SDI: Strategic Defense Initiative

From Sega Retro

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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: Sega,
Amiga
Amstrad CPC
Atari ST
Commodore 64
ZX Spectrum
Activision
Developer:
Genre: Shoot-'em-Up

















Number of players: 2
Release Date RRP Code
Amiga
UK 		£24.9924.99
Atari ST
UK 		£19.9919.99
Amstrad CPC
ES
(Cassette)
Amstrad CPC
UK
(Disk) 		£14.9914.99
Amstrad CPC
UK
(Cassette) 		£9.999.99
Amstrad CPC
UK
(The Hit Squad) 		£2.992.99
Commodore 64
US
Commodore 64
UK
(Disk) 		£14.9914.99
Commodore 64
UK
(Cassette) 		£14.9914.99
Commodore 64
UK
(The Hit Squad) 		£2.992.99 [1]
ZX Spectrum
ES
(Cassette) 		SEC 576
ZX Spectrum
UK
(Cassette) 		£9.999.99 URK 301
ZX Spectrum
UK
(The Hit Squad) 		£2.992.99 [2]

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.

Ports

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

Planed by: Black Holl Tomo
Project Leader: Joe Kacchan
Programer: Sweet Tohchan, Anatano Pideshi, Ippo Ogapi
Character Design: Saitama Kenji, 8940 Kon
Scene Design: Henchan
Music by: Funky Gerogero
Sound Effects: Nao Chan
Mechanical Engineer: MI.U.I.Hachi
Enemy Creation: Demon Taka
Data Adjust: Nanno Icchan
Special Thanks: Mina Inochi, Hakusyon Daimaohe, Mamiko Chan, Uso Happyaku
Special No Thanks: Ashidematoi People
Presented by: Sega, Chin_Chin Brothers

(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

Promotional Material

  • System 16 US flyer

  • System 16 JP flyer

  • SDI Computers UK PrintAdvert.jpg

    Home computers UK print advert

Physical Scans

System 16 Version

System 16, JP

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
62 №14, p49[3]
79 №1, p57
80 №4, p97
80 №78, p122/123[4]
81 №5, p43
78 №8, p12[5]
80 №23, p57
78 №3, p19[6]
Sega Master System
 77
Based on
8 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
ACE (UK)
62
[3]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
79
[7]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
80
[8]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK) PAL
80
[9]
Console XS (UK) PAL
75
[10]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
80
[4]
The Games Machine (UK)
81
[11]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
80
[12]
Power Play (DE)
65
[13]
S: The Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
78
[5]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
75
[14]
Sega Pro (UK)
78
[6]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
75
[15]
User (GR) PAL
43
[16]
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
Master System, EU
"no limits" variant
SDI SMS EU nolimits cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, EU
® variant
SDI SMS EU R 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, KR

SDI SMS KR cart.jpg
Cart

Amiga Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
57 №22, p91
Amiga
 57
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
The Games Machine (UK)
57
[17]
New Computer Express (UK)
50
[18]
Amiga
 54
Based on
2 reviews

SDI: Strategic Defense Initiative

Amiga, UK

Amstrad CPC Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
79 №20, p78[19]
29 №18, p43
Amstrad CPC
 54
Based on
2 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
ACE (UK)
79
[19]
Amstrad Computer User (UK)
49
[20]
The Games Machine (UK)
29
[21]
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
84 №15, p75[22]
81 №86, p58-59[23]
56 №14, p81
Atari ST
 74
Based on
3 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
ACE (UK)
84
[22]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
81
[23]
The Games Machine (IT)
59
[24]
The Games Machine (UK)
56
[25]
Génération 4 (FR)
77
[26]
Atari ST
 71
Based on
5 reviews

