Difference between revisions of "Fire Shark"

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{{otherPage|desc=the 2020 re-release by [[Retro-bit]]|page=Fire Shark Collector's Edition}}
 
{{Bob
 
{{Bob
 
| bobscreen=FireShark_MDTitleScreen.png
 
| bobscreen=FireShark_MDTitleScreen.png
 +
| bobscreen2=SameSameSame MD JP TitleScreen.png
 +
| bobscreen3=FireShark MD EU Title.png
 +
| tab1=NTSC-U
 +
| tab2=NTSC-J
 +
| tab3=PAL
 
| title=Fire Shark/Same! Same! Same!
 
| title=Fire Shark/Same! Same! Same!
−
| publisher=[[DreamWorks]] (US), [[Sega]] (EU), [[Toaplan]] (JP)
+
| publisher={{company|[[DreamWorks]]|region=US}}, {{company|[[Sega]]|region=Europe}}, {{company|[[Toaplan]]|region=Japan}}
 
| developer=[[Toaplan]]
 
| developer=[[Toaplan]]
 +
| distributor={{company|[[Hent Gruppen]]|region=SE rental}}
 
| system=[[Sega Mega Drive]], [[Sega Mega-Tech]]
 
| system=[[Sega Mega Drive]], [[Sega Mega-Tech]]
 
| sounddriver=
 
| sounddriver=
 
| peripherals=
 
| peripherals=
 
| players=1
 
| players=1
−
| genre=Shoot-'em-Up
+
| genre=Shooting{{fileref|FireShark MD JP Box.jpg}}{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20200702232146/https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html}}
−
| originalpublishers=
 
−
| originaldevelopers=
 
 
| originalsystem=Arcade boards
 
| originalsystem=Arcade boards
 
| releases={{releasesMD
 
| releases={{releasesMD
−
| md_date_us=1990-10{{fileref|EGM US 015.pdf|page=73}}
+
| md_date_jp=1990-11-02{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20200702232146/https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html}}
 +
| md_code_jp=T-40013
 +
| md_rrp_jp=6,500
 +
| md_date_us=1990-11{{ref|https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/6QDro7CFno0/m/8meerOsBTG4J}}<!--1990-10{{magref|egm|15|73}}-->
 
| md_code_us=34016
 
| md_code_us=34016
 
| md_date_eu=1991-12{{magref|segapower|26|10}}
 
| md_date_eu=1991-12{{magref|segapower|26|10}}
 
| md_code_eu=T-34016
 
| md_code_eu=T-34016
−
| md_rrp_uk=34.99{{fileref|CVG UK 110.pdf|page=67}}{{magref|segapower|26|10}}
+
| md_date_uk=1992-04{{magref|ctw|383|19}}<!--1991-12{{magref|segapower|26|10}}, 1992-01{{magref|segapro|4|7}}-->
−
| md_date_jp=1990-11-02
+
| md_code_uk=T-34016
−
| md_code_jp=T-40013
+
| md_rrp_uk=34.99{{magref|cvg|110|67}}{{magref|segapower|26|10}}
−
| md_rrp_jp=6,500
 
 
| md_date_au=199x
 
| md_date_au=199x
 +
| md_date_se_rental=199x
 
}}
 
}}
 +
{{releasesArcade
 +
| megatech_date_uk=199x
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{stub}}'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''', released in Japan as '''''Same! Same! Same!''''' (鮫！鮫！鮫！), is a 1989 arcade shoot-'em-up by [[Toaplan]] ported to the [[Sega Mega Drive]] in 1990. This is one of the few Mega Drive ports developed by Toaplan themselves.
+
| otherformats={{NonSega|Arcade}}
 +
}}
 +
'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''', released in Japan as '''''Same! Same! Same!''''' (鮫！鮫！鮫！), is a 1989 arcade shoot-'em-up by [[Toaplan]] ported to the [[Sega Mega Drive]] in 1990. This is one of the few Mega Drive ports developed by Toaplan themselves.
  
