The Terminator

From Sega Retro

For the Sega Mega-CD game, see The Terminator (Mega-CD).

n/a

  • Mega Drive
  • Master System
  • Game Gear

Terminator MD title.png

TheTerminator SMS Title.png

Terminator GG Title.png

The Terminator
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear
Publisher: Virgin Games
Developer:
Supporting companies:
Sound driver:
Sega Mega Drive
Krisalis sound driver
Genre: Action[1], Arcade[2]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
US
$59.9959.99[4][5] 70026
Sega Mega Drive
EU
T-70026-50
Sega Mega Drive
UK
£39.9939.99[7][8] T-70026-50
Sega Mega Drive
SE
(Rental)
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Master System
EU
MK-27025-50
Sega Master System
UK
£32.9932.99[10] MK-27025-50
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Master System
BR
027320
Sega Game Gear
US
$39.9939.99[12] T-70048
Sega Game Gear
EU
T-70048-50
Sega Game Gear
EU
(Classic)
700-48
Sega Game Gear
UK
£25.9925.99[14][15] T-70048-50

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The Terminator is a Sega Mega Drive action run and gun game developed by Probe Software and published by Virgin Games. It is based on the 1984 film The Terminator.

Gameplay

The game is a side scrolling shooter with objectives that vary level to level. Level 1 sets Kyle in the future in search of a time machine. Level 2 has Kyle searching for Sarah in present time while Level 3 has him reuniting with her after a brief separation. The final level features a deadly confrontation with the Terminators endoskeleton. The first level features three weapons while the levels after that have only one. Players have a 5 health points which deplete with each hit from enemies taken. This is replaced by a percentage bar in the Game Gear and Master System versions.

In the Sega Mega Drive version there are also selectable difficulty levels which affect gameplay. The difficulty level affects item placement in stage 1 (easy gives you the rifle earlier) and the drop rate of health items. On higher difficulty levels, drop rates are so low that luck plays a big part in clearing the game, as the game is designed in a way that taking damage is unavoidable.

B throws bombs or fires the rifle. C jumps. If you collect plantable bombs, A plants one. (replaced by an automatically planeted on in the Game Gear and Master System versions). In the 8-bit versions, Kyle can die by falling from high places.

Health is restored by collecting randomly dropped bottles in the 16-bit version, while there is no way to restore health in the 8-bit versions aside from clearing a stage. The game has no lives and no continue system.

Score is awarded for defeating enemies. However, in all versions, enemies spawn infinitely, making the score counter pointless.

Levels

TTerminator1 MD.png

Los Angeles, 2029 AD
Players have three weapons at their disposal in this level: Timed Explosives, Grenades, and a Machine Gun. Enemies include Armored Tanks, Hunter Killers, and Terminators. The objective is to destroy a reactor and head into the Time Machine before an explosion ensues.

TTerminator2 MD.png

Los Angeles, 1984
This level takes place on the streets of Los Angeles. Enemies include police officers, helicopters, firebomb hurlers, and the Terminator. The level ends in the Tech Noir disco.

TTerminator3 MD.png

West Palm Police Station
This level takes place in the police station as Reese tries to escape from captivity. The enemy list is the same as the previous level. The level ends after Kyle reaches Sarah Connor.

TTerminator4 MD.png

The Final Confrontation
This level takes place in Cyberdyne's factory. Kyle must confront the Terminator's endoskeleton form. The level ends when Kyle leads the Terminator into a machine press.

Versions

The Sega Mega Drive version contains unused music tracks and animation quality is inconsistent. This hints that the game was rushed out in an unfinished state. The fact that a Sega Mega-CD version exists that is much richer in content and reuses certain sounds, fonts etc. as well as crediting "Dave Perry" behind the original concept (Dave aka David Perry was the programmer of the Mega Drive version) further fortifies that.

The game doesn't perform a region check and thus runs on every region hardware.

