History VideoGame / MichaelJacksonsMoonwalker

--> ''"GHOULS, MOVE IT!"''

* KillerRobot: A heroic example. Michael can turn into a robot if certain criteria are met[[note]]In the arcade version, you have to find Michael's pet monkey Bubbles in a level, while the Genesis/Master System ports requires you to rescue a certain child in a level first and then catch a shooting star.[[/note]]. Michael's attacks will be upgraded, and he can take twice as much damage (in the arcade version; the Genesis port makes him invincible in robot mode)

* ReReleaseSoundtrack: The graveyard level, an obvious homage to the "Thriller" video, does not actually have "Thriller" playing in the background, instead using "Another Part of Me". Some versions ''do'' use "Thriller" for the dance (which is obviously the Thriller dance), while others persistently use "Another Part of Me" even for this. (In fact, a prototype version of the game does actually use "Thriller" as the background music for the graveyard level.) It is generally believed that the reason why "Another Part of Me" was used instead of "Thriller" is that "Thriller" was written by Rod Temperton, not Michael Jackson, and so Temperton would have to be paid royalties from his song appearing in the game -- obviously a realization which came late in the game (All other songs in the game -- "Smooth Criminal", "Beat It", "Billie Jean", and "Bad" -- were written by Michael Jackson).[[note]] There are ROMS of at least one beta version that features "Thriller" playing throughout the graveyard stages, supporting the idea that the song was removed later in development. [[/note]]

* ReReleaseSoundtrack: The graveyard level, an obvious homage to the "Thriller" video, does not actually have "Thriller" playing in the background, instead using "Another Part of Me". Some versions ''do'' use "Thriller" for the dance (which is obviously the Thriller dance), while others persistently use "Another Part of Me" even for this. (In fact, a prototype version of the game does actually use "Thriller" as the background music for the graveyard level.) It is generally believed that the reason why "Another Part of Me" was used instead of "Thriller" is that "Thriller" was written by Rod Temperton, not Michael Jackson, and so Temperton would have to be paid royalties from his song appearing in the game -- obviously a realization which came late in the game (All other songs in the game -- "Smooth Criminal", "Beat It", "Billie Jean", and "Bad" -- were written by Michael Jackson).

* EverythingsBetterWithMonkeys: In the Genesis version, Bubbles the Chimp appears on MJ's shoulder after all the kids are rescued in a stage, and he's quite helpful, as he helps you to find the boss encounter before running off. In the arcade version, touching Bubbles turns MJ into a heroic KillerRobot.

* DummiedOut: [[https://tcrf.net/Michael_Jackson%27s_Moonwalker_(Arcade) There's 3 extra Dance Magic tracks]] that don't get used in the Arcade game for unknown reasons.

* ReReleaseSoundtrack: The graveyard level, an obvious homage to the "Thriller" video, does not actually have "Thriller" playing in the background, instead using "Another Part of Me". Some versions ''do'' use "Thriller" for the dance (which is obviously the Thriller dance), while others persistently use "Another Part of Me" even for this. It is generally believed that the reason why "Another Part of Me" was used instead of "Thriller" is that "Thriller" was written by Rod Temperton, not Michael Jackson, and so Temperton would have to be paid royalties from his song appearing in the game -- obviously a realization which came late in the game (All other songs in the game -- "Smooth Criminal", "Beat It", "Billie Jean", and "Bad" -- were written by Michael Jackson).

* DifficultySpike: the later rounds of the graveyard stage and the cave level in the Genesis version raise the difficulty considerably, due to the kids being much harder to find, and the enemies becoming much harder to beat. For example, the final bosses of the graveyard stage can drop bombs on you via detaching body parts, and Mr. Big's henchmen take several hits to kill in the cave level, despite being [[OneHitPointWonder One Hit Point Wonders]] back in in the street level.

* HomeVersionSoundtrackReplacement: The graveyard level, an obvious homage to the ''Thriller'' video, does not actually have "Thriller" playing in the background, instead using "Another Part of Me". Some versions ''do'' use "Thriller" for the dance (which is obviously the Thriller dance), while others persistently use "Another Part of Me" even for this. It is generally believed that the reason why "Another Part of Me" was used instead of "Thriller" is because "Thriller" was written by Rod Temperton, not Michael Jackson, and so Temperton would have to be paid royalties from his song appearing in the game - obviously a realization which came late in the game. (All other songs in the game - "Smooth Criminal", "Beat It", "Billie Jean", and "Bad" - were written by Michael Jackson.)

** Dance Magic specials can clear whole rooms of enemies, but will eat up half of your health bar, making it very impractical to use in level 3 and onwards

* WeaponizedHeadgear: One of Michael's special attacks is throwing his hat at enemies.
** In the Master System port, the hat throw is nerfed (it now has a short range and only shoots in front of Michael) but becomes a regular attack (with no life cost) that replaces the fist as an upgrade for the rest of the current level.

** In the Master System port, the hat throw is nerfed (it now has a short range and only shoots in front of Michael) but becomes a regular attack (with no life cost) that replaces the fist as an upgrade.

* Flunky Boss: Arcade version only: In the graveyard level's boss fight, Mr. Big will constantly summon ghosts to attack you, in an attempt to keep you from destroying his zombie machine.

* MooksButNoBosses: The majority of stages end with a rush of enemies to plow through. Later stages within an area will introduce EliteMooks with different attack patterns and weaknesses. The last level finally brings a proper, exclusive boss with Mr. Big.

* UndergroundLevel: The caverns level from the Sega Genesis version.

** In the Master System port, the hat throw is nerfed (it now has a short range and only shoots in front of Michael) but becomes a regular attack (with no life cost) that replaces the fist as an upgrade.

Two versions of this Michael Jackson game were produced: an isometric action game for arcades, and a ''VideoGame/{{Shinobi}}''-like PlatformGame for the UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis. (There was also a computer game titled ''Michael Jackson: Moonwalker'', which has little in common with the other versions.) A port was also released for the UsefulNotes/MasterSystem and UsefulNotes/GameGear.

* BarBrawl: The first level of the Genesis/MasterSystem/GameGear version, and the second half of level two in the arcade version, based on the equivalent scene in the film.

* BarBrawl: The first level of the Genesis version, based on the equivalent scene in the film.

* KillerRobot: A heroic example. Michael can turn into a robot if certain criteria is met[[note]]In the arcade version, you have to find Michael's pet monkey Bubbles in a level, while the Genesis/Master System ports requires you to rescue a certain child in a level first and then catch a shooting star.[[/note]]. Michael's attacks will be upgraded, and he can take twice as much damage (in the arcade version; the Genesis port makes him invincible in robot mode)

* MooksButNoBosses: The majority of stages end with a rush of enemies to plow through. Later stages within an area will introduce {{elite mook}}s with different attack patterns and weaknesses. The last level finally brings a proper, exclusive boss with Mr. Big.

** The robot form has its spiffy laser and missile attacks, but you can't rescue kids while you're in it.