SDI: Strategic Defense Initiative

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SDI title.png

SDI: Strategic Defense Initiative
System(s): Sega System 16, Sega Master System, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum
Publisher:
Arcade (System 16)
Sega Master System
Sega
Amiga
Amstrad CPC
Atari ST
Commodore 64
ZX Spectrum
Activision (UK)
Amstrad CPC
ZX Spectrum
MCM Software (ES)
Developer:
Peripherals supported:
Sega Master System
FM Sound Unit
Genre: Shoot-'em-Up

















Number of players: 2
Release Date RRP Code
Arcade (System 16)
JP
¥? ?
Arcade (System 16)
US
$? ?






























Sega Master System
JP
¥5,0005,000 G-1338
Sega Master System
US
$40.0040.00[3] 5102
Sega Master System
EU
MK-5102-50
Sega Master System
PT
MSJ5102
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Master System
BR
Sega Master System
KR
GB-1338
Amiga
UK
£24.9924.99
Atari ST
UK
£19.9919.99[6]
Amstrad CPC
ES
(Cassette)
Amstrad CPC
UK
(Disk)
£14.9914.99[5]
Amstrad CPC
UK
(Cassette)
£9.999.99[5]
Amstrad CPC
UK
(The Hit Squad)
£2.992.99
Commodore 64
UK
(Disk)
£14.9914.99[6][5]
Commodore 64
UK
(Cassette)
£9.999.99[6][5]
Commodore 64
UK
(The Hit Squad)
£2.992.99[7]
ZX Spectrum
ES
(Cassette)
SEC 576
ZX Spectrum
UK
(Cassette)
£9.999.99[6][5] URK 301
ZX Spectrum
UK
(The Hit Squad)
£2.992.99[8]

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SDI: Strategic Defense Initiative is a 1987 shoot-'em-up arcade game developed by Sega for the Sega System 16 arcade platform.

Gameplay

Unusual for its time, SDI has the player assume the role of a satellite, tasked with destroying enemy satellites and missiles. Each level is divided into two "modes" - "offensive" mode, which takes the form of a sidescrolling shoot-'em-up, and "defensive" mode which is built more similarly to Atari's Missile Command. Beating both modes allows the player to progress, however, if the player can destroy all the enemies in offensive mode, defensive mode does not take place.

SDI not only gives the player control over the movement of the satellite, but also its aim. This mechanic was implemented in the original arcade cabinet through the form of a joystick and trackball - the joystick moving the player, the trackball moving the crosshair. On the top of the joystick is a button for firing.

A perfect game of SDI will result in the satellite being replaced with Flicky.

Versions

SDI was ported to the Sega Master System in 1987/1988, where western versions were renamed Global Defense. The Master System version, as well as cutting back on the graphical and audio quality, has to vastly reduce the difficulty of the game to match up with a new control scheme - as the console lacks a trackball, the player needs to switch between moving and aiming during play (holding 1 while moving the D-Pad allows the satellite to move, otherwise the D-Pad only controls the crosshair). This makes moving and aiming at the same time impossible. However, the U.S. manual lists an alternate two-controller configuration in which the first controller aims and the second controller moves the satellite. When the game is started in this configuration, the satellite fires automatically. To start the game with two controllers, on the second controller either press Left and 1 or Right and 2.

Activision brought the game to home computers in Europe - the Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum (not to be confused with S.D.I., an unrelated game also released for the Amiga and Atari ST).

These days, SDI is often grouped with another arcade game from the era, Quartet. Both were released as part of Volume 21 of the Sega Ages 2500 series, Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 21: SDI & Quartet: Sega System 16 Collection for the PlayStation 2. SDI & Quartet: Original Soundtrack contains the official soundtrack of both games.

Production credits

Arcade version

Source:
In-game credits [9]

Note:According to Sega Ages 2500 Vol. 21, Masaki Kondo (近藤 正樹) was a "Designer", Katsumi Tojo (藤乗 勝巳) was the "main programmer" and Eishi Kawatake (川竹 英士) was also a programmer. All three worked on Galaxy Force too.

