Primal Rage

From Sega Retro

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PrimalRage Title.png

Primal Rage
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega 32X, Sega Game Gear, Sega Saturn
Publisher:
Sega Mega Drive
Sega Game Gear
Time Warner Interactive
Sega 32X
Sega
Sega Saturn
Time Warner Interactive (US/EU), Game Bank (JP)
Developer:
Developer(s) of original games: Atari Games
Sound driver: Probe/Andy Brock
Peripherals supported:
Sega Game Gear
Gear-to-Gear Cable
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Saturn
JP
¥5,8005,800 T-18614G
Sega Saturn
US
T-4802H
301108-0120
Sega Saturn
EU
T-4802H-50
Sega Game Gear
US
$29.9929.99[3] T-48218
Sega Game Gear
EU
T-48218-50
Sega 32X
US
$69.9969.99[4] 84705
Sega 32X
EU
MK-84705

Primal Rage (プライマルレイジ) is a 1994 arcade fighting game by Atari Games. The following year the game saw ports to the Sega Mega Drive, Sega 32X, Sega Game Gear and Sega Saturn, amongst other platforms, developed by Probe Entertainment and published by Time Warner Interactive, with the exception of the 32X version which, like T-MEK, was strangely published by Sega instead.

The Japanese Saturn release is notable for being the only port of that time to be released under the Midway name, as Time Warner Interactive was absorbed into Midway's home division a few years prior. Said version removes any mention of TWI outright.

A Sega Mega-CD 32X version was planned, but cancelled.

Story

A Meteor strikes the Earth and causes the continents to shift into the shape of a dinosaur skull breathing fire in an event known as the "Great Cataclysm". Sleeping giants of long ago are awakened from their slumber by these events and become gods for humanity to worship. With old Earth in ruins, humanity now sides with one of six gods and one goddess. From the ruins of old Earth comes the birth of New Urth. (that is indeed the correct spelling for this word in game: Urth.) Now, five dinosaur gods and two great ape gods fight to rule the New Urth. Conquering the others' lands in the total conquest for world domination.

Versions

Mega Drive version

  • Limitations and Changes
The Mega Drive port isn't one of the better ports of the game. While most of the combos from Arcade version 2.3 were carried over, the port is more based upon the older Arcade versions 1.9 or 1.7. This means each character has only two fatalities since the 2.3 fatalities aren't there. Attacks exclusive to version 2.3 were also not included. Also, Talon's Shredder Fatality does what it did in the older versions of the Arcade game. Rather than leaving the opponent standing all mangled and cut up like in Arcade version 2.3, blood just flies everywhere like in the older Arcade versions 1.7 or 1.9. The sprites were scaled to fit the limitations of the Mega Drive hardware, which is often met by harsh criticism. The Color Palletes are also limited as well. Combos work much like that of the 2.3 version but there are some differences. Diablo's Fireball fatality is different than his Arcade rendition. Instead of firing a gigantic but pixelated fireball at his opponent like in the arcade, Diablo fires three small fireballs at the opponent and they spin around the opponent frying them.
  • Exclusive Features and Easter Eggs
Although the Mega Drive port had it's problems, it had some exclusive features and an exclusive Easter Egg. The main exclusive feature was to be able to customize the six button controller in options to allow two of the buttons to use one of the character's special attacks. There are three special attacks for each character available on the options to choose from but the player can only play with two at a time on the six button controller. The Easter Egg exclusive to the Mega Drive version involved going to the cheat menu and selecting the option "Okay Right?", then selecting Diablo to play as. Diablo's worshipers would be replaced by a devil with a picture of one of the developer's heads on it. The devil will bounce up and down at the end of the battle regardless if Diablo wins or not.
  • Controversy
The Mega Drive version was also controversial. There were reports of the game being removed from the shelves of some stores after a mother caught her 11 year old son playing Primal Rage and executing Chaos' Golden Shower Fatality (which is where Chaos urinates on the opponent with urine so acidic that it melts away the opponent's flesh leaving only the bones.) The mother was so disgusted by this that she not only returned the game but launched a "grass roots" campaign that caused the game to be removed from some stores at various locations, regardless of what system it was on. Even the SNES version which had this fatality censored on it was also removed from store shelves.

