Michael Jackson's Moonwalker
Michael Jackson's Moonwalker — frequently asked questions
- What platforms is Michael Jackson's Moonwalker on?
- Michael Jackson's Moonwalker was released on Commodore C64/128/MAX, ZX Spectrum, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Atari ST/STE, DOS, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, MSX, Sega Master System/Mark III, Arcade, Wii.
- When did Michael Jackson's Moonwalker release?
- Michael Jackson's Moonwalker was first released on July 24, 1990.
About Michael Jackson's Moonwalker
Several video games based on the 1988 Michael Jackson film Moonwalker. U.S. Gold published various games for home computers, released in 1989, whilst Sega developed two similarly themed beat 'em up video games in 1990; one released for arcades and another released for the Mega Drive/Genesis and Master System.
Summary via IGDB.
Michael Jackson's Moonwalker on Wikipedia
In 1990, several video games based on the 1988 Michael Jackson film Moonwalker, all named Michael Jackson's Moonwalker, were released. Sega developed two beat 'em ups, one released in arcades and another released for the Sega Genesis and Master System consoles. U.S. Gold also published various games for home computers. Each of the games' plots loosely follows the "Smooth Criminal" segment of the film, in which Jackson rescues kidnapped children from the evil Mr. Big, and incorporates synthesized versions of some of the musician's songs. Following Moonwalker, Jackson collaborated with Sega on several other video games.
Source: Wikipedia (text under CC BY-SA 4.0).
Game details
- Platforms
- Commodore C64/128/MAX, ZX Spectrum, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Atari ST/STE, DOS, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, MSX, Sega Master System/Mark III, Arcade, Wii
- Developer
- Emerald Software
- Publisher
- U.S. Gold
- Game modes
- Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
- Themes
- Action, Science fiction
- Series
- Michael Jackson
Details via IGDB.
Reception
Every version compared
Prices, contemporary reception and the studio credited for each release
| Platform | Year | Loose | Complete | Sealed | Period reviews | Fake risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sega Master SystemDetails ↓ | 1991 | $35 | $105 | — | 4 reviews | Low (look-alike) |
| Sega GenesisDetails ↓ | 1990 | $103 | $212 | — | 7 reviews | Medium |
The cheapest way to own it loose is the Sega Master System version ($35).
Also released on: Commodore C64/128/MAX · ZX Spectrum · Sega Mega Drive/Genesis · Atari ST/STE · DOS · Amiga · Amstrad CPC · MSX · Sega Master System/Mark III · Arcade · Wii. We haven’t priced or authenticated those versions yet.
Prices are per version and are not interchangeable, and neither are the reviews: conversions in this era were often built by a different studio than the original, so a score earned on one machine says nothing about how another plays.
Collector value & authenticity
Sega Master System · PriceCharting sold data · Verified 2026-10-28
Other releases and variants
| Release | Loose | Complete | Sealed |
|---|---|---|---|
| European (PAL) release | $13 | $40 | $71 |
How often it sells
- Loose: about 6 times a year
- Complete: about once a month
- Sealed: about once a year
Sales frequency from PriceCharting's completed-sale records, as of 2026-10-28.
Price over time
- Loose
- Complete
A loose copy sold for about $98 in Jul 2009, $42 five years ago, and $35 as of Oct 2026.
Show as table
| Month | Loose | Complete |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2010 | $40 | — |
| Jan 2011 | $49 | — |
| Jan 2012 | $40 | — |
| Jan 2013 | $26 | — |
| Jan 2014 | $30 | $35 |
| Jan 2015 | $29 | $29 |
| Jan 2016 | $43 | $40 |
| Jan 2017 | $40 | $80 |
| Jan 2018 | $30 | $56 |
| Jan 2019 | $28 | $60 |
| Jan 2020 | $32 | $51 |
| Jan 2021 | $40 | $56 |
| Jan 2022 | $43 | $87 |
| Jan 2023 | $40 | $75 |
| Jan 2024 | $34 | $60 |
| Jan 2025 | $35 | $73 |
| Jan 2026 | $35 | $91 |
| Oct 2026 | $35 | $105 |
Monthly price estimates from PriceCharting's completed-sale records, sampled quarterly, through Oct 2026.
