return gulf commonly known shoot video game released february sega genesis game later released formats including upgraded version home computer game inspired gulf war depicts conflict insane middle eastern dictator general united_states player controls lone helicopter attempts destroy enemy weapons installations rescue hostages capture enemy personnel managing supplies fuel ammunition lead designer video game experience prior developing inspired aimed create game smoothly animated vehicles phd mechanical engineering developed camera system momentum mimic realistic helicopter movements dimensional modeling generate vehicle sprites later touched level color strong commercial success chart topping best seller time electronics arts highest selling game game received favourable critical response magazines awarding scores reviewers praised game mix action strategy graphics sound controversy game subject matter commentators criticising poor taste proximity release recently ended gulf war gameplay shoot game player pilots helicopter game frantic typical shoot ups addition greater strategic elements action takes place open multi directional scrolling levels viewed perspective player views action outside helicopter cockpit levels consist missions based destruction enemy weapons installations rescuing hostages prisoners war capturing enemy personnel armed machine gun powerful rockets deadly missiles powerful weapon fewer carried player choose appropriate weapon situation enemy weapons range soldiers small arms anti aircraft missiles tanks armoured cars player craft limited armour depleted helicopter hit enemy fire armour reach zero craft destroyed costing player life player enemies avoid damage armour means power ups rescued captives landing zone helicopter finite fuel steadily depleted time fuel run crash costing player life craft refuel collecting fuel barrels player plan mission routes carefully order efficiency helicopter carries limited ammunition means plot game opens self proclaimed general named super nes version seizing control unnamed fictional gulf state installing dictator quickly begins position military weapons installations including nuclear facilities build bombs united_states decides send single helicopter piloted player unnamed character aided pilot infiltrate destroy forces series swift strikes final level attempts escape bomber plane armed nuclear bombs player destroys plane leaves runway ending player pilot seen white house commended president bill_clinton heroism game plot felt commentators disguised reference gulf war comparisons drawn game unnamed desert setting iraq development release game developed team headed 1980s previously worked software developer soon leaving obtained publishing deal company success software spurred branch experiment flight titled fly cancelled project later met president suggested develop game genesis soon released recommended create game similar apple game felt flying helicopter rescuing people cool underwent changes plans outlined original design documents initial concept involved smoothly animated vehicles playing field developers aimed include cinematic scenes similar introduction sequence game began development time discussion american invasion iraq originally based civil war titled later changed region special point system intended punish players omitted system points player score destroyed objects resulted negative economic political results control scheme received internal reviews game early versions alter original design obtain approval development employee assisted writing game program collaborated create game format nicknamed wanted game gameplay felt having storyline puzzles help player progress disliked common gameplay elements like series bosses power ups compromise developers included power ups ammunition armour helicopter resources provide player options system designed allow players complete missions addition main objectives player game scenario objectives completed game instructs player reset mission returning base inspired toys played child decided size game sprites resemble toys contacted friend assist designing creating vehicle sprites practising time experience modelling rendered models computer reduced desired size different views obtained rotating models single axis added colour sprites meet production staff specifications required black white red blue shades colours like green brown eventually felt rendering process waste resources attempted create sprites level models developers preferred sprites created models freestyle ones difficult time working genesis output resolution wanted playing field possible losing details sprites felt lack graphical detail interesting developed dynamic camera system help maintain felt right balance size field view size game objects camera travels curve helicopter change direction travels puts helicopter view screen integrated momentum camera movements smooth transitions spent months working physics screen helicopter ensure realistic movement instead completely accurate physics chose model movement believed players assume helicopter believed players physics didn match perceived movement success genesis mega drive version work began conversion known conversion responsible myth charge development developers graphics added additional sound effects taken military training videos conversions systems include master system game gear game boy game ported game boy advance years later released playstation portable budget compilation reception commentators felt game attempt capitalize recent extensive news coverage gulf war focused use advanced weapons aircraft guided missiles destroy enemy weapons installations commentators considered game subject matter bad taste magazine reporting incident veterans burning copies game immediate commercial success going straight sales charts game remained best seller months release time electronic arts highest selling game mean machines praised tactical freedom found game longevity graphics magazine deemed best shooters mega drive far best game released console month computer video games felt game subject matter somewhat bad taste praised depth soundtrack sound effects magazine felt game essential mega drive owners ace praised balance action strategy variety missions magazine felt graphics particularly explosions little weak complained fact helicopter fully rearmed loss life frustrating magazine praised graphics gameplay said best shoot ups included thinking man mega drive games felt game particularly innovative praised open ended gameplay graphics sound reviewer claimed version game ran slowly mega drive version overall felt port satisfactory translation noted improved graphics sound version praised game finest moment populous reviewer acclaimed game brilliant commended successful cross shoot flight graphics sound varied missions tremendous fun game reviewer noted occasional occurring sound graphics praised version improved graphics sound particularly explosions reviewer derided friendly units unrealistic complained poor enemy artificial intelligence magazine said things considered couldn better game praising fast frantic action appeal praised mix action strategy opining version strong improvement mega drive game magazine said game plays like dream best shoot ups available games machine reviewers electronic gaming monthly gave varying praise version controls graphics concurred smaller portable screen loses impact difficult identify enemies bullets player character fires gamepro gave game boy version positive review saying original title great particularly praised graphics extensive realistic sound effects remarking impressive given limitations electronic gaming monthly likewise deemed fairly faithful portable version bit military classic legacy followed sequels nuclear strike expanded basic gameplay established design staff efforts retain game mechanics felt embodied core original believed removing elements result loss focus attracted fans series moved advanced consoles involved programming development released genesis featured additional vehicles locations soviet strike released original playstation featured graphics nuclear strike released playstation nintendo fifth sequel titled future strike planned game eventually released future cop based shooter game
Desert Strike