đŽ Tips & Tricks
Even without classic cheat codes, Michael Jackson's Moonwalker has plenty of hidden details and subtle mechanics that can give players an edge - or at least a bit of extra fun. Here are some useful tips to help you get the most out of the game.
đē Moonwalk Animation
One of the most iconic secrets in the game is the moonwalk itself. While walking in any direction, press the kick button K and keep holding that direction during and after the attack. If timed correctly, Michael won't return to his regular walk cycle - instead, he'll glide smoothly backward across the screen, just like in his real-life performances. The move doesn't provide any gameplay advantage, but it's a stylish touch that adds charm and character to the experience. It's especially fun to show off when there are no enemies around.
đļ Dance Magic Effectiveness
Michael's Dance Magic is a powerful special move that can turn the tide of a level - and do it in spectacular fashion. By holding the L button when his energy bar is full, Michael performs a dance routine so mesmerizing that all enemies on screen stop fighting and join in. Once the sequence ends, every enemy caught in the dance is instantly defeated. This move is ideal for clearing out large groups of enemies or softening up a boss battle when things get overwhelming. Just keep in mind that it consumes part of your health bar, so it's best used in emergencies. And yes, even guard dogs and robots will break into dance before they explode.
đ Finding Hidden Children
The main objective in each stage is to locate and rescue all the hidden children. It's not always as straightforward as it seems. Some children are in plain sight, but others are tucked away behind background elements like doors, windows, gravestones, or decorative objects that don't always look interactive. To reveal them, try using Michael's spin move - quickly tapping the jump button Space while holding a direction - near anything suspicious. If you hear a chime or see an opening animation, you've likely found a hidden spot. A level won't end until every child has been rescued, so explore thoroughly.
đŠ Monkey Power-Up
If you've been doing your job and rescuing children, you'll eventually be rewarded with a visit from Bubbles, Michael's loyal chimpanzee. After saving a certain number of kids in a stage, Bubbles appears and jumps onto Michael's shoulder. Touching him instantly triggers a transformation, turning Michael into a robotic version of himself - often referred to by fans as "Robo-Jackson". In this form, Michael gains powerful projectile attacks that can take down enemies from a distance and give him a major advantage, especially in later levels where foes become more aggressive. The transformation doesn't last forever, so make the most of it while it's active.
đĻ Look for Bonus Points
Scattered throughout the levels are various destructible objects like boxes, barrels, garbage cans, and parked cars. Many of these can be destroyed with a simple kick or spin, and doing so might reveal extra points, hidden enemies, or even children in rare cases. While not all of these objects hide rewards, they're always worth checking, especially if you're aiming for a high score. Just be careful - sometimes enemies will leap out of broken items and catch you off guard. Exploration pays off, but always stay alert.
đ Interesting Facts
Michael Jackson's Moonwalker is more than just a licensed game - it's a unique piece of gaming and pop culture history. Behind its flashy moves and catchy music lies a surprising development story and some impressive technical and creative decisions.
đŦ Based on Michael Jackson's Own Film
The game takes its name and core concept from Moonwalker, the 1988 musical anthology film starring Michael Jackson. While the movie features several different segments, including surreal sci-fi and fantasy scenes, the Genesis/Mega Drive game focuses specifically on the Smooth Criminal portion - where Michael saves kidnapped children from an evil villain. The game loosely adapts this storyline, turning it into an action-platformer with stylized level design and iconic dance attacks.
đ Michael Jackson Was Involved in Development
Unlike many celebrity-based games of the time, this wasn't just a case of using a famous face. Michael Jackson was personally involved in the development of Moonwalker for the Genesis/Mega Drive. He worked with SEGA's development team to help select which of his songs would be featured, gave feedback on character movement and animations, and wanted to ensure that the game reflected his on-stage persona. According to several SEGA staff interviews, he took the project seriously and wanted the end result to feel authentically "Michael".
đļ 16-Bit Music with a Signature Sound
One of the most impressive aspects of the game is how faithfully it recreates Michael Jackson's music using the Genesis/Mega Drive's limited Yamaha sound chip. Tracks like Smooth Criminal, Beat It, Bad, and Another Part of Me were rearranged in chiptune form, with careful attention to melody and rhythm. While these versions are naturally more compressed than studio recordings, fans immediately recognize the tunes - and the way they're integrated into each level gives the game a rhythm and identity all its own.
đšī¸ Not Just One Game - Several Versions Exist
Michael Jackson's Moonwalker was released on multiple platforms, and each version is different. The Genesis/Mega Drive edition is a side-scrolling action game with platforming elements, featuring a single-player mode and an alternating 2-player option. In contrast, the arcade version - also developed by SEGA - is an isometric beat 'em up that allows up to three players to control different versions of Michael simultaneously. The arcade game includes more elaborate visuals and effects, while the Genesis/Mega Drive version focuses on atmosphere, level variety, and storytelling.
đ One of the First Games Starring a Global Pop Star
When Moonwalker was released in 1990, it was still uncommon for real-world celebrities - especially musicians - to appear in video games. Michael Jackson was among the first international pop icons to be featured not just as a character, but as the hero of a game that revolved entirely around his music, image, and dance. This helped cement Moonwalker as a cultural artifact, bridging the worlds of gaming and pop music in a way that was nearly unheard of at the time.
đ§ Legacy & Cultural Impact
Michael Jackson's Moonwalker holds a unique place in both gaming and music history. Released during the height of Jackson's global fame, the game stands as one of the most ambitious and unusual celebrity tie-ins of its era. While many licensed games felt like rushed cash-ins, Moonwalker on the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive managed to capture the essence of Michael's performance style, blending music, movement, and visuals in a way that was bold for its time.
Over the years, the game has earned cult status among retro gaming fans and Michael Jackson enthusiasts alike. Its unusual mix of beat 'em up and platforming mechanics, paired with recognizable 16-bit renditions of pop hits, gives it an identity that few other games have. Players still remember the satisfying rhythm of Dance Magic, the thrill of finding every hidden child, and of course, the moment they first pulled off the moonwalk.
Beyond nostalgia, Moonwalker is often cited in retrospectives as an early example of how music and games can come together in a meaningful, creative way. While it may not have had sequels or a long-running legacy as a franchise, its influence can be felt in later rhythm-based games and artist-led interactive projects.
Today, the Genesis/Mega Drive version of Michael Jackson's Moonwalker is available to play online, letting new players discover its charm and longtime fans relive it instantly - right in the browser, no downloads needed.