The Lion King

From Sega Retro

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The Lion King Title.png

The Lion King
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear
Publisher:
Sega Mega Drive
Virgin Interactive,
Sega Master System
Sega Game Gear
Sega
Developer:
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Master System
EU 		MK-27081-50
Sega Master System
DE 		MK-27081-18
Sega Master System
ES 		MK-27081-06
Sega Master System
FR 		MK-27081-09
Sega Master System
PT 		5,990$5,990
Sega Master System
UK 		£32.9932.99 [1] MK-27081-05
Sega Master System
IT 		MK-27081-13
Sega Master System
AU 		FLIO00SEC
Sega Master System
BR 		028450
Sega Game Gear
JP 		¥3,8003,800 G-3363
Sega Game Gear
US 		2549
Sega Game Gear
US
(Majesco) 		1205
Sega Game Gear
EU 		T-70158-50
Sega Game Gear
DE 		T-70158-18
Sega Game Gear
ES 		T-70158-06
Sega Game Gear
FR 		T-70158-09
Sega Game Gear
UK 		T-70158-05
Sega Game Gear
IT 		T-70158-13
Sega Game Gear
BR

The Lion King (ライオンキング) is a platform game developed by Westwood Studios, Inc., Virgin Interactive, and Dark Technologies, and published by Virgin Interactive, Walt Disney Computer Software, and Sega for the Sega Mega Drive, Sega Game Gear, Sega Master System, and several other consoles.

It was developed for the Lion King franchise and follows a story and plot similar to the film. Due to this, it was one of the first games that featured a protagonist that get's older during the game's progress. The gameplay also changes from mainly platforming to a more action oriented approach.

Although intended for children, the game was often criticized for its difficulty even with easier settings. Despite the difficulty, it was rated positively by reviewers and gamers alike.

Gameplay

Levels

Notavailable.svg The Pridelands
Notavailable.svg Can't Wait to be King/The Mane Event
The second level in The Lion King is one of the hardest the game has to offer, specifically designed to appease management at Disney who wanted a longer game. This call came too late in development for the team to add new levels, so this stage saw its difficulty increase significantly, meaning it would take longer to complete.

The reasoning is thought to be behind Disney's approach to the rental market. Disney had set specific metrics regarding how far an average player should have progressed in a set period of time - if a game was too easy, the user would be less likely to buy the full retail product.

Notavailable.svg The Elephant Graveyard
Notavailable.svg The Stampede
The Game Gear and Master System versions present this stage from a side-on perspective.
Notavailable.svg Simba's Exile
Notavailable.svg Hakuna Matata
Notavailable.svg Simba's Destiny
Simba's return to the pridelands was cut from the final draft of the film, however as the game was made in conjunction with the script, these levels was produced before the decision was made. Reportedly Virgin Games had to fight to keep them in the final product, as Disney wanted the game to be as true to the film as possible.
Notavailable.svg Be Prepared
Notavailable.svg Simba's Return/Hyena Lairs
Notavailable.svg (Return to) Pride Rock
The Master System and Game Gear versions scrap most of this stage, only including the end fight with Scar.

Localised Names

Language Localised Name English Translation
English The Lion King The Lion King
Japanese ライオンキング Lion King
French Le Roi Lion The Lion King
German Der König der Löwen The Lion King
Spanish El rey león The Lion King
Italian Il Re Leone The Lion King

