Terminator, The (USA)
Inside Terminator, The (USA)
What you need to know about 'Terminator, The (USA)' on SEGA Genesis: despite its label, this is actually the crossover title 'RoboCop versus The Terminator', a side-scrolling action game that pits two of the biggest sci-fi icons against each other. It came out in 1993, published by Virgin Games and developed by Realtime Associates, exclusively for the Genesis in North America. This is an official retail release, not a hack or homebrew, so everything from the packaging to the cartridge was a proper commercial product back in the day.
You play as either RoboCop or the Terminator, blasting through a series of side-scrolling levels filled with enemies from both movie franchises. The core loop is simple: move left or right, jump over obstacles, and shoot anything that moves. Each character has their own firearm and a limited number of continues. There are also vehicle segments and boss fights that break up the on-foot action. The game uses a two-button control scheme - jump and fire - with a run button held down for speed. No elaborate combos or RPG mechanics; it's straightforward run-and-gun that relies on quick reflexes and memorizing enemy patterns.
Its main draw is the novelty of seeing RoboCop and the Terminator in the same game, which was a big deal in the early 90s. While it's not the deepest or most polished title on the Genesis, it captures the feel of both movies and delivers a solid arcade-style experience. The sprite work is decent, the music is appropriate, and the challenge is fair but tough. If you enjoy movie-licensed games from that era or just want a fun, no-frills side-scroller, this one is worth a few credits.
How to Play Terminator, The (USA) Online
Getting Started
When you first power on the game, you'll see a title screen and then a menu where you pick either RoboCop or the Terminator - your choice determines which character you control and which side of the story you see. Highlight your pick with the D-Pad and press X to confirm. After that you're dropped straight into the first level.
The core gameplay is straightforward: move right to advance, shoot at enemies (press S for your weapon), and jump over pits and obstacles with X. You have a health bar at the top; getting hit depletes it, and when it hits zero you lose a life. You can pick up weapon power-ups and extra lives from fallen enemies or hidden spots. The game auto-scrolls in some sections, forcing you to keep moving. There's no pause menu for options after starting - you have to rely on the Continue option after dying to restart from the level start.
New players should expect to die a few times early on. The first level teaches you basic movement and shooting, but later stages introduce tricky jumps and tough enemies. Memorize where the turrets and instant-death traps are. You can hold down the run button (S or hold right on D-Pad? Actually, S is the attack/run button - press and hold to sprint) to move faster, which helps dodge enemy fire. If you get stuck, try switching characters; each has slightly different speed and weapon properties.
Terminator, The (USA) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: A button
- S: B button
- Z: C button
- A: X button (6-button pad)
- Q: Y button (6-button pad)
- E: Z button (6-button pad)
- Enter: Start / Mode
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