Production credits

Mega Drive version

Developed in the UK for Virgin by Probe Software Limited, England
For Virgin Games...
  • Executive Producer: Dr. Stephen H. Clarke-Willson
  • Produced for Virgin Games by: Lyle J. Hall II
  • Quality Assurance by: Lyle J. Hall II, Andy Green, Ian Mathias
  • Manual by: Cathie A. Bartz
The Terminator is a James Cameron Film
The Terminator (C) 1984 Cinema '84
A Greenberg Brothers Partnership.
All Rights Reserved
  • Licensed by: Hemdale Film Corporation
  • Sublicensed by: Bethesda Softworks
The Terminator TM Designates a trademark of Cinema '84 - A Greenberg Brothers Partnership.
Source:
In-game credits


Developed by Probe Software
Published by Virgin Games, Inc
  • Executive Producer: Dr. Stephen H. Clarke-Willson
  • Product Manager: Lyle J. Hall II
  • Quality Assurance by: Lyle J. Hall II, Tommy Tallarico, Michael D. Gater, Jeff Wagoner, Noah Tool, Ron Friedman, Bert Pelascini
  • Manual by: Cathie A. Bartz
  • Edited by: Lisa Marcinko
Source:
US manual
TTerminator md us manual.pdf
[16]

Master System version

  • The Terminator was published by: Virgin Games
  • Developed in the UK for Virgin by: Probe Software Limited, England
  • Programmed by: Dominic Wood
  • Artwork by: Mark Knowles
  • Audio by: Krisalis Software
  • Music by: Matt Furniss
  • Interlude and Credit Sequences: Brian Rogers
  • Designed for Probe Software by: Neil Young, Dominic Wood, Mark Knowles
  • Product Quality Assurance by: Andy Green, Ian Mathias, Darren Lloyd
  • Produced for Virgin Games by: Ian Mathias
  • Produced for Probe Software by: Neil Young
The Terminator (C) 1984 Cinema 84
Greenberg Brothers Partnership
All Rights Reserved
  • Licensed by: Hemdale Film Corporation
  • Sublicensed by: Bethesda Softworks
The Terminator TM Designates a Trademark of Cinema 84
Greenberg Brothers Partnership
Source:
In-game credits

Game Gear version

  • The Terminator was Published by: Virgin Games
  • Developed in the UK for Virgin by: Probe Software Ltd, England
  • Programmed by: Dominic Wood
  • Artwork by: Mark Knowles
  • Audio by: Krisalis Software
  • Music by: Matt Furnis
  • Interlude and Credit Sequences by: Brian Rogers
  • Designed for Probe Software by: Neil Young, Dominic Wood, Mark Knowles
  • Quality Assurance by: Andy Green, Ian Mathias, Darren Lloyd
  • Produced for Virgin Games by: Ian Mathias
  • Produced for Probe Software by: Neil Young
The Terminator (C) 1984 Cinema 84
Greenberg Brothers Partnership
All Rights Reserved
  • Licensed by: Hemdale Film Corporation
  • Sublicensed by: Bethesda Softworks
The Terminator (TM) Designates a Trademark of Cinema 84
Source:
In-game credits


Developed by Probe Software
Published by Virgin Games, Inc
  • Producer: Lyle J. Hall II
  • UK Production: Ian Mathias
  • Manual: Lyle J. Hall II
  • Manual Editing: Lisa Marcinko
  • Testing and Quality Assurance: Darren Lloyd, Michael Gater, Noah Tool, Justin Norr, Joey Kuras
Source:
US manual
The Terminator GG US Manual.pdf
[17]

Magazine articles

Main article: The Terminator/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: The Terminator/Promotional material.

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
[18]
Consoles + (FR)
81
[19]
Cool Gamer (RU)
60
[20]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
91
[21]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
78
[22]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
41
[23]
FX (UK)
90
[24]
Game Power (IT)
90
[25]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
84
[26]
GamesMaster (UK)
87
[27]
Game Zone (UK) PAL
79
[28]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
90
[29]
Joypad (FR) PAL
86
[30]
Joystick (FR) PAL
86
[31]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
63
[32]
Mega (UK)
71
[33]
Mega (UK) PAL
75
[34]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
61
[35]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
60
[36]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
77
[37]
Mean Machines (UK)
43
[38]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
43
[39]
Play Time (DE)
72
[40]
Power Up! (UK)
68
[41]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
87
[8]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
92
[42]
Sega Pro (UK)
89
[43]
Sega Force (SE)
42
[44]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
84
[45]
Supergame (BR) NTSC-U
87
[46]
Supersonic (FR)
77
[47]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
79
[48]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
40
[49]
Video Games (DE)
53
[50]
Zero (UK)
84
[51]
Sega Mega Drive
73
Based on
35 reviews

The Terminator

Mega Drive, US
TTerminator md us cover.jpg
Cover
TTerminator md us cart.jpg
Cart
TTerminator md us manual.pdf
Manual
Terminator MD US pcb.jpg
PCB
Mega Drive, EU
TTerminator md eu cover.jpg
Cover
TTerminator md eu cart.jpg
Cart
The Terminator MD EU Manual.pdf
Manual
Terminator MD EU pcb.jpg
PCB
Mega Drive, SE (Rental)

