View source for Menacer

{{short description|Video game accessory}}
{{featured article}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2014}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{Infobox information appliance
|name        = Menacer
|image       = Sega Menacer cropped.jpg
|image_size  = 225
|alt         = Plastic, gray toy gun with orange highlights and attached black shoulder stock and white scopes.
|developer   = Mac Senour
|manufacturer= [[Sega]]
|type        = [[Light gun]]
|releasedate = {{Start date|1992}}
|price       = {{US$|59.99|1992|round=0}}<ref name=Post-Tribune/><ref name=USA-Today/>
|power       = Six [[AAA battery|AAA batteries]]<ref name=Force/>
|platform    = [[Sega Genesis]]
}}

The '''Menacer''' is a [[light gun]] [[Video game accessory#Add-ons/Peripherals|peripheral]] released by [[Sega]] in 1992 for its [[Sega Genesis]] and [[Sega CD]] video game consoles. It was created in response to [[Nintendo]]'s [[Super Scope]] and as Sega's successor to the [[Master System Light Phaser]]. The gun is built from three detachable parts ([[pistol]], [[shoulder stock]], [[sights]]), and communicates with the television via an [[infrared sensor]]. The Menacer was announced at the May 1992 [[Consumer Electronics Show]] in Chicago and was released later that year. The gun was bundled with a [[pack-in]] six-game cartridge of mostly [[shooting gallery game]]s. Sega also released a Menacer bundle with ''[[Terminator 2: Judgment Day (arcade game)|Terminator 2: The Arcade Game]]''.

Sega producer Mac Senour was responsible for the Menacer project and designed the six-game pack. He originally proposed non-shooting [[minigames]] based on existing Sega licenses like [[Joe Montana]], [[David Robinson (basketball)|David Robinson]], and ''[[ToeJam & Earl]]'', but most of the prototypes were abandoned due to high cost in favor of more shooting-type games. Sega did not plan another [[First-party developer|first-party]] release for the Menacer apart from the included [[multicart]]. Compatible games were published through 1995.

The Menacer is remembered as a critical and commercial flop. Critics found the six-game pack subpar and repetitive, and criticized the peripheral's lack of games. The ''ToeJam & Earl'' spinoff game was held in the highest regard, and reviewers recommended the Menacer-compatible ''Terminator 2'' game. A [[dedicated console|direct-to-TV]] light gun that includes the six-game Menacer pack was released in 2005.

== Description ==

[[File:Sega-Genesis-Mod1-Set.png|thumb|Sega Genesis|alt=Black video game console with top-loading slot and single, wired controller with directional pad and four buttons]] The gray, white, and red<ref name=GamePro-41/> Menacer is a [[light gun]] [[Video game accessory#Add-ons/Peripherals|peripheral]] for the [[Sega Genesis]].{{r|Digital Spy: flop}} The Menacer is built of three separable parts: a [[pistol]], [[sight (device)|twin sights]], and [[shoulder stock]].{{r|Digital Spy: flop}} (In the peripheral's branding, these parts were called the Master Module, Binocular Module, and Stabilizer Module, respectively.<ref name=Force/>) The pistol has a double grip<ref name=Visions/> and fires the [[infrared beam]]{{r|Digital Spy: flop}} with a trigger on the back grip.<ref name=Mean-Machines/> There are three buttons on the pistol's front grip: one pauses the game and the other two provide game-specific functions.<ref name=Mean-Machines/> Unlike the Super Scope, the Menacer has two infrared transmitters.{{r|TStar: zap-happy}} The optional skeletal shoulder stock and binocular<ref name=Visions/> twin sights were designed to improve the aim. ''Digital Spy'' reported that the twin sights never worked as intended,{{r|Digital Spy: flop}} and ''Sega Force'' wrote that the gun must be recalibrated when adding or removing the sights.<ref name=Force/> Calibration is performed by aiming at a [[Bullseye (target)|bullseye target]] to adjust the gun's sensitivity.<ref name=Mean-Machines/> The gun was designed to be reassembled to suit the player.<ref name=Mega/>

The light gun's shots are controlled by its aim towards the television.<ref name=Mean-Machines/> It operates on batteries and works in conjunction with a sensor plugged into the second controller port and placed atop the television display.<ref name=Force/> The sensor counts [[Cathode-ray tube|CRT]] television [[scan lines]] to detect the player's shots.{{r|Digital Spy: flop}} ''Sega Force'' noticed that the controller acts erratically when used under [[fluorescent lighting]].<ref name=Force/> Sega recommended {{convert|8|feet|m|spell=in}} of distance from the receiver,<ref name=Visions/> though the peripheral works between {{convert|4|and(-)|12|feet|m|spell=in|sigfig=1}} from the television.<ref name=GamePro-41/> ''Sega Force'' reported that the controller lasts about 18 hours on new batteries,<ref name=Force/> though Will Smith of ''[[The Hawk Eye]]'' estimated fewer ("a matter of hours").{{r|McClatchy: Hawk Eye}} The ''[[Toronto Star]]'' wrote that the Menacer lasts 20 hours as opposed to the Super Scope's 50 to 140 hours. The Menacer has no [[power switch]]: it automatically activates when aimed at the television{{r|TStar: zap-happy}} and turns off after 30 seconds without input.<ref name=Force/> The Super Scope fully drains its batteries when left on.{{r|TStar: zap-happy}} Menacer's Accu-Sight option puts [[crosshairs]] on the screen to eliminate the need to aim manually through the sights.<ref name=Mega/> The gun does not have a "turbo" mode for continuous fire, unlike the Super Scope.{{r|TStar: zap-happy}}

