Difference between revisions of "Frogger"

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{{otherPage|desc=the unreleased [[Sega Game Gear]] game|page=Frogger (Game Gear)}}
 
{{Bob
 
{{Bob
 
| bobscreen=Frogger arcade title.png
 
| bobscreen=Frogger arcade title.png
−
| screenwidth=
+
| bobscreen2=Frogger Title.png
−
| title=
+
| tab1=Arcade
−
| publisher={{Arcade}} JP [[Konami]] US/EU [[Sega]] {{MD}} [[Majesco]] {{2600}} {{5200}} {{A8B}} {{Coleco}} {{C64}} {{INTV}} [[Parker Brothers]]
+
| tab2=Mega Drive
−
| developer=[[Konami]] {{MD}} [[Morning Star Multimedia]] {{2600}} {{5200}} {{A8B}} {{Coleco}} {{C64}} {{INTV}} [[Parker Brothers]] {{TI994a}} [[James Wickstead Design Associates]]
+
| publisher={{company|[[Sega Enterprises, Ltd.|Sega]]|system=Arcade|region=JP, EU}}
−
| system=Arcade (''Galaxian'' hardware), [[Sega Mega Drive]], Apple II, Atari 2600, Atari 5200, Atari 8-bit, ColecoVision, Commodore 64, Dragon 32, IBM PC, Intellivision, Macintosh, Odyssey², TI-99/4A. Timex Sinclair 1000, TRS-80, TRS-80 CoCo, VIC-20
+
{{company|[[Sega/Gremlin]]|system=Arcade|region=US}}
−
| romsize={{MD}} 512KB
+
{{company|[[Majesco Sales]]|system=MD}}
 +
{{company|[[Parker Brothers]]|system=2600,5200,A8B,Coleco,C64,INTV}}
 +
| developer={{company|[[Konami]]|system=Arcade}}
 +
{{company|[[Morning Star Multimedia]]|system=MD}}
 +
{{company|[[Parker Brothers]]|system=2600,5200,A8B,Coleco,C64,INTV}}
 +
{{company|[[Sierra On-Line]]|system=APPLE2,A8B,C64,IBMPC,Mac}}
 +
{{company|[[James Wickstead Design Associates]]|system=TI99}}
 +
| distributor={{company|[[Palitoy]]|system=2600|region=UK}}
 +
{{company|[[Arcade Hardware]]|system=TI99|region=UK}}
 +
{{company|[[Radio Shack]]|system=TRS}}
 +
| licensor={{company|[[Sega Enterprises, Inc.|Sega]]|system=2600,5200,A8B,Coleco,C64,INTV,TI99}}
 +
{{company|[[Hasbro Interactive]]|system=MD}}
 +
| system=Arcade ([[Galaxian-based hardware|''Galaxian'' hardware]]), [[Sega Mega Drive]], [[Apple II]], [[Atari 2600]], [[Atari 5200]], [[Atari 8-bit family]], [[ColecoVision]], [[Commodore 64]], Dragon 32, [[IBM PC]], [[Intellivision]], [[Macintosh]], Odyssey², [[TI-99/4A]], Timex Sinclair 1000, TRS-80, TRS-80 CoCo, [[VIC-20]]
 
| sounddriver=
 
| sounddriver=
 
| peripherals=
 
| peripherals=
 
| players=1-2 (alternating)
 
| players=1-2 (alternating)
 
| genre=Action
 
| genre=Action
−
| releases={{releases
+
| releases={{releasesArcade
−
| arcade_date_world=1981
+
| arcade_date_jp=1981
−
| md_date_us=1998
+
| arcade_date_us=1981
 +
| arcade_date_uk=1981
 +
}}
 +
{{releasesMD
 +
| md_date_us=1998-10{{ref|https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video.sega/c/mCnZlT0Kw7s/m/erqD44NKB44J}}
 
| md_code_us=T-50901
 
| md_code_us=T-50901
−
| 2600_date_us=1982
+
| md_rating_us=e
 +
}}
 +
{{releases2600
 +
| 2600_date_us=1982-08-01{{magref|ce|1.04|3}}{{fileref|DaytonDailyNews US 1982-08-01, page 2-B.jpg}}
 +
| 2600_date_uk=1982-09-16{{fileref|TheGuardian UK 1982-09-17, Page 6.jpg}}
 +
| 2600_rrp_uk=29.95{{magref|tvgamer|2|27}}
 
| 2600_date_br=1983
 
| 2600_date_br=1983
−
| 5200_date_us=1983
+
}}
−
| a8b_date_us=1982
+
{{releases5200
−
| apple2_date_us=1983
+
| 5200_date_us=1983-06{{magref|ce|2.04|16}}
−
| coleco_date_us=1983
+
}}
 +
{{releases
 +
| coleco_date_us=1983-10{{magref|ce|2.08|16}}
 
| coleco_date_eu=1983
 
| coleco_date_eu=1983
−
| c64_date_us=1983
+
| intv_date_us=1983-04{{magref|ce|2.02|16}}
−
| dos_date_us=1983
 
