Software:Cyber Citizen Shockman

From HandWiki
Short description: 1989 video game
Cyber Citizen Shockman
Developer(s)Winds[1]
Publisher(s)
  • Masaya Games
  • NCS Corporation
  • Ratalaika Games
Platform(s)
ReleasePC Engine
  • JP: March 18, 1989
Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
  • WW: May 18, 2023
Genre(s)Platform
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Cyber Citizen Shockman (改造町人シュビビンマン, Kaizō Chōjin Shubibinman) (also known as Overhauled Man)[2][3] is a 1989 video game published by Masaya and NCS. It was released exclusively for the PC Engine in Japan. It was released for the first time outside Japan in 2023 by Ratalaika Games. A sequel, Cyber Citizen Shockman 2: A New Menace, was released in 1991.

Plot

Tasuke and Kyapiko are two school children who are turned into androids called Shockmen by a mad scientist known only as Doc.[4][5] They are tasked to stop the evil forces of Dark Skull, Doc's first creation. Their objective is to reclaim control of the city and rescue hostages from the Skull Force.[4]

Gameplay

The player has destroyed an enemy.

Cyber Citizen Shockman is a side-scrolling platform game. The game features cooperative gameplay for two players. The player can attack enemies using a sword and gather gold from them. At the end of the level, there is a boss enemy, and once defeated, a freed hostage will provide a reward in the form of gold or a healing item. The collected gold can be used to buy upgrades from Doc, which include enhancing weapons, increasing maximum health, or obtaining a powerful beam weapon.[4]

Release

The game was released originally in Japan on March 18, 1989 for the PC Engine.[6] It was developed by Winds, an outsourcing company,[7] and published by Masaya and NCS.[6] It was re-released on the Wii Virtual Console in Japan on March 27, 2007.[8][9] It was re-released for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable on January 19, 2011.[10][11] It was released for Windows on the Project EGG distribution service on November 18, 2014.[12][13] The game was re-released on the Wii U Virtual Console in Japan on December 16, 2015.[14][15] Ratalaika Games re-released the game on May 18, 2023 for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.[16][17]

Reception

Contemporary reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
Famitsu21/40[6]
Complete Guide to Consoles51%[18]
Micro News (fr)4/5[3]
Retrospective reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic54/100[19]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Destructoid5/10[20]
Hardcore Gamer4/5[21]
Nintendo Life5/10[22]
TouchArcade3/5[23]
Retronauts2/5[24]

Contemporary

The Games Machine wrote: "There's nothing actually wrong with Overhauled Man, it's just that this sort of thing has been done to death on consoles."[2] Micro News (fr) called it a captivating and comprehensive platform game with a few original touches. Although it was still said to be mainly for die-hard fans of the genre.[3] Complete Guide to Consoles noted the graphics and sound as "feeble", and the gameplay unoriginal and boring.[18]

Retrospective

Destructoid noted that "Poor hit detection and control completely overshadow any of its inventive qualities."[20] Hardcore Gamer concluded: "As a whole, Cyber Citizen Shockman is an excellent side-scrolling platformer that has a few signs of its age, but the core gameplay is timeless."[21] TouchArcade wrote: "Your character’s movement is a bit laggy, the level designs are quite uninspired, and the hit detection is very imprecise."[23] Retronauts liked the game's graphics and music but called the level design "amateurish" and the game overall "just not very fun".[24] Nintendo Life noted it as the worst game in the series.[22] Hardcore Gaming 101 said the game "looks pretty sweet", noted the music as "catchy" but called the jump controls "horrible".[4]

