McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox video game |
{{Infobox video game |
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|title = McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure |
|title = McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure |
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|modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]] |
|modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]] |
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{{nihongo foot|'''''McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure'''''|マクドナルドトレジャーランドアドベンチャー|MakuDonarudo Torejā Rando Adobenchā|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 1993 [[ |
{{nihongo foot|'''''McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure'''''|マクドナルドトレジャーランドアドベンチャー|MakuDonarudo Torejā Rando Adobenchā|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 1993 [[platform game]] developed by [[Treasure (company)|Treasure]] and published by [[Sega]] for the [[Sega Genesis]]. Based on the [[McDonald's]] fast food restaurant chain, specifically its [[McDonaldland]] marketing campaign, players control [[Ronald McDonald]] in his efforts to retrieve the missing pieces of a map that lead to the location of a buried treasure from a group of villains. Ronald can defeat enemies by using a magic attack and can latch onto hooks with his scarf to reach higher platforms. |
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''Treasure Land Adventure'' was developed by Treasure in conjunction with the [[ |
''Treasure Land Adventure'' was developed by Treasure in conjunction with the [[run and gun video game]] ''[[Gunstar Heroes]]'' (1993). Sega commissioned Treasure to design a McDonald's game after the company was ineligible to receive a publishing contract to develop games for the Genesis. Treasure president and project programmer Masato Maegawa mandated that the game had to be faithful and respectful to the McDonald's licensing and characters during production. |
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Both at release and retrospectively, the game was praised for its gameplay and graphical style and is cited as one of the better licensed games from the era. |
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==Gameplay== |
==Gameplay== |
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[[File:MD McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure.png|thumb|left|Ronald using his magic attack against enemies in Magical Forest, the first world of the game |
[[File:MD McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure.png|thumb|left|Ronald using his magic attack against enemies in Magical Forest, the first world of the game]] |
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''McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure'' is a [[platform game]] based on the [[McDonaldland]] advertising campaign.<ref name="HG101">{{cite web |last1=Kalata |first1=Kurt |title= |
''McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure'' is a [[platform game]] based on the [[McDonaldland]] advertising campaign.<ref name="HG101">{{cite web |last1=Kalata |first1=Kurt |title=McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/mcdonalds-treasure-land-adventure/ |website=Hardcore Gaming 101 |access-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020223132/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/mcdonalds-treasure-land-adventure/ |archive-date=October 20, 2020 |date=August 26, 2019}}</ref> The story follows [[Ronald McDonald]] and his friends—Grimace, Hamburglar, Birdie the Early Bird, and the Fry Kids—discovering a piece of a treasure map during a walk through the forest, with the other three pieces having been stolen by a group of villains. Ronald sets out to retrieve the missing pieces and find the location of the treasure.<ref name="HG101"/><ref name="Kotaku">{{cite web |last1=Taylor |first1=Luke |title=The Horror, the Glory of Treasure's Ronald McDonald Video Game |url=https://kotaku.com/the-horror-the-glory-of-treasures-ronald-mcdonald-vide-5894707 |website=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[G/O Media]] |access-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116062033/https://kotaku.com/the-horror-the-glory-of-treasures-ronald-mcdonald-vide-5894707 |archive-date=January 16, 2021 |date=March 19, 2012}}</ref> |
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The player controls Ronald throughout the game's four worlds: Magical Forest, Magical Town, Magical Sea, and Magical Moon, which are divided into three stages each.< |