−
| dragon_date_eu=1983
 
−
| intv_date_us=1983
 
 
| intv_date_eu=1983
 
| intv_date_eu=1983
 +
| intv_rrp_uk=29.95{{fileref|CVG UK BookofVideoGames.pdf|page=17}}
 
| intv_date_ca=1983
 
| intv_date_ca=1983
−
| mac_date_us=1983
 
 
| o2_date_us=1983
 
| o2_date_us=1983
 
| o2_date_eu=1983
 
| o2_date_eu=1983
 
| o2_date_br=1983
 
| o2_date_br=1983
 +
}}
 +
{{releasesHC
 +
| a8b_date_us_d=1982
 +
| a8b_code_us_d=FRL 201
 +
| a8b_date_us_c=1983-06{{magref|ce|2.04|16}}
 +
| a8b_code_us_c=SRL 403
 +
| apple2_date_us=1983
 +
| apple2_rrp_us=34.95{{magref|cgw|7|10}}
 +
| c64_date_us=1983
 +
| c64_date_nz_d=1983
 +
| c64_rrp_nz_d=84.50{{magref|computerinput|1983-11|23}}
 +
| dos_date_us=1983
 +
| dragon_date_uk=1983
 +
| dragon_rrp_uk=8.00{{magref|cvg|24|112}}{{magref|cvg|25|156}}
 +
| macsystem1_date_us=1984
 
| ti994a_date_us=1983
 
| ti994a_date_us=1983
 +
| ti994a_date_uk=198x
 +
| ti994a_rrp_uk=24.95{{magref|cvg|47|30}}
 
| trs_date_us=1983
 
| trs_date_us=1983
 
| trscoco_date_us=1983
 
| trscoco_date_us=1983
−
| ts1000=198x
+
| ts1000_date_us=198x
 
| vic20_date_us=1983
 
| vic20_date_us=1983
 
}}
 
}}
−
| esrb=e
+
| otherformats={{NonSega|GameCom|GB|GBC|Mac|MSX|PC6001|SNES|TT}}
 
}}
 
}}
−
[[File:Frogger Title.png|thumb|right|Mega Drive title screen]]'''''Frogger''''' (フロッガー) is a video game originally developed by [[Konami]] and released in 1981. It runs on [[Namco]]'s ''Galaxian'' hardware, and was a huge success for the company during the early 1980s. It was also a huge success for [[Sega]], who picked up publishing and distribution rights for the game in western territories.
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'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' (フロッガー) is a video game originally developed by [[Konami]] and released in 1981. It runs on [[Namco]]'s [[Galaxian-based hardware|''Galaxian'' hardware]], and was a huge success for the company during the early 1980s. It was also a huge success for [[Sega]], who picked up publishing and distribution rights for the game in all territories.<ref>[https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19810801p.pdf#page=8 ''Game Machine'', "August 1, 1981" (JP), page 8]</ref>
  
 
==Gameplay==
 
==Gameplay==
−
The basic idea of the game is to move the frog across the road avoiding cars, then across the river making sure not to fall off platforms to get to one of five desitnations. Once Frogger has got to all five desitinations, the difficulty increases, often by making the game move faster, reducing the amount of time or adding new obstacles.
+
The basic idea of the game is to move the frog across the road avoiding cars, then across the river making sure not to fall off platforms to get to one of five destinations. Once Frogger has got to all five destinations, the difficulty increases, often by making the game move faster, reducing the amount of time or adding new obstacles.
  
−
==Sequels and Re-releases==
+
==History==
 +
===Legacy===
 
Sega distributed three different arcade versions of ''Frogger'', one of which ran on the modified version of the ''Galaxian'' hardware used by [[Nichibutsu]]'s ''Moon Cresta''.
 
Sega distributed three different arcade versions of ''Frogger'', one of which ran on the modified version of the ''Galaxian'' hardware used by [[Nichibutsu]]'s ''Moon Cresta''.
  
 
Between 1982 and 1984, ''Frogger'' was brought to almost every home console and computer on general sale in North America, with every port licensed by Sega. The legal status surrounding these versions today is unknown - Konami took back the license from Sega in the mid-1990s and has subsequently produced many games under the ''Frogger'' brand - most, if not all ''Frogger'' games released in the 1980s (other than those Konami handled themselves, such as the MSX version) have been ignored.
 
Between 1982 and 1984, ''Frogger'' was brought to almost every home console and computer on general sale in North America, with every port licensed by Sega. The legal status surrounding these versions today is unknown - Konami took back the license from Sega in the mid-1990s and has subsequently produced many games under the ''Frogger'' brand - most, if not all ''Frogger'' games released in the 1980s (other than those Konami handled themselves, such as the MSX version) have been ignored.
  
−
ROM cartridge rights were picked up by [[Parker Brothers]], who subsequently brought the game to all major consoles - the Atari 2600, Atari 5200, ColecoVision, Intellivision, Odyssey² and TI-99/4A, as well as some computers, including Atari's range of 8-bit home computers, the Commodore 64 and the Commodore VIC-20. Some versions also made it to Europe and Brazil.
+
ROM cartridge rights were picked up by [[Parker Brothers]], who subsequently brought the game to all major consoles - the Atari 2600, Atari 5200, ColecoVision, Intellivision, Odyssey² and TI-99/4A, as well as some computers, including Atari's range of 8-bit home computers, the Commodore 64 and the VIC-20. Some versions also made it to Europe and Brazil.
  