−
Like many of the Mega Drive Toaplan ports, each regional release of the game contains multiple regional versions, of which European and US settings "Fire Shark" is slightly easier than Japan setting "鮫！鮫！鮫！". ''Un''usually, the carts released in each region appear to be slightly different; actual differences are currently unknown.
+
The Japanese title of the game is an homage to  "Tora! Tora! Tora!" (トラ！トラ！トラ！), the codeword used by the Imperial Japanese Army for the attack on Pearl Harbor in World War II.
  
 
==Story==
 
==Story==
−
On an alternate Earth, heavy-arms producing nation S Corps starts invading other countries, and the Tiger Shark, a biplane, seems to be the only hope for stopping S Corps. There are three endings, depending on the difficulty level.
+
On an alternate Earth, heavy-arms producing nation S Corps starts invading other countries, and the Fire Shark, a biplane, seems to be the only hope for stopping S Corps.
  
 
==Gameplay==
 
==Gameplay==
−
{{A}} and {{C}} shoot; {{B}} releases a typical "bomb" weapon. Powerups are a lot like ''[[Truxton]]''; you have S icons for speedups (though it never gets as crazy as ''Truxton'' does), B icons to increase bomb stock, various #up icons to gain a number of extra lives, and thunderbolt icons to increase score. Finally, you have three different weapons: the cyan spreadshot (wide area), the green laser (focused area), and the red flame thrower (switches between focused and wide).
+
{{ScreenThumb|Fire Shark, Bomb.png|width=200|Bomb}}
 +
The game is a vertical shoot-'em-up where players control the biplane Fire Shark over a constantly scrolling background, fighting enemies until reaching an airport at the end of the stage. Enemies appear in the land, sea, and air. The Fire Shark moves in any direction using the D-Pad. The playfield is slightly wider than the viewable area. It fires its weapon with {{A}} or {{C}}. Rapid-fire can be enabled in the options before starting the game. The weapon power can be upgraded by collecting power-ups. There are three different weapons, which are changed by collecting items. The plane is equipped with a limited supply of bombs, which are fired with {{B}}. Bombs explode in a large radius and can be replenished through item pick-ups.
  
−
Most of the scoring in this game is cashing in bombs and thunderbolts at the end of each stage, so some pro dodging is required. After clearing the 10 stages, a harder version of the game will begin, and so on.
+
The Fire Shark catches fire and blows up if it takes damage from an enemy projectile or from colliding with a flying enemy. It respawns at a predetermined checkpoint so long as the player has extra lives in stock, but the weapon power is downgraded and the speed upgrades are lost collected and the player starts over with three bombs. The game ends if the player runs out of lives, but it can be continued if the player has credits remaining. The player gains an extra life at 70,000 points and then every 200,000 points after that.
 +
 
 +
Typically for [[Toaplan]], once the game has been completed, it loops back to the first stage with increased difficulty and denser enemy bullet patterns. The game has three selectable difficulty levels (Easy, Normal, and Hard). There are three endings, depending on the difficulty level.
 +
 
