Dick Tracy

Dick Tracy

Overview & History

Released by Sega in 1990 for the 8-bit Master System, this adaptation of the silver-screen comic detective masterpiece immerses players in the gritty, neon-lit underbelly of 1930s Chicago. Developed during the height of Warren Beatty’s cinematic craze, the Master System version diverges significantly from its NES counterpart, offering a unique blend of sidesolling beat-'em-up action and intense vehicular pursuit stages. Players step into the trench coat of the iconic yellow-hatted sleuth as he wages a one-man war against Big Boy Caprice and his syndicate of colorful mobsters—including Flattop, Pruneface, and Itchy—to rescue Trueheart and clean up the city.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

The gameplay alternates between two distinct styles. Standard stages are fast-paced side-scrolling action levels where Dick Tracy relies on his trusty fists and a limited-ammo Tommy gun to decimate waves of thugs emerging from alleyways and storefronts. Combat features close-quarters punches, flying kicks, and high-damage firearm blasts for distant threats. Between these brawl-heavy phases, players commandeer Tracy’s armored squad car in pseudo-3D driving sequences, dodging obstacles and trading paint and bullets with fleeing criminal sedans in a desperate bid to run them off the road. Health is precious, and mastering the timing of the reload mechanic is vital for survival against tough syndicate bosses.

Keyboard Controls

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