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

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Revision as of 04:49, 29 October 2016

n/a

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)
Sega Game Gear
Domark
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
Sega Mega Drive
JP
¥8,9008,900 EM20010
Sega Mega Drive
US
$49.9549.95[4] 702201
Sega Mega Drive
EU
E224SMXI
Sega Mega Drive
EU
(Classic)
EAX02401038I
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Mega Drive
BR
Sega Mega Drive
KR
GM8083JT
Sega Master System
EU
MK 29010-50
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Game Gear
US
$39.9539.95[6]
Sega Game Gear
EU
T-88068-50

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.


Gameplay

Missions are mostly intertwined 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.

Mega Drive

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

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 fire Hellfire, while holding down 2 is need for strafing. Pause button is the status screen.

History

Development

According to Desert Strike's original design document (dated 1990-06-18), the game was originally titled Beirut Breakout, being based on the then-ongoing Lebanese Civil War[7] .

Release

Desert Strike's similarities with the Gulf War caused controversy at the time of release, thought to be glorifying Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. Reportedly some Gulf War veterans in the US openly burned copies of the Mega Drive game in public in protest[8].

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

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

Magazine articles

Main article: Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Mega Drive print advert in GamePro (US) #34: "May 1992" (1992-xx-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Mega Drive print advert in Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US) #5: "February 1993" (1993-01-12)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Mega Drive print advert in Joypad (FR) #7: "Avril 1992" (1992-03-1x)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Mega Force (FR) #8: "Juillet/Août 1992" (1992-07-07)
also published in:
  • Joypad (FR) #11: "Août/Septembre 1992" (1992-07-1x)[13]
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
89 №55, p42-47[14]
83 №6/92
85 №7, p100-103[15]
92 №124, p22/23[1]
92 №15, p74/75[16]
68 №33, p26[17]
68 №1993, p46[18]
68 №1998, p85
84 №32, p44[4]
100 №44
93 №7, p28-30[19]
85 №5, p4/32/33
91 №5, p26-29
86 №10, p46-49[20]
93 №6, p94-96[21]
90 №24, p120/121[22]
90 №5, p91
84 №4, p81[23]
86 №23, p79
94 №1, p65
93 №3, p18-21[24]
94 №18, p56
94 №17, p18-21[25]
89 №20, p62/63[26]
82 №6/92, p144/145
92 №4, p62/63[27]
91 №29, p16-19
92 №6, p60/61[28]
93 №18, p65
91 №11, p34/35[29]
90 №1, p4[30]
82 №6/92, p45[31]
Sega Mega Drive
88
Based on
32 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
75
[32]
ACE (UK)
89
[14]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
83
[33]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
68
[34]
Consoles + (FR)
85
[15]
Console XS (UK) PAL
92
[35]
Cool Gamer (RU)
70
[36]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
92
[37]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
68
[17]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
70
[38]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 2 (RU)
80
[39]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
92
[40]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
65
[41]
Game Mania (UK)
94
[42]
Game Power (IT)
93
[19]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
84
[4]
Games-X (UK)
100
[43]
Génération 4 (FR)
90
[44]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
85
[45]
Game Zone (UK) PAL
91
[46]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
40
[47]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
86
[20]
Igry Sega Luchshiye iz luchshikh. Vypusk 2 (RU)
60
[48]
Joypad (FR)
93
[21]
Joystick (FR)
90
[22]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
90
[49]
Mega (UK) PAL
84
[23]
Mega (UK)
86
[50]
Mega Action (UK)
94
[51]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
87
[52]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
75
[53]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
93
[24]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
94
[54]
Mean Machines (UK)
94
[25]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
94
[55]
Player One (FR)
89
[26]
Play Time (DE)
63
[56]
Power Play (DE)
82
[57]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
91
[58]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
92
[28]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
93
[59]
Sega Force (UK)
92
[27]
Sega Mega Drive Review (RU)
82
[60]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
80
[61]
Supergame (BR) NTSC-U
91
[29]
Supersonic (FR)
90
[30]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
87
[62]
User (GR) PAL
92
[63]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
80
[64]
Video Games (DE)
82
[65]
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
DesertStrike MD US manual.pdf
Manual
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
DesertStrike MD JP CartTop.jpg
DesertStrike MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
DesertStrike MD jp manual.pdf
Manual
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 carttop.jpg
DesertStrike MD KR cartback.jpgDesertStrike MD KR Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, SE (Rental)
DesertStrike MD SE Box rental.jpg
Cover