The player controls Ronald throughout the game's four worlds: Magical Forest, Magical Town, Magical Sea, and Magical Moon, which are divided into three stages each.<ref name="HG101"/> Ronald can shoot a forward-moving magic attack to defeat enemies, and can use his scarf to attach to grapple hooks to reach higher platforms.<ref name="Kotaku"/><ref name="RGamer">{{cite web |last1=Staddon |first1=Paul |title=McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure |url=https://www.retrogamer.net/retro_games90/mcdonalds-treasure-land-adventure-2/ |website=[[Retro Gamer]] |publisher=[[Imagine Publishing]] |access-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926003702/https://www.retrogamer.net/retro_games90/mcdonalds-treasure-land-adventure-2/ |archive-date=September 26, 2015 |date=December 15, 2013}}</ref> Ronald's [[Health (game terminology)|health]] is represented by red jewels, and he will drop one when he is hit by an enemy or falls into a pit. Throughout the game, Ronald can collect bags of gold that can be used in stores found in certain levels.<ref name="Kotaku"/> These stores sell a variety of items, including additional jewels, [[power-ups]] that increase the strength of his magic attack, and balloons that allow him to safely glide over enemies and obstacles.<ref name="Kotaku"/> The third level of each world concludes with an end-level [[Boss (video games)|boss]] that must be defeated by letting them suck up one of Ronald's jewels; Ronald can find one of his friends in these levels that provide him tips for defeating these bosses.<ref name="HG101"/><ref name="Kotaku"/> |
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==Development== |
==Development== |
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''McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure'' was developed by [[Treasure (company)|Treasure]], a company founded by Masato Maegawa and a group of former [[Konami]] employees.<ref name="Kotaku"/><ref name="GameFan">{{Cite magazine|date=October 1993|title=An Interview With: Treasure|url=https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_1_Issue_11/page/n59|magazine=GameFan|volume=1|issue=11|pages=60}}</ref> Maegawa formed Treasure in 1992 after he and his team became frustrated with Konami's growing reliance on developing sequels to established series, such as ''[[Castlevania]]'' and ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]'', and wanted to focus on creating new and original titles.<ref name="GameFan"/> Treasure had begun working on its first game, the [[Shoot 'em up|'run and gun' platformer]] ''[[Gunstar Heroes]]'' (1993), when it was unable to secure a publishing contract with [[Sega]] as Treasure lacked a proven track record.<ref name="Sega Interview">{{Cite web|url=https://sega.jp/fb/album/12_gunstar/interview1.html|title=前川正人「ガンスターヒーローズ」スーパーバイザー|website=Sega|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170122021916/http://sega.jp/fb/album/12_gunstar/interview1.html|archive-date=January 22, 2017|url-status=live|access-date=December 22, 2018}} ([https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/03/06/maegawa-talks-gunstar Abridged translation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201222911/https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/03/06/maegawa-talks-gunstar |date=December 1, 2018 }})</ref> Sega instead contracted Treasure to develop a game based on the [[McDonald's]] fast food franchise, specifically its [[McDonaldland]] marketing campaign.<ref name="Sega Interview"/> |
''McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure'' was developed by [[Treasure (company)|Treasure]], a company founded by Masato Maegawa and a group of former [[Konami]] employees.<ref name="Kotaku"/><ref name="GameFan">{{Cite magazine|date=October 1993|title=An Interview With: Treasure|url=https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_1_Issue_11/page/n59|magazine=GameFan|volume=1|issue=11|pages=60}}</ref> Maegawa formed Treasure in 1992 after he and his team became frustrated with Konami's growing reliance on developing sequels to established series, such as ''[[Castlevania]]'' and ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]'', and wanted to focus on creating new and original titles.<ref name="GameFan"/> Treasure had begun working on its first game, the [[Shoot 'em up|'run and gun' platformer]] ''[[Gunstar Heroes]]'' (1993), when it was unable to secure a publishing contract with [[Sega]] as Treasure lacked a proven track record.<ref name="Sega Interview">{{Cite web|url=https://sega.jp/fb/album/12_gunstar/interview1.html|title=前川正人「ガンスターヒーローズ」スーパーバイザー|website=Sega|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170122021916/http://sega.jp/fb/album/12_gunstar/interview1.html|archive-date=January 22, 2017|url-status=live|access-date=December 22, 2018}} ([https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/03/06/maegawa-talks-gunstar Abridged translation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201222911/https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/03/06/maegawa-talks-gunstar |date=December 1, 2018 }})</ref> Sega instead contracted Treasure to develop a game based on the [[McDonald's]] fast food franchise, specifically its [[McDonaldland]] marketing campaign.<ref name="Sega Interview"/> |
