Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf

From Sega Retro

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 Master System
Sega Game Gear
Domark
Developer:
Sound driver:
Sega Mega Drive
custom (Brian Schmidt)
Genre: Shoot-'em-Up, Simulation (both are listed on the box; Sega of Japan master list only lists Shoot-'em-Up)

















Number of players: 1
Official in-game languages:

Sega Mega Drive
  • English
  • 日本語
  • Sega Master System
    Sega Game Gear
  • English
  • Deutsch
  • Français
  • Español
  • Release Date RRP Code
    Sega Mega Drive
    JP
    ¥8,9008,900 EM20010
    Sega Mega Drive
    US
    $49.9549.95[5] 702201
    Sega Mega Drive
    EU
    E224SMXI
    Sega Mega Drive
    EU
    (EA Classics)
    EAX02401038I
    Sega Mega Drive
    AU
    Sega Mega Drive
    BR
    Sega Mega Drive
    KR
    GM8083JT
    Sega Master System
    EU
    MK 29010-50
    Sega Master System
    PT
    MS29010
    Sega Master System
    AU
    Sega Game Gear
    US
    $39.9539.95[8]
    Sega Game Gear
    EU
    T-88068-50
    Sega Game Gear
    PT
    GG88068

    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.

    Story

    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 (US Marine Corps in the Master System version) 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[9] . It was later advertised as Apache AHX: Desert Madman.

    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[10].

    Versions

    Localised names

    Also known as
    Language Localised Name English Translation
    English Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf
    English (US) Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf
    Japanese デザートストライク 湾岸作戦 Desert Strike: Wangan Sakusen

    Production credits

    Mega Drive version

    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
    Source:
    In-game credits (title screen roll)


    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

    Main article: Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf/Promotional material.

    Physical scans

    Mega Drive version

    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Score Source
    89 [11]
    83 №6/92
    68 [12]
    80 №, p83[13]
    85 [14]
    92 [15]
    92 [16]
    68 [17]
    68 [18]
    68 №1998, p85
    65 №228, p40
    84 [19]
    100 №44
    93 [20]
    85 №5, p4/32/33
    91 №5, p26-29
    40 №1993-04, p44
    86 [21]
    93 [22]
    90 [23]
    90 №5, p91
    84 [24]
    86 №23, p79
    94 №1, p65
    93 [25]
    94 №18, p56
    94 [26]
    89 [27]
    82 №6/92, p144/145
    92 [28]
    91 №29, p16-19
    92 [29]
    93 №18, p65
    91 [30]
    90 [31]
    82 [32]
    Sega Mega Drive
    85
    Based on
    36 reviews
    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Version Score
    1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
    75
    [33]
    ACE (UK)
    89
    [34]
    Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
    83
    [35]
    Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
    68
    [36]
    Consoles + (FR)
    85
    [37]
    Console XS (UK) PAL
    92
    [38]
    Cool Gamer (RU)
    70
    [39]
    Computer & Video Games (UK)
    92
    [40]
    Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
    68
    [17]
    Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
    70
    [41]
    Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 2 (RU)
    80
    [42]
    Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
    92
    [43]
    Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
    65
    [44]
    Game Mania (UK)
    94
    [45]
    Game Power (IT)
    93
    [46]
    GamePro (US) NTSC-U
    84
    [5]
    Games-X (UK)
    100
    [47]
    Génération 4 (FR)
    90
    [48]
    Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
    85
    [49]
    Game Zone (UK) PAL
    91
    [50]
    Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
    40
    [51]
    Hobby Consolas (ES)
    86
    [52]
    Igry Sega Luchshiye iz luchshikh. Vypusk 2 (RU)
    60
    [53]
    Joypad (FR)
    93
    [54]
    Joystick (FR)
    90
    [55]
    Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
    90
    [56]
    Mega (UK) PAL
    84
    [24]
    Mega (UK)
    86
    [57]
    Mega Action (UK)
    94
    [58]
    Mega Fun (DE) PAL
    87
    [59]
    Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
    75
    [60]
    MegaTech (UK) PAL
    93
    [61]
    MegaTech (UK) PAL
    94
    [62]
    Mean Machines (UK)
    94
    [63]
    Mean Machines Sega (UK)
    94
    [64]
    Player One (FR)
    89
    [65]
    Play Time (DE)
    63
    [66]
    Power Play (DE)
    82
    [67]
    Sega Power (UK) PAL
    91
    [68]
    Sega Pro (UK) PAL
    92
    [69]
    Sega Pro (UK) PAL
    93
    [70]
    Sega Force (UK)
    92
    [71]
    Sega Mega Drive Review (RU)
    82
    [72]
    Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
    80
    [73]
    Supergame (BR) NTSC-U
    91
    [74]
    Supersonic (FR)
    90
    [31]
    Tricks 16 bit (RU)
    87
    [75]
    User (GR) PAL
    92
    [76]
    VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
    80
    [77]
    Video Games (DE)
    82
    [78]
    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
    Mega Drive, FR

