Universal Soldier

From Sega Retro

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UniversalSoldier Title.png

Universal Soldier
System(s): Sega Mega Drive
Publisher: Ballistic
Developer:
Licensor: Carolco
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
US
$54.9554.95[1] ACLD011
Sega Mega Drive
EU
ACLD011
Sega Mega Drive
ES
Sega Mega Drive
FR
Sega Mega Drive
UK
£34.9934.99[3][4] ACLD011
Sega Mega Drive
SE
(Rental)
Sega Mega Drive
CZ
Sega Mega Drive
AU
FUNI02SMC
Non-Sega versions

Universal Soldier is an action game released for the Sega Mega Drive in 1992. Though the game was sold in stores, it was not licensed by Sega.

The game is essentially a reworking of Factor 5's Turrican II to act as a tie-in for the 1992 film Universal Soldier. The game gives no credit to the original Turrican II staff in any form, with the exception of Turrican creator Manfred Trenz.

Story

Luc Deveraux, a former U.S. Army soldier who was killed in the Vietnam War in 1969, has returned to life following a secret military project called the "Universal Soldier" program. Though his memory was erased, he finds out about his past and has to face his former superior officer, Sgt. Andrew Scott, who had lost his sanity in the Vietnam War and become a psychotic megalomaniac. Scott is intent on killing Deveraux and leading the Universal Soldiers.

Gameplay

The game is a side-scrolling run-and-gun played as the soldier Luc Deveraux. It plays similarly to Turrican. Levels are large and maze-like. Deveraux moves with Left and Right and kneels with Down. He jumps with B or Up; he jumps higher if the button is held for longer. Some enemies can be damaged by jumping on them. He fires his rifle with A, which does not have rapid-fire. There are three special weapons that are equipped by collecting their icons in the levels. Deveraux has a special "lightning whip" weapon, a long energy beam that damages enemies continuously, that is activated by holding A. The lightning whip can be rotated in a full circle around Deveraux with Left and Right.

Deveraux can transform into a "buzzsaw" form where he curls into a ball and rolls along the ground with Down+B. This can be used to attack enemies or fit into small spaces. He is invulnerable while in this state. Unlike the other Turrican games for the Mega Drive, this ability can be used an unlimited number of times in this game. While rolling, he can drop mines with A. Mines are also unlimited. Deveraux exits the rolling form by jumping.

Deveraux has two special screen-clearing attacks. The "power line" weapon, used with C, sweeps the screen with two tall energy pillars. The power line can only be used a limited number of times, but the player can find items that allow for more uses. He bounces around the screen in his invulnerable ball form while firing his weapon and dropping mines with A+B+C. This attack can only be used once per level.

Deveraux has an energy meter that depletes as he takes damage from enemies. He loses a life if he runs out of energy and revives in place after a moment if the player has extra lives remaining. Since Deveraux does not have a moment of invulnerability after taking damage (as is customary in platforming games), he can take a large amount of damage in a short span if the player is not cautious. Levels are timed, and the player loses a life if time runs out as well. The game ends if the player runs out of lives, but it can be continued if there are continues remaining. The player earns an extra life for every 100 crystals collected in the levels. The game has a password system for continuing.

Weapons

Universal Soldier, Weapons, Normal.png

Normal
The starting weapon. Shoots energy bullets forwards.

Universal Soldier, Weapons, Multiple.png

Multiple Shot
Fires a conical spread shot.

Universal Soldier, Weapons, Laser.png

Laser
Fires a large, powerful shot that penetrates through targets.

Universal Soldier, Weapons, Bounce.png

Bounce Shot
Fires a large energy ball that explodes into smaller balls, which ricochet off solid surfaces, after hitting something.

Items

Universal Soldier, Items.png
Item Container
Shoot to release an item. The item container damages Deveraux if it touches him.
Universal Soldier, Items.png
P
Fully restores Deveraux's energy meter.
Universal Soldier, Items.png
Multiple Shot
Equips the Multiple Shot weapon.
Universal Soldier, Items.png
Laser
Equips the Laser weapon.
Universal Soldier, Items.png
Bounce Shot
Equips the Bounce Shot weapon.
Universal Soldier, Items.png
Lightning Whip
Increases the length of the lightning whip.
Universal Soldier, Items.png
Shield
Makes Deveraux temporarily invulnerable.
Universal Soldier, Items.png
Power Line
Gives Deveraux another power line.
Universal Soldier, Items.png
Bomb
Destroys all enemies on the screen when collected.
Universal Soldier, Items.png
Crystal
Collect 100 to earn an extra life.
Universal Soldier, Items.png
1-Up
Gives the player an extra life.

