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Zoop

2025-11-03T20:33:21Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:EDD5:DA0B:A3B6:9606:

{{short description|1995 video game}}
{{About|the video game|other uses|Zoop (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Zoop
| image = Zoop cover art.jpg
| developer = Hookstone PanelComp (SNES, Genesis) Electric Spectacle Productions (Jaguar)
| publisher = [[Viacom (1952–2006)|Viacom New Media]] [[Tectoy]] (MS-DOS) [[Atari Corporation]] (Jaguar) Media Quest (PS, Saturn) Yanoman (Game Boy)
| director = Jim Hanson
| producer = I. Kenneth Miller
| designer = Jason McGann
| programmer = John Rocke
| artist = Ian J. Bowden Malcolm Cooper Peter Tattersall
| composer = Bob Scumaci Mark Davis [[Brian L. Schmidt]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/zoop-usa/page/n5/mode/2up|title = Zoop ( USA)}}</ref>
| platforms = [[Sega Genesis|Genesis/Mega Drive]], [[Game Boy]], [[Game Gear]], [[Classic Mac OS|Mac OS]], [[MS-DOS]], [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], [[Sega Saturn]], [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]], [[Atari Jaguar]]
| released = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|1 June 1995}}|'''Genesis'''{{vgrelease|NA|1 June 1995{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}}|EU|28 October 1995{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}}}} '''Super NES'''{{vgrelease|NA|1995|EU|1995}} '''MS-DOS'''{{vgrelease|NA|30 September 1995{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}}|BRA|1995}} '''Macintosh'''{{vgrelease|NA|1995}} '''PlayStation'''{{vgrelease|NA|20 November 1995<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Sony PlayStation Available Software sorted by Release Date @ www.vidgames.com |url=http://www.vidgames.com/ps/software/release.html#1995 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980611181118/http://www.vidgames.com/ps/software/release.html#1995 |archive-date=June 11, 1998 |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=PlayStation Galleria}}</ref>|JP|22 November 1996<ref name="ZPS1jp">{{cite web|url=http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_SNC1_PS1996.html|title=PlayStation Soft > 1996|publisher=GAME Data Room|access-date=9 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817124931/http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_SNC1_PS1996.html|archive-date=17 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>}} '''Game Boy'''{{vgrelease|NA|5 November 1995{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}}|EU|1995|JP|31 January 1997<ref name="ZGBjp">{{cite web|url=http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_NTM1_GB1997.html|title=GAMEBOY Soft > 1997|publisher=GAME Data Room|access-date=9 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113114110/http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_NTM1_GB1997.html|archive-date=13 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>}} '''Game Gear'''{{vgrelease|NA|1995}} '''Jaguar'''{{vgrelease|NA|5 January 1996<ref name="Zjsii">{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Jason|url=http://www.jaguarsector.com/index.php?autocom=ibwiki&cmd=article&do=print_article&id=379|title=Atari Jaguar Timeline|website=jaguarsector.com|access-date=9 November 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629025431/http://www.jaguarsector.com/index.php?autocom=ibwiki&cmd=article&do=print_article&id=379|archive-date=29 June 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>|EU|5 January 1996<ref name="ZJAGuk">{{cite web|last=Castle|first=Justin|url=https://issuu.com/amigajay/docs/jaguar_uk_pdf|title=Historical Atari Jaguar UK Magazine Advert/Reviews Collection|publisher=[[Issuu]]|format=PDF|date=21 July 2018|page=340|access-date=9 November 2018|archive-date=4 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104221625/https://issuu.com/amigajay/docs/jaguar_uk_pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>}} '''Saturn'''{{vgrelease|JP|29 November 1996<ref name="ZSATjp">{{cite web|url=http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_SGC3_SS1996.html|title=SEGA SATURN Soft > 1996|publisher=GAME Data Room|access-date=9 November 2018|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923085535/http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_SGC3_SS1996.html|archive-date=23 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>}}}}
| genre = [[Puzzle video game|Puzzle]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]] (Game Boy)
}}

'''''Zoop''''' is a [[puzzle video game]] originally developed by Hookstone and published by [[Viacom New Media]] in 1995 for the [[Sega Genesis]], [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]], [[MS-DOS]], [[Classic Mac OS|Macintosh]], [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], [[Game Gear]], and [[Game Boy]], then in 1996 for the [[Sega Saturn|Saturn]] and [[Atari Jaguar|Jaguar]]. ''Zoop'' has similarities to [[Taito]]'s 1989 [[arcade video game]] ''[[Plotting (video game)|Plotting]]'' (also known as ''Flipull''), but ''Zoop'' runs in [[Real-time game|real-time]] instead. Players are tasked with eliminating pieces that spawn from one of the sides of the screen before they reach the center of the playfield. By pointing at a piece and shooting it, the player can either swap it with the current player color and thus arrange the same color pieces in a row or column, or match the color.

A month before release, ''Zoop'' was one of four games played in the preliminary rounds of the Blockbuster World Video Game Championship II competition, a rare instance of an [[Release to manufacturing|as-yet-unreleased]] game being used in a video game competition.<ref name=GPro81>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_071_June_1995|title=Blockbuster World Video Game Championship II 1995 Strategy Guide|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=81|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]] |date=June 1995|pages=[https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_071_June_1995/page/n122 121]–135}}</ref><ref name=GPro87>{{cite magazine|author=The Creature Feature |url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_077_December_1995|title=Special Feature - Blockbuster Champs Invade GamePro!|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=87|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=December 1995|pages=[https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_077_December_1995/page/n51 50]–52}}</ref>

== Gameplay ==
[[File:MD Zoop (Stage 4).png|thumb|left|The fourth stage (Genesis)]]

''Zoop'' is a real-time puzzle game, like ''Plotting'', where the player controls a triangle in the center of the screen. Every second (or more often in advanced levels), a piece comes in from the side and possibly pushes other pieces forward. Two [[consecutive]] pieces will never come in from the same quadrant, and runs of consecutive identical pieces on one row are longer, statistically, than one might expect. If a piece falls into the center square, the game is over.<ref name="NPSNESzoopa">{{cite magazine|title=Full Coverage - Zoop|magazine=[[Nintendo Power]]|issue=78|publisher=[[Nintendo of America]]|date=November 1995|pages=76–77}}</ref>

If the player shoots a piece of the same color as their triangle, it will be "zooped" (cleared) and points are earned. If the piece behind the target piece is also of the same color, it is also "zooped". The same goes for the next piece, and so on. If a piece of a different color from the player's current piece is shot, the player's piece will switch colors with it. This is also what happens when a piece of a different color is encountered after zooping one or more pieces of the same color. When the quota of "zooped" pieces is met, the game speeds up, and (before level 10) the background changes. Various special pieces do different things, such as a proximity bomb (shaped like a lightning bolt) that blows up pieces in a 3×3 area centered at the target piece, or a line bomb (often shaped like a gear) that clears a whole target line of pieces.

To make gameplay more difficult, the game also employed what was referred to as "Opti-Challenge" backgrounds. As the levels progressed, the backgrounds would become increasingly distracting. Early on, this would involve the use of contrasting colors and increasingly intricate color schemes. Background patterns would also become more intricate and would make subtle use of asymmetrical elements. Although the "Opti-Challenge" technique of the game was used as a selling point, very little information exists about the technique itself, and no other game on the market has ever claimed to use "Opti-Challenge" graphics. The sound effects have a cartoonish tone to match the vivid colors used through the stages, while the music is [[smooth jazz]] and "evolves" with the game. As the levels get harder, the music becomes more tense, adding to the fast-paced atmosphere of the game.

== Development and release ==
Along with ''[[Dracula Unleashed]]'', ''Zoop'' is one of the few original properties that were released by Viacom New Media, who only published games that are based on existing [[intellectual properties]] (including [[Viacom Media Networks]]' programming) until their closure in 1997. The title was extensively marketed by Viacom, who wanted the game to replicate the level of success of ''[[Tetris]]'', which can be evidenced by its release on many platforms, as well as the game's slogan, "America's Largest Killer of Time!".

The team at Hookstone stated in an interview with Spanish magazine ''PC Manía'' that ''Zoop'' spent several years in development and that the concept proved to be difficult to explain to their producers and as such, the team presented a nearly-finished build.<ref name="PCManía33">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/pcmania38#page/n13/mode/1up|title=Primera Línea - Entre Bytes: Zoop - Algo diferente|magazine=PC Manía|volume=4|issue=38|publisher=HobbyPress|date=December 1995|page=14|lang=es}}</ref> The PC was chosen as the lead platform, despite the development team never having done anything for the PC before.<ref name="PCManía33"/> According to Aaron Fothergill, one of the programmers for the Atari Jaguar version of ''Zoop'', Electric Spectacle Productions wanted the Jaguar version to have more advanced visuals than the PlayStation version, but Viacom requested the developer to disable the extra graphics to make the PlayStation version more appealing than the Jaguar version.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wallett|first=Adrian |url=https://www.arcadeattack.co.uk/aaron-fothergill/|title=Aaron Fothergill (Amiga/Atari) – Interview|publisher=arcadeattack.co.uk|date=12 October 2018|access-date=11 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181112101322/https://www.arcadeattack.co.uk/aaron-fothergill/|archive-date=12 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=AmwAFZMC>{{cite web|last=Contreras|first=Chris|url=http://www.3do.cdinteractive.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=3829|title=A moment with Aaron Fothergill -Zoop, Magic Carpet |website=3do.cdinteractive.co.uk|date=July 13, 2019|access-date=2021-11-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028142753/http://www.3do.cdinteractive.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=3829|archive-date=2020-10-28|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2018, the rights to ''Zoop'' are held by [[Viacom (2005–2019)|Viacom International]].

Before it was officially released to the general public, the game was featured and played during the preliminary rounds on the Blockbuster World Video Game Championship II competition.<ref name=GPro81/><ref name=GPro87/><ref name=DKCcc>{{cite web |last=G.|first=Evan|url=https://snescentral.com/article.php?id=0910|title=Donkey Kong Country Competition Cart|website=snescentral.com|date=20 June 2009|access-date=10 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923052521/https://snescentral.com/article.php?id=0910|archive-date=23 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Shortly after its release, the Super NES version was offered as part of a limited "rent one, get one free" promotion by [[Blockbuster LLC|Blockbuster]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Jeanne |url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/zoop/adblurbs|title=Zoop - Ad Blurbs|publisher=[[MobyGames]]|date=10 June 2004|access-date=10 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208023946/https://www.mobygames.com/game/zoop/adblurbs|archive-date=8 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Ports==
The Genesis and Super NES versions of ''Zoop'' are identical in terms of gameplay, aside from graphical and audio differences between the two. The MS-DOS version of the game has support for various sound cards, and it uses wavetable-like MIDI music. The PlayStation version was released a month after the system was launched and has more advanced visuals. The Game Boy port is the only version across all platforms that features a multiplayer mode. It also received a port to the Atari Jaguar that was developed by Electric Spectacle Productions and published by [[Atari Corporation]] on 5 January 1996,<ref name="Zjsii"/><ref name="ZJAGuk"/> with graphics that are more in line with the previously released versions but sporting a more [[jazz]]-style soundtrack. It was one of the last releases for the Jaguar. ''Zoop'' was also released for the [[Sega Saturn]] in Japan only by Media Quest on 29 November 1996.<ref name="ZSATjp"/> The Saturn version uses the same enhanced visuals as the PlayStation port.

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
|title=Reception
|state=expanded
|SMD=true
|SNES=true
|DOS=true
|PS=true
|SGG=true
|JAG=true
|SSAT=true
|na=true

|Allgame_SMD={{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="AGGENzoop">{{cite web|last=Alan Weiss|first=Brett|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7616&tab=review|title=Zoop (Genesis) - Review|website=[[AllGame]]|access-date=15 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115045602/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7616&tab=review|archive-date=15 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|Allgame_SNES={{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="AGSNESzoop">{{cite web|last=Alan Weiss|first=Brett|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7500&tab=review|title=Zoop (SNES) - Review|website=[[AllGame]]|access-date=15 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115045605/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7500&tab=review|archive-date=15 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|Allgame_PS={{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="AGPS1zoop">{{cite web|last=Couper|first=Chris|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=8004&tab=review|title=Zoop (PlayStation) - Review|website=[[AllGame]]|access-date=15 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115045609/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=8004&tab=review|archive-date=15 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|EGM_SGG=5.875 / 10<ref name="EGMGGzoop">{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:EGM_US_076.pdf&page=52|title=Review Crew: Zoop|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=76|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=November 1995|page=52|access-date=16 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116131413/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:EGM_US_076.pdf&page=52|archive-date=16 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
|Fam_SSAT=58 / 100<ref name="WFTSSATzoop">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/games/t/14954/reviews/|title=ズープ (セガサターン) - ファミ通.com|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|issue=416|publisher=[[ASCII Corporation|ASCII]]|date=6 December 1996|page=33|lang=ja|access-date=2 February 2020}}</ref>
|GameFan_PS=263 / 300<ref name="DHGFPS1zoop">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_4_Issue_01|title=Viewpoint - Zoop - Playstation|magazine=[[GameFan]]|volume=4|issue=1|publisher=Shinno Media|date=January 1996|page=[https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_4_Issue_01/page/n17 18]}}</ref>
|GI_SNES=8.0 / 10<ref name="GISNESzoop">{{cite magazine|title=Retro Review: Zoop (SNES)|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|issue=187|publisher=Sunrise Publications|date=November 2008}}</ref>
|GP_SNES=74%<ref name="GPSNESzoop">{{cite magazine|last=Baggatta|first=Patrick |url=https://archive.org/stream/Game_Players_Issue_58_November_1995#page/n79/mode/1up|title=Super NES - Review - Zoop|magazine=[[Game Players]]|issue=77|publisher=Signal Research|date=November 1995|page=78}}</ref>
|GSpot_DOS=7.0 / 10<ref name="GSpotDOSzoop">{{cite web|last=Dulin|first=Ron|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/zoop-review/1900-2560015/|title=Zoop Review - Once you do break through the initial frustration, Zoop will gradually become an addiction|work=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|date=2 May 2000|access-date=2 February 2020}}</ref>
|IGN_PS=5.0 / 10<ref name="IGNPS1zoop">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1996/11/27/zoop|title=Zoop Review|website=[[IGN]]|date=26 November 1996|access-date=15 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725092617/https://www.ign.com/articles/1996/11/27/zoop|archive-date=25 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
|NGen_SNES={{Rating|2|5}}<ref name="NGSNESzoop">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/nextgen-issue-011/page/n192|title=Finals - Super NES - Zoop|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=11|publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]]|date=November 1995|page=191}}</ref>
|NGen_PS={{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="NGPS1zoop">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_25|title=Every PlayStation Game Played, Reviewed, and Rated - Zoop|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=25|publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]]|date=January 1997|page=[https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_25/page/n61 60]}}</ref>
|NGen_JAG={{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="NGJAGzoop">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/Next-Generation-1996-05/Next%20Generation%201996-05#page/n99/mode/1up|title=Finals - Jaguar - Zoop|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=17|publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]]|date=May 1996|page=94}}</ref>
|NP_SNES=12.7 / 20<ref name="NPSNESzoopb">{{cite magazine|title=Now Playing - Zoop|magazine=[[Nintendo Power]]|issue=78|publisher=[[Nintendo of America]]|date=November 1995|page=107}}</ref>

|rev1=''[[Computer Game Review|CGR]]''
|rev1_DOS=263 / 300<ref name="CGRDOSMACzoop">{{cite web|last1=Snyder|first1=Frank |last2=Chapman|first2=Ted|last3=Honeywell|first3=Steve|url=http://www.nuke.com/cgr/reviews/9601/zoop/zoop.htm|title=Zoop Is Good Food|work=[[Computer Game Review]]|publisher=[[Ziff-Davis]]|date=1996|access-date=4 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961221191819/http://www.nuke.com/cgr/reviews/9601/zoop/zoop.htm|archive-date=21 December 1996|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|rev2=''[[Entertainment Weekly|EW]]''
|rev2_DOS=A-<ref name="EWDOSzoop">{{cite magazine|last=Strauss|first=Bob|url=https://ew.com/article/1995/11/10/zoop/|title=Article - Zoop|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|issue=300|publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]]|date=10 November 1995|access-date=15 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903114936/https://ew.com/article/1995/11/10/zoop/|archive-date=3 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
|rev3=''[[Mean Machines Sega]]''
|rev3_SMD=63 / 100<ref name="MMSGENp:tma">{{cite magazine|author1=Marcus|author2=Gus |url=https://archive.org/stream/mean-machines-sega-magazine-38#page/n84/mode/1up|title=Megadrive Review - Zoop|magazine=[[Mean Machines Sega]]|issue=38|publisher=[[Ascential|EMAP]]|date=December 1995|page=85}}</ref>
|rev4=''[[Micromanía]]''
|rev4_SMD={{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="MMGENzoop">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/MicromanaTerceraEpocaSpanishIssue11#page/n86/mode/1up|title=Punto De Mira...y además: Bueno En Cualquier Forma - Zoop (Mega Drive)|magazine=[[Micromanía]]|volume=3 |issue=11|publisher=HobbyPress|date=December 1995|page=87|lang=es}}</ref>
|rev4_DOS=92%<ref name="MMDOSzoop">{{cite magazine|author=F.D.L.|url=https://archive.org/stream/MicromanaTerceraEpocaSpanishIssue11#page/n107/mode/2up|title=Zoop - La Sencillez Al Poder|magazine=[[Micromanía]]|volume=3|issue=11|publisher=HobbyPress|date=December 1995|pages=108–109|lang=es}}</ref>
|rev5=''[[Sega Pro]]''
|rev5_SMD=85 / 100<ref name="SProGENzoop">{{cite magazine|title=Mega Drive – ProReview: Zoop|magazine=[[Sega Pro]]|issue=52|publisher=[[Paragon Publishing]]|date=December 1995|page=55}}</ref>
|rev6=''[[Sega Saturn Magazine|SSM]]''
|rev6_SMD=62%<ref name="SSMukGENzoop">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/Sega_Saturn_Magazine_Issue_02_1995-12_EMAP_Images_GB/page/n91|title=Sega 16-Bit Magazine - Review - Zoop|magazine=[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]|issue=2|publisher=[[Ascential|EMAP]]|date=December 1995|page=92}}</ref>
|rev7=''[[Future plc|UFG]]''
|rev7_DOS=68%<ref name="UFGJAGzoop">{{cite magazine|url=http://retrosprite.proboards.com/post/46/thread|title=Zoop Back to basics?|magazine=[[Future plc|Ultimate Future Games]]|issue=13|publisher=[[Future Publishing]]|date=December 1995|page=75}}</ref>
|rev8=''[[VideoGames - The Ultimate Gaming Magazine|VideoGames]]''
|rev8_SNES=7 / 10<ref name="VGTUGMSNESzoop">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/Video_Games_The_Ultimate_Gaming_Magazine_Issue_82_November_1995#page/n100/mode/1up|title=Reviews - SNES - Zoop|magazine=[[VideoGames & Computer Entertainment#VideoGames - The Ultimate Gaming Magazine|VideoGames - The Ultimate Gaming Magazine]]|issue=82 |publisher=[[Larry Flynt Publications|L.F.P., Inc.]]|date=November 1995|page=94}}</ref>

|award1Pub=''[[Nintendo Power]]'' (1995)
|award1=Best Puzzle Game<ref name="NPAzoop">{{cite magazine|title=The Nintendo Power Awards - 95 Winners - Best Puzzle Game|magazine=[[Nintendo Power]]|issue=84|publisher=[[Nintendo of America]]|date=May 1996|page=42}}</ref>
|award2Pub=''Power Play'' (1995)
|award2=Biggest Hype in 1995<ref name="PPA">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/powerplaymagazine-1996-02/page/n137|title=Special - Jahres Überflieger '95 - Hype Des Jahres|magazine=Power Play|issue=95|publisher=Future-Verlag|date=February 1996|page=170|lang=de}}</ref>
}}

The four reviewers of ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' criticized the Game Gear version as having poor audio even by Game Gear standards but otherwise were divided about the game. One of them said "it is more like work than anything else, and it certainly isn't addictive", two of them said it lacks anything special but is still addictive and enjoyable for players of all skill levels, and the fourth called it "a must-try".<ref name="EGMGGzoop"/>

Reviewing the SNES version, a critic for ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' found the gameplay to be too complicated, concluding that "it's not bad really, but the idea isn't that intuitive, and once you get past the learning curve it lacks the addictive quality this kind of game needs."<ref name="NGSNESzoop"/> ''[[GamePro]]''{{'}}s The Axe Grinder similarly said that, while the game is fun and has good graphics and music, it lacks the addictive pull that an action puzzler needs to distinguish itself.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=The Axe Grinder|url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_077_December_1995|title=ProReview: Super NES - Zoop|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=87|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=December 1995|page=[https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_077_December_1995/page/n105 104]}}</ref>

''[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]'' (previously ''[[Sega Magazine]]'') gave the Genesis/Mega Drive version a 62%, saying the game "has the curious compulsiveness of ''[[Tetris]]'' to a degree", but that it is overshadowed by more complex and graphically impressive games then on the market.<ref name="SSMukGENzoop"/> Cover Girl of ''GamePro'' was pleased with the music and graphics, particularly the use of eye-tricking background contrasts in the later levels. She found the level select and five difficulty modes broaden the accessibility, but criticized that the game sends the player back to the beginning whenever they lose. She concluded that while falling short of classics like ''Tetris'', ''Zoop'' is an enjoyable enough puzzler to merit a buy.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Cover Girl|url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_077_December_1995|title=ProReview: Genesis - Zoop|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=87|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=December 1995|page=[https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_077_December_1995/page/n87 86]}}</ref>

Reviewing the Jaguar version, ''GamePro'' noted that it made no changes from previous versions of the game. They said of the game itself: "A classic? No. Addictive? Yes."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/GamePro_Issue_081_April_1996#page/n90/mode/1up|title=Quick Hits: Zoop |magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=81|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=April 1996|page=89|access-date=21 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104224940/https://archive.org/stream/GamePro_Issue_081_April_1996#page/n90/mode/1up|archive-date=4 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Next Generation'' similarly stated that "while ''Zoop'' is an enjoyable game, it's not exactly the second puzzling. ... Games like ''Tetris'' and ''[[Bust-a-Move]]'' have undeniable magic, and while ''Zoop'' has the mechanics of a great puzzle game, it lacks that magic." They praised the pace of the action, in that the game demands the player's full attention from the beginning.<ref name="NGJAGzoop"/>

''GamePro''{{'}}s brief review of the PlayStation version called it "an uncomplicated puzzle game that's only slightly hampered by squirrelly controls" and "a great addiction for puzzle fans."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/GamePro_Issue_080_March_1996#page/n74/mode/1up|title=Quick Hits: Zoop |magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=80|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=March 1996|page=73 |access-date=21 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104230323/https://archive.org/stream/GamePro_Issue_080_March_1996#page/n74/mode/1up|archive-date=4 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> A brief review from ''Next Generation'' commented, "Action puzzle games should be simple but addicting; ''Zoop'' is complicated but kind of compulsive."<ref name="NGPS1zoop"/> ''[[IGN]]'' rated the PlayStation version of the game a 5/10, stating, "''Zoop'' has all the makings of a good puzzle game, it just doesn't deliver the goods."<ref name="IGNPS1zoop"/>

''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' gave the DOS version an A− and said it wasn't as addictive but was as much fun as ''[[Tetris]]''.<ref name="EWDOSzoop"/>

The game was awarded "Best Puzzle Game" in the 1995 ''[[Nintendo Power Awards]]''.<ref name="NPAzoop"/>

== Legacy ==
The game was featured in 1995 in series 5 episode 4 of the British TV series ''[[GamesMaster]]''.<ref>{{cite web|date=27 June 2018|title=GamesMaster Series 5 Episode 4|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzB8V6aO17c|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105013617/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzB8V6aO17c|archive-date=5 January 2019|access-date=19 July 2018|work=YouTube}}</ref>

In September 2003, the trademark renewal for ''Zoop'' was cancelled.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hallie|first=Michelena|url=https://trademarks.justia.com/746/66/zoop-74666188.html|title=ZOOP - Trademark Details|publisher=justia.com|date=20 September 2003|access-date=15 May 2019}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://atariage.com/software_page.php?SoftwareID=2553 ''Zoop''] at [[AtariAge]]
* [https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/genesis/586629-zoop ''Zoop''] at [[GameFAQs]]
* [https://www.giantbomb.com/zoop/3030-4938/ ''Zoop''] at [[Giant Bomb]]
* [https://www.mobygames.com/game/zoop ''Zoop''] at [[MobyGames]]
{{Spoken Wikipedia|date=2022-07-20|en-Zoop-article.ogg}}