== History ==

[[File:Nintendo-SNES-Super-Scope-L.jpg|thumb|Nintendo Super Scope, the peripheral that prompted the Menacer|alt=Bazooka-shaped, gray light gun with built-in shoulder support and orange accents, gray scope attached and forward grip]] 
[[File:Menacer - Sega plug and play (8738243023).jpg|thumb|Radica's 2005 direct-to-TV dedicated console plays the Menacer's six-game cartridge without a Sega Genesis.|alt=Chunky, bright orange light gun with black RCA cables attached]]

The Menacer was produced in response to the Nintendo [[Super Scope]]{{r|Digital Spy: flop}} released several months earlier,<ref name=Mean-Machines/> though Sega intended to support the peripheral as more than a clone.{{r|Sega-16: Senour}} These two peripherals brought arcade light gun game [[Port (video gaming)|ports]] to home consoles.{{r|Digital Spy: flop}} The Menacer is the successor to the [[Master System Light Phaser|Master System's Light Phaser]].<ref name=Mean-Machines/>

Mac Senour, a producer at Sega,{{r|Polygon: Senour}} was responsible for the peripheral and its six-game cartridge as the company's "hardware boy".{{r|Sega-16: Senour}} He designed the six [[minigames]] based on Sega's previous intellectual property and licenses—such as ''[[ToeJam & Earl]]''{{efn|The ''ToeJam & Earl'' minigame was designed by the series's creators, [[Greg Johnson (game designer)|Greg Johnson]] and [[Mark Voorsanger]].{{r|IGN: Funkotronics}}}}—under the instruction to avoid shooting games. His prototypes included games based on [[Joe Montana]] (''Joe Montana Wide Receiver Training Camp'') and [[David Robinson (basketball)|David Robinson]], but when presented, the company asked for more shooting games and scrapped all license-based games (besides ''ToeJam & Earl'', whose license was free) due to their added cost. His "reverse ''[[Blockout]]'' game" prototype was the only other title carried to the final cartridge. Senour recalled that upon his cubicle presentation to Sega Japan's president, the executive did not say anything besides "very good" before leaving. Sega did not plan any other [[First-party developer|first-party]] releases for the Menacer—Senour recollected that "they laughed when I proposed more."{{r|Sega-16: Senour}}

Sega announced the Menacer alongside the [[Sega CD]] at the May 1992 [[Consumer Electronics Show]] in Chicago{{r|Business Wire: $99.99}} and the peripheral was released towards the end of that year.<ref name=GamePro-41/><ref name=Mean-Machines/><ref name=GamePro-38/>{{efn|''[[GamePro]]'' reported its release to be in late October,<ref name=GamePro-41/><ref name=GamePro-38/> but ''[[Mean Machines]]'' wrote that the Menacer was released in December.<ref name=Mean-Machines/>}} By December 1992, the Menacer began shipping with ''[[Terminator 2: Judgment Day (arcade game)|Terminator 2: The Arcade Game]]'' as a bundle.<ref name=Dealerscope/> [[Goodby, Silverstein & Partners]] produced Menacer [[television advertisements]] directed by Danny Boyle.<ref name=Shoot/> ''[[Playthings (magazine)|Playthings]]'' reported that Chicago toy retailers promoted Sega electronics including the Menacer over Nintendo's during their 1992 Thanksgiving promotions.<ref name=Playthings/> Sega's sales exceeded Nintendo's during the 1992 Christmas season, and gained cultural cachet for the Menacer among other peripherals.{{r|Wired: Next Level}} ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' reported in March 1993 that the Menacer would not have a new game for six months.<ref name=EGM-44/> Compatible games were published through 1995.{{r|AllGame: Corpse Killer}}

Mac Senour left Sega in 1993{{r|Insert Credit: Senour}} for [[Atari]], where he received an increase in pay and status.{{r|Sega-16: Senour}} He later worked at [[Konami]] and [[Electronic Arts]].{{r|Polygon: Senour}} In his first days at Atari, Senour was sent to Paris, where he remembered an excess of unsold Menacers in a [[Virgin Megastore]] display. His translators told the clerk that Senour was responsible for the Menacer, and when Senour offered to autograph their stock, the clerk replied in slow English that Senour could autograph the items he purchased.{{r|Sega-16: Senour}}

