Difference between revisions of "SDI: Strategic Defense Initiative"

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| system=[[Sega System 16]], [[Sega Master System]], Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum
 
| system=[[Sega System 16]], [[Sega Master System]], Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum
 
| romsize={{SMS}} 128kB
 
| romsize={{SMS}} 128kB

Revision as of 12:38, 10 May 2017

n/a

SDI title.png

SDI: Strategic Defense Initiative
System(s): Sega System 16, Sega Master System, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum
Publisher: Sega,
Amiga
Amstrad CPC
Atari ST
Commodore 64
ZX Spectrum
Activision
Developer:
Genre: Shoot-'em-Up

















Number of players: 2
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Master System
JP 		¥5,0005,000 G-1338
Sega Master System
US 		$40.0040.00[1] 5102
Sega Master System
EU 		MK-5102-50
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Master System
BR
Sega Master System
KR 		GB-1338
Amiga
UK 		£24.9924.99
Atari ST
UK 		£19.9919.99[3]
Amstrad CPC
ES
(Cassette)
Amstrad CPC
UK
(Disk) 		£14.9914.99
Amstrad CPC
UK
(Cassette) 		£9.999.99
Amstrad CPC
UK
(The Hit Squad) 		£2.992.99
Commodore 64
UK
(Disk) 		£14.9914.99[3]
Commodore 64
UK
(Cassette) 		£9.999.99[3]
Commodore 64
UK
(The Hit Squad) 		£2.992.99[4]
ZX Spectrum
ES
(Cassette) 		SEC 576
ZX Spectrum
UK
(Cassette) 		£9.999.99[3] URK 301
ZX Spectrum
UK
(The Hit Squad) 		£2.992.99[5]

SDI: Strategic Defense Initiative is a 1987 shoot-'em-up arcade game developed by Sega for the Sega System 16 arcade platform.

Gameplay

Unusual for its time, SDI has the player assume the role of a satellite, tasked with destroying enemy satellites and missiles. Each level is divided into two "modes" - "offensive" mode, which takes the form of a sidescrolling shoot-'em-up, and "defensive" mode which is built more similarly to Atari's Missile Command. Beating both modes allows the player to progress, however, if the player can destroy all the enemies in offensive mode, defensive mode does not take place.

SDI not only gives the player control over the movement of the satellite, but also its aim. This mechanic was implemented in the original arcade cabinet through the form of a joystick and trackball - the joystick moving the player, the trackball moving the crosshair. On the top of the joystick is a button for firing.

A perfect game of SDI will result in the satellite being replaced with Flicky.

Versions

SDI was ported to the Sega Master System in 1987/1988, where western versions were renamed Global Defense. The Master System version, as well as cutting back on the graphical and audio quality, has to vastly reduce the difficulty of the game to match up with a new control scheme - as the console lacks a trackball, the player needs to switch between moving and aiming during play (holding 1 while moving the D-Pad allows the satellite to move, otherwise the D-Pad only controls the crosshair). This makes moving and aiming at the same time impossible. However, the U.S. manual lists an alternate two-controller configuration in which the first controller aims and the second controller moves the satellite. When the game is started in this configuration, the satellite fires automatically. To start the game with two controllers, on the second controller either press Left and 1 or Right and 2.

Activision brought the game to home computers in Europe - the Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum (not to be confused with S.D.I., an unrelated game also released for the Amiga and Atari ST).

These days, SDI is often grouped with another arcade game from the era, Quartet. Both were released as part of Volume 21 of the Sega Ages 2500 series, Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 21: SDI & Quartet: Sega System 16 Collection for the PlayStation 2. SDI & Quartet: Original Soundtrack contains the official soundtrack of both games.

Production credits

Arcade version

(According to Sega Ages 2500 Vol. 21, Masaki Kondo (近藤 正樹) was a "Designer", Katsumi Tojo (藤乗　勝巳) was the "main programmer" and Eishi Kawatake (川竹　英士) was also a programmer. All three worked on Galaxy Force too).

