Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin

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 was also released for the Sega CD, internally at Sega, under the name The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin.

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 Nilsen David Young (Sega CD)
Platform(s)	Mega Drive/Genesis, Master System, Game Gear, Sega CD
Release	August 1991 (Genesis)[1] August 1991 (Master System)[2] May 19, 1992 (Game Gear)[3] 1993 (Sega CD)
Genre(s)	Action
Mode(s)	Single-player

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 24 hours. In the middle of the game, Spider-Man's wife Mary Jane Watson is also kidnapped by Venom.

Plot

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

Mega Drive/Genesis version

The Sega Mega Drive version was released in 1991 and was widely popular among comic book fans, helping to establish the success of the 16-bit Mega Drive/Genesis system. Critics noted that the game had superior graphics and sound, and faithfully recreated the characters from the video game universe. Even allowing the player to take pictures of major and minor enemies, they could be sold 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 players would have to fight, such as Doctor Octopus, Lizard, Electro, 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, which single-handedly convinced Marvel Comics not to cancel its licensing deal with Sega.^[4]

Master System / Game Gear version

The Master System version was 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 appears 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 16-bit Mega-CD/Sega CD version (1993) made several improvements to the game to take advantage of the 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 was also more nonlinear, 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 to earn money for web fluid was removed from 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 complete the game in the ultra-hard nightmare mode and collect all 21 comic book covers.

Reception

Reception

Review score

Publication	Score
Hyper	73% (Sega CD)[6]

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.^[7]