Xenon 2: Megablast

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n/a

  • Mega Drive
  • Master System

Xenon2 Title.png

Xenon2 SMS Title.png

Xenon 2: Megablast
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System
Publisher: Virgin Games
Sega Master System
Image Works (first release)
Developer:
Genre: Arcade[1]

















Number of players: 1-2
Official in-game languages:

  • English
  • Français
  • Deutsch
  • Español
    • Release Date RRP Code
    Sega Mega Drive
    EU     		T-70076-50
    Sega Mega Drive
    UK     		£34.9934.99[3][4] T-70076-50
    Sega Mega Drive
    SE
    (Rental)
    Sega Mega Drive
    AU
    Sega Master System
    EU     		27012-50
    Sega Master System
    EU
    (Virgin Games)     		27038-50
    Sega Master System
    PT
    Sega Master System
    UK     		£29.9929.99[7][8] 27012-50
    Sega Master System
    AU     		FXEN00SEC
    Non-Sega versions

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

    Xenon 2: Megablast is a scrolling shoot-'em-up developed by The Bitmap Brothers and The Assembly Line and published by Image Works (and later Virgin Games) for a variety of systems including the Sega Mega Drive and Sega Master System. It is the sequel to 1988's home computer game Xenon, which was also the first game by Bitmap Brothers.

    The game was notable for its soundtrack, an arrangement by David Whittaker of the 1988 song Megablast (Assault on Precinct 13) (which is also where the game's subtitle comes from), originally from British group Bomb the Bass. Megablast theme is based on the theme song of the 1976 film by John Carpenter, Assault on Precinct 13 (or more specifically, the 1983 disco version), with samples from the 1969 song You Can Make it if You Try by Sly & the Family Stone.

    While North America and Japan got some of the other versions of the game, the Sega versions remained exclusive to Europe.

    Gameplay

    The game is a typical vertical shoot-'em-up: move around the screen with the D-pad and shoot with A, collecting credits dropped from enemies which can then be spent in a shop in exchange for weapon upgrades. Your ship continuously moves upwards, however it is also possible for reverse for a short period of time (as some of the forks in the road lead to dead-ends).

    History

    Legacy

    According to Mike Montgomery from the Bitmap Brothers, 32X and Mega-CD ports were considered, but no publisher could be found.

    Versions

    The Sega Mega Drive version is the more faithful port of the game, although there is heavy slowdown and sprite flickering. The color palette is also overly saturated, with too much blue and green compared to the grays of the original. The final stage (mechanical world) is completely missing from the game.

    Re-creating the Megablast theme on the Amiga was considered a substantial technical achievement in 1989, as while parts of the song were stripped out (most notably the introduction), the majority of the song remains in-tact (albeit with some slight differences due to using Amiga-generated waveforms for the instruments). This includes the samples, which although are heard at a lower quality than the source material, made Xenon II one of the first games to faithfully re-create a commercial song with non-expanded Amiga hardware.

    However, despite this being one of the main selling points for Xenon II, the Mega Drive version omits all sampled audio, leaving a purely synthesized tune with gaps where the samples used to be. It also plays slightly too fast.

    The Sega Master System version omits player bullets during heavy processor workload, several bosses have been removed and the final stage is also missing.

    Magazine articles

    Main article: Xenon 2: Megablast/Magazine articles.

    Promotional material

    Xenon2SMSSMDAdvert.jpg
    UK print advert
    Xenon2SMSSMDAdvert.jpg
    Logo-pdf.svg
    Mega Drive/Master System print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #132: "November 1992" (1992-10-15)
    Logo-pdf.svg
    Logo-pdf.svg
    Print advert in Mega Force (ES) #7: "Noviembre 1992" (1992-xx-xx)
    also published in:
    Logo-pdf.svg
    Logo-pdf.svg
    Master System print advert in Game Power (IT) #2: "Gennaio 1992" (199x-xx-xx)
    Logo-pdf.svg