−
Magnetic media rights were held by [[Sierra On-Line]] who distributed many of its versions under the short-lived SierraVision brand (with the title '''''The Official Frogger'''''). Sierra released its copies of the game at around the same period as Parker Brothers, with copies available for the Apple II, IBM PC, Macintosh, TRS-80 and TRS-80 CoCo computers. Curiously Sierra also released Atari 8-bit and Commodore 64 versions (on disk/cassette) which differ from Parker Brothers' efforts. Perhaps most notably is Seirra's Atari 2600 version, built to take advantage of the relatively obscure cassette-based Supercharger peripheral by Starpath - it is one of only twelve games officially released in this format.
+
Magnetic media rights were held by [[Sierra On-Line]] who distributed many of its versions under the short-lived SierraVision brand (with the title '''''The Official Frogger'''''). Sierra released its copies of the game at around the same period as Parker Brothers, with copies available for the Apple II, IBM PC, Macintosh, TRS-80 and TRS-80 CoCo computers. Curiously Sierra also released Atari 8-bit and Commodore 64 versions (on disk/cassette) which differ from Parker Brothers' efforts. Perhaps most notably is Sierra's Atari 2600 version, built to take advantage of the relatively obscure cassette-based Supercharger peripheral by Starpath - it is one of only twelve games officially released in this format.
  
−
''Unofficial'' versions of ''Frogger'' exist for the BBC Micro and ZX Spectrum, though neither were officially licensed by Sega. Strangely an official copy did make it to the Dragon 32, however, in which Microdeal converted the TRS-80 version to that system. Multile LCD and VFD versions of the game from the 1980s were also licensed by Sega (although more modern variants are licensed by Konami).
+
''Unofficial'' versions of ''Frogger'' exist for the BBC Micro and ZX Spectrum, though neither were officially licensed by Sega. Strangely an official copy did make it to the Dragon 32, however, in which Microdeal converted the TRS-80 version to that system. Multiple LCD and VFD versions of the game from the 1980s were also licensed by Sega (although more modern variants are licensed by Konami).
  
 
Sega never brought ''Frogger'' to any of its own consoles, however did give Parker Brothers the rights to produce a sequel, ''[[Frogger II: ThreeDeep!]]''.
 
Sega never brought ''Frogger'' to any of its own consoles, however did give Parker Brothers the rights to produce a sequel, ''[[Frogger II: ThreeDeep!]]''.
  
−
Following Konami's buy-back of the rights to ''Frogger'', a licensing deal was struck with [[Hasbro Interactive]], who in turn licensed out the franchise to [[Majesco]] for various home console versions. This led to a North American release of ''Frogger'' on the [[Sega Mega Drive]] in 1998 - the last Sega Mega Drive game to be released in in the region (and was a North American exclusive). Coincidentally ''Frogger'' was also the last SNES game to be released in that region, and marked the first opportunity for a ''Frogger'' game to be released on a [[Nintendo]] console. Both the Mega Drive and SNES copies of the game recycle box art from ''Frogger 3D'', a three-dimensional sequel released a year earlier.
+
Following Konami's buy-back of the rights to ''Frogger'', a licensing deal was struck with [[Hasbro Interactive]], who in turn licensed out the franchise to [[Majesco Sales]] for various home console versions. This led to a North American release of ''Frogger'' on the [[Sega Mega Drive]] in 1998 - the last Sega Mega Drive game to be released in in the region (and was a North American exclusive). Coincidentally ''Frogger'' was also the last SNES game to be released in that region, and marked the first opportunity for a ''Frogger'' game to be released on a [[Nintendo]] console. Both the Mega Drive and SNES copies of the game recycle box art from ''Frogger 3D'', a three-dimensional sequel released a year earlier.
  
 
The Mega Drive version still holds the Sega copyright instead of a Konami copyright. It is unfortunately, however, a straight arcade port, with no enhanced graphics or sound, bar a new title screen. [http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Blog:Frogger_%28Genesis%29 According to the programmer], he built the port by reverse-engineering the arcade version ROMs and comparing to an emulator (presumably MAME), using [[Genecyst]] to develop and test.
 
The Mega Drive version still holds the Sega copyright instead of a Konami copyright. It is unfortunately, however, a straight arcade port, with no enhanced graphics or sound, bar a new title screen. [http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Blog:Frogger_%28Genesis%29 According to the programmer], he built the port by reverse-engineering the arcade version ROMs and comparing to an emulator (presumably MAME), using [[Genecyst]] to develop and test.
  
−
Plans for a [[Sega Game Gear]] version of ''Frogger'' were also put in place, but were ultimately scrapped - it is rumoured that licensing issues caused this, though a working prototype of the game has since been found.
+
==Versions==
 +
===IBM PC version===
 +
The IBM PC version was built specifically for the IBM PC 5150 model of 1981, and only functions correctly when played with a real CGA graphics card. Faster CPUs cause the game to run too fast, however the timing also affects the way the water is drawn.
 +
 
 +
By presumably exploiting quirks in the original CGA standard, ''Frogger'' attempts to switch "background" colours while drawing the frame - if the timing isn't completely correct, the colour will change either too early or too late. On more modern systems (for example, those using VGA cards which can emulate CGA to some degree), this colour switching does not occur, so the water is always appears the same colour as the road. Users can, however, cycle through colour palettes using the F6 key, presumably to optimise the visuals for monochrome monitors.
 +
 
 +
In addition, the IBM PC version is unstable, being prone to crashing when the player loses, or when settings are changed. Pausing the game (by pressing the pause key) stops the game from moving, however when returning (by pressing any other key), the timer will catch up, meaning instant death for anyone who has paused for more than thirty seconds.
 +
 
 +
The timer depletes at the same rate regardless of how fast the system is. Therefore, computers within a certain speed range (i.e. faster than a stock Intel 8086 but perhaps slower than a 386 or 486 so that the game remains playable), should be able to achieve higher scores than the original 5150 IBM PC models.
 +
 
 +
==Magazine articles==
 +
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}
  
