Ariel the Little Mermaid

From Sega Retro

n/a

  • Mega Drive
  • Game Gear
  • Master System

Ariel MD title.png

Ariel GG title.png

Ariel SMS title.png

Ariel the Little Mermaid
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear
Publisher: Sega
Sega Master System
Tec Toy
Developer:
Distributor:
Sega Mega Drive
Majesco Sales (US re-release)
Licensor: The Walt Disney Company
Sound driver:
Sega Mega Drive
GEMS
Genre: Action[1]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
US
1041
Sega Mega Drive
EU
1041
Sega Mega Drive
DE
DM 99.9599.95[6] 1041
Sega Mega Drive
UK
£34.9934.99[4][5] 1041
Sega Mega Drive
SE
(Rental)
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Mega Drive
BR
043030
Sega Mega Drive
KR
GM93026JG
Sega Mega Drive
AS
Sega Game Gear
US
2411
Sega Game Gear
EU
2411
Sega Game Gear
UK
£29.9929.99[8][9] 2411
Sega Game Gear
BR
075260
Sega Master System
BR
R$36.9936.99 026350
Tectoy: Todas as Idades

Ariel the Little Mermaid is an action game for the Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear based on the movie with the same name. The Master System version was exclusive to Brazil.

Story

The game's story has very little to do with the plot of the film. The evil Sea Witch, Ursula, has attempted to conquer the seven seas, turning legions of merpeople into polyps and bewitching various sea creatures. She also kidnaps an important member of the royal family of Atlantica (King Triton if playing as Ariel, and vice versa). It is up to either Ariel or King Triton (depending on the player's choice) to defeat Ursula and restore order to the seas.

Gameplay

The player controls either Ariel or King Triton, who both have a normal weapon with unlimited uses and a limited-use super weapon. By default, the Mega Drive version maps the normal weapon to B and the super weapon to A, while the Game Gear and Master System versions map both weapons to 1, with 2+Up being used to switch between weapon types. The D-Pad is used to make Ariel/Triton change direction and swim in the direction pressed.

The objective of the game is to locate the polyps in each level and restore them to merpeople by either touching them directly or shooting them with the normal weapon. Every polyp must be found in order to access the level's boss whose entrance is hidden somewhere in the level. As the levels are labyrinthe in design, there is a map system that can be accessed by pausing the game. The flashing dots on the map indicate polyps that the player needs to locate, and the red X indicates the boss's location (only marked on the map on Medium difficulty). Also located somewhere in each level is Scuttle's Magical Collection, which is a shop screen where the player can spend collected treasure on various items and Fish Friends.

If the player's health meter is drained completely, one try is used to refill it. If there are no more tries left, the game ends. The player gets four Continues in an Easy game, two in a Medium game, and only one in a Difficult game.

The gameplay suffers from frequent slowdown, particularly when there are a lot of sprites on screen at any point.

Fish Friends

Fish Friends are characters who can be summoned to aid the player with specific obstacles. In the Mega Drive version, the player must press A, B or C on the map screen to select a Fish Friend, then press C during gameplay to summon the selected friend. In the Game Gear and Master System versions, button combinations need to be pressed to select and summon Fish Friends.

Flounder
Can be summoned to push rocks out of the way. In the Game Gear and Master System versions, press 2+Right to select him, then release 2 while holding Right to summon him.
Sebastian
Can be summoned to scare away sea creatures. In the Game Gear and Master System versions, press 2+Down to select him, then release 2 while holding Down to summon him.
Digger fish
Can be summoned to dig up items from soft mounds of sand. In the Game Gear and Master System versions, press 2+Left to select it, then release 2 while holding Left to summon it.

Items

The items listed here can either be found in the open, inside treasure chests, or purchased from Scuttle's Magical Collection:

Key
Used to open treasure chests.
Treasure Chest
Contains items, but requires a key to unlock. Float above a chest to open it. This uses up one key.
Little Heart
Slightly restores the player's health.
Big Heart
Completely restores the player's health.
Sparkle
Awards an extra try.
Star
Gives the player another super weapon shot.
Gem
Adds to the player's treasure count.
Coin
Adds the player's treasure count.

