Play Michael Jackson's Moonwalker (bootleg) Online Free for Arcade.
Michael Jackson's Moonwalker (bootleg) hits different when it boots instantly in your browser. Released in 1990 on the Arcade, this retro classic from Sega is ready the second you press start — no downloads, no setup.
Each of the games' plots loosely follows the "Smooth Criminal" segment of the film, in which Jackson rescues kidnapped children from the evil Mr. Following Moonwalker, Jackson collaborated with Sega on several other video games.
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| Action | Keyboard | Controller |
|---|---|---|
| D-Pad Up | ↑ | D-Pad up |
| D-Pad Down | ↓ | D-Pad down |
| D-Pad Left | ← | D-Pad left |
| D-Pad Right | → | D-Pad right |
| B (bottom) | X | Bottom face |
| A (right) | Z | Right face |
| Y (left) | S | Left face |
| X (top) | A | Top face |
| L | Q | Left shoulder |
| R | E | Right shoulder |
| Start | Enter | Start |
| Insert Coin | V | Select |
⭐ Premium members can click any key below to remap this game's controls. Go Premium
| Action | Keyboard | Arcade input |
|---|---|---|
| Move | · · · · | Joystick (8-way) |
| Start | · | Start |
| Insert Coin | · | Select |
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The Story Behind Michael Jackson's Moonwalker (bootleg)
The arcade has distinctively different gameplay from its computer and console counterparts, focusing more on beat 'em up gameplay elements rather than platform gameplay. Most notably a full "Thriller" music track is present in the graveyard stage as well as a different final boss battle which is incomplete. Jackson can become a robot by rescuing a certain child and then grabbing a comet that falls from the sky.
The prototype was acquired by Landon White who dumped and preserved the ROM file online on August 6, 2018. Following Moonwalker, Jackson collaborated with Sega on several other video games. A prototype of the Sega Genesis version dated April 24, 1990 surfaced that contains various differences from the final version.
How Michael Jackson's Moonwalker (bootleg) Plays
The arcade has distinctively different gameplay from its computer and console counterparts, focusing more on beat 'em up gameplay elements rather than platform gameplay. The last level involves morphing into a robot and shooting at soldiers in openings, with the player controlling a crosshair. In 1990, several video games based on the 1988 Michael Jackson film Moonwalker, all named Michael Jackson's Moonwalker, were released.
They were developed by two small software houses, Irish Emerald Software Ltd and American Keypunch Software, and published by U.K. company U.S. A prototype of the Sega Genesis version dated April 24, 1990 surfaced that contains various differences from the final version. The game's levels and music were borrowed from the film (though many of the music tracks were taken from Jackson's Bad and Thriller albums as well) and the player has the ability to destroy enemies by making them dance.
Why Players Still Load It Up
The game involves the player controlling the pop star in a quest to save all the children who have been kidnapped by Mr. Each of the games' plots loosely follows the "Smooth Criminal" segment of the film, in which Jackson rescues kidnapped children from the evil Mr. Home versions of the game were released for Sega's Mega Drive/Genesis and Master System home video game systems though the gameplay was completely different from the arcade version.
The home console versions were actually based on an evolved version of the home computer version of the game (with gameplay somewhat similar to the Shinobi series), in contrast to the arcade version which was a three-quarters view shooter/fighter type game. Most notably a full "Thriller" music track is present in the graveyard stage as well as a different final boss battle which is incomplete. Other differences include but are not limited to: changes in level layouts, different cutscenes, as well as minor differences in sound samples and other musical tracks.
Michael Jackson's Moonwalker (bootleg) — Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy the original Michael Jackson's Moonwalker (bootleg)?
Scroll to "Other Places You Can Get This Game" beneath the write-up — it lists trusted stores selling official copies.
What console was Michael Jackson's Moonwalker (bootleg) released on?
Michael Jackson's Moonwalker (bootleg) was released for the Arcade in 1990.
Can I save my progress in Michael Jackson's Moonwalker (bootleg)?
It does — with a free account you can snapshot the game at any point using save states, then pick it up later from exactly that spot.
How many players does Michael Jackson's Moonwalker (bootleg) support?
Michael Jackson's Moonwalker (bootleg) supports 1 player(s) in this browser version.