Ristar (Game Gear)

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Ristar (Game Gear)
Developer(s)	Biox Co. Ltd, SIMS Co., Ltd
Director(s)	Capt. Jinguji Nencoo Gutoku
Designer(s)	Mauo. S General Kusumi Yuji Uekawa Kōki Mogi Kazuyuki Iwasawa Mikiharu Ōiwa
Composer(s)	Chikayo Fukuda Tomoko Sasaki
Genre	Platformer
Rating	ERSB: E ELSPA: 3+ SEGA rating: 推奨年齢　全年齢 / Suitable for All Ages

Ristar recieved an 8-bit version that was released in 1995 on the Game Gear. It was developed by Biox and SIMS Co. Ltd. This version of Ristar has a multitude of changes compared to its 16-bit counterpart, including different planets, enemies, and brand new collectables. It was also re-released on the Sonic's PlayPal Plug and Play add-on in 2007 along with twenty other games.

Development

The Game Gear version of Ristar was developed by a different team then the Sega Genesis game – that being Japan System House (later Biox), a developer Sega commonly used at the time to make Game Gear iterations of their Sega Genesis games, such as Streets of Rage.

Gameplay

The basic premise for the gameplay of the Game Gear version of Ristar is largely the same as the Sega Genesis counterpart. The game plays as a two-dimensional sidescrolling platformer where the player must navigate Ristar through a level, maneuvering around enemies and obstacles. Also like the Genesis version, Ristar's main abilities include emphasizing grabbing and "headbutting" enemies over jumping.

However, despite the same premise, the actual level design is distinctly different. While half of the levels having the same themes such as the opening level having a fauna-themed environment, the actual layouts are remixed and the enemy type and placement is different. Additionally, the other half of the levels have entirely different themes not present in the Genesis game at all, such as one based around Pirate ships. Another major variation present in all of levels is the placement of little stars scattered throughout. The player directs Ristar to move through them to collect them, similar to the manner in which Sonic the Hedgehog collects rings, or Mario collects coins in their respective games. Similarly, collecting 100 earns Ristar another life. While boss battles are still present at the end of every planet, most battles themselves are different, and almost all planets no longer possess any sort of mini-bosses halfway through the planet.

More moves, items, and interactivity between characters and the environment are also possible in the Game Gear game. Upon defeating an enemy, the player can choose to have Ristar use an enemy's hat as a weapon, or use its leftover spear as a stepping point when plunged into a wall, allowing Ristar to reach previously out-of-reach higher areas. A "red star" item gives Ristar temporary invincibility, speeds up his movement, increases his jump speed, and allows him to damage enemy upon contact. Colored square boxes, similar to the coin boxes in the Super Mario series, are also only present in this version, and like with enemies, they are eliminated by using the "headbutt" attack rather than by jumping into them.

Levels

For the portable outing for Ristar, there was some levels which have been removed and new levels which appear only in this version. It's unkown why they were added. But it was possibly due to the limitation of the Game Gear at the time.

Genesis	Game Gear
Planet Flora	Planet Flora
Planet Undertow	Planet Terra
Planet Scorch	Planet Sonata
Planet Sonata	Planet Timu
Planet Freon	Planet Automaton
Planet Automaton	Castle Greedy
Castle Greedy	Bonus Stages
Bonus Stages

Manuals

Click on the thumbnails to read the manuals

Ristar Game Manual (US)

Ristar Game Manual (JP)

Trivia

• Unlike it's Genesis counterpart, this game was only re-released once.
• For unknown reasons, Planet Freon, Planet Scorch and Planet Undertow aren't present in the game. Instead, they are replaced with Planet Terra and Planet Timu.
• In the US release for the game, Planet Terra's first act was omitted and only the second act was playable. This doesn't occur in the Japanese release of the games.