The Flash (video game)

The Flash
File:Flash, The (UE) -!--01.png Screenshot of the Sega Master System version
Developer(s)	Probe Entertainment
Publisher(s)	SEGA
Platform(s)	Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear
Release	1993
Genre(s)	Action, Platform
Mode(s)	Single player

The Flash is an video game based on the Comic book hero created by DC Comics. It was developed and manufactured by Sega and Probe Entertainment for the Master System and the Sega Game Gear in 1993.

Plot

From the Instruction manual:
"With the assistance of electronics wizard the Trachmann, your old enemy the Trickster has taken control of Central City. True to his warped sense of humor, he's made himself mayor and decided to get rid of you for good. Declaring you a common criminal, Mayor Trickster has put a price on your head so that every hoodlum and punk in the city is hunting for you in order to claim the reward for themselves. To make things even more interesting the Trickster has raided the city treasury and stolen five priceless gems which have been scattered around the city as bait in a madcap but deadly assortment of traps. And if that wasn't enough, the Trachmann has released an unstoppable FED (Flying Electronic Droid) which has been programmed to search Central City and destroy you."

Gameplay

The game is played from the typical platform style of the scrolling side on, 2D, 3rd person viewpoint. The player controls Flash though the levels in which they must achieve 2 primary goals.

• A) Find the switch which opens the level exit and then:
• B) make it to the exit within the time limit.

There is also a secondary goal of collecting the gems that where stolen which increases the players score. If the player fails to make it to the exit within the time limit the FED tracks Flash down and kills him upon contact. While the player can run from the FED (giving them a last gasp effort to make it to the end of the level) due to the FED's ability to move over the screen regardless of the physical restraints that the player must encounter (e.g. walls) the player is eventually doomed to losing a life.

The FED acts as a more realistic method for imposing a time limit rather than the player just suddenly dying like in many platform games of this era.

Levels

The levels in the game are given the title "Episode." Each Episode is split into two zones. At the beginning of zone 1, Tina from S.T.A.R. Labs will report to Flash on the whereabouts and activities of the Trickster giving the player an intro to the Episode and to help advance the storyline. At the end of the second zone in each Episode, Flash must face Trickster in his Trickstermobile. While the boss in the "boss stage" remains the same throughout the game, the Trickstermobile increases in difficulty with additional weapons and speed as the game progress's.

Episode 1 - Trickster for Mayor

Episode 2 - Rollar Coster Runner

Episode 3 - Warehouse Antics

Episode 4 - Trouble at Mega Corp

Episode 5 - At Peace in the Park

Episode 6 - The Tricksters Funhouse

Abilities

Flash can use the following abilities:

Vibrator

Sends shockwaves immediately in the direction Flash is facing. Destroys Trickster blocks and simple enemies. The amount this attack can be used is determined by the energy meter which can be refilled using Star Food Vendors.

Spin

Flash's second primary attack. Can destroy flying enemies which can not be attacked via the vibrator.

Whirlwind

Flash for a short time becomes a whirlwind which can destroy anything is his path. Can only be used once unless additional Whirlwind items are collected.

SuperSpeed

Flash runs at a faster pace. The amount this attack can be used is determined by the energy meter which can be refilled using Star Food Vendors.

Items

These items are obtained through Flash destroying "Trickster Blocks" which are scattered throughout the levels:

Pizza

A pizza made up of four slices. Depending on how many the specific pizza has decides how much of Flash's health is restored.

Clock

Increases the time available to the maximum 99 seconds.

Restart

Acts as a checkpoint as to where the player can restart the level if they die.

Whirwind

Gives an extra Whirwind attack.

Magnetic Field Protection Unit

Gives invincibility for a short period of time.

1 UP

Gives the player an extra life.

Continue

Gives the player an extra continue if they lose all their lives.

Gem

The gems stolen by Trickster. Gives bonus points if the player managers to guide Flash through the remainder of the zone without losing a life.

These items are found by themselves in the open environment:

Flash Symbol

adds to the players points tally. Are numerous throughout the levels. Similar to the "Rings" in the Sonic the Hedgehog games.

Star Food Vendor

Replenish Flash's energy bar so he can continue to use SuperSpeed and vibrating attacks.

Switch

this opens the exit to the end of the zone. If not found and activated the end of the zone will remain blocked off.

Fan Reaction

The reaction from video gamers towards the game was mixed. Some found the fast pace of the game too difficult to control while others appreciated the depth in graphics, level design and the soundtrack. Regardless as by 1993 the Master System was no longer supported in the Japanese and United States markets, meaning the games existence in the worlds two biggest video game centres went relatively unknown and thus remains an obscure European release to this day. However it is highly valued by some retro game collectors for those two reasons.

Other Games

An unrelated Flash game was released for Game Boy in 1991 by THQ. It was based on the TV series. Unlike the Master System release, it was released in the US and had different gameplay and a password system.