Mega Drive, AU

Master System 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)
90
[52]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
82
[53]
Game Power (IT)
87
[25]
Game Zone (UK)
83
[54]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
80
[55]
Joypad (FR)
92
[56]
Joystick (FR) PAL
92
[57]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
68
[58]
Mean Machines (UK) PAL
82
[59]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
82
[60]
Player One (FR)
79
[61]
Play Time (DE)
74
[62]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
81
[63]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
90
[42]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
90
[64]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
90
[65]
Supersonic (FR)
90
[66]
Video Games (DE)
66
[67]
Zero (UK)
80
[68]
Sega Master System
83
Based on
19 reviews

The Terminator

Master System, EU
Terminator SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
Terminator SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
The Terminator SMS EU Manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, AU

Terminator SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, BR
Terminator SMS BR Box Back.jpgNospine.pngTerminator SMS BR Box.jpg
Cover

Game Gear 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)
81
[14]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
80
[69]
Game Mania (UK)
81
[70]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
90
[12]
GamesMaster (UK) PAL
84
[13]
Joypad (FR)
84
[71]
Joystick (FR) PAL
82
[72]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
82
[73]
Player One (FR)
70
[74]
Play Time (DE)
70
[75]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
87
[76]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
92
[77]
Sega Pro (UK)
91
[78]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
80
[79]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
87
[80]
Video Games (DE)
65
[81]
Sega Game Gear
82
Based on
16 reviews

The Terminator

Game Gear, US
Terminator GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngTerminator GG US cover.jpg
Cover
Terminator GG US Cart.jpg
Cart
The Terminator GG US Manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, EU
Terminator GG EU backcover.jpgTerminator GG EU BoxSpine.jpgTerminator GG EU cover.jpg
Cover
Terminator GG EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Terminator GG EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Game Gear, EU (Classic Game Gear)
Terminator GG EU Box Top Classic.jpg
Terminator GG EU Box Back Classic.jpgTerminator GG EU Box Spine Classic.jpgTerminator GG EU Box Front Classic.jpgTerminator GG EU Box Spine2 Classic.jpg
Terminator GG EU Box Bottom Classic.jpg
Cover
Terminator GG EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Terminator GG EU Manual.jpg
Manual

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega Drive
 ?
CRC32 31a629be
MD5 de0e4f5e3c45a42959defc1de97a79ff
SHA-1 2a1894e7f40b9001961f7bf1c70672351aa525f9
1MB 1992-05-07[82] Cartridge (US)
Sega Mega Drive
 ?
CRC32 15f4d302
MD5 677b0afb84b0828a7c304784d73983a9
SHA-1 c8ee275f2e30aaf6ad713c6cd915a4ede65328e0
1MB 1992-04-22[83] Cartridge (EU)
Sega Mega Drive
 ?
CRC32 7350a152
MD5 c8617114519ce73d3deb182c15c37734
SHA-1 c57fc68252709ce63a59aac9031f58e4cfb31329
1MB 1992-04-15 CD-R disc Page
Sega Master System
 ?
CRC32 edc5c012
MD5 f224907676a09c7f0404c95c316f1503
SHA-1 eaf733d385e61526b90c1b194bf605078d43e2d3
256kB Cartridge (EU)
Sega Master System
CRC32 e3d5ce9a
MD5 ba2aa1c3c3d0a24acbb2e86c1fb0aadf
SHA-1 bea0a1d0271faa2273e4cf1e968241d018c81da1
256kB Cartridge (BR) Rev 1
Sega Game Gear
 ?
CRC32 c029a5fd
MD5 b9190f130f728ba8c05d82d5f01fde21
SHA-1 1889d019bd9f5919517805a2e02a9691de5ef634
256kB Cartridge (US/EU)

