Aerial Assault (Master System)

From Sega Retro

n/a

  • Master System
  • Game Gear

AerialAssault title.png

AerialAssault GG Title.png

Aerial Assault (Master System)
System(s): Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Peripherals supported:
Sega Game Gear
Gear-to-Gear Cable
Genre: Shooting[2][3]

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Master System
US
Sega Master System
EU
7041
Sega Master System
FR
299F299[7] 7041
Sega Master System
UK
£29.9929.99[5][6] 7041
Sega Master System
SE
(Rental)
Sega Master System
GR
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Master System
BR
Sega Game Gear
JP
¥3,5003,500 G-3219
Sega Game Gear
US
2320
Sega Game Gear
EU
2320
Sega Game Gear
UK
£24.9924.99[9] 2320
Sega Game Gear
BR
015820

Aerial Assault (Master System) (エアリアル アサルト) is a shoot-'em-up game developed by Sanritsu and published by Sega for the Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear in 1990 and 1992, respectively. The working title for the game was Freedom Fighter, and it was referred to as such in several magazine reviews.

Story

A militaristic organization named N.A.C. (whose acronym is never explained) has developed a huge laser emitter called "EL," which is capable of gradually destroying the ozone layer. In the year 1999, the N.A.C. begins an all-out offensive against every country in the world. It is hinted that N.A.C. is actually an alien civilization.

The armies of the world are overwhelmed. The player controls the mysterious "Freedom Fighter," an aircraft with no official connection to any government, who flies off to stop the N.A.C.

Gameplay (Master System version)

Aerial Assault is a horizontally scrolling shoot-'em-up game. Players must shoot down enemies as the screen scrolls to the right. Each level has different enemies and bosses, which require different weapons and tactics to effectively counter.

1 fires the primary weapon, which has unlimited ammunition and can be held down to fire continuously. 2 releases the secondary weapon, mostly types of bombs, which are limited but can be replenished through items. There are many types of both primary weapons and bombs that can be found through item pick-ups throughout the levels.

The Freedom Fighter is destroyed if it is hit by enemies or projectiles or touches any stationary object, such as the ground. There are no hit points but a "Shield" power-up appears in later levels that can absorb a few hits before it is gone.

Levels

Aerial Assault SMS, Stage 1.png

Aerial Assault SMS, Stage 1 Boss.png

Mission 1
Attack the enemy's open seas fleet and sink the enemy battleship "Vinsk."

Aerial Assault SMS, Stage 2.png

Aerial Assault SMS, Stage 2 Boss.png

Mission 2
Ascend into the stratosphere and intercept the enemy bomber fleet. The target is the massive bomber CB-53.

Aerial Assault SMS, Stage 3.png

Aerial Assault SMS, Stage 3 Boss.png

Mission 3
Location of N.A.C.'s headquarters detected. Destroy the cliff fortress to gain entrance.

Aerial Assault SMS, Stage 4.png

Aerial Assault SMS, Stage 4 Boss.png

Mission 4
Raid the N.A.C.'s headquarters and destroy "EL."

Aerial Assault SMS, Stage 5.png

Aerial Assault SMS, Stage 5 Boss.png

Mission 5
The war is not over. Fly into Earth orbit and destroy N.A.C.'s space cruiser and end the threat once and for all.

Items

Primary Weapons

Aerial Assault SMS, Items, Guns.png
Normal Shot
The basic starting weapon. A single stream of quick shots.
Aerial Assault SMS, Items, Guns.png
3-Way Shot
Fires three shots in a conical spread. Covers a large area but fires relatively slowly.
Aerial Assault SMS, Items, Guns.png
Increase Shot
Fires six shots in a conical spread. Covers a large area but fires relatively slowly.
Aerial Assault SMS, Items, Guns.png
Chaser Missile
Fires long missiles from below the Freedom Fighter. Fast-firing and stronger than the Normal Shot.
Aerial Assault SMS, Items, Guns.png
Explosion Shot
Fires a large round that fragments into smaller shots after traveling a certain distance without hitting an enemy.
Aerial Assault SMS, Items, Guns.png
Direction Shot
Fires shots in the direction that the player is moving. For example, it fires directly above the craft by holding Up or directly below it by holding Down.
Aerial Assault SMS, Items, Guns.png
8-Way Shot
Fires eight shots in a full circle out from the Freedom Fighter. Fires slowly.
Aerial Assault SMS, Items, Guns.png
Laser
Shoots fast-moving lasers that can pierce through enemies and hit multiple targets.
Aerial Assault SMS, Items, Guns.png
Wide Laser
Shoots tall energy beams very quickly.