Levels

Notavailable.svg

The Reef

Notavailable.svg

The Sunken Ship

Notavailable.svg

Atlantis

Notavailable.svg

The Cave

Production credits

Mega Drive version

  • Game Design: Barbara Michalec
Sega Credits
Disney Credit
  • Producer: Patrick Gilmore
  • Account Executive: Cathy G, Fortier
  • Programmers: Barbara Michaelec, Karl Robillard, Ron Thompson
  • Artists: Dana Christianson, Geoff Knoble, Tom Moon
  • Animation: John Roy
  • Manual by: Ruth Zultner Writing Services and Arcadian Design
Source:
US manual

Magazine articles

Main article: Ariel the Little Mermaid/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Suuri lelukirja FI 1993 Sega.jpg
FI advert (1993)
Suuri lelukirja FI 1993 Sega.jpg
Logo-pdf.svg
Mega Drive print advert in Mega Force (ES) #8: "Diciembre 1992" (1992-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Mega Drive print advert in Mega Force (ES) #9: "Enero 1993" (199x-xx-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Game Gear print advert in Mega Force (ES) #12: "Abril 1993" (1993-xx-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Game Gear print advert in Micromanía (segunda época) (ES) #58: "Marzo 1993" (1993-0x-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
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Mega Drive/Game Gear print advert in Ação Games (BR) #36: "Junho 1993" (1993-06-01)
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

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
[13]
Alaab Alcomputtar (SA)
85
[14]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
52
[15]
Consoles + (FR)
43
[16]
Cool Gamer (RU)
60
[17]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
46
[4]
Game Power (IT)
72
[18]
Joypad (FR) PAL
69
[19]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
61
[20]
Mega (UK) NTSC-U
44
[21]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
57
[22]
Player One (FR)
53
[23]
Play Time (DE)
68
[24]
Power Up! (UK)
72
[25]
Power Play (DE)
40
[26]
Score (CZ)
35
[27]
Sega Power (UK) NTSC-U
18
[28]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
72
[29]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
79
[30]
Sega Force (SE)
65
[31]
Sega Force (UK)
80
[32]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
61
[33]
Video Games (DE)
36
[34]
Sega Mega Drive
58
Based on
23 reviews

Ariel the Little Mermaid

Mega Drive, US
AtLM MD US Box.jpg
Cover
AtLM MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Ariel MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
AtLM MD US Cart Alt.jpg
Cart (alt)
Mega Drive, US (cardboard)
AtLM MD US Box Cardboard Back.jpgNospine.pngAtLM MD US Box Cardboard.jpg
Cover
AtLM MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, EU
AtLM MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
AtLM MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Ariel The Little Mermaid MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Ariel MD EU pcb.jpg
PCB
Mega Drive, SE (rental)
Ariel MD SE rental cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, AU
Ariel MD AU back.jpgNospine.pngAriel MD AU cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, BR
AtLM MD BR Box Back.jpgNospine.pngAtLM MD BR Box.jpg
Cover
AtLM MD BR Cart.jpg
Cart
Ariel the Little Mermaid MD BR Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, KR
AtLM MD KR Box.jpg
Cover
ArieltheLittleMermaid MD KR cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, Asia
AtLM MD AS Box.jpg
Cover
Ariel The Little Mermaid MD AS Cart.jpg
Cart
Ariel The Little Mermaid MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual

Master System version

Master System, BR
AtLM SMS BR Box.jpg
Cover
AtLM SMS BR Cart.jpg
Cart

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Consoles + (FR) PAL
45
[35]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
24
[36]
Gamers (DE)
53
[37]
Joypad (FR)
73
[38]
Mega Byte (UK) PAL
61
[39]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
43
[40]
Player One (FR)
65
[41]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
23
[42]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
71
[43]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
65
[9]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
65
[8]
Supergame (BR)
73
[44]
Sega Game Gear
55
Based on
12 reviews

Ariel the Little Mermaid

Game Gear, US
Ariel GG US back.jpgNospine.pngAtLM GG US Box Front.jpg
Cover
AtLM GG US Cart.jpg
Cart
Ariel gg us manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, EU
AtLM GG EU Box Back.jpgAriel Little Mermaid GG EU BoxSpine.jpgAtLM GG EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
AtLM GG US Cart.jpg
Cart
Ariel Little Mermaid GG EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Game Gear, BR
AtLM GG BR Box.jpg
Cover
Arieltlm gg br cart.jpg
Cart

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega Drive
CRC32 58e297df
MD5 4916ade6b213b1f56864239db56fef0d
SHA-1 201105569535b7c8f11bd97b93cbee884c7845c4
512kB 1992-10 Cartridge (US/EU)
Sega Master System
 ?
CRC32 f4b3a7bd
MD5 9efdf5a7123f5a52967199381e93759d
SHA-1 77a35c0b622786183d6703a5d7546728db44b68d
256kB Cartridge (BR)
Sega Game Gear
 ?
CRC32 97e3a18c
MD5 e786fb76fb3808a7b4906aa3ba9ff1a7
SHA-1 d2f1b95a6d0a2cacd93ed307a5a6576f954a7d56
256kB Cartridge (US/EU)