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''Treasure Land Adventure'' was developed in conjunction with ''Gunstar Heroes'', sharing several of its staff members.<ref name="GameFan"/><ref name="Shmup">{{cite magazine |title=Treasure Factory Special - ガンスター&マックふっかーい思い入れのあるシーン|magazine=Beep! |
''Treasure Land Adventure'' was developed in conjunction with ''Gunstar Heroes'', sharing several of its staff members.<ref name="GameFan"/><ref name="Shmup">{{cite magazine |title=Treasure Factory Special - ガンスター&マックふっかーい思い入れのあるシーン|magazine=[[Gemaga|Beep! Mega Drive]] |issue=49 |publisher=[[SoftBank Creative]] |date=October 1993 |page=112 |lang=ja}} ([http://shmuplations.com/treasureroundup/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330182322/http://shmuplations.com/treasureroundup/|date=March 30, 2019}}).</ref> Koichi Kimura served as the game's director, with Maegawa assisting as producer and Katsuhiko Suzuki composing the soundtrack.<ref name="Shmup"/> The team needed to design original enemies and characters apart from the ones in the McDonaldland franchise.<ref name="Shmup"/> They abandoned many of their ideas for not fitting the feel of McDonaldland.<ref name="Shmup"/> Suzuki composed the soundtrack with this same mindset.<ref name="Shmup"/> Maegawa maintained that ''Treasure Land Adventure'' had to remain respectful and faithful to the McDonald's licensing and characters, in a manner similar to licensed games featuring characters like [[Mickey Mouse]].<ref name="Shmup"/> ''Treasure Land Adventure'' helped familiarize Treasure with the hardware of the [[Sega Genesis]], which became essential for its later projects.<ref name="Shmup"/> The game was completed before the development of ''Gunstar Heroes'' concluded, however, Treasure decided to delay ''Treasure Land Adventure'' and release ''Gunstar Heroes'' first as it wanted its debut to be an original title.<ref name="Sega Interview"/> |
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''Treasure Land Adventure'' was released in Japan on September 23, 1993 |
''Treasure Land Adventure'' was released in Japan on September 23, 1993,<ref>{{cite web |title=[セガハード大百科] ゲームギア対応ソフトウェア(ライセンシー発売)|url=https://sega.jp/fb/segahard/md/soft.html |publisher=[[Sega]] |access-date=August 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112041641/https://sega.jp/fb/segahard/md/soft.html |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |language=ja}}</ref> and was promoted in 1,000 McDonald's restaurants in the country.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_japan-times_september-06-12-1993_33_36/page/n15/mode/2up?q=%22Treasure+Land+Adventure%22|title=Clowning around|date=September 6–12, 1993|magazine=[[The Japan Times]]|volume=33|issue=16|page=16|access-date=September 2, 2021}}</ref> Sega forecast the game to sell over 500,000 copies.<ref name="Shmup"/> It was published in Europe in October 1993 and in North America that December. The North American version replaces the tribesmen enemies in the first world with robots, presumably to avoid black stereotypes.<ref name="HG101"/> The European version is more difficult than the other releases, with the player beginning with less health and enemies taking more damage.<ref name="HG101"/> |
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==Reception== |
==Reception== |
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{{Video game reviews |
{{Video game reviews |
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|ASM = 9/12<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/Aktueller_Software_Markt_-_Ausgabe_1994.08/page/n29/mode/2up?q=toon|title=Knallebunt und Herisch lang|language=de|magazine=[[Aktueller Software Markt]]|date=August 1994|page=31|access-date=September 2, 2021}}</ref> |
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|CP = 83%<ref name="CPlus">{{cite news | |
|CP = 83%<ref name="CPlus">{{cite news |last=Homsy |first=Richard |title=Mega Drive Review - McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure |agency=Consoles+ |issue=30 |publisher=M.E.R.7 |date=March 1994 |pages=142–143 |language=fr}}</ref> |
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|EGM = 37/50<ref name="EGM">{{cite magazine|last1=Semrad|first1=Ed|last2=Carpenter|first2=Danyon|last3=Manuel|first3=Al|last4=Williams|first4=Ken|last5=Weigand|first5=Mike|url=https://archive.org/stream/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_53#page/n50/mode/1up|title=Review Crew - Major Mike's Game Roundup - Treasureland Adventure - Sega / Genesis|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=53|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=December 1993|page=48|access-date=2019-11-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105124553/https://archive.org/stream/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_53#page/n50/mode/1up|archive-date=2019-01-05|url-status=live}}</ref> |
