Pulseman

Pulseman
Developer(s)	Game Freak
Publisher(s)	Sega
Platform(s)	Mega Drive, Virtual Console
Release date(s)	Mega Drive JP July 22, 1994 Virtual Console JP April 24, 2007 PAL July 3, 2009 NA July 13, 2009[1]
Genre(s)	Platform game
Mode(s)	Single player
Rating(s)	ESRB: E PEGI: 7+
Media	16 megabit Cartridge

Pulseman (パルスマン) is an action platform game developed by Game Freak and published by Sega for the Mega Drive in 1994 in Japan only. It was critically praised and widely regarded as one of the best-looking games for the Mega Drive—rivaling even Treasure's acclaimed Gunstar Heroes. Pulseman was occasionally available (and remained untranslated) on the Sega Channel in the U.S. and Canada as a "Sega Channel Exclusive," but was never officially released on cartridge in any region besides Japan. In 2009, a newly-translated version was officially released worldwide on the Wii Virtual Console.

When first announced, Pulseman was named Spark. The title was changed during development - probably to avoid confusion with Sparkster, the hero from Rocket Knight Adventures.

Pokémon designer Ken Sugimori was the character designer for Pulseman. His unique design style carries on into the Pokémon games. The game's soundtrack was composed by Junichi Masuda, the composer of the Pokémon soundtracks.

Story

In the 21st century, noted scientist and computer engineer Doc Yoshiyama had succeeded in creating the world's most advanced Artificial Intelligence. He called his creation "C-Life" and managed to make her aware, thinking, and feeling. However, he soon found himself in love with this C-Life girl and wanted to be closer to her, so he digitized and uploaded himself into his computer core, where the two "made love" by combining his DNA and her program core. The end result of their love was the birth of a half-human, half C-Life boy named "Pulseman". Pulseman was unique in that he didn't need to remain inside a computer to survive, and had the power to channel electricity through his body, using it both as a weapon and as a means of quick transport through the power of "Voltteccer".

Unfortunately, living in the computer world for so long twisted Doc Yoshiyama's mind, corrupting his brainwaves and his body. Doc Yoshiyama emerged back into the human world, but twisted and changed into the evil Doc Waruyama. Now, Doc Waruyama establishes the Galaxy Gang, spreading a new wave of cyber-terrorism across the world, and Pulseman must fight his own father and put an end to his gang for the sake of the free world.

Characters

Pulseman

The main hero of the game. Pulseman is a teenage boy born from a human father and a C-Life mother, thus granting him the powers of both worlds. From his father, he can survive outside of computer terminals and roam through the human world, and from his mother he has the power of electricity. He can slash out electricity from his hands, and gather up the current to shoot through the air using his powerful "Voltteccer" attack, where he changes into a ball of electricity and ricochet through the stages like a pinball. He is also very agile and acrobatic, and can attack using powerful kicks. His prime weakness is water, which shorts out his powers.

Beatrice

A young C-Life girl who was once held captive by the Galaxy Gang until Pulseman freed her. She quickly became his girlfriend and supports him on his quest to stop Doc Waruyama. She appears on the Stage Select screen to inform you of the stages you'll be entering, and also appears during gameplay to inform you of dangers in the stages. She has spiky pink hair and a red and white dress with black leggings. Pulseman's nickname for her is Rice, pronounced "Ree -chay".

Lisa Hartfield

A star news reporter from Tokyo; Lisa's constantly on the story of Pulseman. She has shoulder-length red hair and wears a professional looking red dress suit. She only appears during cutscenes and unconscious in the background of the first stage in the TV Studio section.

Veil

A mysterious C-Life being whose loyalty is only for Doc Waruyama. Veil looks like Pulseman but colored dark violet and red, with large wings on his back and "horns" jutting from his visor. He has all of Pulseman's powers, as if he were an evil twin. He is the Stage 5 boss.

Doc Waruyama

Once known as Doc Yoshiyama, Doc Waruyama was twisted and corrupted by the computer system he uploaded himself into to be with the only love of his life. He leads the Galaxy Gang to destroy the cyber-world, and appears several times throughout the game, where Pulseman fights him as a boss.

Pulseman references in the Pokémon series

• One of Pikachu's special moves is called "Volt Tackle", which in Japan is called "Voltteccer" and utilizes the same idea of turning into an electrically-charged ball and smashing into an enemy. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the Volt Tackle is Pikachu's Final Smash and operates like Pulseman's version of the attack.
• In Pokémon Diamond, Pearl and Platinum the organization 'Team Galactic' ( (ギンガ団, Ginga Dan?, literally “Galaxy Gang” or “Galaxy Brigade” ) may be a reference to Doctor Waruyama's gang of the same name.
• The Gunfish enemy that appears underwater in Stage 6 of Pulseman resembles to Remoraid, as they are both combinations of fish and revolver pistols. This may be on purpose due to the fact that Ken Sugimori designed the characters in this game and also designs Pokémon.
• The Pokémon Rotom has a similarly shaped head to Pulseman, and is able to enter electrical devices much like Pulseman. Rotom is also surrounded by a blue electrical aura that resembles Pulseman’s electrical powers. This may also be on purpose due to Ken Sugimori.

Critical reception

IGN reviewed the Virtual Console version of Pulseman, giving it a score of 8.0 out of 10, therefore receiving IGN's Editor's choice award. In the review, the author praises its graphics as "one of the cleanest, most crisp and most attractive platformers on the Genesis" and that the game "isn't just fun, it's electric."^[2]

References

External links

• Pulseman at MobyGames
• Volteccer! A Pulseman fansite
• Sega's page for Pulseman, Virtual Console release (in Japanese)