Commodore 64 version

  • (C)1988 Activision
  • Software Studios
  • Produced by: Neil Jackson
  • Coding Graphics and Music was Produced by: Source the Software House Ltd
  • Artwork by: Bryn Redman, Ross Harris
  • Music Composed by: Paul Summers
  • Programming by: Mike Chilton

Magazine articles

Main article: SDI: Strategic Defense Initiative/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

  • System 16 US flyer

  • System 16 JP flyer

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #85: "November 1988" (1988-10-15)
also published in:
  • ACE (UK) #14: "November 1988" (1988-xx-xx)[6]
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #115: "June 1991" (1991-05-11)
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

System 16 version

System 16, JP

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
62 №14, p49[7]
79 №1, p57[8]
80 №4, p97[9]
80 №78, p122/123[10]
81 №5, p43[11]
65 №4, p93[12]
78 №8, p12[13]
80 №23, p57
78 №3, p19[14]
Sega Master System
 76
Based on
9 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
ACE (UK)
62
[7]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
79
[8]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
80
[9]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK) PAL
80
[15]
Console XS (UK) PAL
75
[16]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
80
[10]
The Games Machine (UK)
81
[11]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
80
[17]
Power Play (DE)
65
[12]
S: The Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
78
[13]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
75
[18]
Sega Pro (UK)
78
[14]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
75
[19]
User (GR) PAL
43
[20]
Sega Master System
 74
Based on
14 reviews

SDI: Strategic Defense Initiative

Master System, US
GlobalDefense SMS US Box.jpg
Cover
GlobalDefense SMS US Cart.jpg
Cart
Globaldefense sms us manual.pdf
Manual
SegaAdventure SMS US Poster Back.jpgSegaAdventure SMS US Poster Front.jpg
Poster
Master System, EU
SDI SMS EU cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, EU
® variant
SDI SMS EU R cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, EU
"no limits" variant
SDI SMS EU nolimits cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, JP
SDI SMS JP Box Back.jpgSDI SMS JP Box Spine.jpgSDI SMS JP cover.jpg
Cover
SDI SMS JP Cart.jpg
Cart
SDISMSJPManual.pdf
Manual
Master System, AU

GlobalDefense SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, BR
GlobalDefense SMS BR Box.jpg
Cover
GlobalDefense SMS BR Cart.jpg
Cart
GlobalDefense SMS BR Manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, KR

SDI SMS KR cart.jpg
Cart

Amiga version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
57 №22, p91[21]
Amiga
 57
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
The Games Machine (UK)
57
[21]
New Computer Express (UK)
50
[22]
Amiga
 54
Based on
2 reviews

SDI: Strategic Defense Initiative

Amiga, UK

Amstrad CPC version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
79 №20, p78[23]
49 №54, p36/37[24]
29 №18, p43[25]
Amstrad CPC
 52
Based on
3 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
ACE (UK)
79
[23]
Amstrad Computer User (UK)
49
[24]
The Games Machine (UK)
29
[25]
Amstrad CPC
 52
Based on
3 reviews

SDI: Strategic Defense Initiative

Amstrad CPC, UK

Amstrad CPC, UK
(The Hit Squad)
SDI CPC EU Box THS.jpg
Cover
Amstrad CPC, ES
SDI CPC ES Box MCM.jpg
Cover

Atari ST version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
84 №15, p75[26]
81 №86, p58/59[27]
56 №14, p81[28]
Atari ST
 74
Based on
3 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
ACE (UK)
84
[26]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
81
[27]
The Games Machine (IT)
59
[29]
The Games Machine (UK)
56
[28]
Génération 4 (FR)
77
[30]
Atari ST
 71
Based on
5 reviews

SDI: Strategic Defense Initiative

Atari ST, UK

Commodore 64 version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
64 №64, p67[31]
54 №116, p81[4]
72 №118, p88[32]
56 №18, p43[25]
64 №47, p21[33]
80 №75, p79/80[34]
84 №57, p51[35]
Commodore 64
 68
Based on
7 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Commodore Force (UK)
46
[36]
Commodore User (UK)
67
[37]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
54
[4]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
72
[32]
The Games Machine (UK)
56
[25]
Zzap!64 (UK)
64
[33]
Zzap!64 (UK)
60
[34]
Zzap! (IT)
84
[35]
Commodore 64
 63
Based on
8 reviews

SDI: Strategic Defense Initiative

Commodore 64, UK (cassette)

Commodore 64, UK (disk)

Commodore 64, UK
(The Hit Squad)
SDI C64 EU Box THS.jpg
Cover

ZX Spectrum version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
59 №116, p85[5]
37 №18, p43[25]
70 №113, p42/43[38]
64 №67, p58[39]
ZX Spectrum
 58
Based on
4 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Computer & Video Games (UK)
59
[5]
The Games Machine (UK)
37
[25]
New Computer Express (UK)
25
[40]
Sinclair User (UK)
70
[38]
Your Sinclair (UK)
64
[39]
ZX Spectrum
 51
Based on
5 reviews