    Physical scans

    Mega Drive version

    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Score Source
    53 [10]
    59 [11]
    65 №13, p60
    82 [12]
    50 №14, p50
    52 №33, p201
    72 №5, p95
    45 [13]
    88 №1, p65
    82 [14]
    82 [15]
    76 [16]
    66 [17]
    86 №12, p42/43
    86 №18, p68
    82 [18]
    Sega Mega Drive
    		 70
    Based on
    16 reviews
    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Version Score
    1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
    50
    		[19]
    Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
    53
    		[20]
    Console XS (UK) PAL
    88
    		[21]
    Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
    59
    		[11]
    Game Power (IT)
    65
    		[22]
    Hobby Consolas (ES)
    82
    		[23]
    Joypad (FR) PAL
    50
    		[24]
    Joystick (FR) PAL
    52
    		[25]
    Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
    72
    		[26]
    Mega (UK) PAL
    45
    		[13]
    Mega Action (UK)
    88
    		[27]
    Mega Fun (DE) PAL
    61
    		[28]
    Mean Machines (UK)
    82
    		[29]
    Mean Machines Sega (UK)
    82
    		[30]
    Power Play (DE)
    67
    		[31]
    Sega Power (UK) PAL
    66
    		[4]
    Sega Pro (UK) PAL
    86
    		[32]
    Sega Pro (UK) PAL
    86
    		[33]
    Sega Force (SE)
    82
    		[15]
    Sega Force (UK) PAL
    76
    		[16]
    Tricks 16 bit (RU)
    69
    		[34]
    Video Games (DE) PAL
    53
    		[35]
    Zero (UK)
    82
    		[18]
    Sega Mega Drive
    		 69
    Based on
    23 reviews

    Xenon 2: Megablast

    Mega Drive, EU
    Xenon2 MD EU Box.jpg
    Cover
    Xenon2 MD EU Cart.jpg
    Cart
    Xenon 2 Megablast MD EU Manual.pdf
    Manual
    Xenon2 MD EU pcb.jpg
    PCB
    Mega Drive, AU

    Mega Drive, SE (Rental)

    Master System version

    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Score Source
    88 [36]
    94 [37]
    90 №1, p24-26
    80 №33, p26
    66 [38]
    78 [39]
    86 №19, p190
    84 [40]
    12 [41]
    41 [42]
    87 [43]
    85 [44]
    89 [45]
    Sega Master System
    		 75
    Based on
    13 reviews
    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Version Score
    Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
    50
    		[46]
    Console XS (UK) PAL
    85
    		[47]
    Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
    88
    		[36]
    Game Power (IT)
    94
    		[48]
    Gamers (DE)
    27
    		[49]
    Games-X (UK)
    80
    		[50]
    Game Zone (UK) PAL
    90
    		[51]
    Hobby Consolas (ES)
    66
    		[52]
    Joypad (FR)
    78
    		[39]
    Joystick (FR)
    86
    		[53]
    Mega Force (FR) PAL
    55
    		[54]
    Mean Machines (UK) PAL
    84
    		[55]
    Mean Machines Sega (UK)
    84
    		[56]
    Player One (FR)
    12
    		[41]
    Player One (FR)
    41
    		[57]
    Sega Power (UK) PAL
    87
    		[58]
    Sega Pro (UK) PAL
    85
    		[59]
    Sega Pro (UK)
    85
    		[60]
    Sega Pro (UK) PAL
    89
    		[45]
    Sega Pro (UK) PAL
    85
    		[61]
    Supersonic (FR)
    81
    		[62]
    Supersonic (FR)
    81
    		[63]
    Video Games (DE)
    57
    		[64]
    Sega Master System
    		 73
    Based on
    23 reviews

    Xenon 2: Megablast

    Master System, EU (Image Works)
    Xenon2 SMS EU Box Imageworks.jpg
    Cover
    Xenon2 SMS EU Cart Imageworks.jpg
    Cart
    Master System, EU (Virgin Games)
    Xenon2 SMS EU Box Virgin.jpg
    Cover
    Xenon 2 (Virgin) SMS EU Cart Top.jpg
    Xenon 2 (Virgin) SMS EU Cart Back.jpgXenon2 SMS EU Cart Virgin.jpg
    Cart
    Xenon 2 (Virgin) SMS EU Manual.pdf
    Manual
    Master System, PT (Virgin Games)

    Master System, AU (Image Works)
    Xenon2 SMS AU imageworks cover.jpg
    Cover
    XenonII SMS AU Cart.jpg
    Cart
    Xenon 2 SMS AU Manual.pdf
    Manual
    Master System, AU (Virgin Games)
    Xenon2 SMS AU virgin cover.jpg
    Cover
    Master System, AU (Classics)
    Xenon2 SMS AU classics cover.jpg
    Cover
    XenonII SMS AU Cart.jpg
    Cart