 +
===Weapons===
 +
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=320|
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title={{sprite | Fire Shark, Items.png | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=0 | crop_y=32}} Wide Shot
 +
| screenshot=Fire Shark, Weapons, Wide Shot.png
 +
| desc=The starting weapon. Shoots multiple streams in different directions and covers a wide area. Upgrades increase the number and density of the streams.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title={{sprite | Fire Shark, Items.png | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=16 | crop_y=32}} Shark Beam
 +
| screenshot=Fire Shark, Weapons, Shark Beam.png
 +
| desc=Green lasers that move in a helical pattern for focused damage. Upgrades widen the pattern.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title={{sprite | Fire Shark, Items.png | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=32 | crop_y=32}} Super Fire
 +
| screenshot=Fire Shark, Weapons, Super Fire.png
 +
| desc=Continuously firing beams of fire. Upgrades add more beams. The beams on the side sweep to cover a large area.
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Items===
 +
Items bounce off the edges of the screen until they are collected.
 +
{{InfoTable|
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Zeppelin
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Fire Shark, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=32 | crop_height=55 | crop_x=48 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Destroy to release an item.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Bonus Box
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Fire Shark, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=32 | crop_height=32 | crop_x=80 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Destroy to release a Bonus item.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Wide Shot
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Fire Shark, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=0 | crop_y=32}}
 +
| desc=Changes to the Wide Shot weapon (or awards 5,000 bonus points if already equipped).
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Shark Beam
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Fire Shark, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=16 | crop_y=32}}
 +
| desc=Changes to the Shark Beam weapon (or awards 5,000 bonus points if already equipped).
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Super Fire
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Fire Shark, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=32 | crop_y=32}}
 +
| desc=Changes to the Super Fire weapon (or awards 5,000 bonus points if already equipped).
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Speed Up
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Fire Shark, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=0 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Upgrades the movement speed of the Fire Shark, up to 3 times.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Power Up
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Fire Shark, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=16 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Upgrades the Fire Shark's weapon after 3 are collected. There are 3 weapon upgrades.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Bonus
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Fire Shark, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=32 | crop_y=16}}
 +
| desc=Awards 100 bonus points.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Bomb
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Fire Shark, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=32 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Increases the Fire Shark's bomb supply. The Fire Shark can hold up to 10 bombs at a time.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=One Up
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Fire Shark, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=0 | crop_y=16}}
 +
| desc=Gives the player an extra life.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Two Up
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Fire Shark, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=16 | crop_y=16}}
 +
| desc=Gives the player two extra lives.
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Stages===
 +
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=320|
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Stage 1
 +
| screenshot=Fire Shark, Stage 1.png
 +
| screenshot2=Fire Shark, Stage 1 Boss.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Stage 2
 +
| screenshot=Fire Shark, Stage 2.png
 +
| screenshot2=Fire Shark, Stage 2 Boss.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Stage 3
 +
| screenshot=Fire Shark, Stage 3.png
 +
| screenshot2=Fire Shark, Stage 3 Boss.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Stage 4
 +
| screenshot=Fire Shark, Stage 4.png
 +
| screenshot2=Fire Shark, Stage 4 Boss.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Stage 5
 +
| screenshot=Fire Shark, Stage 5.png
 +
| screenshot2=Fire Shark, Stage 5 Boss.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Stage 6
 +
| screenshot=Fire Shark, Stage 6.png
 +
| screenshot2=Fire Shark, Stage 6 Boss.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Stage 7
 +
| screenshot=Fire Shark, Stage 7.png
 +
| screenshot2=Fire Shark, Stage 7 Boss.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Stage 8
 +
| screenshot=Fire Shark, Stage 8.png
 +
| screenshot2=Fire Shark, Stage 8 Boss.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Stage 9
 +
| screenshot=Fire Shark, Stage 9.png
 +
| screenshot2=Fire Shark, Stage 9 Boss.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Stage 10
 +
| screenshot=Fire Shark, Stage 10.png
 +
| screenshot2=Fire Shark, Stage 10 Boss.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==History==
 +
===Legacy===
 +
The game was re-released worldwide as ''[[Fire Shark Collector's Edition]]'' by [[Retro-Bit]] as part of ''[[Toaplan Shooters Collector's Edition]]'' in October 2020.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20210515182735/https://retro-bit.com/toaplan-shooters/}}
  
 
==Versions==
 
==Versions==
Line 42: Line 214:
 
|us_name=Fire Shark
 
|us_name=Fire Shark
 
|jp_name=鮫！鮫！鮫！
 
|jp_name=鮫！鮫！鮫！
−
|jp_trans=
+
|jp_trans=Shark! Shark! Shark!
 
|jp_rom=Same! Same! Same!
 
|jp_rom=Same! Same! Same!
 
}}
 
}}
 +
  
 
==Magazine articles==
 
==Magazine articles==
Line 52: Line 225:
 
{{gallery
 
{{gallery
 
|{{galleryPrintAd
 
|{{galleryPrintAd
−
|SegaVisions US 02.pdf|sv|2|43
+
|sv|2|43
−
|GPSG US 01.pdf|gpsg|0101|5
+
|gpsg|0101|5
 
}}
 
}}
 
|{{galleryPrintAd
 
|{{galleryPrintAd
−
|MeanMachinesSega11UK.pdf|mms|11|50-51
+
|mms|11|50-51
 
}}
 
}}
−
|{{galleryPrintAd|BeepMD_JP_1990-11.pdf|bemega|1990-11|18}}
+
|{{galleryPrintAd|bemega|1990-11|18}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
==Physical scans==
 
