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Jurassic Park (Sega game)
Encyclopedia
Jurassic Park is a video game for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis
published by Sega
and developed by BlueSky Software
. It was released as part of the tie-in merchandise to the movie of same name
from Universal Pictures
.
While all of the five video games released named 'Jurassic Park' were released to tie into Steven Spielberg
's motion picture nearly all of them borrow elements from the Jurassic Park novel by Michael Crichton
on which the film was based. In the case of the Sega Mega Drive's Jurassic Park the use of Procompsognathus
and the Jungle River attraction and its pump house, as well as the abundance of park staff.
The team, which included Earthworm Jim
creator Doug TenNapel, spent over 15 months making the title, a long time for a game in 1993. The 3D models for the dinosaurs were created using Stop Motion Photography
while a team member was filmed acting out Grant's movements and was then digitizedhttp://www.sega-16.com/History%20of-%20Jurassic%20Park.php. Sega claimed the game features ADI (Artificial Dinosaur Intelligence) causing the dinosaur enemies to react differently every time a player plays the level making no two games the same.
A sequel of the Genesis game was also released, called 'Jurassic Park: Rampage Edition', which relies more on action and more on-screen enemies.
video game, its level design seemingly putting it in the platform
genre, with the end objective being to reach the end of each level, traveling from left to right using items placed at fixed locations. However, the game features a then-uncommon variation in action games, giving players the option of using two characters that played independently to one another. The game was playable as either Dr Alan Grant, or one of the film's versions of a Velociraptor
. Grant is the default character and can be switched to the Raptor using the 'Player' option on the game's main menu. The game has three selectable difficulty levels: "Medium" is the default neutral setting while "Hard" means more damage taken from enemies (who move faster and attack frequently) and "Easy" mode makes for less troublesome foes from which little to no damage is taken.
Each player is given three lives, and when one is lost, the player restarts at the beginning of the level. A game over will reset the game entirely, though passwords to certain stages are displayed prior to entry for the purpose of the player merely starting from that level onwards rather than from the beginning. A Password option is displayed in the game's main menu.
When playing as Dr. Grant, his objective is to navigate through seven areas of Isla Nublar and make it safely to the Visitors Center to escape via helicopter
. However he must contend with the various dinosaurs that roam the island, now free of their enclosures. Grant has seven weapons: two kinds of tranquilizer
darts
: blue
(weak) and red
(strong); three types of grenades (gas, flash and exploding, with the latter required to beat the game); a short-range taser
and a rocket launcher
. All of these items require ammunition
refills which are scattered throughout the island, sometimes in hard-to-reach places. Grant's recovery item is a first-aid kit, a few of which occur in each level.
The Velociraptor player character can run much faster and jump higher than Grant, though it can only attack from close-range using its teeth and claws. The Raptor's goal is to elude (or eliminate) the Jurassic Park security guards and corner Dr Grant at the Visitors Center. The Raptor plays for only five levels, however. Along the way stray dinosaurs can be bothersome for the Raptor, who can knock them out. The enemy guards wield grenades and missiles but can be easily overpowered by the Raptor, though the final level increases the guards' presence and temperament. The Raptor's health item is generic "meat", although it has the ability to eat a "compy" to refill its health as well.
and Dilophosaurus
; when playing as Grant Triceratops
and Brachiosaurus
can be seen as well. Pteranodons
appear occasionally to attack the player from above.
The Power Station - Features ladders and boxes, making it quite similar to both its novel and film depictions. When playing as Grant, Velociraptor first appears in this level, as does the Tyrannosaurus rex, who acts as the level's final obstacle.
The River - Closely resembling the Jurassic Park River Adventure ride and a scene in the novel, Grant is required to use a motorized raft to navigate down the jungle river. The level has several waterfalls; the larger ones are particularly hazardous and can cause the raft to crash. The player must collect various fuel tanks to keep the raft moving while avoiding the dinosaurs, who are more aggressive in this level.
