Ludography
Socket cover

1993 · Tokai Communications · Beat 'em up · Platformer

Socket

Sega exclusive

Who is this Socket and where is he going so fast? He's a duck with an attitude, and he's taking himself and his electric cord toil anywhere he needs to be. Socket is one bad duck. He's so fast that he can turn out the lights and get out of the room before it gets dark! He's got more alternating current than the electric company and more moves than Air-What's-His-Name.

Released
17 August 1993
Platforms
Sega Genesis
Genres
Beat 'em upPlatformerScience
Developers
Tokai Communications
Publishers
Tokai Communications
Modes
Single-player
Perspective
Side view
Themes
Action
Country
Japan

About

Socket is a 1993 platform video game developed and published by Vic Tokai for the Sega Genesis. Players control the android duck Socket in his efforts to stop the Time Dominator from stealing treasures from the past and messing with the flow of time.

Keywords

  • anthropomorphism
  • robot protagonist

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

Socket is a 2D side-scrolling platform game with speed-based gameplay, similar to entries in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. At the start of a level, Socket, whose tail doubles as an extension cord, charges up with electricity, giving him the energy to move fast. Socket has a health bar, which slowly drains over time and causes death if it fully depletes. Collecting small lightning bolts scattered across levels keep him alive and moving, allowing for progression through levels. A kicking move serves as a means to attack and defeat enemies which attempt to impede his progress.

The game has seven overarching levels that are divided into three different segments: Highspeed Areas, Athletic Areas, and Labyrinth Areas. Highspeed Areas are the fast-paced levels that encourage a constant flow of speed. Athletic Areas focus more on precise platforming gameplay. Labyrinth Areas are more exploration-based, focusing on searching for an exit for a level. The completion of each set of levels culminates in a boss fight.

Story

In the year 2902, the game's antagonist, the Time Dominator, creates a time machine with the intention of traveling back in time to steal treasures and artifacts. An entity tasked with watching over such disruptions, the Time Wrap Patrol, sends Socket to fix the flow of time and stop the Time Dominator.

Reception

The game was criticized for too closely resembling Sonic the Hedgehog. However, Diehard GameFan's reviewers gave Socket scores around 85% and praised its gameplay, graphics, and music. Consolemania gave the game 89%, stating that while it has little originality, they find the game fun and that other gamers would feel the same.

Releases by platformdates and regions as published

PlatformReleasedRegions
Sega Genesis17 August 1993North America · Japan 25 March 1994

Games like this

Collections1 collection

Platform libraries

Description adapted from its source, CC BY-SA 4.0.