Difference between revisions of "Battle Squadron"
From Sega Retro
(expanded, need final boss but my emulator is flaking) |
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| md_date_eu=1991-01{{magref|mm|4|70}} | | md_date_eu=1991-01{{magref|mm|4|70}} | ||
| md_code_eu=E166SMXI | | md_code_eu=E166SMXI | ||
− | | md_date_uk=1991-01{{magref|mm|4|70}} | + | | md_date_uk=1990-12{{fileref|LiverpoolEcho UK 1990-12-31 18.jpg}}<!--1991-01{{magref|mm|4|70}}--> |
| md_code_uk=E166SMXI | | md_code_uk=E166SMXI | ||
| md_rrp_uk=39.99{{magref|ace|40|165}}{{magref|mm|4|70}} | | md_rrp_uk=39.99{{magref|ace|40|165}}{{magref|mm|4|70}} | ||
Line 25: | Line 25: | ||
==Story== | ==Story== | ||
− | {{ScreenThumb|Battle Squadron, Introduction.png|width=200| | + | {{ScreenThumb|Battle Squadron, Introduction.png|width=200|Mayers and Bergin}} |
− | The alien Barrax Empire has been at war with Earth for centuries to gain control over the Universe. While returning from a mission to destroy all Barrax on Planet | + | The alien Barrax Empire has been at war with Earth for centuries to gain control over the Universe. While returning from a mission to destroy all Barrax on Planet Terrainia while gathering information on the empire's fleets, Commander Barry D. Mayers and Commander Lori Bergin were taken hostage by a Barrax nova cruiser, their last transmission mentioning something about being able to turn invisible for a short period of time. The mission is to rescue them. |
==Gameplay== | ==Gameplay== | ||
− | The game is a vertically scrolling shoot-'em-up played from the perspective of elite fighter pilots of the Earth Defense Fleet, known as the Battle Squadron. It can be played by two players simultaneously. The fighters are moved in any direction using the D-Pad. The playfield is wider than the viewable area, so the screen pans when | + | The game is a vertically scrolling shoot-'em-up played from the perspective of elite fighter pilots of the Earth Defense Fleet, known as the Battle Squadron. It can be played by two players simultaneously. The fighters are moved in any direction using the D-Pad. The playfield is wider than the viewable area, so the screen pans when a fighter is at the edge. The fighters fire their main weapons with {{A}} or {{C}} (either of which can be held for continuous fire, though it is slower than pressing the button repeatedly). The main weapon has unlimited ammunition. Weapons can be changed or upgraded by collecting power-ups. Fighters also have a finite number of Nova Smart Bombs, which are deployed with {{B}} and destroy enemies and projectiles within a radius of the ship. |
The fighters are destroyed if they are hit by enemy fire but respawn after a moment if the player has extra lives remaining. The player's weapon is downgraded two levels after losing a ship. The game ends if the player runs out of lives, but it can be continued if the player has credits remaining. | The fighters are destroyed if they are hit by enemy fire but respawn after a moment if the player has extra lives remaining. The player's weapon is downgraded two levels after losing a ship. The game ends if the player runs out of lives, but it can be continued if the player has credits remaining. | ||
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{{InfoTable|imagewidths=320| | {{InfoTable|imagewidths=320| | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title=Red Magnetic Torps | + | | title={{sprite | Battle Squadron, Items.png | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=0 | crop_y=48}} Red Magnetic Torps |
| screenshot=Battle Squadron, Weapons, Red.png | | screenshot=Battle Squadron, Weapons, Red.png | ||
| desc=Fires a wide spreadshot in front of the fighter. | | desc=Fires a wide spreadshot in front of the fighter. | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title=Blue Anti-Matter Particle Beam | + | | title={{sprite | Battle Squadron, Items.png | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=16 | crop_y=48}} Blue Anti-Matter Particle Beam |
| screenshot=Battle Squadron, Weapons, Blue.png | | screenshot=Battle Squadron, Weapons, Blue.png | ||
| desc=Fires in a narrow area in the front and back of the fighter. | | desc=Fires in a narrow area in the front and back of the fighter. | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title=Orange Magma Wave | + | | title={{sprite | Battle Squadron, Items.png | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=32 | crop_y=48}} Orange Magma Wave |
| screenshot=Battle Squadron, Weapons, Orange.png | | screenshot=Battle Squadron, Weapons, Orange.png | ||
| desc=Fires in front of the fighter as well as towards the sides. | | desc=Fires in front of the fighter as well as towards the sides. | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title=Green Emerald Laser | + | | title={{sprite | Battle Squadron, Items.png | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=48 | crop_y=48}} Green Emerald Laser |
| screenshot=Battle Squadron, Weapons, Green.png | | screenshot=Battle Squadron, Weapons, Green.png | ||
| desc=Fires lasers in front that spread out when upgraded. | | desc=Fires lasers in front that spread out when upgraded. | ||
Line 68: | Line 68: | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
| title=X Capsule | | title=X Capsule | ||
− | | sprite={{sprite | Battle Squadron, Items.png | 2 | crop_width= | + | | sprite={{sprite | Battle Squadron, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=0 | crop_y=48}} |
− | | desc=Cycles through four colors (red, blue, orange, and green). Equips the corresponding weapon or upgrades (up to 5 levels) | + | | sprite2={{sprite | Battle Squadron, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=16 | crop_y=48}} |
+ | | sprite3={{sprite | Battle Squadron, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=32 | crop_y=48}} | ||