The Pump House - This level is similar to a key scene in Crichton's novel, where Grant and the children face the Tyrannosaurus in the Jungle River's pump house behind a waterfall. When playing as Grant, the player must avoid falling into the sewage
and shut off the steam
vents to navigate. Procompsognathus appear to nest here, with the occasional raptor and T-rex to hinder Grant's progress.
The Canyon - The Canyon is a dry, desert-like area. No such area is mentioned in either the Jurassic Park film, or novel. Pteranodons and "compys" run rampant in the canyon and raptors appear frequently and almost instantaneously in this level, which is slightly shorter than most.
The Volcano - The Volcano is another area exclusive to this game and can be considered an underground extension of the canyon. Raptors here are abundant and often appear at most inconvenient sections. Ironically this level is omitted if the game is being played as the raptor.
The Visitors Center - The final level is based very much on the design of the Visitors Center set from the film, and features the game's final boss battle in the lobby, where there are mounted dinosaur skeletons. The player must then use rocket grenades to destroy the skeletons and send them crashing onto the raptors below (as Grant), or destroying the platform and causing Grant to flee (as Raptor).
.
Though not a dinosaur, Pteranodon
appear in some levels, swooping down from above to attack the player characters, who can dispatch them with any weapon.
Sega Mega Drive
The Sega Genesis is a fourth-generation video game console developed and produced by Sega. It was originally released in Japan in 1988 as , then in North America in 1989 as Sega Genesis, and in Europe, Australia and other PAL regions in 1990 as Mega Drive. The reason for the two names is that...
published by Sega
Sega
, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
and developed by BlueSky Software
BlueSky Software
BlueSky Software was an American software company situated in California formed in 1988 and had a successful run for 12 years before closing down in March 2001, when parent company Interplay was in financial trouble.- Atari 7800 :* Basketbrawl...
. It was released as part of the tie-in merchandise to the movie of same name
Jurassic Park (film)
Jurassic Park is a 1993 American science fiction adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Michael Crichton. It stars Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Martin Ferrero, and Bob Peck...
from Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures
-1920:* White Youth* The Flaming Disc* Am I Dreaming?* The Dragon's Net* The Adorable Savage* Putting It Over* The Line Runners-1921:* The Fire Eater* A Battle of Wits* Dream Girl* The Millionaire...
.
While all of the five video games released named 'Jurassic Park' were released to tie into Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg
Steven Allan Spielberg KBE is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, video game designer, and studio entrepreneur. In a career of more than four decades, Spielberg's films have covered many themes and genres. Spielberg's early science-fiction and adventure films were seen as an...
's motion picture nearly all of them borrow elements from the Jurassic Park novel by Michael Crichton
Michael Crichton
John Michael Crichton , best known as Michael Crichton, was an American best-selling author, producer, director, and screenwriter, best known for his work in the science fiction, medical fiction, and thriller genres. His books have sold over 200 million copies worldwide, and many have been adapted...
on which the film was based. In the case of the Sega Mega Drive's Jurassic Park the use of Procompsognathus
Procompsognathus
Procompsognathus is a genus of small theropod dinosaur that lived during the late Triassic period , about 210 million years ago. Procompsognathus was named by Eberhard Fraas in 1913. He named the type species, P...
and the Jungle River attraction and its pump house, as well as the abundance of park staff.
The team, which included Earthworm Jim
Earthworm Jim
Earthworm Jim is a run and gun platform video game starring an earthworm named Jim in a robotic suit who battles evil. Created by Doug TenNapel and designed by David Perry, the game was developed by Shiny Entertainment and Playmates Interactive Entertainment, released by Sega for the Mega...
creator Doug TenNapel, spent over 15 months making the title, a long time for a game in 1993. The 3D models for the dinosaurs were created using Stop Motion Photography
Stop motion
Stop motion is an animation technique to make a physically manipulated object appear to move on its own. The object is moved in small increments between individually photographed frames, creating the illusion of movement when the series of frames is played as a continuous sequence...
while a team member was filmed acting out Grant's movements and was then digitizedhttp://www.sega-16.com/History%20of-%20Jurassic%20Park.php. Sega claimed the game features ADI (Artificial Dinosaur Intelligence) causing the dinosaur enemies to react differently every time a player plays the level making no two games the same.
