688 Attack Sub

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688 Attack Sub
System(s): Sega Mega Drive
Publisher: Sega of America
Developer: MicroProse
Distributor: Ecofilmes (PT), Kanal 10 (SE rental) (older), Hent Gruppen (SE rental) (newer)
Licensor: Electronic Arts
Sound driver: Sega Music Development System
Genre: Simulation
Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code US 1991-07 $49.9549.95 1401 US ▼ (Sega Channel) 199x SUBsub EU 1991-09 1401 BX 199x PT 199x UK 1991-09 £39.9939.99 1401 SE (Rental) 199x AU 199x
Non-Sega versions Amiga IBM PC PC-9801 UV

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688 Attack Sub is a 1991 submarine simulator game, originally developed by Electronic Arts for MS-DOS computers before being brought to the Sega Mega Drive. It was released alongside M-1 Abrams Battle Tank in the extremely short-lived "Simulator Series" in 1991.

Like, M-1 Abrams Battle Tank, 688 Attack Sub was licensed by Sega of America in 1990, shortly before EA began publishing Sega games for themselves.

Gameplay

The player can control a US Los Angeles-class or Soviet Alfa class nuclear powered attack submarine. There are 10 missions that take place in a Cold War scenario. Players can use the periscope, launch torpedoes, activate sonar to view oncoming submarines or torpedoes, among various other things. As it is a simulator tasks are accomplished by pointing (moving the D-pad; holding will lock it to the next onscreen item in the particular direction) and clicking () with an on-screen cursor. The cursor changes icons to indicate what is currently selected.

Scenarios

	Torpex '89
	This training mission takes place near Faeroe Islands. Players can take control of either USS Los Angeles or USS Dallas. If you choose to play as Los Angeles, you will be tasked with sinking three decomissioned Forrest Sherman class destroyers withing 15 minutes. Navy helicopters will constantly fly over the area to detect your submarine so you must remain quiet for the remainder of the mission. If you choose to play as USS Dallas, another Los Angeles class submarine, this will be a match against the AI controlled Los Angeles. Whoever sinks three targets will be the winner. Both submarines will carry 22 Mark 48 ADCAP torpedoes, 2 Harpoon Anti-Ship missiles and 6 noisemakers.
	Shake'em
	Still around the Faeroe Islands, but this time your Los Angeles class will be tailed by a Soviet Alfa class submarine. Objective is to remain hidden from Alfa for at least three minutes. Mission will also end after 20 minutes time limit is over. You are NOT authorized to attack Alfa unless you are attacked. If you choose to play as Alfa, roles will be reversed. You must maintain sonar contact with Los Angeles for three minutes. Remaining in the Los Angeles' "baffles" (blind spot behind a submarine caused by engine noise) might be the best course of action. Los Angeles: 22 Mark 48 ADCAP torpedoes, 2 Harpoon Anti-Ship missiles and 6 noisemakers. Alfa: 8 Type 53 torpedoes and 4 noisemakers.
	Sub Ops
	Playing as Alfa, you will be required to chase away some NATO submarines around the Barents Sea, specificially naval port of Severemorsk. Use active sonar to create a loud "ping" to warn the enemy submarines. Be careful however: most submarine captains often interpret active sonar ping as a prelude to attack and attempt to defend themselves. Your best bet is to get as close as you can to the enemy submarines and turn on the active sonar. At this range, they will worry about damaging themselves with their own torpedoes and run away. Tread carefully to avoid an international incident. Your submarine will be carrying 18 Type 53 torpedoes and 4 noisemakers.
	Mumar Cadaver
	Your Los Angeles is ordered to sink 4 Libyan oil tankers as they pass through the Straits of Gibraltar as a reprisal for Libya's state sponsored terrorism. Tankers are protected by Libyan Navy warships. Also pick your targets carefully: the area is full of neutral vessels. Your submarine will be carrying 20 Mk 48 ADCAP torpedoes, 4 Harpoon Anti-Ship missiles and 6 noisemakers.
	Escape
	As Los Angeles, you must leave the Straits of Gibraltar from the west while avoiding Soviet submarines. Mission will end in failure if you are detected. As Alfa, you must keep contact on Los Angeles as it leaves the Mediterrenean. Remain close and be careful about using active sonar. It can be taken as a sign of impending attack. Los Angeles: 20 Mk 48 ADCAP torpedoes, 4 Harpoon Anti-Ship missiles and 6 noisemakers. Alfa: 18 Type 53 Torpedoes and 4 noisemakers.
	Goulash
	After a regime change in Yugoslavia, Soviet Union invades the country. New government requested assistance from NATO and a convoy of 6 ships are being sent towards the Yugoslavia before the revolution is crushed. You are required to escort these ships to Trivat harbor. These ships must reach Trivat at all costs. Do not allow Soviets to get close to your convoy: your supply ships won't last a minute. Engage at will. Los Angeles: 20 Mk 48 ADCAP torpedoes, 4 Harpoon Anti-Ship missiles and 6 noisemakers.
	Cat Walk
	Situation in Yugoslavia quickly escalates into open conflict. As World War III breaks out, your Los Angeles is assigned to north of Japan, particularly Kuneshir Passage, a narrow straight that is frequented by Soviet nuclear ballistic submarines (SSBN). One such submarine reportedly just left the Vladivostok harbor and about to reach Pacific Ocean. Your priority is to sink that submarine. Any attack submarines that are protecting the main target are considered secondary targets. Playing as Alfa, you must protect your SSBN while sinking American submarines that coming after you. Pick your targets carefully and do not accidently sink your own SSBN. Los Angeles: 20 Mk 48 ADCAP torpedoes, 4 Harpoon Anti-Ship missiles and 6 noisemakers. Alfa: 18 Type 53 Torpedoes and 4 noisemakers
	Surprise Party
	Off to the Norwegian Sea. This area is desired for both sides of the war: Soviets use this route to sail into Atlantic Ocean and sink NATO supply convoys, while NATO wants to keep it closed for the very same reason. Los Angeles must protect the supply convoy from Soviet vessels while Alfa must defeat a large enemy surface fleet on its own. Los Angeles: 20 Mk 48 ADCAP torpedoes, 4 Harpoon Anti-Ship missiles and 6 noisemakers. Alfa: 18 Type 53 Torpedoes and 4 noisemakers.
	Homecoming
	This scenario will take place near France. Europe needs weapons and supplies from North America and whoever controls sea-lanes in Atlantic will dominate the war. Los Angeles must protect an important supply convoy to the English Channel, while Alfa, working together with an Oscar class guided missile submarine, must sink that very same convoy. Los Angeles: 26 Mk 48 ADCAP torpedoes, 8 Harpoon Anti-Ship missiles and 6 noisemakers. Alfa: 18 Type 53 Torpedoes and 6 noisemakers.
	Hit and Run
	As Los Angles, you must enter Baltic Sea and quiely get as close as you can to a Soviet nuclear weapons facilty while maintaining stealth. After reaching your target location you must fire your Tomahawk missiles towards your target within 5 minutes. After that you must evade alerted Soviet patrols and return to Copenhagen. Los Angeles: 20 Mk 48 ADCAP torpedoes, 4 Harpoon Anti-Ship missiles and 6 noisemakers.

