Vectorman

From Sega Retro

n/a

Vectorman.png

Vectorman
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Virtual Console, Steam, RealOne Arcade, Android, iOS
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Distributor:
Sega Mega Drive
Ballistic (US; Mega Hit Series)
Sound driver: GEMS
Genre: Action[1]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
US
$59.9959.99[2] 1577
ESRB: Kids to Adults
Sega Mega Drive
US
(Mega Hit)
$19.9919.99[3] 1577
ESRB: Kids to Adults
Sega Mega Drive
EU
1577-50
Sega Mega Drive
DE
DM 119119 1577-50
Sega Mega Drive
PT
MDJ1577
Sega Mega Drive
UK
£49.9949.99[4] 1577-50
Sega Mega Drive
AU
FVEC00SMC
OFLC: G8
Sega Mega Drive
BR
046930
Tectoy: Todas as Idades
Wii Virtual Console
JP
600pts600[10]
CERO: A
Wii Virtual Console
US
800pts800[5]
ESRB: Everyone
Wii Virtual Console
EU
800pts800[6]
PEGI: 7+
Wii Virtual Console
AU
800pts800[8]
OFLC: Parental Guidance (PG)
RealOne Arcade
US
Steam
US
$2.992.99[13] 34280
ESRB: Everyone
Steam
EU
€2.492.49[13] 34280
PEGI: 7+
Steam
DE
€2.492.49[13] 34280
USK: 6
Steam
UK
£1.991.99[13] 34280
PEGI: 7+
Steam
AU
$3.493.49[13] 34280
OFLC: Parental Guidance (PG)
Steam Linux
US
$0.990.99[15] 34280
ESRB: Everyone
Steam Linux
EU
€0.990.99[15] 34280
PEGI: 7+
Steam Linux
DE
€0.990.99[15] 34280
USK: 6
Steam Linux
UK
£0.790.79[15] 34280
PEGI: 7+
Steam Linux
AU
$1.351.35[15] 34280
OFLC: Parental Guidance (PG)
Steam OS X
US
$0.990.99[15] 34280
ESRB: Everyone
Steam OS X
EU
€0.990.99[15] 34280
PEGI: 7+
Steam OS X
DE
€0.990.99[15] 34280
USK: 6
Steam OS X
UK
£0.790.79[15] 34280
PEGI: 7+
Steam OS X
AU
$1.351.35[15] 34280
OFLC: Parental Guidance (PG)
Google Android OS
US
(Sega Forever)
FREEfree
ESRB: Everyone
Google Android OS
EU
(Sega Forever)
FREEfree
PEGI: 7+
Google Android OS
DE
(Sega Forever)
FREEfree
USK: 6
Google Android OS
AU
(Sega Forever)
FREEfree
OFLC: Parental Guidance (PG)
iOS
US
(Sega Forever)
FREEfree
12+
iOS
EU
(Sega Forever)
FREEfree
12+

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


Vectorman (ベクターマン) is a Sega Mega Drive action platform game developed by BlueSky Software and published by Sega. First released in the United States in October 1995, it is best known for constructing its characters with spherical sprites to simulate three-dimensional animation, and has been frequently rereleased in a number of first-party Sega game collections.

Blurb

By the year 2049 Earth has been turned into a toxic waste dump! Humankind has fled into space leaving behind an army of mechanized "Orbots" to clean up the mess! But when the Orbot leader, WarHead, goes haywire and starts a robot revolt, only a lonely sludge barge pilot named VECTORMAN can pull the plug!


  • VectorMan can morph! Change into a speeding train, a power drill, mechanical fish, or a dune buggy gone berserk.


  • Overthrow the Orbots with awesome weapon power-ups like Shockwave, Bolo, and Orb.


  • The best graphics yet on Genesis! - Eye-popping 3D effects and silky-smooth animation!