{{Portal bar|1990s|United Kingdom|Video games}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Zoop}}
[[Category:1995 video games]]
[[Category:Atari games]]
[[Category:Atari Jaguar games]]
[[Category:DOS games]]
[[Category:Game Boy games]]
[[Category:Classic Mac OS games]]
[[Category:PlayStation (console) games]]
[[Category:Puzzle video games]]
[[Category:Game Gear games]]
[[Category:Sega Genesis games]]
[[Category:Sega Saturn games]]
[[Category:Super Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Viacom New Media games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Brian L. Schmidt]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Yanoman games]]
[[Category:Tectoy games]]

Daytona USA

2025-11-03T20:05:30Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:EDD5:DA0B:A3B6:9606:

{{Short description|1994 video game}}
{{About|the 1994 arcade game|the former museum|Daytona 500 Experience|the 2000 video game|Daytona USA 2001}}
{{Featured article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Daytona USA
| image = Daytona USA arcade flyer.jpg
| alt = An arcade cabinet with a car in front of a large screen, surrounded by words.
| caption = North American arcade flyer with the deluxe cabinet pictured
| developer = [[Sega AM2]]
| publisher = [[Sega]]{{efn|Released for Sega Saturn and Windows under the Sega Sports banner.}}
| director = [[Toshihiro Nagoshi]]
| programmer = Daichi Katagiri Koki Koiwa Hideomi Miyauchi
| designer = Makoto Osaki Yukinobu Arikawa
| producer = Toshihiro Nagoshi [[Yu Suzuki]]
| composer = [[Takenobu Mitsuyoshi]]
| series = ''Daytona USA''
| platforms = [[Arcade video game|Arcade]], [[Sega Saturn]], [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[PlayStation 3]], [[Xbox 360]]
| released = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|March 1994}}|'''Arcade'''{{vgrelease|JP/NA|March 1994|WW|April 1994}} '''Saturn'''{{vgrelease|JP|April 1, 1995|NA|May 11, 1995|EU|July 8, 1995}} '''Windows'''{{vgrelease|JP|September 27, 1996 (Enhanced Board version)<ref>{{cite web |title=デイトナＵＳＡ　拡張ボード版 |url=http://sega.jp/pc/daytonab/ |website=sega.jp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040406231150/http://sega.jp/pc/daytonab/ |archive-date=April 6, 2004 |language=ja |trans-title=Daytona USA Expansion Board Edition}}</ref>|EU|November 14, 1996<ref>{{cite magazine |author= |date=December 1996 |title=Checkpoint |url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_and_Video_Games_Issue_181_1996-12_EMAP_Images_GB/page/n47/mode/2up |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |publisher=[[Ascential|EMAP]] |issue=181 |page=49}}</ref>|NA|November 6, 1996<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sega.com/news/releases/daytonapccon.html |title=SEGA ENTERTAINMENT ACCELERATES PC POWER WITH ALL-TIME ARCADE HIT DAYTONA USA |website=Sega Central |publisher=Sega of America |date=November 6, 1996 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19961219235008/http://www.sega.com/news/releases/daytonapccon.html |archivedate=December 19, 1996 |url-status=dead |accessdate=October 29, 2024}}</ref>|JP|December 6, 1996<ref>{{cite web |title=デイトナＵＳＡ |url=http://sega.jp/pc/daytona/ |website=sega.jp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011102165859/http://sega.jp/pc/daytona/ |archive-date=November 2, 2001 |language=ja |trans-title=The definitive Daytona USA}}</ref>}} '''PlayStation 3'''{{vgrelease|NA|October 25, 2011|JP|October 26, 2011|EU|November 23, 2011}} '''Xbox 360'''{{vgrelease|WW|October 26, 2011}}
}}
| genre = [[Racing game|Racing]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
| arcade system = [[Sega Model 2]]
}}

{{Nihongo foot|'''''Daytona USA'''''|{{ruby|DAYTONA|デイトナ}} USA|Deitona USA|group=lower-alpha|lead=yes}} is a 1994 [[racing video game]] developed by [[Sega AM2]] and published by [[Sega]] for [[arcade video game|arcades]]. Inspired by the popularity of the [[NASCAR]] motor racing series in the United States, the game has players race [[stock car racing|stock cars]] on one of three courses. It was the first game to be released on the [[Sega Model 2]] [[arcade system board]].

Sega partnered with [[GE Aerospace (1960s)|GE Aerospace]] to develop the Model 2, which renders [[3D computer graphics|3D graphics]] capable of [[texture filtering]] and [[texture mapping]]. ''Daytona USA'' was developed by AM2 after a meeting of the heads of Sega's regional offices to decide on a game to debut the Model 2 hardware. The concept was suggested by Tom Petit, president of Sega's American arcade division, with input from AM2 director [[Toshihiro Nagoshi]], who became the game's director and producer. Sega aimed to outperform [[Namco]]'s [[Ridge Racer (1993 video game)|''Ridge Racer'']] (1993). The developers researched motorsports extensively; they mapped [[Daytona International Speedway]], and their experience developing ''[[Virtua Racing]]'' (1992) helped with lighting and camera control.

''Daytona USA'' became one of the highest-grossing [[arcade game]]s of all time, and was a critical and commercial success, with its graphics, soundtrack and gameplay receiving high praise. The game was ported to the [[Sega Saturn]] in 1995, and was followed by sequels and enhanced versions for consoles and arcades. It has been frequently named one of the [[List of video games considered the best|best video games of all time]].

==Gameplay==
[[File:Daytona USA screenshot.png|thumb|left|The player driving through the beginner course (arcade version)|alt=A stock car on a speedway]]

In ''Daytona USA'', the player drives a [[stock car]] known as the Hornet.<ref name=":0" /> The player's objectives are to outrun the competing cars and complete the race before time runs out, passing checkpoints to collect more time.<ref name="EuroG" /> Players begin in last place and compete against a field of up to 39 computer-controlled cars, dependent on the course selected.<ref name=":2">{{Cite magazine |last=Thorpe |first=Nick |date=August 2018 |title=The Making of Daytona USA |url= |magazine=[[Retro Gamer]] |issue=184 |pages=20–29 |via=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Freeman|first=Will|date=October 6, 2017|title=Daytona USA: why the best arcade racing game ever just won't go away|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/oct/06/daytona-usa-arcade-racing-game-1993-sega-coin-op-driving|website=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=December 9, 2020|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111163200/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/oct/06/daytona-usa-arcade-racing-game-1993-sega-coin-op-driving|url-status=live}}</ref> Three courses are available for play: Beginner, Advanced, and Expert, also known respectively as Three Seven Speedway, Dinosaur Canyon, and Seaside Street Galaxy.<ref name=":2"/> [[Adaptive difficulty system|Adaptive difficulty]] is used; the first lap of each race measures the skill of the player and adjusts the difficulty of opponents accordingly. For less skilled players, opposing cars open lanes for the player, while higher-skilled players have to deal with opponents that block their path.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":7" /> The game's physics include realistic driving mechanics, including [[Drifting (motorsport)|drifting]] and [[Lift-off oversteer|power sliding]].<ref name=":0" /> The steering wheel in the [[arcade cabinet]] uses [[force feedback]] so players feel collisions and bumps.<ref name=":2"/> Shifting is performed with an H-type [[Gear stick|shifter]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=April 1994 |title=テイトナ USA |url=https://archive.org/details/vol.-112-2/page/n125/mode/1up |magazine=[[Gamest]] |language=ja |volume=112 |page=124 |access-date=June 7, 2023}}</ref>

''Daytona USA''<nowiki/>'s arcade version on the Model 2 is capable of displaying up to 300,000 [[texture-mapped]] polygons per second,<ref name=":3" /> nearly double that of the previous Model 1.<ref name=":4">{{Cite magazine|date=May 1994|title=CVG Work-In-Progress: Daytona USA|magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]]|issue=150|pages=32–33}}</ref> Visually, the game uses [[texture filtering]], giving the visuals a smooth appearance.<ref name=":0" /> As in ''[[Virtua Racing]]'', the game's camera system presents four different view perspectives from which the game can be played, and also includes the ability to view behind the car.<ref name=":5">{{Cite magazine|date=June 1994|title=Arcade Action: Daytona USA|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=59|page=68|url=https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_59/page/n67}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Reeves |first=Greg |date=October 1994 |title=Player's Perspective: Simulators and scary creatures in videoland |url=https://archive.org/details/play-meter-volume-20-number-11-october-1994/Play%20Meter%20-%20Volume%2020%2C%20Number%2011%20-%20October%201994/page/115 |magazine=[[Play Meter]] |volume=20 |issue=11 |pages=115–9}}</ref> The arcade version allows up to eight players to compete with each other, depending on the number of cabinets linked together. Linked deluxe cabinets may also include a [[video camera|camera]] pointing towards the drivers seat, linked to a [[closed-circuit television]] to show the player on a separate screen.<ref name=":0" /> In [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]], only the lead driver needs to reach a checkpoint before time runs out.<ref name="Allgame-Arcade">{{cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=406|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114094603/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=406|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 14, 2014|title=Daytona USA – Overview|date=November 14, 2014|website=[[AllGame]]|access-date=September 5, 2019|last=Baize|first=Anthony}}</ref> [[Dynamic game difficulty balancing|Rubber-banding]] is used in multiplayer races to ensure all players stay involved in the race.<ref name=":2" />

The [[Sega Saturn]] version does not include multiplayer,<ref name="Maximum" /> but includes an additional "Saturn" mode, which turns off the game's timer and adds more cars for the player to choose from.<ref name="CVG-Saturn1" /> Additional "Endurance" and "Grand Prix" modes are also included, both of which require [[pit stops]].<ref name="EdgeDUSA" /> Sustaining damage in a race in these modes will adversely affect the car's performance.<ref name="EdgeDUSA" /> The [[PlayStation 3]] and [[Xbox 360]] versions included online multiplayer with up to eight players.<ref name="PSX360" />

==Development==
In September 1992, [[Sega]] partnered with the engineering division [[GE Aerospace (1960s)|GE Aerospace]] to create its new [[arcade system board]], the [[Sega Model 2|Model 2]]. They were connected via a [[Cold calling|cold call]] from GE's Bob Hichborn, who met with Sega executives at the division's [[Daytona Beach, Florida]] headquarters in 1990, and later at Sega's headquarters in Tokyo in November of the same year. At the second meeting, GE Aerospace executives brought a tape demonstrating the hardware's 3D graphics simulating the [[Daytona International Speedway]]. GE estimated that their sale of the Model 2's graphics technology accelerated Sega's arcade hardware development by 14 months.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":6" />

The heads of Sega's regional offices began discussing ideas for games to demonstrate the Model 2's capabilities. Sega's previous board, the [[Sega Model 1|Model 1]], had debuted in 1992 with ''Virtua Racing'', which was popular in Japan and Europe. Tom Petit, president of Sega's American arcade division Sega Enterprises USA, suggested that [[NASCAR]] would be an attractive brand to use for a Model 2 game in the US. Though Sega Europe's Vic Leslie had reservations due to the greater popularity of [[Formula One]] in Europe, Sega executives approved the concept. Petit and Sega Enterprises USA chief of finance Masahiro Nakagawa began negotiations with representatives of the [[Daytona 500]] at Daytona International Speedway for a license to develop a game based on the race. To lower costs, Sega decided not to negotiate with NASCAR for a license, and so the game does not contain real sponsors, drivers, or cars.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=The Sega Arcade Revolution: A History in 62 Games|last=Horowitz|first=Ken|publisher=[[McFarland & Company]]|year=2018|isbn=9781476631967|pages=199–204}}</ref>

[[File:Toshihiro Nagoshi 20140125.jpg|left|upright=0.75|alt=Toshihiro Nagoshi, seated, giving an interview.|thumb|Director and co-producer [[Toshihiro Nagoshi]]]]

Sega mandated that ''Daytona USA'' had to be better than [[Namco]]'s 1993 racing game [[Ridge Racer (1993 video game)|''Ridge Racer'']] and it had to achieve higher sales.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Jeriaska |date=July 28, 2009 |title=Interview: A Daytona USA Audio Reunion |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/115407/Interview_A_Daytona_USA_Audio_Reunion.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015084640/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/115407/Interview_A_Daytona_USA_Audio_Reunion.php |archive-date=October 15, 2020 |access-date=October 10, 2020 |website=[[Gamasutra]]}}</ref> ''Ridge Racer'' had reached the top of arcade sales charts at the end of 1993 and beginning of 1994,<ref>{{cite magazine |date=1 December 1993 |title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - アップライト, コックピット型TVゲーム機 (Upright/Cockpit Videos) |magazine=Game Machine |publisher= |issue=462 |page=25 |lang=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |date=February 1994 |title=Equipment Poll - Video & Pinball Combined |url=https://archive.org/stream/play-meter-volume-20-number-3-february-1994/Play%20Meter%20-%20Volume%2020%2C%20Number%203%20-%20February%201994%20%28Compressed%29#page/8/mode/1up |magazine=[[Play Meter]] |publisher= |volume=20 |issue=3 |page=8}}</ref><ref name="CVG">{{cite magazine |date=April 1994 |title=Arcade Action |url= |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |location= |publisher= |issue=149 |pages=82–86}}</ref> and it had received highly favorable reviews of its graphics, especially in comparison to ''Virtua Racing''.<ref name="CVG"/><ref name="Edge2">{{cite magazine |date=November 1993 |title=New wave graphics dominate AMS '93 |url= |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |issue=2 |pages=16–18}}</ref><ref name="Edge6">{{cite magazine |date=March 1994 |title=Prescreen |url= |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |issue=6 |pages=20–23}}</ref> Development was assigned to [[Sega AM2]], a development division headed by [[Yu Suzuki]], who had led development on popular racing games including ''[[Hang-On]]'', ''[[Out Run]]'', and ''Virtua Racing''.<ref name=":0" /> AM2 director [[Toshihiro Nagoshi]] was given direct responsibility for the project, with Nagoshi and Suzuki serving as producers.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> The game was Nagoshi's first project as a director. Nagoshi was aware of the racing arcade games already on the market and decided he wanted to take his game in a different direction.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ykm7tqS1VEo |title=Daytona USA Dev Diary |date=December 19, 2011 |last=Nagoshi |first=Toshihiro |type=[[YouTube]] |publisher=[[Sega]] |author-link=Toshihiro Nagoshi |access-date=June 7, 2023 |archive-date=June 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607114615/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ykm7tqS1VEo |url-status=live }}</ref> While in the US for a meeting on the Model 2, Nagoshi was given tickets to a NASCAR race, and later recalled that it was a new experience for him because it was not a known style of racing in Japan.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":7" /> He chose to design his game to be "funky entertainment", in contrast to the [[Sim racing|simulation]]-based style of ''Ridge Racer''.<ref name=":2" />

AM2 split into two teams: one focused on ''Daytona USA'' while the other developed ''[[Virtua Fighter (video game)|Virtua Fighter]]''.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=June 1994|title=Yu Suzuki: Sega's driving force|magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]|issue=9|pages=45–50}}</ref> As research for the project, Nagoshi read books and watched videos on NASCAR, although he found it difficult to convey the emotions of the sport to his staff in Japan. Game planner Makoto Osaki said he purchased a [[sports car]] and watched the NASCAR film ''[[Days of Thunder]]'' more than 100 times. Programmer Daichi Katagiri was an avid player of arcade racing games at the time and leaned on that experience.<ref name=":2" /> The developers used [[satellite imagery]] and sent staff to photograph Daytona International Speedway;<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite magazine|date=April 1994|title=Prescreen: Daytona|magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]|issue=7|pages=27–28}}</ref> Nagoshi walked a full lap to get a feel for the banking in the corners.<ref name=":0" /> The team considered both Daytona International Speedway and [[Bristol Motor Speedway]] for the game's beginner course. According to Nagoshi, because ''Daytona USA'' was not intended to be a simulation game, and because it would be sold in Japan and Europe in addition to North America, the [[Oval track racing|oval]] and [[tri-oval]] designs were rejected as too repetitive. The final design for the beginner circuit, Three Seven Speedway, uses the tri-oval layout with a sharper final turn that requires strong braking.<ref name=":2" />

Unlike ''Virtua Racing''<nowiki/>'s Model 1 hardware, the Model 2 is capable of displaying surface detail on its 3D graphics with texture mapping.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Ismail |first=Adam |date=2023-03-24 |title='Daytona USA' Was Built on Lockheed Martin Defense Technology |url=https://jalopnik.com/daytona-usa-lockheed-martin-military-sim-defense-tech-1850248936 |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=[[Jalopnik]] |language=en |archive-date=May 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230520051150/https://jalopnik.com/daytona-usa-lockheed-martin-military-sim-defense-tech-1850248936 |url-status=live }}</ref> As this was new for the developers, trial and error was used to find the most effective approach.<ref name=":2" /> Suzuki also reached out to Sega designer Jeffery Buchanan, who suggested placing interesting features, such as a dinosaur fossil and a [[Clipper|clipper ship]], at various locations within the game.<ref name=":6" /> Katagiri said there was no need to develop software for [[Rendering (computer graphics)|rendering]] because the Model 2 hardware handled this. For camera control and lighting effects, the team drew on its experience developing ''Virtua Racing''. ''Daytona USA'' shares some features with ''Ridge Racer'', including a drifting mechanic. Nagoshi initially planned not to include drifting as NASCAR stock cars do not drift, but changed his mind when the team decided not to focus on simulation.<ref name=":2" /> He did not believe in [[Fortune-telling|fortune telling]], but chose the number 41 for the Hornet player car because he was told by someone close to him that the number would be lucky.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":7" />

The soundtrack was composed by [[Takenobu Mitsuyoshi]], who had no familiarity with stock car racing. He chose to include vocals after hearing ''Ridge Racer''<nowiki/>'s [[techno]] soundtrack and deciding to try a different approach; he recorded his own vocals as the fastest way to get the music into the game.<ref name=":2" /> Each course has a corresponding song.<ref name=":1" /> "Let's Go Away", the ''Daytona'' theme, uses a mixture of rock and funk instrumentals,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Greening|first=Chris|date=August 1, 2012|title=Daytona USA Anniversary Box -Let's Go Away-|url=http://www.vgmonline.net/daytonabox/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219035644/http://www.vgmonline.net/daytonabox/|archive-date=December 19, 2020|access-date=December 16, 2020|website=Video Game Music Online}}</ref> while "Sky High" leaned on Mitsuyoshi's background in [[jazz fusion]]. A hidden track, "Pounding Pavement", was inspired by "[[Hotel California]]" by the [[Eagles (band)|Eagles]] and is accessible by holding the fourth view perspective button while selecting the beginner track in the arcade version.<ref name=":1" /> For the arcade version, the songs were [[Sampling (music)|sampled]] onto a [[Yamaha Corporation|Yamaha]] sound chip, including the drums and Mitsuyoshi's voice, then reconstructed by varying when the tracks would play and loop.<ref name=":2" /> This was the only way to include vocals, due to technical limitations of the Model 2.<ref name=":0" /> For the Saturn version, the music was remixed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williamson |first=Colin |date=December 21, 2000 |title=A Brief History of Daytona |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/12/22/a-brief-history-of-daytona |access-date=July 8, 2023 |website=[[IGN]] |archive-date=August 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120827194114/http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/12/22/a-brief-history-of-daytona |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Release==
Prior to release, Sega debuted a prototype of ''Daytona USA'' at the [[Amusement Machine Show]] in Tokyo in August 1993,<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=October 1993|title=Daytona USA|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=51|page=222}}</ref><ref name="RePlay">{{cite magazine |date=October 1993 |title=Once Again, JAMMA Says "Bigger is Better" |url= |magazine=RePlay |volume=19 |issue=1 |pages=129–150}}</ref> and it was tested in select Japanese arcades the same month;<ref name=":2"/><ref name=":72">{{Cite book |title=Sega Arcade History |publisher=[[Enterbrain]] |year=2002 |isbn=978-4-7577-0790-0 |pages=39–40, 178 |language=ja}}</ref> Petit stated that this was done to measure how the games would be received by the public.<ref name=":0" /> The complete version of ''Daytona USA'' was released in Japan in March 1994,<ref name=":0" /> and made its North American debut the same month at Chicago's [[American Coin Machine Exposition]] (ACME);<ref name="PM">{{cite journal |title=ACME '94 |journal=[[Play Meter]] |date=April 1994 |volume=20 |issue=5 |pages=ACME 22–3, 42, 62, 68, 70 |url=https://archive.org/details/play-meter-volume-20-number-5-april-1994/Play%20Meter%20-%20Volume%2020%2C%20Number%205%20-%20April%201994/page/n93/mode/2up}}</ref><ref name="RePlay7">{{cite magazine |date=April 1994 |title=News Digest / ACME 94 |url= |magazine=RePlay |volume=19 |issue=7 |pages=25, 93, 120}}</ref> it was subsequently released worldwide in April 1994.<ref name=":0" /> According to Petit, Sega delayed the worldwide launch to measure reception before investing in other territories. The standard game was released in a twin-seat cabinet and a deluxe cabinet fitted with detailed seats on top of [[subwoofer]]s;<ref name=":0" /> Sega originally planned to use actual car seats, but management determined the seats were too difficult to enter and exit.<ref name=":72" /> ''Daytona USA'' debuted at number two on arcade operator publication ''RePlay''{{'}}s "Player's Choice" chart and stayed on the list for five years, with 16 months at number one.<ref name=":0" /> ''Daytona USA'' was rereleased in 1996 in arcades as ''Daytona USA: Special Edition'', designed as a smaller, more affordable cabinet.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=December 1996|title=Driving Force|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|issue=89|page=144}}</ref>[[File:Sega-Saturn-Console-Set-Mk1.jpg|alt=A Sega Saturn video game console|thumb|''Daytona USA'' was a [[launch game]] for the [[Sega Saturn]] (pictured above) in North America and Europe.]]
Around the time of the worldwide release, Sega announced releases for its Saturn and [[32X]] consoles,<ref name=":4" /> but a year later, Sega announced their intention to focus solely on the Saturn.<ref name="KSL">{{cite book |last=Kent |first=Steven L. |title=[[The Ultimate History of Video Games: The Story Behind the Craze that Touched our Lives and Changed the World]] |publisher=[[Prima Games|Prima Publishing]] |year=2001 |isbn=0-7615-3643-4 |pages=508, 531 |chapter= |author-link=Steven L. Kent}}</ref> In early 1995, Sega AM2's Saturn division split into three departments, each charged with converting a different arcade game to the Saturn: ''[[Virtua Fighter 2]]'', ''[[Virtua Cop]]'', and ''Daytona USA''. Due to slow progress on the ''Daytona USA'' conversion, several members of the ''Virtua Fighter 2'' team were reassigned to ''Daytona USA''.<ref name="EGM70">{{cite magazine|last=Ogasawara|first=Nob|date=May 1995|title=The Creation of Daytona, and the Future Projects of AM2|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |publisher=Sendai Publishing|issue=70|pages=70–71}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Leadbetter |first=Rich |date=November 1995 |title=Virtua Fighter: The Second Coming |magazine=[[Sega Saturn Magazine]] |publisher= |issue=1 |pages=36–41}}</ref> AM2 completed the conversion in April 1995.<ref name="EGM70" /><ref>{{cite magazine |date=December 1995 |title=Virtua Fighter 2 Development Diary |magazine=[[Sega Saturn Magazine]] |publisher= |issue=2 |page=46}}</ref> It was a Western [[launch game]] for Saturn,<ref>{{cite magazine |date=January 1996 |title=1995: The Calm Before the Storm? |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |publisher= |issue=13 |page=47}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |date=July 1995 |title=Sega Hopes to Run Rings Around the Competition with Early Release of the Saturn |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |publisher= |issue=72 |page=30}}</ref> and was also released for [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] via [[SegaSoft]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=November 1, 2016 |title=Sega's bringing Daytona back to arcades |url=https://www.polygon.com/2016/11/1/13490350/daytona-usa-3-sega-arcade |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330205537/https://www.polygon.com/2016/11/1/13490350/daytona-usa-3-sega-arcade |archive-date=March 30, 2019 |access-date=September 4, 2019 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite magazine |date=October 1996 |title=Release List |magazine=[[Ultra Game Players]] |issue=89 |page=75}}</ref> In Japan, two separate Windows releases were done in September and December 1996, with the first released version supporting specific [[Graphics card|graphics cards]] such as [[Leadtek]]'s WinFast GD400.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sega PC: Daytona USA |url=http://sega.jp/pc/daytona/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011102165859/http://sega.jp/pc/daytona/ |archive-date=November 2, 2001 |access-date=March 4, 2023 |publisher=[[Sega]] |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sega PC: Daytona USA Expansion Board Version |url=http://sega.jp/pc/daytonab/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040406231150/http://sega.jp/pc/daytonab/ |archive-date=April 6, 2004 |access-date=March 4, 2023 |publisher=[[Sega]] |language=ja}}</ref> A Windows version was released in Europe on November 14, 1996,<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=November 1996 |title=Events and Software Releases |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |issue=181 |page=49}}</ref> and in North America in December of the same year.<ref name=":8" />

