Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker: A Strange and Oddly Compelling Genesis Game

Introduction:

Are you ready to dive into the bizarre world of Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker? Sega’s Genesis game, starring the iconic pop star, may not be a classic, but it definitely has its own peculiar charm.

The Genesis of Moonwalker

Before Sonic the Hedgehog took the gaming world by storm, Sega looked to celebrities and athletes to enhance their Genesis lineup. With stars like Buster Douglas and Joe Montana endorsing their sports games, Sega hit the jackpot when they secured Michael Jackson’s involvement in a video game. Released in 1990, Moonwalker capitalized on the immense popularity of Jackson during that time.

A Musical Platformer

Moonwalker loosely follows the plot of the film of the same name, which is essentially a musical with minimal storyline. In the game, Michael Jackson, dressed as a gangster, must rescue kidnapped children hidden throughout the city by the sinister drug kingpin, Mr. Big.

Gameplay:

In Moonwalker, instead of wielding a Tommy gun, Michael fights his enemies using his famous dance moves. His main attack consists of flashy kicks and punches, accompanied by a sprinkle of magic dust, as long as his life bar remains above 30%. Additionally, Michael has a dedicated dance button that allows him to perform various moves. From a famous spin, to throwing his fedora like a boomerang, and even an impromptu dance number, each move consumes some of his life energy. However, rescuing a child replenishes his life bar significantly.

The primary objective of each level is to rescue a specific number of kids, after which Michael’s chimpanzee companion, Bubbles, guides him to the end level boss. It’s worth noting that hiding spots for children can also contain bombs, adding an element of danger and surprise to the gameplay.

Sega’s Interpretation:

Sega did a commendable job with an esoteric license like Moonwalker. The game embraces the oddities of the film, incorporating its various set pieces into the levels. Players alternate between kicking gangsters in a dirty parking lot and combating hordes of zombies and spiders. The only power-up in the game is a shooting star, which can transform Michael into a mecha version capable of flying and shooting lasers. However, this form prevents him from rescuing children. In the final level, Michael even transforms into a spaceship, turning the game into a shooter. It’s safe to say that Moonwalker is unlike any other game out there.

Repetitive Repetition:

While the controls in Moonwalker are solid, the game struggles with repetition. Enemy AI is extremely simplistic and offers little resistance. Though the levels are filled with numerous enemies to compensate for this, the repetitiveness becomes tiresome. Additionally, the game features three levels set in the same location, which may make players crave more variety. Even the soundtrack, despite Michael Jackson’s iconic hits, loops endlessly, further contributing to the sense of repetition. Fortunately, Moonwalker is a relatively short game, minimizing the impact of these repetitive elements.

In Closing: A Slow and Repetitive Action Game

Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker manages to surpass expectations considering its source material. However, it falls short of being a truly great game. The initial novelty quickly wears off, leaving players with a slow-paced, repetitive action game that is unlikely to warrant repeated playthroughs.

Conclusion:

Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker for the Sega Genesis receives a rating of 6 out of 10. It sits slightly above average, mainly due to its unique concept and tie-in with the pop star legend himself. Nevertheless, it still fails to deliver a truly captivating gaming experience.