==Physical scans==
 
===Mega Drive version===
 
===Mega Drive version===
−
{{ratings
+
{{ratings|MD}}
−
| icon=MD
 
−
| bemega=83
 
−
| bemega_source={{num|1990-11|page=22|pdf=BeepMD_JP_1990-11.pdf|pdfpage=24}}
 
−
| bemega_r=79
 
−
| bemega_r_source={{num||page=83|pdf=SSM_JP_19950901_1995-09.pdf|pdfpage=85}}
 
−
| cgtc=64
 
−
| cgtc_source={{num|4|page=37|pdf=CGtC UK 04.pdf}} <!-- As "Tora Tora Tora". -->
 
−
| cvg=90
 
−
| cvg_source={{num|110|page=67|pdf=CVG UK 110.pdf}} <!-- As "Sky Shark". -->
 
−
| famitsu=78
 
−
| famitsu_source={{num|113}}, ''[https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=7185]''
 
−
| gen4=88
 
−
| gen4_source={{num|40|page=139|pdf=Generation4 FR 040.pdf|pdfpage=139}}
 
−
| hippon=50
 
−
| hippon_source={{num|1990-22_23|page=16|pdf=}}
 
−
| mdag=68
 
−
| mdag_source={{num|5|page=92}}
 
−
| mdag_1=53
 
−
| mdag_source_1={{num|5|page=95}} <!-- As "Tora! Tora!". -->
 
−
| mega=78
 
−
| mega_source={{num|9|page=20}}
 
−
| megatech=59
 
−
| megatech_source={{num|1|page=81|pdf=MegaTech UK 01.pdf}} <!-- As "Tora Tora Tora". -->
 
−
| playerone=51
 
−
| playerone_source={{num|17|page=88|pdf=PlayerOne FR 017.pdf}}
 
−
| raze=87
 
−
| raze_source={{num|4|page=74|pdf=Raze UK 04.pdf}}
 
−
| segapower=60
 
−
| segapower_source={{num|23|page=54}} <!-- As "Sky Shark". -->
 
−
| segapower_1=60
 
−
| segapower_source_1={{num|23|page=55}} <!-- As "Tora! Tora!". -->
 
−
| segapower_2=63
 
−
| segapower_source_2={{num|27|page=50}}
 
−
| segapro=83
 
−
| segapro_source={{num|2|page=67|pdf=SegaPro UK 02.pdf|pdfpage=69}}
 
−
| segapro_1=90
 
−
| segapro_source_1={{num|3|page=18|pdf=SegaPro UK 03.pdf}}
 
−
| segapro_2=75
 
−
| segapro_source_2={{num|18|page=65}}
 
−
| segapro_3=75
 
−
| segapro_source_3={{num|18|page=65}} <!-- As "Tora Tora Tora". -->
 
−
| sfuk=61
 
−
| sfuk_source={{num|6|page=68/69|pdf=SegaForce UK 06.pdf|pdfpage=68}}
 
−
| zero=74
 
−
| zero_source={{num|33|page=38|pdf=Zero UK 33.pdf}}
 
−
}}
 
 
{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Mega Drive
 +
| region=JP
 +
| cover=FireShark MD JP Box.jpg
 +
| cart=FireShark MD JP Cart.jpg
 +
| carttop=FireShark MD JP CartTop.jpg
 +
| manual=FireShark MD JP Manual.pdf
 +
}}{{Scanbox
 
| console=Mega Drive
 
| console=Mega Drive
 
| region=US
 
| region=US
Line 121: Line 255:
 
| cover=FireShark MD EU Box.jpg
 
| cover=FireShark MD EU Box.jpg
 
| cart=FireShark MD EU Cart.jpg
 
| cart=FireShark MD EU Cart.jpg
 +
| manual=Fire Shark MD EU Manual.jpg
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
| console=Mega Drive
 
| console=Mega Drive
−
| region=JP
+
| region=SE (rental; [[Hent Gruppen|Hent]]; black)
−
| cover=FireShark MD JP Box.jpg
+
| cover=FireShark MD SE Rental Box.jpg
−
| cart=FireShark MD JP Cart.jpg
+
| cart=
−
| carttop=FireShark MD JP CartTop.jpg
 