Game Gear version

  • Limitations and Changes
The game had to be severely watered down in order to be successfully ported. Only some of the moves and combos are present. Each character has only one fatality and Vertigo was excluded from this port. Most of the changes for this port are identical to those of the Game Boy Version of Primal Rage. However, unlike the Game Boy version of Primal Rage which had Golden Shower replaced with a new acidic puking fatality for Chaos, the Game Gear version still had Golden Shower in it. In addition to that, the Game Gear version was in color (albeit less colorful than some of the other versions though.).

32X version

  • Enhancements Over the Mega Drive version
The Sega 32X version is identical to the Mega Drive version aside from better sprite scaling, a more vibrant color pallete, higher quality sound effects with some extra sound channels for a few of the music tracks, and the odd removal of the "Okay Right?" cheat in the cheat menu.

Saturn version

  • Exclusive Features and Issues
The Sega Saturn port is actually nearly the same as the PlayStation port except that it has some exclusive features. The Saturn version featured not only the opening cutscene seen in the PlayStation version but also extra introductory cutscenes for each character. The Character endings are also replaced with FMV's by default. There is an option in the Options menu that turns the FMV's off and makes the game act like other ports. Complete with the Arcade Endings. However, it does not display combo names like the PlayStation version does. It also suffers from long loading times. However, most of the problems relating to music and loading present in the PlayStation version were fixed in the Saturn version and the disc features Redbook audio. (the PlayStation version does as well but the redbook can be rather glitchy at times.) Animations actually work properly and move much faster than the PlayStation port. However, like the PlayStation version, Blizzard's death and win sounds are switched. Some of the sound effects are also missing. The AI is also much closer to the arcade version 2.3. During the final battle, the opponent's skeletons don't stay on the ground after dying for some reason.
  • Prototype Dump
drx of hidden-palace.org released an alpha build of the Sega Saturn port of Primal Rage in May 2010.

Production credits

Game Gear version

  • Original Coin Op Development
    • Producer and Programmer: Dennis Harper
    • Programmer Designer: Frank Kuan
    • Art Director: Jason Leong
    • Game Designer: J. Cameron Petty
    • Audio Designer: Jeanne Parson
    • Associate Producer: Steve Riesenberger
  • Consumer Development
    • Senior Producer: Ken Humphries
    • Associate Producer: Thomas MacDevitt
    • TWI Testers: Rob Boone, Kevin Filson, Mike Kruse, John Arvay Jr.
  • Programmer: Cameron Sheppard
  • Artist: Terry Ford
  • Musician: Andy Brock
  • QA Manager: Gary Patino
  • Testers: Nick McGee, Mike Movell, Mark Viccary, James Brown, Cliff Ramsey
  • Producer: Robert O'Farrell
  • Assistant Producers: James Stewart, Tim Bradstock
  • Thanks to: Balor Knight, Keith Burkhill

32X version

  • Original Coin-Op Development
    • Producer/Programmer: Dennis Harper
    • Programmer/Designer: Frank Kuan
    • Art Director: Jason Leong
    • Game Designer: J. Cameron Petty
    • Audio Designer: Jeanne Parson
    • Associate Producer: Steve Riesenberger
  • Consumer Development
    • Senior Producer: Ken Humphries
    • Associate Producer: Tom MacDevitt
    • Testers: Rob Boone, Kevin Filson, Mike Kruse, John Arvay Jr., Brian Fritts
Source:
In-game credits
  • Test Manager: Curtis Soldano
  • Product Marketing
    • Manager: John Golden
    • Manual: Jon Mongelluzzo
    • Special Thanks: John Fisher and Derryl DePriest
  • Probe Entertainment
  • Producer: Robert O'Farrell
  • Assistant Producers: James Stewart, Tim Bradstock
  • Programmer: Cameron Sheppard
  • Artist: Terry Ford
  • Musician: Andy Brock
  • QA Manager: Gary Patino
  • Testers: Nick McGee, Mike Movell, Mark Viccary, James Brown, Cliff Ramsey
  • Special Thanks: Ralor Knight and Keith Burkhill


