Difference between revisions of "Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf"

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Revision as of 11:29, 29 December 2014

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DesertStrike MDTitleScreen.png

Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear
Publisher: Electronic Arts (US/EU), Electronic Arts Victor (JP)
Developer:
Genre: Shoot-'em-Up, Simulation (both are listed on the box; Sega of Japan master list only lists Shoot-'em-Up)

















Release Date RRP Code

Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf, called Desert Strike: Wangan Sakusen (デザートストライク 湾岸作戦) in Japan and better known simply as Desert Strike, is an isometric-projection shoot-em-up by Electronic Arts released for the Sega Mega Drive in 1992, and subsequently ported to other platforms. It is the first game in EA's so-called Strike series of isometric shoot-em-ups.

A terrorist named General Kilbaba violently takes over a small Arab emirate and plans a major nuclear strike, to which the president of the United States orders a helicopter (A Super Apache as named in game) team in the Special Forces to intervene. You are in control of one such helicopter.

Mega Drive Gameplay

Each of the game's four levels is a separate mission with different objectives. To complete the objectives, you are given ammunition of varying power levels (shot by pressing A (Hellfires and Jink), B (Hydras), or C (Guns), listed in order of decreasing power). Though the game uses an isometric projection, the control behaves more like a full 3D game, where using Left and Right rotates your chopper, Up moves you forward in t he direction you're facing, and Down moves you backward. Hitting  START  allows you to access a map, a summary of the mission, and mission status.

Master System Gameplay

Due to limitation of buttons on Master System's control pad, control scheme is somewhat different than Mega Drive version. Pressing both 1 and 2 buttons fire Hellfire, while holding down button 2 is need for strafing. Pause button is the status screen.

Missions are mostly interwined with each other. For example blowing up a radar station will in return make you harder for enemies to hit you. Failing one of missions usually results in game over.

You are also given co-pilot that will assist you with your mission. These pilots have varying degrees of skills with marksmanship and winch control. Reading their dossiers will usually give you a rough idea about their skill levels. 5th pilot Valdez is missing and can be found in first mission. He is near the north-western part of the map nearby a crashed F-14.

Your helicopter has limited ammo and fuel. It also has limited armor. Without ammo, you can attack enemies. If fuel depletes, your helicopter will eventually crash and you will lose life. If armor reaches zero you will also lose a life. Ammo and fuel can be recovered by acquiring ammo boxes or fuel drums respectively with your winch. Armor can be recovered two ways : either find an Armor Repair (very, very rare. In later levels map don't even show their locations) or by rescuing people and dropping them off near a friendly landing zone. Each rescued person will increase the armor by 100 points. Be careful though as power ups can be destroyed and prisoners can be killed. Each level also has extra lives but these are, again, very difficult to find.

You are required to return to your home base (usually the frigate you take off from at the beginning of each level) when you complete or fail the level. There are total of 3 lives. Losing all of them will end the game.

Game contains 5 levels with different missions, with some of them having time limits.

Desert Strike also has a password system.

Production Credits

Mega Drive Version

Rather than having a static title screen, the MD version shows a repeating animation of the helicopter flying with the game title on top while the credits appear on the bottom of the screen.

  • By Mike Posehn (implying he is the creator)
  • Programming: Mike Posehn
  • Game Design: Mike Posehn, John Manley
  • Art: Paul Vernon, Gary Martin, Amy Hennig
  • Sound and Music: Rob Hubbard, Brian Schmidt
  • Technical Director: Carl Mey
  • Producer: Richard Robbins

Master System Version

Published Under License By: Domark Software Limited
Desert Strike is a Trademark of Electronic Arts
Desert Strike Presented by The Kremlin
Programmed By: Michael A Carr (The Magi)
Graphic Artists: Matthew Hicks, Mike Adams
Music Composed By: Andy Taylor
Sound Effects By: Michael A Carr
Original Game By: Mike Posehn, Paul Vernon and John Manley
Copyright 1992 Electronic Arts
All Rights Reserved

