Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf

From Sega Retro

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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)
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 Master System
EU 		MK 29010-50
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Game Gear
US 		$39.9539.95[1]
Sega Game Gear
EU 		T-88068-50

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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.

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

Published Under License by: Domark Software Limited
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

Promotional material

  • DesertStrike MD US PrintAdvert.jpg

    Mega Drive US print advert

  • DesertStrike MD US PrintAdvert 2.jpg

    Mega Drive US print advert 2

  • Mega Drive UK print advert

  • Master System UK print advert

  • Game Gear US print advert

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
89 №55, p42-47[2]
70 AllGame
83 №6/92
85 №7, p100-103[3]
92 №124, p22/23[4]
92 №15, p74/75[5]
68 №33, p26[6]
68 №1993, p46[7]
68 №1998, p85
84 №32, p44[8]
100 №44
93 №7, p28-30[9]
85 №5, p4/32/33
91 №5, p26-29
86 №10, p46-49[10]
93 №6, p94-96[11]
90 №24, p120/121[12]
90 №5, p91
84 №4, p81[13]
86 №23, p79
94 №1, p65
93 №3, p18-21[14]
94 №18, p56
94 №17, p18-21[15]
89 №20, p62/63[16]
82 №6/92, p144/145
80 2004-09-07
92 №4, p62/63[17]
91 №29, p16-19
92 №6, p60/61[18]
93 №18, p65
91 №11, p34/35[19]
90 №1, p4[20]
83 1999-12-21
82 №6/92, p45[21]
Sega Mega Drive
 87
Based on
35 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
75
[22]
ACE (UK)
89
[2]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
83
[23]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
68
[24]
Consoles + (FR)
85
[3]
Console XS (UK) PAL
92
[25]
Cool Gamer (RU)
70
[26]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
92
[27]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
68
[6]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
70
[28]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 2 (RU)
80
[29]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
92
[30]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
65
[31]
Game Mania (UK)
94
[32]
Game Power (IT)
93
[9]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
84
[8]
Games-X (UK)
100
[33]
Génération 4 (FR)
90
[34]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
85
[35]
Game Zone (UK) PAL
91
[36]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
40
[37]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
86
[10]
Igry Sega Luchshiye iz luchshikh. Vypusk 2 (RU)
60
[38]
Joypad (FR)
93
[11]
Joystick (FR)
90
[12]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
90
[39]
Mega (UK) PAL
84
[13]
Mega (UK)
86
[40]
Mega Action (UK)
94
[41]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
87
[42]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
75
[43]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
93
[14]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
94
[44]
Mean Machines (UK)
94
[15]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
94
[45]
Player One (FR)
89
[16]
Play Time (DE)
63
[46]
Power Play (DE)
82
[47]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
91
[48]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
92
[18]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
93
[49]
Sega Force (UK)
92
[17]
Sega Mega Drive Review (RU)
82
[50]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
80
[51]
Supergame (BR) NTSC-U
91
[19]
Supersonic (FR)
90
[20]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
87
[52]
User (GR) PAL
92
[53]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
80
[54]
Video Games (DE)
82
[55]
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, 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[56]
89 №27, p106
92 №14, p104/105[57]
79 №38, p114[58]
92 №2, p109[59]
90 №7, p70/71[60]
90 №6, p26/27[61]
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
[62]
Joypad (FR) PAL
89
[63]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
92
[57]
Player One (FR)
79
[58]
Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
92
[59]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
92
[64]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
93
[65]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
75
[66]
Sega Master Force (UK) PAL
90
[67]
Todo Sega (ES) PAL
92
[68]
VideoGames Shopper (UK) PAL
89
[69]
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
60 AllGame
70 №54, p200[1]
82 №28, p115[70]
91 №39, p116[71]
88 №27, p60
90 №2, p36[72]
62 №4/94, p112[73]
Sega Game Gear
 78
Based on
7 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Alaab Alcomputtar (SA)
85
[74]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
68
[75]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
70
[1]
Gamer (GR)
80
[76]
Joypad (FR) PAL
82
[70]
Mega Force (FR)
89
[77]
Player One (FR)
91
[71]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
88
[78]
Sonic Mag: B.D. & Jeux-Video! (FR)
90
[72]
Todo Sega (ES)
86
[79]
Video Games (DE) PAL
62
[80]
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