==Remakes and sequels==
''[[Daytona USA: Championship Circuit Edition]]'', a reworked and expanded version of ''Daytona USA'', was released in 1996 for the Saturn.<ref name="NGen22">{{cite magazine |date=October 1996 |title=In the Studio |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |publisher= |issue=22 |page=19}}</ref> Developed by Sega's consumer software division,<ref name=":2" /> it uses a modified version of the [[game engine]] used for ''[[Sega Rally Championship]]''.<ref name="SatMag12">{{cite magazine |date=October 1996 |title=Daytona USA: Championship Circuit Edition |magazine=[[Sega Saturn Magazine]] |publisher= |issue=12 |pages=12–14}}</ref> An enhanced arcade remake, called '''''Sega Racing Classic''''', was released in 2010 and is the first title in the series not branded with the ''Daytona'' name as Sega no longer owned the rights at the time.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Sega Racing Classic |url=http://www.segaarcade.com/segaracingclassic |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002105819/http://www.segaarcade.com/segaracingclassic |archive-date=October 2, 2016 |access-date=September 4, 2019 |website= |publisher=[[Sega]]}}</ref> It operates on Sega's [[RingEdge 2|RingWide]] arcade system board and features [[High-definition video|high definition]] graphics and an arranged instrumental soundtrack.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Martin |date=October 19, 2009 |title=Daytona HD Confirmed |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/10/19/daytona-hd-confirmed |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=[[IGN]] |archive-date=July 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711105016/https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/10/19/daytona-hd-confirmed |url-status=live }}</ref>

Another enhanced version was released digitally for the [[PlayStation 3]] and [[Xbox 360]] in October 2011, titled ''Daytona USA''. It includes both the original arcade soundtrack and the arranged soundtrack from ''Sega Racing Classic'' with vocals by Mitsuyoshi, along with added features including eight player online multiplayer, challenge, and [[karaoke]] modes.<ref name="PSX360" /> The Xbox 360 version was later made [[List of backward-compatible games for Xbox One and Series X/S#List of compatible titles from Xbox 360|backward compatible]] on the [[Xbox One]] in March 2017, which was extended to the [[Xbox Series X/S]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Robinson |first1=Martin |date=March 21, 2017 |title=Daytona USA is coming to Xbox One today |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-03-21-daytona-usa-is-now-playable-on-xbox-one |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219035628/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-03-21-daytona-usa-is-now-playable-on-xbox-one |archive-date=December 19, 2020 |access-date=March 21, 2017 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=}}</ref> The game was delisted from all Xbox stores in February 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gilbert |first=Fraser |date=2023-01-31 |title=Microsoft Announces 40+ Games Being Removed From The Xbox 360 Marketplace |url=https://www.purexbox.com/news/2023/01/microsoft-announces-40plus-games-being-removed-from-the-xbox-360-marketplace |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=[[Pure Xbox]] |language=en-GB}}</ref>

''[[Daytona USA 2|Daytona USA 2: Battle on the Edge]]'', an arcade-exclusive sequel using the [[Sega Model 3]] hardware, was released in 1998.<ref name="NG2">{{cite magazine |date=September 1998 |title=Finals |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |publisher= |issue=45 |page=144}}</ref> It is the only ''Daytona'' game that uses no courses or music from the original.<ref name=":2" /> ''[[Daytona USA 2001]]'', a remake of ''Daytona USA'' and ''Championship Circuit Edition'', was released in 2001 for the [[Dreamcast]], with graphical upgrades, online multiplayer, and new courses.<ref>{{cite web |date=March 14, 2001 |title=Daytona USA 2001 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/03/15/daytona-usa-2001 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418131353/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/03/15/daytona-usa-2001 |archive-date=April 18, 2019 |access-date=June 26, 2014 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> ''Daytona Championship USA'', also referred to as ''Daytona USA 3'', debuted in late 2016 as an arcade exclusive; it was the first ''Daytona''-branded arcade game in 18 years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=November 15, 2016 |title=Sega gives us our first look at Daytona 3 |url=https://www.polygon.com/2016/11/15/13643270/daytona-usa-3-teaser-trailer-sega-arcade |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219035648/https://www.polygon.com/2016/11/15/13643270/daytona-usa-3-teaser-trailer-sega-arcade |archive-date=December 19, 2020 |access-date=September 4, 2019 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=}}</ref>

==Reception and legacy==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 77/100 (360)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/daytona-usa/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360|website=[[Metacritic]]|title=Daytona USA for Xbox 360 Reviews|access-date=December 17, 2020|archive-date=November 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129110120/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/daytona-usa|url-status=live}}</ref> 71/100 (PS3)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/daytona-usa/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3|website=[[Metacritic]]|title=Daytona USA for PlayStation 3 Reviews|access-date=December 17, 2020|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116080742/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/daytona-usa|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 1UP_PS3 = B (360)<ref name="PSX360">{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/review-daytona-usa-xbox360-ps3 |title=Review: Daytona USA is a Faithful, Yet Content-light Arcade Port|access-date=March 20, 2012 |last=Barnholt|first=Ray|date=October 26, 2011|website=[[1Up.com]]|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305152055/http://www.1up.com/reviews/review-daytona-usa-xbox360-ps3 |archive-date=March 5, 2016}}</ref> B (PS3)<ref name="PSX360"/>
| CVG = 96% (ARC)<ref name="CVG-Arcade">{{cite magazine|title=Arcade Action: Daytona USA|magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]]|issue=154 (September 1994)|date=15 August 1994|pages=66–67|last=Skews|first=Rik}}</ref> 96% (SAT)<ref name="CVG-Saturn1">{{cite magazine|title=Daytona USA|magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]]|issue=163 (June 1995)|date=May 1995|pages=15–21|last1=Lord|first1=Gary|last2=Patterson|first2=Mark|last3=Clays|first3=Simon|author4=Rad Automatic}}</ref>
| Edge = 8/10 (SAT)<ref name="EdgeDUSA">{{cite magazine|title=Testscreen: Daytona USA|magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]|issue=21|pages=72–75}}</ref>
| EGM = 15.5/20 (SAT)<ref name="EGM"/>
| EuroG = 9/10 (360)<ref name="EuroG"/>
| Fam = 30/40 (SAT)<ref name="Fam329">{{cite magazine|title=NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: ディトナUSA.|magazine=[[Famitsu|Weekly Famicom Tsūshin]]|issue=329|page=33|date=April 7, 1995|language=ja}}</ref>
| GI = 8.75/10 (SAT)<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Legacy Review Archives |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/legacyreviews |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214131120/https://www.gameinformer.com/legacyreviews |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 14, 2018 |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |access-date=3 October 2021}}</ref>
| GameFan = 264/300 (SAT)<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Daytona USA|magazine=[[GameFan]]|volume=3|issue=7|date=July 1995|page=13}}</ref>
| GamePro = 4.5/5 (SAT)<ref name="GP83"/>
| GMaster = 84% (SAT)<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Daytona USA|magazine=[[GamesMaster (magazine)|GamesMaster]]|publisher=Future plc|issue=30|date=June 1995|pages=58–59}}</ref>
| GRadar = 4.5/5 (360)<ref name="GRadar"/> 4.5/5 (PS3)<ref name="GRadar"/>
| NGen = 4/5 (SAT)<ref name="NG"/>
| OPMUK = 8/10 (PS3)<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[PlayStation Official Magazine – UK]]|publisher=[[Future Publishing]]|date=January 2012|page=114|title=Daytona USA}}</ref>
| OXMUK = 9/10 (360)<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Xbox 360: The Official Xbox Magazine|issue=79|date=December 2011|page=104|title=Daytona USA}}</ref>
| PO = 95% (SAT)<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[:fr:Player One (magazine)|Player One]]|language=fr|title=Daytonna USA|issue=55|pages=58–59|publisher=Média Système Édition}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev1Score = A (ARC)<ref name="EW"/>
| rev2 = ''[[Games World]]''
| rev2Score = 93% (ARC)<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Daytona Racing|magazine=[[Paragon Publishing|Games World]]|issue=1|page=25|date=July 1994|url=https://archive.org/details/games-world-01/page/n24}}</ref> 94% (SAT)<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Daytona USA|magazine= [[Paragon Publishing|Games World]] |issue=15|page=69|date=September 1995}}</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[Emap|Maximum]]''
| rev5Score = 5/5 (SAT)<ref name="Maximum"/>
| rev4 = ''[[Intelligent Gamer]]''
| rev4Score = B (PC)<ref name="IGmag">{{cite magazine|title=IG Reviews: Daytona USA|date=November 1996|issue=6|page=108|magazine=Intelligent Gamer}}</ref>
| rev6 = ''[[Mean Machines]]''
| rev6Score = 96% (SAT)<ref>{{cite magazine|page=88|issue=35|title=Saturn Round-Up|magazine=[[Mean Machines Sega]]}}</ref>
| rev7 = ''[[:fr:PC Team|PC Team]]''
| rev7Score = 86% (PC)<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=PC Team|language=fr|title=Daytonna USA|date=February 21, 1997|page=58}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[Gamest]]''
| rev3Score = 39/50 (ARC)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/gamest0113/page/69/mode/1up|title=AOU|magazine=[[Gamest]]|language=ja|date=May 1, 1994|volume=113|page=69|accessdate=June 7, 2023}}</ref>
| rev8 = ''[[:de:SEGA Magazin|Sega Magazin]]''
| rev8Score = 90% (SAT)<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Die Hits de Leser |trans-title=The Reader Hits |magazine=[[:de:SEGA Magazin|Sega Magazin]] |date=14 February 1996 |issue=28 (März 1996) |page=21 |lang=de}}</ref>
| rev9 = ''[[Sega Pro]]''
| rev9Score = 94% (SAT)<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Sega Pro]]|title=Daytona USA|issue=45|pages=40–41}}</ref>
| rev10 = ''[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]''
| rev10Score = 5/5 (SAT)<ref name="SSM"/>
| award1Pub = ''[[VideoGames & Computer Entertainment|VideoGames]]''
| award1 = Best Arcade Game (2nd)<ref name="VG74">{{cite magazine |title=VideoGames Best of '94 |magazine=[[VideoGames - The Ultimate Gaming Magazine]] |date=February 1995 |issue=74 (March 1995) |pages=44–7 |url=https://archive.org/details/Video_Games_The_Ultimate_Gaming_Magazine_Issue_74_March_1995/page/n45/mode/2up}}</ref>
| award2Pub = AMOA Awards
| award2 = Most Innovative New Technology (nomination)<ref name="AMOA">{{cite magazine |title=AMOA Jukebox And Game Awards Nominees Announced |magazine=[[Cash Box]] |date=July 23, 1994 |page=30 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1994/CB-1994-07-23.pdf#page=30}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Coin Machine: AMOA JB And Games Awards Nominees Announced |magazine=[[Cash Box]] |date=July 22, 1995 |page=30 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1995/CB-1995-07-22.pdf#page=30 |access-date=October 10, 2021 |archive-date=October 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010194034/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1995/CB-1995-07-22.pdf#page=30 |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}
===Arcade===
''Daytona USA'' was popular in arcades. In Japan, it was the ninth highest-grossing [[1994 in video games|arcade game of 1994]],<ref>{{cite magazine |date=January 1995 |title=第８回ゲーメスト大賞 |trans-title=8th Gamest Awards |magazine=[[Gamest]] |volume=136 |pages=40–59 |lang=ja}}</ref> and the highest-grossing dedicated [[1995 in video games|arcade game of 1995]].<ref>{{cite magazine|title="Virtua Fighter 2" and "Virtua Cop" Top Videos|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=511|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=1 February 1996|page=22|lang=ja|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19960201p.pdf#page=12|access-date=October 10, 2021|archive-date=November 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121024913/https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19960201p.pdf#page=12|url-status=live}}</ref> In North America, it was listed by arcade industry magazine ''[[Play Meter]]'' as one of the top two highest-grossing arcade video games of 1994,<ref>{{cite magazine |title=1994 |magazine=[[Play Meter]] |date=December 1994 |volume=20 |issue=13 |page=92 |url=https://archive.org/details/play-meter-volume-20-number-13-december-1994/Play%20Meter%20-%20Volume%2020%2C%20Number%2013%20-%20December%201994/page/92}}</ref> with the twin cabinet receiving a Diamond Award from the [[American Amusement Machine Association]] (AAMA) that year;<ref>{{cite magazine |date=April 1995 |title=ACME Awards |url= |magazine=RePlay |volume=20 |issue=7 |pages=68–9}}</ref> it again received a Diamond Award the following year for being one of America's top three best-selling arcade games of 1995.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=And the Winner Is... |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=17|publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|date=May 1996|page=21|url=https://archive.org/details/Next-Generation-1996-05/page/n26}}</ref> In the United Kingdom, it topped the dedicated arcade charts for six months in 1994, from May to October.<ref>* {{Cite magazine |date=August 1994 |title=Charts |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |location= |publisher= |publication-date= |issue=11 |pages=80–1}}
* {{Cite magazine |date=September 1994 |title=Charts |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |location= |publisher= |publication-date= |issue=12 |pages=82–3}}
* {{Cite magazine |date=October 1994 |title=Charts |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |location= |publisher= |publication-date= |issue=13 |pages=80–1}}
* {{Cite magazine |date=November 1994 |title=Charts |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |location= |publisher= |publication-date= |issue=14 |pages=88–9}}
* {{Cite magazine |date=December 1994 |title=Charts |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |location= |publisher= |publication-date= |issue=15 |pages=90–1}}
* {{Cite magazine |date=January 1995 |title=Charts |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |location= |publisher= |publication-date= |issue=16 |pages=98}}</ref> ''[[Retro Gamer]]''<nowiki/>'s Nick Thorpe said that though ''Daytona USA'' is considered anecdotally one of the most successful arcade games for its multiplayer and longevity, exact figures were difficult to find.<ref name=":2" /> In 2015, ''[[IGN]]''<nowiki/>'s Luke Reilly said that the game is "perhaps the most recognisable arcade racing game of all time and the highest-grossing sit-down cabinet ever" and noted the continued presence of ''Daytona USA'' cabinets in arcades and [[bowling alley]]s.<ref name="IGN-Influential" />

The original arcade game was critically acclaimed by video game and arcade industry publications alike. Upon its North American debut at ACME 1994, it received a highly positive reception from ''Play Meter'' and ''RePlay'', which both considered it the game of the show while praising the graphics and gameplay,<ref name="PM"/><ref name="RePlay7"/> but with ''Play Meter'' criticizing the expensive cabinet price.<ref name="PM"/> Rik Skews of ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' considered ''Daytona USA'' the best arcade game he had played in years, and praised its "[[State of the art|state-of-the-art]]" graphics, sound, and damage physics.<ref name="CVG-Arcade"/> Also highly regarding ''Daytona USA''<nowiki/>'s graphics were ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' (''EGM''), which asserted that "the stakes in the arcade wars have been raised again",<ref name=":5" /> and ''[[GamePro]]'''s Manny LaMancha, who argued that ''Daytona USA'' is a combination of ''Virtua Racing''<nowiki/>'s action with ''Ridge Racer''<nowiki/>'s realism.<ref name="GP61">{{Cite magazine |last=LaMancha |first=Manny |date=August 1994 |title=Hot at the Arcades |url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_061_August_1994/page/n21/mode/2up |magazine=[[GamePro]] |issue=61 |page=20 |access-date=January 4, 2021 |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> In contrast, Bob Strauss of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' compared the game to watching a movie, and said, "Picture yourself watching a sci-fi movie, set in a futuristic arcade, that involves a dizzying car race. 'Wow!' you can imagine saying to yourself, 'How did they do those special effects?' You'll have the same reaction while enjoying ''Daytona USA''".<ref name="EW">{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/1994/08/12/daytona-usa-2/|title=Daytona USA|last=Strauss|first=Bob|date=August 12, 1994|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=September 4, 2019|archive-date=December 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219035630/https://ew.com/article/1994/08/12/daytona-usa-2/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Saturn===
The Saturn port sold over 500,000 units in Japan,<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Sega Saturn Magazine|language=Japanese|title=Sales|page=67|date=November 14, 1997|volume=39}}</ref> as well as more than 500,000 bundled copies in the USA by December 1996.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Who won the videogame wars of 1996? |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |date=April 1997|issue=28|pages=16-19}}</ref> It received a positive reception, with high scores from most critics, though a number of them criticized it for graphical issues.<ref name=":2" /> ''Maximum'' highly regarded the challenging course design and realistic game mechanics, particularly the impact of [[wind resistance]], but criticized the low-resolution graphic texture mapping, [[clipping (computer graphics)|clipping]], and lack of multiplayer.<ref name="Maximum">{{cite magazine |date=October 1995 |title=Daytona USA |magazine=[[Ascential|Maximum: The Video Game Magazine]] |publisher= |issue=1 |pages=146–7}}</ref> While identifying improvements on the North American version of the game compared to the Japanese version, two sports game reviewers for ''EGM'' found problems with the [[frame rate]] and animation.<ref name="EGM">{{cite magazine |date=July 1995 |title=Team EGM: Daytona (Saturn) by Sega |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |publisher= |issue=72 |page=114}}</ref> By contrast, a reviewer for ''[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]'' found the game graphically impressive aside from the [[draw distance|pop-up]] and asserted it had strong arcade-style gameplay,<ref name="SSM">{{cite magazine |date=November 1995 |title=Review: Daytona USA |magazine=[[Sega Saturn Magazine]] |publisher= |issue=1 |page=95}}</ref> and one from ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' argued that, while "''Daytona USA'' suffers from an accumulation of weaknesses, if it's a fast, thrilling racing game you're after, the Saturn conversion has a great deal to recommend".<ref name="NG">{{cite magazine |date=July 1995 |title=Finals |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |publisher= |issue=7 |page=66}}</ref> The Windows version was a [[Porting|port]] of the Saturn's, and was not as well-received for inheriting the Saturn version's graphical issues despite being released a year later.<ref name=":2" />

Several reviewers compared the Saturn version to ''Ridge Racer''<nowiki/>'s [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] conversion. ''Computer and Video Games'' considered the Saturn's ''Daytona USA'' better than the PlayStation's ''Ridge Racer'', with Mark Patterson claiming that, while "nowhere near as polished as ''Ridge Racer'', it does play better, mainly because you can ram the other cars off the track and smash your own car up".<ref name="CVG-Saturn1" /> While Air Hendrix of ''GamePro'' concluded ''Daytona USA''{{'}}s "intense gameplay and breathtaking graphics will exhilarate any racing fan" and had positive feedback for the additions of Saturn mode and mirror mode, he argued it "pales in comparison" to the PlayStation version of ''Ridge Racer'' in terms of "features, gameplay, and graphics".<ref name="GP83">{{cite magazine |author=Hendrix |first=Air |date=August 1995 |title=ProReview: Daytona USA |url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_073_August_1995/page/n51 |magazine=[[GamePro]] |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]] |issue=83 |page=50}}</ref>

===Retrospective===
''Daytona USA'' was named one of the [[List of video games considered the best|best games of all time]] by ''Next Generation'' in 1996,<ref name="NextGen1996">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/nextgen-issue-021/Next_Generation_Issue_021_September_1996#page/n39/mode/2up|title=Top 100 Games of All Time|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|date=September 1996|page=63|issue=21|access-date=September 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203233916/https://archive.org/stream/nextgen-issue-021/Next_Generation_Issue_021_September_1996#page/n39/mode/2up|archive-date=February 3, 2017|url-status=live}}.</ref> ''[[GamesMaster (magazine)|GamesMaster]]'' in 1996,<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=July 1996 |title=Top 100 Games of All Time |magazine=[[GamesMaster (magazine)|GamesMaster]] |issue=44 |page=77}}</ref> ''Computer and Video Games'' in 2000,<ref name="CVG2000">{{cite magazine|date=January 2000|title=Top Games|magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]]|issue=218|pages=53–67}}</ref> ''EGM'' in 1997 and 2001,<ref name="EGM1997Dev">{{cite magazine |date=November 1997 |title=Best Games of All Time |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=100 |pages=101–155}}</ref><ref name="EGM2001">{{cite magazine |date=2001 |title=Top 100 Games of All Time |url=http://www.gamers.com/feature/egmtop100/index.jsp |url-status=dead |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |publisher= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011220003000/http://www.gamers.com/feature/egmtop100/index.jsp |archive-date=December 20, 2001 |access-date=April 12, 2017}}</ref> ''[[Yahoo!]]'' in 2005,<ref name="Yahoo">{{cite web |date=2005 |title=The 100 greatest computer games of all time |url=http://uk.videogames.games.yahoo.com/specials/100games/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050801002743/http://uk.videogames.games.yahoo.com/specials/100games/ |archive-date=August 1, 2005 |access-date=April 12, 2017 |website=[[Yahoo!]]}}</ref> and ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'' in 2009.<ref name="Empire2009">{{cite web |date=2009 |title=The 100 Greatest Games |url=http://www.empireonline.com/100greatestgames/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515221956/http://www.empireonline.com/100greatestgames/ |archive-date=May 15, 2011 |access-date=April 12, 2017 |website=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]}}</ref> It was named one of the best coin-op games by ''EGM'' in 1997<ref name="EGM1997Arcade">{{cite magazine |date=November 1997 |title=The 10 Best Arcade Games of All Time |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=100 |page=130}}</ref> and by ''[[Killer List of Videogames]]'',<ref name="KLOV">{{cite web |title=The Top Coin-Operated Videogames of All Time – The International Arcade Museum |url=http://www.arcade-museum.com/TOP100.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401225547/http://www.arcade-museum.com/TOP100.php |archive-date=April 1, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2015 |website=[[Killer List of Videogames]] |publisher=}}</ref> and one of the best retro games by ''NowGamer'' in 2010<ref name="NowGamer">{{cite web |year=2010 |title=100 Greatest Retro Games |url=http://www.nowgamer.com/100-greatest-retro-games-part-3/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213210249/http://www.nowgamer.com/100-greatest-retro-games-part-3/ |archive-date=December 13, 2014 |access-date=September 5, 2019 |website=[[Imagine Publishing|NowGamer]] |publisher=}}</ref> and ''EGM'' in 2006.<ref name="EGM2006">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.1up.com/features/egm-200-greatest-videogames |title=The Greatest 200 Videogames of Their Time |date=February 6, 2006 |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |access-date=November 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017222736/http://www.1up.com/features/egm-200-greatest-videogames |archive-date=October 17, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' named it the 70th "best game to play today" in 2009.<ref>{{cite magazine |author= |date=March 9, 2009 |title=The 100 Best Games To Play Today |url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/100-best-games-play-today/4/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202230325/http://www.edge-online.com/features/100-best-games-play-today/4/ |archive-date=February 2, 2014 |access-date=January 21, 2014 |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |publisher=}}</ref> In 2015, ''IGN'' named it the sixth-most influential racing game,<ref name="IGN-Influential">{{cite web|url=http://ign.com/articles/2015/04/03/the-top-10-most-influential-racing-games-ever|title=The Top 10 Most Influential Racing Games Ever|last=Reilly|first=Luke|date=April 3, 2015|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=September 4, 2019|archive-date=December 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219035630/https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/04/03/the-top-10-most-influential-racing-games-ever|url-status=live}}</ref> asserting that it "remains a shining example of arcade racing done oh so right".<ref name="IGN-Influential" /> Thorpe wrote that ''Daytona USA'' "doesn't just stand alongside the likes of ''[[Turbo (video game)|Turbo]]'', ''Out Run'', ''[[Super Monaco GP]]'' and ''[[Sega Rally]]'' as part of a proud arcade racing heritage, but perhaps defines it".<ref name=":2" />