In 2005, [[Radica Games|Radica]] created a Menacer-based direct-to-TV [[dedicated console]] with the original six-game cartridge built into a light gun controller{{r|IGN: Radica}} as part of their Play TV Legends line of Sega Genesis dedicated consoles.{{r|Reuters KD Radica}} ''[[Retro Gamer]]'' wrote that Radica's gun is based on the [[Sega Saturn]] light gun's design and not the Menacer's.{{r|Retro Gamer: Radica}}

== Games ==

[[File:Menacer six-game cartridge screenshots.jpg|thumb|300px|Screenshots from the Menacer 6-game cartridge (clockwise from top left): ''Pest Control'', ''Space Station Defender'', ''Whack Ball'', ''Rockman's Zone'', ''Front Line'', ''Ready, Aim, Tomatoes!''|alt=Screenshots of six minigames (clockwise): a black screen with visible circle showing bugs eating a pizza; a purple, blue, and green space setting with craters and coffin-shaped pods reveal aliens; two-tone rectangles form a rectangle around a puck and a controllable mallet against a psychedelic backdrop; a street scene shows a brownstone apartment building with a "BANG" explosion in a window; a desert setting with mountain backdrop has green tanks and armored vehicles in the foreground; a tomato hurtles towards characters in a vivid and colorful field]] Games include the [[pack-in]] [[single-player]]<ref name=GamePro-41/> Menacer 6-game cartridge,{{efn|The 6-game cartridge was developed by Western Technologies.{{r|AllGame: 6-game}}}} which consists of mostly [[shooting gallery game]]s:{{r|Digital Spy: flop}}
* ''Ready, Aim, Tomatoes!'' is a [[spin-off (media)|spin-off]] of the original ''ToeJam & Earl'' where the player (as ToeJam<ref name=Visions/>) fires tomatoes at ''ToeJam & Earl'' series enemies for points as the [[Side-scrolling video game|screen scrolls]]. The scroll speed increases with game duration.<ref name=Mega/> The enemies—dentists, devils, and cupids—return fire throughout the ten levels.<ref name=Force/> The game also features [[power-ups]] and [[Missile lock-on|lock-on targeting]], to aid in player accuracy.<ref name=Mega/>
* In ''Rockman{{'}}s Zone'', the screen scrolls through streets of houses as the player shoots criminals and refrains from shooting innocent bystanders, for which the player loses a [[Health (gaming)|life]].<ref name=Mega/> In later levels, the criminals return fire faster.<ref name=Visions/>
* ''Space Station Defender'' is similar to ''Tomatoes!'' with added memory aspects. In each level, players shoot enemy-filled pods as up to eight drop in a memorizable sequence.<ref name=Mega/> There are 999 levels, a Power Zone to charge shots, and power-ups including extra shields.<ref name=Force/>
* ''Whack Ball'' is [[Breakout clone|comparable]] to ''[[Breakout (video game)|Breakout]]'': the player controls a large ball with the Menacer to push a smaller on-screen ball into color-changing bricks that line the wall. One all of the bricks change color, the player moves to the next level.<ref name=Mega/> Some bricks are power-ups that change the larger ball's size or add extra small balls into play.<ref name=Visions/> Players who hit flashing bricks are punished. Inadvertently guiding the ball through a hole in the wall ends the game.<ref name=Mega/>
* In ''Front Line'', the player defends against tanks and airplanes with a machine gun and missiles<ref name=Mega/> with unlimited ammo.<ref name=Force/>
* In ''Pest Control'', the player's vision is limited to a small area of the screen around the Accu-Sight crosshairs while looking for cockroaches that attempt to eat an on-screen pizza.<ref name=Mega/> Two different power-ups briefly illuminate the screen and clear all bugs onscreen.<ref name=Force/> Later levels feature larger insects that contain bombs and small, fast bugs.<ref name=Visions/>

''Digital Spy'' mentioned ''[[Body Count (video game)|Body Count]]'', ''Terminator 2: The Arcade Game'', and ''[[Mad Dog McCree]]'' as Menacer's other notable games.{{r|Digital Spy: flop}} ''Terminator 2'' was the first external game to work with the Menacer,<ref name=Mega/><ref name=Force-T2/> the only one confirmed as of December 1992.<ref name=GamePro-41/> ''Terminator''{{'s}} programmers, Probe Software, later began work on another Menacer-compatible game.<ref name=Mega/> ''Terminator 2'' has a two-player mode that uses one Menacer light gun and one controller.<ref name=Force-T2/><ref name=Visions-T2/> ''Sega Force'' reported that Menacer gameplay registered faster than the Genesis controller.<ref name=Force-T2/> ''Mad Dog McCree'', a [[live action]] [[Wild West]] [[shoot 'em up]] for the Sega CD, used either a controller or a choice of several light guns: the Menacer, the [[Konami Justifier]], or [[American Laser Games|the game developer]]'s own compatible light gun.{{r|WaPo: Mad Dog}} In the 1994 ''Body Count'', the player defends Earth from an alien invasion. ''[[The Irish Times]]'' wrote that the game is "ideally suited for the ... Menacer" and is "to be avoided" otherwise.{{r|Irish Times}} The Menacer is also compatible with ''[[Corpse Killer]]'' and [[American Laser Games]]' other titles, such as ''[[Who Shot Johnny Rock?]]''{{r|Sega-16: Menacer}} The light gun does not work with Konami's ''[[Lethal Enforcers]]'' games or ''[[Snatcher (video game)|Snatcher]]'',{{r|Sega-16: Menacer}} which use the Konami Justifier.{{r|1UP: Retro/Active}}