Production credits

• Programmed by: Ed Fletcher

Source:

In-game credits with cheat

• Composed by: David Javelosa

Source:

Developer statements

Magazine articles

Main article: 688 Attack Sub/Magazine articles.

Artwork

• 

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average
Publication Score Source

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Based on 0 review

Sega Retro Average

Publication Version Score 1500 igr dlya Sega (RU) 70 Aktueller Software Markt (DE) 75 Consoles + (FR) 84 Console XS (UK) PAL 83 Cool Gamer (RU) 60 Computer & Video Games (UK) 70 Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U 53 Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 2 (RU) 80 Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 6 (RU) 70 Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK) 84 Igry Sega Luchshiye iz luchshikh. Vypusk 2 (RU) 60 Joypad (FR) NTSC-U 85 Joystick (FR) 85 Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL 68 Mega Force (FR) PAL 70 MegaTech (UK) 88 Megazin (SI) 76 Mean Machines (UK) 84 Mean Machines Sega (UK) 88 Player One (FR) 90 Sega Power (UK) PAL 75 Sega Power (UK) 75 Sega Pro (UK) 83 Sega Pro (UK) PAL 78 Sega Opisaniy i sekretov (RU) 72 User (GR) PAL 88 VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) 70 Video Games (DE) 66

	76
Based on 28 reviews

688 Attack Sub

Mega Drive, US
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, EU (without EA trademark)
Cover
Cart Manual Manual (back) PCB

Mega Drive, EU (with EA trademark)
Cover
Cart Manual Manual (back) PCB

Mega Drive, PT
Cover
PT manual

Mega Drive, BX†
Cover

Mega Drive, SE Rental (Kanal 10)
Cover

Mega Drive, SE (rental; Hent; black)
Cover
Manual Manual (back) PCB

Mega Drive, AU

Technical information

Main article: 688 Attack Sub/Technical information.

References

NEC Retro has more information related to 688 Attack Sub

Simulator Series games for Sega systems
M-1 Abrams Battle Tank (1991) | 688 Attack Sub (1991)