Clue

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Clue (or Cluedo in PAL territories) is a surprisingly competent conversion of the classic Parker Brothers board game that manages to capture the tension of a rainy night at Tudor Mansion. Developed by Sculptured Software and released in 1992, the game utilizes the Mega Drive’s hardware to provide digitized character portraits and moody, atmospheric MIDI compositions that enhance the "whodunnit" vibe. Unlike many other board game adaptations of the era, the presentation here feels polished, featuring brief but entertaining animated vignettes that play out when a player makes a correct accusation, adding a layer of visual reward to the deduction.

The core gameplay remains entirely faithful to the original rules, tasking players with identifying the killer, the weapon, and the room through a process of elimination and logic. The Mega Drive version offers a significant advantage over its physical counterpart by automating the note-taking process; players can track their clues through an in-game menu, eliminating the need for the iconic paper pads and pencils. The AI is surprisingly capable on higher difficulty settings, making it a viable single-player experience, though the game truly shines in local multiplayer where the "hidden information" aspect is maintained through a prompt system that asks other players to look away from the screen.

While the game lacks the high-octane action typical of the 16-bit era, it serves as a relaxing alternative for those who enjoy logic puzzles and slow-burn deduction. The digitized visuals were impressive for 1992, although the slow walking animations and repetitive music may grate on modern players during longer sessions. Ultimately, Clue is a faithful, no-frills digital board game that succeeds in its simplicity, making it one of the better examples of the genre on the console. It remains a charming curiosity for collectors looking for a slower-paced evening of 16-bit entertainment that doesn't require clearing off the dining room table.

DID YOU KNOW?

The game features unique "death animations" for every combination of weapon and room, but due to memory constraints on the cartridge, some of these animations are recycled or use pallet swaps to save space.

68%

JOYPAD'S VERDICT

A remarkably faithful digital recreation that streamlines the board game experience with an intuitive automated notebook. It is an ideal pick for a low-stakes multiplayer night, provided you don't mind the somewhat sluggish character movement.

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See CPU Player Cards

While it is not a traditional button-code cheat, you can exploit the "Inquiry" system. When a CPU player makes a suggestion and another CPU shows them a card, the game's UI briefly highlights the category of the card shown. By paying close attention to the specific card the CPU "checks off" on their digital notepad during the animation, you can deduce their hand without using your own turn.

Sound Test Access

On the main menu, highlight "Options" and hold + A + C then press START. This allows access to the internal sound driver to listen to all background tracks and sound effects.

The "Interrogation" Strategy

To win consistently against the Hard AI, always move to the nearest room and suggest the character and weapon that you currently hold in your own hand. This forces the AI to reveal "Room" cards, which are the hardest to narrow , effectively eliminating the board layout faster than the AI can.

Movement and Dice Codes

Use these codes to manipulate your movement around the mansion:

RF6T-A6VE - Always roll a 12 (Maximum Movement)
BK6T-A6VE - Always roll a 10
A76T-A6VE - Always roll a 7
AF6T-A6VE - Always roll a 1
RF6T-A6V2 - Always roll a 2

Information and Gameplay Cheats

AKMT-AA4G - See all cards in the "Hand" view, even those belonging to opponents.
AD4A-AA6W - Computer players cannot move (Stops AI progress).
AA4A-AA7G - Computer players skip their turns entirely.

Timer Manipulation

AJVA-AA8E - Infinite time to make your move/suggestions.

Movement Address Modifier

Set Dice Roll Value

FF033A:000C - Forces the current dice roll to 12.

Character Selection/Turn Hacks

FF001C:0000 - Set Current Turn to Player 1 (Miss Scarlett).
FF001C:0001 - Set Current Turn to Player 2 (Col. Mustard).
FF001C:0002 - Set Current Turn to Player 3 (Mrs. White).

Game Logic Modifiers

FF0324:0001 - View solution cards (This memory address holds the pointer for the "Envelope" cards).
FF0084:003B - Freeze Turn Timer (Set to 59 seconds).

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