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
| console=Mega Drive
 
| console=Mega Drive
Line 143: Line 277:
  
 
==Technical information==
 
==Technical information==
 +
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Technical information}}
 
===ROM dump status===
 
===ROM dump status===
 
{{romtable|
 
{{romtable|
 
{{rom|MD|sha1=453ca331d15c47171c42312c14585541a3613802|md5=dc1fa82af5d70b5a35e06b7f10f9bbcb|crc32=570b5024|size=512kB|date=1990-08|source=Cartridge (US)|comments=|quality=good|prototype=}}
 
{{rom|MD|sha1=453ca331d15c47171c42312c14585541a3613802|md5=dc1fa82af5d70b5a35e06b7f10f9bbcb|crc32=570b5024|size=512kB|date=1990-08|source=Cartridge (US)|comments=|quality=good|prototype=}}
−
{{rom|MD|sha1=020169eb2a4b3ad63fa2cbaa1927ab7c33b6add4|md5=c00981929f3eca882d123809e81185df|crc32=9c175146|size=512kB|date=1990-08|source=Cartridge (US)|comments=Same as above ROM except 102 bytes blanked. Possibly pirate or hack.|quality=|prototype=}}
+
{{rom|MD|sha1=020169eb2a4b3ad63fa2cbaa1927ab7c33b6add4|md5=c00981929f3eca882d123809e81185df|crc32=9c175146|size=512kB|date=1990-08|source=Cartridge (US)|comments=Same as above ROM except 102 bytes blanked.<br>Possibly pirate or hack.|quality=|prototype=}}
 
{{rom|MD|sha1=54b9060699187bf32048c005a3379fda72c0fb96|md5=de1cab62facb121904d0cb1da9cc00a8|crc32=2351ce61|size=512kB|date=1990-08|source=Cartridge (EU)|comments=|quality=good|prototype=}}
 
{{rom|MD|sha1=54b9060699187bf32048c005a3379fda72c0fb96|md5=de1cab62facb121904d0cb1da9cc00a8|crc32=2351ce61|size=512kB|date=1990-08|source=Cartridge (EU)|comments=|quality=good|prototype=}}
 
{{rom|MD|sha1=b0d2552c5aae75dbe2d63600c0dbd64868c2f2c5|md5=9b399dee13e33613a4bed61b76d0233d|crc32=77bbd841|size=512kB|date=1990-08|source=Cartridge (JP)|comments=|quality=good|prototype=}}
 
{{rom|MD|sha1=b0d2552c5aae75dbe2d63600c0dbd64868c2f2c5|md5=9b399dee13e33613a4bed61b76d0233d|crc32=77bbd841|size=512kB|date=1990-08|source=Cartridge (JP)|comments=|quality=good|prototype=}}
 +
{{rom|MD|sha1=|md5=|crc32=|size=|date=1990-07-30|source=|comments=|quality=|prototype=yes}}
 +
{{rom|MD|sha1=|md5=|crc32=|size=|date=|source=[[Hishou Same! Same! Same!: Toaplan Arcade Garage]] (US)|comments=|undumped=yes|quality=}}
 +
{{rom|MD|sha1=|md5=|crc32=|size=|date=|source=Hishou Same! Same! Same!: Toaplan Arcade Garage (JP)|comments=|undumped=yes|quality=}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
 +
 +
{{FireSharkOmni}}
  
 
[[Category:Mega-Tech games]]
 
[[Category:Mega-Tech games]]

Latest revision as of 15:22, 3 November 2024

For the 2020 re-release by Retro-bit, see Fire Shark Collector's Edition.

n/a

  • NTSC-U
  • NTSC-J
  • PAL

FireShark MDTitleScreen.png

SameSameSame MD JP TitleScreen.png

FireShark MD EU Title.png

Fire Shark/Same! Same! Same!
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Mega-Tech
Publisher: DreamWorks (US), Sega (Europe), Toaplan (Japan)
Developer:
Distributor: Hent Gruppen (SE rental)
Original system(s): Arcade boards
Genre: Shooting[1][2]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP 		¥6,5006,500 T-40013
Sega Mega Drive
US 		34016
Sega Mega Drive
EU 		T-34016
Sega Mega Drive
UK 		£34.9934.99[6][4] T-34016
Sega Mega Drive
SE
(rental)
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Arcade (Mega-Tech System)
UK		 £? ?

