According to aggregator [[Metacritic]], the Xbox 360 version received "generally favorable reviews" and the PlayStation 3 version received "mixed" reviews. Justin Towell of ''[[GamesRadar+]]'' regarded ''Daytona USA'' as "a joyous, jubilant celebration of everything that made arcade games so exciting" and the new survival mode "a brilliant test of memory, logic and dexterity".<ref name="GRadar">{{Cite web |last=Towell |first=Justin |date=2011-11-16 |title=Daytona USA review |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/daytona-usa-review/ |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=[[GamesRadar+]] |language=en |archive-date=December 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219035716/https://www.gamesradar.com/daytona-usa-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[1Up.com]]''<nowiki/>'s Ray Barnholt praised this version but expressed disappointment at the lack of new features.<ref name="PSX360" /> By contrast, ''[[Eurogamer]]''{{'}}s Martin Robinson asserted that "age doesn't seem to have ravaged ''Daytona USA''<nowiki/>'s core" and wrote that the game serves as "fitting tribute to one of arcade racing's enduring icons".<ref name="EuroG">{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Martin |date=October 26, 2011 |title=Daytona USA Review |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-10-26-daytona-usa-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219035645/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-10-26-daytona-usa-review |archive-date=December 19, 2020 |access-date=September 4, 2019 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Video games}}
*''[[Indy 500 (1995 video game)|Indy 500]]''
*''[[NASCAR Arcade]]''

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{KLOV game|id=7530}}
* {{MobyGames|/daytona-usa_}}

{{Daytona USA Series|state=expanded}}
{{Franchises owned by Sega Sammy Holdings}}
{{Yu Suzuki}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Daytona Usa (Video Game)}}
[[Category:1994 video games]]
[[Category:Arcade video games]]
[[Category:Cancelled Sega 32X games]]
[[Category:Daytona USA]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:PlayStation Network games]]
[[Category:Racing video games]]
[[Category:Sega arcade games]]
[[Category:Sega video game franchises]]
[[Category:Sega Saturn games]]
[[Category:Sega video games]]
[[Category:Sega-AM2 games]]
[[Category:Video games produced by Yu Suzuki]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Takenobu Mitsuyoshi]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Xbox 360 Live Arcade games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]

Earthworm Jim 2

2025-11-03T19:26:23Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:EDD5:DA0B:A3B6:9606:

{{Short description|1995 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Earthworm Jim 2
| image = Earthworm_Jim_2_Neutral_Cover.png
| developer = [[Shiny Entertainment]]{{efn|MS-DOS version developed by [[Rainbow Arts]]; PlayStation and Saturn versions developed by Screaming Pink; Game Boy Advance version developed by SuperEmpire.}}
| publisher = {{vgrelease|NA|[[Playmates Interactive Entertainment]]|EU|[[Virgin Interactive Entertainment]]}} '''PlayStation''' Virgin Interactive Entertainment '''Game Boy Advance''' [[Majesco Entertainment]]
| producer = David A. Luehmann Scott Herrington
| designer = [[David Perry (game developer)|David Perry]] [[Doug TenNapel]]
| programmer = Andy Astor Nicholas Jones
| artist = [[Nick Bruty]] Stephen Crow [[Mark Lorenzen]] Mike Dietz
| composer = [[Tommy Tallarico]] Tony Bernetich Christopher Beck<ref>{{Cite AV media notes |title=Earthworm Jim Anthology |date=21 September 2006 |publisher=Tommy Tallarico Records}}</ref>
| series = ''[[Earthworm Jim]]''
| engine = Animotion
| platforms = [[Sega Genesis|Genesis/Mega Drive]], [[Super NES]], [[MS-DOS]], [[Sega Saturn]], [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], [[Game Boy Advance]]
| released = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|November 15, 1995}}|'''Genesis/Mega Drive'''{{vgrelease|NA|November 15, 1995<ref name=press>{{cite web |url=https://segaretro.org/Press_release:_1995-11-13:_GET_READY_FOR_EARTHWORM_WEDNESDAY |title=Press release: 1995-11-13: GET READY FOR EARTHWORM WEDNESDAY |date=10 June 2016 |publisher=[[PR Newswire]] |access-date=10 June 2016}}</ref>|EU|December 22, 1995<ref>{{cite news |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/6/6b/DailyMirror_UK_1995-12-15_20.jpg |title=Dixons New Releases |date=December 15, 1995 |newspaper=[[Daily Mirror]] |access-date=April 1, 2025}}</ref>|JP|September 1996 (Sega Channel only)}} '''Super NES'''{{vgrelease|NA|November 15, 1995<ref name=press/>|EU|January 25, 1996{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}}}} '''MS-DOS'''{{vgrelease|NA|April 30, 1996<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.giantbomb.com/earthworm-jim/3030-11133/releases/ |title=Earthworm Jim International Releases |access-date=2018-06-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143809/https://www.giantbomb.com/earthworm-jim/3030-11133/releases/ |archive-date=2018-06-12 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=October 2025}}|EU|1996}} '''Saturn'''{{vgrelease|NA|May 15, 1996<ref>{{Cite web |date=1997-06-06 |title=Earthworm Jim 2 for Saturn and Playstation |url=http://www.next-generation.com/news/031496e.html |access-date=2023-04-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970606063254/http://www.next-generation.com/news/031496e.html |archive-date=1997-06-06}}</ref>|EU|October 1996<ref>{{cite web |url=https://segaretro.org/index.php?title=File:MeanMachinesSega50UK.pdf&page=71 |title=''Mean Machines Sega'' #50 pg. 71 |date=December 1996 |publisher=Sega Retro |access-date=28 May 2017}}</ref>|JP|November 11, 1996<ref>{{cite web |title=Software List (Released by Soft Licensees)|url=https://sega.jp/history/hard/segasaturn/software_l.html |website=セガ製品情報サイト |publisher=Sega |language=ja}}</ref>}} '''PlayStation'''{{vgrelease|EU|November 1996}} '''Game Boy Advance'''{{vgrelease|NA|June 5, 2002<ref>{{Cite web |title=Majesco Ships Earthworm Jim 2 for GBA - News |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/7447/majesco-ships-earthworm-jim-2-for-gba |access-date=2023-04-09 |website=Nintendo World Report}}</ref>|EU|November 29, 2002}}
}}
| genre = [[Shoot 'em up#Run and gun|Run and gun]], [[Platform game|Platform]]
| modes = [[Single-player]]
}}

'''''Earthworm Jim 2''''' is a 1995 [[run and gun (video game)|run and gun]] [[platform game]] and the sequel to ''[[Earthworm Jim (video game)|Earthworm Jim]]'', and the second and final game in the ''[[Earthworm Jim]]'' series developed by original creators [[Doug TenNapel]], [[David Perry (game developer)|David Perry]], and [[Shiny Entertainment]]. It was released in late 1995 and early 1996 depending on the region and [[video game console]], initially for the [[Sega Genesis]] and [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]], before being ported to other platforms.<ref name="gspotGEN">{{cite web |title=Earthworm Jim 2 for GEN - Earthworm Jim 2 Genesis - Earthworm Jim 2 GEN Game |url=http://uk.gamespot.com/genesis/action/earthwormjim2/index.html |access-date=2010-04-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100707094142/http://uk.gamespot.com/genesis/action/earthwormjim2/index.html |archive-date=2010-07-07}}</ref><ref name="allgameGEN">{{cite web |title=Earthworm Jim 2 - Overview - allgame |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1570 |first=Colin |last=Williamson |access-date=2010-04-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209193111/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1570 |archive-date=2010-02-09 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Gameplay==
[[File:Earthworm Jim 2 lvl1.png|thumb|175px|left|Snott slowing Jim's descent]]
The purpose of the game is largely the same as it was in the original ''Earthworm Jim''; traverse through the levels in order to save Princess What's-Her-Name from Psy-Crow.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Nintendo Review: Earthworm Jim 2 |url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/13740/reviewsearthworm-jim-2-review/ |magazine=[[Official Nintendo Magazine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228005134/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/13740/reviews/earthworm-jim-2-review/ |archive-date=2014-02-28 |access-date=2012-07-30 |url-status=dead}}</ref> However, gameplay is much more diverse than the original.

While the majority of levels are still based on [[Run and gun game|run and gun]] and [[platformer]] elements, separate levels incorporate different gameplay mechanics as well.<ref name="vc.nintendolife.com">{{cite web |url=http://vc.nintendolife.com/reviews/2009/12/earthworm_jim_2_virtual_console |title=Earthworm Jim 2 (Wii Virtual Console / Mega Drive) Review - Nintendo Life |publisher=Vc.nintendolife.com |date=2009-12-04 |access-date=2012-07-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111222194211/http://vc.nintendolife.com/reviews/2009/12/earthworm_jim_2_virtual_console |archive-date=2011-12-22 |url-status=live}}</ref> Some levels, like the opening level, "Anything but Tangerines", and the game's eighth level, "Level Ate", play mostly the same as the original ''Earthworm Jim'', with the exception of there being a larger variety of moves at the player's disposal.<ref name="hardcoregaming101.net">{{cite web |url=http://hardcoregaming101.net/earthwormjim/earthwormjim2.htm |title=Earthworm Jim |publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101 |access-date=2012-07-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815162432/http://hardcoregaming101.net/earthwormjim/earthwormjim2.htm |archive-date=2012-08-15 |url-status=live}}</ref> For instance, there are more types of guns to use once found in a level, such as an auto-aiming gun, or the "Barn Blaster" gun which takes out every enemy visible on the screen.<ref name="hardcoregaming101.net"/> New [[power-up]]s include the [[chip butty]], which increases Jim's [[Health (game terminology)|suit power]] to 200%.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://segaretro.org/index.php?title=File:Earthworm_Jim_2_MD_US_Manual.pdf&page=4 |title=Earthworm Jim 2 Manual |page=5 |website=Sega Retro |access-date=2025-09-25}}</ref> Additionally, Jim's friend, Snott, travels with him and can be used to stick to and swing from other slimy green surfaces or as a parachute upon jumping.<ref name="hardcoregaming101.net"/>

Other levels stray much further from this formula. In the third level, "Villi People", the player must guide Jim, in the disguise of a blind [[cave salamander]], through intestinal passages, while avoiding exploding sheep and hazards embedded in the floors and walls.<ref name="vc.nintendolife.com"/> The latter part of the level suddenly switches to a [[game show]]/[[trivia]] format, where the player has to answer nonsensical multiple choice questions that commonly have no logically correct answer.<ref name="hardcoregaming101.net"/> Another level, aptly titled "Inflated Head", has Jim's head inflated much like a [[balloon]], and the player must control Jim as he floats upward, avoiding sharp objects which cause him to fall back down to the start, all the while dodging Evil the Cat's attacks.<ref name="allgameSNESreview">{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=2483&tab=review |title=Earthworm Jim 2 - Review - allgame |last=Marriott |first=Scott Alan |website=[[Allgame]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115225315/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=2483&tab=review |archive-date=2014-11-15 |access-date=2010-04-27}}</ref>

Yet another, "The Flyin' King", plays as an [[isometric projection|isometric]] shooter, which includes Jim on his "pocket rocket", where a balloon with a bomb must be directed to the end of the level, and defended from enemies, in order to defeat Major Mucus.<ref name="vc.nintendolife.com"/> The last level of the game, "See Jim Run Run Jim Run", is not a typical boss fight, but rather, a race against Psy-Crow through an obstacle course to get to Princess What's-Her-Name.<ref name="hardcoregaming101.net"/> The game ends with Jim saving the Princess, but all three characters eventually turn out to be cows in disguise.<ref name="hardcoregaming101.net"/>

==Release==
The game, much like the first, was developed for the [[Sega Genesis]] and then ported over to the [[Super NES]].<ref name="hardcoregaming101.net"/> They were released virtually simultaneously and were largely the same game, the only differences being that the Super NES version had alternate background art,<ref name="hardcoregaming101.net"/> and the ability to switch weapons. The Genesis version was released in Japan exclusively via the [[Sega Channel]] service.<ref name="vc.sega.jp">{{cite web |url=http://vc.sega.jp/vc_ewj2/ |title=Sega of Japan Virtual Console page (Japanese) |access-date=2016-01-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303125136/http://vc.sega.jp/vc_ewj2/ |archive-date=2016-03-03 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Rainbow Arts]] ported the game to [[MS-DOS]] along with the first game, in a package titled "''[[Earthworm Jim 1 & 2: The Whole Can 'O Worms]]''". This port featured an upgraded [[CD-DA]] music soundtrack, more voice clips and redrawn graphics, but lacked the "Lorenzen's Soil" level.<ref name="hardcoregaming101.net"/> Versions for the [[Sega Saturn]] and [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] (both developed by a separate studio, Screaming Pink, Inc.) were also released, which contained the upgraded audio and all the levels from the original.<ref name="hardcoregaming101.net"/> Both of these versions were identical, and contained background art and graphical differences separate from any other versions of the game.<ref name="hardcoregaming101.net"/> In a 1994 conference held on [[CompuServe]] with Shiny Entertainment prior to its release, David Perry stated that they were considering making a version of the game for the [[Atari Jaguar]], which never came to fruition.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=M. LaBarge |first=Dimitri |url=http://www.atarihq.com/jeo/archive.htm |title=Surfing the Jagged Edge - Shiny and Grubs |magazine=Atari Explorer Online |volume=3 |issue=13 |publisher=Subspace Publishers |date=December 4, 1994 |access-date=2019-03-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303202933/http://www.atarihq.com/jeo/archive.htm |archive-date=2016-03-03 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Many years later, it was ported to a newer generation of systems. A [[Game Boy Advance]] port, developed by Russian studio SuperEmpire Inc, based on the Super NES release, was released in 2002.<ref name="hardcoregaming101.net"/> It has been widely criticized for poor graphics, bad sound and music, and very glitchy gameplay.<ref name="hardcoregaming101.net"/> The Genesis version was later released for download on the [[Wii]] via the [[Virtual Console]] in 2009, as well.<ref name="vc.nintendolife.com"/> The MS-DOS version was re-released through DOSbox emulation on GOG.com and Steam. The Super NES version was re-released on the [[Nintendo Classics]] service in March 2022.

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| na = true
| GBA = true
| PS = true
| SNES = true
| SSAT = true
| SMD = true
| Allgame_SMD = 4.5/5<ref name="allgamereview">{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1570&tab=review |title=Earthworm Jim 2 (Sega Genesis) Review |author=Williamson, Colin |publisher=[[AllGame]] |access-date=May 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114202940/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1570&tab=review |archive-date=November 14, 2014}}</ref>
| Allgame_SNES = 4.5/5<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=2483&tab=review |title=Earthworm Jim 2 (Super Nintendo) Review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115225315/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=2483&tab=review |archive-date=2014-11-15}}</ref>
| Allgame_SSAT = 4.5/5<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1847&tab=review |title=Earthworm Jim 2 (Sega Saturn) Review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115212255/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1847&tab=review |archive-date=2014-11-15}}</ref>
| CVG_PS = 3/10<ref name="cvg"/>
| EGM_SMD = 6.5/10 8.5/10 8.5/10 8/10<ref name="EGM76"/>
| GamePro_SMD = {{Tooltip|5/5|Graphics}} {{Tooltip|4.5/5|Sound}} {{Tooltip|5/5|Control}} {{Tooltip|5/5|Fun Factor}}<ref name = "GameProSMD"/>
| GamePro_SNES = {{Tooltip|4.5/5|Graphics}} {{Tooltip|4.5/5|Sound}} {{Tooltip|4.5/5|Control}} {{Tooltip|4.5/5|Fun Factor}}<ref name = "GameProSNES"/>
| GSpot_GBA = 2/10<ref name="GSpotGBA"/>
| Hyper_SMD = 93/100<ref name = "Hyper16bit">{{cite magazine |last=Mansill |first=Ben |date=December 1995 |url=https://archive.org/details/hyper-025/page/n43/mode/2up |title=Earthworm Jim 2 |work=[[Hyper (magazine)|Hyper]] |issue=25 |pp=44–45 |via=[[Internet Archive]] |access-date=September 25, 2025}}</ref>
| Hyper_SNES = 93/100<ref name = "Hyper16bit"/>
| IGN_GBA = 4/10<ref name="ign_gba"/>
| MG_SMD = 76%<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/MANIAC.N026.1995.12/MANIAC.N026.1995.12-kultmags_noOCR/page/n73/mode/2up |title=Earthworm Jim 2 |language=de |magazine=[[:de:M! Games|MANiAC]] |issue=26 |pages=80–81 |date=December 1995 |access-date=December 25, 2021}}</ref>
| NLife_SMD = 7/10<ref name="vc.nintendolife.com"/>
| NGen_SSAT = 3/5<ref name="NGen18"/>
| NGen_SMD = 4/5<ref name="NGen12"/>
| ONM_SNES = 91/100<ref>{{cite magazine |author1=Andy |author2=Simon |date=December 1995 |url=https://archive.org/details/nms39/page/n81/mode/2up?q=%22Earthworm+Jim+2%22 |title=Earthworm Jim 2 |magazine=[[Official Nintendo Magazine|Nintendo Magazine System]] |issue=39 |pages=82–87 |access-date=December 25, 2021}}</ref>
| Play_PS = 69%<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Ahmad |first=Asam |date=October 1996 |url=https://archive.org/details/play-012/page/n65/mode/2up?q=%22Earthworm+Jim+2%22 |title=Earthworm Jim 2 |magazine=[[Play (UK magazine)|Play]] |issue=12 |page=67 |access-date=December 25, 2021}}</ref>
| SGP_SNES = 4.8/5<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Mathias |first=Lord |date=March 1996 |url=https://archive.org/details/SuperGamePower_24_Marco_1996/page/58/mode/2up?q=%22Earthworm+Jim+2%22 |title=Earthworm Jim 2 |language=pt |magazine=[[:pt:Super GamePower|Super GamePower]] |pages=58–64 |access-date=December 24, 2021}}</ref>
| SP_SNES = 85%<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Davies |first=Jonathan |date=January 1996 |url=https://archive.org/details/super-play-39/page/n37/mode/2up?q=%22Earthworm+Jim+2%22 |title=Earthworm Jim 2 |magazine=[[Super Play]] |issue=39 |pages=38–41 |access-date=December 25, 2021}}</ref>
| TOT_SNES = 90/100<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Andy |date=December 1995 |url=https://archive.org/details/total-48/page/n31/mode/2up |title=Earthworm Jim 2 |magazine=[[Total!]] |issue=48 |pages=32–35 |access-date=December 24, 2021}}</ref>
| VGCE_SMD = 9/10<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/video-games-the-ultimate-gaming-magazine-issue-083-december-1995/page/n91/mode/2up |title=Earthworm Jim 2 |work=[[VideoGames & Computer Entertainment]] |issue=83 |date=December 1995 |p=92 |via=[[Internet Archive]] |access-date=September 25, 2025}}</ref>
| VGS_PS = 78%<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/video-games-de-1997-01/page/80/mode/2up?q=%22Earthworm+Jim+2%22 |title=Earthworm Jim 2 |language=de |magazine=[[:de:Video Games|Video Games]] |date=January 1997 |page=84 |access-date=December 24, 2021}}</ref>
| VGS_SSAT = 80%<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/video-games-de-1996-08/page/112/mode/2up?q=%22Earthworm+Jim+2%22 |title=Earthworm Jim 2 |language=de |magazine=[[:de:Video Games|Video Games]] |date=August 1996 |page=112 |access-date=December 24, 2021}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]''
| rev1Score_SMD = 94%<ref name="SatMag2"/>
| rev1Score_SSAT = 72%<ref name="SatMag13"/>
}}
Reception for the game was very positive. Sources such as ''[[IGN]]'' and ''GameZone'' declared it as better overall than the original,<ref>{{cite web |first=Dakota |last=Grabowski |url=http://www.gamezone.com/news/earthworm_jim_sega_genesis_super_nintendo_entertainment_system |title=Earthworm Jim Sega Genesis / Super Nintendo Entertainment System |date=2012-05-04 |publisher=GameZone |access-date=2012-07-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116102024/http://www.gamezone.com/news/earthworm_jim_sega_genesis_super_nintendo_entertainment_system |archive-date=2012-11-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Lucas M. |last=Thomas |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/924/924151p1.html |title=Earthworm Jim Review - Wii Review at IGN |publisher=Wii.ign.com |access-date=2012-07-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323084613/http://wii.ign.com/articles/924/924151p1.html |archive-date=2012-03-23 |url-status=dead}}</ref> which was also [[Earthworm Jim#Reception and legacy|very well received]]. ''[[Destructoid]]'' praised the game's humor, innovative gameplay, and "minigame" style levels spread throughout the game were also held in high regard as a welcome change from the linear gameplay common at the time.<ref name="destructoid">{{cite web |title=Destructoid - Games time forgot: Earthworm Jim 2 |url=http://www.destructoid.com/games-time-forgot-earthworm-jim-2-41082.phtml |first=Anthony |last=Burch |date=2007-08-29 |access-date=2010-04-29}}</ref> Reviewing the Genesis version, one reviewer for ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' disapproved of the game, remarking "where the first had technique, this one just gets cheap", but the remaining three declared it a worthy sequel. They commented that it retains the same great gameplay of the original while adding excellent new weapons and levels "which are even crazier than before".<ref name="EGM76">{{cite magazine |title=Review Crew |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=76 |publisher=Sendai Publishing |date=November 1995 |page=42 |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/05b8bcef-8f15-4350-8a93-7c78370a0800 |via=[[Video Game History Foundation]] |access-date=September 22, 2025 |last1=Baran |first1=Andrew |last2=Lefebvre |first2=Mark |last3=Desmond |first3=Mike |last4=Parus |first4=Scott}}</ref> Reviewers for ''[[GamePro]]'' gave rave reviews for both the Genesis and Super NES versions. They noted that the basic gameplay and premise are unchanged from the first game, but highly praised the new level designs, diverse soundtrack, and improved animations for the title character, with one of the reviewers concluding "''Earthworm Jim 2'' manages to exceed the lofty standards of the first game."<ref name = "GameProSMD">{{cite magazine |author=Atomic Dawg |title=ProReview: Earthworm Jim 2 |magazine=[[GamePro]] |issue=86 |publisher=[[IDG]] |date=November 1995 |pages=74–75}}</ref><ref name = "GameProSNES">{{cite magazine |author=Major Mike |url=https://archive.org/details/game-pro-issue-77-december-1995/page/96/mode/2up |title=ProReview: Earthworm Jim 2 |magazine=[[GamePro]] |issue=87 |publisher=[[IDG]] |date=December 1995 |pages=96–97 |access-date=September 25, 2025}}</ref> A reviewer for ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' likewise felt that the inventive new level designs were more than enough to make the game feel fresh in spite of it using the same gameplay. He summarized that "For the most part, this long-awaited sequel has answered the success of the first installment using more of the same humor, action, and skill, adding a few surprises this time around."<ref name="NGen12">{{cite magazine |title=Eat Dirt! |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |issue=12 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |date=December 1995 |page=197}}</ref> ''[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]'' (previously ''[[Sega Magazine]]'') gave the Genesis version a 94%, citing the variety of gameplay styles with "every one, in every way, sickeningly well implemented."<ref name="SatMag2">{{cite magazine |last=Swan |first=Angus |title=Review: Earthworm Jim 2 |magazine=[[Sega Saturn Magazine]] |issue=2 |publisher=[[Emap International Limited]] |date=December 1995 |page=89}}</ref>