{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders collapsible uncollapsed" style="margin:1em auto; width: 500px;"
|+List of Menacer-compatible games by release date
!scope="column"|Title
!scope="column"|Release date (console)
|-
!scope="row"|Menacer 6-game cartridge{{r|Digital Spy: flop}}
|June 1, 1992{{r|IGN: Sega}} (Genesis)
|-
!scope="row"|''[[Terminator 2: Judgment Day (arcade game)|Terminator 2: The Arcade Game]]''<ref name=Mega/>
|June 6, 1992{{r|IGN: Probe}} (Genesis)
|-
!scope="row"|''[[Mad Dog McCree]]''{{r|WaPo: Mad Dog}}
|April 22, 1993{{r|IGN: American Laser}} (Sega CD)
|-
!scope="row"|''[[Body Count (video game)|Body Count]]''{{r|Irish Times}}
|1994{{r|IGN: Probe}} ([[Mega Drive]], [[Sega Channel]]{{r|ABC: Body Count}})
|-
!scope="row"|''[[Who Shot Johnny Rock?]]''{{r|Who Shot Johnny Rock?}}
|September 21, 1994{{r|IGN: American Laser}} (Sega CD)
|-
!scope="row"|''[[Mad Dog II: The Lost Gold]]''{{r|Mad Dog II}}
|September 27, 1994{{r|IGN: American Laser}} (Sega CD)
|-
!scope="row"|''[[Corpse Killer]]''{{r|AllGame: Corpse Killer}}
|November 7, 1994{{r|IGN: Digital Pictures}} (Sega CD, [[Sega 32X]]{{r|AllGame: Corpse Killer}})
|-
!scope="row"|''[[Crime Patrol (video game)|Crime Patrol]]''{{r|Crime Patrol}}
|December 16, 1994{{r|IGN: American Laser}} (Sega CD)
|}

== Reception ==

Matthew Reynolds of ''Digital Spy'' wrote that the Menacer was a poorly executed "flop" that is much less likely to be remembered than its Super Scope competitor, even though the latter did not fare much better. Reynolds added that the Menacer was hurt by the poor quality of the pack-in six-game cartridge and a lack of titles in support of the peripheral.{{r|Digital Spy: flop}} Will Smith of ''The Hawk Eye'' concurred, calling the peripheral "a commercial and critical flop".{{r|McClatchy: Hawk Eye}} The Menacer's original reviewers pinned the device's success on the strength of its developer support,<ref name=Force/><ref name=Mean-Machines/>{{r|TStar: zap-happy}} and multiple reviewers cited the Menacer's lack of good games as the cause for its decline.{{r|Digital Spy: flop|Sega-16: Menacer|Nintendo Life: Classics}}

Writing for the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' on the 1992 Consumer Electronics Show, Dennis Lynch saw the Super Scope and Menacer as a continuation of a Nintendo–Sega [[arms race]] and wrote that the peripheral's "[[Uzi]] attachment" was "just what every kid needs".{{r|Chicago Tribune: CES}} ''[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]''{{'s}} Andy Pargh said the Menacer was "definitely a winner" in comparison to the Super Scope.{{r|AJC: WHAT'S NEW}} ''Toronto Star''{{'s}} William Burrill wrote that the "Great Zapper War"{{r|TStar: evil robots}} would be decided by the strength of the light guns' supporting games.{{r|TStar: zap-happy|TStar: evil robots}} Multiple reviewers ultimately recommended that players wait for more games to be released before purchasing the Menacer.<ref name=Force/><ref name=Mean-Machines/>{{r|TStar: zap-happy}}<ref name=Mega/> William Burrill of the ''Toronto Star'' said not to bother unless the player "absolutely love[s] target shooter games".{{r|TStar: zap-happy}} ''Mean Machines'' called the Menacer "an expensive novelty" until it had more games.<ref name=Mean-Machines/> The ''[[Herald Sun]]'' wrote in August 1993 that the Menacer looked to be "an expensive, limited-use [[fad]]".{{r|Herald Sun}}