|EGM = 37/50<ref name="EGM">{{cite magazine|last1=Semrad|first1=Ed|last2=Carpenter|first2=Danyon|last3=Manuel|first3=Al|last4=Williams|first4=Ken|last5=Weigand|first5=Mike|url=https://archive.org/stream/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_53#page/n50/mode/1up|title=Review Crew - Major Mike's Game Roundup - Treasureland Adventure - Sega / Genesis|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=53|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=December 1993|page=48|access-date=2019-11-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105124553/https://archive.org/stream/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_53#page/n50/mode/1up|archive-date=2019-01-05|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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|Fam = 25/40<ref name="Fam">{{cite magazine|url=https:// |
|Fam = 25/40<ref name="Fam">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/weekly-famitsu-no.-250-october-1st-1993/page/38/mode/1up|title=NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: マクドナルド 〜トレジャーランド・アドベンチャー〜 (メガドライブ)|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|publisher=[[ASCII Corporation|ASCII]]|date=October 1, 1993|page=38|lang=ja}}</ref> |
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|GameFan = 356/400<ref name="GFan">{{cite magazine|last1=Halverson|first1=Dave|author-link1=Dave Halverson|author2=Sgt. Gamer|last3=Rickards|first3=Kelly|last4=Puryear|first4=Jay|url=https://archive.org/stream/Gamefan_Vol_2_Issue_01#page/n27/mode/1up|title=Viewpoint - Sega - Treasure Land|magazine=[[GameFan]]|volume=2|issue=1|publisher=DieHard Gamers Club|date=December 1993|page=30}}</ref> |
|GameFan = 356/400<ref name="GFan">{{cite magazine|last1=Halverson|first1=Dave|author-link1=Dave Halverson|author2=Sgt. Gamer|last3=Rickards|first3=Kelly|last4=Puryear|first4=Jay|url=https://archive.org/stream/Gamefan_Vol_2_Issue_01#page/n27/mode/1up|title=Viewpoint - Sega - Treasure Land|magazine=[[GameFan]]|volume=2|issue=1|publisher=DieHard Gamers Club|date=December 1993|page=30}}</ref> |
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|GamePro = 16/20<ref name="GPro">{{cite magazine |last=Boyle |first=Lance |title=Genesis ProReview: McDonald's Treasureland Adventure|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=54|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]] |date=January 1994|page=61}}</ref> |
|GamePro = 16/20<ref name="GPro">{{cite magazine |last=Boyle |first=Lance |title=Genesis ProReview: McDonald's Treasureland Adventure|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=54|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]] |date=January 1994|page=61}}</ref> |
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|MF = 81%<ref>{{cite magazine|author1=Ulf|author2=Sandrie|date=February 1994|url=https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=14488|title=Mc Donald's Treasure Land|language=de|magazine=[[:de:Mega Fun|Mega Fun]]|pages=74–75|access-date=September 2, 2021}}</ref> |
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|MMS = 81/100<ref name="MMS">{{cite magazine |author1=Gus |author2=Paul |url=https://archive.org/stream/mean-machines-sega-magazine-14#page/n119/mode/2up|title=Megadrive Review - McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure|magazine=[[Mean Machines Sega]]|issue=14|publisher=[[EMAP]]|date=December 1993|pages=120–122}}</ref> |
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|VGS = 72%<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=14493|title=Treasure Land Adventure|language=de|magazine=[[:de:Video Games|Video Games]]|date=April 1994|page=84|access-date=September 2, 2021}}</ref> |
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|rev1 = ''[[Mega Drive Advanced Gaming]]'' |
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|rev1Score = 66%<ref>{{cite magazine|author1=Andy|author2=Gerry|url=https://archive.org/details/smdag-17/page/n27/mode/2up?q=McDonald+%22Treasure+Land+Adventure%22|title=Ronald McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure |issue=17|magazine=[[Mega Drive Advanced Gaming]]|date=January 1994|pages=28–29|access-date=September 2, 2021}}</ref> |
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|rev2 = ''[[Sega Magazine]]'' |