  • Sega Special Thanks To: Steve Ackrich, Joy Sneer, Jane Chaney, J. Tony Smith, Brian Paw, Steve Goodale, Jeff Gregg, Earl Malit, Curtis Clarkson
Source:
US Manual[5]

Magazine articles

Main article: Primal Rage/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Game Players (US) #0807: "Vol. 8 No. 7 July 1995" (1995-0x-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in EGM² (US) #15: "September 1995" (1995-0x-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Player One (FR) #57: "Octobre 1995" (1995-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
76 №48, p158
83
62
82 №33, p46/47
81 №46, p77[11]
68
90 №36, p78-80[12]
73 №57, p126[13]
84 №22, p90/91
91 №70, p42-44
79 №50, p50/51
Sega Mega Drive
79
Based on
11 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
70
[14]
Consoles + (FR)
76
[15]
Cool Gamer (RU)
70
[16]
Digitiser (UK)
83
[17]
Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US) NTSC-U
75
[18]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
70
[19]
Game Players (US) NTSC-U
62
[20]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
75
[21]
GamePro (DE)
47
[22]
Joypad (FR)
81
[23]
MAN!AC (DE) PAL
68
[24]
Mega Force (FR) PAL
75
[25]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
74
[26]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
90
[12]
Next Generation (US)
25
[27]
Player One (FR)
73
[13]
Players (BR)
69
[28]
Power Up! (UK)
88
[29]
Secret Service (PL)
80
[30]
Sega Magazin (DE) PAL
78
[31]
Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
84
[32]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
91
[33]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
79
[34]
Sega Mega Drive Review (RU)
74
[35]
Sega Megazone (AU)
89
[36]
Super Juegos (ES)
73
[37]
Todo Sega (ES)
90
[38]
Top Consoles (FR)
65
[39]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
86
[40]
Videogame Advisor (US) NTSC-U
75
[41]
Video Games (DE) PAL
68
[42]
VideoGames (US) NTSC-U
70
[43]
Sega Mega Drive
74
Based on
32 reviews

Primal Rage

Mega Drive, US
PrimalRage MD US Box Back.JPGPrimalRage MD US Box Front.JPG
Cover
Primalrage md us cart.jpg
Cart
Primal Rage MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
PrimalRage MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
PrimalRage MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, BR
Primalrage md br cover.jpg
Cover
PrimalRage MD BR Cart.jpg
Cart
Primalrage md br manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, AU
PrimalRage MD AU Box.jpg
Cover
PrimalRage MD AU Cart top.jpg
PrimalRage MD AU Cart back.jpgPrimalRage MD AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Primal Rage Megadrive AU Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, AU (bundle)
PrimalRage MD AU Box Back Bundle.jpgNospine-small.pngPrimalRage MD AU Box Front Bundle.jpg
Cover
PrimalRage MD AU Cart.jpg
Cart
PrimalRage MD AU Box.jpg
Primal Rage

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
79
76
86 №46, p77[11]
83 №36, p84/85[44]
88 №22, p96/97
82 №51, p66
Sega Game Gear
82
Based on
6 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Digitiser (UK)
79
[45]
Game Players (US) NTSC-U
76
[46]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
80
[3]
GamePro (DE)
47
[22]
GamePro (UK)
92
[47]
Joypad (FR)
86
[23]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
63
[26]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
83
[44]
Sega Magazin (DE) PAL
62
[48]
Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
88
[49]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
82
[50]
Todo Sega (ES)
86
[51]
VideoGames (US)
70
[52]
Sega Game Gear
76
Based on
13 reviews

Primal Rage

Game Gear, US
PrimalRage GG US cover.jpg
Cover
PrimalRage US GG Cart.jpg
Cart
Primal Rage GG US Manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, EU
PrimalRage GG EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
PrimalRage GG EU Cart.jpg
Cart