References

  1. ↑ "製品紹介 - 平成元年(1989) - シュビビンマンⅠ" (in Japanese). http://www.winds-net.co.jp:80/development.html. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Lapworth, Warren (January 1990). "Reviews - Overhauled Man". The Games Machine (Newsfield Publications) (26): 82–83. https://archive.org/details/TheGamesMachine14Jan89/TheGamesMachine/TheGamesMachine26-Jan90/page/n81/mode/2up. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 J.D. (May 1, 1990). "Tops & Softs - Consoles - Shubibin Man" (in French). Micro News (fr) (Sandyx S.A.) (34): 49. https://archive.org/details/micro-news-34/page/n47/mode/2up. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 DiRienzo, David (February 20, 2009). "Schbibinman". http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/schbibinman/. 
  5. ↑ Ratalaika Games (2023). Cyber Citizen Shockman. PlayStation 5. Ratalaika Games. Level/area: Map screen after character selection. "I turned ya into Shockman, hero of justice." 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "改造町人シュビビンマン" (in ja). Famitsu (ASCII Corporation) (71): 13. March 31, 1989. https://archive.org/details/famitsu-0071/page/13/mode/1up?view=theater. "3月18日 [March 18] [...] メサイヤ (NCS)". )
  7. ↑ Szczepaniak, John (September 16, 2014). "PC Engine interviews taken from The Untold History of Japanese Game Developers". Informa TechTarget. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/audio/pc-engine-interviews-taken-from-the-untold-history-of-japanese-game-developers. 
  8. ↑ 船津稔 (2007-03-26). "任天堂、Wii「バーチャルコンソール」。「改造町人シュビビンマン」など3月27日から配信開始". インプレス. https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20070326/ninten.htm. Retrieved 2021-04-29. 
  9. ↑ "バーチャルコンソール配信ソフト5タイトル追加！（3/27）". イード. 2007-03-27. https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2007/03/27/20178.html. Retrieved 2021-04-29. 
  10. ↑ cross (2011-01-12). "2011年1月12日付けのPlayStation Store最新情報。「パタポン 3」「リトルビッグプラネット2」の体験版が配信中。各種新作タイトルも要チェックだ". Aetas. https://www.4gamer.net/games/085/G008540/20110112018/. Retrieved 2021-04-29. 
  11. ↑ 木原卓 (2011-01-19). "週刊ダウンロードソフトウェアカタログ 2011年1月第5週分". インプレス. https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/series/dl/421338.html. Retrieved 2021-04-29. 
  12. ↑ "『改造町人シュビビンマン』（PCエンジン版）、『重装機兵ヴァルケン』（コンシューマー版）がレトロゲーム配信サービス"プロジェクトEGG"にて配信開始！". Kadokawa. 2014-11-18. https://www.famitsu.com/news/201411/18065933.html. Retrieved 2021-04-29. 
  13. ↑ "改造町人シュビビンマン（PCエンジン）" (in Japanese). November 18, 2014. https://www.amusement-center.com/project/egg/game/?product_id=1227. 
  14. ↑ 津久井箇人 a.k.a. そそそ (2015-12-09). "Wii Uバーチャルコンソール12月16日・17日配信タイトル ― 『Mother3』『F-Zeroクライマックス』『スクリューブレイカー』『改造町人シュビビンマン』【修正】". イード. https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2015/12/09/93848.html. Retrieved 2021-04-29. 
  15. ↑ そみん (2015-12-09). "『Mother3』が12月17日、『F-Zero（GBA版）』『轟振どりるれろ』『シュビビンマン』がWii U用VCで12月16日配信". Kadokawa. https://dengekionline.com/elem/000/001/175/1175120/. Retrieved 2021-04-29. 
  16. ↑ Yarwood, Jack (May 10, 2023). "'Cyber Citizen Shockman' Getting First Western Release Later This Month". Hookshot Media. https://www.timeextension.com/news/2023/05/cyber-citizen-shockman-getting-first-western-release-later-this-month. 
  17. ↑ "『改造町人シュビビンマン』がSwitch／PS4／PS5／Xbox One／XSX" (in Japanese). May 19, 2023. https://ascii.jp/elem/000/004/137/4137449/. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Guide - PC Engine - Overhauled Man". Complete Guide to Consoles (EMAP) 4: 49. 1990. https://archive.org/details/Complete_Guide_to_Consoles_Volume_IV_1990_EMAP_Publishing_GB/page/n47/mode/2up. 
  19. ↑ "Cyber Citizen Shockman Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/cyber-citizen-shockman/. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Handley, Zoey (May 27, 2023). "Review: Cyber Citizen Shockman". Gamurs Group. https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-cyber-citizen-shockman-retro-switch-ps4-xbox-series-x-s/. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Peeples, Jeremy (May 18, 2023). "Review: Cyber Citizen Shockman". Valnet. https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-cyber-citizen-shockman/441162/. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Massey, Tom (May 19, 2023). "Mini Review: Cyber Citizen Shockman (Switch) - A Belated Western Debut For The First (And Worst) Shubibinman". Nintendo Life. Hookshot Media. https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/cyber-citizen-shockman. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Musgrave, Shaun (May 22, 2023). "SwitchArcade Round-Up: Reviews Featuring 'Winter's Wish' & 'Murtop', Plus Today's Releases and Sales". https://toucharcade.com/2023/05/22/winters-wish-spirits-of-edo-switch-otome-review-murtop-eshop/. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Gipp, Stuart (October 17, 2023). "Review: Cyber Citizen Shockman 1 & 2". https://retronauts.com/article/2143/review-cyber-citizen-shockman-1-2. 
  • Official website at Ratalaika Games
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
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