A sequel of the Genesis game was also released, called 'Jurassic Park: Rampage Edition', which relies more on action and more on-screen enemies.
General gameplay
Jurassic Park is a standard actionAction game
Action game is a video game genre that emphasizes physical challenges, including hand–eye coordination and reaction-time. The genre includes diverse subgenres such as fighting games, shooter games, and platform games, which are widely considered the most important action games, though some...
video game, its level design seemingly putting it in the platform
Platform game
A platform game is a video game characterized by requiring the player to jump to and from suspended platforms or over obstacles . It must be possible to control these jumps and to fall from platforms or miss jumps...
genre, with the end objective being to reach the end of each level, traveling from left to right using items placed at fixed locations. However, the game features a then-uncommon variation in action games, giving players the option of using two characters that played independently to one another. The game was playable as either Dr Alan Grant, or one of the film's versions of a Velociraptor
Velociraptor
Velociraptor is a genus of dromaeosaurid theropod dinosaur that existed approximately 75 to 71 million years ago during the later part of the Cretaceous Period. Two species are currently recognized, although others have been assigned in the past. The type species is V. mongoliensis; fossils...
. Grant is the default character and can be switched to the Raptor using the 'Player' option on the game's main menu. The game has three selectable difficulty levels: "Medium" is the default neutral setting while "Hard" means more damage taken from enemies (who move faster and attack frequently) and "Easy" mode makes for less troublesome foes from which little to no damage is taken.
Each player is given three lives, and when one is lost, the player restarts at the beginning of the level. A game over will reset the game entirely, though passwords to certain stages are displayed prior to entry for the purpose of the player merely starting from that level onwards rather than from the beginning. A Password option is displayed in the game's main menu.
When playing as Dr. Grant, his objective is to navigate through seven areas of Isla Nublar and make it safely to the Visitors Center to escape via helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
. However he must contend with the various dinosaurs that roam the island, now free of their enclosures. Grant has seven weapons: two kinds of tranquilizer
Tranquilizer
A tranquilizer, or tranquilliser , is a drug that induces tranquility in an individual.The term "tranquilizer" is imprecise, and is usually qualified, or replaced with more precise terms:...
darts
Darts
Darts is a form of throwing game where darts are thrown at a circular target fixed to a wall. Though various boards and games have been used in the past, the term "darts" usually now refers to a standardised game involving a specific board design and set of rules...
: blue
Blue
Blue is a colour, the perception of which is evoked by light having a spectrum dominated by energy with a wavelength of roughly 440–490 nm. It is considered one of the additive primary colours. On the HSV Colour Wheel, the complement of blue is yellow; that is, a colour corresponding to an equal...
(weak) and red
Red
Red is any of a number of similar colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of light discernible by the human eye, in the wavelength range of roughly 630–740 nm. Longer wavelengths than this are called infrared , and cannot be seen by the naked eye...
(strong); three types of grenades (gas, flash and exploding, with the latter required to beat the game); a short-range taser
Taser
A Taser is an electroshock weapon that uses electrical current to disrupt voluntary control of muscles. Its manufacturer, Taser International, calls the effects "neuromuscular incapacitation" and the devices' mechanism "Electro-Muscular Disruption technology"...
and a rocket launcher
Bazooka
Bazooka is the common name for a man-portable recoilless rocket antitank weapon, widely fielded by the U.S. Army. Also referred to as the "Stovepipe", the innovative bazooka was amongst the first-generation of rocket propelled anti-tank weapons used in infantry combat...
. All of these items require ammunition
Ammunition
Ammunition is a generic term derived from the French language la munition which embraced all material used for war , but which in time came to refer specifically to gunpowder and artillery. The collective term for all types of ammunition is munitions...
refills which are scattered throughout the island, sometimes in hard-to-reach places. Grant's recovery item is a first-aid kit, a few of which occur in each level.