−
==Gallery==
+
==Promotional material==
−
<gallery>
+
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Promotional material}}
−
Frogger Arcade US Cabinet.jpg|Arcade US cabinet
 
−
</gallery>
 
  
−
==Promotional Material==
+
==Photo gallery==
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
−
Frogger Arcade US Flyer.pdf|Arcade US flyer
+
Frogger Arcade US Cabinet.jpg|Arcade US upright cabinet
−
Frogger Arcade US Flyer AMOA81.pdf|Arcade US flyer ([[AMOA 1981]])
+
Frogger Arcade US Upright Cabinet Front.jpg|Arcade US upright cabinet
−
Frogger Arcade EU Flyer.jpg|Arcade EU flyer
+
Frogger Arcade US Upright Cabinet Left.jpg|Arcade US upright cabinet
−
Frogger US PrintAdvert 3.jpg|Home systems US print advert
+
Frogger Arcade US Cocktail Cabinet.jpg|Arcade US cocktail cabinet
−
Frogger US PrintAdvert.jpg|Home systems US print advert (alt)
+
Frogger LCD Watch.jpg|LCD Watch
−
Frogger US PrintAdvert 2.jpg|Home systems US print advert 2
 
−
Frogger 2600 US PrintAdvert.jpg|Atari 2600 US print advert
 
−
Frogger 2600 US PrintAdvert 2.jpg|Atari 2600 US print advert 2
 
−
Frogger 2600 DE PrintAdvert.jpg|Atari 2600 DE print advert
 
−
Frogger 2600 CA PrintAdvert.jpg|Atari 2600 CA print advert
 
−
Frogger CA PrintAdvert.jpg|Home systems CA print advert
 
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
−
==Physical Scans==
+
==Physical scans==
−
===Arcade Version===
+
===Arcade version===
−
{{scanArcade
+
{{ScanArcade
 +
| type=upright
 +
| console=Arcade
 
| region=US
 
| region=US
 
| marquee=Frogger Arcade US Marquee.jpg
 
| marquee=Frogger Arcade US Marquee.jpg
 
| manual=Frogger Arcade US Manual.pdf
 
| manual=Frogger Arcade US Manual.pdf
 +
}}
 +
{{ScanArcade
 +
| console=Arcade
 +
| region=JP
 +
| instructioncard1=Notavailable.svg
 +
| instructioncard2=Notavailable.svg
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
===Mega Drive Version===
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===Mega Drive version===
 +
{{ratings|MD}}
 
{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
 
| console=Mega Drive
 
| console=Mega Drive
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| front=Frogger MD US Box.jpg
 
| front=Frogger MD US Box.jpg
 
| cart=Frogger MD US Cart.jpg
 
| cart=Frogger MD US Cart.jpg
 +
| manual=Frogger MD US Manual.pdf
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
===Apple II Version===
+
===Apple II version===
 
{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
 
| console=Apple II
 
| console=Apple II
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| back=
 
| back=
 
| spinemissing=
 
| spinemissing=
 +
| disk=Frogger AppleII US Disk.jpg
 +
}}
 +
{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Apple II
 +
| region=US (alt)
 +
| front=
 +
| back=
 +
| spinemissing=
 +
| disk=
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
===Atari 2600 Version===
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===Atari 2600 version===
 +
{{ratings|2600}}
 
{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
 
| console=Atari 2600
 
| console=Atari 2600
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| spinemissing=yes
 
| spinemissing=yes
 
| cart=Frogger 2600 US Cart.jpg
 
| cart=Frogger 2600 US Cart.jpg
 +
| manual=Frogger Atari 2600 US Manual.pdf
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
| console=Atari 2600
 
| console=Atari 2600
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| back=Frogger 2600 US Box Back Supercharger.jpg
 
| back=Frogger 2600 US Box Back Supercharger.jpg
 
| spinemissing=yes
 
| spinemissing=yes
−
| cassette=Frogger 2600 US Box Cassette Supercharger.jpg inlay
 
 
| cassette=Frogger 2600 US Cassette Supercharger A.jpg
 
| cassette=Frogger 2600 US Cassette Supercharger A.jpg
 
| cassetteback=Frogger 2600 US Cassette Supercharger B.jpg
 
| cassetteback=Frogger 2600 US Cassette Supercharger B.jpg
Line 159: Line 221:
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
===Atari 5200 Version===
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===Atari 5200 version===
 
{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
 
| console=Atari 5200
 
| console=Atari 5200
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}}
 
}}
  
−
===Atari 8-bit Family Version===
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===Atari 8-bit family version===
 +
{{ratings|A8B}}
 
{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
 
| console=Atari 8-bit family
 
| console=Atari 8-bit family
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| spinemissing=yes
 
| spinemissing=yes
 
| cart=Frogger A8B US Cart.jpg
 
| cart=Frogger A8B US Cart.jpg
 +
| manual=Frogger A8B US Manual Cartridge.pdf
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
| console=Atari 8-bit family
 
| console=Atari 8-bit family
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| back=Frogger A8B US Box Back Cassette.jpg
 
| back=Frogger A8B US Box Back Cassette.jpg
 
| spinemissing=yes
 
| spinemissing=yes
 +
| manual=Frogger Atari8Bit US Manual CassetteDisk.jpg
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
| console=Atari 8-bit family
 
| console=Atari 8-bit family
 
| region=US (disk)
 
| region=US (disk)
 
| front=Frogger Atari8Bit US Box Front Disk.jpg
 
| front=Frogger Atari8Bit US Box Front Disk.jpg
−
| back=
+
| back=Frogger Atari8Bit US Box Back Disk.jpg
−
| spinemissing=
+
| spinemissing=yes
 +
| disk=Frogger Atari8Bit US Disk.jpg
 +
| diskback=Frogger Atari8Bit US diskback.jpg
 +
| manual=Frogger Atari8Bit US Manual CassetteDisk.jpg
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
| console=Atari 8-bit family
 
| console=Atari 8-bit family
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}}
 
