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Akira is a cancelled video game based off of the anime film and manga series of the same name. The game, published by THQ, was intended for release sometime in 1994 and was planned for multiple consoles, including the Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, Sega CD, Game Boy and Game Gear.
Video and screenshots of the game have circulated on the Internet, though ROMs or physical copies from any version of the game have yet to surface.
History[]
Developer Jim Gregory, in an interview with video game website Hardcore Gaming 101, shared details regarding his experiences working on the Super Nintendo version of Akira.
According to Gregory, the original developer Black Pearl had transferred the rights to the game during development to THQ. THQ made demands of the project that were not possible to perform due to the technical limitations of the consoles. The lead programmer of the game left the project which further compromised the development process. These factors played a large role in the game's cancellation.
Gregory stated in the interview with Hardcore Gaming 101 that a physical copy of Akira for the Super Nintendo was never produced. The only playable builds were sent via modem to THQ. Despite this, THQ does not have a copy of the master in its archive. THQ mastering lab tech Ryan Arnold hypothesized that the master copy is currently in the possession of Akira's license holder.
Tom Meigs of Black Pearl confirmed that the company was also working on a Game Gear version of Akira. Progress of the game was destroyed when the programmer left the project. Approximately 30% of the game was completed.
A 1994 VHS release of the movie included a mail-in rebate offer for $5 with the purchase of both the movie and the video game.
In December 2013, gameplay footage was discovered in a video of the 1994 Consumer Electronics Show uploaded by YouTube user pookninja3. The footage was taken from the Sega Genesis version of the game.
Gameplay, Console Differences and Other Information[]
Video game journalist Phil Theobald shared his experiences playing the Sega Genesis version at the 1994 Consumer Electronics Show. According to Theobald, each level of the game played differently. A motorcycle racing level, a first person shooter level, an isometric perspective level, a beat-em-up level and a side-scrolling platformer level were all included in the game. Screenshots and the video of the game confirm much of his account.
According to Jim Gregory's testimony, the Super Nintendo release was intended to be a traditional platform game throughout. This version would borrow elements from the manga in addition to the film. A 16-bit rendition of the film's score was produced but could not be used due to licensing issues.
The Game Gear edition was a side scrolling action game with bike segments between levels.