Production credits

Mega Drive version

  • Creative Director/Producer: Louis Castle
  • Programming: Rob Povey, Barry Green
  • Assistant Programming: Ronald Pieket-Weeserik
  • Programming Support: Milo X Ballan, David "Hmmmmm" Dettmer
  • Lead Designer: Seth Mendelsohn
  • Assistant Designer: Erik Yeo
  • Background Art: Joseph B Hewitt IV, Kevin Oxland VIE UK, Hans Piwenitzky, Rick Parks
  • Animation: Cindy Chinn, David Dame, Penina Finger, Elie Arabian, Matt Hansel, Aaron Powell
  • Animation Clean-Up: Doug Verhaal, Barbarajo Shillings, John Pedraja, Mike Muehlendorf, Ken Seward
  • Audio Direction: Paul Mudra
  • Music & Sound: Matt Furniss-Krisalis Software, Ltd.
  • Sound Driver: Krisalis Software, Ltd.
  • Manual Design: Edith Laramore
  • Quality Assurance Coordination: Glenn Sperry
  • Quality Assurance:Kenneth Dunne, Michael Lightner, Jesse Clemit, Chris Rubyor, Brad Roberts, Troy Leonard, William Baca, John & Patrick Sweeney
  • Executive Producer: Brett W Sperry
  • Vice President Product Development: Christopher D Yates
  • Special Thanks To: Colin Gordon-VIE UK, Dave Chapman-VIE UK, Felix Kupis, Ted Morris, Lawrence Hiler-Chip Level Designs, David O'Riva-Bitmasters, Donna, Tony, Samantha & James Castle, Linda, Jennifer & Kimberly Green
  • Senior Producer: Patrick Gilmore
  • Assistant Producer: Michael Giacchino
  • Artwork: John Fiorito, Alex Schaeffer, Christina Vann, Ann-Bettina Colace
  • Additional Art: Katy Adams, Thomas Ang, Tom Breeden, Kurt Dumas, Hugh Jamieson, Roddy Novarro, Rob Titus
  • Art Support: Arden Ishimaru
  • Storyboards/Concept Art: Erik Wiese
  • Additional Music: Jeff Rona-Media Ventures, Inc.
  • Software Production Admin.: C. Steve Booth
  • Production Assistant: Joseph Santos
  • Product Analyst: Eric Ventura, Joseph Reyes, Toby Espiritu, Julius Baldueza, Daryl David
Disney Animation Services
  • Producer: Paul Curasi
  • Creative/Technical Consultant: Chuck Williams
  • Production Coordinator: Cammie Cavallin
  • Assistant to the Producer: Annette Laguer
  • Business Manager: Darrell Brown
  • Production Assistant: Cyndi Sager
  • Production Designer: Keith Newton
  • Supervising Animator: Chris Bradley
  • Animators: Anthony Michaels, Aaron Blaise, Darko cesar, Serguei Koushnerov, Rob Corley, Travis Blaise, Branko Mihanovic, Sasha Dorogov, Elliot Bour, Phil Boyd, Tim Hodge
  • Assistant Animators: Merritt Andrews, Caroline Clifford, Craig Crasso
  • Clean-Up Artists: arden Chan, Kevin Proctor, Anthony Stanley
  • Image Processing Specialist: Pamela Darley
  • Assistant Editor: Gary Blair
  • Support Associate Trainee: Brent Tiano
  • Special Thanks To: Roger Allers, Ruben Aquino, Clare Baren, Jeff Dixon, Don Hahn, Rob Minoff, Ruben Procopio, Bob Stanton
  • Vice President: Neil Young
  • Production Coordinators: Robb Alvey, Jeff Ziel
  • Assistant Coordinators: David Fries, Jeff Buccellato
  • Design Support: David Bishop, Chris Baver, Jared Brinkley, Sarah Thompson-VIE UK, Julian Rignal
  • Q/A Manager: Dave Maxey
  • Q/A Group Head: Chris McFarland
  • Lead Analyst: Jon Williams
  • Analyst: Scott Manning, Chad Soares, Stacey Mendoza, Craig McCoy, Paul Shoener, Chris Rausch
  • Additional Testing: Paul Villaneuva III, Eric Reid, Josh Kales, Anthony Nicholas, Joshua Madson, Richard Chan, Jay Yi, Mark Holloway, Duane Peralta, Josh Coon, Colin Elliott, Mike Galindo, Candace Galindo

Master System and Game Gear versions

Developed in the UK by Syrox Developments

  • Produced and Programmed by: Dominic Wood
  • Graphic Artists: Mark Knowles, Tony West, Mickey Adams, John Green, Jim Studt, Jason Green, Kevin Watts, Andrew Cambridge, Kevin McMahon
  • Music and Sound: Krisalis, Matt Furniss
  • Product Producer: Ian Mathias
  • Test Manager: Kevin Turner
  • Testers: Tony Hinds, John Martin, Paul Welton, Simon Humber, Tony Byus, Michael Wenn, Carl Perrin, Alon Malka