}}
  
−
===ColecoVision Version===
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===ColecoVision version===
 +
{{ratings|Coleco}}
 
{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
 
| console=ColecoVision
 
| console=ColecoVision
 
| region=US
 
| region=US
 +
| front=
 +
| back=
 +
| spinemissing=yes
 +
| cart=Frogger ColecoVision US Cart.jpg
 +
}}
 +
{{Scanbox
 +
| console=ColecoVision
 +
| region=EU
 
| front=Frogger ColecoVision EU Box Front.jpg
 
| front=Frogger ColecoVision EU Box Front.jpg
 
| back=Frogger ColecoVision EU Box Back.jpg
 
| back=Frogger ColecoVision EU Box Back.jpg
 
| spinemissing=yes
 
| spinemissing=yes
 +
| cart=Frogger ColecoVision US Cart.jpg
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
===Commodore 64 Version===
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===Commodore 64 version===
 +
{{ratings|C64}}
 
{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
 
| console=Commodore 64
 
| console=Commodore 64
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| back=Frogger C64 US Box Back Disk.jpg
 
| back=Frogger C64 US Box Back Disk.jpg
 
| spinemissing=yes
 
| spinemissing=yes
 +
| disk=Frogger C64 US Disk.jpg
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
| console=Commodore 64
 
| console=Commodore 64
Line 229: Line 309:
 
| back=
 
| back=
 
| spinemissing=
 
| spinemissing=
−
| sqaure=yes
+
| disk=Frogger C64 US Disk Alt.jpg
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Dragon 32 version===
 +
{{ratings|dragon}}
 +
{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Dragon 32
 +
| region=UK
 +
| front=Frogger Dragon32 UK Box.jpg
 +
| cassette=Frogger Dragon32 UK Cassette.jpg
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
===DOS Version===
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===IBM PC version===
 
{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
−
| console=DOS
+
| console=IBM PC
−
| region=US
+
| region=US (5¼-inch)
 
| front=Frogger IBMPC US Box Front.jpg
 
| front=Frogger IBMPC US Box Front.jpg
 
| back=Frogger IBMPC US Box Back.jpg
 
| back=Frogger IBMPC US Box Back.jpg
 
| spinemissing=yes
 
| spinemissing=yes
 +
| disk=
 
}}
 
}}
−
 
−
===Dragon 32 Version===
 
 
{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
−
| console=Dragon 32
+
| console=IBM PC
−
| region=UK
+
| region=US (3½-inch)
−
| front=Frogger Dragon32 UK Box.jpg
+
| front=
−
| cassette=Frogger Dragon32 UK Cassette.jpg
+
| back=
 +
| spinemissing=
 +
| disk=Frogger IBMPC US Disk.jpg
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
===Intellivision Version===
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===Intellivision version===
 
{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
 
| console=Intellivision
 
| console=Intellivision
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}}
 
}}
  
−
===Macintosh Version===
+
===Macintosh version===
 
{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
 
| console=Macintosh
 
| console=Macintosh
Line 280: Line 370:
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
===Odyssey² Version===
+
===Odyssey² version===
 +
{{ratings|O2}}
 
{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
 
| console=Odyssey²
 
| console=Odyssey²
Line 305: Line 396:
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
===TI-99/4A Version===
+
===TI-99/4A version===
 +
{{ratings|TI99}}
 
{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
 
| console=TI-99/4A
 
| console=TI-99/4A
Line 314: Line 406:
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
===Timex Sinclair 1000 Version===
+
===Timex Sinclair 1000 version===
 
{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
 
| console=TS 1000
 
| console=TS 1000
 
| region=US
 
| region=US
−
| front=Frogger TS1000 US Box.jpg
+
| cover=Frogger TS1000 US Box.jpg
−
| back=
+
| cassette=Frogger TS1000 US Cassette A.jpg
−
| spinemissing=
+
| cassetteback=Frogger TS1000 US Cassette B.jpg
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
===TRS-80 Version===
+
===TRS-80 version===
 
{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
 
| console=TRS-80
 
| console=TRS-80
−
| region=US
+
| region=US (cassette)
 +
| front=
 +
}}
 +
{{Scanbox
 +
| console=TRS-80
 +
| region=US (disk)
 
| front=Frogger TRS80 US Box.jpg
 
| front=Frogger TRS80 US Box.jpg
 
| back=Frogger TRS80 US Box Back.jpg
 
| back=Frogger TRS80 US Box Back.jpg
 
| spinemissing=yes
 
| spinemissing=yes
 +
| disk=Frogger TRS80 US Disk.jpg
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
===TRS-80 CoCo Version===
+
===TRS-80 CoCo version===
 
{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
 
| console=TRS-80 CoCo
 
| console=TRS-80 CoCo
Line 339: Line 437:
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
===VIC-20 Version===
+
===VIC-20 version===
 