32X version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
83
68
80 №41, p86/87[53]
79 №78, p54/55
72 №57, p24[54]
Sega 32X
76
Based on
5 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
GameFan (US) NTSC-U
83
[55]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
80
[4]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
80
[53]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
79
[56]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
72
[54]
VideoGames (US) NTSC-U
70
[57]
Sega 32X
77
Based on
6 reviews

Primal Rage

32X, US
PrimalRage 32X US Box Back.jpgPrimalRage 32X US Box Front.jpg
Cover
PrimalRage 32X US Cart.jpg
Cart
Primalrage 32x us manual.pdf
Manual
32X, EU
PrimalRage 32X EU Box Back.jpgPrimalRage 32X EU Box Spine.jpgPrimalRage 32X EU Box Front.jpg
Cover

Saturn version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
48 №485, p35
50
66
79 №47, p84/85[58]
60 №10, p76/77[59]
50 №1998-10, p193[60]
Sega Saturn
59
Based on
6 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
48
[61]
Fun Generation (DE)
50
[62]
GameFan (US) NTSC-U
66
[63]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
75
[64]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
86
[65]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
71
[66]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
79
[58]
Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J
53
[67]
Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J
43
[68]
Secret Service (PL)
65
[69]
Sega Saturn Magazine (UK) PAL
60
[59]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
50
[60]
Total Saturn (UK) PAL
57
[70]
VideoGames (US) NTSC-U
60
[71]
Sega Saturn
62
Based on
14 reviews

Primal Rage

Saturn, US
PrimalRage Saturn US Box Back.jpgPrimalRage Saturn US Box Front.jpg
Cover
PrimalRage Saturn US Disc.jpg
Disc
Primalrage sat us manual.pdf
Manual
Saturn, EU
PrimalRage Saturn EU Box.jpg
Cover
PrimalRage Saturn EU Disc.jpg
Disc
PrimalRageSaturnEUManual5L.pdf
Manual
Saturn, JP
PrimalRage Saturn JP Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngPrimalRage Saturn JP Box Front.JPG
Cover