The Velociraptor player character can run much faster and jump higher than Grant, though it can only attack from close-range using its teeth and claws. The Raptor's goal is to elude (or eliminate) the Jurassic Park security guards and corner Dr Grant at the Visitors Center. The Raptor plays for only five levels, however. Along the way stray dinosaurs can be bothersome for the Raptor, who can knock them out. The enemy guards wield grenades and missiles but can be easily overpowered by the Raptor, though the final level increases the guards' presence and temperament. The Raptor's health item is generic "meat", although it has the ability to eat a "compy" to refill its health as well.
Levels
The Jungle - A lush forest/jungle level with vine swinging. A good deal of both the Jurassic Park novel and film are set in this location, which acts as a "beginner" level, referring to both players and where the story opens. Resident dinosaurs include ProcompsognathusProcompsognathus
Procompsognathus is a genus of small theropod dinosaur that lived during the late Triassic period , about 210 million years ago. Procompsognathus was named by Eberhard Fraas in 1913. He named the type species, P...
and Dilophosaurus
Dilophosaurus
Dilophosaurus was a theropod dinosaur from the Sinemurian stage of the Early Jurassic Period, about 193 million years ago. The first specimens were described in 1954, but it was not until over a decade later that the genus received its current name...
; when playing as Grant Triceratops
Triceratops
Triceratops is a genus of herbivorous ceratopsid dinosaur which lived during the late Maastrichtian stage of the Late Cretaceous Period, around 68 to 65 million years ago in what is now North America. It was one of the last dinosaur genera to appear before the great Cretaceous–Paleogene...
and Brachiosaurus
Brachiosaurus
Brachiosaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaur from the Jurassic Morrison Formation of North America. It was first described by Elmer S. Riggs in 1903 from fossils found in the Grand River Canyon of western Colorado, in the United States. Riggs named the dinosaur Brachiosaurus altithorax,...
can be seen as well. Pteranodons
Pteranodon
Pteranodon , from the Late Cretaceous geological period of North America in present day Kansas, Alabama, Nebraska, Wyoming, and South Dakota, was one of the largest pterosaur genera and had a maximum wingspan of over...
appear occasionally to attack the player from above.
The Power Station - Features ladders and boxes, making it quite similar to both its novel and film depictions. When playing as Grant, Velociraptor first appears in this level, as does the Tyrannosaurus rex, who acts as the level's final obstacle.
The River - Closely resembling the Jurassic Park River Adventure ride and a scene in the novel, Grant is required to use a motorized raft to navigate down the jungle river. The level has several waterfalls; the larger ones are particularly hazardous and can cause the raft to crash. The player must collect various fuel tanks to keep the raft moving while avoiding the dinosaurs, who are more aggressive in this level.
The Pump House - This level is similar to a key scene in Crichton's novel, where Grant and the children face the Tyrannosaurus in the Jungle River's pump house behind a waterfall. When playing as Grant, the player must avoid falling into the sewage
Sewage
Sewage is water-carried waste, in solution or suspension, that is intended to be removed from a community. Also known as wastewater, it is more than 99% water and is characterized by volume or rate of flow, physical condition, chemical constituents and the bacteriological organisms that it contains...
and shut off the steam
Steam
Steam is the technical term for water vapor, the gaseous phase of water, which is formed when water boils. In common language it is often used to refer to the visible mist of water droplets formed as this water vapor condenses in the presence of cooler air...
vents to navigate. Procompsognathus appear to nest here, with the occasional raptor and T-rex to hinder Grant's progress.
The Canyon - The Canyon is a dry, desert-like area. No such area is mentioned in either the Jurassic Park film, or novel. Pteranodons and "compys" run rampant in the canyon and raptors appear frequently and almost instantaneously in this level, which is slightly shorter than most.
The Volcano - The Volcano is another area exclusive to this game and can be considered an underground extension of the canyon. Raptors here are abundant and often appear at most inconvenient sections. Ironically this level is omitted if the game is being played as the raptor.
The Visitors Center - The final level is based very much on the design of the Visitors Center set from the film, and features the game's final boss battle in the lobby, where there are mounted dinosaur skeletons. The player must then use rocket grenades to destroy the skeletons and send them crashing onto the raptors below (as Grant), or destroying the platform and causing Grant to flee (as Raptor).