US box[17]


Story

In 2049, the human population of Earth embarks on a migratory voyage to try to colonize other planets. They leave mechanical "orbots" to clean up the mess they made on Earth through littering and pollution. Raster, a high-level orbot who watches Earth through a planetwide computer network, is accidentally attached to a working nuclear missile by a lesser orbot and goes insane, becoming an evil dictator named Warhead. He declares himself ruler of Earth, and begins preparing to execute any humans who dare return to their planet.

Enter Vectorman, a humble orbot in charge of cleaning up toxic sludge by simply discharging it into the sun. As he lands on Earth after his last trip, he finds chaos and confusion. Because all the other Orbots are controlled by Warhead (Vectorman having not been affected because he was away), Vectorman takes it upon himself to destroy the errant orbot and restore peace to Earth.

Gameplay

The game itself is a straightforward 2D action platformer. Vectorman is an orbot (something like a robot) powered with a ball gun in his hand; powerups include a machine gun, "bolo" gun, and triple-fire guns. A and B both shoot and C jumps. C twice will launch Vectorman into a brief boost.

Vectorman possesses the ability to transform, through the use of powerups, into several different forms: including a drill, to cut through floors; a bomb, to destroy all surrounding enemies or breakable walls; and an aquatic form, useful for swimming underwater. In addition to powerup transformations, 3 levels host unique morphed forms with which to combat bosses in. Overall, the game consists of 16 levels.

Stages

Vectorman MD stage1.png

Vectorman MD stage1boss.png

Day 1: Terraport

Vectorman MD stage2.gif

Notavailable.svg

Day 2: Metalhead

Vectorman MD stage3.png

Notavailable.svg

Day 3: Tidal Surge

Vectorman MD stage4.png

Vectorman MD stage4boss.png

Day 4: Absolute Zero

Vectorman MD stage5.gif

Notavailable.svg

Day 5: Arctic Ridge

Vectorman MD stage6.png

Notavailable.svg

Day 6: Bamboo Mill

Vectorman MD stage7.png

Notavailable.svg

Day 7: Rock 'N' Roller

Notavailable.svg

Notavailable.svg

Day 8: Death Alley

Notavailable.svg

Vectorman MD stage9boss.png

Day 9: Hydroponic Lab

Vectorman MD stage10.gif

Notavailable.svg

Day 10: Superstructure

Vectorman MD stage11.gif

Notavailable.svg

Day 11: Stayin' Alive

Vectorman MD stage12.gif

Notavailable.svg

Day 12: Nightscape

Vectorman MD stage13.gif

Notavailable.svg

Day 13: Dark Ruins

Vectorman MD stage14.gif

Vectorman MD stage14boss.gif

Day 14: Underground Vault

Vectorman MD stage15.gif

Notavailable.svg

Day 15: Worldlink Center

Vectorman MD stage16.gif

Vectorman MD stage16boss.gif

Day 16: Twist and Shout

Vectorman MD bonusstage.gif

Bonus Stage

History

Prerelease

Release

In North America, special randomly distributed copies of Vectorman have a special "you win" screen at the end of the game, along with a phone number which could be called and an address. If consumers sent these special cartridges back to Sega of America before July 31st, 1996, they would receive prizes - one $25,000 prize (won by Keolamanaokalahuinui "Keola" Kaula of Albuquerque[2]), ten £10,000 prizes or one of ninety Sega Saturn systems[18].

Vectorman was both a critical and commercial success, and was re-released in North America as part of the Mega Hit Series. It was acclaimed for its gameplay, level design and 3d graphics, and a great techno soundtrack.

Legacy

Vectorman was not originally released in Japan, with its debut in the country coming through the PC compilation Sega Archives From USA Vol.1. It was released on the Wii Virtual Console on February 27, 2007 in Japan and April 5, 2007 in Europe, and in North America on September 22, 2008. In accordance with Nintendo's modern anti-seizure policies, this release has been patched to alter the flashing of certain elements, most notably the quick strobing displayed when destroying an in-game television.[19] A PC conversion was reportedly announced in 1996[20] but never materialised.

