Super Nintendo · Shoot 'em Up / Shooter
Desert Strike
Certified classic
| System | Super Nintendo |
|---|---|
| Released | 1992 |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up, Shooter |
| Developer | Visual Concepts |
| Publisher | Electronic Arts |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Series | Strike |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 13 |
Developed by Visual Concepts and published by Electronic Arts, Desert Strike arrived on the Super Nintendo in 1992 as a shoot 'em up. Depending on the region, you may also know it as Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf. It blends shoot 'em up and shooter elements.
It came out in the SNES's second year on the market. Other notable SNES releases from 1992 include The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Super Mario Kart and Final Fantasy V. Among the 53 SNES shoot 'em ups in our database, it ranks #2 by legacy score.
It is part of the Strike series; on the SNES you can also try Urban Strike and Jungle Strike. The series also appears on other systems with Soviet Strike (PS1) and Nuclear Strike (PS1). Visual Concepts also made ClayFighter, Taz-Mania and Harley's Humongous Adventure for the SNES.
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 want to experience one of the SNES's defining games
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
352 codes on file (Game Genie, Pro Action Replay, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Infinite Ammo | 223B-07D9 |
|---|---|
| Start With 1 Life | DFB1-0F6C |
| Start With 5 Lives | D9B1-0F6C |
| Start With 7 Lives | D5B1-0F6C |
| Start With 10 Lives | DCB1-0F6C |
| Start With 20 Lives | F0B1-0F6C |
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…
Jungle Strike Deep cut
Zombies Ate My Neighbors Classic Co-op
Space Invaders Classic
Ghoul Patrol Co-op
Sunset Riders Co-op
A.S.P. Air Strike Patrol Deep cut
Playing SNES games today
The SNES library has aged exceptionally well, especially its RPGs, platformers and puzzle games. A large selection is available on Nintendo Switch Online, and if you own the cartridges you can play your backups in an emulator such as Rec0m88, including online with friends.
Desert Strike FAQ
When did Desert Strike come out on the SNES?
Desert Strike was released for the Super Nintendo in 1992.
Who made Desert Strike?
It was developed by Visual Concepts and published 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.