Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin

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Spider-Man vs.
The Kingpin
Mega Drive/Genesis, Master System, Game Gear, Sega CD
Release1991 (Genesis)
1991 (Master System)
May 19, 1992 (Game Gear)[1]
1993 (Sega CD)
Genre(s)Action
Mode(s)Single-player

Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin is a

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 was also 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

Venom
.

Plot

A few weeks after becoming Spider-Man, Peter Parker becomes married to Mary Jane Watson. Meanwhile, Kingpin establishes a criminal empire and forcefully transforms respected scientist Otto Octavious into Doctor Octopus. Peter reveals his identity to Mary Jane, who accepts. The two are then attacked by Doctor Octopus, who claims to want to know more information about Spider-Man (and is searching for Peter due to him taking photos of Spider-Man). Peter defeats Doctor Octopus, who reveals himself to be Octavious and apologizes for his crimes. Peter is then attacked by a thug named Flint Marko, who he defeats easily, though Marko is picked up by one of Fisk’s helicopters. Fisk gains help from scientist Curt Connors, intended to be a replacement for Octavious, and transforms Marko into Sandman. Elsewhere, Mary Jane is kidnapped by Bugle reporter Eddie Brock, who has bonded to the Venom symbiote. Spider-Man defeats Sandman, but is phoned by Kingpin, who says he has employee Venom and has captured Mary Jane. Curt Connors attempts to increase Venom’s power, but fails. Kingpin injects him with an artificial serum and he becomes Lizard. Spider-Man attempts to find Kingpin’s hideout, but is stalked and captured by Lizard. Spider-Man complies to his capture, so he can get closer to Kingpin. Before they get to Kingpin’s hideout, Spider-Man injects Connors with an antidote, causing him to return to his normal form. Peter attempts to get to Kingpin’s hideout on his own using a GPS on Lizard. On his way, he is captured by a mysterious man, who refers to himself as Hobgoblin. Hobgoblin speaks of his rivalry with Kingpin, and gives his assistance in charge for Spider-Man’s cooperation. Spider-Man grudgingly complies, and the two get to Kingpin’s headquarters. The while inside Kingpin’s hideout, Kingpin reveals to Spider-Man via hologram that Hobgoblin was working for him the whole time. Hobgoblin unmasks as Harry Osborn. The two battle and Spider-Man comes out on top. Angered, Kingpin sends his three most powerful mercenaries, Vulture, Mysterio, and Electro. The three fight on a plane, with Vulture and Spider-Man being the last ones standing. Angered, Vulture cuts open the plane’s engine. Spider-Man manages to save Vulture and the passengers. Vulture reforms, but Spider-Man is attacked by Venom and Kingpin. Spider-Man fights them both at once, but is defeated. Meanwhile, Mary Jane manages to escape. In the wreckage of the plane, Spider-Man passes out, but is woken up by a reformed Octavious, Connors, and Harry Osborn as Hobgoblin. The three defeat Venom, but Kingpin sends out hundreds of criminals to plague New York. Vulture manages to help Spider-Man get into the centre of New York. Hobgoblin injects Venom with a gene cleanser, removing the Venom from his body. Kingpin, angered, retreats, swearing revenge. In an epilogue sequence, Mary Jane and Peter marry in a happy ceremony, Fisk is exposed and imprisoned, and Peter is named Daily Bugle’s employee of the month. Later, J. Jonah Jameson reads a newspaper about Spider-Man and smirks. Meanwhile, in a distant sewer, Venom stumbles through a sewer and collapses, with the Venom symbiote escaping.

Ports

Mega Drive/Genesis version

The Sega Mega Drive version was released in 1991 and was widely popular 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.[2]

Master System / Game Gear version

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.[3] 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

The

. 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

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

Legacy

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.[5]

References

  1. ^ "Press release: 1992-05-19: ACCLAIM BEGINS SHIPMENT OF SEGA SOFTWARE". Sega Retro. 2016-06-10. Retrieved 2023-05-06.
  2. ^ Randel B. Reiss resume
  3. ^ Kohler, Chris (May 16, 2017). "Collecting Sega Master System Games Is A Huge Pain In The Ass". Kotaku. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  4. ^ Vandore, Simon (February 1994). "Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin". Hyper. No. 3. p. 53. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  5. ^ Kane, Alex (2018-07-09). "The Oral History of Treyarch's Spider-Man 2: One of the Best Superhero Games Ever". USGamer.net. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  1. Flying Edge
    brand name

External links