Disney Software:

  • Sr. Producer: Patrick Gilmore
  • Assistant Producer: Michael Giacchino
Sega of America
  • Producer: Rhonda Van
  • Assistant Producer: Erik Whaiberg
  • Product Manager: Chrissie Huneke
  • Test Lead: Crisi Albertson
  • Assistant Leads: Kimberly Rogers, Ben Cureton
  • Testers: Sam Saliba, Rachael Bristol, Jeffery Kessler, Joel Breton, Carey Camacho, Bill Person, Blair Bullock, Gregg Vogt, Todd Morgan, Don Carmichael, Maria Tuzzo, Amine Khoury, Ben Szymkowiak, Randy Kriedt, Kif Davis, Daniel Wong, Bart Larrenaga, Mark Griffin

Magazine articles

Main article: The Lion King/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

  • GameGear ES PrintAd 1994-11.jpg

    Game Gear ES print advert

  • LionKing ES PrintAd 1994-12.jpg

    Game Gear and Mega Drive ES print advert

  • 1994 12 - Mega Drive.jpg

    Mega Drive ES print advert

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
56 №1, p156-159[2]
94
79 №157, p87[3]
80
94
90 №23, p46
87 №67
86 №6, p15
93 №36, p82-85[4]
87 №26, p58-61[5]
95 №47, p94-97[6]
79 №61, p44-46
90 №39, p38/39
90 №42, p11
Sega Mega Drive
 86
Based on
14 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
98
[7]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
68
[8]
CD Consoles (FR)
56
[9]
Cool Gamer (RU)
90
[10]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
79
[3]
Computer + Video Giochi (IT)
79
[11]
Digitiser (UK) PAL
81
[12]
Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US) NTSC-U
100
[13]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
80
[14]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
90
[15]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 2 (RU)
70
[16]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
58
[17]
Freak (IL)
87
[18]
Game Players (US) NTSC-U
94
[19]
Game Players (US)
94
[20]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
88
[21]
Gamers (DE) PAL
27
[22]
GamesMaster (UK) PAL
90
[23]
GamesMaster (UK) PAL
87
[24]
Games World: The Magazine (UK) PAL
86
[25]
Igry Sega Luchshiye iz luchshikh. Vypusk 1 (RU)
80
[26]
Joypad (FR) PAL
93
[4]
LeveL (CZ)
85
[27]
MAN!AC (DE) PAL
81
[28]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
82
[29]
Megazin (SI)
88
[30]
Micro Kid's Multimédia (FR)
75
[31]
Magazina Igrushek (RU)
75
[32]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
87
[5]
Novaya Real'nost' (RU) Bootleg
73
[33]
Player One (FR)
95
[34]
Play Time (DE) PAL
84
[35]
Power Up! (UK)
86
[36]
Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J
65
[37]
Sega Magazin (DE)
88
[38]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
79
[39]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
90
[40]
Sega Force (SE)
80
[41]
Sega Mega Drive Review (RU)
84
[42]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
64
[43]
Sonic the Comic (UK) PAL
90
[44]
Todo Sega (ES)
95
[45]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
90
[46]
VideoGames (US)
70
[47]
Sega Mega Drive
 81
Based on
44 reviews

The Lion King

Mega Drive, US
Lion King MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Lion King MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, EU
Lion King MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
LionKing MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, JP
Lion King MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
TheLionKing MD JP CartTop.jpg
Thelionking md jp cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, AU
LionKing MD AU cover.jpg
Cover
LionKing MD AU Cart.jpg
Cart
The Lion King Megadrive AUS Manual.pdf
Manual
LionKing MD AU Cart Silver.jpg
Silver Cart variant
Mega Drive, AU (Sega Platinum Collection)
LionKing MD AU Box Platinum.jpg
Cover
LionKing MD AU Cart Top.jpg
LionKing MD AU Cart.jpg
Cart
LionKing MD AU Cart Silver.jpg
Silver Cart variant
Mega Drive, UK
LionKing MD UK Box.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, FR
Lion King MD FR Cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, DE
LionKing MD DE Box.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, ES
LionKing MD ES Box.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, IT

