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Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin

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Spider-Man vs.
The Kingpin
North American cover art
Developer(s)Technopop
Sega (GG/MS/Sega CD)
Publisher(s)Sega
Acclaim Entertainment (GG) [a]
Producer(s)E. Ettore Annunziata
Stewart Kosoy (GG/MS/Sega CD)
Designer(s)Christopher Erhardt
Burt Sloane, Bridget McKenna, Douglas Herring, Lisa Sands (Sega CD)
Programmer(s)Burt Sloane
Jonathan Miller
Paul Hutchinson (GG/MS)
Artist(s)Burt Sloane (Sega CD)
Composer(s)Mark Miller
John Karr
David Javelosa
Paul Hutchinson (GG/MS)
Spencer N. Nilsen, David Young (Sega CD)
Platform(s)Mega Drive/Genesis, Master System, Game Gear, Sega CD
ReleaseAugust 1991 (Genesis)[1]
August 1991 (Master System)[2]
May 19, 1992 (Game Gear)[3]
1993 (Sega CD)
Genre(s)Action
Mode(s)Single-player

Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin is a video game produced by Sega and developed by Technopop initially on the Mega Drive/Genesis. It was ported internally by Sega for the Master System and Game Gear consoles, the latter being published by Acclaim Entertainment through its Flying Edge division. An updated version released for the Sega CD was also done internally at Sega under the name of The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin.

All versions of the video game are side-scrolling platform games, whereby the player controls superhero Spider-Man to battle various supervillains (Doctor Octopus, Sandman, The Lizard, Hobgoblin, Vulture, Mysterio, Electro, and Venom) to obtain the keys needed to disarm a nuclear bomb that the Kingpin has not only framed Spider-Man for stealing but plans to detonate within twenty-four hours. In the middle of the game, Spider-Man's wife Mary Jane Watson is also kidnapped by Venom.

Plot

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The Kingpin places a nuclear bomb within New York City and frames Spider-Man as the perpetrator. The keys to deactivate the bomb have been dispersed to many of Spider-Man's rogue gallery including Doctor Octopus, Sandman, The Lizard, Hobgoblin, Vulture, Mysterio, Electro and Venom.

Eventually, Venom kidnaps Mary Jane Parker. Peter obtains the keys and disarms the bomb as well as saving Mary Jane before she is dropped into a pit of acid by the Kingpin.

Ports

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Mega Drive/Genesis version

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The Sega Mega Drive version was released in 1991 and was widely popular with comic book fans, helping to establish the success of the 16-bit Mega Drive/Genesis system. Critics noted that the game had superior graphics, sound and faithfully recreated the characters for the video game universe, even allowing the player to take pictures of the major and minor enemies in the video game to sell at the Daily Bugle to buy more web fluid. The additional ultra-hard challenge was a fight with Venom at the end of each round, before reaching the actual boss. In addition to Venom, there are also many other popular Spider-Man villains that player would have to fight, such as Doctor Octopus, Lizard, Electro, Mysterio, Sandman and Hobgoblin.

According to developer Randel B. Reiss, this version was a huge commercial success: two thirds of all Mega Drive owners at the time also bought the game, and single-handedly convinced Marvel Comics not to cancel the licensing deal they had with Sega.[4]

Master System / Game Gear version

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The 8-bit Sega Master System version is noted as one of the last Master System games officially sold in North America. Like other Master System games released in the United States in 1991, it is European imports that were published by Sega of America, as no boxes or manuals were produced for the American market.[5] The game had the same basic format and storyline as the 16-bit version, with redesigned levels, cutscenes (that included a cameo from Doctor Strange) and even on the easiest setting was seen as being difficult to complete. In this version Mary Jane would not be kidnapped but still appear at the end of the game if players attain the best ending.

A nearly identical port was also released for the Sega Game Gear portable system.

Mega-CD/Sega CD version

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The 16-bit Mega-CD/Sega CD version (1993) made several improvements to game to take advantage of extra memory capabilities of the CD-ROM system. Animated scenes, with voice actors, were added to move the story along and to show what happened when the player died. Gameplay was sped up in this version; Spider-Man could move and climb surfaces significantly faster than in the Mega Drive version. The game also added two new levels, extra combat moves, the ability to collect reproductions of famous Spider-Man comic books issues, and an original musical score by Spencer Nilsen and rock band Mr. Big. The game also was more non-linear as the player could venture to various locations throughout the city (including a local television station). However, the ability to take pictures during the game in order to earn money for web fluid was taken out of this version. The game also added two new levels (Mysterio's Funhouse and the Vulture in the subway). In addition, before battling the Kingpin, the player must first defeat Bullseye and Typhoid Mary. The game had three different difficulty levels (easy, normal and nightmare) and a contest was held (details were provided in the instructions manual along with a sheet to mail in) to see who could successfully complete the game in the ultra-hard nightmare mode and collect all 21 comic book covers.

Alternative endings

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In the final level of the Mega-CD and Mega Drive games, Spider-Man must defeat Kingpin before Mary Jane is dropped into a pit of acid. The Mega-CD version features some alternate cutscenes depending on the outcome of this level. If the player beats Kingpin, but not in time to save Mary Jane from falling into the acid pit, the police will arrest Kingpin and Spider-Man angrily vows to avenge Mary Jane. If the player fails to defeat Kingpin (or his bodyguards), Spider-Man and Mary Jane will be tied up and lowered into the acid pit together. The Mega Drive version is similar, only Kingpin will escape once Mary Jane is killed, leaving a heartbroken Spider-Man on his knees.

In the Master System version, Mary Jane doesn't get kidnapped. If the player loses or flees the final battle, though, Kingpin will get away.

Reception

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Legacy

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The Sega CD version of the game and its additional "Mysterio's FunHouse" level inspired a similar level in the Xbox, PS2, and Gamecube versions of the 2004 game Spider-Man 2, developed by Treyarch. Mysterio was included in the game in part as an intended homage to Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "ProReview: Spider-Man". GamePro. No. 25. IDG. August 1991. pp. 34–35.
  2. ^ "Fact-File" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. July 1991. p. 112.
  3. ^ "Press release: 1992-05-19: ACCLAIM BEGINS SHIPMENT OF SEGA SOFTWARE". Sega Retro. 2016-06-10. Retrieved 2023-05-06.
  4. ^ Randel B. Reiss resume
  5. ^ Kohler, Chris (May 16, 2017). "Collecting Sega Master System Games Is A Huge Pain In The Ass". Kotaku. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  6. ^ Vandore, Simon (February 1994). "Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin". Hyper. No. 3. p. 53. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  7. ^ Kane, Alex (2018-07-09). "The Oral History of Treyarch's Spider-Man 2: One of the Best Superhero Games Ever". USGamer.net. Archived from the original on 2019-02-10. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  1. ^ Released under the Flying Edge brand name
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