While the Genesis and Super NES versions were generally held in high regard, some of the other versions were more poorly received. The PlayStation port, which contained the same content as the original releases, received a poor review 3/10 score from ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'', due to there being no significant improvements, despite the obviously more powerful hardware of the PlayStation.<ref name="cvg">{{cite web |title=Review: Earthworm Jim 2 Review - ComputerAndVideoGames.com |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=7771 |first=Stephen |last=Fulljames |date=2004-06-27 |access-date=2010-04-29}}</ref> The Sega Saturn version, though generally well received, also encountered similar criticism, with ''Sega Saturn Magazine'' describing ''Earthworm Jim 2'' as an excellent game, but derided the lack of advancements in the Saturn version, and summarized it as "a great game – a year ago. On a different console."<ref name="SatMag13">{{cite magazine |last=Automatic |first=Rad |title=Review: Earthworm Jim 2 |magazine=[[Sega Saturn Magazine]] |issue=13 |publisher=[[Emap International Limited]] |date=November 1996 |pages=72–73}}</ref> A ''Next Generation'' critic was more forgiving of the lack of major enhancements, contending that "the title is amazingly fun even on a machine designed for 3D gaming", though he acknowledged those who had already played the Genesis or Super NES version would have no reason to play the game again on the Saturn.<ref name="NGen18">{{cite magazine |title=Earthworm Jim 2 |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |issue=18 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |date=June 1996 |page=117}}</ref> ''GamePro''{{'}}s Major Mike disagreed, contending that changes such as the new backgrounds, remixed music, and loading screens make the game feel fresh and new.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=ProReview: Earthworm Jim 2 |magazine=[[GamePro]] |issue=92 |publisher=[[IDG]] |date=May 1996 |pages=62–63}}</ref>

The 2002 Game Boy Advance release was panned by critics as well, but this time due to the game having an "unfinished" engine, glitched graphics, and an unpredictable save system. ''[[IGN]]'' stated "the action tends to slow down in the most unlikely locations ...and the gameplay's inconsistent...load a game where you instantly die for no apparent reason".<ref name="ign_gba">{{cite web |title=Earthworm Jim 2 - Game Boy Advance Review at IGN |url=http://uk.gameboy.ign.com/articles/362/362636p1.html |first=Craig |last=Harris |date=2002-06-18 |access-date=2010-04-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060715131646/http://uk.gameboy.ign.com/articles/362/362636p1.html |archive-date=2006-07-15}}</ref> ''[[GameSpot]]'' felt similarly, calling it "unplayable".<ref name="GSpotGBA">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/earthworm-jim-2/reviews/earthworm-jim-2-review-2873121/ |title=Earthworm Jim 2 Review |publisher=GameSpot.com |date=2002-07-01 |access-date=2012-07-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818211622/http://www.gamespot.com/earthworm-jim-2/reviews/earthworm-jim-2-review-2873121/ |archive-date=2012-08-18 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''GameSpot'' nominated ''Earthworm Jim 2'' for its 2002 "Most Disappointing Game on Game Boy Advance" and "Worst Game on Game Boy Advance" awards.<ref name=bestworst2002>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030207155400/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ |url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ |title=''GameSpot''{{'}}s Best and Worst of 2002 |author=''GameSpot'' Staff |date=December 30, 2002 |work=[[GameSpot]] |archive-date=February 7, 2003 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Reviewing the Virtual Console release of the Genesis version, Marcel van Duyn of ''Nintendo Life'' had mixed reactions on various different gameplay mechanics.<ref name="vc.nintendolife.com" />

=== Accolades ===
''Earthworm Jim 2'' was nominated for the [[Video Software Dealers Association]]'s "Video Game of the Year" for 1995,<ref>{{cite magazine |title=News Bits |magazine=[[GamePro]] |issue=96 |publisher=[[IDG]] |date=September 1996 |page=21}}</ref> losing to ''[[Donkey Kong Country 2]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Home Entertainment Awards – Video Games |url=http://www.entmerch.org/industry/awards/emavsda-home-entertainment-/home-entertainment-awards-v-2.html |publisher=[[Entertainment Merchants Association]] |access-date=5 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502200505/http://www.entmerch.org/industry/awards/emavsda-home-entertainment-/home-entertainment-awards-v-2.html |archive-date=2 May 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1996, [[GamesMaster (magazine)|''GamesMaster'']] ranked the Mega Drive version second in their "The GamesMaster Mega Drive Top 10."<ref>{{Cite journal |date=July 1996 |title=The GamesMaster Mega Drive Top 10 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/c/cf/GamesMaster_UK_044.pdf |journal=GamesMaster |issue=44 |pages=74}}</ref> In 1998, [[Sega Power|''Saturn Power'']] listed the Saturn version 90th in their Top 100 Sega Saturn Games.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=January 1998 |title=Top 100 Sega Saturn Games |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/7/70/SaturnPower_UK_09.pdf |journal=Saturn Power |issue=9 |pages=95}}</ref> IGN rated the game 40th on its "Top 100 SNES Games of All Time." They praised the Snott dynamic that it added a lot to the gameplay experience.<ref>{{Citation |title=Top 100 SNES Games of All Time - IGN.com |url=https://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-snes-games |language=en |access-date=2022-09-04}}</ref>

==Sequels==
The ''Earthworm Jim'' series had future sequels, including ''[[Earthworm Jim 3D]]'' and ''[[Earthworm Jim: Menace 2 the Galaxy]]''. They were developed by different developers, with vastly different gameplay and styles, and received generally negative reception.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/197200.asp?q=Earthworm%20Jim |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |title=Earthworm Jim 3D - N64 |access-date=2008-04-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111075300/http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/197200.asp?q=Earthworm%20Jim |archive-date=2009-01-11 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote|Earthworm Jim}}
*{{moby game|id=/earthworm-jim-2|name=''Earthworm Jim 2''}}

{{Doug TenNapel}}
{{Earthworm Jim}}
{{Portal bar|1990s|Video games}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1995 video games]]
[[Category:Cancelled Atari Jaguar games]]
[[Category:Earthworm Jim video games]]
[[Category:Game Boy Advance games]]
[[Category:Games commercially released with DOSBox]]
[[Category:Nintendo Classics games]]
[[Category:Platformers]]
[[Category:Playmates Interactive games]]
[[Category:PlayStation (console) games]]
[[Category:Run and gun games]]
[[Category:Sega Genesis games]]
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[[Category:Shiny Entertainment games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Subterranean fiction|Subterranea]]
[[Category:Super Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Takara video games]]
[[Category:Sequel video games]]
[[Category:Video games designed by David Perry]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Tommy Tallarico]]
[[Category:Video games set in outer space]]
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Alone in the Dark 2 (video game)

2025-11-03T18:46:06Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:EDD5:DA0B:A3B6:9606:

{{Short description|1993 video game}}
{{redirect|Alone in the Dark 2|the film|Alone in the Dark II (film)}}
{{more citations needed|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Alone in the Dark 2
| image = Alone in the Dark 2 Coverart.png
| developer = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|[[Infogrames]]}}|Arrow Micro-Techs Corp (PC-98, FM Towns) [[Krisalis Software|Krisalis]] (3DO)|Brainstorm Software (Mac)}}
| publisher = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|Infogrames}}|{{vgrelease|EU|Infogrames|NA|[[Infogrames|I•Motion]]|NA|[[Interplay Entertainment|Interplay Productions]] (3DO)|EU|Infogrames Multimedia (PS1/Saturn)|JP|Arrow Micro-Techs Corp (PC-98, FM Towns)|JP|[[Electronic Arts Victor]] (3DO, Saturn, PS1)|WW|[[THQ Nordic]] (Steam)}}}}
| director = Franck De Girolami
| producer = [[Bruno Bonnell]]
| designer = Christophe Anton, Josiane Girard
| composer = Jean-Luc Escalant
| engine =
| series = ''[[Alone in the Dark]]''
| platforms = [[MS-DOS]], [[PC-98]], [[FM Towns]], [[3DO]], [[Sega Saturn]], [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], [[Classic Mac OS|Mac OS]]
| released = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|1993}}|
'''MS-DOS''' {{vgrelease|EU|1993 (floppy)}}{{vgrelease|EU|1994 (CD-ROM)}}{{vgrelease|NA|September 25, 1994}}'''PC-98''' {{vgrelease|JP|December 3, 1994}}'''FM Towns''' {{vgrelease|JP|December 3, 1994}}'''3DO''' {{vgrelease|NA|November 22, 1995<ref>{{Cite web |date=1997-10-08 |title=Interplay Releases Alone in the Dark 2 for 3DO |url=http://www.interplay.com/press/aitdii.html |access-date=2023-04-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19971008231158/http://www.interplay.com/press/aitdii.html |archive-date=1997-10-08 }}</ref>|EU|1995}}'''Saturn''' {{vgrelease|JP|February 23, 1996|EU|May 1996<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Davies |first=Paul |date=May 1996 |title=Mini Reviews: Alone in the Dark 2: Jack's Back |url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_and_Video_Games_Issue_174_1996-05_EMAP_Images_GB/page/n91/mode/2up |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |publisher=[[Ascential|EMAP]] |issue=174 |page=93}}</ref>|NA|August 6, 1996<ref>{{cite magazine |author= |date=September 1996 |title=Release Schedule |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/f3d30431-598d-437c-b48b-0631a50cd27c |magazine=[[GameWeek Magazine|Videogame Advisor]] |publisher=Cyberactive Publishing, Inc. |volume=2 |issue=9 |page=48}}</ref>}}'''PlayStation''' {{vgrelease|EU|May 3, 1996|NA|August 22, 1996|JP|November 8, 1996}}'''Mac OS''' {{vgrelease|NA|1996}}}}
| genre = [[Survival horror]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
}}

'''''Alone in the Dark 2''''' is a 1993 [[survival horror]] video game developed and published by [[Infogrames]]. It is the second installment in the ''[[Alone in the Dark]]'' series. It was ported to the [[PC-98]] and [[FM Towns]] in 1994, [[3DO]] in 1995 under the same name, and to the [[Sega Saturn|Saturn]] and [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] in 1996 as '''''Alone in the Dark: Jack Is Back''''' in Europe, and renamed as '''''Alone in the Dark: One-Eyed Jack's Revenge''''' in North America.

==Gameplay==
The original game's horror [[Theme (visual arts)|theme]] has been significantly de-emphasized in the sequel. While there are some supernatural goings-on ([[Haitian Vodou|Voodoo]] [[black magic]]), the main villains are gangsters and pirates. While the enemies are revealed to be possessed by evil spirits, and are green and zombie-like in appearance, they are far from the shambling walking corpses of the first game, and walk, talk, and behave much like ordinary people, arming themselves with guns and shooting at the player. The player can pick up weapons on the way with firearms such as the [[Revolver]] equipped at the start of the game, [[Shotgun]]s, [[Tommy guns]], a [[Derringer]] pistol, [[Flintlock]] pistols and melee weapons such as [[Sword]]s. The game world is larger than that of the original, encompassing not only a mansion, but also the surrounding gardens as well as a pirate ship hidden in caverns beneath the house; however, unlike the first game, with the exception of the main house, its locations may only be explored in a strictly linear sequence, a pattern that would continue in later sequels.

Although much of the game is spent playing as Carnby, the player will occasionally take control of Grace Saunders. Grace, a child, cannot fight and is instantly captured if the gangsters spot her, so instead she must sneak around and defeat the gangsters by turning common household objects into booby traps.

==Plot==
It is Christmas of 1924, three months before the events in ''[[Alone in the Dark (1992 video game)|Alone in the Dark]]''. "Supernatural Private Eye" Edward Carnby and his partner Ted Stryker are investigating the kidnapping of young Grace Saunders. The trail of clues leads to an old mansion named "Hell's Kitchen" - the home of an infamous gangster boss and his gang. Edward decides to pick up the trail when he learns of Ted's disappearance in the mansion, but Edward soon finds out that Ted has been murdered.

Carnby eventually finds out that the mobsters are the corporeal forms of the spirits of pirates that plundered the sea hundreds of years ago, the lot having sold their souls in exchange for eternal life through voodoo magic. Fighting his way into the house and ultimately onto a pirate ship hidden in the cliff on which Jack's house is built, Edward must survive, discover the secret of the pirates' apparent immortality, rescue little Grace, and find out why the pirates are so interested in her.

==''Jack in the Dark''==
''Jack in the Dark'' is a small game made during production of ''Alone in the Dark 2''. It was used as a promotional game distributed during Christmas in 1993 (just before ''Alone in the Dark 2'' was released). The game was on a single floppy disk in a golden wrapping featuring a [[Jack-in-the-box]] illustration on the top. It is a short adventure featuring the young child Grace Saunders. During [[Halloween]], she enters a small toy store after dark and gets locked in it. There, the toys are alive, and Grace must save [[Santa Claus]] from an evil Jack-in-the-box. Jack in the Dark is an [[adventure game]] that focuses purely on puzzles and has no combat. Later CD versions of both ''Alone in the Dark'' and ''Alone in the Dark 2'' came packaged with ''Jack in the Dark''.

==Release==
The original MS-DOS version shipped on [[floppy disk]]. The CD-ROM release added a full [[Red Book (audio CD standard)|Red Book audio]] soundtrack, dialogue speech (in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Japanese, depending on the country the game was released), and a new playable section of Grace Saunders which connects the mansion and the ship areas.

As with the first installment in the series, outside of Europe the game was distributed in North America by [[Interplay Entertainment]] and in Japan by Arrow Micro-Techs Corp, which once again developed and published Japanese-exclusive versions for the [[NEC PC-9801|PC-98]] and [[FM Towns]].

The console releases of ''Alone in the Dark 2'' include a [[3DO]] port (1995), and also versions for the [[Sega Saturn|Saturn]] and [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] in 1996 with reworked and fully [[Texture mapping|textured]] polygonal models. New [[Full motion video|FMV]] cutscenes were also added to these ports. All console releases were also published in Japan by [[Electronic Arts Victor]], with the Saturn and PlayStation versions being released as ''Alone in the Dark: Jack Is Back''.

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| EGM = 4.25/10 (SAT)<ref name="EGM84"/>
| rev1 = ''[[Arcane (magazine)|Arcane]]''
| rev1Score = 8/10 (PS1)<ref name="Arcane4"/>
| rev2 = ''Maximum''
| rev2Score = {{rating|3|5}} (PS1)<ref name="Max3PS"/> {{rating|2|5}} (3DO, SAT)<ref name="Max3DO"/><ref name="Max7"/>
| NGen = {{rating|2|5}} (PS1)<ref name="NGen25"/> {{rating|4|5}} (3DO)<ref name="NGen12"/> {{rating|3|5}} (SAT)<ref name="NGen20"/>
| rev3 = ''[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]''
| rev3Score = 54% (SAT)<ref name="SatMag7"/>
| award1Pub = ''[[PC Gamer UK]]''
| award1 = #7, Top 50 PC Games of All Time{{r|pcgameruktop50}}
| Allgame = {{rating|3.5|5}} (PC)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=16898&tab=review |title=Alone in the Dark 2 (PC) Review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115062026/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=16898&tab=review |archive-date=15 November 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> {{rating|3.5|5}} (MAC)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=22799&tab=review |title=Alone in the dark 2 (Macintosh) Review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115114114/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=22799&tab=review |archive-date=15 November 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> {{rating|2|5}} (SAT)<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7683&tab=review |title=Alone in the Dark: One-Eyed Jack's Revenge (Sega Saturn) Review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115153647/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7683&tab=review |archive-date=15 November 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> {{rating|1.5|5}} (PS1)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7811&tab=review |title=Alone in the Dark: One-Eyed Jack's Revenge (Playstation) Review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115005947/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7811&tab=review |archive-date=15 November 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' in April 1994 said that the computer version of ''Alone in the Dark 2'' "looks rich enough to meet gamers' expectations for a solid sequel".<ref name="matthews199404">{{Cite magazine
|last=Matthews
|first=Robin
|date=April 1994
|title=Sequel Syndrome Strikes Again
|department=Over There
|url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=117
|magazine=Computer Gaming World
|pages=124, 126}}</ref> In May 1994 the magazine said that with improved graphics, it "offers plenty of game play for those who like their adventures with a dash of the macabre".<ref name="cgw199405">{{Cite magazine
|date=May 1994
|title=Taking A Peek
|url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=118
|magazine=Computer Gaming World
|pages=174–180
}}</ref> In June 1994 the magazine said that the game was not "for those who are easily frustrated". It concluded that "Despite its weak ending ... ''Alone 2'' is a good, solid challenge. Much more so than its predecessor, it will test players' reflexes as well as their minds".<ref name="greenberg199406">{{Cite magazine
|last=Greenberg
|first=Allen L.
|date=June 1994
|title=The Polygons of Penzance
|url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=118
|magazine=Computer Gaming World
|pages=46–49
}}</ref> Reviewing the PlayStation version, ''Maximum'' called the PC original "one of the most ground-breaking arcade/adventures to date" and hailed its appearance on the PlayStation as "the first true arcade/adventure for the system." They commented approvingly on the [[H. P. Lovecraft]]-inspired locations, the way the player is eased into the controls, and the twist of having to play through a segment of the game as Grace. However, they remarked that the game is outdated and outclassed by the upcoming ''[[Resident Evil (1996 video game)|Resident Evil]]''.<ref name="Max3PS">{{cite magazine|title=Maximum Reviews: Alone in the Dark: Jack's Back|magazine=Maximum: The Video Game Magazine|issue=3 |publisher=[[Emap International Limited]]|date=January 1996|pages=152–3}}</ref> ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' emphasized the last point: "frankly it's yesterday's news, and releasing it to PlayStation in the wake of ''Resident Evil'' just makes it redundant."<ref name="NGen25">{{cite magazine |title=Every PlayStation Game Played, Reviewed, and Rated|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=25 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|date=January 1997|page=57}}</ref>

James V. Trunzo reviewed ''Alone in the Dark 2'' in ''[[White Wolf (magazine)|White Wolf]]'' #47 (Sept., 1994), rating it a 4 out of 5 and stated that "In the end, ''Alone in the Dark 2'' should be experienced by all serious gamers."<ref name="WW47">{{Cite magazine |last=Trunzo |first=James V. |date=September 1994|title=The Silicon Dungeon |magazine= [[White Wolf Magazine]] |number=47 |pages=46–47 |url=https://imgur.com/a/FBcujqW}}</ref>

Steve Bradley reviewed the PlayStation version of ''Alone in the Dark: Jack Is Back'' for ''Arcane'' magazine, rating it an 8 out of 10 overall.<ref name="Arcane4">{{cite journal|last=Bradley |first=Steve |date=March 1996|title=Games Reviews|journal=Arcane|publisher=[[Future plc|Future Publishing]]|issue=4|pages=80}}</ref> Bradley comments that "The 3D graphics are superb, the use of camera angles dynamic, but the strength of ''AITD'' is the sheer suspense generated as you explore a haunted mansion and its environs - it's genuinely frightening. Sure, the control can be a bit iffy (a general rule of thumb in such fare as this) and the graphics are a mite patchy, but it's by far the best roleplaying adventure game for the PlayStation."<ref name="Arcane4"/>

''Maximum'' was more harsh with the 3DO version, saying that the game is far too old to be worth converting to home console. They said it looks especially poor due to being (by pure coincidence) released in Europe at the same time as the PlayStation version: "The Sony conversion boasts texture-mapped characters moving at higher speeds and with less loading time, whilst the poor old 3DO struggles with flat shaded polygons, a smaller screen size and a chugging frame rate."<ref name="Max3DO">{{cite magazine|title=Maximum Reviews: Alone in the Dark|magazine=Maximum: The Video Game Magazine|issue=3 |publisher=[[Emap International Limited]]|date=January 1996|page=161}}</ref> A reviewer for ''Next Generation'' complained that a combination of poor control and awkward fixed camera angles makes battling enemies more difficult than it should be. He nonetheless gave it a strong recommendation, and summarized it as "a direct port of the PC title, and a huge game with a great cinematic feel and lots of fiendishly clever puzzles."<ref name="NGen12">{{cite magazine|title=Alone in the Dark 2|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=12|publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |date=December 1995|page=181}}</ref>

The Saturn version received generally negative reviews. ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' gave it a 4.25 out of 10, citing difficult aiming, poor graphics, confusing cutscenes, absurd voice acting, and camera angles which change too frequently, making it difficult to hit enemies or get a sense of direction.<ref name="EGM84">{{cite magazine|title=Alone in the Dark Review|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=84|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=July 1996|page=26}}</ref> Rob Bright of ''[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]'' commented that the game has "a well worked plot mixing the fantasy and myth of pirates with a bootlegging 1920s America to create a sort of [[Gothic fiction|Gothic]] [[Film noir|noir]]", but echoed ''Electronic Gaming Monthly''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s criticisms with the aiming, graphics, and camera angles.<ref name="SatMag7">{{cite magazine|last=Bright |first=Rob |title=Review: Alone in Dark 2: Jack's Back|magazine=[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]|issue=7|publisher=[[Emap International Limited]]|date=May 1996|pages=80–81}}</ref> ''[[GamePro]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Scary Larry remarked that even though the original ''Alone in the Dark'' was the probable inspiration for ''Resident Evil'', the sequel dramatically fails to measure up. He particularly commented that the graphics and audio lack the realism and life that made ''Resident Evil'' so scary, and that "The quirky controls don't help the less-than-appealing gameplay or the boring story line."<ref>{{cite magazine|title=ProReview: Alone in the Dark: One-Eyed Jack's Revenge|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=94 |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=July 1996|page=74}}</ref> Yasuhiro Hunter of ''Maximum'' similarly commented that the game is a feeble attempt at giving the Saturn an equivalent to ''Resident Evil'', with a poor CG intro, frustrating controls, and animations which fail to induce ''Resident Evil'''s sense of fear. He said that ''Alone in the Dark 2'' did have a deep plot and was very good at the time of its original release on PC, but had become very outdated in the two years since.<ref name="Max7">{{cite magazine|last=Hunter |first=Yasuhiro |title=Maximum Reviews: Alone in the Dark 2|magazine=Maximum: The Video Game Magazine|issue=7 |publisher=[[Emap International Limited]]|date=June 1996|page=125}}</ref> ''Next Generation'', while acknowledging that the game was dated next to recent efforts, contended that it "still manages to hold up fairly well on its own." The reviewer criticized the sometimes poorly chosen camera angles but was pleased with the game's graphics and massive size.<ref name="NGen20">{{cite magazine|title=Alone in the Dark|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=20 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |date=August 1996 |pages=91–92}}</ref>

In 1994, ''[[PC Gamer UK]]'' named ''Alone in the Dark 2'' the 7th best computer game of all time, calling it "an incredibly involving and film-like experience".<ref name=pcgameruktop50>{{cite magazine | author=Staff | magazine=[[PC Gamer UK]] | title=The ''PC Gamer'' Top 50 PC Games of All Time |date=April 1994 | issue=5 | pages=43–56 }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{moby game|id=/alone-in-the-dark-2}}
*{{Internet Archive game|id=msdos_Jack_in_the_Dark_1993|platform=MS-DOS|title=Jack in the Dark}}

{{Alone in the Dark}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Alone In The Dark 2}}
[[Category:1990s horror video games]]
[[Category:1993 video games]]
[[Category:3DO games]]
[[Category:Alone in the Dark]]
[[Category:Christmas video games]]
[[Category:Classic Mac OS games]]
[[Category:DOS games]]
[[Category:Electronic Arts games]]
[[Category:FM Towns games]]
[[Category:Games commercially released with DOSBox]]
[[Category:Infogrames games]]
[[Category:Krisalis Software games]]
[[Category:NEC PC-9801 games]]
[[Category:PlayStation (console) games]]
[[Category:Sega Saturn games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Victor Entertainment games]]
[[Category:Sequel video games]]
[[Category:Video games about pirates]]
[[Category:Video games about witchcraft]]
[[Category:Video games developed in France]]
[[Category:Video games set in 1924]]
[[Category:Video games set in California]]
[[Category:Video games with pre-rendered 3D graphics]]

Choplifter

2025-11-03T17:22:20Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:EDD5:DA0B:A3B6:9606:

{{Short description|1982 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Choplifter
| image = Choplifter Cover.jpg
| caption = Atari 5200 box art
| developer = [[Dan Gorlin]]{{efn|Arcade version developed by [[Sega AM1|Sega R&D1]]; SG-1000 and MSX versions developed by [[Compile (company)|Compile]]; Famicom version developed by [[Tose (company)|Tose]]; Master System version developed by [[Sega Sports R&D|Sega R&D2]].}}
| publisher = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|[[Broderbund]]}}|'''C64'''{{vgrelease|NA|Broderbund|EU|[[Ariolasoft]]}} '''5200''' [[Atari, Inc.]] '''Arcade, SG-1000, Master System''' [[Sega]] '''Famicom''' [[Jaleco]] '''7800''' [[Atari Corporation]]}}
| designer =
| series = ''Choplifter''
| platforms = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|[[Apple II]]}}| [[Atari 8-bit]], [[VIC-20]], [[Commodore 64]], [[Atari 5200]], [[FM-7]], [[PC-88]], [[ColecoVision]], [[Coleco Adam]], [[SG-1000]], [[Arcade video game|arcade]], [[MSX]], [[PC-6001]], [[Sharp X1]], [[Thomson MO5]], [[Thomson TO7/70]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]], [[Master System]], [[Atari 7800]]}}
| released = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|May 21, 1982}}|'''Apple II'''{{vgrelease|NA|May 21, 1982{{r|lombardy1982sepoct}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Choplifter (Registration Number PA0000170265) |url=https://cocatalog.loc.gov |website=[[United States Copyright Office]] |access-date=1 June 2021}}</ref>}} '''Atari 8-bit'''{{vgrelease||1982}} '''C64'''{{vgrelease|NA|September 1983<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/cb369928-f924-4272-8c95-6efbe447d008 |work=[[Computer Entertainer|The Video Game Update]] |volume=2 |issue=7 |date=October 1983 |page=16}}</ref>}} '''5200'''{{vgrelease||Mid-1984<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/f316eb98-2116-4984-9360-1263e60e0acd |work=[[Computer Entertainer]] |volume=3 |issue=2 |date=May 1984 |page=16}}</ref>}} '''ColecoVision'''{{vgrelease||Early 1985<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/4cc67eab-e26a-4820-981b-95e4abe36dd3 |work=[[Computer Entertainer]] |volume=3 |issue=11 |date=February 1985 |page=16}}</ref>}} '''SG-1000'''{{vgrelease|JP|July 1985<ref>{{cite magazine|title=これまで増加したゲームソフト: SG-1000, SC-3000, & マーク III セガの家庭用ソフト70本|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=283|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=1 May 1986|page=10|lang=ja|url=https://archive.org/details/game-machine-magazine-19860501p/page/n5/mode/1up}}</ref>}} '''Arcade'''{{vgrelease|JP|September 25, 1985<ref>{{cite web |title=Choplifter (Registration Number PA0000280077) |url=https://cocatalog.loc.gov |website=[[United States Copyright Office]] |access-date=1 June 2021}}</ref>|EU|Late 1985<ref>{{cite web |title=Video Game Flyers: Choplifter, Sega (EU) |url=https://flyers.arcade-museum.com/?page=thumbs&db=videodb&id=203 |website=The Arcade Flyer Archive |access-date=1 June 2021}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=September 2025}}|NA|December 1985<ref>{{cite book |last1=Akagi |first1=Masumi |title=アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971–2005) |trans-title=Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971–2005) |date=October 13, 2006 |publisher=Amusement News Agency |lang=ja |location=Japan |isbn=978-4990251215 |page=131 |url=https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005/page/n132}}</ref>}} '''Famicom'''{{vgrelease|JP|June 26, 1986<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/schedule/recent/fc/|title=All Famicom games sorted from the latest release to the earliest|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|archive-date=October 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015061257/https://www.famitsu.com/schedule/recent/fc/|url-status=dead}}</ref>}} '''Master System'''{{vgrelease|NA|September 1986<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/ed58a5c7-0521-4d9e-8bf2-222ddaa7ecec |work=[[Computer Entertainer]] |volume=5 |issue=7 |date=October 1986 |page=14}}</ref>|UK|August 1987<ref>{{cite web|title=Mega Cartridges |url=https://www.smspower.org/Scans/Mastertronic-Catalogue-TheSegaMasterSystemGameCatalog1987-A?gallerypage=2|work=Mastertronic - The Sega Master System Game Catalog 1987 - A - United Kingdom Catalogue|publisher=[[Mastertronic]]}}</ref>}} '''7800'''{{vgrelease||August 1987<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/677e52dc-e087-4b93-84f7-ab2672c49028 |work=[[Computer Entertainer]] |volume=6 |issue=6 |date=September 1987 |page=14}}</ref>}}
}}
| genre = [[Scrolling shooter]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
| arcade system = [[List of Sega arcade system boards#Arcade system boards|Sega System 2]]
}}

'''''Choplifter''''' (stylized as '''''Choplifter!''''') is a 1982 horizontally [[scrolling shooter]] video game developed by [[Dan Gorlin]] and published by [[Broderbund]] for the [[Apple II]]. It was ported to the [[Atari 8-bit computers]] the same year, and later to the [[VIC-20]], [[Commodore 64]], [[Atari 5200]], [[ColecoVision]], [[MSX]], and [[Thomson computers]]. In 1985, [[Sega]] released a remake for [[arcade video game|arcades]], with subsequent ports published for the [[Master System]] and [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]] in 1986. Graphically enhanced versions for the Atari 8-bit computers and [[Atari 7800]] were also released in 1988 by [[Atari Corporation]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Choplifter!|url=http://www.atarimania.com/game-atari-400-800-xl-xe-choplifter_17338.html|website=Atari Mania}}</ref>

==Gameplay==
The player assumes the role of a combat [[helicopter]] pilot who must rescue hostages held in barracks within the territory controlled by the evil Bungeling Empire. The player must collect the hostages (described in the backstory as "delegates to the [[United Nations]] Conference on Peace and Child Rearing") and safely transport them to the nearby [[United States Postal Service|U.S. Postal Service]] building, all while fending off hostile tanks and other enemy combatants.<ref name="game-box">{{cite video game |title=Choplifter |developer=Broderbund |year=1982 |platform=Apple II, Atari 8-bit computers, Commodore 64 |scene=game packaging}}</ref><ref name="book">{{cite book|last1=Mott|first1=Tony|title=1001 video games you must play before you die|date=2013|publisher=Cassell Illustrated|location=London|isbn=9781844037667|edition=Revised and updated}}</ref> According to the backstory, the helicopter's parts were smuggled into the country, disguised as a "mail-sorting machine".

The helicopter can face three directions: left, right, or forward (facing the player). It can shoot at enemies in any of these directions and need not fly in the same direction it is facing. The forward-facing mode is primarily used to shoot at tanks. The player must be cautious to protect the hostages from enemy fire and avoid hitting them with friendly fire.

To rescue the prisoners, the player must first shoot at one of the hostage buildings to release the hostages, then land to allow them to board the [[sortie]], and finally return them to the player's starting point. Each of the four buildings holds 16 hostages, and the helicopter can only carry up to 16 passengers at a time, meaning several trips are necessary. Once the chopper is full, no more hostages will attempt to board; they will wave the helicopter off and wait for its return. Each successive trip is typically more perilous than the last, as the enemy becomes aware of the player's actions and mounts a counterattack.

If the player lands directly on top of a hostage or completely blocks the building exit, the hostages will be killed. In the Apple II and Atari 7800 versions, hostages will also die if the helicopter is not landed correctly (i.e., if it is slightly tilted), being crushed as they attempt to board. While grounded, the helicopter can be attacked by enemy tanks, which it can only shoot at by returning to the air. Additionally, enemy jet fighters are deployed, which can attack the helicopter in the air with [[air-to-air missile]]s or on the ground with bombs. The next enemy is an alien spacecraft which is very hard to avoid.

==Development==
Coming off a stint working for the [[Rand Corporation]], [[Dan Gorlin]] initially developed ''Choplifter'' using an [[Apple II]] loaned to him by his grandfather.<ref name="Gamasutra">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/134956/choplifter_from_1982_to_2012.php?print=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509070536/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/134956/choplifter_from_1982_to_2012.php?print=1|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 9, 2012|title=Choplifter: From 1982 to 2012|author=Frank Cifaldi|date=January 13, 2012|accessdate=June 15, 2018|work=Gamasutra|author-link=Frank Cifaldi}}</ref> Initially, Gorlin envisioned ''Choplifter'' as a 3D game, but he switched to a traditional 2D game environment due to technical limitations.

The game was developed in six months. After Gorlin began experimenting with animating a helicopter on the Apple II, he added scenery, tanks, and planes, with the hostages being added last. He noted that, as a story developed, the film camera techniques seemed appropriate, including the final message "The End" instead of "Game Over". Gorlin's first demonstration to [[Broderbund]] was "too realistic" for a helicopter simulation, and the company helped him make it easier to fly.<ref name="salmons198207">{{cite news | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1982&pub=6&id=6 | title=The Choppers of Mercy | work=Softline | date=July 1982 | accessdate=17 July 2014 | author=Salmons, Jim | pages=18}}</ref> The concept of rescuing hostages was inspired by Gorlin's experience with the game ''[[Defender (1981 video game)|Defender]]'', in which the player must protect people on the ground. Although the [[Iran hostage crisis]] ended the year before the game was released, Gorlin said that the game was not intended to be a "tie-in" to this event during the game's development.<ref name=halcyon>{{cite book |chapter-url=https://dadgum.com/halcyon/BOOK/GORLIN.HTM |title=Halcyon Days: Interviews with Classic Computer and Video Game Programmers |title-link=Halcyon Days (book) |date=March 1997 |last=Hague |first=James |chapter=Dan Gorlin |access-date=15 September 2025 |publisher=Dadgum Games}}</ref>

In the 1990s, Gorlin revisited the 3D concept in a failed attempt to remake the game.<ref name="Gamasutra" />

==Reception==
Debuting in May 1982, the game sold 9,000 copies by June, appearing on ''[[Computer Gaming World]]''{{'}}s list of top sellers.<ref name="lombardy1982sepoct">{{cite magazine |title=Inside the Industry |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1982&pub=2&id=6 |format=PDF |magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] |page=2 |date=September–October 1982 |accessdate=2016-03-28}}</ref> ''II Computing'' listed ''Choplifter'' seventh on the magazine's list of top Apple II games as of late 1985, based on sales and market share data.<ref name="ciraolo198510_11">{{cite news |url=https://archive.org/stream/II_Computing_Vol_1_No_1_Oct_Nov_85_Premiere#page/n51/mode/2up |title=Top Software / A List of Favorites |work=II Computing |date=Oct–Nov 1985 |accessdate=28 January 2015 |author=Ciraolo, Michael |pages=51}}</ref>

In Japan, ''Game Machine'' listed Sega's arcade version of ''Choplifter'' as the most successful table arcade unit of October 1985.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=271|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=1 November 1985|page=23|lang=ja|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19851101p.pdf#page=12}}</ref> After being dethroned by [[Taito]]'s ''[[The Legend of Kage]]'' on November 15,<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Best Hit Games 25|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=270|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=1 November 1985|page=23|lang=ja|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19851101p.pdf#page=12}}</ref> ''Choplifter'' returned to the top of the chart on December 1.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Best Hit Games 25|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=272|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=1 December 1985|page=23|lang=ja|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19851201p.pdf#page=12}}</ref>

===Reviews===
''[[Softline (magazine)|Softline]]'' in 1982 called the game "the first Interactive Computer-Assisted Animated Movie", describing it as a fusion of arcade gaming, simulation, and filmic visual aesthetics. The magazine praised the animation and the helicopter's "subtle flight control" and concluded that seeing the hostages' "hope and excitement, their faith in you" made the game "hard to play".<ref name="salmons198207">{{cite news | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1982&pub=6&id=6 | title=The Choppers of Mercy | work=Softline | date=July 1982 | accessdate=17 July 2014 | author=Salmons, Jim | pages=18}}</ref> In 1983, its readers named ''Choplifter'' fourth on the magazine's Top Thirty list of Atari 8-bit programs by popularity.<ref name="softline198303">{{cite news | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1983&pub=6&id=10 | title=The Most Popular Atari Program Ever | work=Softline | date=March 1983 | accessdate=28 July 2014 | pages=44}}</ref> ''[[BYTE]]'' called ''Choplifter'' "great fun".<ref name="byte198212">{{cite news | url=https://archive.org/stream/byte-magazine-1982-12/1982_12_BYTE_07-12_Game_Plan_1982#page/n85/mode/2up | title=The Coinless Arcade - Rediscovered | work=BYTE | date=December 1982 | accessdate=19 October 2013 | author1=Clark, Pamela | author2=Williams, Gregg | pages=84}}</ref> ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'',<ref>{{citation | date = July–August 1982 | last = Greenlaw | first = Stanley | magazine = [[Computer Gaming World]] | title = Choplifter! Rescue the Hostages | pages = 30, 38}}</ref> ''[[Creative Computing]] Video & Arcade Games'',<ref name="ccvag1983spring">{{Cite magazine |last1=Ahl |first1=David H. |last2=Brill |first2=Andrew |last3=Lubar |first3=David |author-link3=David Lubar |last4=Coffey |first4=Michael |last5=Archibald |first5=Dale |date=Spring 1983 |title=Apple Computer Games |url=http://www.atarimagazines.com/cva/v1n1/applegames.php |magazine=Creative Computing Video & Arcade Games |volume=1 |issue=1 |page=86}}</ref> and ''The Commodore 64 Home Companion''<ref name=C64HC>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/The_Commodore_64_Home_Companion#page/n167/mode/2up|title=Broderbund Software|work=The Commodore 64 Home Companion|year=1984|access-date=August 19, 2016|pages=166–167}}</ref> praised the graphics and animation, the latter stating that the hostages running across the desert made the game "alive" and realistic.

The Apple II version of the game received a Certificate of Merit in the category of "Best Computer Audiovisual Effects" at the 4th annual [[Arkie Awards]],<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kunkel |first1=Bill |author-link1=Bill Kunkel (journalist) |last2=Katz |first2=Arnie |author-link2=Arnie Katz |date=March 1983 |title=Arcade Alley: The Best Computer Games |journal=[[Video (magazine)|Video]] |publisher=Reese Communications |volume=6 |issue=12 |pages=32–33 |issn=0147-8907}}</ref>{{rp|33}} and shortly afterward, ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' named it Computer Game of the Year.<ref name="kleiner19830708">{{cite news |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1983&pub=6&id=12 |title=Billboard Conference |work=Softline |date=Jul–Aug 1983 |accessdate=28 July 2014 |author=Kleiner, Karen |pages=44–45}}</ref> ''The [[Addison-Wesley]] Book of Atari Software 1984'' gave the game an overall A+ rating, calling it "a masterpiece". The book concluded that the concept, graphics, and animation make this "a delightful game".<ref name="aw1984">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/stream/Atari_Software_1984#page/n73/mode/2up |title=The Addison-Wesley Book of Atari Software |publisher=Addison-Wesley |year=1984 |pages=74 |isbn=0-201-16454-X |editor1=Stanton, Jeffrey |editor2=Wells, Robert P. |editor3=Rochowansky, Sandra |editor4=Mellid, Michael}}</ref> ''[[InfoWorld]]'s Essential Guide to Atari Computers'' cited it as "innovative" and a "winner".<ref name="mace1984">{{Cite book |last=Mace |first=Scott |url=https://archive.org/details/InfoWorlds_Essential_Guide_to_Atari/page/n83/mode/2up?view=theater |title=InfoWorld's Essential Guide to Atari Computers |date=1984 |publisher=Harper & Row |isbn=978-0-06-669006-3 |pages=75}}</ref>

''[[Console XS]]'' magazine reviewed the Sega Master System version, giving it a score of 85%.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Software A-Z: Master System |magazine=[[Console XS]] |date=23 April 1992 |issue=1 (June/July 1992) |publisher=[[Paragon Publishing]] |location=United Kingdom |pages=137–47 |url=https://archive.org/details/console-xs-01/page/137}}</ref> ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' magazine reviewed the Master System version in 1989, giving it a score of 87%. They also reviewed the ColecoVision and Atari 7800 versions, giving them scores of 81% and 84%, respectively.<ref name="CVG">{{cite journal |title=Complete Games Guide |journal=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=16 October 1989 |issue=Complete Guide to Consoles |pages=46–77 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/9/98/CompleteGuideToConsoles_UK_01.pdf#page=46}}</ref>

==Legacy==
''[[Choplifter II]]'', subtitled "Rescue Survive", was released for the [[Game Boy]] in 1991, then remade for both the Game Boy and [[Game Gear]] as ''Choplifter III'' in 1994. An unrelated ''[[Choplifter III]]'' was released for [[Super NES]].

In late 1997, Gorlin and his development team, Ariok Entertainment, were working on a ''Choplifter'' game for IBM PC compatibles that would be in 3D and feature multiplayer functionality.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=In the Studio |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |issue=38 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |date=February 1998 |page=28}}</ref> The game was never released.

Sega released a pair of [[spiritual successor]]s without the ''Choplifter'' brand: ''[[Air Rescue]]'' (1991) for the [[Sega System 32]] arcade hardware is a first-person, [[pseudo-3D]] take on the concept. ''Air Rescue'' (1992) for the [[Master System]] more closely resembles the 2D ''Choplifter'', but features stages that scroll in all directions.

Programmer Will Botti cited ''Choplifter'' as a major inspiration for his 1996 game ''[[Black Dawn (video game)|Black Dawn]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Behind the Screens |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=87 |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=October 1996 |page=158}}</ref>

In 2004, Xicat Interactive published ''ChopLifter: Crisis Shield'' exclusively in Europe.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/15/choplifter/ |title=ChopLifter [PS2 - Cancelled?] - Unseen64 |date=15 April 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps2/589384-choplifter-crisis-shield/data |title=ChopLifter: Crisis Shield Release Information for PlayStation 2 - GameFAQs}}</ref>

[[inXile Entertainment]] released ''[[Choplifter HD]]'' for [[Xbox Live Arcade]], [[PlayStation Network]], and [[Microsoft Windows]] in January 2012, and for [[Ouya]] in August 2013.

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{MobyGames|id=/choplifter}}
* {{KLOV game|id=7333}}
* {{Internet Archive game|id=Choplifter1982Broderbund}}

{{Choplifter series}}

[[Category:1982 video games]]
[[Category:Apple II games]]
[[Category:Arcade video games]]
[[Category:Ariolasoft games]]
[[Category:Atari 5200 games]]
[[Category:Atari 7800 games]]
[[Category:Atari 8-bit computer games]]
[[Category:Broderbund games]]
[[Category:ColecoVision games]]
[[Category:Commodore 64 games]]
[[Category:FM-7 games]]
[[Category:Helicopter video games]]
[[Category:Horizontally scrolling shooters]]
[[Category:Jaleco games]]
[[Category:Master System games]]
[[Category:MSX games]]
[[Category:NEC PC-6001 games]]
[[Category:NEC PC-8801 games]]
[[Category:NEC PC-9801 games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Sega arcade games]]
[[Category:Sega System 1 games]]
[[Category:Sega video games]]
[[Category:SG-1000 games]]
[[Category:Sharp X1 games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Tose (company) games]]
[[Category:VIC-20 games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]

Fantasy Zone

2025-11-03T16:57:13Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:EDD5:DA0B:A3B6:9606:

{{Short description|1986 video game}}
{{more citations needed|date=December 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Fantasy Zone
| image = Fantasy zone arcadeflyer.PNG
| caption = Japanese arcade flyer
| developer = [[Sega AM1|Sega R&D1]]{{efn|Master System version developed by [[Sega Sports R&D|Sega R&D2]]; MSX version developed by [[Pony Canyon|Pony Inc.]]; Famicom version developed by [[Sunsoft]]; NES version developed by Pixel; TurboGrafx-16 version developed by Bits Laboratory; X68000 version developed by Dempa Shimbunsha; Saturn version developed by Rutobo Games.}}
| publisher = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|[[Sega]]}}|'''MSX''' [[Pony Canyon|Pony Inc.]] '''NES'''{{vgrelease|JP|[[Sunsoft]]|NA|[[Tengen (company)|Tengen]]}} '''TurboGrafx-16'''{{vgrelease|JP|[[NEC Avenue]]|NA|[[NEC]]}} '''X68000''' Dempa '''Saturn''' [[D3 Publisher|3D-Ages]]}}
| designer = Yoji Ishii
| programmer = Shuichi Katagi
| artist = Masaki Kondo
| composer = [[Hiroshi Kawaguchi (composer)|Hiroshi Kawaguchi]]
| series = ''Fantasy Zone''
| platforms = [[Arcade video game|Arcade]], [[Master System]], [[MSX]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[TurboGrafx-16]], [[X68000]], [[Sega Saturn]]
| release = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|March 28, 1986}}|'''Arcade'''{{vgrelease|JP|March 28, 1986<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=1992 |title=1986年セガ業務用ゲーム全リスト |trans-title=Complete list of Sega arcade games from 1986 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/a/ae/Mdfan_JP_1992-02.pdf|access-date=August 6, 2024 |magazine=Mega Drive Fan |pages=83 |language=ja}}</ref>}}|'''Master System'''{{vgrelease|JP|June 15, 1986<ref>{{cite web |title=Software List |url=https://sega.jp/history/hard/segamark3/software.html |website=Sega Hard Encyclopedia |publisher=[[Sega|Sega Corporation]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621034428/https://sega.jp/history/hard/segamark3/software.html |access-date=May 15, 2023 |archive-date=2019-06-21 |language=ja}}</ref>|NA|September 1986<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Availability Update |magazine=[[Computer Entertainer]] |volume=5 |issue=7 |date=October 1986 |page=14 |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/ed58a5c7-0521-4d9e-8bf2-222ddaa7ecec}}</ref>|PAL|August 1987<ref>{{cite magazine|date=November 1987|title=Sega Release Schedule to November 1987 - UK|magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]]|issue=73|page=132|url=https://archive.org/details/computer-and-video-games-magazine/Computer%20and%20Video%20Games%20073/page/n131/mode/2up}}</ref>}} '''MSX'''{{vgrelease|JP|March 21, 1987<ref>{{cite news |title=Fantasy Zone MSX Ad |url=https://ia600208.us.archive.org/20/items/msx-magazine-1987/MSX%E3%83%9E%E3%82%AC%E3%82%B8%E3%83%B3%201987/MsxMagazine198703.pdf |work=MSX Magazine |publisher=ASCII Corporation |date=March 1987 |language=ja}}</ref>}}|'''NES'''{{vgrelease|JP|July 20, 1987<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/schedule/recent/fc/|title=All Famicom games sorted from the latest release to the earliest|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|archive-date=October 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015061257/https://www.famitsu.com/schedule/recent/fc/|url-status=dead}}</ref>|NA|April 1990<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/c8542bc3-42c3-46d5-aa4e-74b294bbcfc6 |work=[[Computer Entertainer]] |volume=9 |issue=2 |date=May 1990 |page=14}}</ref>}}|'''TurboGrafx-16'''{{vgrelease|JP|October 14, 1988<ref>{{cite web |title=PC Engine Software List 1987-1988 |url=http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_NEC1_PCE1987-1988.html |website=GAME Data Room |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827210546/http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_NEC1_PCE1987-1988.html |archive-date=August 27, 2018 |language=ja}}</ref>|NA|November 1989<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/2b0f3849-6358-4d5e-930b-77877546a547 |work=[[Computer Entertainer]] |volume=8 |issue=9 |date=December 1989 |page=14}}</ref>}}|'''X68000'''{{vgrelease|JP|August 4, 1989<ref>{{cite web|last=Matsubara|first=Keigo|url=http://vgsearch.info/list/x68_all2.htm|title=X680x0ソフトリスト963タイトル|publisher=Video Game Search|date=2019|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415093707/http://vgsearch.info/list/x68_all2.htm|archive-date=15 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>}}|'''Saturn'''{{vgrelease|JP|February 21, 1997<ref>{{cite web |title=Software List (Released by Sega)|url=https://sega.jp/history/hard/segasaturn/software.html |website=セガ製品情報サイト |publisher=Sega |language=ja}}</ref>}}
}}
| genre = [[Scrolling shooter]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
| arcade system = [[Sega System 16A]]
}}

{{nihongo foot|'''''Fantasy Zone'''''|ファンタジーゾーン|Fantajī Zōn|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 1986 horizontally [[scrolling shooter]] [[video game]] developed and published by [[Sega]] for [[Arcade video game|arcades]]. It is the first game in the ''Fantasy Zone'' series, and was later ported to several home consoles, including Sega's [[Master System]]. The player controls a sentient spaceship named Opa-Opa who fights an enemy invasion in the titular group of planets. The game contains a number of features atypical of the traditional scrolling shooter. The main character, Opa-Opa, is sometimes referred to as Sega's first [[mascot]] character.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://kotaku.com/remembering-segas-exiled-mascot-5789284 | title=Remembering Sega's Exiled Mascot | first=Luke | last=Plunkett | date=April 6, 2011 | access-date=December 31, 2021}}</ref>

The game's design and main character have similarities to [[Konami]]'s ''[[TwinBee]]'', and both games are credited with establishing the [[cute 'em up]] subgenre.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/fantasy-zone/|title=Fantasy Zone – Hardcore Gaming 101}}</ref> ''Fantasy Zone'' also popularized the concept of a [[boss rush]], a [[Level (video games)|stage]] where the player faces multiple previous [[Boss (video games)|bosses]] again in succession.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Fantasy Zone – 2014 Developer Interview |magazine=Shooting Gameside |date=September 26, 2014 |volume=10 |url=http://shmuplations.com/fantasyzone/ |access-date=4 May 2021}}</ref> The game was followed by several [[sequel]]s, beginning with ''[[Fantasy Zone II: The Tears of Opa-Opa]]'' in 1987.