SDI: Strategic Defense Initiative

Atari ST, UK

Commodore 64 Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
54 №116, p81[1]
72 №118, p88[27]
56 №18, p43
Commodore 64
 61
Based on
3 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Commodore Force (UK)
46
[28]
Commodore User (UK)
67
[29]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
54
[1]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
72
[27]
The Games Machine (UK)
56
[21]
Zzap!64 (UK)
64
[30]
Zzap!64 (UK)
60
[31]
Zzap! (IT)
84
[32]
Commodore 64
 63
Based on
8 reviews

SDI: Strategic Defense Initiative

Amiga, UK (cassette)

Amiga, UK (disk)

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

ZX Spectrum Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
59 №116, p85[2]
37 №18, p43
ZX Spectrum
 48
Based on
2 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Computer & Video Games (UK)
59
[2]
The Games Machine (UK)
37
[21]
New Computer Express (UK)
25
[33]
Sinclair User (UK)
70
[34]
Your Sinclair (UK)
64
[35]
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
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 File:CVG UK 116.pdf, page 81 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 116.pdf_p81" defined multiple times with different content
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 File:CVG UK 116.pdf, page 85 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 116.pdf_p85" defined multiple times with different content
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 File:ACE UK 14.pdf, page 49 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ACE UK 14.pdf_p49" defined multiple times with different content
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 File:CVG UK 078.pdf, page 122 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 078.pdf_p122" defined multiple times with different content
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 File:StheSegaMagazine UK 08.pdf, page 12 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:StheSegaMagazine UK 08.pdf_p12" defined multiple times with different content
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 File:SegaPro UK 03.pdf, page 19 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 03.pdf_p19" defined multiple times with different content
  7. ↑ Complete Guide to Consoles, "" (UK; 1989-10-16), page 57
  8. ↑ Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume IV" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 97
  9. ↑ The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 57
  10. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 141
  11. ↑ The Games Machine, "April 1988" (UK; 1988-03-17), page 43
  12. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 133
  13. ↑ Power Play, "Ausgabe 4" (DE; 1988-03-21), page 93
  14. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 57
  15. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 71
  16. ↑ User, "Septémvrios 1992" (GR; 1992-0x-xx), page 86
  17. ↑ The Games Machine, "September 1989" (UK; 1989-08-18), page 91
  18. ↑ New Computer Express, "July 15, 1989" (UK; 1989-07-13), page 50
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 File:ACE UK 20.pdf, page 78 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ACE UK 20.pdf_p78" defined multiple times with different content
  20. ↑ Amstrad Computer User, "May 1989" (UK; 1989-xx-xx), page 36
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 The Games Machine, "May 1989" (UK; 1989-04-20), page 43
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 File:ACE UK 15.pdf, page 75 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ACE UK 15.pdf_p75" defined multiple times with different content
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 File:CVG UK 086.pdf, page 58 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 086.pdf_p58" defined multiple times with different content
  24. ↑ The Games Machine, "xxxx 198x" (IT; 1988-12-15), page 36
  25. ↑ The Games Machine, "January 1989" (UK; 1988-12-15), page 81
  26. ↑ Génération 4, "Décembre 1988" (FR; 1988-1x-xx), page 24
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 File:CVG UK 118.pdf, page 88 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 118.pdf_p88" defined multiple times with different content
  28. ↑ Commodore Force, "August 1993" (UK; 1993-06-24), page 20
  29. ↑ Commodore User, "January 1989" (UK; 1988-12-19), page 64
  30. ↑ Zzap!64, "March 1989" (UK; 1989-02-16), page 21
  31. ↑ Zzap!64, "July 1991" (UK; 1991-06-13), page 79
  32. ↑ Zzap!, "Giugno 1991" (IT; 1991-xx-xx), page 51
  33. ↑ New Computer Express, "December 24, 1988" (UK; 1988-12-22), page 41
  34. ↑ Sinclair User, "July 1991" (UK; 1991-06-15), page 42
  35. ↑ Your Sinclair, "July 1991" (UK; 1991-06-xx), page 58
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