Sonic Gems Collection has both Vectorman and its sequel as unlockable games. Vectorman can be unlocked by playing the compilation for at least 5 hours or by having a save file of Sonic Heroes or Sonic Mega Collection on the memory card. Both games were the only bonus titles to be kept on the international versions of the collection.

Sega Mega Drive Collection also features Vectorman and its sequel, this time as games available without the need for unlocking. Sega Mega Drive Ultimate Collection also contains the game.

A sequel, Vectorman 2 was produced for the Sega Mega Drive, and was released in 1996.

Although BlueSky Software, the original developer of both Vectorman games closed in 2001, a Vectorman game for the PlayStation 2 was announced in 2003 but was soon cancelled.

Vectorman was at one point planned to be made into a 3D animated movie by Ideal Entertainment, with a tentative release date of late 1997[21]. This never materialised.

Versions

Version history

Main article: Vectorman/Changelog.
System Version Size Date Comment Ref Icon
Google Android OS
0000040000010000000000000000004.1.0 57MB 201912032019-12-03 [1] Vectorman Android icon 410.png
Download.svg (info) (56.77 MB)
Google Android OS
0000020000000000010000000000002.0.1 45MB 201906032019-06-03 [22] Vectorman Android icon 110.png
Download.svg (info) (45.48 MB)
Google Android OS
0000020000000000000000000000002.0.0 45MB 201901312019-01-31 [23] Vectorman Android icon 110.png
Download.svg (info) (44.66 MB)
Google Android OS
0000010000010000010000000000001.1.1 44MB 201810312018-10-31 [24] Vectorman Android icon 110.png
Download.svg (info) (43.98 MB)
Google Android OS
0000010000010000000000000000001.1.0 42MB 201806202018-06-20 [25] Vectorman Android icon 110.png
Download.svg (info) (41.96 MB)
iOS
0000040000010000000000000000004.1.0 145.3MB 201912122019-12-12 [26]
iOS
0000020000000000020000000000002.0.2 201906032019-06-03
iOS
0000020000000000000000000000002.0.0 201901312019-01-31
iOS
0000010000040000000000000000001.4.0 140MB 201810312018-10-31 [27]
iOS
0000010000010000000000000000001.1.0 133.7MB 201806202018-06-20 [28]

Downloadable content

Main article: Vectorman/Downloadable content.

Production credits

BlueSky Software
Sega

Uncredited


Digital manuals

Magazine articles

Main article: Vectorman/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: Vectorman/Promotional material.

Artwork

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
92 №36, p46/47
Sega Mega Drive
92
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
70
[30]
CD Consoles (FR)
44
[31]
Consoles + (FR)
85
[32]
Cool Gamer (RU)
90
[33]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
96
[34]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
83
[35]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
70
[36]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 5 (RU)
90
[37]
Fun Generation (DE)
80
[38]
Fusion (US) NTSC-U
63
[39]
GameFan (US) NTSC-U
91
[40]
Game Players (US) NTSC-U
90
[41]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
98
[42]
GamePro (UK)
91
[43]
Gamers (DE)
80
[44]
GamesMaster (UK) PAL
82
[45]
Hobby Consolas (ES) PAL
86
[46]
MAN!AC (DE) PAL
80
[47]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
78
[48]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
90
[49]
Player One (FR)
90
[50]
Sega News (CZ)
82
[51]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
90
[52]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
90
[53]
Svet Kompjutera (YU)
90
[54]
Sega Saturn Magazine (UK)
90
[4]
Todo Sega (ES)
87
[55]
Tricks (RU)
89
[56]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
90
[57]
Video Games (DE) PAL
85
[58]
VideoGames (US) NTSC-U
90
[59]
Sega Mega Drive
84
Based on
31 reviews

