688 Attack Sub

From Sega Retro

n/a

688AttackSub MDTitleScreen.png

688 Attack Sub
System(s): Sega Mega Drive
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Licensor: Electronic Arts
Sound driver: David Javelosa
Genre: Simulation

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
US
$49.9549.95[2] 1401
Sega Mega Drive
EU
1401
Sega Mega Drive
PT
Sega Mega Drive
UK
£39.9939.99[3] 1401
Sega Mega Drive
SE
(Rental)
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Non-Sega versions

This short article is in need of work. You can help Sega Retro by adding to it.


688 Attack Sub is a 1991 submarine simulator game, originally developed by Electronic Arts for MS-DOS computers before being brought to the Sega Mega Drive. It was released alongside M-1 Abrams Battle Tank in the extremely short-lived "Simulator Series" in 1991.

Like, M-1 Abrams Battle Tank, 688 Attack Sub was licensed by Sega of America in 1990, shortly before EA began publishing Sega games for themselves.

Gameplay

The player can control a US Los Angeles-class or Soviet Alfa class nuclear powered attack submarine. There are 10 missions that take place in a Cold War scenario. Players can use the periscope, launch torpedoes, activate sonar to view oncoming submarines or torpedoes, among various other things. As it is a simulator tasks are accomplished by pointing (moving the D-pad; holding C will lock it to the next onscreen item in the particular direction) and clicking (A) with an on-screen cursor. The cursor changes icons to indicate what is currently selected.

Scenarios

Notavailable.svg

Torpex '89
This training mission takes place near Faeroe Islands. Players can take control of either USS Los Angeles or USS Dallas. If you choose to play as Los Angeles, you will be tasked with sinking three decomissioned Forrest Sherman class destroyers withing 15 minutes. Navy helicopters will constantly fly over the area to detect your submarine so you must remain quiet for the remainder of the mission.

If you choose to play as USS Dallas, another Los Angeles class submarine, this will be a match against the AI controlled Los Angeles. Whoever sinks three targets will be the winner. Both submarines will carry 22 Mark 48 ADCAP torpedoes, 2 Harpoon Anti-Ship missiles and 6 noisemakers.

Notavailable.svg

Shake'em
Still around the Faeroe Islands, but this time your Los Angeles class will be tailed by a Soviet Alfa class submarine. Objective is to remain hidden from Alfa for at least three minutes. Mission will also end after 20 minutes time limit is over. You are NOT authorized to attack Alfa unless you are attacked.

If you choose to play as Alfa, roles will be reversed. You must maintain sonar contact with Los Angeles for three minutes. Remaining in the Los Angeles' "baffles" (blind spot behind a submarine caused by engine noise) might be the best course of action.

  • Los Angeles: 22 Mark 48 ADCAP torpedoes, 2 Harpoon Anti-Ship missiles and 6 noisemakers.
  • Alfa: 8 Type 53 torpedoes and 4 noisemakers.

Notavailable.svg

Sub Ops
Playing as Alfa, you will be required to chase away some NATO submarines around the Barents Sea, specificially naval port of Severemorsk. Use active sonar to create a loud "ping" to warn the enemy submarines. Be careful however: most submarine captains often interpret active sonar ping as a prelude to attack and attempt to defend themselves. Your best bet is to get as close as you can to the enemy submarines and turn on the active sonar. At this range, they will worry about damaging themselves with their own torpedoes and run away. Tread carefully to avoid an international incident.

Your submarine will be carrying 18 Type 53 torpedoes and 4 noisemakers.

Notavailable.svg

Mumar Cadaver
Your Los Angeles is ordered to sink 4 Libyan oil tankers as they pass through the Straits of Gibraltar as a reprisal for Libya's state sponsored terrorism. Tankers are protected by Libyan Navy warships. Also pick your targets carefully: the area is full of neutral vessels.

Your submarine will be carrying 20 Mk 48 ADCAP torpedoes, 4 Harpoon Anti-Ship missiles and 6 noisemakers.

Notavailable.svg

Escape
As Los Angeles, you must leave the Straits of Gibraltar from the west while avoiding Soviet submarines. Mission will end in failure if you are detected.

As Alfa, you must keep contact on Los Angeles as it leaves the Mediterrenean. Remain close and be careful about using active sonar. It can be taken as a sign of impending attack.

  • Los Angeles: 20 Mk 48 ADCAP torpedoes, 4 Harpoon Anti-Ship missiles and 6 noisemakers.
  • Alfa: 18 Type 53 Torpedoes and 4 noisemakers.

Notavailable.svg

Goulash
After a regime change in Yugoslavia, Soviet Union invades the country. New government requested assistance from NATO and a convoy of 6 ships are being sent towards the Yugoslavia before the revolution is crushed. You are required to escort these ships to Trivat harbor. These ships must reach Trivat at all costs. Do not allow Soviets to get close to your convoy: your supply ships won't last a minute. Engage at will.
  • Los Angeles: 20 Mk 48 ADCAP torpedoes, 4 Harpoon Anti-Ship missiles and 6 noisemakers.

Notavailable.svg

Cat Walk
Situation in Yugoslavia quickly escalates into open conflict. As World War III breaks out, your Los Angeles is assigned to north of Japan, particularly Kuneshir Passage, a narrow straight that is frequented by Soviet nuclear ballistic submarines (SSBN). One such submarine reportedly just left the Vladivostok harbor and about to reach Pacific Ocean. Your priority is to sink that submarine. Any attack submarines that are protecting the main target are considered secondary targets.

Playing as Alfa, you must protect your SSBN while sinking American submarines that coming after you. Pick your targets carefully and do not accidently sink your own SSBN.