    Technical information

    ROM dump status

    System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
    Sega Master System
     ?
    CRC32 5c205ee1
    MD5 1f1ce1d74c416f2b85cc3f24d316f9e3
    SHA-1 72cb8a24f63e9e79c65c26141abdf53f96c60c0c
    		256kB Cartridge (EU)
    Sega Master System
     ?
    CRC32 ec726c0d
    MD5 27fba4b7db989c663dda11c255cf49f3
    SHA-1 860cff21eff077acd92b06a71d859bf3e81fe628
    		256kB Cartridge (EU)

    References

    1. ↑ File:Xenon2 SMS EU Box Imageworks.jpg
    2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 MegaTech, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-20), page 20
    3. ↑ Mean Machines, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-27), page 50
    4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Sega Power, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-06), page 36
    5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Sega Pro, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-xx-xx), page 9
    6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Sega Power, "September 1991" (UK; 1991-08-01), page 16
    7. ↑ Sega Pro, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-xx-xx), page 39
    8. ↑ Raze, "April 1991" (UK; 1991-02-28), page 16
    9. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Noviembre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 10
    10. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "August 1992" (JP; 1992-07-08), page 26 (28)
    11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 118
    12. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Enero 1993" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 78/79 (78)
    13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Mega, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-15), page 66
    14. ↑ Mean Machines, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-27), page 48-50 (48)
    15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Sega Force, "2/92" (SE; 1992-11-19), page 15
    16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Sega Force, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-04-01), page 81
    17. ↑ Sega Power, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-06), page 36/37 (36)
    18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Zero, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 61
    19. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 270
    20. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "August 1992" (JP; 1992-07-08), page 28
    21. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 137
    22. ↑ Game Power, "Gennaio 1993" (IT; 199x-xx-xx), page 62
    23. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Enero 1993" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 78
    24. ↑ Joypad, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 48
    25. ↑ Joystick, "Décembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 201
    26. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 95
    27. ↑ Mega Action, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 65
    28. ↑ Mega Fun, "11/92" (DE; 1992-10-xx), page 38
    29. ↑ Mean Machines, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-27), page 48
    30. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 143
    31. ↑ Power Play, "2/93" (DE; 1993-01-xx), page 142
    32. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 68
    33. ↑ Sega Pro, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-10), page 42
    34. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 233
    35. ↑ Video Games, "2/93" (DE; 1993-01-27), page 88
    36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 163
    37. ↑ Game Power, "Gennaio 1992" (IT; 199x-xx-xx), page 34/35 (36)
    38. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Abril 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 161 (153)
    39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 Joypad, "Octobre 1991" (FR; 1991-09-17), page 110
    40. ↑ Mean Machines, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-27), page 78-80 (78)
    41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 Player One, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 95
    42. ↑ Player One, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-07-10), page 134 (130)
    43. ↑ Sega Power, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-10-04), page 20/21 (20)
    44. ↑ Sega Pro, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-xx-xx), page 38/39 (38)
    45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 Sega Pro, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-18), page 31
    46. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "Februar 1992" (DE; 1992-01-10), page 129
    47. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 147
    48. ↑ Game Power, "Gennaio 1992" (IT; 199x-xx-xx), page 36
    49. ↑ Gamers, "Februar/März 1992" (DE; 1992-xx-xx), page 48
    50. ↑ Games-X, "5th-11th December 1991" (UK; 1991-12-05), page 26
    51. ↑ Game Zone, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-10-08), page 24
    52. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Abril 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 161
    53. ↑ Joystick, "Septembre 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 190
    54. ↑ Mega Force, "Septembre/Octobre 1991" (FR; 1991-09-13), page 94
    55. ↑ Mean Machines, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-27), page 78
    56. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 137
    57. ↑ Player One, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-07-10), page 134
    58. ↑ Sega Power, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-10-04), page 20
    59. ↑ Sega Pro, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-xx-xx), page 38
    60. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 31
    61. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 72
    62. ↑ Supersonic, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 29
    63. ↑ Supersonic, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 18
    64. ↑ Video Games, "3/91" (DE; 1991-09-06), page 78


    Xenon 2: Megablast

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