''GamePro'' considered the gun "well-designed" and "fairly good-looking", though they wrote that the gun's options buttons were inconvenient and that the Menacer's lengthy recalibrations before play sessions without Accu-Sight were tedious.<ref name=GamePro-41/> ''Mean Machines'' wrote that the gun's shades of gray clashed with the glossy black console.<ref name=Mean-Machines/> Several reviewers called the binocular scope addition unhelpful.{{r|Digital Spy: flop}}<ref name=Mean-Machines/> Paul Mellerick of ''[[Mega (magazine)|Mega]]'' found the manual sights an eyestrain and the gun "deadly accurate" as long as players used the Accu-Sight mode.<ref name=Mega/> Still, as of January 1993, ''Mega'' felt that the Menacer's future success was doubtless.<ref name=Mega/> Jaz of ''Mean Machines'' had low expectations for the Menacer, which he compared to the shortcomings of previous light guns: high price, short-lived novelty, and dearth of games. Gus of ''Mean Machines'' wrote that "Sega hasn't learned the lessons" from the Super Scope's "fairly naff" release in the magazine's January 1993 Menacer review, calling the light gun a "samey-looking, samey-playing piece of hardware, with some redundant add-ons" with mediocre [[launch titles]]. He added that the Menacer was less tiring to use than the Super Scope, praised the Menacer's infrared, and criticized the gun's lack of available software.<ref name=Mean-Machines/>

Multiple reviewers found the pack-in six-game cartridge games subpar<ref name=Mean-Machines/><ref name=Mega/>{{r|Sega-16: Menacer}}<ref name=1UP/> and repetitive.<ref name=Force/><ref name=Mean-Machines/><ref name=Mega/> ''Mean Machines''{{'s}} Gus wrote that the games were all too simple and easy.<ref name=Mean-Machines/> Of the pack, reviewers held ''Ready, Aim, Tomatoes!'' in the highest regard.<ref name=Force/><ref name=GamePro-41/><ref name=Visions/><ref name=Mega/><ref name=1UP/> Ray Barnholt of ''[[1UP.com]]'' wrote that the Menacer's games were "duller" than its competitor Super Scope's already dull games, but ''Tomatoes!'' gave Sega's cartridge "some pittance of value".<ref name=1UP/> ''Mega'' rated the ''ToeJam & Earl'' spin-off at 62%, calling it "fun and strange" though "rather repetitive".<ref name=Mega/> ''Sega Force'' thought the game's graphics were the pack's best, and its audio to be of high quality, though the magazine also considered the game repetitive.<ref name=Force/> ''GamePro'' thought the game's colors were [[Colorfulness|oversaturated]].<ref name=GamePro-41/>

As for the other six-pack titles, ''Mega'' called ''Rockman{{'}}s Zone'' "not a very inspiring game" for its slow pacing and "bland" graphics.<ref name=Mega/> Reviewers compared the game to ''[[Hogan's Alley (video game)|Hogan's Alley]]''<ref name=GamePro-41/><ref name=Mean-Machines/>{{r|TStar: zap-happy}}<ref name=EGM-39/> and ''[[Empire City: 1931]]''.<ref name=Mean-Machines/> ''Mega'' called ''Space Station Defender''{{'s}} concept "incredibly daft".<ref name=Mega/> ''GamePro'' criticized ''Space Station Defender''{{'s}} "washed-out and ugly" graphics and "obnoxious" audio. The magazine thought poorly of most of the cartridge's audio.<ref name=GamePro-41/> ''Mega'' found ''Whack Ball'' easy and did not expect players to maintain interest in it for longer than an hour.<ref name=Mega/> ''[[Sega Visions]]'' compared ''Whack Ball'' to ''[[Arkanoid]]''.<ref name=Visions/> ''Mega'' wrote that ''Front Line'' was programmed poorly with "the appearance of having never met up with a gamestester", calling it "truly awful".<ref name=Mega/> ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]''<ref name=EGM-39/> and ''GamePro'' compared the game to ''[[Operation Wolf]]''.<ref name=GamePro-38/> ''Sega Force'' rated ''Front Line'' lowest within the six-pack, with a score of 22%. The magazine wrote that the bug game, ''Pest Control'', would make players bored after ten minutes,<ref name=Force/> and ''Mega'' said the game was not worth loading even once, giving it their lowest rating of the bunch: 12%.<ref name=Mega/> ''Sega Force'' wrote in February that the games were only fun for an hour and that the peripheral's success would depend on its future games, adding, "Without that [developer] support, it will die as surely as all other attempts at light guns have done."<ref name=Force/> The magazine ultimately recommended against purchase until more games were released.<ref name=Force/>

''Sega Force''{{'s}} Paul Wooding considered ''Terminator 2'' a "must" for Menacer owners, adding that it far surpassed the quality of the six-pack games.<ref name=Force-T2/> The magazine added that the gun registered shots faster than the controller, was more accurate, and worked well from a distance.<ref name=Force-T2/> Neil West of ''Mega'' wrote the Menacer works well with ''Terminator 2'' in his review of the game.<ref name=Mega-T2/> ''The Hawk Eye''{{'s}} Will Smith wrote in 2010 that the six-game pack and ''Terminator 2'' were the only Menacer games readily accessible.{{r|McClatchy: Hawk Eye}} Ken Horowitz of ''Sega-16'' wrote that none of the Menacer-compatible titles were exceptional, though ''Terminator'' and ''Body Count'' were standouts. He added that the Menacer's small library made collecting easier.{{r|Sega-16: Menacer}} Edward Fox of [[The Centre for Computing History]] has said that the museum's Menacer is his favorite piece in the collection when used with the [[Aura Interactor]] [[haptic suit]].{{r|Nintendo Life: Centre}}