Non-Sega versions

Fire Shark, released in Japan as Same! Same! Same! (鮫！鮫！鮫！), is a 1989 arcade shoot-'em-up by Toaplan ported to the Sega Mega Drive in 1990. This is one of the few Mega Drive ports developed by Toaplan themselves.

The Japanese title of the game is an homage to "Tora! Tora! Tora!" (トラ！トラ！トラ！), the codeword used by the Imperial Japanese Army for the attack on Pearl Harbor in World War II.

Story

On an alternate Earth, heavy-arms producing nation S Corps starts invading other countries, and the Fire Shark, a biplane, seems to be the only hope for stopping S Corps.

Gameplay

Fire Shark, Bomb.png

Bomb

The game is a vertical shoot-'em-up where players control the biplane Fire Shark over a constantly scrolling background, fighting enemies until reaching an airport at the end of the stage. Enemies appear in the land, sea, and air. The Fire Shark moves in any direction using the D-Pad. The playfield is slightly wider than the viewable area. It fires its weapon with A or C. Rapid-fire can be enabled in the options before starting the game. The weapon power can be upgraded by collecting power-ups. There are three different weapons, which are changed by collecting items. The plane is equipped with a limited supply of bombs, which are fired with B. Bombs explode in a large radius and can be replenished through item pick-ups.

The Fire Shark catches fire and blows up if it takes damage from an enemy projectile or from colliding with a flying enemy. It respawns at a predetermined checkpoint so long as the player has extra lives in stock, but the weapon power is downgraded and the speed upgrades are lost collected and the player starts over with three bombs. The game ends if the player runs out of lives, but it can be continued if the player has credits remaining. The player gains an extra life at 70,000 points and then every 200,000 points after that.

Typically for Toaplan, once the game has been completed, it loops back to the first stage with increased difficulty and denser enemy bullet patterns. The game has three selectable difficulty levels (Easy, Normal, and Hard). There are three endings, depending on the difficulty level.

Weapons

Fire Shark, Weapons, Wide Shot.png

Fire Shark, Items.png
Wide Shot
The starting weapon. Shoots multiple streams in different directions and covers a wide area. Upgrades increase the number and density of the streams.

Fire Shark, Weapons, Shark Beam.png

Fire Shark, Items.png
Shark Beam
Green lasers that move in a helical pattern for focused damage. Upgrades widen the pattern.

Fire Shark, Weapons, Super Fire.png

Fire Shark, Items.png
Super Fire
Continuously firing beams of fire. Upgrades add more beams. The beams on the side sweep to cover a large area.

Items

Items bounce off the edges of the screen until they are collected.

Fire Shark, Items.png
 Zeppelin
Destroy to release an item.
Fire Shark, Items.png
 Bonus Box
Destroy to release a Bonus item.
Fire Shark, Items.png
 Wide Shot
Changes to the Wide Shot weapon (or awards 5,000 bonus points if already equipped).
Fire Shark, Items.png
 Shark Beam
Changes to the Shark Beam weapon (or awards 5,000 bonus points if already equipped).
Fire Shark, Items.png
 Super Fire
Changes to the Super Fire weapon (or awards 5,000 bonus points if already equipped).
Fire Shark, Items.png
 Speed Up
Upgrades the movement speed of the Fire Shark, up to 3 times.
Fire Shark, Items.png
 Power Up
Upgrades the Fire Shark's weapon after 3 are collected. There are 3 weapon upgrades.
Fire Shark, Items.png
 Bonus
Awards 100 bonus points.
Fire Shark, Items.png
 Bomb
Increases the Fire Shark's bomb supply. The Fire Shark can hold up to 10 bombs at a time.
Fire Shark, Items.png
 One Up
Gives the player an extra life.
Fire Shark, Items.png
 Two Up
Gives the player two extra lives.