Release record
| Territory | Date |
|---|---|
| North America | May 1991 |
| Europe / PAL | February 1991 |
| Brazil | 1991 |
- Region
- NA+EU+BR
- Released
- 1991
- Authenticity
- Low
The Sega Master System version
A Michael Jackson action game that is a pricier US cart and a much cheaper European one.
Michael Jackson's Moonwalker was developed by Sega and Arc System Works. It came out in Europe in February 1991, in North America in May 1991 and in Brazil, via Tec Toy, in 1991. The Master System version plays completely differently from Sega's arcade game, and in it Jackson rescues kidnapped children from Mr. Big. Bubbles is absent here, and the levels cut straight from the final child to the enemy rush.
How it was made
Developed by Sega and Arc System Works.
What the press said at the time
| Computer + Video Games Issue 112 | March 1991 | OVERALL 70% |
| Mean Machines Sega Issue 3 | December 1992 | OVERALL 80% |
| Sega Pro Issue 22 | August 1993 | 85% |
| Console XS | 85% |
“This looks a lot like the enjoyable Megadrive game, but the music (which was that version’s best feature) isn’t as good, and without that the rather repetitive gameplay isn’t enough to sustain your interest for long.”
“Aaoow! Strut your thang in Moonwalker, a platform shoot 'em up starring none other than Michael Jackson himself. The graphics are smart, and it's pretty playable, but be warned, it does get pretty repetitive. Jacko fans and diehard platformers will love this, though.”
“Luckily, the game is much better than the film, with attractive graphics and decent sound.”
Undated scores are from the review table in the game's Wikipedia article, limited to reviews of the Sega Master System version.
How the Sega Master System version differs
This version is based on an evolved form of the home computer game, with gameplay somewhat similar to the Shinobi series.
Also on other platforms
Arcade · Genesis · Commodore 64 · Wii · ZX Spectrum
| Arcade | Triumph International |
- Arcade. The arcade game is a three-quarters view shooter/fighter on Sega System 18 hardware, with the emphasis on beat 'em up play rather than platforming.
How the other versions reviewed
| Arcade | Computer and Video Games | 90% |
| ZX Spectrum | Crash | 70% |
| Wii | IGN | 4.5/10 |
| Arcade | Sinclair User | 92% |
| ZX Spectrum | Sinclair User | 6/10 |
| ZX Spectrum | Your Sinclair | 75% |
| Commodore 64 | Zzap!64 | 60% |
These are the other versions’ scores, not this one’s. Ports of this era were frequently built by different studios, so they do not transfer.
Before you buy
The European cart costs far less than the US cart, both loose and complete, so it is the obvious value choice if you do not need an American box. The US loose price sits above the middle of its group. Tec Toy also sold the game in Brazil. Check for the manual in a complete copy.
Collector value & authenticity
Sega Genesis · PriceCharting sold data · Verified 2026-10-29
Other releases and variants
| Release | Loose | Complete | Sealed |
|---|---|---|---|
| European (PAL) release | $32 | $81 | $233 |
| Japanese release (Michael Jackson's Moonwalker) | $40 | $124 | $250 |
How often it sells
- Loose: about 3 times a week
- Complete: about 2 times a week
- Sealed: about 2 times a year
Sales frequency from PriceCharting's completed-sale records, as of 2026-10-29.
Price over time
- Loose
- Complete
A loose copy sold for about $18.89 in Oct 2007, $67 five years ago, and $103 as of Oct 2026.