{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
 
| console=VIC-20
 
| console=VIC-20
 
| region=US
 
| region=US
−
| front=
+
| front=Frogger VIC20 US Box Front.jpg
 
| back=
 
| back=
 
| spinemissing=
 
| spinemissing=
 
}}
 
}}
  
 +
==Technical information==
 +
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Technical information}}
 +
 +
==References==
 +
{{NECRetro}}
 +
<references/>
 +
 +
{{FroggerOmni}}
 +
{{Frogger}}
 
[[Category:Third party arcade games distributed by Sega]]
 
[[Category:Third party arcade games distributed by Sega]]
−
[[Category:Unreleased Game Gear games]]
 

Latest revision as of 18:10, 1 November 2023

For the unreleased Sega Game Gear game, see Frogger (Game Gear).

n/a

  • Arcade
  • Mega Drive

Frogger arcade title.png

Frogger Title.png

Frogger
System(s): Arcade (Galaxian hardware), Sega Mega Drive, Apple II, Atari 2600, Atari 5200, Atari 8-bit family, ColecoVision, Commodore 64, Dragon 32, IBM PC, Intellivision, Macintosh, Odyssey², TI-99/4A, Timex Sinclair 1000, TRS-80, TRS-80 CoCo, VIC-20
Publisher:
Arcade
Sega (JP, EU)
Arcade
Sega/Gremlin (US)
Sega Mega Drive
Majesco Sales
Atari 2600
Atari 5200
Atari 8-bit Family
ColecoVision
Commodore 64
Intellivision
Parker Brothers
Developer:
Distributor:
Atari 2600
Palitoy (UK)
TI-99/4a
Arcade Hardware (UK)
TRS-80
Radio Shack
Licensor:
Atari 2600
Atari 5200
Atari 8-bit Family
ColecoVision
Commodore 64
Intellivision
TI-99/4a
Sega
Sega Mega Drive
Hasbro Interactive
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1-2 (alternating)
Release Date RRP Code
Arcade
JP		 ¥? ?
Arcade
US		 $? ?
Arcade
UK		 £? ?





































Sega Mega Drive
US 		T-50901
ESRB: Everyone
Atari 2600
US
Atari 2600
UK 		£29.9529.95[5]
Atari 2600
BR
Atari 5200
US
ColecoVision
US		 1983-10[7] $? ?
ColecoVision
EU		 1983 £? ?
Intellivision
US		 1983-04[8] $? ?
Intellivision
EU		 1983 £29.95[9] ?
Magnavox Odyssey²
US		 1983 $? ?
Magnavox Odyssey²
EU		 1983 £? ?
Magnavox Odyssey²
BR		 1983 $? ?
Commodore 64
US
Commodore 64
NZ
(Disk) 		$84.5084.50[11]
IBM PC compatibles
US
Apple II
US 		$34.9534.95[10]
Atari 8-bit Family
US
(Disk) 		FRL 201
Atari 8-bit Family
US
(Cassette) 		SRL 403
VIC-20
US
Template:DRAGON UK £8.008.00[12][13]
TRS-80
US
TRS-80 Color Computer
US
  1. REDIRECT Template:MAC US
Timex Sinclair 1000
US
Non-Sega versions

Frogger (フロッガー) is a video game originally developed by Konami and released in 1981. It runs on Namco's Galaxian hardware, and was a huge success for the company during the early 1980s. It was also a huge success for Sega, who picked up publishing and distribution rights for the game in all territories.[15]

Gameplay

The basic idea of the game is to move the frog across the road avoiding cars, then across the river making sure not to fall off platforms to get to one of five destinations. Once Frogger has got to all five destinations, the difficulty increases, often by making the game move faster, reducing the amount of time or adding new obstacles.

History

Legacy

Sega distributed three different arcade versions of Frogger, one of which ran on the modified version of the Galaxian hardware used by Nichibutsu's Moon Cresta.

Between 1982 and 1984, Frogger was brought to almost every home console and computer on general sale in North America, with every port licensed by Sega. The legal status surrounding these versions today is unknown - Konami took back the license from Sega in the mid-1990s and has subsequently produced many games under the Frogger brand - most, if not all Frogger games released in the 1980s (other than those Konami handled themselves, such as the MSX version) have been ignored.

ROM cartridge rights were picked up by Parker Brothers, who subsequently brought the game to all major consoles - the Atari 2600, Atari 5200, ColecoVision, Intellivision, Odyssey² and TI-99/4A, as well as some computers, including Atari's range of 8-bit home computers, the Commodore 64 and the VIC-20. Some versions also made it to Europe and Brazil.

Magnetic media rights were held by Sierra On-Line who distributed many of its versions under the short-lived SierraVision brand (with the title The Official Frogger). Sierra released its copies of the game at around the same period as Parker Brothers, with copies available for the Apple II, IBM PC, Macintosh, TRS-80 and TRS-80 CoCo computers. Curiously Sierra also released Atari 8-bit and Commodore 64 versions (on disk/cassette) which differ from Parker Brothers' efforts. Perhaps most notably is Sierra's Atari 2600 version, built to take advantage of the relatively obscure cassette-based Supercharger peripheral by Starpath - it is one of only twelve games officially released in this format.

Unofficial versions of Frogger exist for the BBC Micro and ZX Spectrum, though neither were officially licensed by Sega. Strangely an official copy did make it to the Dragon 32, however, in which Microdeal converted the TRS-80 version to that system. Multiple LCD and VFD versions of the game from the 1980s were also licensed by Sega (although more modern variants are licensed by Konami).

Sega never brought Frogger to any of its own consoles, however did give Parker Brothers the rights to produce a sequel, Frogger II: ThreeDeep!.