Commodore 64 version

(C)1988 Activision
Software Studios
  • Produced by: Neil Jackson
  • Coding Graphics and Music was Produced by: Source the Software House Ltd
  • Artwork by: Bryn Redman, Ross Harris
  • Music Composed by: Paul Summers
  • Programming by: Mike Chilton


Magazine articles

Main article: SDI: Strategic Defense Initiative/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

SDI System16 US Flyer.pdf

PDF
System 16 US flyer
SDI System16 US Flyer.pdf

SDI Arcade JP Flyer.pdf

PDF
System 16 JP flyer
SDI Arcade JP Flyer.pdf
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #85: "November 1988" (1988-10-15)
also published in:
  • ACE (UK) #14: "November 1988" (1988-xx-xx)[10]
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #115: "June 1991" (1991-05-11)
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

System 16 version

System 16, JP
Notavailable.svgNotavailable.svg
Instuction card(s)

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
ACE (UK)
62
[11]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
79
[12]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
80
[13]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK) PAL
80
[14]
Console XS (UK) PAL
75
[15]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
80
[16]
The Games Machine (UK)
81
[17]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
80
[18]
Power Play (DE)
65
[19]
S: The Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
78
[20]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
75
[21]
Sega Pro (UK)
78
[22]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
75
[23]
User (GR) PAL
43
[24]
Sega Master System
74
Based on
14 reviews

SDI: Strategic Defense Initiative

Master System, US
GlobalDefense SMS US Box.jpg
Cover
GlobalDefense SMS US Cart.jpg
Cart
Globaldefense sms us manual.pdf
Manual
SegaAdventure SMS US Poster Back.jpgSegaAdventure SMS US Poster Front.jpg
Poster
Master System, EU
SDI SMS EU cover.jpg
Cover
Global Defense SMS EU Manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, EU
® variant
SDI SMS EU R cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, EU
"No Limits" variant
SDI SMS EU nolimits cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, JP
SDI SMS JP Box Back.jpgSDI SMS JP Box Spine.jpgSDI SMS JP cover.jpg
Cover
SDI SMS JP Cart.jpg
Cart
SDISMSJPManual.pdf
Manual
Master System, AU

GlobalDefense SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, BR
GlobalDefense SMS BR Box.jpg
Cover
GlobalDefense SMS BR Cart.jpg
Cart
GlobalDefense SMS BR Manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, KR

SDI SMS KR cart.jpg
Cart

Amiga version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
The Games Machine (UK)
57
[25]
New Computer Express (UK)
50
[26]
Amiga
54
Based on
2 reviews

SDI: Strategic Defense Initiative

Amiga, UK

Amstrad CPC version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
ACE (UK)
79
[27]
Amstrad Computer User (UK)
49
[28]
The Games Machine (UK)
29
[29]
Amstrad CPC
52
Based on
3 reviews

SDI: Strategic Defense Initiative

Amstrad CPC, UK

Amstrad CPC, UK (The Hit Squad)
SDI CPC EU Box THS.jpg
Cover
Amstrad CPC, ES
SDI CPC ES Box MCM.jpg
Cover

Atari ST version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
ACE (UK)
84
[30]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
81
[31]
The Games Machine (IT)
59
[32]
The Games Machine (UK)
56
[5]
Génération 4 (FR)
77
[33]
Atari ST
71
Based on
5 reviews

SDI: Strategic Defense Initiative

Atari ST, UK

Commodore 64 version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
64 [34]
54 [7]
72 [35]
56 [29]
64 [36]
80 [37]
84 [38]
Commodore 64
68
Based on
7 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Commodore Force (UK)
46
[39]
Commodore User (UK)
67
[40]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
54
[7]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
72
[35]
The Games Machine (UK)
56
[29]
Zzap!64 (UK)
64
[36]
Zzap!64 (UK)
60
[41]
Zzap! (IT)
84
[38]
Commodore 64
63
Based on
8 reviews

SDI: Strategic Defense Initiative

Commodore 64, UK (cassette)

Commodore 64, UK (disk)

Commodore 64, UK (The Hit Squad)
SDI C64 EU Box THS.jpg
Cover

ZX Spectrum version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Computer & Video Games (UK)
59
[8]
The Games Machine (UK)
37
[29]
New Computer Express (UK)
25
[42]
Sinclair User (UK)
70
[43]
Your Sinclair (UK)
64
[44]
ZX Spectrum
51
Based on
5 reviews