Show as table
| Month | Loose | Complete |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2008 | $17.45 | — |
| Jan 2009 | $17.98 | — |
| Jan 2010 | $31 | — |
| Jan 2011 | $34 | — |
| Jan 2012 | $26 | — |
| Jan 2013 | $32 | — |
| Jan 2014 | $25 | $43 |
| Jan 2015 | $35 | $50 |
| Jan 2016 | $56 | $70 |
| Jan 2017 | $35 | $74 |
| Jan 2018 | $43 | $70 |
| Jan 2019 | $45 | $82 |
| Jan 2020 | $40 | $83 |
| Jan 2021 | $53 | $100 |
| Jan 2022 | $67 | $172 |
| Jan 2023 | $61 | $174 |
| Jan 2024 | $58 | $124 |
| Jan 2025 | $63 | $149 |
| Jan 2026 | $52 | $137 |
| Oct 2026 | $103 | $212 |
Monthly price estimates from PriceCharting's completed-sale records, sampled quarterly, through Oct 2026.
Release record
| Territory | Date | Barcode |
|---|---|---|
| North America | September 1990 | 010086010138 |
| Europe / PAL | January 1991 | 4974365610135 |
| Japan | 25 August 1990 | 4974365540289 |
- Region
- NA+EU+JP
- Released
- 1990
- Authenticity
- Med
The Sega Genesis version
A colorful Sega-made action game that plays nothing like the arcade original, and one of the priciest US carts of the lot.
This is the Genesis version, a separate Sega-developed game from the Moonwalker arcade machine, with completely different gameplay. Jackson's attacks fire off blue sparks that give him extra reach. It reached Japan on 25 August 1990, North America in September 1990 and Europe in January 1991.
MegaTech called the Mega Drive game an addictive platformer with excellent graphics, and Game Player's named it among its Sega Genesis Excellence Awards in February 1991.
What the press said at the time
| Mean Machines Games Guide | May 1992 | OVERALL 85% |
| MegaTech Issue 18 | June 1993 | OVERALL 72% |
| Sega Pro Issue 36 | September 1994 | 78% |
| GameRankings (aggregate) | 54.2% (retrospective) | |
| Electronic Gaming Monthly | 7/10, 7/10, 7/10, 7/10 | |
| Compute's Guide | 19/20 | |
| Sega Power | 90% |
“Highly recommended to Jackson fans (are their any left?) who like rescuing kids.”
“Forget the fad that this has the cred-damaging Michael Jackson face on the cover, and lust enjoy the action,”
“A bit on the easy side, Moonwalker has dated and as such is a rather ordinary looking, okay sounding, but nonetheless reasonably playable platform game.”
“A fairy tale adventure where you have to save captured children. The graphics and animation are top-notch, but it will be completed quickly.”
Undated scores are from the review table in the game's Wikipedia article, limited to reviews of the Genesis version.
How the Sega Genesis version differs
Players rescue kidnapped children and can destroy enemies by making them dance. Rescuing a certain child lets Jackson become a robot by grabbing a falling comet.
Also on other platforms
Master System · Arcade · Commodore 64 · Wii · ZX Spectrum
| Arcade | Triumph International |
- Arcade. The arcade game, running on Sega System 18 hardware, centers on beat 'em up play rather than the platforming of the console versions.
How the other versions reviewed
| Arcade | Computer and Video Games | 90% |
| ZX Spectrum | Crash | 70% |
| Wii | IGN | 4.5/10 |
| Arcade | Sinclair User | 92% |
| ZX Spectrum | Sinclair User | 6/10 |
| ZX Spectrum | Your Sinclair | 75% |
| Commodore 64 | Zzap!64 | 60% |
These are the other versions’ scores, not this one’s. Ports of this era were frequently built by different studios, so they do not transfer.
Worth knowing
- A prototype survives. A prototype of the Genesis game dated 24 April 1990 has surfaced, and it differs in various ways from the final release.
Before you buy
Among US carts it is one of the priciest, so the other regions are the sensible place to start. The European cart usually costs far less than the US one, and the Japanese Mega Drive cart usually costs far less too, though it has a different cartridge shape. At this price ask for a photo of the board and check the shell: a Western Genesis cart has no notch.
Michael Jackson's Moonwalker screenshots
Watch on YouTube
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