  • Los Angeles: 20 Mk 48 ADCAP torpedoes, 4 Harpoon Anti-Ship missiles and 6 noisemakers.
  • Alfa: 18 Type 53 Torpedoes and 4 noisemakers

Notavailable.svg

Surprise Party
Off to the Norwegian Sea. This area is desired for both sides of the war: Soviets use this route to sail into Atlantic Ocean and sink NATO supply convoys, while NATO wants to keep it closed for the very same reason.

Los Angeles must protect the supply convoy from Soviet vessels while Alfa must defeat a large enemy surface fleet on its own.

  • Los Angeles: 20 Mk 48 ADCAP torpedoes, 4 Harpoon Anti-Ship missiles and 6 noisemakers.
  • Alfa: 18 Type 53 Torpedoes and 4 noisemakers.

Notavailable.svg

Homecoming
This scenario will take place near France. Europe needs weapons and supplies from North America and whoever controls sea-lanes in Atlantic will dominate the war.

Los Angeles must protect an important supply convoy to the English Channel, while Alfa, working together with an Oscar class guided missile submarine, must sink that very same convoy.

  • Los Angeles: 26 Mk 48 ADCAP torpedoes, 8 Harpoon Anti-Ship missiles and 6 noisemakers.
  • Alfa: 18 Type 53 Torpedoes and 6 noisemakers.

Notavailable.svg

Hit and Run
As Los Angles, you must enter Baltic Sea and quiely get as close as you can to a Soviet nuclear weapons facilty while maintaining stealth. After reaching your target location you must fire your Tomahawk missiles towards your target within 5 minutes. After that you must evade alerted Soviet patrols and return to Copenhagen.
  • Los Angeles: 20 Mk 48 ADCAP torpedoes, 4 Harpoon Anti-Ship missiles and 6 noisemakers.

Production credits

  • Programmed by: Ed Fletcher
Source:
In-game credits with cheat.[4][5]


Magazine articles

Main article: 688 Attack Sub/Magazine articles.

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1500 igr dlya Sega (RU)
70
[6]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
75
[7]
Consoles + (FR)
84
[8]
Console XS (UK) PAL
83
[9]
Cool Gamer (RU)
60
[10]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
70
[11]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
53
[1]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 2 (RU)
80
[12]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 6 (RU)
70
[13]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
84
[14]
Igry Sega Luchshiye iz luchshikh. Vypusk 2 (RU)
60
[15]
Joypad (FR) NTSC-U
85
[16]
Joystick (FR)
85
[17]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
68
[18]
Mega Force (FR) PAL
70
[19]
MegaTech (UK)
88
[20]
Megazin (SI)
76
[21]
Mean Machines (UK)
84
[22]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
88
[23]
Player One (FR)
90
[24]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
75
[25]
Sega Power (UK)
75
[3]
Sega Pro (UK)
83
[26]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
78
[27]
Sega Opisaniy i sekretov (RU)
72
[28]
User (GR) PAL
88
[29]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US)
70
[2]
Video Games (DE)
66
[30]
Sega Mega Drive
76
Based on
28 reviews

688 Attack Sub

Mega Drive, US
688AS MD US Box.png
Cover
688 Attack Sub MD US cart.jpg
Cart
688 Attack Sub MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
688AS MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
688AttackSub MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
688 Attack Sub MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Mega Drive, PT
688AS MD PT cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, SE (rental)
688AS MD SE rental cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, AU

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega Drive
CRC32 f2c58bf7
MD5 7a43a9b9a1fd951ada76d0baf2f8ff26
SHA-1 6795b9fc9a21167d94a0b4c9c38d4e11214e1ea7
1MB 1991 Cartridge (US/EU)

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Electronic Gaming Monthly, "July 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 24
  2. 2.0 2.1 VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "July 1991" (US; 1991-0x-xx), page 39
  3. 3.0 3.1 Sega Power, "January 1992" (UK; 1991-12-05), page 38
  4. The Cutting Room Floor: 688 Attack Sub %28Genesis%29
  5. File:688AttackSub MD credits.png
  6. 1500 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 11
  7. Aktueller Software Markt, "November 1991" (DE; 1991-10-11), page 152
  8. Consoles +, "Octobre 1991" (FR; 1991-10-05), page 52
  9. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 126
  10. Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 19
  11. Computer & Video Games, "July 1994" (UK; 1994-06-15), page 109
  12. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 2, "" (RU; 2000-xx-xx), page 8
  13. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 6, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 8
  14. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 16
  15. Igry Sega Luchshiye iz luchshikh. Vypusk 2, "" (RU; 2001-08-27), page 8
  16. Joypad, "Octobre 1991" (FR; 1991-09-17), page 38
  17. Joystick, "Octobre 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 136
  18. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 90
  19. Mega Force, "Septembre/Octobre 1991" (FR; 1991-09-13), page 99
  20. MegaTech, "Xmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-06), page 76
  21. Megazin, "Letnik 2, Številka 10/11, Junij/Julij 1994" (SI; 1994-xx-xx), page 40
  22. Mean Machines, "August 1991" (UK; 1991-07-27), page 48
  23. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 137
  24. Player One, "Novembre 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 80
  25. Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 52
  26. Sega Pro, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-xx-xx), page 18
  27. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 64
  28. Sega Opisaniy i sekretov, "14000 Opisaniy i sekretov" (RU; 2003-03-11), page 6
  29. User, "Ioúnios 1992" (GR; 1992-0x-xx), page 83
  30. Video Games, "2/91" (DE; 1991-06-07), page 97
Necretro-round.svg
NEC Retro has more information related to 688 Attack Sub


688 Attack Sub

688AttackSub MDTitleScreen.png

Main page | Comparisons | Hidden content | Magazine articles | Reception | Region coding | Technical information | Bootlegs


No results