SDI: Strategic Defense Initiative

ZX Spectrum, UK
SDI Spectrum EU Inlay.jpg
Cover
ZX Spectrum, UK (The Hit Squad)
SDI Spectrum EU Box THS.jpg
Cover
ZX Spectrum, ES
SDI Spectrum ES Box MCM.jpg
Cover

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Master System
 ?
CRC32 b746a6f5
MD5 7ab485ee37ea7ce538f7dba08b64d95e
SHA-1 189ee1d4250a1f33e97053aa804a97b4e1467728
128kB Cartridge (EU/US)
Sega Master System
 ?
CRC32 1de2c2d0
MD5 4fd639981901032cdde4b12ca83d078c
SHA-1 2000b3b291dd7b76c3b8801a88fb0e293ca7e278
128kB Cartridge (JP)

References

  1. Mega Drive Fan, "May 1992" (JP; 1992-04-xx), page 103
  2. Computer Entertainer, "March 1988" (US; 1988-03-19), page 13
  3. File:CGW US 050.pdf, page 45
  4. ACE, "January 1989" (UK; 1989-xx-xx), page 166
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 The Games Machine, "January 1989" (UK; 1988-12-15), page 81
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Computer & Video Games, "November 1988" (UK; 1988-10-15), page 43
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Computer & Video Games, "July 1991" (UK; 1991-06-15), page 81
  8. 8.0 8.1 Computer & Video Games, "July 1991" (UK; 1991-06-15), page 85
  9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fNfKNTqS9M
  10. ACE, "November 1988" (UK; 1988-xx-xx), page 72
  11. ACE, "November 1988" (UK; 1988-xx-xx), page 49
  12. Complete Guide to Consoles, "" (UK; 1989-10-16), page 57
  13. Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume IV" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 97
  14. The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 57
  15. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 141
  16. Computer & Video Games, "April 1988" (UK; 1988-03-15), page 122
  17. The Games Machine, "April 1988" (UK; 1988-03-17), page 43
  18. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 133
  19. Power Play, "Ausgabe 4" (DE; 1988-03-21), page 93
  20. S: The Sega Magazine, "July 1990" (UK; 1990-06-07), page 12
  21. Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 57
  22. Sega Pro, "Christmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-12), page 19
  23. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 71
  24. User, "Septémvrios 1992" (GR; 1992-0x-xx), page 86
  25. The Games Machine, "September 1989" (UK; 1989-08-18), page 91
  26. New Computer Express, "July 15, 1989" (UK; 1989-07-13), page 50
  27. ACE, "May 1989" (UK; 1989-04-06), page 78
  28. Amstrad Computer User, "May 1989" (UK; 1989-xx-xx), page 36
  29. 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 The Games Machine, "May 1989" (UK; 1989-04-20), page 43
  30. ACE, "December 1988" (UK; 1988-xx-xx), page 75
  31. Computer & Video Games, "December 1988" (UK; 1988-11-xx), page 58
  32. The Games Machine, "xxxx 198x" (IT; 1988-12-15), page 36
  33. Génération 4, "Décembre 1988" (FR; 1988-1x-xx), page 24
  34. Commodore User, "January 1989" (UK; 1988-12-19), page 67
  35. 35.0 35.1 Computer & Video Games, "September 1991" (UK; 1991-08-15), page 88
  36. 36.0 36.1 Zzap!64, "March 1989" (UK; 1989-02-16), page 21
  37. Zzap!64, "March 1989" (UK; 1989-02-16), page 79/80 (79)
  38. 38.0 38.1 Zzap!, "Giugno 1991" (IT; 1991-xx-xx), page 51
  39. Commodore Force, "August 1993" (UK; 1993-06-24), page 20
  40. Commodore User, "January 1989" (UK; 1988-12-19), page 64
  41. Zzap!64, "July 1991" (UK; 1991-06-13), page 79
  42. New Computer Express, "December 24, 1988" (UK; 1988-12-22), page 41
  43. Sinclair User, "July 1991" (UK; 1991-06-15), page 42
  44. Your Sinclair, "July 1991" (UK; 1991-06-xx), page 58


SDI: Strategic Defense Initiative

SDI title.png

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Music: SDI & Quartet: Sega System 16 Collection: Original Soundtrack (2005)

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