References

  1. File:Terminator GG EU backcover.jpg
  2. File:Terminator SMS EU Box.jpg
  3. Mega Play, "March/April 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 54
  4. GamePro, "January 1992" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 80
  5. GamePro, "February 1992" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 53
  6. 6.0 6.1 Sega Pro, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-21), page 33
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Sega Force, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-xx), page 61
  8. 8.0 8.1 Sega Power, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-04), page 22
  9. 9.0 9.1 Sega Pro, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-16), page 7
  10. Sega Force, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-09), page 55
  11. GamePro, "July 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 94
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 GamePro, "August 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 86
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 GamesMaster, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-03), page 92
  14. 14.0 14.1 Computer & Video Games, "October 1992 (Go! Issue 12)" (UK; 1992-09-15), page 20
  15. Sega Zone, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-28), page 57
  16. File:TTerminator md us manual.pdf, page 11
  17. File:The Terminator GG US Manual.pdf, page 11
  18. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 240
  19. Consoles +, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 54
  20. Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 221
  21. Computer & Video Games, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-15), page 20
  22. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "March 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 28
  23. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 106
  24. FX (UK) (+6:20)
  25. 25.0 25.1 Game Power, "Luigio/Agosto 1992" (IT; 1992-0x-xx), page 64
  26. GamePro, "February 1992" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 52
  27. GamesMaster (UK) "Series 1, episode 1" (1992-01-07, 24:00) (+6:20)
  28. Game Zone, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-24), page 28
  29. Hobby Consolas, "Septiembre 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 40
  30. Joypad, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 50
  31. Joystick, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 167
  32. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 95
  33. Mega, "September 1993" (UK; 1993-08-19), page 89
  34. Mega, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-16), page 87
  35. Mega Fun, "08/92" (DE; 1992-08-18), page 23
  36. MegaTech, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-20), page 46
  37. Micromanía (segunda época), "Noviembre 1992" (ES; 1992-1x-xx), page 77
  38. Mean Machines, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-28), page 84
  39. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 142
  40. Play Time, "11/92" (DE; 1992-10-07), page 92
  41. Power Up!, "Saturday, September 26, 1992" (UK; 1992-09-26), page 1
  42. 42.0 42.1 Sega Pro, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-21), page 32
  43. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 68
  44. Sega Force, "2/92" (SE; 1992-11-19), page 19
  45. Sega Force, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-xx), page 60
  46. Supergame, "Setembro 1992" (BR; 1992-09-xx), page 32
  47. Supersonic, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 10
  48. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 26
  49. VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "September 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 58
  50. Video Games, "9/92" (DE; 1992-08-26), page 58
  51. Zero, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-11), page 26
  52. Computer & Video Games, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-15), page 22
  53. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 160
  54. Game Zone, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-xx), page 40
  55. Hobby Consolas, "Septiembre 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 44
  56. Joypad, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 82
  57. Joystick, "Octobre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 152
  58. Micromanía (segunda época), "Enero 1993" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 57
  59. Mean Machines, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-28), page 110
  60. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 136
  61. Player One, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-07-10), page 110
  62. Play Time, "12/92" (DE; 1992-11-04), page 87
  63. Sega Power, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-04), page 24
  64. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 72
  65. Sega Force, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-09), page 54
  66. Supersonic, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 19
  67. Video Games, "8/92" (DE; 1992-07-22), page 98
  68. Zero, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-xx), page 37
  69. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 171
  70. Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 70
  71. Joypad, "Janvier 1993" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 142
  72. Joystick, "Février 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 194
  73. Mean Machines Sega, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-xx), page 120
  74. Player One, "Mars/Avril 1993" (FR; 1993-03-10), page 115
  75. Play Time, "3/93" (DE; 1993-02-10), page 109
  76. Sega Power, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-01), page 62
  77. Sega Pro, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-08), page 58
  78. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 75
  79. Sega Zone, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-28), page 56
  80. Sega Force, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-08), page 76
  81. Video Games, "10/92" (DE; 1992-09-30), page 129
  82. File:Terminator MD US Debug.png
  83. File:Terminator MD EU Debug.png


The Terminator

Terminator MD title.png

Main page | Comparisons | Maps | Hidden content | Magazine articles | Video coverage | Reception | Promotional material | Region coding | Technical information | Bootlegs


Sega Mega Drive
Prototypes: 1992-04-15



RoboCop and Terminator franchise games for Sega systems
Sega Mega Drive
The Terminator (1992) | T2: The Arcade Game (1992) | RoboCop 3 (1993) | Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1993) | RoboCop Versus The Terminator (1993)
Sega Master System
The Terminator (1992) | T2: The Arcade Game (1993) | RoboCop 3 (1993) | Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1993) | RoboCop Versus The Terminator (1994)
Sega Game Gear
The Terminator (1992) | T2: The Arcade Game (1993) | RoboCop 3 (1993) | Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1993) | RoboCop Versus The Terminator (1994)
Sega Mega-CD
The Terminator (1993)