== Notes and references ==

; Notes

{{notelist}}

; References

{{reflist|refs=

<ref name=1UP>{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/features/neat-add-on-bad-game |access-date=January 9, 2014 |title=Neat Add-On, Bad First Game |last1=Barnholt |first1=Ray |work=[[1UP.com]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231002228/http://www.1up.com/features/neat-add-on-bad-game |archive-date=December 31, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="1UP: Retro/Active">{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/features/retroactive-metal-gear |access-date=January 19, 2014 |title=Retro/Active: Metal Gear |last1=Chen |first1=David |date=December 14, 2005 |work=[[1UP.com]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160626222742/http://www.1up.com/features/retroactive-metal-gear?pager.offset=0 |archive-date=June 26, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="ABC: Body Count">{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/goodgame/stories/s3315834.htm |access-date=January 18, 2014 |title=Good Game Stories - Retro Game Reveal and Goodbye |date=September 13, 2011 |work=[[Good Game (television series)|Good Game]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201203549/http://www.abc.net.au/tv/goodgame/stories/s3315834.htm |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="AJC: WHAT'S NEW">{{cite news |title=WHAT'S NEW Video games will be hot sellers again this year |last1=Pargh |first1=Andy |date=December 11, 1992 |work=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]] |via=[[LexisNexis]] |issn=1539-7459 }}</ref>

<ref name="AllGame: Corpse Killer">{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=8037 |access-date=January 18, 2014 |title=Corpse Killer – Overview |last1=Baker |first1=Christopher Michael |work=[[AllGame]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114111118/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=8037 |archive-date=November 14, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="AllGame: 6-game">{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=13927 |access-date=March 29, 2014 |title=Menacer 6-Game Cartridge – Overview |work=[[AllGame]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114131644/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=13927 |archive-date=November 14, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<!--
<ref name="AllGame: Crime Patrol">{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=8062 |access-date=January 18, 2014 |title=Crime Patrol – Overview |last1=Cavanaugh |first1=Chris |work=[[AllGame]]  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114203606/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=8062 |archive-date=November 14, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="AllGame: Mad Dog II">{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=8075 |access-date=January 18, 2014 |title=Mad Dog II: The Lost Gold – Overview |last1=Weiss |first1=Brett Alan |work=[[AllGame]]  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114203612/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=8075 |archive-date=November 14, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
-->

<ref name="Business Wire: $99.99">{{cite news |title=Sega Announces New $99.99 (a) Packages for Genesis and Game Gear |last1=Van Buskirk |first1=Ellen Beth |date=May 28, 1992 |work=[[Business Wire]]|id={{ProQuest|<!-- insert ProQuest data here --> }}}}</ref>

<ref name="Chicago Tribune: CES">{{cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1992/06/26/the-best-and-worst-of-ces/ |access-date=January 10, 2014 |title=The Best and Worst of CES |last1=Lynch |first1=Dennis |date=June 26, 1992 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111061346/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1992-06-26/entertainment/9202260417_1_ces-products-trade |archive-date=January 11, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Crime Patrol">{{cite manual |title=Crime Patrol manual |year=1994 |work=[[American Laser Games]] |page=6 |quote= Reload by shooting off screen (the Menacer box that sits above your TV must detect that the menacer has fired, so point in its direction). }}</ref>

<ref name=Dealerscope>{{cite news |title=Video game accessories |date=January 1993 |work=Dealerscope Merchandising |volume=35 |number=1 |page=111 |issn=0888-4501 }}</ref>

<ref name="Digital Spy: flop">{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/levelup/a466096/menacer-retrospective-the-mega-drives-light-gun-flop.html |access-date=January 8, 2014 |title=Menacer retrospective: The Mega Drive's light-gun flop |last1=Reynolds |first1=Matthew |date=March 16, 2013 |work=[[Digital Spy]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228124831/http://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/levelup/a466096/menacer-retrospective-the-mega-drives-light-gun-flop.html |archive-date=December 28, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name=EGM-39>{{cite magazine |title=Sega Takes Aim at Nintendo! |date=October 1992 |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=39 |page=56 |issn=1058-918X }}</ref>

<ref name=EGM-44>{{cite magazine |title=Insert Coin |date=March 1993 |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=44 |page=4 |issn=1058-918X }}</ref>

<ref name=Force>{{cite journal |title=The Menacer |date=February 1993 |journal=[[Sega Force]] |issue=14 |pages=18–21 |issn=0964-2552}}</ref>

<ref name=Force-T2>{{cite journal |title=Terminator 2: The Arcade Game |date=February 1993 |journal=[[Sega Force]] |issue=14 |pages=38–40 |issn=0964-2552 }}</ref>

<ref name=GamePro-38>{{cite magazine |title=Hardware Preview: The Menacer |date=September 1992 |magazine=[[GamePro]] |issue=38 |page=58 |issn=1042-8658 }}</ref>