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|rev2Score = 76/100<ref>{{cite magazine|author1=Radion Automatic|last2=Leadbetter|first2=Richard|url=https://archive.org/details/sega-magazine-2-february-1994/page/n99/mode/2up?q=%22McDonald%27s+Treasure+Land+Adventure%22|title=McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure|magazine=[[Sega Magazine]]|issue=2|date=February 1994|page=101|access-date=September 2, 2021}}</ref> |
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|rev3Score = 84/100<ref name="SPro">{{cite magazine|title=Mega Drive – ProReview: McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure|magazine=[[Sega Pro]]|issue=26|publisher=[[Paragon Publishing]]|date=December 1993|pages=52–53}}</ref> |
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''McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure'' |
The critical consensus upon release was that ''McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure'' was one of the better examples of a licensed game during the 16-bit console era.<ref name="EGM"/><ref name="GFan"/><ref name="SPro"/> Four reviewers from ''[[GameFan]]'' reacted with surprise to the game's quality, with one saying it boasted the same hardware-pushing graphics and gameplay as ''Gunstar Heroes''.<ref name="GFan"/> ''[[Mean Machines Sega]]'' writer Paul Gus shared a similar amount of surprise: "Why on earth Treasure would want to devote so much effort to a game only to make it so very easy is a mystery. Yet this they flippin well done did!" He compared the game to ''Gunstar Heroes'' for showcasing Treasure's talent at designing enjoyable and memorable side-scrollers.<ref name="MMS"/> The graphics were highlighted for being colorful and visually-pleasing;<ref name="GPro"/><ref name="MMS"/> Gus was fond of its vibrant colors and attention to detail.<ref name="MMS"/> A reviewer for ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' complimented the large, item-filled levels and cameos from other McDonaldland characters,<ref name="EGM"/> as did ''Consoles+'' writer Richard Homsy.<ref name="CPlus"/> The latter was also impressed with the game's presentation and soundtrack for staying in tune with the theme and design.<ref name="CPlus"/> Lance Boyle of ''[[GamePro]]'' believed younger players would be attracted to the colorful visuals and McDonald's branding, but older players would find little to offer.<ref name="GPro"/> |
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Retrospective feedback on ''Treasure Land Adventure'' has also been positive, though critics believe it lacks the same polish and technological power present in its other works like ''Gunstar Heroes'' and ''[[Dynamite Headdy]]''.<ref name="HG101"/><ref name="Kotaku"/> Kurt Kalata of ''Hardcore Gaming 101'' believes it served as a base for Treasure's later games, such as ''Dynamite Headdy'', with similar mechanics and musical composition.<ref name="HG101"/> ''[[Kotaku]]''{{'}}s Luke Taylor commended the game for being far above the usual quality of licensed titles, with an interesting graphical style and solid gameplay. Though he was critical of its short length and extensive usage of blind jumps, he strongly recommended it for platformer fans.<ref name="Kotaku"/> Paul Staddon, a writer for ''[[Retro Gamer]]'', found some of ''Treasure Land Adventure''{{'}}s ideas innovative for the genre, and possessing fun gameplay and colorful visuals. He wrote: "It’s not the best game in Treasure’s library, but it is very entertaining and just about worth the high [[eBay]] prices that it currently sells for. If you’re looking for an unconventional platformer then give it a whirl. You won’t be disappointed."<ref name="RGamer"/> |
Retrospective feedback on ''Treasure Land Adventure'' has also been positive, though critics believe it lacks the same polish and technological power present in its other works like ''Gunstar Heroes'' and ''[[Dynamite Headdy]]''.<ref name="HG101"/><ref name="Kotaku"/> Kurt Kalata of ''Hardcore Gaming 101'' believes it served as a base for Treasure's later games, such as ''Dynamite Headdy'', with similar mechanics and musical composition.<ref name="HG101"/> ''[[Kotaku]]''{{'}}s Luke Taylor commended the game for being far above the usual quality of licensed titles, with an interesting graphical style and solid gameplay. Though he was critical of its short length and extensive usage of blind jumps, he strongly recommended it for platformer fans.<ref name="Kotaku"/> Paul Staddon, a writer for ''[[Retro Gamer]]'', found some of ''Treasure Land Adventure''{{'}}s ideas innovative for the genre, and possessing fun gameplay and colorful visuals. He wrote: "It’s not the best game in Treasure’s library, but it is very entertaining and just about worth the high [[eBay]] prices that it currently sells for. If you’re looking for an unconventional platformer then give it a whirl. You won’t be disappointed."<ref name="RGamer"/> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{McDonald's}} |