Worlds

Universal Soldier, Stage 1-1.png

Universal Soldier, Stage 1-2.png

Universal Soldier, Stage 1-2 Boss.png

Universal Soldier, Stage 1-3.png

  • Universal Soldier, Stage 1-1.png

  • Universal Soldier, Stage 1-2.png

  • Universal Soldier, Stage 1-2 Boss.png

  • Universal Soldier, Stage 1-3.png

World 1

Universal Soldier, Stage 2-1.png

Universal Soldier, Stage 2-1 Boss.png

Universal Soldier, Stage 2-2.png

Universal Soldier, Stage 2-2 Boss.png

Universal Soldier, Stage 2-3.png

Universal Soldier, Stage 2-3 Boss.png

  • Universal Soldier, Stage 2-1.png

  • Universal Soldier, Stage 2-1 Boss.png

  • Universal Soldier, Stage 2-2.png

  • Universal Soldier, Stage 2-2 Boss.png

  • Universal Soldier, Stage 2-3.png

  • Universal Soldier, Stage 2-3 Boss.png

World 2

Universal Soldier, Stage 3-1.png

Universal Soldier, Stage 3-2.png

Universal Soldier, Stage 3-2 Boss.png

Universal Soldier, Stage 3-3.png

Universal Soldier, Stage 3-3 Boss.png

  • Universal Soldier, Stage 3-1.png

  • Universal Soldier, Stage 3-2.png

  • Universal Soldier, Stage 3-2 Boss.png

  • Universal Soldier, Stage 3-3.png

  • Universal Soldier, Stage 3-3 Boss.png

World 3

Universal Soldier, Stage 4-1.png

Universal Soldier, Stage 4-2.png

Universal Soldier, Stage 4-2 Boss.png

  • Universal Soldier, Stage 4-1.png

  • Universal Soldier, Stage 4-2.png

  • Universal Soldier, Stage 4-2 Boss.png

World 4

Versions

Universal Soldier replaces the three shoot-'em-up levels in Turrican II with three new levels of standard gameplay with completely different sets of graphics and using the same music as the discarded levels. Aside from that and a reordered sequence of the levels, the gameplay in the whole game is left mostly intact. New additions compared to the original also include a password system and selectable difficulty. A couple of bosses were edited to resemble the antagonist in the film, Sergeant Andrew Scott (portrayed by Dolph Lundgren).

A version of the game was released for the Game Boy. The Mega Drive and Game Boy versions of Universal Soldier were the only versions of Turrican II to be released in North America until the release of the Turrican Flashback collection for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 in 2021.

A port of the game was also developed for the Super NES but not released.[5]

Production credits

  • Produced by: Chris Bankston
  • Programmed by: The Code Monkeys
  • Programming: Colin Hogg
  • Aided by: Elliot Gay, Mark Kirkby
  • Graphics by: Joe Lewis and Manfred Trenz
  • Musicians: J.D. Rogers and Paul Kenny
  • Game Testers: Steve Graziano, Robert V. Daly, James R. Kucera
  • Technical Advice: Chris Bankston, Tim Wilson, Russell Shiffer, Dave Rogers, Natalie Healy
Source:
In-game credits (menu)
Universal Soldier MD menu credits.pdf
[6]

  • Produced by: Chris W. Bankston
  • Programmed by: The Code Monkeys
  • Graphics by: Joe Lewis
  • Music by: J.D. Rogers, Paul Kenny
  • Tested by: Robert Daly, James Kucera, Steve Graziano
  • Special Thanks: Al Miller, Bob Whitehead, Charlotte T. Skeel, and many others
Source:
In-game credits (ending)
Universal Soldier MD credits.pdf
[7]

Source:
Uncredited


Magazine articles

Main article: Universal Soldier/Magazine articles.

Physical scans

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
[8]
Consoles + (FR)
95
[9]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
60
[10]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
45
[11]
Game Power (IT)
81
[12]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
65
[1]
Joypad (FR)
41
[13]
Joystick (FR) PAL
43
[14]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
60
[15]
Mega (UK) PAL
68
[16]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
60
[17]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
47
[18]
Play Time (DE) PAL
68
[19]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
91
[20]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
89
[21]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
89
[22]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
88
[23]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
63
[24]
Todo Sega (ES)
80
[25]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
76
[26]
Sega Mega Drive
68
Based on
20 reviews

Universal Soldier

Mega Drive, US
UniversalSoldier MD US back.jpgNospine.pngUniversalSoldier MD US Box Front.jpg
Cover
UniversalSoldier MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
UniversalSoldier MD US Manual.jpg
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
UniversalSoldier MD EU back.jpgNospine.pngUniversalSoldier MD EU front.jpg
Cover
UniversalSoldier MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Universal Soldier MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
UniversalSoldier MD EU pcb.jpg
PCB
Mega Drive, FR

Universal Soldier MD FR Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, ES

Mega Drive, SE (Rental)
UniversalSoldier MD SE rental cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, CZ (Datart)
UniversalSoldier MD CZ Box Front.jpg
Cover
Notavailable.svg
Manual
Mega Drive, AU
UniversalSoldier MD AU back.jpgNospine.pngUniversalSoldier MD AU front.jpg
Cover
UniversalSoldier MD US Cart.jpg
Cart

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega Drive
CRC32 352ebd49
MD5 1546f822e7fe5b5d7fa54067968628dd
SHA-1 9ac1416641ba0e6632369ffe69599b08fc3c225f
1MB 1992-10 Cartridge (US/EU)

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 GamePro, "January 1993" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 64
  2. 2.0 2.1 Sega Zone, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-28), page 9
  3. Mean Machines Sega, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-xx), page 147
  4. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 57
  5. https://snescentral.com/article.php?id=0839
  6. File:Universal Soldier MD menu credits.pdf
  7. File:Universal Soldier MD credits.pdf
  8. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 254
  9. Consoles +, "Décembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 102
  10. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 366
  11. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 113
  12. Game Power, "Febbraio 1993" (IT; 1993-0x-xx), page 68
  13. Joypad, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 170
  14. Joystick, "Décembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 164
  15. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 56
  16. Mega, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-17), page 46
  17. MegaTech, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-20), page 62
  18. Mean Machines Sega, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-28), page 60
  19. Play Time, "1/93" (DE; 1992-12-09), page 88
  20. Sega Power, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-03), page 44
  21. Sega Pro, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-12), page 36
  22. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 68
  23. Sega Zone, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-xx), page 16
  24. Sega Force, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 68
  25. Todo Sega, "Julio 1993" (ES; 1993-0x-xx), page 66
  26. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 27


Universal Soldier

UniversalSoldier Title.png

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Turrican games for Sega systems
Turrican (1991) | Universal Soldier (1992) | Mega Turrican (Director's Cut) (1994)