    Desert Strike MD FR Manual.pdf
    Manual

    Master System version

    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Score Source
    89 [79]
    89 №27, p106
    92 [80]
    79 [81]
    92 [82]
    90 [83]
    90 [84]
    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
    [85]
    Joypad (FR) PAL
    89
    [86]
    Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
    92
    [6]
    Player One (FR)
    79
    [81]
    Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
    92
    [87]
    Sega Power (UK) PAL
    92
    [88]
    Sega Pro (UK) PAL
    93
    [89]
    Sega Zone (UK) PAL
    75
    [90]
    Sega Master Force (UK) PAL
    90
    [91]
    Todo Sega (ES) PAL
    92
    [92]
    VideoGames Shopper (UK) PAL
    89
    [93]
    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 [94]
    82 [95]
    91 [96]
    88 №27, p60
    90 [97]
    62 [98]
    Sega Game Gear
    81
    Based on
    6 reviews
    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Version Score
    Alaab Alcomputtar (SA)
    85
    [99]
    Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
    68
    [100]
    GamePro (US) NTSC-U
    70
    [8]
    Gamer (GR)
    80
    [101]
    Joypad (FR) PAL
    82
    [95]
    Mega Force (FR)
    89
    [102]
    Player One (FR)
    91
    [96]
    Sega Pro (UK) PAL
    88
    [103]
    Sonic Mag: B.D. & Jeux-Video! (FR)
    90
    [104]
    Todo Sega (ES)
    86
    [105]
    Video Games (DE) PAL
    62
    [106]
    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)
    Sega Master System
     ?
    CRC32 6c1433f9
    MD5 df89aa1ebc5f42db21fb8d12d9e78511
    SHA-1 e6181baef80ecc88b3eb82a46cf93793f06e01f1
    512kB Cartridge (EU)
    Sega Game Gear
     ?
    CRC32 3e44eca3
    MD5 a5d8f63bda80b2d0cf587655a389ae4c
    SHA-1 3bb092b14c650c5ffd0370e6870878282b3d04f4
    512kB Cartridge (EU)
    Sega Game Gear
     ?
    CRC32 f6c400da
    MD5 ecfcb1f193ab20547e3dc1f4304ef21e
    SHA-1 80b91bdf20605d940401738202c473df632d0765
    512kB Cartridge (US)