Stages

Fire Shark, Stage 1.png

Fire Shark, Stage 1 Boss.png

  • Fire Shark, Stage 1.png

  • Fire Shark, Stage 1 Boss.png

Stage 1

Fire Shark, Stage 2.png

Fire Shark, Stage 2 Boss.png

  • Fire Shark, Stage 2.png

  • Fire Shark, Stage 2 Boss.png

Stage 2

Fire Shark, Stage 3.png

Fire Shark, Stage 3 Boss.png

  • Fire Shark, Stage 3.png

  • Fire Shark, Stage 3 Boss.png

Stage 3

Fire Shark, Stage 4.png

Fire Shark, Stage 4 Boss.png

  • Fire Shark, Stage 4.png

  • Fire Shark, Stage 4 Boss.png

Stage 4

Fire Shark, Stage 5.png

Fire Shark, Stage 5 Boss.png

  • Fire Shark, Stage 5.png

  • Fire Shark, Stage 5 Boss.png

Stage 5

Fire Shark, Stage 6.png

Fire Shark, Stage 6 Boss.png

  • Fire Shark, Stage 6.png

  • Fire Shark, Stage 6 Boss.png

Stage 6

Fire Shark, Stage 7.png

Fire Shark, Stage 7 Boss.png

  • Fire Shark, Stage 7.png

  • Fire Shark, Stage 7 Boss.png

Stage 7

Fire Shark, Stage 8.png

Fire Shark, Stage 8 Boss.png

  • Fire Shark, Stage 8.png

  • Fire Shark, Stage 8 Boss.png

Stage 8

Fire Shark, Stage 9.png

Fire Shark, Stage 9 Boss.png

  • Fire Shark, Stage 9.png

  • Fire Shark, Stage 9 Boss.png

Stage 9

Fire Shark, Stage 10.png

Fire Shark, Stage 10 Boss.png

  • Fire Shark, Stage 10.png

  • Fire Shark, Stage 10 Boss.png

Stage 10

History

Legacy

The game was re-released worldwide as Fire Shark Collector's Edition by Retro-Bit as part of Toaplan Shooters Collector's Edition in October 2020.[7]

Versions

Localised names

Also known as
Language Localised Name English Translation
English Fire Shark Fire Shark
English (US) Fire Shark Fire Shark
Japanese 鮫！鮫！鮫！ Same! Same! Same!


Magazine articles

Main article: Fire Shark/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Sega Visions (US) #2: "October/November 1990" (1990-xx-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Mean Machines Sega (UK) #11: "September 1993" (1993-07-30)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1990-11: "November 1990" (1990-10-XX)
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
50
[9]
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
80
[10]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
83
[11]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
64
[12]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK)
59
[13]
Console XS (UK) PAL
83
[14]
Cool Gamer (RU)
30
[15]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
90
[16]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
83
[17]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
50
[18]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
78
[19]
FX (UK)
70
[20]
Génération 4 (FR)
88
[21]
Famicom Hisshoubon (JP) NTSC-J
50
[22]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
79
[23]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) NTSC-U
68
[24]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) NTSC-J
53
[25]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
78
[26]
Mega (UK) PAL
78
[27]
Mega Force (FR) PAL
55
[28]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
83
[29]
MegaTech (UK) NTSC-J
59
[30]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
73
[31]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
59
[32]
Player One (FR)
51
[33]
Play Time (DE)
56
[34]
Power Play (DE)
59
[35]
Raze (UK) NTSC
87
[36]
Sega Power (UK) NTSC
50
[37]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
63
[38]
Sega Pro (UK)
83
[39]
Sega Pro (UK)
90
[40]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
75
[41]
Sega Pro (UK) NTSC-J
75
[42]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
61
[43]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
79
[44]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
60
[45]
Zero (UK)
74
[46]
Sega Mega Drive
 69
Based on
38 reviews

Fire Shark

Mega Drive, JP
FireShark MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
FireShark MD JP CartTop.jpg
FireShark MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
FireShark MD JP Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US
FireShark MD US Box.jpg
Cover
FireShark MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Fireshark md us manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
FireShark MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
FireShark MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Fire Shark MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Mega Drive, SE (rental; Hent; black)
FireShark MD SE Rental Box.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, AU

Mega-Tech version

Mega-Tech,

FireShark MegaTech Cart.jpg
Cart

Technical information

Main article: Fire Shark/Technical information.