Bombs

Aerial Assault SMS, Items, Bombs.png
Bomb
A basic bomb. Each pick-up contains 30.
Aerial Assault SMS, Items, Bombs.png
Triple Bomb
Same as the regular bomb but drops three bombs with each volley. Each pick-up contains 15.
Aerial Assault SMS, Items, Bombs.png
Missile
A missile that drops down and then shoots forwards, for taking out ground targets. Each pick-up contains 25.
Aerial Assault SMS, Items, Bombs.png
Napalm
An incendiary that bursts into multiple explosions. Each pick-up contains 20.
Aerial Assault SMS, Items, Bombs.png
Hyper Ball
Shoots several large fireball from the Freedom Fighter. Each pick-up contains 8.

Other

Aerial Assault SMS, Items, Other.png
Speed-Up
Increases the movement speed of the Freedom Fighter.
Aerial Assault SMS, Items, Other.png
Bonus
Awards the player with 5,000 bonus points.
Aerial Assault SMS, Items, Other.png
1-Up
Awards the player with an extra life.
Aerial Assault SMS, Items, Other.png
1-Down
Instantly kills the player.
Aerial Assault SMS, Items, Other.png
Guard
A shield that surrounds the Freedom Fighter and absorbs five hits before dissipating.

Production credits

  • Planner: All Members
  • Designer: Tommy, Yukino
  • Programmer: Nonchan, T.Hagiwara
  • Sound: Ippo
  • Test Player: Kou
  • Special Thanks: O.B
  • Presented by: Sega
Source:
In-game credits


Magazine articles

Main article: Aerial Assault (Master System)/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Master System version

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Sega Visions (US) #2: "October/November 1990" (1990-xx-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #107: "October 1990" (1990-09-16)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Guida Video Giochi (IT) #15: "Ottobre 1990" (1990-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Sega Power (UK) #13: "December 1990" (1990-11-01)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Sega Visions (US) #4: "April/May 1991" (1991-xx-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg

Game Gear version

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1992-07: "July 1992" (1992-06-08)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Mega Force (ES) #11: "Marzo 1993" (1993-xx-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

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)
63
[21]
Ação Games (BR)
92
[22]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
82
[23]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK) PAL
76
[24]
Console XS (UK) PAL
69
[25]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
83
[26]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
74
[27]
Joystick (FR)
75
[28]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
45
[29]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
50
[30]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
82
[31]
Player One (FR)
85
[32]
S: The Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
82
[33]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
78
[34]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
75
[35]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
76
[36]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
69
[37]
Tilt (FR)
40
[38]
Tilt (FR)
80
[39]
Zero (UK)
79
[40]
Sega Master System
73
Based on
20 reviews

Aerial Assault (Master System)

Master System, US
AerialAssault SMS US Box.jpg
Cover
Aerialassault sms us manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, EU
AerialAssault SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
AerialAssault SMS EU cart.jpg
Cart
AerialAssaultSMSEUManual3L.pdf
Manual
Master System, GR (Zegetron)
<div style="margin:auto; max-width:Expression error: Unexpected < operator.px"> 320x120px
Cover
AerialAssault SMS EU cart.jpg
Cart
AerialAssaultSMSEUManual3L.pdf
Manual
Master System, SE (Rental)
AerialAssault SMS SE rental cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, AU

AerialAssault SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart
AerialAssaultSMSAuManual.pdf
Manual
Master System, BR
AerialAssault SMS BR cover.jpg
Cover
AerialAssault SMS BR Cart.jpg
Cart

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Sega Game Gear
N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Aerial Assault (Master System)