Following Konami's buy-back of the rights to Frogger, a licensing deal was struck with Hasbro Interactive, who in turn licensed out the franchise to Majesco Sales for various home console versions. This led to a North American release of Frogger on the Sega Mega Drive in 1998 - the last Sega Mega Drive game to be released in in the region (and was a North American exclusive). Coincidentally Frogger was also the last SNES game to be released in that region, and marked the first opportunity for a Frogger game to be released on a Nintendo console. Both the Mega Drive and SNES copies of the game recycle box art from Frogger 3D, a three-dimensional sequel released a year earlier.

The Mega Drive version still holds the Sega copyright instead of a Konami copyright. It is unfortunately, however, a straight arcade port, with no enhanced graphics or sound, bar a new title screen. According to the programmer, he built the port by reverse-engineering the arcade version ROMs and comparing to an emulator (presumably MAME), using Genecyst to develop and test.

Versions

IBM PC version

The IBM PC version was built specifically for the IBM PC 5150 model of 1981, and only functions correctly when played with a real CGA graphics card. Faster CPUs cause the game to run too fast, however the timing also affects the way the water is drawn.

By presumably exploiting quirks in the original CGA standard, Frogger attempts to switch "background" colours while drawing the frame - if the timing isn't completely correct, the colour will change either too early or too late. On more modern systems (for example, those using VGA cards which can emulate CGA to some degree), this colour switching does not occur, so the water is always appears the same colour as the road. Users can, however, cycle through colour palettes using the F6 key, presumably to optimise the visuals for monochrome monitors.

In addition, the IBM PC version is unstable, being prone to crashing when the player loses, or when settings are changed. Pausing the game (by pressing the pause key) stops the game from moving, however when returning (by pressing any other key), the timer will catch up, meaning instant death for anyone who has paused for more than thirty seconds.

The timer depletes at the same rate regardless of how fast the system is. Therefore, computers within a certain speed range (i.e. faster than a stock Intel 8086 but perhaps slower than a 386 or 486 so that the game remains playable), should be able to achieve higher scores than the original 5150 IBM PC models.

Magazine articles

Main article: Frogger/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: Frogger/Promotional material.

Photo gallery

  • Arcade US upright cabinet

  • Arcade US upright cabinet

  • Arcade US upright cabinet

  • Arcade US cocktail cabinet

  • LCD Watch

Physical scans

Arcade version

Arcade, US
Frogger Arcade US Marquee.jpg
Frogger Arcade US Manual.pdf
Manual
Arcade, JP
Notavailable.svgNotavailable.svg
Instuction card(s)

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
60
[16]
Sega Mega Drive
 60
Based on
1 review

Frogger

Mega Drive, US
Frogger MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Frogger MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Frogger MD US Manual.pdf
Manual

Apple II version

Apple II, US
Frogger AppleII US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Frogger AppleII US Disk.jpg
Disk
Apple II, US (alt)

Atari 2600 version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Arcade Express (US)
89
[17]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
42
[18]
Atari 2600
 65
Based on
2 reviews

Frogger

Atari 2600, US
Frogger 2600 US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngFrogger 2600 US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Frogger 2600 US Cart.jpg
Cart
Frogger Atari 2600 US Manual.pdf
Manual
Atari 2600, US (alt)
Frogger 2600 US Box Back Alt.jpgNospine.pngFrogger 2600 US Box Front Alt.jpg
Cover
Atari 2600, US (Supercharger)
Frogger 2600 US Box Back Supercharger.jpgNospine.pngFrogger 2600 US Box Front Supercharger.jpg
Cover
Frogger 2600 US Cassette Supercharger B.jpgFrogger 2600 US Cassette Supercharger A.jpg
Cassette
Frogger 2600 US Box Cassette Supercharger.jpg
Cassette cover
Atari 2600, AU
Frogger 2600 AU Box.jpg
Cover
Atari 2600, DE

Frogger 2600 DE Cart.jpg
Cart
Atari 2600, BR
Frogger 2600 BR Box Back.jpgNospine.pngFrogger 2600 BR Box Front.jpg
Cover
Atari 2600, CA

Atari 5200 version

Atari 5200, US
Frogger 5200 US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngFrogger 5200 US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Frogger 5200 US Cart.jpg
Cart
Frogger 5200 us manual.pdf
Manual
Frogger5200USOverlay.jpg
Overlay

Atari 8-bit family version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Tilt (FR)
80
[19]
Atari 8-bit Family
 80
Based on
1 review

Frogger

Atari 8-bit family, US (cartridge)
Frogger Atari8Bit US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngFrogger Atari8Bit US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Frogger A8B US Cart.jpg
Cart
Frogger A8B US Manual Cartridge.pdf
Manual
Atari 8-bit family, US (cassette)
Frogger A8B US Box Back Cassette.jpgNospine.pngFrogger A8B US Box Front Cassette.jpg
Cover
Frogger Atari8Bit US Manual CassetteDisk.jpg
Manual
Atari 8-bit family, US (disk)
Frogger Atari8Bit US Box Back Disk.jpgNospine.pngFrogger Atari8Bit US Box Front Disk.jpg
Cover
Frogger Atari8Bit US diskback.jpgFrogger Atari8Bit US Disk.jpg
Disk
Frogger Atari8Bit US Manual CassetteDisk.jpg
Manual
Atari 8-bit family, EU
Frogger A8B EU Box Back.jpgNospine.pngFrogger Atari8Bit EU Box Front.jpg
Cover

ColecoVision version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
46
[18]
ColecoVision
 46
Based on
1 review