<ref name=GamePro-41>{{cite magazine |title=Genesis Pro Review: The Menacer |date=December 1992 |magazine=[[GamePro]] |issue=41 |pages=44–46 |issn=1042-8658 }}</ref>

<ref name="Herald Sun">{{cite news |title=Menacing, but it just might become a fad |last1=Calegari |first1=D. |date=August 25, 1993 |work=[[Herald Sun]] |via=[[LexisNexis]] }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN: American Laser">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/companies/american-laser-games |access-date=January 18, 2014 |title=American Laser Games Games |work=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223063332/http://www.ign.com/companies/american-laser-games |archive-date=February 23, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN: Digital Pictures">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/companies/digital-pictures |access-date=January 18, 2014 |title=Digital Pictures Games |work=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223063334/http://www.ign.com/companies/digital-pictures |archive-date=February 23, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN: Funkotronics">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/01/15/funkotronics-101?page=2 |access-date=March 29, 2014 |title=Funkotronics 101 |last1=Fahs |first1=Travis |date=January 15, 2009 |work=[[IGN]] |page=2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330081650/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/01/15/funkotronics-101?page=2 |archive-date=March 30, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN: Probe">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/companies/probe |access-date=January 18, 2014 |title=Probe Games |work=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231161800/http://www.ign.com/companies/probe |archive-date=December 31, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN: Sega">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/companies/sega |access-date=January 18, 2014 |title=Sega Games |work=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131126063602/http://www.ign.com/companies/sega |archive-date=November 26, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN: Radica">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/02/23/segas-menacer-returns |access-date=January 8, 2014 |title=Sega's Menacer Returns |last1=Harris |first1=Craig |date=February 22, 2005 |work=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220132930/http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/02/23/segas-menacer-returns |archive-date=February 20, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Insert Credit: Senour">{{cite web |url=http://insertcredit.com/2011/08/18/getting-into-sega-qa-in-the-genesis-era/ |access-date=January 18, 2014 |title=Getting into Sega QA in the Genesis era |last1=Sheffield |first1=Brandon |author-link=Brandon Sheffield |date=August 18, 2011 |work=Insert Credit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124010237/http://insertcredit.com/2011/08/18/getting-into-sega-qa-in-the-genesis-era/ |archive-date=January 24, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Irish Times">{{cite news |url=http://www.lexisnexis.com/lnacui2api/api/version1/getDocCui?lni=3SJD-S5R0-0061-H2X9&csi=270944,270077,11059,8411&hl=t&hv=t&hnsd=f&hns=t&hgn=t&oc=00240&perma=true |title=GAMEZONE: Pitching for a World Series |last1=Rowe |first1=Garrett |date=August 27, 1994 |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] |page=11 |via=[[LexisNexis]] |url-access=subscription |access-date=February 15, 2015 }}</ref>

<ref name="Mad Dog II">{{cite manual |title=Mad Dog II: The Lost Gold manual |year=1994 |work=[[American Laser Games]] |page=8 |quote=The FRONT bottom button can be used to pause the game with the Menacer. }}</ref>

<ref name="McClatchy: Hawk Eye">{{cite news |title=The Hawk Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Will Smith column |last1=Smith |first1=Will |date=October 10, 2010 |work=[[McClatchy - Tribune Business News]] |via=[[LexisNexis]] }}</ref>

<ref name=Mean-Machines>{{cite journal |title=Menacer |date=January 1993 |journal=[[Mean Machines]] |issue=4 |pages=82–84 |issn=0960-4952 }}</ref>

<ref name=Mega>{{cite journal |title=The Menacer Is Here |last=Mellerick |first=Paul |date=January 1993 |journal=[[Mega (magazine)|Mega]] |issue=4 |pages=18–19 |issn=0966-6206 }}</ref>

<ref name=Mega-T2>{{cite journal |title=Terminator 2: The Arcade Game |last=West |first=Neill |date=January 1993 |journal=[[Mega (magazine)|Mega]] |issue=4 |page=55 |issn=0966-6206 }}</ref>

<ref name="Nintendo Life: Centre">{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/09/interview_exploring_the_centre_for_computing_history_cambridge |access-date=January 17, 2014 |title=Interview: Exploring The Centre for Computing History – Cambridge |last1=Calvert |first1=Darren |date=September 7, 2013 |work=[[Nintendo Life]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201163537/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/09/interview_exploring_the_centre_for_computing_history_cambridge |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Nintendo Life: Classics">{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/03/hardware_classics_sega_mega_drive |access-date=January 18, 2014 |title=Hardware Classics: Sega Mega Drive |last1=McFerran |first1=Damien |date=March 9, 2013 |work=[[Nintendo Life]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201193652/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/03/hardware_classics_sega_mega_drive |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name=Playthings>{{cite news |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-13974860.html |access-date=January 10, 2014 |title=Chicago: holiday toyland trade takes off. (What's Selling) |last1=Rakstis |first1=Ted |date=January 1, 1993 |work=[[Playthings (magazine)|Playthings]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610220718/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-13974860.html |archive-date=June 10, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