Game Gear, JP
AerialAssault GG JP Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngAerialAssault GG JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
AerialAssault GG JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, US
AerialAssault GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngAerialAssault GG US Box Front.jpg
Cover
AerialAssault GG EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Aerialassault gg us manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, EU
AerialAssault GG EU Box Back.jpgAerial Assault GG EU Box Spine.jpgAerialAssault GG EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
AerialAssault GG EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Aerial Assault GG EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Game Gear, FR (Blister pack)
AerialAssault GG FR blister front.jpg
Cover
Game Gear, BR
AerialAssault GG BR back.jpgNospine.pngAerialAssault GG BR Box.jpg
Cover
Aerialassault gg br cart.jpg
Cart

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Master System
 ?
CRC32 ecf491cf
MD5 0713f2e55a1eea0d9e2fb7044740261b
SHA-1 2a9090ed365e7425ca7a59f87b942c16b376f0a3
256kB Cartridge (EU)
Sega Master System
 ?
CRC32 15576613
MD5 8b603c931418a3680b8723861f55a7b5
SHA-1 e57b1d4476ca33d18d9071e022ddc9cc702d6497
256kB Cartridge (US)
Sega Game Gear
 ?
CRC32 04fe6dde
MD5 f1dee7875668c536f0434217a67ba2f4
SHA-1 2a91ab5817938dddf2724df2dfd95a3bc6f5156d
128kB Cartridge (JP)
Sega Game Gear
 ?
CRC32 3e549b7a
MD5 b6fb54e60f8992daaa35e98a712ff2cb
SHA-1 cbdbaaeb62a8483d9d5a8757b0f19233dfb9b416
128kB Cartridge

References

  1. http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Sanritsu
  2. File:AerialAssault SMS EU Box.jpg
  3. 3.0 3.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/gamegear/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2018-12-07 04:57)
  4. 4.0 4.1 ACE, "January 1991" (UK; 1990-12-xx), page 165
  5. ACE, "September 1990" (UK; 1990-08-03), page 58
  6. Computer & Video Games, "October 1990" (UK; 1990-09-16), page 117
  7. Player One, "Octobre 1990" (FR; 1990-xx-xx), page 39
  8. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "June 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 41
  9. Computer & Video Games, "October 1992 (Go! Issue 12)" (UK; 1992-09-15), page 7
  10. GamePro, "January 1991" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 44
  11. Computer & Video Games, "November 1990" (UK; 1990-10-16), page 58
  12. ACE, "November 1990" (UK; 1990-10-xx), page 92
  13. Computer & Video Games, "December 1990" (UK; 1990-11-16), page 168
  14. ACE, "December 1990" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 102
  15. Sega Power, "January 1991" (UK; 1990-12-06), page 2
  16. Computer & Video Games, "January 1991" (UK; 1990-12-15), page 98
  17. Sega Visions, "Summer 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 10
  18. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "October 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 142
  19. Hobby Consolas, "Marzo 1993" (ES; 1993-xx-xx), page 29
  20. Todo Sega, "Abril 1993" (ES; 1993-03-15), page 2
  21. ACE, "September 1990" (UK; 1990-08-03), page 56
  22. Ação Games, "Setembro 1991" (BR; 1991-09-xx), page 28
  23. Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume IV" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 89
  24. The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 90
  25. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 137
  26. Computer & Video Games, "August 1990" (UK; 1990-07-16), page 86
  27. Hobby Consolas, "Enero 1992" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 92
  28. Joystick, "Novembre 1990" (FR; 1990-1x-xx), page 124
  29. Mega Play, "November/December 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 31
  30. Micromanía (segunda época), "Enero 1991" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 34
  31. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 132
  32. Player One, "Octobre 1990" (FR; 1990-xx-xx), page 38
  33. S: The Sega Magazine, "August 1990" (UK; 1990-07-05), page 4
  34. Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 41
  35. Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 55
  36. Sega Pro, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-xx-xx), page 18
  37. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 70
  38. Tilt, "Septembre 1990" (FR; 1990-0x-xx), page 100
  39. Tilt, "Décembre 1990" (FR; 1990-1x-xx), page 116
  40. Zero, "October 1990" (UK; 1990-xx-xx), page 89

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