Frogger

ColecoVision, US

Nospine.png

Frogger ColecoVision US Cart.jpg
Cart
ColecoVision, EU
Frogger ColecoVision EU Box Back.jpgNospine.pngFrogger ColecoVision EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
Frogger ColecoVision US Cart.jpg
Cart

Commodore 64 version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Computer Input (NZ)
100
[11]
Tilt (FR)
40
[20]
Tilt (FR)
80
[19]
Commodore 64
 73
Based on
3 reviews

Frogger

Commodore 64, US (cartridge)
Frogger C64 US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngFrogger C64 US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Frogger C64 US Cart.jpg
Cart
Commodore 64, US (disk)
Frogger C64 US Box Back Disk.jpgNospine.pngFrogger C64 US Box Front Disk.jpg
Cover
Frogger C64 US Disk.jpg
Disk
Commodore 64, US (disk) (alt)

Frogger C64 US Disk Alt.jpg
Disk

Dragon 32 version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Computer & Video Games (UK)
70
[13]
Dragon 32/64
 70
Based on
1 review

Frogger

Dragon 32, UK
Frogger Dragon32 UK Box.jpg
Cover
Frogger Dragon32 UK Cassette.jpg
Cassette

IBM PC version

IBM PC, US (5¼-inch)
Frogger IBMPC US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngFrogger IBMPC US Box Front.jpg
Cover
IBM PC, US (3½-inch)

Frogger IBMPC US Disk.jpg
Disk

Intellivision version

Intellivision, US
Frogger Intellivision US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngFrogger Intellivision US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Frogger Intellvision US Cart.jpg
Cart
Intellivision, EU
Frogger Intellivision EU Box Back.jpgNospine.pngFrogger Intellivision EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
Intellivision, CA
Frogger Intellivision CA Box Back.jpgNospine.pngFrogger Intellivision CA Box Front.jpg
Cover

Macintosh version

Macintosh, US

Odyssey² version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Tilt (FR)
80
[19]
Magnavox Odyssey²
 80
Based on
1 review

Frogger

Odyssey², US

Odyssey², EU
Frogger Odyssey EU Box Top.jpg
Frogger Odyssey EU Box Back.jpgFrogger Odyssey EU Box Spine.jpgFrogger O2 EU Box Front.jpgFrogger Odyssey EU Box Spine2.jpg
Frogger Odyssey EU Box Bottom.jpg
Cover
Frogger Odyssey EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Odyssey², BR
Frogger O2 BR Box Front.jpg
Cover

TI-99/4A version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Computer & Video Games (UK)
80
[14]
TI-99/4a
 80
Based on
1 review

Frogger

TI-99/4A, US
Frogger TI994A US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngFrogger TI994A US Box Front.jpg
Cover

Timex Sinclair 1000 version

TS 1000, US
Frogger TS1000 US Box.jpg
Cover
Frogger TS1000 US Cassette B.jpgFrogger TS1000 US Cassette A.jpg
Cassette

TRS-80 version

TRS-80, US (cassette)

TRS-80, US (disk)
Frogger TRS80 US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngFrogger TRS80 US Box.jpg
Cover
Frogger TRS80 US Disk.jpg
Disk

TRS-80 CoCo version

TRS-80 CoCo, UK?
Frogger TRS80CoCo UK Box.jpg
Cover

VIC-20 version

VIC-20, US
Frogger VIC20 US Box Front.jpg
Cover

Technical information

Main article: Frogger/Technical information.

References

Necretro-round.svg
NEC Retro has more information related to Frogger
  1. ↑ https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video.sega/c/mCnZlT0Kw7s/m/erqD44NKB44J
  2. ↑ Computer Entertainer, "July 1982" (US; 1982-07-xx), page 3
  3. ↑ File:DaytonDailyNews US 1982-08-01, page 2-B.jpg
  4. ↑ File:TheGuardian UK 1982-09-17, Page 6.jpg
  5. ↑ TV Gamer, "Autumn 1983" (UK; 1983-xx-xx), page 27
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Computer Entertainer, "July 1983" (US; 1983-07-xx), page 16
  7. ↑ Computer Entertainer, "November 1983" (US; 1983-11-xx), page 16
  8. ↑ Computer Entertainer, "May 1983" (US; 1983-05-xx), page 16
  9. ↑ File:CVG UK BookofVideoGames.pdf, page 17
  10. ↑ Computer Gaming World, "November-December 1982" (US; 1982-xx-xx), page 10
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Computer Input, "November 1983" (NZ; 1983-xx-xx), page 23
  12. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "October 1983" (UK; 1983-09-16), page 112
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Computer & Video Games, "November 1983" (UK; 1983-10-16), page 156
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Computer & Video Games, "September 1985" (UK; 1985-08-16), page 30
  15. ↑ Game Machine, "August 1, 1981" (JP), page 8
  16. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 121
  17. ↑ Arcade Express, "Volume One, Number Three: September 12, 1982" (US; 1982-09-12), page 7
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Complete Guide to Consoles, "" (UK; 1989-10-16), page 56
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Tilt, "Novembre/Décembre 1984" (FR; 1984-xx-xx), page 68
  20. ↑ Tilt, "Juin 1984" (FR; 1984-xx-xx), page 34


Frogger

Frogger arcade title.png

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Frogger games for Sega systems and/or published by Sega
Frogger (tabletop) (1981) | Frogger II: Threeedeep! (1984) | Frogger 2: Swampy's Revenge (2000)
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