==Gameplay==
[[File:Fantasy-Zone-Screenshot.png|thumb|left|Arcade screenshot]]

In the game, the player's ship is placed in a level with a number of bases to destroy. When all the bases are gone, the stage boss appears, who must be defeated in order to move on to the next stage. There are eight stages, and in all of them, except the final one, the scrolling camera is not fixed; the player can move either left or right, although the stage loops. The final level consists of a rematch against all of the previous bosses in succession before facing the final boss.

Opa-Opa uses two different attacks: the standard weapon (initially bullets) and bombs. He can also move down to land on the ground by sprouting feet and walking around until he flies again.

It is possible to upgrade Opa-Opa's weapons, get bombs and flying engine to increase speed, and get extra lives. To do these, the player must get money by defeating enemies, bases or bosses, and access a shop by touching a marked balloon. Prices rise with each purchase. When the player chooses to exit or the time runs up, another screen appears to equip these upgrades; only one engine, weapon and bomb can be equipped at a time.

Some of the purchasable weapons have a time limit that starts as soon as the shop is left. Some of the bombs can be used at any moment, but are limited in quantity. Engine upgrades are permanent. The powerups can also be reassigned by reentering the shop or touch a balloon with the word "Select" written on it. If the player loses a life, all of the upgrades are lost.

==Ports and re-releases==
[[File:Fantasyzonepcb.jpg|thumb|''Fantasy Zone'' arcade board]]

''Fantasy Zone'' was ported to the [[Master System]], [[MSX]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom/Nintendo Entertainment System]], [[X68000]], and [[TurboGrafx-16|PC Engine]]{{mdash}}all with similar gameplay, though with some notable differences. For example, the Master System version lacks some features such as the radar that indicates the location of the bases or a gauge that indicates energy level, and two of the bosses were replaced by alternate bosses.

Two different versions were released for the Famicom and NES. The Japanese version was released in 1987, developed and published by [[Sunsoft]]. The American version was released in 1990, developed by Pixel and published by [[Tengen (company)|Tengen]]. In 1997, ''Fantasy Zone'' was released in the ''[[Sega Ages]]'' series in Japan for the [[Sega Saturn]].

''Fantasy Zone'' was re-released as an [[enhanced remake]] for the [[PlayStation 2]], again in the ''Sega Ages'' series. Although similar in appearance to the arcade version (even incorporating the original arcade sounds), this version uses polygons instead of sprites and adds some stages, including bonus levels with the viewpoint behind Opa-Opa as he tries to collect coins from any boss that was defeated at the moment; this game mode is very similar to ''[[Space Harrier]]'', or the unreleased ''Space Fantasy Zone''. This version was released in North America and Europe as part of the ''[[Sega Classics Collection]]''.

Due to hardware limitations, this version was divided in three different parts. The Master System version was re-released in Japan for the Virtual Console on March 11, 2008, for Europe and Australia on April 11, and in North America on April 14.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fantasy Zone and Mega Turrican Now Available on Wii Shop Channel!|url=https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/IMOTteeJDspEDNbie3zCZC0suT-skBFt|publisher=Nintendo of America|date=April 14, 2008|access-date=2008-04-14|archive-date=June 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613153355/http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/IMOTteeJDspEDNbie3zCZC0suT-skBFt|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On September 18, the final ''Sega Ages'' disc was devoted to the series, ''Fantasy Zone Complete Collection''. Instead of a 3D remake, it compiles all of the games in the series, including spin-offs, all of Sega's own versions, and a remake of ''Fantasy Zone II'' for [[System 16]] hardware.

The original arcade version is unlockable in ''[[Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection]]''. A 3D port of the game was released on March 19, 2014 for the [[Nintendo 3DS]] titled ''3D Fantasy Zone: Opa-Opa Bros.'' New features of the 3DS port involve stereoscopic 3D visuals, adjustable difficulty settings, the ability to save the game, the ability to switch to the Japanese versions and US versions of the game, a Stage Select feature, and a new mode which involves the player playing as Upa-Upa, Opa-Opa's brother. The two replacement bosses from the Master System release can be unveiled, each replacing the standard boss.

The arcade version is a minigame in several entries in the [[Yakuza (series)|''Yakuza'' series]], beginning with ''[[Yakuza 0]]''.<ref name=Gamespot>{{cite web | url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/yakuza-0-review/1900-6416602/ | title= Yakuza 0 Review | last= Brown | first= Peter | date= January 19, 2017 | access-date= December 15, 2017}}</ref> It is identical to the original arcade release, except the addition of a rapid fire button.

A [[Sega Genesis]] port of the game was developed for the Sega Genesis Mini 2, the successor to the [[Sega Genesis Mini]] microconsole, which was released on October 27, 2022. The port added a Super Easy mode.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sega-announces-a-mega-drive-mini-2-including-mega-cd-games/ | title=Sega has announced a Mega Drive Mini 2, including Mega CD games | date=June 3, 2022}}</ref>

==Reception==
''Fantasy Zone'' was very successful in Japanese arcades, helping to give rise to the popular System 16 arcade board. In April 1986, it was the second top-grossing [[table arcade cabinet]] of the month in Japan.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=282|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=15 April 1986|page=21|lang=ja}}</ref> It was the top-grossing arcade game in Japan from July–August 1986.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=ゲーム人気度ベスト10 |trans-title=Best 10 Popular Games |magazine=[[Gamest]] |date=18 August 1986 |volume=3 (September 1986) |url=https://archive.org/details/gamest0003/page/n78/mode/1up |page=73 |lang=ja}}</ref>

The Sega Master System version was reviewed in 1988 in ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'', given 4 out of 5 stars.<ref name="Dragon136">{{cite magazine |title=The Role of Computers: FantasyZone |last1=Lesser|last2=Lesser|last3=Lesser|first1=Hartley|first2=Patricia|first3=Kirk |magazine=Dragon |issue=136 |date=August 1988 |pages=76–81 |url=https://annarchive.com/files/Drmg136.pdf#page=81}}</ref> In 1988, it got four categories of 9/10 each from ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'', calling it "a beaut of a game [where] I-want-to-eat-this-cartridge scrolling backdrop and aliens float in from all sides spitting death at you".<ref>{{Cite magazine | url=https://amr.abime.net/review_17414 | magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] | issue=79 | page=123 | date=May 1988 | title=Fantasy Zone review | via=Amiga Magazine Rack}}</ref> In 1989, ''Computer and Video Games'' rated the PC Engine version 88% and the Master System version 87%, considering the PC Engine version to be better than the Master System version but not as commercially successful.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Complete Games Guide |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=16 October 1989 |issue=Complete Guide to Consoles |pages=46–77 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/9/98/CompleteGuideToConsoles_UK_01.pdf#page=46}}</ref> ''[[Console XS]]'' reviewed the Master System version in 1992, giving it a 91% score.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Software A-Z: Master System |magazine=[[Console XS]] |date=23 April 1992 |issue=1 (June/July 1992) |publisher=[[Paragon Publishing]] |location=United Kingdom |pages=137–47 |url=https://archive.org/details/console-xs-01/page/137}}</ref>

It was reviewed by ''Génération 4'',<ref>{{Cite magazine | magazine=Génération 4 | date=1987 | url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Generation%204/generation4_numero001/Generation4%20001%20-%20Page%20012%20(1987-Q4).jpg | title=Le site des anciennes revues informatiques - www.abandonware-magazines.org | via=abandonware-magazines.org | access-date=March 22, 2022}}</ref> ''[[Sega Power]]'',<ref>{{cite magazine | date=December 1993 | title=Fantasy Zone | url=https://retrocdn.net/images/a/a7/SegaPower_UK_49.pdf#page=130 | magazine=[[Sega Power]] | page=130}}</ref> ''Happy Computer'',<ref>{{Cite magazine | magazine=Happy Computer | title=Happy Computer | date=November 1986 | url=https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=4469 | via=Kultboy.com}}</ref> and ''[[Tilt (French magazine)|Tilt]]'' in 1987<ref>{{cite magazine | magazine=[[Tilt (French magazine)|Tilt]] | date=December 1987 | pages=100–101 | title=Tilt | url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Tilt/tilt_numero049/TILT%20-%20n%B049%20-%20decembre%201987%20-%20page100%20et%20page101.jpg}}</ref> and 1990.<ref>{{Cite magazine | magazine=[[Tilt (French magazine)|Tilt]] | date=March 1990 | url=https://abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=28&num=364&album=oui | title=Tilt | via=abandonware-magazines.org}}</ref>

==Sequels==
* ''[[Fantasy Zone II: The Tears of Opa-Opa]]'' (1987)
* ''Opa Opa'' (released internationally as ''Fantasy Zone: The Maze'') (1987)
* ''Galactic Protector'' (1988)
* ''Space Fantasy Zone'' (1990, unreleased)
* ''Fantasy Zone Gear: The Adventures of Opa-Opa Jr.'' (released internationally simply as ''Fantasy Zone'') (1991)
* ''[[Super Fantasy Zone]]'' (1992)
* ''Fantasy Zone (Redemption Game)'' (1999)
* ''Medal de Fantasy Zone'' (2012)

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* ''[http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/fantasyzone/fantasyzone.htm Fantasy Zone]'' at Hardcore Gaming 101

{{Fantasy Zone|state=expanded}}
{{Space Harrier games}}
{{Franchises owned by Sega Sammy Holdings}}

[[Category:Fantasy Zone (series)]]
[[Category:1986 video games]]
[[Category:Horizontally scrolling shooters]]
[[Category:Master System games]]
[[Category:MSX games]]
[[Category:Nintendo 3DS eShop games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Rutubo Games games]]
[[Category:Sanritsu Denki games]]
[[Category:Sega arcade games]]
[[Category:Sega video game franchises]]
[[Category:Sega Genesis games]]
[[Category:Sega Saturn games]]
[[Category:Sega video games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Sunsoft games]]
[[Category:Tengen (company) games]]
[[Category:TurboGrafx-16 games]]
[[Category:Unauthorized video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Hiroshi Kawaguchi]]
[[Category:Video games set on fictional planets]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games]]
[[Category:X68000 games]]

Donkey Kong 3

2025-11-03T16:42:33Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:EDD5:DA0B:A3B6:9606:

{{short description|1983 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Donkey Kong 3
| image = Dk3 arcade.jpg
| caption = European arcade flyer
| developer = [[Nintendo Research & Development 1|Nintendo R&D1]]{{efn|NES version developed by [[Intelligent Systems]].}}
| publisher = [[Nintendo]]
| director = [[Shigeru Miyamoto]]
| producer = [[Gunpei Yokoi]]
| designer = Shigeru Miyamoto
| composer = [[Hirokazu Tanaka]]
| series = ''[[Donkey Kong]]''
| platforms = [[Arcade video game|Arcade]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[Game & Watch]], [[Nintendo e-Reader]]
| released = {{Collapsible list
| title = {{nobold|October 1983}}
| '''Arcade''' {{vgrelease|JP/NA|October 1983<ref>{{cite book | title=アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編 (1971–2005) | trans-title=Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971–2005) | last1=Akagi | first1=Masumi | publisher=Amusement News Agency | year=2006 | url=https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005/page/n57/mode/2up| language=ja | location=Japan | isbn=978-4990251215 | page=57}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Akagi |first1=Masumi |title=アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971–2005) |trans-title=Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971–2005) |date=October 13, 2006 |publisher=Amusement News Agency |language=ja |location=Japan |isbn=978-4990251215 |page=128 |url=https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005/page/n129}}</ref>|EU|Late 1983<ref>{{cite web |title=Video Game Flyers: Donkey Kong 3, Nintendo (EU) |url=https://flyers.arcade-museum.com/?page=thumbs&db=videodb&id=317 |website=The Arcade Flyer Archive |access-date=29 August 2021 |archive-date=August 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829230457/https://flyers.arcade-museum.com/?page=thumbs&db=videodb&id=317 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=September 2025}}}}
| '''NES'''{{vgrelease|JP|July 4, 1984<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/schedule/recent/fc/|title=All Famicom games sorted from the latest release to the earliest|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|archive-date=October 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015061257/https://www.famitsu.com/schedule/recent/fc/|url-status=dead}}</ref>|NA|June 1986<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/nes_games.pdf |publisher=Nintendo of America |title=NES Games |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611225644/http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/nes_games.pdf |archive-date=June 11, 2014 }}</ref>|EU|September 15, 1987{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}}}}
| '''Game & Watch'''{{vgrelease|JP/NA|August 20, 1984{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}}}}
| '''e-Reader'''{{vgrelease|NA|April 21, 2003<ref>{{cite web |last1=Harris |first1=Craig |title=NES Series 3 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/04/10/nes-series-3 |website=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240704061440/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/04/10/nes-series-3 |archive-date=July 4, 2024 |date=April 10, 2003}}</ref>}}
}}
| genre = [[Shoot 'em up]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
}}
{{Nihongo foot|'''''Donkey Kong 3'''''|ドンキーコング3|'''''Donkī Kongu Surī'''''|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 1983 [[shoot 'em up]] video game developed and published by [[Nintendo]] for [[Arcade video game|arcades]]. It is the third installment in the [[Donkey Kong|''Donkey Kong'' series]], following 1982's ''[[Donkey Kong Jr.]]'' It was ported to the [[Family Computer]] in 1984, then in North America for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] in 1986. The gameplay departs from previous ''Donkey Kong'' games, and it stars an exterminator named Stanley instead of [[Mario]].<ref name="ah">{{cite web |title=Donkey Kong 3 |url=https://www.arcade-history.com/?n=donkey-kong-3&page=detail&id=667 |website=Arcade History |access-date=August 5, 2020 |archive-date=December 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204014833/https://www.arcade-history.com/?n=donkey-kong-3&page=detail&id=667 |url-status=live }}</ref> The game was a modest financial success in Japan, but its commercial failure in the United States rendered the ''Donkey Kong'' series inactive until the release of ''[[Donkey Kong (1994 video game)|Donkey Kong]]'' (1994) and ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]''.

It was re-released on the [[Wii]] [[Virtual Console]] in North America on July 14, 2008, and in Europe on January 9, 2009. It was re-released on [[Nintendo Switch]] through the [[Nintendo Classics]] service.

== Gameplay ==
[[Image:Dkong3.png|thumb|left|upright=1|Arcade screenshot]]
[[Donkey Kong (character)|Donkey Kong]] hangs from vines at the center of the screen, and the player-controlled Stanley the exterminator runs and jumps on platforms beneath him. Stanley can fire bug spray at both Donkey Kong and insects flying around the levels. A level is completed by continually using his sprayer on Donkey Kong, forcing him to the top of the screen, or by killing all of the bugs. A Super Sprayer can on the vines falls down when Donkey Kong is sprayed past it. The Super Sprayer only lasts for a limited amount of time, but it pushes Donkey Kong upward at a much faster rate, making it easier to complete the level. It only spawns at the start of each life.

The insects consist of Buzzbees, queen Beespies (which shatter into deadly pieces when destroyed), inchworms, attacker bees, [[Japanese rhinoceros beetle|Kabutomushi]] beetles, and butterflies. Some of the flying insects attempt to pick up the flowers at the bottom of the screen and carry them away. Lost flowers decrease the bonus at the end of the round.

There are three levels which repeat in a fixed sequence. An extra life is given at 50,000 points, and then the game goes to "survival of the fittest" mode thereafter.

== Plot ==
Donkey Kong has begun rampaging in Stanley's greenhouse garden and it's up to him to stop the ape from stirring up any more insects that will soon destroy his flowers. Stanley saves the flowers by spraying bug spray on Donkey Kong and exterminating all of the attacking bees.

== Reception ==
''Donkey Kong 3'' was moderately successful in Japan, where it was listed by ''Game Machine'' as the fourth most successful table arcade unit of November 1983.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型新製品 (New Videos-Table Type)|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game shut the :アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=1 December 1983|page=32|lang=ja}}</ref> However, it was a commercial failure in North America, particularly due to its release occurring after the [[video game crash of 1983]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}}

Contemporary reviews for the arcade game were generally positive. Gene Lewin of ''[[Play Meter]]'' magazine rated it 8 out of 10.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Lewin |first1=Gene |title=Gene's Judgements: Critiquing AMOA Show Conversions, Dedicated Games |magazine=[[Play Meter]] |date=January 15, 1984 |volume=10 |issue=2 |pages=60–2 |url=https://archive.org/details/play-meter-volume-10-number-2-january-15th-1984/Play%20Meter%20-%20Volume%2010%2C%20Number%202%20-%20January%2015th%201984/page/60/mode/2up}}</ref> ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' said that the game's "fast action and superior sound effects" made it a "sure hit" in arcades.<ref name=CVG>"Donkey Kong Swings Back". ''[[Computer and Video Games]]''. February 1984. p. 50.</ref>

Retrospectively, reception has been divisive, with criticism aimed at its stylistic departure from its predecessors and the absence of [[Mario]]. ''[[IGN]]'' gave the [[Virtual Console]] version a 6.0 out of 10, describing it as a "radical departure" from the previous ''Donkey Kong'' games and calling it "repetitive".<ref name="IGN Donkey Kong 3 VC review">{{cite web|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/893/893851p1.html|title=Donkey Kong 3 Review|access-date=August 27, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813213417/http://wii.ign.com/articles/893/893851p1.html|archive-date=August 13, 2012|url-status=dead|website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>

In 2015, Nathan Birch of ''[[Uproxx]]'' ranked ''Donkey Kong 3'' twentieth on a list of the thirty NES black box titles. Birch called the game "fun enough" but criticized the gameplay as "simple, not-terribly-challenging arcade action", which he felt deviated too far from the gameplay of the game's predecessors. Because of its change to the genre, he thought that the game "killed" the series until its comeback with ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Birch |first=Nathan |date=2015-10-18 |title=Ranking All 30 'Black Box' Nintendo Games In Honor Of The NES' 30th Birthday |url=https://uproxx.com/gaming/30-black-box-nes-games-ranked/ |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=UPROXX |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
[[File:Game&watch-donkey-kong-3.jpg|thumb|Game & Watch ''Donkey Kong 3'']]
The Donkey Kong segment of ''[[Saturday Supercade]]'' would adapt the game in the episode "Greenhouse Gorilla", with Mario and Pauline assisting Stanley in dealing with a plant thief that has tricked Donkey Kong into helping him.

A VS. series [[Game & Watch]] version of the arcade game has different gameplay. In this version, player one controls Stanley the Bugman and computer player (or player two) controls Donkey Kong in a duel against each other using exterminating spray cans to move the bees to the other side of them to make the bees sting their opponents. Players can only hold up to three amounts of spraying liquid in their spray cans. On one player mode, the higher player one as Stanley scores, the faster the spraying liquid on the side of computer player as Donkey Kong drops. A version of this game was included in ''[[Game & Watch Gallery 4]]'' for the [[Game Boy Advance]], but with Mario in place of Stanley and a Boo and a Fireball in place of the bees.

The NES version of ''Donkey Kong 3'' was released on the [[Virtual Console]] for the [[Wii]], [[Nintendo 3DS]], and [[Wii U]],<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/|title=Nintendo - Official Site - Video Game Consoles, Games|website=www.nintendo.com|access-date=December 12, 2018|archive-date=July 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710223614/https://www.nintendo.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as the [[Nintendo Classics]] service. [[Hamster Corporation]] released the arcade version as part of their ''[[Arcade Archives]]'' series for the [[Nintendo Switch]] in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Craddock |first=Ryan |date=2019-04-03 |title=Arcade Archives Donkey Kong 3 Blasts Onto Switch This Week |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/04/arcade_archives_donkey_kong_3_blasts_onto_switch_this_week |access-date=2025-08-27 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}</ref>

The current world record is held by George Riley (USA) at 3,538,000 points (2011).<ref name="DK3WR">Deaves. Gaz, Gaming Editor. Gamers Edition, Guinness World Record 2012</ref><ref name="ISBN">{{Cite book|isbn = 9781904994763|title = Guinness World Records 2012 Gamer's Edition|date = January 3, 2012|publisher=Guinness World Records}}</ref>

=== {{Anchor|Donkey Kong 3: The Great Counterattack}} Semi-sequel ===
In 1984, [[Hudson Soft]] developed a semi-sequel for the Japanese-only [[NEC PC-8801]], [[NEC PC-6601]], and [[Sharp X1]] personal computers titled {{Nihongo foot|''Donkey Kong 3: The Great Counterattack''.|ドンキーコング3 大逆襲|Donkī Kongu Surī Dai Gyakushū|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}}<ref name="Sharp X1 version">{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/you-can-finally-play-a-long-lost-donkey-kong-game-1823308987|title=You Can Finally Play A Long-Lost Donkey Kong Game|website=[[Kotaku]]|date=February 25, 2018|access-date=November 27, 2018|archive-date=November 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130084811/https://kotaku.com/you-can-finally-play-a-long-lost-donkey-kong-game-1823308987|url-status=live}}</ref> A version for the [[FM-7]] was also planned, but was never released.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://fm-7.com/museum/softhouse/hudsonsoft/500790300.html|title=Oh!FM-7：ドンキーコング3 大逆襲（ハドソンソフト）|website=www.fm-7.com|language=ja|access-date=November 27, 2018|archive-date=January 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112184448/http://fm-7.com/museum/softhouse/hudsonsoft/500790300.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This game is significantly different from the original. While the object to shoot Donkey Kong up in the air remains, it has 20 outdoor backgrounds such as a bridge, Planet Saturn, a desert, a pyramid, and a highway. Stanley can only move from left to right and is no longer able to jump.

For decades, ''Donkey Kong 3: The Great Counterattack'' was inaccessible outside of Japan. In December 2017, a copy of the Sharp X1 version was bought at a [[Yahoo! Auctions]] online auction.<ref name="Sharp X1 version"/> Two months later, it was made available via [[Video game console emulator|emulation]].<ref name="Sharp X1 version"/> The PC-8801 version was subsequently uncovered in January 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/2019/02/donkey-kong-3-dai-gyakushuu-pc-8801/|title=Donkey Kong 3: Dai Gyakushuu (PC-8801)|website=www.gamingalexandria.com}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{KLOV game|id=7611}}
* [https://www.nintendo.com/jp/famicom/software/hvc-dt/index.html ''Donkey Kong 3'' (1984)] on the [[Famicom]] 40th Anniversary page {{in lang|ja}}

{{Shigeru Miyamoto}}
{{Donkey Kong}}
{{Intelligent Systems}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1983 video games]]
[[Category:Arcade Archives games]]
[[Category:Arcade video games]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong video games]]
[[Category:Intelligent Systems games]]
[[Category:Game & Watch games]]
[[Category:Hamster Corporation games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo arcade games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Classics games]]
[[Category:Nintendo e-Reader games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Research & Development 1 games]]
[[Category:Shoot 'em ups]]
[[Category:Sequel video games]]
[[Category:Video games about insects]]
[[Category:Video games about plants]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games directed by Shigeru Miyamoto]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Hirokazu Tanaka]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Wii]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Wii U]]

Donkey Kong Jr.