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
89 №28, p144[66]
89 №27, p106
92 №14, p104/105[67]
79 №38, p114[68]
92 №2, p109[69]
90 №7, p70/71[70]
90 №6, p26/27[71]
92 №49, p106-108
93 №26, p62/63
Sega Master System
90
Based on
9 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Consoles + (FR)
89
[72]
Joypad (FR) PAL
89
[73]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
92
[67]
Player One (FR)
79
[68]
Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
92
[69]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
92
[74]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
93
[75]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
75
[76]
Sega Master Force (UK) PAL
90
[77]
Todo Sega (ES) PAL
92
[78]
VideoGames Shopper (UK) PAL
89
[79]
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
70 №54, p200[6]
82 №28, p115[80]
91 №39, p116[81]
88 №27, p60
90 №2, p36[82]
62 №4/94, p112[83]
Sega Game Gear
81
Based on
6 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Alaab Alcomputtar (SA)
85
[84]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
68
[85]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
70
[6]
Gamer (GR)
80
[86]
Joypad (FR) PAL
82
[80]
Mega Force (FR)
89
[87]
Player One (FR)
91
[81]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
88
[88]
Sonic Mag: B.D. & Jeux-Video! (FR)
90
[82]
Todo Sega (ES)
86
[89]
Video Games (DE) PAL
62
[90]
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

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega Drive
CRC32 67a9860b
MD5 6f37f036c8de2bf78d11079cd2424370
SHA-1 d7e7d8c358eb845b84fb08f904cc0b95d0a4053d
1MB 1992-03 Cartridge (US/EU)
Sega Mega Drive
CRC32 1e740145
MD5 414a548a2ab68a8e4840359c08b24ab9
SHA-1 9e01c6c45670e2950242facfba6c5b79052550ed
1MB 1993-04 Cartridge (JP/KR)

