The Terminator
The Terminator — frequently asked questions
- What platforms is The Terminator on?
- The Terminator was released on Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Sega Game Gear, Sega Master System/Mark III.
- When did The Terminator release?
- The Terminator was first released on May 1, 1992.
About The Terminator
The Sega Versions of the "The Terminator". This side scroller was based on the 1984 science fiction blockbuster of the same name. Just like the movie, you assume the role of Kyle Reese, a traveller from the future who returns to modern-day L.A. to protect the life of Sarah Conner - the beautiful woman who holds the key to the survival of the human race. Your mission: Outwit and outmaneuver a brutal killing machine known as the Terminator. He's big, he's bad and he's virtually unstoppable - let's hope you're smarter! Featuring 10 huge main levels pumped up with hardcore weaponry and heavy-hitting adversaries.
Summary via IGDB.
Game details
- Platforms
- Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Sega Game Gear, Sega Master System/Mark III
- Developer
- Probe Software
- Publisher
- Virgin Games
- Game modes
- Single player
- Themes
- Action, Science fiction
- Series
- Terminator
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 ↓ | 1992 | $11 | $28 | — | 10 reviews | Low (look-alike) |
| Sega GenesisDetails ↓ | 1992 | $20 | $62 | $187 | 11 reviews | Low |
The cheapest way to own it loose is the Sega Master System version ($11).
Also released on: Sega Mega Drive/Genesis · Sega Game Gear · Sega Master System/Mark III. 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
How often it sells
- Loose: about once a month
- Complete: about once a week
- 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 $14.98 in Apr 2011, $10.58 five years ago, and $10.58 as of Oct 2026.
Show as table
| Month | Loose | Complete |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2012 | $19.99 | — |
| Jan 2013 | $9.99 | — |
| Jan 2014 | $9.99 | — |
| Jan 2015 | $25 | — |
| Jan 2016 | $9.99 | $25 |
| Jan 2017 | $9.99 | $24 |
| Jan 2018 | $10.88 | $15.51 |
| Jan 2019 | $6.25 | $15.21 |
| Jan 2020 | $7.41 | $13.63 |
| Jan 2021 | $6.23 | $9.78 |
| Jan 2022 | $8.74 | $15.94 |
| Jan 2023 | $11.07 | $15.05 |
| Jan 2024 | $8.43 | $18.94 |
| Jan 2025 | $8.76 | $22 |
| Jan 2026 | $8.97 | $26 |
| Oct 2026 | $10.58 | $28 |
Monthly price estimates from PriceCharting's completed-sale records, sampled quarterly, through Oct 2026.
Release record
| Territory | Date | Product number | Known board |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe / PAL | August 1992 | MK-27025-50 | 171-6339A · MPR-14831-F |
- Region
- EU
- Released
- 1992
- Authenticity
- Low
The Sega Master System version
Probe's film tie-in, praised for its graphics and sound by Mean Machines Sega and others but thought hard, and a reasonably priced European cart.
The Terminator was developed by Probe Software and published by Virgin Games, released on the Master System in Europe in August 1992. Mean Machines Sega's preview said it had smooth scrolling, detailed backdrops and amazing sprite animation, and its reviewer later called the Master System version excellent. The game casts you as Reese, who reaches the time machine, goes back to Los Angeles in 1984, rescues Sarah Connor and confronts the Terminator at the Steel Plant, across scrolling platform environments.
Reviewers praised the graphics and sound of the Game Gear and Master System versions, though others found them too difficult.
How it was made
Developed by Probe Software and published by Virgin Games.
What the press said at the time
| Sega Master Force Issue 3 | October 1993 | Rating: 90% |
| Mean Machines Issue 21 | June 1992 | OVERALL 82% |
| Mean Machines Sega Issue 3 | December 1992 | OVERALL 82% |
| Sega Force Issue 14 | February 1993 | 90% |
| Computer and Video Games | 90/100 | |
| Zero | 80/100 | |
| Game Zone | 83/100 | |
| MegaTech | 60% | |
| Sega Power | 81% | |
| Sega Pro | 90/100 |
“Top of the shoot-’em-up tree and one of the best MS carts of any kind, The Terminator's a must.”
“The graphics are truly excellent, with sprites and backdrops that make full use of the Master System’s 8-bit abilities. Even the sound (something the Master System isn’t well equipped for) is good, with atmospheric tunes and effects.”
“A superb interpretation of the 1984 movie, this game is far better than its Megadrive counterpart! It's skillful (and very challenging) platform action all the way as you control Kyle Reese in his quest to protect Sarah Connor from the murderous clutches of the Terminator. Well worth investing it.”
“Paul loved the game. ‘Terminator fans and platform addicts will wet themselves when they see this.’ Mat said, ‘This game Is so hot it’ll burn you bad!’”
Undated scores are from the review table in the game's Wikipedia article, limited to reviews of the Sega Master System version.
In the sales charts
In 9 sales charts, April 1993 to October 1993; highest position #5.
Show all 9 placings
- #9 in the Virgin Master System chart — Sega Pro, Issue 18, April 1993
- #8 in the HMV Master System chart — Sega Pro, Issue 18, April 1993
- #7 in the Our Price Master System chart — Sega Pro, Issue 19, May 1993
- #10 in the HMV Master System chart — Sega Pro, Issue 19, May 1993
- #6 in the Our Price Master System chart — Sega Pro, Issue 20, June 1993
- #5 in the Our Price Master System chart — Sega Pro, Issue 21, July 1993
- #6 in the Our Price Master System chart — Sega Pro, Issue 22, August 1993
- #6 in the Our Price Master System chart — Sega Pro, Issue 23, September 1993
- #5 in the Our Price Master System chart — Sega Pro, Issue 24, October 1993
Sales charts as printed in the magazines of the time.