Promotional Material

  • DesertStrike MD US PrintAdvert.jpg

    Mega Drive US print advert

  • DesertStrike MD US PrintAdvert 2.jpg

    Mega Drive US print advert 2

  • Master System UK print advert

Physical Scans

Mega Drive Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
89 №55, p42/43/44/45/46/47
83
85 №7, p100/101/102/103
92 №124, p22/23
92
91 №5, p26/27/28/29
100 №44
68
93
86
93 №6, p94/95/96
90 №24, p120/121
90 №5, p91
84 №4, p81
86 №23, p79
94 №1, p65
93 №3, p18/19/20/21[1]
94 №18, p56
94 №17, p18/19/20/21
89 №20, p62/63
92 №4, p62/63[2]
91 №29, p16/17/18/19
92 №6, p60/61
93 №18, p65
90 №1, p4
Sega Mega Drive
 90
Based on
25 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
75
[3]
ACE (UK)
89
[4]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
83
[5]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
68
[6]
Consoles + (FR)
85
[7]
Console XS (UK) PAL
92
[8]
Cool Gamer (RU)
70
[9]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
92
[10]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
68
[11]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
70
[12]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 2 (RU)
80
[13]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
92
[14]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
65
[15]
Game Mania (UK)
94
[16]
Game Power (IT)
93
[17]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
84
[18]
Games-X (UK)
100
[19]
Génération 4 (FR)
90
[20]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
85
[21]
Game Zone (UK) PAL
91
[22]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
40
[23]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
86
[24]
Igry Sega Luchshiye iz luchshikh. Vypusk 2 (RU)
60
[25]
Joypad (FR)
93
[26]
Joystick (FR)
90
[27]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
90
[28]
Mega (UK) PAL
84
[29]
Mega (UK)
86
[30]
Mega Action (UK)
94
[31]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
87
[32]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
75
[33]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
93
[34]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
94
[35]
Mean Machines (UK)
94
[36]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
94
[37]
Player One (FR)
89
[38]
Play Time (DE)
63
[39]
Power Play (DE)
82
[40]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
91
[41]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
92
[42]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
93
[43]
Sega Force (UK)
92
[44]
Sega Mega Drive Review (RU)
82
[45]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
80
[46]
Supergame (BR) NTSC-U
91
[47]
Supersonic (FR)
90
[48]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
87
[49]
User (GR) PAL
92
[50]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
80
[51]
Video Games (DE)
82
[52]
Sega Mega Drive
 84
Based on
50 reviews

Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf

Mega Drive, US
DesertStrike MD US Box.jpg
Cover
DesertStrike MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, US (cardboard)

DesertStrike MD US Cart Cardboard.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, EU
DesertStrike MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
DesertStrike MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, EU (Classic)
DesertStrike MD EU Box Classic.jpg
Cover
DesertStrike MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, JP
Desertstrike md jp cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, AU

Mega Drive, BR
DesertStrike MD BR Box.jpg
Cover
DesertStrike MD BR Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, KR
DesertStrike MD KR Box.jpg
Cover
DesertStrike MD KR Cart.jpg
Cart

Master System Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
89 №28, p144
89 №27, p106
92 №14, p104/105[53]
79 №38, p114
92 №2, p109[54]
90 №6, p26/27[55]
92 №49, p106/107/108
93 №26, p62/63
90 №7, p70/71[56]
Sega Master System
 90
Based on
9 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Consoles + (FR)
89
[57]
Joypad (FR) PAL
89
[58]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
92
[53]
Player One (FR)
79
[59]
Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
92
[60]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
92
[61]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
93
[62]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
75
[63]
Sega Master Force (UK) PAL
90
[64]
Todo Sega (ES) PAL
92
[65]
VideoGames Shopper (UK) PAL
89
[66]
Sega Master System
 88
Based on
11 reviews

Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf

Master System, EU
DesertStrike SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
DesertStrike SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU

DesertStrike SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart

Game Gear Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
82 №28, p115
91 №39, p116
88 №27, p60
Sega Game Gear
 87
Based on
3 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Alaab Alcomputtar (SA)
85
[67]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
68
[68]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
70
[69]
Gamer (GR)
80
[70]
Joypad (FR) PAL
82
[71]
Mega Force (FR)
89
[72]
Player One (FR)
91
[73]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
88
[74]
Sonic Mag: B.D. & Jeux-Video! (FR)
90
[75]
Todo Sega (ES)
86
[76]
Video Games (DE) PAL
62
[77]
Sega Game Gear
 81
Based on
11 reviews

Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf

Game Gear, US
DesertStrike GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngDesertStrike GG US cover.jpg
Cover
DesertStrike GG US cart.jpg
Cart
Desertstrike gg us manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, EU
DesertStrike GG EU Box Back.jpgNospine.pngDesertStrike GG EU cover.jpg
Cover
DesertStrike GG EU cart.jpg
Cart



