Quartet

Quartet

Overview & History

Released by Sega in 1986 for the arcade system and subsequently ported to the Sega Master System in 1987, *Quartet* is a vibrant, futuristic run-and-gun platformer that stands out for its frantic four-player arcade roots—though the Master System version scaled the action down to a two-player cooperative experience. Set on a distant space colony overrun by hostile alien mutants and robotic anomalies, the storyline tasks a specialized squad of interplanetary mercenaries with infiltrating massive, multi-tiered space stations, recovering stolen gold coins from devious bosses, and ultimately escaping via the warp door at the end of each sprawling labyrinth. Visually distinct with its colorful sprite design and upbeat, driving chiptune soundtrack by Hiroshi Kawaguchi, the Master System adaptation successfully captures the frantic pacing and arcade aesthetic of its predecessor while refining the vertical and horizontal maze navigation into a more focused console adventure.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Unlike standard linear shooters of its era, *Quartet* introduces unique backtracking and exploration mechanics. Players can choose from a roster of distinct heroes—originally Edgar, Mary, Lee, and Joe—each wielding specialized weaponry like standard blasters, piercing lasers, or explosive projectiles. To progress through a stage, players must hunt down specific enemies holding a door key, unlock the exit bulkhead, and defeat the zone guardian to claim the stolen treasure. The controls utilize the Master System D-pad for omnidirectional movement, while the two gamepad buttons handle firing your weapon and jumping across hazardous platforms or bottomless chasms. Power-ups scattered throughout the levels temporarily upgrade your firepower, increase your movement speed, or grant temporary invulnerability, adding a layer of strategic resource management to the otherwise relentless arcade chaos.

Keyboard Controls

• Arrow Keys / D-Pad: Move
• Action Keys: Attack / Jump
• Enter: Start / Pause