Remembering Michael Jackson's video game legacy
While he was probably best-known for his personal eccentricities, pet monkeys, and legal problems (and some music, too, we suppose), Michael Jackson, who died Thursday at age 50, has a small but important footnote in video game history as well.
Back when Jackson was merely a semi-eccentric star, Sega created a video game property for him, named Michael Jackson's Moonwalker (actually separate games for the arcade and Sega Genesis/Master System consoles). Moonwalker was notable for being an early example of real-life celebrities appearing in video games, and for using digitized versions of some of Jacko's songs.
The game is also unintentionally ironic because Jackson is tasked with rescuing helpless children from a crime boss named Mr. Big (although in hindsight, perhaps it was Mr. Big who was doing the rescuing).
The arcade version was a basic isometric beat-'em-up, with two players able to play as dual Jackos, one in a white suit, one in red (similar to his "Smooth Criminal" music video). Jackson's special attack was a dance move, and when activated, a spotlight from the heavens illuminated him as he pulled off some signature spins and kicks, destroying many of the onscreen enemies.
Even stranger, Bubbles the Chimp made a cameo, and if you picked him up, Jackson would be briefly transformed into a laser-shooting robot version of himself.
The somewhat more pedestrian home console version behaved more like a standard side-scrolling platform game. Again we're rescuing kids from a mobster, but the real appeal is hearing Jackson shout "Woo!" with each attack--usually a dance-like high kick that causes tiny stars to shoot from his foot.
The music in the home console version was a letdown for anyone who had played the arcade version--essentially MIDI-style pinky versions of tracks such as "Smooth Criminal" and "Beat It."
The game went on to become a cult classic, more for its cultural kitsch value than its gameplay, with its animated Jackson appropriated for funny Web videos and retro-'90s talking-head TV shows.
Subsequently, Jackson made only a handful of video game appearances, in Space Channel 5 (also from Sega) for the Dreamcast, and as an unlockable fighter in Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2.
At the time of his death, rumors had surfaced that Jackson was involved with a new video game project for the Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation 3, but the game was never officially confirmed.
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New York native Dan Ackerman, a former radio DJ turned journalist, has written about technology and music for publications including Spin, Blender, The Hollywood Reporter, and USA Today. He hosts the weekly Digital City podcast and the New York edition of Editors' Office Hours. Dan's new album, Tales Out of Night School, is available now. E-mail Dan. 
"You and I both know what I'm talking about.That article of Michael Jackson,(hours after his passing) had about as much substance as a Sarah Palin speech at a Cocktail Party. So lets just skip the diagnoses of your ill-informed, unintelligent, demonizing article that you unsympathetically SMACKED together and get to the part where you clean off your desk of Rogaine, hair plugs, and family photos of those who are to be embarrassed of any connection to you what-so-ever, (be it blood, sperm or sheer friend-of-the-moron) and turn in your resignation... Watch out for the MJ Fan barrage awaiting you near the exit sign of your building sir."
Idiot - A person of subnormal intelligence... Better put "Dan Ackerman"
He was the best PERIOD
good times.
I normally like Dan Ackerman as he was truly helpful in my search for a new laptop....
too soon Ackerman too soon
Further, the first statement is simply factually incorrect: while Michael may be known for what was mentioned, he was also as well known for his talent, and certainly better known for his talent than for his chimp. In addition, the second statement wrongly implies as fact that Michael harmed children (the truth of the matter is unknowable given current knowledge); It also belies the good that Michael did for many children around the world
I get that Dan was trying to be humorous and I understand the context, but when writing as the employee of a company, he has a responsibility not to publicly joke about someone who just died and who meant a great deal to many people. It's in bad taste and generates negative press for CNET.
Dan's comment in the comment section also demonstrates a basic lack of communication skills: just because something quickly jumps to one's mind, doesn't make it appropriate to say or write (again, especially in his capacity as an employee of CNET)
For the record, while I like and respect Michael Jackson, I'm not a "huge fan" or anything like that, so my feedback should not be viewed as the reactions of an overzealous fan. I'm simply a decent person who feels bad that someone has died.
It is my sincere hope that this article is quickly modified, and I will draw attention to it until it is.
That is because MIB used their Neuralyzers to wipe the memory when they came in to claim Agent M.
- by jlopezcnet June 26, 2009 4:28 AM PDT
- I only remember Space Channel 5. The first iteration was only a likeness of Michael. When they made Space Channel 5 Episode 2, it actually WAS Michael that shows up. That was exciting for me and a MUST have. I couldn't find that game anywhere because it was mostly sold in Japan on the Dreamcast.
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Showing 1 of 2 pages (55 Comments)Thankfully Sega republished it on PS2 and I have it! We will miss you Michael!