Vectorman

Mega Drive, US
Vectorman MD US Box Back.jpgVectorman MD US Box Spine.jpgVectorman md us cover.jpg
Cover
Vectorman md us cart.jpg
Cart
Vectorman md us manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US (Mega Hit Series)
Vectorman MD US Box Back MHS.jpgVectorman MD US Box Spine MHS.jpgVectormanMHS md us cover.jpg
Cover
Vectorman MD US Cart MHS.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, US
(Mega Hit Series) (Alt)
Vectorman MD US Box Back MHS Alt.jpgNospine.pngVectorman MD US Box Front MHS Alt.jpg
Cover
Vectorman MD US Cart MHS Alt.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, EU
Vectorman md eu cover.jpg
Cover
Vectorman MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Vectorman MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Vectorman MD EU pcb.jpg
PCB
Mega Drive, PT
Vectorman MD PT cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, AU
Vectorman MD AU cover.jpg
Cover
Vectorman MD AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Vectorman MD AU manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, BR
VectormanMDBrCover.jpg
Cover
VectormanMDBrCartTop.jpg
VectormanMDBrCart.jpg
Cart
Vectorman md br manual.pdf
Manual

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega Drive
CRC32 d38b3354
MD5 d7171a867739c8ec325aa65b175b0c49
SHA-1 57a64d08028b539dc236a693d383f2e1269a5dd4
2MB 1995-08 Cartridge (US/EU)
Sega Mega Drive
 ?
CRC32 2084d3da
MD5 8c9e5e67cc9a04e328423e71932d6fa7
SHA-1 e6c0854ff0f5a0b53760677743e9b901b3e5a4b7
2MB Page
Sega Mega Drive
 ?
CRC32 a315c8aa
MD5 90f9163382f6f9bac78d462dd738c14b
SHA-1 54d611a0519d34c25ef6b9963543ece4afc23e19
2MB Page
Sega Mega Drive
CRC32 0145738b
MD5 4399f6b387c85836bdb813f125a7ac56
SHA-1 f96a51e792edde1ed203054ea9e23fd226d1ed70
2MB 1995-07-24 CD-R disc[60] Page