SDI: Strategic Defense Initiative

ZX Spectrum, UK
SDI Spectrum EU Inlay.jpg
Cover
ZX Spectrum, UK
(The Hit Squad)
SDI Spectrum EU Box THS.jpg
Cover
ZX Spectrum, ES
SDI Spectrum ES Box MCM.jpg
Cover

References

  1. ↑ File:CGW US 050.pdf, page 45
  2. ↑ File:ACE UK 16.pdf, page 166
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 File:CVG UK 085.pdf, page 43
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 File:CVG UK 116.pdf, page 81 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 116.pdf_p81" defined multiple times with different content
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 File:CVG UK 116.pdf, page 85 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 116.pdf_p85" defined multiple times with different content
  6. ↑ ACE, "November 1988" (UK; 1988-xx-xx), page 72
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 File:ACE UK 14.pdf, page 49 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ACE UK 14.pdf_p49" defined multiple times with different content
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 File:CompleteGuideToConsoles UK 01.pdf, page 57 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CompleteGuideToConsoles UK 01.pdf_p57" defined multiple times with different content
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 File:CGtC UK 04.pdf, page 97 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CGtC UK 04.pdf_p97" defined multiple times with different content
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 File:CVG UK 078.pdf, page 122 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 078.pdf_p122" defined multiple times with different content
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 File:TGM UK 05.pdf, page 43 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TGM UK 05.pdf_p43" defined multiple times with different content
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 File:PowerPlay DE 004.pdf, page 93 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:PowerPlay DE 004.pdf_p93" defined multiple times with different content
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 File:StheSegaMagazine UK 08.pdf, page 12 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:StheSegaMagazine UK 08.pdf_p12" defined multiple times with different content
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 File:SegaPro UK 03.pdf, page 19 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 03.pdf_p19" defined multiple times with different content
  15. ↑ The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 57
  16. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 141
  17. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 133
  18. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 57
  19. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 71
  20. ↑ User, "Septémvrios 1992" (GR; 1992-0x-xx), page 86
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 File:TGM UK 22.pdf, page 91 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TGM UK 22.pdf_p91" defined multiple times with different content
  22. ↑ New Computer Express, "July 15, 1989" (UK; 1989-07-13), page 50
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 File:ACE UK 20.pdf, page 78 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ACE UK 20.pdf_p78" defined multiple times with different content
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 File:AmstradComputerUser UK 54.pdf, page 36 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:AmstradComputerUser UK 54.pdf_p36" defined multiple times with different content
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 25.4 25.5 File:TGM UK 18.pdf, page 43 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TGM UK 18.pdf_p43" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TGM UK 18.pdf_p43" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TGM UK 18.pdf_p43" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TGM UK 18.pdf_p43" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TGM UK 18.pdf_p43" defined multiple times with different content
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 File:ACE UK 15.pdf, page 75 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ACE UK 15.pdf_p75" defined multiple times with different content
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 File:CVG UK 086.pdf, page 58 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 086.pdf_p58" defined multiple times with different content
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 File:TGM UK 14.pdf, page 81 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TGM UK 14.pdf_p81" defined multiple times with different content
  29. ↑ The Games Machine, "xxxx 198x" (IT; 1988-12-15), page 36
  30. ↑ Génération 4, "Décembre 1988" (FR; 1988-1x-xx), page 24
  31. ↑ File:CommodoreUser UK 64.pdf, page 67
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 File:CVG UK 118.pdf, page 88 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 118.pdf_p88" defined multiple times with different content
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 File:Zzap64 UK 047.pdf, page 21 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Zzap64 UK 047.pdf_p21" defined multiple times with different content
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 File:Zzap64 UK 075.pdf, page 79 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Zzap64 UK 075.pdf_p79" defined multiple times with different content
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 File:Zzap IT 57.pdf, page 51 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Zzap IT 57.pdf_p51" defined multiple times with different content
  36. ↑ Commodore Force, "August 1993" (UK; 1993-06-24), page 20
  37. ↑ Commodore User, "January 1989" (UK; 1988-12-19), page 64
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 File:SinclairUser UK 113.pdf, page 42 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SinclairUser UK 113.pdf_p42" defined multiple times with different content
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 File:YourSinclair UK 67.pdf, page 58 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:YourSinclair UK 67.pdf_p58" defined multiple times with different content
  40. ↑ New Computer Express, "December 24, 1988" (UK; 1988-12-22), page 41
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