References

  1. File:CVG UK 176.pdf, page 49
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Press release: 1995-08-25: TIME WARNER INTERACTIVE'S HIT ARCADE TITLE, 'PRIMAL RAGE(TM)' AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME ON HOME VIDEO-GAME AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS
  3. 3.0 3.1 File:GamePro US 073.pdf, page 91 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:GamePro US 073.pdf_p91" defined multiple times with different content
  4. 4.0 4.1 File:GamePro US 079.pdf, page 68 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:GamePro US 079.pdf_p68" defined multiple times with different content
  5. File:Primalrage_32x_us_manual.pdf
  6. GamePro, "August 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 16
  7. VideoGames, "August 1995" (US; 1995-0x-xx), page 24
  8. VideoGames, "October 1995" (US; 1995-09-19), page 59
  9. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "October 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 135
  10. VideoGames, "November 1995" (US; 1995-10-24), page 33
  11. 11.0 11.1 File:Joypad FR 046.pdf, page 77
  12. 12.0 12.1 File:MeanMachinesSega36UK.pdf, page 78 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesSega36UK.pdf_p78" defined multiple times with different content
  13. 13.0 13.1 File:PlayerOne FR 057.pdf, page 126 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:PlayerOne FR 057.pdf_p126" defined multiple times with different content
  14. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 179
  15. Consoles +, "Novembre 1995" (FR; 1995-1x-xx), page 158
  16. Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 162
  17. Digitiser (UK) (1995-08-29)
  18. Electronic Games (1992-1995), "June 1995" (US; 1995-0x-xx), page 86
  19. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 348
  20. Game Players, "Vol. 8 No. 9 September 1995" (US; 1995-0x-xx), page 46
  21. GamePro, "September 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 50
  22. 22.0 22.1 GamePro, "November 1995" (DE; 1995-10-04), page 54
  23. 23.0 23.1 Joypad, "Octobre 1995" (FR; 1995-xx-xx), page 76
  24. MAN!AC, "10/95" (DE; 1995-09-13), page 76
  25. Mega Force, "Octobre 1995" (FR; 1995-xx-xx), page 92
  26. 26.0 26.1 Mega Fun, "09/95" (DE; 1995-08-23), page 38
  27. Next Generation, "October 1995" (US; 1995-09-19), page 125
  28. Players, "Dez 95" (BR; 1995-1x-xx), page 20
  29. Power Up!, "Saturday, September 09, 1995" (UK; 1995-09-09), page 1
  30. Secret Service, "Październik 1996" (PL; 1996-10-01), page 72
  31. Sega Magazin, "September 1995" (DE; 1995-08-16), page 30
  32. Sega Magazine, "October 1995" (UK; 1995-09-12), page 90
  33. Sega Power, "September 1995" (UK; 1995-07-20), page 42
  34. Sega Pro, "October 1995" (UK; 1995-09-07), page 50
  35. Sega Mega Drive Review, "2" (RU; 1996-01-03), page 97
  36. Sega Megazone, "August 1995" (AU; 1995-0x-xx), page 32
  37. Super Juegos, "Octubre 1995" (ES; 1995-xx-xx), page 116
  38. Todo Sega, "Septiembre 1995" (ES; 1995-0x-xx), page 32
  39. Top Consoles, "Octobre 1995" (FR; 1995-xx-xx), page 76
  40. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 139
  41. Videogame Advisor, "Volume 1, Number 3: July 1995" (US; 1995-0x-xx), page 28
  42. Video Games, "9/95" (DE; 1995-08-30), page 110
  43. VideoGames, "September 1995" (US; 1995-08-22), page 78
  44. 44.0 44.1 File:MeanMachinesSega36UK.pdf, page 84 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesSega36UK.pdf_p84" defined multiple times with different content
  45. Digitiser (UK) (1995-09-05)
  46. Game Players, "Vol. 8 No. 10 October 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 81
  47. GamePro, "November 1995" (UK; 1995-09-xx), page 37
  48. Sega Magazin, "September 1995" (DE; 1995-08-16), page 86
  49. Sega Magazine, "October 1995" (UK; 1995-09-12), page 96
  50. Sega Pro, "November 1995" (UK; 1995-10-05), page 66
  51. Todo Sega, "Noviembre 1995" (ES; 1995-1x-xx), page 58
  52. VideoGames, "August 1995" (US; 1995-0x-xx), page 89
  53. 53.0 53.1 File:MeanMachinesSega41UK.pdf, page 86 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesSega41UK.pdf_p86" defined multiple times with different content
  54. 54.0 54.1 File:SegaPro UK 57.pdf, page 24 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 57.pdf_p24" defined multiple times with different content
  55. GameFan, "Volume 3, Issue 11: November 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 22
  56. Sega Power, "May 1996" (UK; 1996-03-14), page 54
  57. VideoGames, "December 1995" (US; 1995-11-21), page 92
  58. 58.0 58.1 File:MeanMachinesSega47UK.pdf, page 84 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesSega47UK.pdf_p84" defined multiple times with different content
  59. 59.0 59.1 File:SSM UK 10.pdf, page 76 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SSM UK 10.pdf_p76" defined multiple times with different content
  60. 60.0 60.1 File:SSM JP 19980403 1998-10.pdf, page 195 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SSM JP 19980403 1998-10.pdf_p195" defined multiple times with different content
  61. Famitsu, "1998-04-03" (JP; 1998-03-20), page 1
  62. Fun Generation, "08/96" (DE; 1996-07-10), page 85
  63. GameFan, "Volume 4, Issue 6: June 1996" (US; 1996-xx-xx), page 18
  64. GamePro, "July 1996" (US; 1996-xx-xx), page 74
  65. Hobby Consolas, "Diciembre 1996" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 120
  66. Mega Fun, "08/96" (DE; 1996-07-17), page 72
  67. Saturn Fan, "1998 No. 6" (JP; 1998-03-13), page 152
  68. Saturn Fan, "1998 No. 10" (JP; 1998-05-15), page 116
  69. Secret Service, "Październik 1996" (PL; 1996-10-01), page 21
  70. Total Saturn, "Volume One Issue Four" (UK; 1996-12-29), page 43
  71. VideoGames, "June 1996" (US; 1996-05-21), page 61