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 File:CVG UK 124.pdf, page 22
  2. File:CVG UK 128.pdf, page 30
  3. File:GamesMaster UK 047.pdf, page 11
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 File:GamePro US 032.pdf, page 46 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:GamePro US 032.pdf_p46" defined multiple times with different content
  5. File:SegaForceMega UK 07.pdf, page 71
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 File:GamePro US 054.pdf, page 206 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:GamePro US 054.pdf_p206" defined multiple times with different content
  7. [Retro Gamer issue #45 Retro Gamer issue #45]
  8. [CU Amiga, 1993-04 CU Amiga, 1993-04]
  9. Sega Visions, "May/June 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 12
  10. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "February 1993" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 141
  11. Joypad, "Mai 1992" (FR; 1992-04-1x), page 4
  12. Joypad, "Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-05-1x), page 2
  13. Joypad, "Août/Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-07-1x), page 26
  14. 14.0 14.1 File:ACE UK 55.pdf, page 42 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ACE UK 55.pdf_p42" defined multiple times with different content
  15. 15.0 15.1 File:ConsolesPlus FR 007.pdf, page 100 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ConsolesPlus FR 007.pdf_p100" defined multiple times with different content
  16. File:CVG IT 15.pdf, page 74
  17. 17.0 17.1 File:EGM US 033.pdf, page 26 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:EGM US 033.pdf_p26" defined multiple times with different content
  18. File:EGM US BuyersGuide 1993.pdf, page 46
  19. 19.0 19.1 File:GamePower IT 07.pdf, page 30 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:GamePower IT 07.pdf_p30" defined multiple times with different content
  20. 20.0 20.1 File:HobbyConsolas ES 010.pdf, page 46 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:HobbyConsolas ES 010.pdf_p46" defined multiple times with different content
  21. 21.0 21.1 File:Joypad FR 006.pdf, page 94 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joypad FR 006.pdf_p94" defined multiple times with different content
  22. 22.0 22.1 File:Joystick FR 024.pdf, page 120 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joystick FR 024.pdf_p120" defined multiple times with different content
  23. 23.0 23.1 File:Mega UK 04.pdf, page 81 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Mega UK 04.pdf_p81" defined multiple times with different content
  24. 24.0 24.1 File:MegaTech UK 03.pdf, page 18 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MegaTech UK 03.pdf_p18" defined multiple times with different content
  25. 25.0 25.1 File:MeanMachines UK 17.pdf, page 18 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachines UK 17.pdf_p18" defined multiple times with different content
  26. 26.0 26.1 File:PlayerOne FR 020.pdf, page 62 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:PlayerOne FR 020.pdf_p62" defined multiple times with different content
  27. 27.0 27.1 File:SegaForce UK 04.pdf, page 62 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaForce UK 04.pdf_p62" defined multiple times with different content
  28. 28.0 28.1 File:SegaPro UK 06.pdf, page 60 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 06.pdf_p60" defined multiple times with different content
  29. 29.0 29.1 File:Supergame BR 11.pdf, page 34 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Supergame BR 11.pdf_p34" defined multiple times with different content
  30. 30.0 30.1 File:Supersonic FR 01.pdf, page 4 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Supersonic FR 01.pdf_p4" defined multiple times with different content
  31. File:VideoGames DE 1992-06.pdf, page 43
  32. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 57
  33. Aktueller Software Markt, "Juni 1992" (DE; 1992-05-08), page 118
  34. Beep! MegaDrive, "May 1993" (JP; 1993-04-08), page 24
  35. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 128
  36. Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 62
  37. Computer & Video Games, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-15), page 74
  38. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 305
  39. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 2, "" (RU; 2000-xx-xx), page 56
  40. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 37
  41. Famitsu, "1993-04-30" (JP; 1993-04-16), page 1
  42. Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 80
  43. Games-X, "27th February-4th March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-27), page 23
  44. Génération 4, "Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 152
  45. Game Informer, "Summer 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 6
  46. Game Zone, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-21), page 26
  47. Hippon Super, "April 1993" (JP; 1993-03-04), page 44
  48. Igry Sega Luchshiye iz luchshikh. Vypusk 2, "" (RU; 2001-08-27), page 83
  49. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 91
  50. Mega, "August 1994" (UK; 1994-07-21), page 79
  51. Mega Action, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 65
  52. Mega Fun, "06/92" (DE; 1992-0x-xx), page 30
  53. Mega Play, "June 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 62
  54. MegaTech, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 56
  55. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 138
  56. Play Time, "7/92" (DE; 1992-06-03), page 93
  57. Power Play, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-13), page 144
  58. Sega Power, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-05), page 16
  59. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 65
  60. Sega Mega Drive Review, "1" (RU; 1995-04-03), page 40
  61. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85
  62. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 12
  63. User, "Októvrios 1992" (GR; 1992-xx-xx), page 90
  64. VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "May 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 50
  65. Video Games, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-29), page 45
  66. File:ConsolesPlus FR 028.pdf, page 124
  67. 67.0 67.1 File:MeanMachinesSega14UK.pdf, page 104 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesSega14UK.pdf_p104" defined multiple times with different content
  68. 68.0 68.1 File:PlayerOne FR 038.pdf, page 114 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:PlayerOne FR 038.pdf_p114" defined multiple times with different content
  69. 69.0 69.1 File:SegaMagazine UK 02.pdf, page 110 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaMagazine UK 02.pdf_p110" defined multiple times with different content
  70. File:SegaForceMega UK 07.pdf, page 70
  71. File:SegaMasterForce UK 06.pdf, page 26
  72. Consoles +, "Janvier 1994" (FR; 1994-xx-xx), page 144
  73. Joypad, "Janvier 1994" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 106
  74. Sega Power, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-xx), page 106
  75. Sega Pro, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-11), page 62
  76. Sega Zone, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-25), page 29
  77. Sega Master Force, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-11), page 70
  78. Todo Sega, "Diciembre 1993" (ES; 1993-1x-xx), page 80
  79. VideoGames Shopper, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 31
  80. 80.0 80.1 File:Joypad FR 028.pdf, page 115 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joypad FR 028.pdf_p115" defined multiple times with different content
  81. 81.0 81.1 File:PlayerOne FR 039.pdf, page 116 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:PlayerOne FR 039.pdf_p116" defined multiple times with different content
  82. 82.0 82.1 File:SonicMag FR 02.pdf, page 38 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SonicMag FR 02.pdf_p38" defined multiple times with different content
  83. File:VideoGames DE 1994-04.pdf, page 108
  84. Alaab Alcomputtar, "" (SA; 1995-08-xx), page 74
  85. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "December 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 55
  86. Gamer, "Noémvrios 1994" (GR; 1994-xx-xx), page 1
  87. Mega Force, "Janvier 1994" (FR; 1994-01-08), page 116
  88. Sega Pro, "Xmas Special 1993" (UK; 1993-12-02), page 60
  89. Todo Sega, "Febrero 1994" (ES; 1994-0x-xx), page 42
  90. Video Games, "4/94" (DE; 1994-03-23), page 112



Strike games for Sega systems
Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf (1992) | Jungle Strike (1993) | Urban Strike (1994) | Soviet Strike (1997)