Featured dinosaurs
All the dinosaurs appearing in the game are based on their portrayals in the Jurassic Park novels and films and do not reflect the true natures of the real dinosaursBiological issues in Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park, a book by Michael Crichton, with a film version directed by Steven Spielberg, revolves around the resurrection of dinosaurs via genetic engineering. Scientists and enthusiasts have brought up a number of issues with facts and feasibility...
.
- BrachiosaurusBrachiosaurusBrachiosaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaur from the Jurassic Morrison Formation of North America. It was first described by Elmer S. Riggs in 1903 from fossils found in the Grand River Canyon of western Colorado, in the United States. Riggs named the dinosaur Brachiosaurus altithorax,...
- gentle herbivores despite their size, but due to that they are obstacles. Brachiosaurs only appear when playing the game as Grant and are typically unaffected by his weapons with the exception of his grenades, which merely cause them to move off-screen. - DilophosaurusDilophosaurusDilophosaurus was a theropod dinosaur from the Sinemurian stage of the Early Jurassic Period, about 193 million years ago. The first specimens were described in 1954, but it was not until over a decade later that the genus received its current name...
- also called "Spitters", medium-sized theropods who spit venom at player characters within range. They can be easily knocked out by any weapon. - ProcompsognathusProcompsognathusProcompsognathus is a genus of small theropod dinosaur that lived during the late Triassic period , about 210 million years ago. Procompsognathus was named by Eberhard Fraas in 1913. He named the type species, P...
- (also known as "Compys") chickenChickenThe chicken is a domesticated fowl, a subspecies of the Red Junglefowl. As one of the most common and widespread domestic animals, and with a population of more than 24 billion in 2003, there are more chickens in the world than any other species of bird...
-sized theropods who can drain the player characters' health. Raptors in turn may eat compys to refill their health meter, and Grant's weapons can all neutralize them. - TriceratopsTriceratopsTriceratops is a genus of herbivorous ceratopsid dinosaur which lived during the late Maastrichtian stage of the Late Cretaceous Period, around 68 to 65 million years ago in what is now North America. It was one of the last dinosaur genera to appear before the great Cretaceous–Paleogene...
- passive-aggressive herbivores also known as "Trikes" that inhabit only Grant's levels. Though most Trikes are docile, their horned heads are dangerous and should be avoided. Trikes sometimes charge at Grant, often with disastrous results. - TyrannosaurusTyrannosaurusTyrannosaurus meaning "tyrant," and sauros meaning "lizard") is a genus of coelurosaurian theropod dinosaur. The species Tyrannosaurus rex , commonly abbreviated to T. rex, is a fixture in popular culture. It lived throughout what is now western North America, with a much wider range than other...
- known as "T.rex", is the island's biggest predator. T. rex appears only when playing as Grant; though it cannot be harmed, Grant's weapons can at least stop T. rex from attacking momentarily for Grant to pass unharmed. Falling prey to its enormous jaws will cause Grant to lose one life. - VelociraptorVelociraptorVelociraptor is a genus of dromaeosaurid theropod dinosaur that existed approximately 75 to 71 million years ago during the later part of the Cretaceous Period. Two species are currently recognized, although others have been assigned in the past. The type species is V. mongoliensis; fossils...
- Also known as "raptors", are the primary antagonists (when playing the game as Grant), or protagonist (when playing as the Raptor character). When playing as Grant, the raptors' A.I. is particularly higher than the other dinosaurs in the game, referring to the raptors' high intelligence. As the game progresses the raptors become increasingly smarter, being able to kick doors open and even resisting certain weapons.
Though not a dinosaur, Pteranodon
Pteranodon
Pteranodon , from the Late Cretaceous geological period of North America in present day Kansas, Alabama, Nebraska, Wyoming, and South Dakota, was one of the largest pterosaur genera and had a maximum wingspan of over...
appear in some levels, swooping down from above to attack the player characters, who can dispatch them with any weapon.
Sources
- Boba Faqq's Walkthrough of the game at Gamefaqs.com
- The Making of Jurassic Park feature from the Universal Studio's 2001 DVD Boxset Jurassic Park: The Ultimate Collection.