Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf

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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 violently takes over a small Arab emirate and plans a major nuclear strike, to which the president of the United States orders a helicopter 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.

Credits

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

Physical Scans

Mega Drive Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
89 №55
83
92 №124
68
93
86
93
94
89
92
Sega Mega Drive
 88
Based on
10 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
75
[1]
ACE (UK)
89
[2]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
83
[3]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
68
[4]
Consoles + (FR)
85
[5]
Console XS (UK) PAL
92
[6]
Cool Gamer (RU)
70
[7]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
92
[8]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
68
[9]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
70
[10]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 2 (RU)
80
[11]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
92
[12]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
65
[13]
Game Mania (UK)
94
[14]
Game Power (IT)
93
[15]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
84
[16]
Games-X (UK)
100
[17]
Génération 4 (FR)
90
[18]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
85
[19]
Game Zone (UK) PAL
91
[20]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
40
[21]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
86
[22]
Igry Sega Luchshiye iz luchshikh. Vypusk 2 (RU)
60
[23]
Joypad (FR)
93
[24]
Joystick (FR)
90
[25]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
90
[26]
Mega (UK) PAL
84
[27]
Mega (UK)
86
[28]
Mega Action (UK)
94
[29]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
87
[30]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
75
[31]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
93
[32]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
94
[33]
Mean Machines (UK)
94
[34]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
94
[35]
Player One (FR)
89
[36]
Play Time (DE)
63
[37]
Power Play (DE)
82
[38]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
91
[39]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
92
[40]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
93
[41]
Sega Force (UK)
92
[42]
Sega Mega Drive Review (RU)
82
[43]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
80
[44]
Supergame (BR) NTSC-U
91
[45]
Supersonic (FR)
90
[46]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
87
[47]
User (GR) PAL
92
[48]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
80
[49]
Video Games (DE)
82
[50]
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, EU
DesertStrike MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, EU (Classic)
DesertStrike MD EU Box Classic.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, JP
Desertstrike md jp cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, BR
DesertStrike MD BR Box.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, KR
DesertStrike MD KR Box.jpg
Cover

Master System Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
89
Sega Master System
 89
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Consoles + (FR)
89
[51]
Joypad (FR) PAL
89
[52]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
92
[53]
Player One (FR)
79
[54]
Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
92
[55]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
92
[56]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
93
[57]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
75
[58]
Sega Master Force (UK) PAL
90
[59]
Todo Sega (ES) PAL
92
[60]
VideoGames Shopper (UK) PAL
89
[61]
Sega Master System
 88
Based on
11 reviews

Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf

Mega Drive, EU
DesertStrike SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover

Game Gear Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
82
Sega Game Gear
 82
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Alaab Alcomputtar (SA)
85
[62]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
68
[63]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
70
[64]
Gamer (GR)
80
[65]
Joypad (FR) PAL
82
[66]
Mega Force (FR)
89
[67]
Player One (FR)
91
[68]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
88
[69]
Sonic Mag: B.D. & Jeux-Video! (FR)
90
[70]
Todo Sega (ES)
86
[71]
Video Games (DE) PAL
62
[72]
Sega Game Gear
 81
Based on
11 reviews

Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf

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