    References

    1. Sega Power, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-06), page 11
    2. Mean Machines, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-27), page 21
    3. Computer & Video Games, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-15), page 30
    4. File:GamesMaster UK 047.pdf, page 11
    5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 GamePro, "March 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 46
    6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Mean Machines Sega, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-10-xx), page 104
    7. Sega Force Mega, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-16), page 71
    8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 GamePro, "January 1994" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 206
    9. [Retro Gamer issue #45 Retro Gamer issue #45]
    10. [CU Amiga, 1993-04 CU Amiga, 1993-04]
    11. ACE, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-08), page 42-47 (42)
    12. Beep! MegaDrive, "May 1993" (JP; 1993-04-08), page 22 (24)
    13. File:SSM_JP_19950901_1995-09.pdf, page 85
    14. Consoles +, "Mars 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 100-103 (100)
    15. Computer & Video Games, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-15), page 22/23 (22)
    16. Computer + Video Giochi, "Aprile 1992" (IT; 1992-xx-xx), page 74/75 (74)
    17. 17.0 17.1 Electronic Gaming Monthly, "April 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 26
    18. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "April 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 46
    19. GamePro, "March 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 44 (46)
    20. Game Power, "Giugno 1992" (IT; 1992-0x-xx), page 28-30 (30)
    21. Hobby Consolas, "Julio 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 46-49 (46)
    22. Joypad, "Mars 1992" (FR; 1992-02-1x), page 94-96 (94)
    23. Joystick, "Février 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 120/121 (120)
    24. 24.0 24.1 Mega, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-17), page 81
    25. MegaTech, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-20), page 18-21 (18)
    26. Mean Machines, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-27), page 18-21 (18)
    27. Player One, "Mai 1992" (FR; 1992-05-10), page 62/63 (62)
    28. Sega Force, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 62/63 (62)
    29. Sega Pro, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 60/61 (60)
    30. Supergame, "Junho 1992" (BR; 1992-06-xx), page 34/35 (34)
    31. 31.0 31.1 Supersonic, "Mai/Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 4
    32. Video Games, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-29), page 45 (43)
    33. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 57
    34. ACE, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-08), page 42
    35. Aktueller Software Markt, "Juni 1992" (DE; 1992-05-08), page 118
    36. Beep! MegaDrive, "May 1993" (JP; 1993-04-08), page 24
    37. Consoles +, "Mars 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 100
    38. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 128
    39. Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 62
    40. Computer & Video Games, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-15), page 74
    41. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 305
    42. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 2, "" (RU; 2000-xx-xx), page 56
    43. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 37
    44. Famitsu, "1993-04-30" (JP; 1993-04-16), page 1
    45. Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 80
    46. Game Power, "Giugno 1992" (IT; 1992-0x-xx), page 30
    47. Games-X, "27th February-4th March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-27), page 23
    48. Génération 4, "Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 152
    49. Game Informer, "Summer 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 6
    50. Game Zone, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-21), page 26
    51. Hippon Super, "April 1993" (JP; 1993-03-04), page 44
    52. Hobby Consolas, "Julio 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 46
    53. Igry Sega Luchshiye iz luchshikh. Vypusk 2, "" (RU; 2001-08-27), page 83
    54. Joypad, "Mars 1992" (FR; 1992-02-1x), page 94
    55. Joystick, "Février 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 120
    56. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 91
    57. Mega, "August 1994" (UK; 1994-07-21), page 79
    58. Mega Action, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 65
    59. Mega Fun, "06/92" (DE; 1992-0x-xx), page 30
    60. Mega Play, "June 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 62
    61. MegaTech, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-20), page 18
    62. MegaTech, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 56
    63. Mean Machines, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-27), page 18
    64. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 138
    65. Player One, "Mai 1992" (FR; 1992-05-10), page 62
    66. Play Time, "7/92" (DE; 1992-06-03), page 93
    67. Power Play, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-13), page 144
    68. Sega Power, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-05), page 16
    69. Sega Pro, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 60
    70. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 65
    71. Sega Force, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 62
    72. Sega Mega Drive Review, "1" (RU; 1995-04-03), page 40
    73. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85
    74. Supergame, "Junho 1992" (BR; 1992-06-xx), page 34
    75. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 12
    76. User, "Októvrios 1992" (GR; 1992-xx-xx), page 90
    77. VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "May 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 50
    78. Video Games, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-29), page 45
    79. Consoles +, "Janvier 1994" (FR; 1994-xx-xx), page 144 (124)
    80. Mean Machines Sega, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-10-xx), page 104/105 (104)
    81. 81.0 81.1 Player One, "Janvier 1994" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 114
    82. Sega Magazine, "February 1994" (UK; 1994-01-10), page 109 (110)
    83. Sega Force Mega, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-16), page 70/71 (70)
    84. Sega Master Force, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-11), page 26/27 (26)
    85. Consoles +, "Janvier 1994" (FR; 1994-xx-xx), page 144
    86. Joypad, "Janvier 1994" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 106
    87. Sega Magazine, "February 1994" (UK; 1994-01-10), page 110
    88. Sega Power, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-xx), page 106
    89. Sega Pro, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-11), page 62
    90. Sega Zone, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-25), page 29
    91. Sega Master Force, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-11), page 70
    92. Todo Sega, "Diciembre 1993" (ES; 1993-1x-xx), page 80
    93. VideoGames Shopper, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 31
    94. GamePro, "January 1994" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 200 (206)
    95. 95.0 95.1 Joypad, "Février 1994" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 115
    96. 96.0 96.1 Player One, "Février 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 116
    97. Sonic Mag: B.D. & Jeux-Video!, "Mai 1994" (FR; 1994-04-15), page 36 (38)
    98. Video Games, "4/94" (DE; 1994-03-23), page 112 (108)
    99. Alaab Alcomputtar, "" (SA; 1995-08-xx), page 74
    100. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "December 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 55
    101. Gamer, "Noémvrios 1994" (GR; 1994-xx-xx), page 1
    102. Mega Force, "Janvier 1994" (FR; 1994-01-08), page 116
    103. Sega Pro, "Xmas Special 1993" (UK; 1993-12-02), page 60
    104. Sonic Mag: B.D. & Jeux-Video!, "Mai 1994" (FR; 1994-04-15), page 38
    105. Todo Sega, "Febrero 1994" (ES; 1994-0x-xx), page 42
    106. 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)