+ | | sprite4={{sprite | Battle Squadron, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=48 | crop_y=48}} | ||
+ | | desc=Cycles through four colors (red, blue, orange, and green). Equips the corresponding weapon or upgrades the weapon (up to 5 levels) if already equipped. | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
Line 86: | Line 89: | ||
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=320| | {{InfoTable|imagewidths=320| | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title= | + | | title=Planet Terrainia |
| screenshot=Battle Squadron, Stage 1.png | | screenshot=Battle Squadron, Stage 1.png | ||
− | | screenshot2= | + | | screenshot2=Battle Squadron, Final Boss 1.png |
+ | | screenshot3=Battle Squadron, Final Boss 2.png | ||
| tabs=yes | | tabs=yes | ||
− | | desc=Unusually for the genre, the game has an overworld with three lower sections that can be entered through craters. Players return to the | + | | desc=Unusually for the genre, the game has an overworld with three lower sections that can be entered through craters. The overworld contains enemies, like a normal stage, with the large craters dividing it into segments. Players return to the surface after completing one of the lower stages. The final boss appears at the end of the overworld after clearing all of the other stages. Ignoring the craters makes the overworld loop over from the beginning, so players can stay in the overworld (which has fewer enemies than the lower sections) to obtain power-ups before attempting one of the crater stages. |
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title= | + | | title=Inner Core 1 |
| screenshot=Battle Squadron, Stage 2-1.png | | screenshot=Battle Squadron, Stage 2-1.png | ||
| screenshot2=Battle Squadron, Stage 2-1 Boss.png | | screenshot2=Battle Squadron, Stage 2-1 Boss.png | ||
Line 102: | Line 106: | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title= | + | | title=Inner Core 2 |
| screenshot=Battle Squadron, Stage 3-1.png | | screenshot=Battle Squadron, Stage 3-1.png | ||
| screenshot2=Battle Squadron, Stage 3-2.png | | screenshot2=Battle Squadron, Stage 3-2.png | ||
Line 110: | Line 114: | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title= | + | | title=Inner Core 3 |
| screenshot=Battle Squadron, Stage 4-1.png | | screenshot=Battle Squadron, Stage 4-1.png | ||
| screenshot2=Battle Squadron, Stage 4-2.png | | screenshot2=Battle Squadron, Stage 4-2.png | ||
Line 121: | Line 125: | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
===Legacy=== | ===Legacy=== | ||
+ | The game was later ported to [[iOS]] devices in 2011, to [[Android]] in 2012, and to [[Windows]], [[Mac OS X]], AmigaOS 4, and MorphOS in 2013. | ||
+ | |||
A ''Battle Squadron II'' is teased in the ending. It was in development but was never released. | A ''Battle Squadron II'' is teased in the ending. It was in development but was never released. | ||
− | |||
− | |||
==Versions== | ==Versions== | ||
− | The [[Sega Mega Drive]] version runs faster and is harder. It has certain layers right in front of the screen, making it harder to see certain objects. The [[Amiga]] version has a bit more varied background tiles and switches background colors more often. It has an extra space background for the final boss | + | The [[Sega Mega Drive]] version runs faster and is harder. It has certain layers right in front of the screen, making it harder to see certain objects. The [[Amiga]] version has a bit more varied background tiles and switches background colors more often. It has an extra space background for the final boss. |
==Production credits== | ==Production credits== | ||
Line 184: | Line 188: | ||
==Technical information== | ==Technical information== | ||
− | + | {{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Technical information}} | |
− | {{ | ||
− | {{ | ||
− | |||
− | }} | ||
==References== | ==References== |
Revision as of 23:20, 2 January 2024
Battle Squadron | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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System(s): Sega Mega Drive | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Publisher: Electronic Arts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Developer: Innerprise Software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Genre: Shoot-'em-Up | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of players: 1-2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Battle Squadron is a 1990 shoot-'em-up developed by Innerprise Software Inc and published by Electronic Arts exclusively in the US and Europe for the Sega Mega Drive and the Commodore Amiga.
Contents
Story
The alien Barrax Empire has been at war with Earth for centuries to gain control over the Universe. While returning from a mission to destroy all Barrax on Planet Terrainia while gathering information on the empire's fleets, Commander Barry D. Mayers and Commander Lori Bergin were taken hostage by a Barrax nova cruiser, their last transmission mentioning something about being able to turn invisible for a short period of time. The mission is to rescue them.
Gameplay
The game is a vertically scrolling shoot-'em-up played from the perspective of elite fighter pilots of the Earth Defense Fleet, known as the Battle Squadron. It can be played by two players simultaneously. The fighters are moved in any direction using the D-Pad. The playfield is wider than the viewable area, so the screen pans when a fighter is at the edge. The fighters fire their main weapons with or
(either of which can be held for continuous fire, though it is slower than pressing the button repeatedly). The main weapon has unlimited ammunition. Weapons can be changed or upgraded by collecting power-ups. Fighters also have a finite number of Nova Smart Bombs, which are deployed with
and destroy enemies and projectiles within a radius of the ship.