<ref name="Polygon: Senour">{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/2013/10/25/5028338/how-sega-almost-rejected-genesis-classic-gunstar-heroes |access-date=January 18, 2014 |title=How Sega almost rejected Genesis classic Gunstar Heroes |last1=Campbell |first1=Colin |date=October 25, 2013 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140131195808/http://www.polygon.com/2013/10/25/5028338/how-sega-almost-rejected-genesis-classic-gunstar-heroes |archive-date=January 31, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name=Post-Tribune>{{cite web |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-1084EEBE8220D304.html |access-date=January 10, 2014 |title=OPEN-DOOR ELECTRONICS |date=June 4, 1992 |work=[[Post-Tribune (Indiana newspaper)|Post-Tribune]]  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610220720/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-1084EEBE8220D304.html |archive-date=June 10, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

<ref name="Retro Gamer: Radica">{{cite journal |editor-last=Carrol |editor-first=Martyn |title=Radica gets menacing |journal=[[Retro Gamer]] |number=14 |page=8 |date=March 2005 |issn=1742-3155 }}</ref>

<ref name="Reuters KD Radica">{{cite news |title=Radica Games Limited |date=January 15, 2014 |work=Thomson Reuters Knowledge Direct |publisher=[[Thomson Financial]] |via=[[LexisNexis]] }}</ref>

<ref name="Sega-16: Menacer">{{cite web |url=http://www.sega-16.com/2005/01/sega-gear-menacer-light-gun/ |access-date=January 19, 2014 |title=Sega Gear: Menacer Light Gun |last1=Horowitz |first1=Ken |date=October 23, 2013 |work=Sega-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230234908/http://www.sega-16.com/2005/01/sega-gear-menacer-light-gun/ |archive-date=December 30, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Sega-16: Senour">{{cite web |url=http://www.sega-16.com/2013/10/interview-mac-senour/ |access-date=January 18, 2014 |title=Interview: Mac Senour |last1=Horowitz |first1=Ken |date=October 23, 2013 |work=Sega-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230110858/http://www.sega-16.com/2013/10/interview-mac-senour/ |archive-date=December 30, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name=Shoot>{{cite news |title=The San Francisco treat. (Goodby, Siverstein and Partners) (Special Report: Agency of the Year) |last1=Clark |first1=Michael |date=December 9, 1994 |volume=35 |number=49 |page=48 |work=[[Shoot (advertising magazine)|Shoot]] |via=[[Factiva]] |issn=1055-9825 }}</ref>

<ref name="TStar: evil robots">{{cite news |title=Evil robots are taking control in new Scope-compatible game |last1=Burrill |first1=William |date=March 27, 1993 |page=J4 |work=[[Toronto Star]] |via=[[LexisNexis]] |issn=0319-0781 }}</ref>

<ref name="TStar: zap-happy">{{cite news |title=Weapons for the zap-happy |last1=Burrill |first1=William |date=March 20, 1993 |page=J4 |work=[[Toronto Star]] |via=[[LexisNexis]] |issn=0319-0781 }}</ref>

<ref name=USA-Today>{{cite journal |title=Buying a video game system without getting zapped |date=December 8, 1992 |journal=[[USA Today]] |last=Snider |first=Mike |page=4D |via=[[LexisNexis]] |issn=0734-7456 }}</ref>

<ref name=Visions>{{cite journal |title=Heavy Equipment: The Sega Menacer |date=November–December 1992 |journal=[[Sega Visions]] |pages=42–44 |oclc=794192137 }}</ref>

<ref name=Visions-T2>{{cite journal |title=T2: The Arcade Game |date=November–December 1992 |journal=[[Sega Visions]] |page=46 |oclc=794192137 }}</ref>

<ref name="WaPo: Mad Dog">{{Cite news |last1=Carter |first1=Chip |last2=Carter |first2=Jonathan |title=Mad Dog McCree: Old West Was Never This Much Fun |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |page=E24 |date=1994-02-21 |language=en |issn=0190-8286 |id={{ProQuest|751019740}} |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

<ref name="Who Shot Johnny Rock?">{{cite manual |title=Who Shot Johnny Rock? manual |year=1994 |work=[[American Laser Games]] |page=7 |quote=The FRONT bottom button can be used to pause the game with the Menacer. }}</ref>

<ref name="Wired: Next Level">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/wired/archive/1.06/sega_pr.html |access-date=January 18, 2014 |title=The Next Level: Sega's Plans for World Domination |last1=Battelle |first1=John |date=December 1993 |volume=1 |issue=6 |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502064808/http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/1.06/sega_pr.html |archive-date=May 2, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

}}

== External links ==

{{Commons category-inline|Sega Menacer}}

{{Sega Genesis}}
{{Sega}}
{{ToeJam & Earl series}}
{{Portal bar|1990s|Electronics|Video games}}

[[Category:Menacer| ]]
[[Category:Light guns]]
[[Category:Sega Genesis]]
[[Category:Sega hardware]]
[[Category:1992 introductions]]
[[Category:1990s fads and trends]]