) | RoboCop 3 (1993) | Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1993) | RoboCop Versus The Terminator (1994)
Sega Mega-CD
 The Terminator (1993)
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 File:MeanMachines UK 21.pdf, page 84 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachines UK 21.pdf_p84" defined multiple times with different content
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 File:Segapro UK 08.pdf, page 32
  3. ↑ File:SegaForce07UK.pdf, page 60
  4. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 240
  5. ↑ Consoles +, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 54
  6. ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 221
  7. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-15), page 20
  8. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "March 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 28
  9. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 106
  10. ↑ FX (UK) (+6:20)
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Game Power, "Luigio/Agosto 1992" (IT; 1992-0x-xx), page 64
  12. ↑ GamePro, "February 1992" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 52
  13. ↑ GamesMaster (UK) "Series 1, episode 1" (1992-01-07, 24:00) (+6:20)
  14. ↑ Game Zone, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-24), page 28
  15. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Septiembre 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 40
  16. ↑ Joypad, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 50
  17. ↑ Joystick, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 167
  18. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 95
  19. ↑ Mega, "September 1993" (UK; 1993-08-19), page 89
  20. ↑ Mega, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-16), page 87
  21. ↑ Mega Fun, "08/92" (DE; 1992-08-18), page 23
  22. ↑ MegaTech, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-20), page 46
  23. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Noviembre 1992" (ES; 1992-1x-xx), page 77
  24. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 142
  25. ↑ Play Time, "11/92" (DE; 1992-10-07), page 92
  26. ↑ Power Up!, "Saturday, September 26, 1992" (UK; 1992-09-26), page 1
  27. ↑ Sega Power, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-04), page 22
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Sega Pro, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-21), page 32
  29. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 68
  30. ↑ Sega Force, "2/92" (SE; 1992-11-19), page 19
  31. ↑ Sega Force, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-xx), page 60
  32. ↑ Supergame, "Setembro 1992" (BR; 1992-09-xx), page 32
  33. ↑ Supersonic, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 10
  34. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 26
  35. ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "September 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 58
  36. ↑ Video Games, "9/92" (DE; 1992-08-26), page 58
  37. ↑ Zero, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-11), page 26
  38. ↑ File:MeanMachines UK 21.pdf, page 88
  39. ↑ File:SegaForce08UK.pdf, page 54
  40. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-15), page 22
  41. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 160
  42. ↑ Game Zone, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-xx), page 40
  43. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Septiembre 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 44
  44. ↑ Joypad, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 82
  45. ↑ Joystick, "Octobre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 152
  46. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Enero 1993" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 57
  47. ↑ Mean Machines, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-28), page 110
  48. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 136
  49. ↑ Player One, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-07-10), page 110
  50. ↑ Play Time, "12/92" (DE; 1992-11-04), page 87
  51. ↑ Sega Power, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-04), page 24
  52. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 72
  53. ↑ Sega Force, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-09), page 54
  54. ↑ Supersonic, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 19
  55. ↑ Video Games, "8/92" (DE; 1992-07-22), page 98
  56. ↑ Zero, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-xx), page 37
  57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 File:MeanMachinesSega03UK.pdf, page 120 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesSega03UK.pdf_p120" defined multiple times with different content
  58. ↑ File:SegaForce11UK.pdf, page 76
  59. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "October 1992 (Go! Issue 12)" (UK; 1992-09-15), page 20
  60. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 171
  61. ↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 70
  62. ↑ GamePro, "August 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 86
  63. ↑ GamesMaster, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-03), page 92
  64. ↑ Joypad, "Janvier 1993" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 142
  65. ↑ Joystick, "Février 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 194
  66. ↑ Player One, "Mars/Avril 1993" (FR; 1993-03-10), page 115
  67. ↑ Play Time, "3/93" (DE; 1993-02-10), page 109
  68. ↑ Sega Power, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-01), page 62
  69. ↑ Sega Pro, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-08), page 58
  70. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 75
  71. ↑ Sega Zone, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-28), page 56
  72. ↑ Sega Force, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-08), page 76
  73. ↑ Video Games, "10/92" (DE; 1992-09-30), page 129
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