Mega Drive, KR

LionKing MD KR cart.jpg
Cart

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
83 №159, p90[1]
86 №27, p114[48]
75 №48, p149
87 №39, p73
Sega Master System
 83
Based on
4 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Computer & Video Games (UK) PAL
83
[1]
Gamers (DE) PAL
67
[49]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
86
[48]
Player One (FR)
75
[50]
Play Time (DE) PAL
80
[51]
Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
87
[52]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
87
[53]
Todo Sega (ES)
90
[54]
Video Games (DE) PAL
60
[55]
Sega Master System
 79
Based on
9 reviews

The Lion King

Master System, EU
LionKing SMS EU cover.jpg
Cover
LionKing SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, UK
LionKing SMS UK cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, FR
LionKing SMS FR cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, DE
LionKing SMS DE cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, ES
LionKing SMS ES cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, IT
LionKing SMS IT cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, BR
LionKing SMS BR cover.jpg
Cover
LionKing SMS BR Cart.jpg
Cart
LionKingSMSBRManual.pdf
Manual
Master System, AU
LionKing SMS AU cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, PT
LionKingSMSPTCover.jpg
Cover

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
85 №6, p21
68 №48, p149
Sega Game Gear
 77
Based on
2 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US) NTSC-U
100
[56]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
78
[57]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
55
[58]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
73
[59]
Gamers (DE) PAL
67
[60]
Games World: The Magazine (UK) PAL
85
[61]
Mega Fun (DE)
67
[62]
Player One (FR)
68
[50]
Play Time (DE) PAL
81
[51]
Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
86
[63]
Todo Sega (ES)
95
[64]
Video Games (DE) PAL
72
[55]
Sega Game Gear
 77
Based on
12 reviews

The Lion King

Game Gear, US
LionKing GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngLionKing GG US Box Front.jpg
Cover
The Lion King GG US cart.jpg
Cart
Lionking gg us manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, US (Majesco)
LionKing GG US Box Back Majesco.jpgNospine.pngLionKing GG US Box Front Majesco.jpg
Cover
LionKing GG US Cart Majesco.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, EU
LionKing GG EU Box Back.jpgNospine.pngThe Lion King GG EU box front.jpg
Cover
The Lion King GG EU cart.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, JP
LionKing GG JP Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngLionKing GG JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
LionKing GG JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, BR
<div style="margin:auto; max-width:Expression error: Unexpected < operator.px"> 320x120px
Cover
Game Gear, FR
LionKing GG FR Box Back.jpgNospine.pngLionKing GG FR Box Front.jpg
Cover
Game Gear, DE
LionKing GG DE Box Back.jpgNospine.pngLionKing GG DE Box Front.jpg
Cover
Game Gear, ES
LionKing GG ES Box Front.jpg
Cover
Game Gear, IT
LionKing GG IT Box Back.jpgNospine.pngLionKing GG IT Box Front.jpg
Cover