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{{Treasure video games}} |
{{Treasure video games}} |
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[[Category:McDonald's video games]] |
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[[Category:Video games about clowns]] |
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[[Category:Video games set on the Moon]] |
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[[Category:Single-player video games]] |
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[[Category:Sega video games]] |
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Latest revision as of 23:14, 11 July 2024
McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure | |
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Developer(s) | Treasure |
Publisher(s) | Sega |
Director(s) | Koichi Kimura |
Producer(s) | Masato Maegawa |
Programmer(s) | Masato Maegawa |
Artist(s) | Koichi Kimura |
Composer(s) | Katsuhiko Suzuki |
Platform(s) | Sega Genesis |
Release | |
Genre(s) | Platform |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure[a] is a 1993 platform game developed by Treasure and published by Sega for the Sega Genesis. Based on the McDonald's fast food restaurant chain, specifically its McDonaldland marketing campaign, players control Ronald McDonald in his efforts to retrieve the missing pieces of a map that lead to the location of a buried treasure from a group of villains. Ronald can defeat enemies by using a magic attack and can latch onto hooks with his scarf to reach higher platforms.
Treasure Land Adventure was developed by Treasure in conjunction with the run and gun video game Gunstar Heroes (1993). Sega commissioned Treasure to design a McDonald's game after the company was ineligible to receive a publishing contract to develop games for the Genesis. Treasure president and project programmer Masato Maegawa mandated that the game had to be faithful and respectful to the McDonald's licensing and characters during production.
Both at release and retrospectively, the game was praised for its gameplay and graphical style and is cited as one of the better licensed games from the era.
Gameplay
[edit]McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure is a platform game based on the McDonaldland advertising campaign.[1] The story follows Ronald McDonald and his friends—Grimace, Hamburglar, Birdie the Early Bird, and the Fry Kids—discovering a piece of a treasure map during a walk through the forest, with the other three pieces having been stolen by a group of villains. Ronald sets out to retrieve the missing pieces and find the location of the treasure.[1][2]
The player controls Ronald throughout the game's four worlds: Magical Forest, Magical Town, Magical Sea, and Magical Moon, which are divided into three stages each.[1] Ronald can shoot a forward-moving magic attack to defeat enemies, and can use his scarf to attach to grapple hooks to reach higher platforms.[2][3] Ronald's health is represented by red jewels, and he will drop one when he is hit by an enemy or falls into a pit. Throughout the game, Ronald can collect bags of gold that can be used in stores found in certain levels.[2] These stores sell a variety of items, including additional jewels, power-ups that increase the strength of his magic attack, and balloons that allow him to safely glide over enemies and obstacles.[2] The third level of each world concludes with an end-level boss that must be defeated by letting them suck up one of Ronald's jewels; Ronald can find one of his friends in these levels that provide him tips for defeating these bosses.[1][2]
Development
[edit]McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure was developed by Treasure, a company founded by Masato Maegawa and a group of former Konami employees.[2][4] Maegawa formed Treasure in 1992 after he and his team became frustrated with Konami's growing reliance on developing sequels to established series, such as Castlevania and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and wanted to focus on creating new and original titles.[4] Treasure had begun working on its first game, the 'run and gun' platformer Gunstar Heroes (1993), when it was unable to secure a publishing contract with Sega as Treasure lacked a proven track record.[5] Sega instead contracted Treasure to develop a game based on the McDonald's fast food franchise, specifically its McDonaldland marketing campaign.[5]