How the Sega Master System version differs
Some reviewers considered the Master System version too difficult.
Also on other platforms
Genesis · Game Gear
- Game Gear. The Game Gear version became available in the U.S. in October.
How the other versions reviewed
| Game Gear | GamesMaster | 84% |
| Game Gear | Mean Machines | 82% |
| Game Gear | Sega Force | 87% |
| Game Gear | Sega Power | 87% |
| Game Gear | Sega Pro | 92/100 |
| Game Gear | Sega Zone | 80/100 |
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
Loose, the European cart sits below the middle for a European-only game. The look-alike risk is low. For a complete copy, check for the manual.
Collector value & authenticity
Sega Genesis · PriceCharting sold data · Verified 2026-10-29
Other releases and variants
| Release | Loose | Complete | Sealed |
|---|---|---|---|
| European (PAL) release | $14 | $39 | — |
How often it sells
- Loose: about once a week
- Complete: about once a week
- Sealed: about once a year
Prices marked “few sales” rest on about one recorded sale a year, so treat them as a rough guide: the next copy could sell well above or below. Expect to wait for one to come up.
Sales frequency from PriceCharting's completed-sale records, as of 2026-10-29.
Price over time
- Loose
- Complete
A loose copy sold for about $4.60 in Oct 2007, $17.99 five years ago, and $20 as of Oct 2026.
Show as table
| Month | Loose | Complete |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2008 | $4.60 | — |
| Jan 2009 | $3.14 | — |
| Jan 2010 | $6.36 | — |
| Jan 2011 | $7.29 | — |
| Jan 2012 | $3.95 | — |
| Jan 2013 | $7.22 | — |
| Jan 2014 | $5.74 | $15.99 |
| Jan 2015 | $10.90 | $30 |
| Jan 2016 | $10.00 | $21 |
| Jan 2017 | $11.97 | $16.99 |
| Jan 2018 | $12.47 | $26 |
| Jan 2019 | $10.28 | $27 |
| Jan 2020 | $16.94 | $25 |
| Jan 2021 | $15.24 | $40 |
| Jan 2022 | $22 | $50 |
| Jan 2023 | $22 | $60 |
| Jan 2024 | $17.49 | $50 |
| Jan 2025 | $23 | $45 |
| Jan 2026 | $20 | $51 |
| Oct 2026 | $20 | $62 |
Monthly price estimates from PriceCharting's completed-sale records, sampled quarterly, through Oct 2026.
Release record
| Territory | Date | Product number | Barcode | Known board |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North America | May 1992 | — | 052145820029 | — |
| Europe / PAL | August 1992 | T-70026 | — | 171-5978BA |
- Region
- NA+EU
- Released
- 1992
- Authenticity
- Low
The Sega Genesis version
A film tie-in with strong digitized stills and sound, and a fair-priced cart if you like it easy.
This is the Genesis version of The Terminator, developed by Probe Software and published by Virgin Games, based on the 1984 film. It came out in North America in May 1992 and in the United Kingdom in August 1992.
On the Genesis the game was praised for its sound and graphics, especially the digitized stills from the film, though some reviewers found it too easy.
What the press said at the time
| Mean Machines Issue 21 | June 1992 | OVERALL 43% |
| Mean Machines Sega Issue 3 | December 1992 | 43% |
| MegaTech Issue 17 | May 1993 | 60% |
| Mean Machines Sega Issue 11 | September 1993 | OVERALL 43% |
| Computer and Video Games | 91/100 | |
| Electronic Gaming Monthly | 31/40 | |
| Zero | 84/100 | |
| Game Zone | 79/100 | |
| Sega Force | 84% | |
| Sega Power | 87% | |
| Sega Pro | 92/100 |
“Four short levels which take no time to complete. After that, there’s nothing to hold your interest.”
“The Terminator starts off with a fantastic intro, and a visually stunning first level, but from there the next three levels decrease in quality. What kills the game is that it's so easy to complete.”
“Based on one of the most popular films of the '80s, the Terminator would be a brilliant scroll-along platform game where it not for one thing. The game is just to easy to complete. Every difficulty setting presents no challenge whatsoever, making The Terminator a very short (albeit sweet) experience.”
“Great graphics and Megadrive renditions of the film score. There are only four levels and it's so easy to finish the game it's hard to believe. Plus the action isn't much like that in the movie at all.”
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
The Genesis version came out in the U.S. in May 1992 and in the UK in August 1992, and some reviewers found it too easy, where others thought the Game Gear and Master System versions too difficult.
Also on other platforms
Master System · Game Gear
| Sega Master System | Probe Software |
| Game Gear | Probe Software |
- Game Gear. The Game Gear version became available in the U.S. in October 1992, after the Genesis release in May.
How the other versions reviewed
| Game Gear | GamesMaster | 84% |
| Game Gear | Mean Machines | 82% |
| Game Gear | Sega Force | 87% |
| Game Gear | Sega Power | 87% |
| Game Gear | Sega Pro | 92/100 |
| Game Gear | Sega Zone | 80/100 |
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
Among US carts it sits above the middle. The European cart usually costs less than the US one, in both loose and complete condition.
The Terminator screenshots
Watch on YouTube
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