Michael Jackson's Moonwalker - The Conversions

[Darran@Retro Gamer]

There's obviously the Master System offering, but the Arcade game and Amiga and Spectrum offerings are completely different. Therefore there's plenty of options if the Mega Drive release is still selling for silly money on eBay.

[zerocool]

The MegaDrive version was quite good, but it didn't make my jaw drop in the same way the arcade version did.

[SirClive]

I have the Master System version and it holds up very well. Completely different to the MD one, but for a side-on platformer it is good fun. Also has a pretty good Smooth Criminal rendition.

[filtermadg]

The Master System version gives you a slight impression of what an 8 bit NES version might have looked like, minus of course the better graphics of the Master System.

[Antiriad2097]

The only version I've really played was the one I bought for C64. On tape. Not good.

Now you'd think the C64 could do a half decent rendition of a platform/fighting game with a nice SID interpretation of the music, but no, they completely gutted the game and started with a new design. While this may have followed the movie more closely than the arcade game and its console brethren, it lacked both the polish and excitement of them. Throw a long multi load into the mix and any remaining desire to play is quashed.

[thl]

I can recall playing the Master System version, which was great in terms of using the same concept of the Mega Drive version. The graphics still look really good on the 8-bit console despite lacking those dance choreographs and few cut scenes.

[Nreive]

The Mega Drive game has to be the best conversion available. While it may have changed its gameplay to a standard side on platform game in the same mould as Shinobi, is that such a bad thing? No, it’s not. Plus, soundtrack is just as good as the arcade, although, it’s a shame that “Thriller” couldn’t appear as the soundtrack on the zombie infested level three….

[yethboth]

Michael Jackson Moonwalker on the Megadrive is ok, however, I prefer the Arcade version. The Arcade version is a different and better game than the Megadrive version. The Arcade version was never converted to any home systems.

[Smurph]

I'm playing both the Master System and Megadrive versions, and the MS holds up very well: the music is better than you'd think, considering the weedy sound that normally assaults your ears. The graphics are decent, and it plays very well. Good show all round, I'd say.

[Dam]

I first played the arcade game whilst on holiday at Pontins Camber Sands - I thought it was fantastic and spent a fortune playing it. Soon as I got home I went to John Menzies and bought the Spectrum version, naively expecting a similar, albeit monchrome experience. I think you can all imagine how I felt once I'd loaded it up......

[Antiriad2097]

The current episode of RetroGaming Roundup covers Moonwalker, I had it on in the office today.

[JetSetWilly]

The best version is equal really. Md and Arcade. Four Michael Jacksons (a playgroups worst nightmare), brilliant music and great graphics. Controls wern't bad either. My only bugbear with the MD version is that, when you think you have rescued all the kids, it turns out you've missed one and have to trapse the level to find it, looking behind all the doors, even though I've look behind all the bastards

Worst version is the C64/Spectrum version. Too damned hard and its just a big bag of wrong on so many levels.

[Roo]

I purchased the Master System conversion just last week! Words I'd use to describe it include 'inept', 'repulsive' and 'mince'. An MJ videogame fan, I am not...

[thevulture]

Did love the MD version at the time, but as jetset willy said, having to fanny about looking for that kid you missed somewhere along the way, soon got tedious.

Almost as bad as trying to find the last alien on a terror mission on the 1st 2 Xcom games.

Master system had a worthy game for the system, but the US Gold games? Just awful!.

[Team Alfie]

In Michael's yelp of joy when you insert a coin the arcade game has one of the best ever incentives for punters to keep adding credits. Michael craves your money as much as this YouTube dog craves water.