Treasure Land Adventure was developed in conjunction with Gunstar Heroes, sharing several of its staff members.[4][6] Koichi Kimura served as the game's director, with Maegawa assisting as producer and Katsuhiko Suzuki composing the soundtrack.[6] The team needed to design original enemies and characters apart from the ones in the McDonaldland franchise.[6] They abandoned many of their ideas for not fitting the feel of McDonaldland.[6] Suzuki composed the soundtrack with this same mindset.[6] Maegawa maintained that Treasure Land Adventure had to remain respectful and faithful to the McDonald's licensing and characters, in a manner similar to licensed games featuring characters like Mickey Mouse.[6] Treasure Land Adventure helped familiarize Treasure with the hardware of the Sega Genesis, which became essential for its later projects.[6] The game was completed before the development of Gunstar Heroes concluded, however, Treasure decided to delay Treasure Land Adventure and release Gunstar Heroes first as it wanted its debut to be an original title.[5]
Treasure Land Adventure was released in Japan on September 23, 1993,[7] and was promoted in 1,000 McDonald's restaurants in the country.[8] Sega forecast the game to sell over 500,000 copies.[6] It was published in Europe in October 1993 and in North America that December. The North American version replaces the tribesmen enemies in the first world with robots, presumably to avoid black stereotypes.[1] The European version is more difficult than the other releases, with the player beginning with less health and enemies taking more damage.[1]
Reception
[edit]Publication | Score |
---|---|
Aktueller Software Markt | 9/12[9] |
Consoles + | 83%[10] |
Electronic Gaming Monthly | 37/50[11] |
Famitsu | 25/40[12] |
GameFan | 356/400[13] |
GamePro | 16/20[14] |
Mean Machines Sega | 81/100[16] |
Mega Fun | 81%[15] |
Video Games (DE) | 72%[17] |
Mega Drive Advanced Gaming | 66%[18] |
Sega Magazine | 76/100[19] |
Sega Pro | 84/100[20] |
The critical consensus upon release was that McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure was one of the better examples of a licensed game during the 16-bit console era.[11][13][20] Four reviewers from GameFan reacted with surprise to the game's quality, with one saying it boasted the same hardware-pushing graphics and gameplay as Gunstar Heroes.[13] Mean Machines Sega writer Paul Gus shared a similar amount of surprise: "Why on earth Treasure would want to devote so much effort to a game only to make it so very easy is a mystery. Yet this they flippin well done did!" He compared the game to Gunstar Heroes for showcasing Treasure's talent at designing enjoyable and memorable side-scrollers.[16] The graphics were highlighted for being colorful and visually-pleasing;[14][16] Gus was fond of its vibrant colors and attention to detail.[16] A reviewer for Electronic Gaming Monthly complimented the large, item-filled levels and cameos from other McDonaldland characters,[11] as did Consoles+ writer Richard Homsy.[10] The latter was also impressed with the game's presentation and soundtrack for staying in tune with the theme and design.[10] Lance Boyle of GamePro believed younger players would be attracted to the colorful visuals and McDonald's branding, but older players would find little to offer.[14]
Retrospective feedback on Treasure Land Adventure has also been positive, though critics believe it lacks the same polish and technological power present in its other works like Gunstar Heroes and Dynamite Headdy.[1][2] Kurt Kalata of Hardcore Gaming 101 believes it served as a base for Treasure's later games, such as Dynamite Headdy, with similar mechanics and musical composition.[1] Kotaku's Luke Taylor commended the game for being far above the usual quality of licensed titles, with an interesting graphical style and solid gameplay. Though he was critical of its short length and extensive usage of blind jumps, he strongly recommended it for platformer fans.[2] Paul Staddon, a writer for Retro Gamer, found some of Treasure Land Adventure's ideas innovative for the genre, and possessing fun gameplay and colorful visuals. He wrote: "It’s not the best game in Treasure’s library, but it is very entertaining and just about worth the high eBay prices that it currently sells for. If you’re looking for an unconventional platformer then give it a whirl. You won’t be disappointed."[3]
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h Kalata, Kurt (August 26, 2019). "McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure". Hardcore Gaming 101. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Taylor, Luke (March 19, 2012). "The Horror, the Glory of Treasure's Ronald McDonald Video Game". Kotaku. G/O Media. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ a b Staddon, Paul (December 15, 2013). "McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure". Retro Gamer. Imagine Publishing. Archived from the original on September 26, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ a b c "An Interview With: Treasure". GameFan. Vol. 1, no. 11. October 1993. p. 60.