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 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
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 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
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 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
  4. ↑ File:CVG UK 124.pdf, page 22
  5. ↑ File:CVG IT 15.pdf, page 74
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 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
  7. ↑ File:EGM US BuyersGuide 1993.pdf, page 46
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 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
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 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
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 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
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 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
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 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
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 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
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 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
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 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
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 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
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 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
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 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
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 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
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 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
  21. ↑ File:VideoGames DE 1992-06.pdf, page 43
  22. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 57
  23. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "Juni 1992" (DE; 1992-05-08), page 118
  24. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "May 1993" (JP; 1993-04-08), page 24
  25. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 128
  26. ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 62
  27. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-15), page 74
  28. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 305
  29. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 2, "" (RU; 2000-xx-xx), page 56
  30. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 37
  31. ↑ Famitsu, "1993-04-30" (JP; 1993-04-16), page 1
  32. ↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 80
  33. ↑ Games-X, "27th February-4th March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-27), page 23
  34. ↑ Génération 4, "Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 152
  35. ↑ Game Informer, "Summer 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 6
  36. ↑ Game Zone, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-21), page 26
  37. ↑ Hippon Super, "April 1993" (JP; 1993-03-04), page 44
  38. ↑ Igry Sega Luchshiye iz luchshikh. Vypusk 2, "" (RU; 2001-08-27), page 83
  39. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 91
  40. ↑ Mega, "August 1994" (UK; 1994-07-21), page 79
  41. ↑ Mega Action, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 65
  42. ↑ Mega Fun, "06/92" (DE; 1992-0x-xx), page 30
  43. ↑ Mega Play, "June 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 62
  44. ↑ MegaTech, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 56
  45. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 138
  46. ↑ Play Time, "7/92" (DE; 1992-06-03), page 93
  47. ↑ Power Play, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-13), page 144
  48. ↑ Sega Power, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-05), page 16
  49. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 65
  50. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Review, "1" (RU; 1995-04-03), page 40
  51. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85
  52. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 12
  53. ↑ User, "Októvrios 1992" (GR; 1992-xx-xx), page 90
  54. ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "May 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 50
  55. ↑ Video Games, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-29), page 45
  56. ↑ File:ConsolesPlus FR 028.pdf, page 124
  57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 File:MeanMachinesSega14UK.pdf, page 104 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesSega14UK.pdf_p104" defined multiple times with different content
  58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 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
  59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 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
  60. ↑ File:SegaForceMega UK 07.pdf, page 70
  61. ↑ File:SegaMasterForce UK 06.pdf, page 26
  62. ↑ Consoles +, "Janvier 1994" (FR; 1994-xx-xx), page 144
  63. ↑ Joypad, "Janvier 1994" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 106
  64. ↑ Sega Power, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-xx), page 106
  65. ↑ Sega Pro, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-11), page 62
  66. ↑ Sega Zone, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-25), page 29
  67. ↑ Sega Master Force, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-11), page 70
  68. ↑ Todo Sega, "Diciembre 1993" (ES; 1993-1x-xx), page 80
  69. ↑ VideoGames Shopper, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 31
  70. ↑ 70.0 70.1 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
  71. ↑ 71.0 71.1 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
  72. ↑ 72.0 72.1 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
  73. ↑ File:VideoGames DE 1994-04.pdf, page 108
  74. ↑ Alaab Alcomputtar, "" (SA; 1995-08-xx), page 74
  75. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "December 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 55
  76. ↑ Gamer, "Noémvrios 1994" (GR; 1994-xx-xx), page 1
  77. ↑ Mega Force, "Janvier 1994" (FR; 1994-01-08), page 116
  78. ↑ Sega Pro, "Xmas Special 1993" (UK; 1993-12-02), page 60
  79. ↑ Todo Sega, "Febrero 1994" (ES; 1994-0x-xx), page 42
  80. ↑ 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)
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