References

  1. File:AtLM GG EU Box Back.jpg
  2. GamePro, "September 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 30
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 GamesMaster, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-03), page 14
  4. 4.0 4.1 Computer & Video Games, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-15), page 86
  5. MegaTech, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-20), page 13
  6. 6.0 6.1 Sega Pro, "April 1993" (DE; 1993-03-26), page 54
  7. Sega Visions, "February/March 1993" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 100
  8. 8.0 8.1 Sega Force, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-04-01), page 34
  9. 9.0 9.1 Sega Zone, "March 1993" (UK; 1993-02-11), page 59
  10. Hobby Consolas, "Enero 1993" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 24
  11. Hobby Consolas, "Abril 1993" (ES; 1993-xx-xx), page 10
  12. Todo Sega, "Abril 1993" (ES; 1993-03-15), page 3
  13. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 21
  14. Alaab Alcomputtar, "" (SA; 1995-06-xx), page 80
  15. Aktueller Software Markt, "Avril 1993" (DE; 1993-03-08), page 133
  16. Consoles +, "Février 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 98
  17. Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 17
  18. Game Power, "Marzo 1993" (IT; 1993-0x-xx), page 81
  19. Joypad, "Février 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 106
  20. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "March 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 40
  21. Mega, "March 1993" (UK; 1993-02-18), page 56
  22. MegaTech, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-20), page 38
  23. Player One, "Décembre 1992" (FR; 1992-12-10), page 140
  24. Play Time, "4/93" (DE; 1993-03-10), page 114
  25. Power Up!, "Saturday, January 23, 1993" (UK; 1993-01-23), page 1
  26. Power Play, "3/93" (DE; 1993-02-10), page 104
  27. Score, "Červen 1994" (CZ; 1994-06-01), page 59
  28. Sega Power, "March 1993" (UK; 1993-02-04), page 31
  29. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 64
  30. Sega Pro, "March 1993" (UK; 1993-02-11), page 64
  31. Sega Force, "3/93" (SE; 1993-05-13), page 19
  32. Sega Force, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 84
  33. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 15
  34. Video Games, "3/93" (DE; 1993-02-24), page 85
  35. Consoles +, "Avril 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 123
  36. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 164
  37. Gamers, "März/April 1994" (DE; 1994-03-04), page 78
  38. Joypad, "Février 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 113
  39. Mega Byte, "March 13, 1993" (UK; 1993-03-13), page 1
  40. Mean Machines Sega, "March 1993" (UK; 1993-02-28), page 68
  41. Player One, "Mai/Juin 1993" (FR; 1993-05-10), page 109
  42. Sega Power, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-06), page 48
  43. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 44
  44. Supergame, "Maio 1993" (BR; 1993-05-xx), page 36


Ariel the Little Mermaid

Ariel MD title.png

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Games based on Disney animated films for Sega systems
Sega Mega Drive
Fantasia (1991) | Ariel the Little Mermaid (1992) | Beauty and the Beast: Belle's Quest (1993) | Beauty and the Beast: Roar of the Beast (1993) | Disney's Aladdin (1993) | The Jungle Book (1994) | The Lion King (1994) | Pocahontas (1996) | Pinocchio (1996) | Hercules (unreleased)
Sega Game Gear
Ariel the Little Mermaid (1992) | The Jungle Book (1994) | Disney's Aladdin (1994) | The Lion King (1994) | Hercules (unreleased)
Sega Master System
The Jungle Book (1993) | Disney's Aladdin (1994) | The Lion King (1994) | Ariel the Little Mermaid (1996)
Sega Pico
Math Antics with Disney's 101 Dalmatians (1994) | Pocahontas Riverbend Adventures (1995) | The Lion King: Adventures at Pride Rock (1995) | Nurie Daisuki! Dumbo no Waku Waku Circus! (1997) | Peter Pan Neverland e Ikou! (1997) | Shirayukihime (1999) | Disney Princesses: Princess ni Naritai (2003) | Disney Princesses: Ariel (2004) | Disney Princesses: Suteki ni Lesson! Hiragana-Katakana (2004) | Hercules (unreleased) | Pinocchio (unreleased)
Sega Dreamcast
Disney's Dinosaur (2000)
Unlicensed games based on Disney animated films for Sega systems
Sega Mega Drive
The Lion King II (1996?) | The Lion King 3 (1997?) | Hua Mu Lan: Mulan (1998) | Aladdin II (1998?) | Hercules 2 (1999) | Aladdin 2001 (2001)