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 File:CVG UK 159.pdf, page 90 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 159.pdf_p90" defined multiple times with different content
  2. ↑ File:CDConsoles FR 01.pdf, page 156
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 File:CVG UK 157.pdf, page 87 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 157.pdf_p87" defined multiple times with different content
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 File:Joypad FR 036.pdf, page 82 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joypad FR 036.pdf_p82" defined multiple times with different content
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 File:MeanMachinesSega26UK.pdf, page 58 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesSega26UK.pdf_p58" defined multiple times with different content
  6. ↑ File:PlayerOne FR 047.pdf, page 90
  7. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 117
  8. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "January 1995" (JP; 1994-12-08), page 24
  9. ↑ CD Consoles, "Novembre 1994" (FR; 1994-xx-xx), page 155
  10. ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 117
  11. ↑ Computer + Video Giochi, "Gennaio 1995" (IT; 199x-xx-xx), page 98
  12. ↑ Digitiser (UK) (1994-11-14)
  13. ↑ Electronic Games (1992-1995), "November 1994" (US; 1994-1x-xx), page 110
  14. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "November 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 46
  15. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 326
  16. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 2, "" (RU; 2000-xx-xx), page 118
  17. ↑ Famitsu, "1994-12-16" (JP; 1994-12-02), page 39
  18. ↑ Freak, "1/95" (IL; 1995-xx-xx), page 1
  19. ↑ Game Players, "Vol. 7 No. 11 November 1994" (US; 1994-1x-xx), page 154
  20. ↑ Game Players, "Vol. 7 No. 12 December 1994" (US; 1994-1x-xx), page 54
  21. ↑ GamePro, "December 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 108
  22. ↑ Gamers, "Januar 1995" (DE; 1995-01-08), page 20
  23. ↑ GamesMaster, "November 1994" (UK; 1994-10-20), page 46
  24. ↑ GamesMaster (UK) "Series 4, episode 5" (1994-10-18, 24:00) (+6:59)
  25. ↑ Games World: The Magazine, "December 1994" (UK; 1994-10-28), page 15
  26. ↑ Igry Sega Luchshiye iz luchshikh. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 2000-12-07), page 110
  27. ↑ LeveL, "Leden 1995" (CZ; 1995-01-24), page 41
  28. ↑ MAN!AC, "01/95" (DE; 1994-12-07), page 62
  29. ↑ Mega Fun, "12/94" (DE; 1994-11-23), page 108
  30. ↑ Megazin, "Letnik 2, Številka 16, December 1994" (SI; 1994-xx-xx), page 27
  31. ↑ Micro Kid's Multimédia, "Décembre 1994" (FR; 1994-1x-xx), page 56
  32. ↑ Magazina Igrushek, "2/1995" (RU; 1995-xx-xx), page 66
  33. ↑ Novaya Real'nost' (RU) "Episode 12" (1995-09-01, ) (+0:00)
  34. ↑ Player One, "Novembre 1994" (FR; 1994-1x-xx), page 94
  35. ↑ Play Time, "1/95" (DE; 1994-12-07), page 100
  36. ↑ Power Up!, "Saturday, November 12, 1994" (UK; 1994-11-12), page 1
  37. ↑ Saturn Fan, "1995 March" (JP; 1995-02-08), page 41
  38. ↑ Sega Magazin, "Dezember 1994" (DE; 1994-11-17), page 16
  39. ↑ Sega Power, "December 1994" (UK; 1994-10-20), page 44
  40. ↑ Sega Pro, "December 1994" (UK; 1994-11-03), page 38
  41. ↑ Sega Force, "7-8/94" (SE; 1994-10-19), page 24
  42. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Review, "1" (RU; 1995-04-03), page 89
  43. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 87
  44. ↑ Sonic the Comic, "January 6th 1995" (UK; 1994-12-24), page 11
  45. ↑ Todo Sega, "Noviembre 1994" (ES; 1994-1x-xx), page 42
  46. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 105
  47. ↑ VideoGames, "December 1994" (US; 1994-1x-xx), page 97
  48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 File:MeanMachinesSega27UK.pdf, page 114 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesSega27UK.pdf_p114" defined multiple times with different content
  49. ↑ Gamers, "Januar 1995" (DE; 1995-01-08), page 23
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 Player One, "Décembre 1994" (FR; 1994-1x-xx), page 149
  51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 Play Time, "1/95" (DE; 1994-12-07), page 104
  52. ↑ Sega Magazine, "January 1995" (UK; 1994-12-15), page 108
  53. ↑ Sega Pro, "December 1994" (UK; 1994-11-03), page 73
  54. ↑ Todo Sega, "Noviembre 1994" (ES; 1994-1x-xx), page 46
  55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 Video Games, "2/95" (DE; 1995-01-18), page 113
  56. ↑ Electronic Games (1992-1995), "April 1995" (US; 1995-0x-xx), page 95
  57. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "December 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 46
  58. ↑ Famitsu, "1995-01-20" (JP; 1995-01-06), page 40
  59. ↑ GamePro, "December 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 250
  60. ↑ Gamers, "Januar 1995" (DE; 1995-01-08), page 22
  61. ↑ Games World: The Magazine, "December 1994" (UK; 1994-10-28), page 21
  62. ↑ Mega Fun, "01/95" (DE; 1994-12-21), page 32
  63. ↑ Sega Magazine, "January 1995" (UK; 1994-12-15), page 112
  64. ↑ Todo Sega, "Noviembre 1994" (ES; 1994-1x-xx), page 47


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