Strike games for Sega systems
Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf (1992) | Jungle Strike (1993) | Urban Strike (1994) | Soviet Strike (1997)
  1. ↑ File:Megatech UK 03.pdf, page 18
  2. ↑ File:SegaForce04UK.pdf, page 62
  3. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 57
  4. ↑ ACE, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-08), page 42
  5. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "Juni 1992" (DE; 1992-05-08), page 118
  6. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "May 1993" (JP; 1993-04-08), page 24
  7. ↑ Consoles +, "Mars 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 100
  8. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 128
  9. ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 62
  10. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-15), page 74
  11. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "April 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 26
  12. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 305
  13. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 2, "" (RU; 2000-xx-xx), page 56
  14. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 37
  15. ↑ Famitsu, "1993-04-30" (JP; 1993-04-16), page 1
  16. ↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 80
  17. ↑ Game Power, "Giugno 1992" (IT; 1992-0x-xx), page 30
  18. ↑ GamePro, "March 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 46
  19. ↑ Games-X, "27th February-4th March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-27), page 23
  20. ↑ Génération 4, "Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 152
  21. ↑ Game Informer, "Summer 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 6
  22. ↑ Game Zone, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-21), page 26
  23. ↑ Hippon Super, "April 1993" (JP; 1993-03-04), page 44
  24. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Julio 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 46
  25. ↑ Igry Sega Luchshiye iz luchshikh. Vypusk 2, "" (RU; 2001-08-27), page 83
  26. ↑ Joypad, "Mars 1992" (FR; 1992-02-1x), page 94
  27. ↑ Joystick, "Février 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 120
  28. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 91
  29. ↑ Mega, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-17), page 81
  30. ↑ Mega, "August 1994" (UK; 1994-07-21), page 79
  31. ↑ Mega Action, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 65
  32. ↑ Mega Fun, "06/92" (DE; 1992-0x-xx), page 30
  33. ↑ Mega Play, "June 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 62
  34. ↑ MegaTech, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-20), page 18
  35. ↑ MegaTech, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 56
  36. ↑ Mean Machines, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-27), page 18
  37. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 138
  38. ↑ Player One, "Mai 1992" (FR; 1992-05-10), page 62
  39. ↑ Play Time, "7/92" (DE; 1992-06-03), page 93
  40. ↑ Power Play, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-13), page 144
  41. ↑ Sega Power, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-05), page 16
  42. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 60
  43. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 65
  44. ↑ Sega Force, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 62
  45. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Review, "1" (RU; 1995-04-03), page 40
  46. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85
  47. ↑ Supergame, "Junho 1992" (BR; 1992-06-xx), page 34
  48. ↑ Supersonic, "Mai/Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 4
  49. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 12
  50. ↑ User, "Októvrios 1992" (GR; 1992-xx-xx), page 90
  51. ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "May 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 50
  52. ↑ Video Games, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-29), page 45
  53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 File:MeanMachinesSega14UK.pdf, page 104 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesSega14UK.pdf_p104" defined multiple times with different content
  54. ↑ File:OfficialSegaMagazine_UK_02.pdf, page 109
  55. ↑ File:SegaMasterForce06.pdf, page 26
  56. ↑ File:SegaForceMega07.pdf, page 70
  57. ↑ Consoles +, "Janvier 1994" (FR; 1994-xx-xx), page 144
  58. ↑ Joypad, "Janvier 1994" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 106
  59. ↑ Player One, "Janvier 1994" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 114
  60. ↑ Sega Magazine, "February 1994" (UK; 1994-01-10), page 110
  61. ↑ Sega Power, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-xx), page 106
  62. ↑ Sega Pro, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-11), page 62
  63. ↑ Sega Zone, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-25), page 29
  64. ↑ Sega Master Force, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-11), page 70
  65. ↑ Todo Sega, "Diciembre 1993" (ES; 1993-1x-xx), page 80
  66. ↑ VideoGames Shopper, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 31
  67. ↑ Alaab Alcomputtar, "" (SA; 1995-08-xx), page 74
  68. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "December 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 55
  69. ↑ GamePro, "January 1994" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 206
  70. ↑ Gamer, "Noémvrios 1994" (GR; 1994-xx-xx), page 1
  71. ↑ Joypad, "Février 1994" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 115
  72. ↑ Mega Force, "Janvier 1994" (FR; 1994-01-08), page 116
  73. ↑ Player One, "Février 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 116
  74. ↑ Sega Pro, "Xmas Special 1993" (UK; 1993-12-02), page 60
  75. ↑ Sonic Mag: B.D. & Jeux-Video!, "Mai 1994" (FR; 1994-04-15), page 38
  76. ↑ Todo Sega, "Febrero 1994" (ES; 1994-0x-xx), page 42
  77. ↑ Video Games, "4/94" (DE; 1994-03-23), page 112
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