External links

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Google Play (com.sega.vectorman) (Wayback Machine: 2020-05-26 20:03)
  2. 2.0 2.1 Press release: 1996-01-12: 12-year-old gamer wins $25,000 cash grand prize in Sega's videogame contest
  3. 4.0 4.1 Sega Saturn Magazine, "November 1995" (UK; 1995-10-26), page 89
  4. 5.0 5.1 http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/KOxRfAvULMqhQjxxXHikpQEBQjI1mvim (Wayback Machine: 2010-11-23 00:48)
  5. 6.0 6.1 http://www.nintendolife.com:80/games/megadrive/vectorman (Wayback Machine: 2017-09-11 17:03)
  6. https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Virtual-Console-Wii-/VECTORMAN--280020.html (archive.today)
  7. http://www.nintendo.com.au/index.php?action=catalogue&prodcat_id=41&prod_id=19786&pageID=4 (Wayback Machine: 2012-04-03 02:54)
  8. https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/software/02.html (Wayback Machine: 2018-03-05 23:11)
  9. http://vc.sega.jp:80/vc_vector/ (Wayback Machine: 2007-02-26 06:49)
  10. [ ]
  11. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 https://steamdb.info/app/34280/ (Wayback Machine: 2019-11-21 21:32)
  12. 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 http://steamdb.info/app/34280/ (Wayback Machine: 2013-05-22 19:58)
  13. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 14.6 14.7 14.8 14.9 https://steamdb.info/app/34280/history/?changeid=5755250
  14. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 15.7 15.8 15.9 http://steamdb.info/app/34280/ (Wayback Machine: 2019-11-21 21:32)
  15. 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 @segaforever on Twitter (Wayback Machine: 2018-10-12 22:53)
  16. File:Vectorman MD US Box Back.jpg
  17. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "December 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 22
  18. The Cutting Room Floor: Notes:Vectorman
  19. GamePro, "December 1996" (US; 1996-xx-xx), page 102
  20. GamePro, "November 1996" (US; 1996-xx-xx), page 30
  21. Google Play (com.sega.vectorman) (Wayback Machine: 2019-12-03 03:34)
  22. Google Play (com.sega.vectorman) (Wayback Machine: 2019-04-21 22:44)
  23. Google Play (com.sega.vectorman) (Wayback Machine: 2018-11-21 00:15)
  24. Google Play (com.sega.vectorman) (Wayback Machine: 2018-10-12 22:55)
  25. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vectorman-classic/id1176426500 (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-09 18:54)
  26. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/vectorman-classic/id1176426500?mt=8 (Wayback Machine: 2018-11-21 00:17)
  27. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/vectorman-classic/id1176426500?mt=8 (Wayback Machine: 2018-10-11 02:03)
  28. https://thegameofnerds.com/2021/06/29/vectorman-genesis-climate-activist-turns-25/
  29. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 255
  30. CD Consoles, "Novembre 1995" (FR; 1995-xx-xx), page 140
  31. Consoles +, "Novembre 1995" (FR; 1995-1x-xx), page 108
  32. Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 231
  33. Computer & Video Games, "November 1995" (UK; 1995-10-13), page 48
  34. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "November 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 42
  35. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 366
  36. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 5, "" (RU; 200x-xx-xx), page 251
  37. Fun Generation, "06/95" (DE; 1995-0x-xx), page 64
  38. Fusion, "Volume 1, Number 6: January 1996" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 100
  39. GameFan, "Volume 3, Issue 11: November 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 22
  40. Game Players, "Vol. 9 No. 1 January 1996" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 57
  41. GamePro, "November 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 72
  42. GamePro, "December 1995" (UK; 1995-10-28), page 50
  43. Gamers, "November 1995" (DE; 1995-10-11), page 48
  44. GamesMaster (UK) "Series 5, episode 5" (1995-10-19, 24:00) (+9:40)
  45. Hobby Consolas, "Noviembre 1995" (ES; 1995-xx-xx), page 98
  46. MAN!AC, "12/95" (DE; 1995-11-08), page 92
  47. Mega Fun, "11/95" (DE; 1995-10-18), page 72
  48. Mean Machines Sega, "November 1995" (UK; 1995-09-29), page 62
  49. Player One, "Novembre 1995" (FR; 1995-1x-xx), page 128
  50. Sega News, "Listopad 1996" (CZ; 1996-1x-xx), page 27
  51. Sega Power, "December 1995" (UK; 1995-10-19), page 48
  52. Sega Pro, "December 1995" (UK; 1995-11-02), page 50
  53. Svet Kompjutera, "April 1996" (YU; 1996-xx-xx), page 78
  54. Todo Sega, "Noviembre 1995" (ES; 1995-1x-xx), page 48
  55. Tricks, "Vypusk 8" (RU; 1996-xx-xx), page 32
  56. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 27
  57. Video Games, "11/95" (DE; 1995-10-25), page 92
  58. VideoGames, "November 1995" (US; 1995-10-24), page 89
  59. Hidden Palace: Vectorman (Jul 24, 1995 prototype)


Vectorman

Vectorman.png

Main page | Maps | Downloadable content | Changelog | Hidden content | Development | Magazine articles | Video coverage | Reception | Promotional material | Region coding | Technical information | Bootlegs


Music: Sega Tunes: Vectorman (1996)



Games in the Vectorman Series
Vectorman (1995) | Vectorman 2 (1996) | Vectorman 3 (unreleased) | Vectorman (PlayStation 2) (Unreleased)
Vectorman related media
Music
Sega Tunes: Vectorman (1996)