Actors - Michael Jackson's Moonwalker

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	Actors - Michael Jackson's Moonwalker

This page is about several arcade and video games. For information about the Michael Jackson
music video please see: Moonwalker

Michael Jackson's Moonwalker is the name of several video games created by Sega in 1990 that incorporate the personage of and were co-developed by Michael Jackson. The arcade version and home versions differ in terms of gameplay, but the story and concept remain constant. The story, which is taken from the Moonwalker
music video, follows Michael, using various music and dance related abilities, on a quest to save kidnapped children from the hands of the evil "Mr. Big". The games incorporated synthesized versions of the musicans hits, such as "Beat It" and "Billie Jean". The games have now achieved cult status and are remembered for being a memorable point on the musician's change to a mysterious, confusing, and controversial figure. The plot is now considered by many to be ironic in light of the 2005 trial of Michael Jackson.

=Arcade version=

Moonwalker was first developed into an arcade video game by Sega with the help of Jackson. The arcade has distinctively different gameplay from its console counterparts, focusing more on beat 'em up gameplay elements rather than platform.

Story

Mr. Big, an insidious drug dealer, has kidnapped children for no apparent reason. Michael, in an effort to save the children, goes after Mr. Big, and eventually discovers his plot to take over the world using a large laser cannon built on the moon. Each level is begun with a small comic book-style presentation of the ongoing conflict with Mr. Big and Michael, intending to show a transition from one level's setting to the next. These cut-scenes, however, do not reveal any additional plot details.

At the conclusion of the game, more of the story is revealed, which is also highlighted by some as adding to the peculiarity of the title.: :Mr. Big's evil plot has been foiled with the destruction of his deadly doomsday weapon - the gigantic laser cannon. And with his massive fortress reduced to cinders, he is no longer a threat to mankind.

:But what of Michael?

:All that is known that he was last seen soaring away from the crumbling enemy stronghold, heading toward the distant horizon.

:And the children that he saved?

:Well... :They're smiling, because deep down in their hearts, they know that Michael will return one day to share with them another wondrous and magical adventure.

Gameplay

The game is essentially an isometric beat-em-up, although Jackson attacks with magic powers instead of physical contact, and has the ability to shoot magic power at enemies instead of getting close enough for a melee attack. A map of the stage is shown before it begins, and after which, Jackson must get from the start to the end without losing all his health, rescuing all the children and defeating all the enemies along the way.

The game can also be played multiplayer; if the cabinet supports it, up to three people can play simultaneously. The second player's character dons a scarlet outfit, while the third player's character is dressed in black. The characters all have armbands: red for black outfit, black for red outfit, and black for white outfit.

Dancing Magic: Arguably the most stand-out feature, Sega takes the concept of the "smart bomb" or "screen zapper" and changes it to the form of dancing. Once activated, a heavenly spotlight shines on the player and the player starts to dance several of the high-energy moves that have become Jackson's hallmarks. All the enemies on screen dance with Jackson, mirroring him exactly. At the end of the dance solo, all the enemies on screen will be eliminated. However, bosses do not dance but do take a significant amount of damage. There are three different dance routines that may be performed, and the player starts with three of these attacks per credit.

Bubbles: Part of the peculiarity of this game, comes from this weird power-up. Bubbles the chimpanzee, Michael's real-life pet, appears in each level. Once collected or rescued, the chimp transforms Michael into a robotic version of the pop singer that has the ability to shoot laser bursts and absorb a significantly more amount of damage.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Michael Jackson's Moonwalker ]

This page is based on the copyrighted Wikipedia article Michael Jackson's Moonwalker; it is used under the GNU Free Documentation License. You may redistribute it, verbatim or modified, providing that you comply with the terms of the GFDL.

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