Waterworld (1995 video games)

*This article is for the various Waterworld video games released in 1995.
For other later titles, see Waterworld (video games)*

There have been several **Waterworld video games** based on the 1995 Waterworld film and developed under licence from MCA/Universal Merchandising Inc.

Ocean Software developed titles for several home game consoles at the time of the film release, in which the player takes control of the Mariner to fight smokers and rescue atollers.

Two years later after the release of the film, in 1997, a more expansive title for PC was published by Interplay titled *Waterworld: The Quest for Dryland*. This title is unrelated to the earlier games, and the player takes control of an atoller War Chief as you defend your people against raids, manage your resources, and plan and command raids to acquire more. It has an original questline, introducing new technologies and factions.

## Console releases

### Nintendo SNES and Gameboy

Ocean Software developed the Waterworld game for Nintendo SNES and PAM Development ported it to the Game Boy. These were essentially ports of the same game in which the player takes control of the Mariner though three different alternating environments -

* Free-roaming isometric shooter and exploration in the trimaran upon the seas, avoiding debris, tops of ruins and shooting hostile watercraft;
* Underwater sections in which the Mariner swims through submerged cities, gathering dirt and treasures, avoiding hostile sea life;
* Traditional platforming sections inside the atolls, shootouts with smokers.

At the end of each section, items collected are transferred into credits/chits which can then be used to barter with atoll traders for trimaran repairs and upgrades, food, and new weapons.

The SNES version garnered mixed to good reviews, with the Game Boy port achieving higher ratings.

#### Galleries

Super Nintendo game cover artworkIntro (SNES)Underwater scavenging (SNES)The Mariner's trimaran defending an atoll (SNES)Post-mission bartering with an atoll trader (SNES)
GameBoy game title
*to be completed*

## Cancelled but later released

### Sega Genesis / Mega Drive

Ocean Software and Data Design Interactive completed development of a Waterworld game for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive. A port of the SNES and Gameboy versions, it similarly includes platforming sections, sailing sections, and underwater sections, albeit with improved graphics. It was due for release in September 1995, and was available for a time on the Sega Channel, but for unknown reasons the general release did not occur and it was soon taken off the Sega channel.

The ROM was later released as a functional game to the internet as abandondware/freeware. There are a few minor elements of the game missing; for example Smoker Hellfire Gunboats were supposed to be an enemy in the sailing segments - they are mentioned in the post-mission score tallying - however these enemies never implemented.

An improved version of the Genesis port for the 32X was also planned but never materialised.

#### Gallery

The title of the Sega Genesis Waterworld gameIntro (Genesis)Scavenging underwater ruins (Genesis)The Mariner's trimaran protecting an atoll (Gensis)The Mariner battles for control of atoll with smokersMission successBuying trimaran repairs and supplies at the store of Atoll Serina
## Virtual Boy

The Nintento Virtual Boy game was developed by Ocean of America Inc and released on 21st December 1995. It is different to the other console releases in that it was a "stereoscopic" third-person 3D shooter. The player takes control of the Mariner's trimaran to shoot smokers on the open ocean and pick up stranded atollers. The game has no definitive end, with each level containg more enemies and therefore increasing in difficulty.

This game was generally not well received, with *Nintendo Life* giving it an 'abysmal' rating of 1 out of 10.

#### Gallery

The box art for the Virtual Boy gameTitle (Virtual Boy game)Gameplay (Virtual Boy)
## Cancelled releases

### 3D0 and Sony PlayStation

* *Main article: Waterworld (cancelled PlayStation game)*

A Waterworld video game was in development for the Sony PlayStation and 3DO but cancelled late in development.

### Atari Jaguar

A Waterworld game for the Atari Jaguar was announced in early 1995 and was planned to be released later in the same year, but for unknown reasons was cancelled.

### Sega Saturn

A Waterworld game for the Sega Saturn began development in 1994, and was to feature a '3D virtual ocean with a dynamic surface'. Two years later, in October 1996, this was reported to be near completion. Except for a few screenshots, no promotional material was released for it, and this game was cancelled late in development and has never been released.

Screenshot from the cancelled Sega Saturn gameScreenshot from the cancelled Sega Saturn game
## PC Release

*Main article: Waterworld: The Quest for Dryland*

## See also

* For other later titles, see Waterworld (video games)

## External links

* Wikipedia article on the Waterworld video games
* MobyGames page for the Waterworld video games, a video game review/ratings aggregate site

## References

1. ↑ https://www.mobygames.com/game/waterworld\_\_
2. ↑ https://www.mobygames.com/game/gameboy/waterworld\_\_\_
3. ↑ https://segaretro.org/Waterworld
4. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20041214015334/http://host.fptoday.com/melek/Jaguar/jag-95.htm
5. ↑ https://www.mobygames.com/game/waterworld\_
6. ↑ https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2009/06/waterworld\_retro
7. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20041214015334/http://host.fptoday.com/melek/Jaguar/jag-95.htm
8. ↑ https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AGamePro\_US\_075.pdf&page=169
9. ↑ "Waterworld". GamePro. No. 88. IDG. January 1996. p. 56.
10. ↑ "Sega Gamers' Day". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 87. Ziff Davis. October 1996. p. 115. After spending almost two years in development, Waterworld for the Saturn is nearing completion.