Jungle Strike Deep cut
Game Boy · Shoot 'em Up / Shooter
Desert Strike
Deep cut
| System | Game Boy |
|---|---|
| Released | 1995 (originally 1992) |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up, Shooter |
| Developer | Electronic Arts |
| Publisher | Electronic Arts |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Series | Strike |
| ESRB | KA |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 3 |
Released for the Game Boy in 1995, Desert Strike is a shoot 'em up developed by Electronic Arts. Depending on the region, you may also know it as Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf. This Game Boy release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1992. It blends shoot 'em up and shooter elements.
It landed about 6 years into the Game Boy's life. Other notable Game Boy releases from 1995 include Kirby's Dream Land 2, Donkey Kong Land and Kirby's Block Ball. Among the 27 Game Boy shoot 'em ups in our database, it ranks #16 by legacy score.
It is part of the Strike series; on the Game Boy you can also try Jungle Strike and Urban Strike. The series also appears on other systems with Desert Strike (SNES) and Soviet Strike (PS1). Electronic Arts also made Skate or Die: Tour de Thrash and Road Rash for the Game Boy.
This is a solo experience: one player, no waiting on anyone else.
Pick it if…
- you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
- you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
- you've played the Game Boy hits and want something less obvious
Maybe skip it if…
- you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing Desert Strike is like
Shoot 'em ups (shmups) put you in a ship facing waves of enemies and bullets. Runs are short and intense, and the goal is to survive, collect power-ups and push your high score.
Tip for newcomers: Focus on your ship's small hitbox rather than the flood of bullets, and learn which power-ups suit each stage. Most shmups are designed to be replayed many times.
Desert Strike cheats & codes
8 codes on file (GameShark). Here are a few GameShark codes to start with:
| Infinite Fuel | 014211C0 |
|---|---|
| Infinite Lives | 01030FC0 |
Desert Strike walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Desert Strike.
If you like Desert Strike, the Matrix also picks…
Urban Strike Deep cut
Space Invaders Classic
Contra 4 Classic
Sunset Riders Classic Co-op
Battle City Classic Co-op
Playing Game Boy games today
Game Boy games were designed for short bursts on the go, which makes them ideal for a coffee break today. Many are available through Nintendo Switch Online, and original carts play on any later Game Boy model.
Desert Strike FAQ
When did Desert Strike come out on the Game Boy?
Desert Strike was released for the Game Boy in 1995; the original game dates back to 1992.
Who made Desert Strike?
It was developed by Electronic Arts.
Is Desert Strike multiplayer?
No. Desert Strike is a single-player game.
How long does Desert Strike take to play?
As a shoot 'em up, Desert Strike typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Desert Strike on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.