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega Drive
✔
CRC32 570b5024
MD5 dc1fa82af5d70b5a35e06b7f10f9bbcb
SHA-1 453ca331d15c47171c42312c14585541a3613802
512kB 1990-08 Cartridge (US)
Sega Mega Drive
 ?
CRC32 9c175146
MD5 c00981929f3eca882d123809e81185df
SHA-1 020169eb2a4b3ad63fa2cbaa1927ab7c33b6add4
512kB 1990-08 Cartridge (US) Same as above ROM except 102 bytes blanked.
Possibly pirate or hack.
Sega Mega Drive
✔
CRC32 2351ce61
MD5 de1cab62facb121904d0cb1da9cc00a8
SHA-1 54b9060699187bf32048c005a3379fda72c0fb96
512kB 1990-08 Cartridge (EU)
Sega Mega Drive
✔
CRC32 77bbd841
MD5 9b399dee13e33613a4bed61b76d0233d
SHA-1 b0d2552c5aae75dbe2d63600c0dbd64868c2f2c5
512kB 1990-08 Cartridge (JP)
Sega Mega Drive
 ?
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
1990-07-30 Page
Sega Mega Drive
 ?
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
Hishou Same! Same! Same!: Toaplan Arcade Garage (US)
Sega Mega Drive
 ?
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
Hishou Same! Same! Same!: Toaplan Arcade Garage (JP)

References

  1. ↑ File:FireShark MD JP Box.jpg
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-02 23:21)
  3. ↑ https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/6QDro7CFno0/m/8meerOsBTG4J
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Sega Power, "January 1992" (UK; 1991-12-05), page 10
  5. ↑ Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1992-04-20), page 19
  6. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "January 1991" (UK; 1990-12-15), page 67
  7. ↑ https://retro-bit.com/toaplan-shooters/ (Wayback Machine: 2021-05-15 18:27)
  8. ↑ Game Players Sega Guide!, "Vol. 1, No. 1: Fall 1990" (US; 1990-10-xx), page 5
  9. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 82
  10. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 319
  11. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "November 1990" (JP; 1990-10-XX), page 24
  12. ↑ Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume IV" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 37
  13. ↑ The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 51
  14. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 130
  15. ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 227
  16. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "January 1991" (UK; 1990-12-15), page 79
  17. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "October 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 73
  18. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 315
  19. ↑ Famitsu, "" (JP; 1990-10-26), page 1
  20. ↑ FX (UK) (+0:00)
  21. ↑ Génération 4, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 139
  22. ↑ Famicom Hisshoubon, "1990-22, 23 (1990-11-16, 12-07)" (JP; 1990-11-02), page 16
  23. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Julio 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 88
  24. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 92
  25. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 95
  26. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "January 1991" (JP; 1990-12-08), page 87
  27. ↑ Mega, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 20
  28. ↑ Mega Force, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 1992-01-15), page 103
  29. ↑ Mega Play, "February 1991" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 42
  30. ↑ MegaTech, "Xmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-06), page 81
  31. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Julio 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 79
  32. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 138
  33. ↑ Player One, "Février 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 88
  34. ↑ Play Time, "5/92" (DE; 1992-04-08), page 95
  35. ↑ Power Play, "2/91" (DE; 1991-01-18), page 148
  36. ↑ Raze, "February 1991" (UK; 1990-12-20), page 74
  37. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 54
  38. ↑ Sega Power, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-02), page 50
  39. ↑ Sega Pro, "December 1991" (UK; 1991-11-21), page 69
  40. ↑ Sega Pro, "Christmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-12), page 18
  41. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 65
  42. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 68
  43. ↑ Sega Force, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-14), page 68
  44. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85
  45. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 14
  46. ↑ Zero, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-11), page 38


Fire Shark

FireShark MDTitleScreen.png

Main page | Comparisons | Maps | Hidden content | Magazine articles | Video coverage | Reception | Region coding | Bootlegs


Sega Mega Drive
Prototypes: 1990-07-30
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