- ^ a b c "前川正人「ガンスターヒーローズ」スーパーバイザー". Sega (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 22, 2017. Retrieved December 22, 2018. (Abridged translation Archived December 1, 2018, at the Wayback Machine)
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Treasure Factory Special - ガンスター&マックふっかーい思い入れのあるシーン". Beep! Mega Drive (in Japanese). No. 49. SoftBank Creative. October 1993. p. 112. (Translation by Shmuplations. Archived March 30, 2019, at the Wayback Machine).
- ^ "[セガハード大百科] ゲームギア対応ソフトウェア(ライセンシー発売)" (in Japanese). Sega. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
- ^ "Clowning around". The Japan Times. Vol. 33, no. 16. September 6–12, 1993. p. 16. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ "Knallebunt und Herisch lang". Aktueller Software Markt (in German). August 1994. p. 31. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ a b c Homsy, Richard (March 1994). "Mega Drive Review - McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure" (in French). No. 30. M.E.R.7. Consoles+. pp. 142–143.
- ^ a b c Semrad, Ed; Carpenter, Danyon; Manuel, Al; Williams, Ken; Weigand, Mike (December 1993). "Review Crew - Major Mike's Game Roundup - Treasureland Adventure - Sega / Genesis". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 53. Sendai Publishing. p. 48. Archived from the original on 2019-01-05. Retrieved 2019-11-19.
- ^ "NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: マクドナルド 〜トレジャーランド・アドベンチャー〜 (メガドライブ)". Famitsu (in Japanese). ASCII. October 1, 1993. p. 38.
- ^ a b c Halverson, Dave; Sgt. Gamer; Rickards, Kelly; Puryear, Jay (December 1993). "Viewpoint - Sega - Treasure Land". GameFan. Vol. 2, no. 1. DieHard Gamers Club. p. 30.
- ^ a b c Boyle, Lance (January 1994). "Genesis ProReview: McDonald's Treasureland Adventure". GamePro. No. 54. IDG. p. 61.
- ^ Ulf; Sandrie (February 1994). "Mc Donald's Treasure Land". Mega Fun (in German). pp. 74–75. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Gus; Paul (December 1993). "Megadrive Review - McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure". Mean Machines Sega. No. 14. EMAP. pp. 120–122.
- ^ "Treasure Land Adventure". Video Games (in German). April 1994. p. 84. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ Andy; Gerry (January 1994). "Ronald McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure". Mega Drive Advanced Gaming. No. 17. pp. 28–29. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ Radion Automatic; Leadbetter, Richard (February 1994). "McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure". Sega Magazine. No. 2. p. 101. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ a b "Mega Drive – ProReview: McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure". Sega Pro. No. 26. Paragon Publishing. December 1993. pp. 52–53.
External links
[edit]- 1993 video games
- McDonald's video games
- Platformers
- Sega Genesis games
- Sega Genesis-only games
- Side-scrolling video games
- Treasure (company) games
- Advergames
- Works based on advertisements
- Video games about clowns
- Video games scored by Aki Hata
- Video games set on the Moon
- Single-player video games
- Sega video games
- Video games developed in Japan