The fighters are destroyed if they are hit by enemy fire but respawn after a moment if the player has extra lives remaining. The player's weapon is downgraded two levels after losing a ship. The game ends if the player runs out of lives, but it can be continued if the player has credits remaining.
Players can choose the starting lives and credits. Instead of difficulty levels, players can set the maximum number of enemy bullets and the enemy bullet speed.
Weapons
Red Magnetic Torps | |
---|---|
Fires a wide spreadshot in front of the fighter. | |
Blue Anti-Matter Particle Beam | |
Fires in a narrow area in the front and back of the fighter. | |
Orange Magma Wave | |
Fires in front of the fighter as well as towards the sides. | |
Green Emerald Laser | |
Fires lasers in front that spread out when upgraded. |
Items
Barraxian Artillery Gunship | |
---|---|
Destroy to release a weapon power-up. | |
X Capsule | |
Cycles through four colors (red, blue, orange, and green). Equips the corresponding weapon or upgrades the weapon (up to 5 levels) if already equipped. | |
M Capsule | |
Adds another Nova Smart Bomb to the player's arsenal. | |
Barraxian Jewel Cache | |
Worth 1,000 points at the end of the stage. |
Stages
Planet Terrainia | |
---|---|
Unusually for the genre, the game has an overworld with three lower sections that can be entered through craters. The overworld contains enemies, like a normal stage, with the large craters dividing it into segments. Players return to the surface after completing one of the lower stages. The final boss appears at the end of the overworld after clearing all of the other stages. Ignoring the craters makes the overworld loop over from the beginning, so players can stay in the overworld (which has fewer enemies than the lower sections) to obtain power-ups before attempting one of the crater stages. | |
Inner Core 1 | |
Inner Core 2 | |
Inner Core 3 | |
History
Legacy
The game was later ported to iOS devices in 2011, to Android in 2012, and to Windows, Mac OS X, AmigaOS 4, and MorphOS in 2013.
A Battle Squadron II is teased in the ending. It was in development but was never released.
Versions
The Sega Mega Drive version runs faster and is harder. It has certain layers right in front of the screen, making it harder to see certain objects. The Amiga version has a bit more varied background tiles and switches background colors more often. It has an extra space background for the final boss.
Production credits
- Game Design: Torbin Larsen, Martin Pedersen
- Game Graphics: Torbin Larsen
- Programming: Martin Pedersen
- Original Music and Sounds: Ron Klaren
- Music Driver: Steve Hayes
- Music Conversion: Rob Hubbard
- Producer: Christopher Erhardt
- Associate Producer: Roland Kippenhan
- Assistant Producer: Michael Lubuguin
- Product Management: Lesley Mansford, Barbara Windham
- Package Design: James Blair
- Package Art: Alan Okamoto
- Documentation: Andrea Smith
- Testing: Ed Gwynn
Magazine articles
- Main article: Battle Squadron/Magazine articles.
Physical scans
Sega Retro Average | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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78 | |
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Based on 25 reviews |
Mega Drive, AU |
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Technical information
- Main article: Battle Squadron/Technical information.
References
- ↑ https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/Z5bU24UZwms/m/Uvxnnn8EmrkJ
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "February 1991" (US; 1991-0x-xx), page 40
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Mean Machines, "January 1991" (UK; 1991-01-03), page 70
- ↑ File:LiverpoolEcho UK 1990-12-31 18.jpg
- ↑ ACE, "January 1991" (UK; 1990-12-xx), page 165
- ↑ File:Battle Squadron MD US Manual.pdf, page 10
- ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 29
- ↑ ACE, "March 1991" (UK; 1991-02-08), page 63
- ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 127
- ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "January 1991" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 22
- ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 25
- ↑ Gamers, "Dezember/Januar 1993" (DE; 1992-11-19), page 101
- ↑ Génération 4, "Février 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 91
- ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Noviembre 1991" (ES; 1991-1x-xx), page 72
- ↑ Joystick, "Février 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 122
- ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 90
- ↑ Mega Action, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 65
- ↑ MegaTech, "Xmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-06), page 76
- ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Marzo 1991" (ES; 1991-0x-xx), page 38
- ↑ Mean Machines, "January 1991" (UK; 1991-01-03), page 68
- ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 137
- ↑ Player One, "Mars 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 44
- ↑ Power Play, "4/91" (DE; 1991-03-15), page 135
- ↑ Raze, "March 1991" (UK; 1991-01-31), page 54
- ↑ Sega Power, "January 1991" (UK; 1990-12-06), page 10
- ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 52
- ↑ Sega Pro, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-xx-xx), page 39
- ↑ Sega Pro, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-18), page 28
- ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 64
- ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 22
Battle Squadron | |
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Main page | Comparisons | Magazine articles | Reception | Region coding | Technical information | Bootlegs
Prototypes: 1991-01-18
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