Madou Monogatari I (Mega Drive)

Madou Monogatari I
Developer	Compile
Publishers	Compile; Sega (MD Mini)
Platforms	Mega Drive; Mega Drive Mini
Players	1 player
Release date	Mega Drive March 22, 1996 Windows (via Madou Monogatari Kyukyoku Taizen Tsu MD & DS) May 20, 2016 Mega Drive Mini September 19, 2019 Windows (via Madou Monogatari Chou Kyukyoku Taizen Puyo Puyo-iri April 7, 2023 Windows (via Project EGG service) January 30, 2024

Madou Monogatari I, also referred to as Mega Drive Madoh Monogatari I on the game's cover, is the third remake of the first game in the Madou Monogatari series adapted from Madou Monogatari 1-2-3, and is the only game in the series to appear on the Sega Mega Drive. It is also notable for being the final game to be released on the system in Japan. The game mostly follows the same plot as its previous versions, but contains some significant differences such as Arle being tasked with solving various problems throughout the Magic Tower to improve her exam score as opposed to having to collect three magic orbs, and having Camus, who was first introduced in the Game Gear remake of Madou Monogatari I, serve a larger purpose in the story. The battle system was overhauled and takes on a side view similar to the one seen in Madou Monogatari: Hanamaru Dai Youchienji, and turn-based battles are dropped in favor of a more active battle system that utilizes directional inputs to initiate magic attacks, as well as giving Arle the ability to jump for a chance to avoid enemy attacks.

Differences from Previous Versions

Instead of dividing the action into three or four windows, it is divided into two wider ones. Additionally, Arle's face is obscuring the top view window.
There is a compass in the top right corner of the screen, indicating the players walking direction. This was later incorporated into Madou Monogatari: Tower of the Magician, but in that game, the compass lies in the center.
Arle's face while walking is at a 3/4 view. In the original, her face always faced forward towards the player.
Like the MSX version, Mamono is the final boss instead of Fudoushi. However, right after Mamono, another final battle with Satan (who is a silhouette (闇の貴公子, Yami no Kikōshi; lit. Dark Prince, Dark Nobleman, Dark Noble, Prince of (the) Darkness, Nobleman of (the) Darkness or Noble of (the) Darkness)) commences but only on certain circumstances.
Camus has a bigger role in the game and the player controls him for the first half of the additional battle, and then is given Arle back for the second half.
Camus is also an optional boss at one point.
Doppelganger Arle has red armor instead of looking exactly like regular Arle with Red eyes.
There is another doppelganger of Arle except with a different shade of armor who causes trouble called Warle.
Billy Burn and Mrs. Eve, two characters that originate from the JUMP HERO series, appear as enemies in this game.
Carbuncle will randomly appear and either help or attack Arle during battles.
The game has more humorous situations than it's MSX/PC98/Gamegear/PCE counterparts, including Arle's Jugemu attack, which shows silly cutscenes when used.
An example of one possible outcome is a view of Teacher watching the tower, and then an explosion emits from a window. Knowing it's likely Arle, she produces a sweat drop.
Lala, a new character who is madly in love with Camus, makes random appearances.
The scene where Arle's classmates turn into hideous creatures are taken out.
Fudoushi, Komori Gal, Kurogga, Rotting Person, and a few other characters are taken out.
Schezo may appear with a Ruipanko spell to scare enemies away.

Enemies

Bosses

Camus (optional)
Cockatrice
Dark Prince's Silhouette (optional)
Friendly Doppelganger
Mamono
Mamono (blue dwarf form)
Mamono (white-gem fighter form)
Skeleton T
Warle

Friendly Characters

External Links

Project EGG listing for the game