Michael Jackson in video games
There are at least nine video games connected to Michael Jackson, either by his music or his involvement. Sega made six of them: Moonwalker arcade and the Mega Drive/Genesis game, Michael Jackson in Scramble Training, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, and Space Channel 5 and Space Channel 5: Part 2 for the Dreamcast. The other three are Moonwalker for home computers by U.S. Gold, Michael Jackson: The Experience by Ubisoft, and Planet Michael by SEE Virtual Worlds.
Moonwalker is a game series based on the Moonwalker film (1989–1990). It uses Michael Jackson’s persona and music. The arcade and home computer versions differ in gameplay but share the same story: Michael saves kidnapped children from the evil Mr. Big using music and dance. The games include versions of his songs like Beat It and Smooth Criminal. Moonwalker became a cult favorite and is seen as part of Jackson’s shift from Thriller to Bad. Development began in 1988 after Jackson asked Sega to make a game, and the arcade Moonwalker released in 1990.
Michael Jackson in Scramble Training came out in 1993 for arcade motion-simulator cabinets. It’s an interactive ride with up to eight players. Jackson provided voice acting and appeared in live-action video sequences, with some of his music included.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is said to have involved Jackson’s music, but there are conflicting stories about why he left. Some say the 1993 accusations and concerns about the Genesis’s sound quality played a role. In June 2022, Yuji Naka said Jackson’s songs were in the released game, though Jackson was never officially credited.
Space Channel 5 and its sequel feature Space Michael, voiced by Jackson. In the first game, he helps Ulala by singing. In Space Channel 5: Part 2, he has a bigger role as the head of Space Channel 5. The creator recalled that Michael asked to act in the game, and the team adapted the game to let him dance like Michael.
Michael Jackson: The Experience is a music game based on his songs. It was released in 2010 by Ubisoft and Triumph International for Wii, Nintendo DS, and PlayStation Portable, and later came to Xbox 360 (Kinect), PlayStation 3 (Move), 3DS, PS Vita, and iOS. It features hits such as Bad, Beat It, Smooth Criminal, and Billie Jean.
Planet Michael was planned as an MMORPG based on Jackson’s music, developed by SEE MJ Virtual Worlds to be set in Entropia Universe. It was canceled before release.
Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2 is a boxing game for Dreamcast, Nintendo 64, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and Game Boy Advance. Michael Jackson is one of several celebrity characters you can unlock through gameplay.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 17:46 (CET).