2025-11-03T16:40:24Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:EDD5:DA0B:A3B6:9606:

{{Short description|1982 video game}}
{{Redirect|Donkey Kong 2|the Game & Watch game|Donkey Kong II}}
{{about|the video game|the video game's eponymous character|Donkey Kong Jr. (character)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Donkey Kong Jr.
| image = Donkey Kong Jr. arcade promotional flier.jpg
| caption = North American arcade flyer
| developer = [[Nintendo Research & Development 1|Nintendo R&D1]]{{efn|ColecoVision, Atari 2600, Intellivision, and Adam versions developed by [[Coleco]]; Atari 8-bit version developed by [[Atari, Inc.]]; Atari 7800 version developed by [[Atari Corporation]].}}
| publisher = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|[[Nintendo]]}}|'''ColecoVision, 2600, Intellivision'''{{vgrelease|NA|[[Coleco]]|EU|[[CBS Electronics]]}} '''Adam''' Coleco '''Atari 8-bit''' [[Atari, Inc.]] '''7800''' [[Atari Corporation]]}}
| director = [[Shigeru Miyamoto]]
| producer = [[Gunpei Yokoi]]
| artist = Shigeru Miyamoto<ref name="artist" /> [[Yoshio Sakamoto]]<ref name="artist" />
| composer = Yukio Kaneoka<ref name="composer" />
| series = ''[[Donkey Kong]]''
| platforms = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|[[Arcade video game|Arcade]]}}|[[ColecoVision]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[Atari 2600]], [[Intellivision]], [[Atari 8-bit]], [[Coleco Adam]], [[Famicom Disk System]], [[Atari 7800]], [[Nintendo e-Reader]]}}
| released = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|August 1982}}|'''Arcade'''{{vgrelease|JP/NA|August 1982<ref>{{cite book | title=アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編 (1971–2005) | trans-title=Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971–2005) | last1=Akagi | first1=Masumi | publisher=Amusement News Agency | year=2006 | url=https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005/page/n57/mode/2up| lang=ja | location=Japan | isbn=978-4990251215 | pages=57, 128}}</ref>|EU|Late 1982<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=16 November 1982 |title=Monkeying Around With Mario: Donkey Kong Junior |url=https://www.solvalou.com/arcade/reviews/171/471 |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |issue=14 (December 1982) |page=31 |access-date=April 20, 2021 |archive-date=April 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420183209/https://www.solvalou.com/arcade/reviews/171/471 |url-status=live }}</ref>}} '''ColecoVision'''{{vgrelease||February 1983<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/d198fa23-3a38-428a-9b02-f402c7fc4baf |work=[[Computer Entertainer|The Video Game Update]] |volume=1 |issue=12 |date=March 1983 |page=8}}</ref>}} '''NES'''{{vgrelease|JP|July 15, 1983<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/schedule/recent/fc/|title=All Famicom games sorted from the latest release to the earliest|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|archive-date=October 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015061257/https://www.famitsu.com/schedule/recent/fc/|url-status=dead}}</ref>|NA|June 1986<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/nes_games.pdf |publisher=Nintendo of America |title=NES Games |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611225644/http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/nes_games.pdf |archive-date=June 11, 2014 }}</ref>|EU|June 15, 1987{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}}}} '''2600'''{{vgrelease||September 1983<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/d106b023-bc44-4b0f-bd50-24264c8b010a |work=[[Computer Entertainer|The Video Game Update]] |volume=2 |issue=6 |date=September 1983 |page=16}}</ref>}} '''Intellivision'''{{vgrelease||October 1983<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/cb369928-f924-4272-8c95-6efbe447d008 |work=[[Computer Entertainer|The Video Game Update]] |volume=2 |issue=7 |date=October 1983 |page=16}}</ref>}} '''Atari 8-bit'''{{vgrelease||March 1984<ref name="ceapr84">{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/211bc931-fffd-4e97-82f3-f53e91578abe |work=[[Computer Entertainer]] |volume=3 |issue=1 |date=April 1984 |page=16}}</ref>}} '''Adam'''{{vgrelease||April 1984<ref name="ceapr84"/>}} '''Famicom Disk System'''{{vgrelease|JP|July 19, 1988<ref>{{cite web |title=FAMILY COMPUTER Software List 1988 |url=http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_NTC1_FC1988.html |website=GAME Data Room |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827211535/http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_NTC1_FC1988.html |archive-date=August 27, 2018 |language=ja}}</ref>}} '''7800'''{{vgrelease||November 1988<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/26b7f98c-9a79-4422-8977-1f364ae529bb |work=[[Computer Entertainer]] |volume=7 |issue=9 |date=December 1988 |page=14}}</ref>}} '''e-Reader'''{{vgrelease|NA|September 16, 2002<ref>{{cite web |last1=Harris |first1=Craig |title=NES Series 2 Pack Art |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/10/10/nes-series-2-pack-art |website=[[IGN]] |date=October 10, 2002 }}</ref>}}
}}
| genre = [[Platform game|Platform]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
}}
{{nihongo foot|'''''Donkey Kong Jr.'''''|ドンキーコングJR.|'''''Donkī Kongu Junia'''''|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 1982 [[platform game]] developed and published by [[Nintendo]] for [[arcade video game|arcades]]. It is the [[sequel]] to 1981's ''[[Donkey Kong (1981 video game)|Donkey Kong]]'', but with the roles reversed compared to its predecessor: [[Mario]] is now the villain and [[Donkey Kong Junior (Nintendo character)|Donkey Kong Jr.]] is trying to save his kidnapped [[Donkey Kong (character)|father]]. After its initial release in arcades, the game was [[porting|ported]] to a variety of home consoles, including the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom/Nintendo Entertainment System]] (for which the game was released as a [[launch title]] in Japan). The game's title is written as '''''Donkey Kong Junior''''' in the North American arcade version and various conversions to non-Nintendo systems.

The game was principally designed by [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] and his co-worker, Nintendo chief engineer [[Gunpei Yokoi]].<ref>{{Cite journal |date=September 2003 |title=Miyamoto Interview |url=http://www.miyamotoshrine.com/theman/interviews/081403.shtml |url-status=dead |journal=[[Nintendo Official Magazine UK]] |publisher=[[EMAP]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061210073052/http://www.miyamotoshrine.com/theman/interviews/081403.shtml |archive-date=December 10, 2006}}</ref> Miyamoto also created the graphics for the game along with [[Yoshio Sakamoto]].<ref name="artist">{{Cite magazine |last=Kohler |first=Chris |date=April 7, 2010 |title=Q&A: Metroid Creator's Early 8-Bit Days at Nintendo |url=https://www.wired.com/gamelife/2010/04/sakamoto/ |access-date=August 26, 2010 |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired: GameLife]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast Digital]] |archive-date=April 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100425001558/http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2010/04/sakamoto/ |url-status=live }}</ref> As with its predecessor, the music for the game was composed by Yukio Kaneoka.<ref name="composer">{{Cite AV media notes |url=http://vgmdb.net/album/404 |title=Famicom 20th Anniversary Original Sound Tracks Vol. 1 |year=2004 |publisher=Scitron Digital Contents |access-date=August 23, 2010 |archive-date=December 2, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202033612/http://vgmdb.net/album/404 |url-status=live }}</ref>

A sequel, ''[[Donkey Kong 3]]'', and a spin-off game, ''[[Donkey Kong Jr. Math]]'', were released in 1983.

==Gameplay==
[[File:Donkey Kong Jr. (arcade game).png|thumb|left|Donkey Kong Jr. trying to rescue [[Donkey Kong (character)|his father]] from the cage next to [[Mario]]]]
Like its predecessor, ''Donkey Kong Jr.'' is a platform game. There are a total of four stages, each with a unique theme. DK Jr. can run left and right, jump, and grab vines/chains/ropes to climb higher on the screen. He can slide down vines, or climb faster by holding two. Enemies include "Snapjaws", which resemble bear traps with eyes; bird-like creatures called "Nitpickers", some of which can attack by dropping eggs; and "Sparks" which roam across the wiring in one of Mario's hideouts. DK Jr. can jump over these enemies while on platforms, switch from one vine/chain/rope to another to dodge them, or knock down pieces of fruit that will destroy every enemy they touch before falling off the bottom of the screen.

To pass the first three stages, DK Jr. must reach the key hanging next to his father's cage, whereupon Mario flees while pushing the cage off the screen. In the fourth stage, DK Jr. must push six keys into locks on the topmost platform to free Donkey Kong. After a brief cutscene, the player is taken back to the first stage at an increased difficulty. A bonus timer runs throughout each stage, and any points remaining on it are added to the player's score upon completion.

DK Jr. loses a life when he touches any enemy or projectile, falls too great a distance, falls into water or off the bottom of the screen, or lets the bonus timer reach zero. The game ends when all lives are lost.

''Donkey Kong Jr.'' has a [[kill screen]] at level 22.

==Plot==
[[Donkey Kong]] has been defeated by Mario, who has put him in a cage in a forest. Donkey Kong's son, Donkey Kong Jr., follows Mario in an attempt to free his father. Mario transports Donkey Kong to his Hideout via helicopter, before Mario takes the keys to Donkey Kong's chains and places them around the building. Several enemies attack Donkey Kong Jr., but he escapes them and makes it to his father, releasing him from the chains as Mario falls to the ground. Donkey Kong Jr. saves Donkey Kong and the two set off together. Mario pursues the kongs, but flees after Donkey Kong knocks him back.

==Development==
During ''Donkey Kong''{{'}}s development in 1981, [[Shigeru Miyamoto]]'s team had come up with several ideas and complete levels that would not fit into the game. They eventually began fleshing out these concepts, and these designs evolved into something all their own. The process was so far along, with even entire stages conceived, that one of the team members suggested they start working on another game. The conversation happened around the same time that Nintendo wanted another ''Donkey Kong'' coin-op to capitalize on the original's popularity, giving Miyamoto the opportunity to explore his newly established series. Originally, Miyamoto wanted the new game to star Donkey Kong himself, but there were problems with the character's large size. They came up with the idea to make a smaller Donkey Kong who would be the son of Donkey Kong. Since they still wanted a big Donkey Kong on top of the screen, they came up with the plot of Mario capturing him after the events of the first game.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Horowitz |first=Ken |title=Beyond Donkey Kong |date=2020 |publisher=[[McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers]] |pages=90–91}}</ref>

===Kill screen===
Due to the level counter only having one digit, the counter shows numbers 1 to 9 in levels 1 to 9, seven blanks in levels 10 to 16, and the letters A to F in the levels 17–22. The kill screen occurs the same way as in ''Donkey Kong'', where an integer overflow occurs after too big a result is given after a multiplication problem in the computing. The timer counts as if there are 700 points, then kills Donkey Kong Jr. until all lives are gone.

==Ports==
[[File:Donkey Kong Jr. Game&watch.jpg|thumb|New Wide Screen Game & Watch ''Donkey Kong Jr.'']]

The order of the levels is different in different territories. In the Japanese version, the four levels appear in 1-2-3-4 sequence and then repeat, just as with the Japanese release of ''Donkey Kong''. In the US version, the order is 1–4. 1–2–4, 1–3–4, 1-2-3-4 and then 1-2-3-4 from then on.

''Donkey Kong Jr.'' was ported to the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], serving as one of three Japanese [[launch game]]s<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Marley |first=Scott |date=December 2016 |title=SG-1000 |magazine=[[Retro Gamer]] |publisher=[[Future Publishing]] |issue=163 |pages=56–61}}</ref> on the Famicom. It was also ported to the [[Famicom Disk System|Family Computer Disk System]], which was released only in Japan. [[Atari, Inc.|Atari]] released ports for the [[Atari 2600]], [[Atari 7800]], and [[Atari 8-bit computers]], while [[Coleco]] released ports for the [[ColecoVision]] and [[Coleco Adam]]. [[CBS Electronics]] released a port for the [[Intellivision]]. A [[BBC Micro]] conversion was made but unreleased. Three [[Game & Watch]] versions of the game were also made. Two black-and-white versions for the New Wide Screen and Multi Screen handheld series (later under the model name ''[[Donkey Kong II]]''), and a color version for the Tabletop and Panorama series. In 2002 the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] version was rereleased on the [[Game Boy Advance|GBA]] add-on, the [[Nintendo e-Reader|e-Reader]].

==Reception==
In Japan, the original arcade version was the eighth highest-grossing arcade game of 1982.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=1 March 1983 |title="Pole Position" No. 1 Video Game: ''Game Machine''{{'}}s "The Year's Best Three AM Machines" Survey Results |url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19830301p.pdf#page=16 |magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]] |publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]] |issue=207 |page=30 |access-date=May 27, 2021 |archive-date=January 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131232040/https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19830301p.pdf#page=16 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Raymond Dimetrosky of ''Video Games Player'' gave the ColecoVision version a positive review. He compared it favorably with another ColecoVision arcade conversion released at the same time, [[Sega]]'s ''[[Space Fury]]'', writing that ''Donkey Kong Jr.'' has better graphics and gameplay.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Dimetrosky |first=Raymond |date=September 1983 |title=Video Game Buyer's Guide: Donkey Kong Jr. (Coleco) vs. Space Fury (Coleco) |url=https://archive.org/details/Video_Games_Player_Vol_2_No_1_1983-09_Carnegie_Publications_US/page/n54 |magazine=Video Games Player |location=United States |publisher=Carnegie Publications |volume=2 |issue=1 |page=56}}</ref> ''Computer Games'' magazine in 1984 reviewed the Coleco Adam version, calling it a "supergame adaptation" and the best conversion of the game.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=December 1984 |title=Conversion Capsules: Hit Games in New Formats |url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_Games_Vol_3_No_4_1984-12_Carnegie_Publications_US/page/n61/mode/2up |magazine=Computer Games |volume=3 |issue=4 |pages=62–3}}</ref>

''Donkey Kong Jr.'' received an award in the category of "1984 Best Videogame Audio-Visual Effects (16K or more ROM)" at the 5th annual [[Arkie Awards]], where the judges described it as "great fun", and noted that the game was successful as a sequel–"extend[ing] the theme and present[ing] a radically different play-action" than its predecessor, ''Donkey Kong''.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Kunkel |first1=Bill |author-link=Bill Kunkel (journalist) |last2=Katz |first2=Arnie |date=January 1984 |title=Arcade Alley: The Arcade Awards, Part 1 |journal=[[Video (magazine)|Video]] |publisher=Reese Communications |volume=7 |issue=10 |pages=40–42 |issn=0147-8907}}</ref>{{rp|42}}

''Donkey Kong Jr.'' is regarded as one of the ''Top 100 Video Games'' by the [[Killer List of Videogames]]. It was selected to be among five arcade games chosen for history's first official video game world championship, which was filmed at [[Twin Galaxies]] in [[Ottumwa, Iowa]] by ABC-TV's ''[[That's Incredible!]]'' over the weekend of January 8–9, 1983.

''[[AllGame|Allgame]]'' gave a review score of 4 out of 5 stars praising the graphics and sound being "exceptionally arcade-like" and the controls and play mechanics being faithful to the arcade version.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brett Alan Weiss |title=Donkey Kong Jr. Review |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=9425&tab=review |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114210917/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=9425&tab=review |archive-date=November 14, 2014 |access-date=December 24, 2020 |website=allgame}}</ref>

==Legacy==
===Re-releases===
The NES version, along with its predecessor, was re-released in 1988 in an NES compilation titled ''Donkey Kong Classics''. This version was later released on the [[Nintendo e-Reader]] and is available on the [[Virtual Console]] for the [[Wii]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parish |first=Jeremy |date=October 31, 2006 |title=Wii Virtual Console Lineup Unveiled |url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3154811 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511025632/http://www.1up.com/news/virtual-console-lineup-unveiled |archive-date=May 11, 2013 |access-date=November 1, 2006 |website=[[1UP.com]]}}</ref> The NES version is also a playable game in ''[[Animal Crossing (video game)|Animal Crossing]]'', though a special password is needed from an official website which is now no longer available. ''Donkey Kong Jr.'' was made available for the [[Nintendo 3DS]] from the [[Nintendo eShop]], released in Japan on April 18, 2012,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/titles/50010000007241|title=ドンキーコングJr. | ニンテンドー3Ds | 任天堂|access-date=December 19, 2018|archive-date=April 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404143135/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/titles/50010000007241|url-status=live}}</ref> in North America on June 14,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/hdxw0-0aCE201Slxf9Dqs2kS5CmZeQ5P|title=Nintendo - Official Site - Video Game Consoles, Games - Nintendo - Official Site|access-date=December 31, 2014|archive-date=April 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404142956/https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/hdxw0-0aCE201Slxf9Dqs2kS5CmZeQ5P|url-status=dead}}</ref> and in Europe on August 23<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/NES/Donkey-Kong-Jr--523767.html|title = Donkey Kong Jr}}</ref> and was given away free to the Ambassadors users before the full release. It was again released for the [[Wii U Virtual Console]] in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Donkey Kong Jr. Math for Wii U - Nintendo Game Details |url=https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/LAq40ckHIzAT4T2FiFE1S29yTrO68YVz |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003061858/https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/LAq40ckHIzAT4T2FiFE1S29yTrO68YVz |archive-date=October 3, 2018 |access-date=December 19, 2018}}</ref> The arcade version of Donkey Kong Jr., featuring both the Japanese and American versions, was released by [[Hamster Corporation]] for the [[Nintendo Switch]] as part of the company's [[Arcade Archives]] series in December 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/arcade-archives-donkey-kong-jr-switch/|title=Arcade Archives DONKEY KONG JR. For Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Game Details|access-date=March 21, 2020|archive-date=December 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216133912/https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/arcade-archives-donkey-kong-jr-switch/|url-status=live}}</ref> The NES version was released on the [[Nintendo Classics]] service on May 15, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=2019-05-08 |title=Free NES Titles For Switch Online Subscribers Revealed For May |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/free-nes-titles-for-switch-online-subscribers-reve/1100-6466725/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227114946/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/free-nes-titles-for-switch-online-subscribers-reve/1100-6466725/ |archive-date=2024-12-27 |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=[[GameSpot]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2004, [[Namco]] released an arcade cabinet containing ''Donkey Kong'', ''Donkey Kong Jr.'', and ''Mario Bros.''

===Competitive play===
On August 10, 2008, Icarus Hall of [[Port Angeles, Washington]], scored 1,033,000 points playing ''Donkey Kong Jr.''<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 24, 2008 |title=Twin Galaxies' Donkey Kong, Jr. High Score Rankings |url=http://www.twingalaxies.com/index.aspx?c=22&pi=2&gi=126&vi=24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080328060334/http://www.twingalaxies.com/index.aspx?c=22&pi=2&gi=126&vi=24 |archive-date=March 28, 2008}}</ref>

On April 24, 2009, [[Steve Wiebe]] eclipsed Hall's score, finishing with 1,139,800 points.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 24, 2009 |title=Steve Wiebe Takes Donkey Kong Junior World Record With Score of 1,139,800 |url=http://www.twingalaxies.com/index.aspx?c=19&id=1728 |access-date=April 25, 2009 |archive-date=April 29, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429175752/http://www.twingalaxies.com/index.aspx?c=19&id=1728 |url-status=live }}</ref> On September 3, at 1984 Arcade in [[Springfield, Missouri]], Mark L. Kiehl of [[Enid, Oklahoma]] surpassed Wiebe's record with a score of 1,147,800.<ref>[http://www.twingalaxies.com/index.aspx?c=22&pi=2&gi=126&vi=24 Twingalaxies.com] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080328060334/http://www.twingalaxies.com/index.aspx?c=22&pi=2&gi=126&vi=24 |date=March 28, 2008}}</ref><ref name="1984arcade.com">{{Cite web |title=1984 |url=http://www.1984arcade.com/ |website=1984 |access-date=November 3, 2009 |archive-date=February 10, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100210021645/http://www.1984arcade.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Steve Wiebe regained the record with a score of 1,190,400 on his home machine set on Tuesday, February 16, 2010.<ref name="1984arcade.com" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Twingalaxies.com |url=http://forums.twingalaxies.com/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=20051 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100223022008/http://forums.twingalaxies.com/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=20051 |archive-date=February 23, 2010 |access-date=February 17, 2010}}</ref> Mark Kiehl has since eclipsed the previous world record with a score of 1,307,500.{{citation needed|date=August 2013}} In November 2016, Kiehl improved the record with a score of 1,412,200.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=January 24, 2016 |title=Donkey Kong Forum Donkey Kong Jr. High Score List |url=http://donkeykongforum.net/index.php?topic=373.0 |access-date=July 10, 2023 |archive-date=December 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230155553/https://donkeykongforum.net/index.php?topic=373.0 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On July 3, 2023, Justin Elliott performed a score of 1,584,400 live on his [[Twitch (service)|Twitch]] channel to secure the World Record.<ref name=":0" /> The score was independently verified by the Donkey Kong Forum as well as Twin Galaxies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Twin Galaxies Arcade - Donkey Kong Junior - Points - 1,584,400 |url=https://www.twingalaxies.com/showthread.php/showthread.php/261871-Arcade-Donkey-Kong-Junior-Points-1-584-400?s=ea6253a23a8a7fd05ae28488ca3ac4a8 |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=www.twingalaxies.com |archive-date=July 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710201614/https://www.twingalaxies.com/showthread.php/showthread.php/261871-Arcade-Donkey-Kong-Junior-Points-1-584-400?s=ea6253a23a8a7fd05ae28488ca3ac4a8 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===In popular culture===
The game spawned a cereal with fruit-flavored cereal pieces shaped like bananas and cherries.

The game was featured on numerous episodes of ''[[Starcade]]''. Host [[Geoff Edwards]] noted that he had the arcade machine in his dressing room and found the game to be highly difficult.

Donkey Kong Jr. was featured in ''[[Saturday Supercade]]'' (a series that aired on Saturday mornings from 1983 to 1985) with the title character voiced by [[Frank Welker]].

Donkey Kong Jr. is one of the 8 playable characters in ''[[Super Mario Kart]]'' for the SNES. This version was released as a racer in ''[[Mario Kart Tour]]'' alongside Mario from the same game in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lada |first=Jenni |date=2020-09-09 |title=Super Mario Kart Tour Adds SNES-Inspired Drivers to Mario Kart Tour |url=https://www.siliconera.com/super-mario-kart-tour-adds-snes-inspired-drivers-to-mario-kart-tour/ |access-date=2025-08-27 |website=Siliconera |language=en-US}}</ref> He is also a playable character in ''[[Mario's Tennis]]'' on [[Virtual Boy]] and ''[[Mario Tennis]]'' on the [[Nintendo 64]].

In the version of ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'' seen in ''[[Super Mario All-Stars]]'', as well as the Game Boy Advance version, the king of World 4 was transformed into a young gorilla identical to Donkey Kong Jr.

Donkey Kong Jr. is among the characters in ''[[Super Mario Maker]]'' that players can transform into by use of Mystery Mushrooms.

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{KLOV game|id=7612|name=Donkey Kong Junior}}
* {{moby game|id=/donkey-kong-junior}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080328060334/http://www.twingalaxies.com/index.aspx?c=22&pi=2&gi=126&vi=24 ''Donkey Kong Jr.'' scoreboard] at [[Twin Galaxies]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100623021256/http://www.nindb.net/game/donkey-kong-jr.html ''Donkey Kong Jr.''] at [http://www.nindb.net NinDB]
* [https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/vc_dkjr/ Official Nintendo Wii Virtual Console minisite] {{in lang|ja}}
* [https://www.nintendo.co.jp/3ds/eshop/vc/takj/ Official Nintendo 3DS eshop minisite] {{in lang|ja}}
* [https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wiiu/software/vc/fawj/ Official Nintendo Wii U eshop minisite] {{in lang|ja}}
* [https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/4QXqur11nRhUFGS27EfY8BwElDmyipjf Official Nintendo Wii minisite] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101011927/https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/4QXqur11nRhUFGS27EfY8BwElDmyipjf |date=January 1, 2015}} {{in lang|en}}
* [https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/hdxw0-0aCE201Slxf9Dqs2kS5CmZeQ5P Official Nintendo 3DS minisite] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404142956/https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/hdxw0-0aCE201Slxf9Dqs2kS5CmZeQ5P |date=April 4, 2019}} {{in lang|en}}
* [https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/x0aY2bXHOyS-he4nvjXjyvpjnoBxC7Lz Official Nintendo Wii U minisite] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190113212539/https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/x0aY2bXHOyS-he4nvjXjyvpjnoBxC7Lz |date=January 13, 2019}} {{in lang|en}}
* [https://www.nintendo.com/jp/famicom/software/hvc-jr/index.html ''Donkey Kong Jr.'' (1983)] on the [[Famicom]] 40th Anniversary page {{in lang|ja}}

{{Donkey Kong}}
{{Mario series}}
{{Shigeru Miyamoto}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1982 video games]]
[[Category:Arcade Archives games]]
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[[Category:Atari 2600 games]]
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[[Category:BBC Micro and Acorn Electron games]]
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[[Category:ColecoVision games]]
[[Category:Commodore 64 games]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong platform games]]
[[Category:Famicom Disk System games]]
[[Category:Game & Watch games]]
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