Accepted [+] [X] Top Gear Update submitted by Arcadehero
Top Gear (c) 1984 Universal.
A never released racing arcade game that would have ran on Universal's Laser System 1.
- TRIVIA -
Top Gear was present at Universal's AMOA '84 booth but it was never seen again. Despite never reaching mass production, Universal was working on a sequel for it that could have been updated by changing out the laserdisc.
It would have come in a somewhat modern looking sit-down cabinet. It was likely canceled as this would have been an expensive cabinet to produce, and the bottom had fallen out of the laserdisc market by this point.
- SOURCES -
Play Meter Magazine, December 31st, 1984, pg. 50
Accepted [+] [X] Indoor Soccer Update submitted by Arcadehero
Indoor Soccer (c) 1985 Universal.
A two-on-two soccer game.
- TECHNICAL -
Main CPU : Zilog Z80 (@ 3.9 Mhz), (2x) Zilog Z80 (@4mhz)
Sound Chips : (4x) Texas Instruments SN76496 (@ 4 Mhz), OKI MSM5205 (@ 384 Khz)
Screen orientation : Horizontal
Video resolution : 240 x 192 pixels
Screen refresh : 60.00 Hz
Palette colors : 258
Players : 2
Control : Double 8-way joysticks
Buttons : 2
- TRIVIA -
Released in March 1985.
This was the last original video arcade game, and only sports game, created by Universal. Super Pierrot was released after this, but that was an updated version of Do! Run, Run.
- PORTS -
* COMPUTERS:
Commodore C64 (1989)
- SOURCES -
Game's ROM.
Game's flyer
Accepted [+] [X] Operation Tiger - Second Mission Update submitted by sjy96525
Information for the following ROM(s): optigersm
Operation Tiger - Second Mission (c) 1999 Taito Corp.
- TRIVIA -
Released in February 1999 in Japan.
- SERIES -
1. Operation Wolf (1987)
2. Operation Thunderbolt (1988)
3. Operation Wolf 3 (1994)
4. Operation Tiger (1998)
5. Operation Tiger - Second Mission (1999)
Accepted [+] [X] Super Don Quix-ote Update submitted by Arcadehero
Super Don Quix-ote (c) 1984 Universal.
You are a knight named Don. Your girlfriend, Isabella, has been captured by an evil witch who is holding her hostage. You have a sword for a weapon and a sidekick named Sancho. You must battle your way to the evil witch's hideout and save Isabella.
The game plays exactly like Dragon's Lair, where a joystick moves your character if pushed in the correct direction when prompted, or wields a sword/weapon when needed to kill enemies. It also contains many "death scenes" that play for when you screw up.
- TECHNICAL -
This game uses a laser disc. It runs on what Universal called "Laser System 1"
Main CPU : Zilog Z80
Sound Chips : SN76496, Custom
Palette colors : 32
Players : 2
Buttons : 1
- TRIVIA -
Released in November 1984.
While featuring similar gameplay and a plot to Dragon's Lair, this stepped things up a notch on the violence, featuring blood when many enemies are slashed in half or decapitated by the player.
This was the one and only laserdisc game that Universal produced, despite advertising several other games, including a racing title called Top Gear and what would have been an animated Mr. Do! game called Adventure Mr. Do!
- SOURCES -
Game's ROM.
Machine's picture.
Footage of the game
Play Meter Magazine, January 1985
Accepted [+] [X] Operation Tiger Update submitted by sjy96525
Operation Tiger (c) 1998 Taito Corp.
- TECHNICAL -
Taito Power-JC System.
- TRIVIA -
Operation Tiger was released in September 1998.
- SERIES -
1. Operation Wolf (1987)
2. Operation Thunderbolt (1988)
3. Operation Wolf 3 (1994)
4. Operation Tiger (1998)
5. Operation Tiger - Second Mission (1999)
- SOURCES -
Game's picture.
Game's ROM.
Accepted [+] [X] Operation Wolf 3 Update submitted by sjy96525
Operation Wolf 3 (c) 1994 Taito Corp.
Operation Wolf 3 is a light-gun controlled shoot-em-up in which a terrorist organization known as 'SKULL' has taken over an island and are armed with nuclear missiles. Two agents, codenamed 'Hornet' and 'Queen Bee' (players one and two respectively) are dispatched by the United Nations taskforce, 'Federation for Freedom', and must take down the SKULL organisation and disarm the nuclear missiles.
Unlike the limited ammo found in the first game in the series, players now have unlimited ammo. As long as the trigger is squeezed, weapons will fire on full automatic. Once the ammo meter is depleted, the rate of fire decreases sharply. When the trigger is released, the meter instantly refills. Players can also carry a limited supply of grenades, although only three bombs can be carried at any one time, as opposed to the nine of the first game. As players progress through the stages, various power-ups can be found, such as stronger weapons and extra grenades.
A bonus round appears after every second stage. This consists of a shooting gallery and players must hit as many targets as possible to earn bonus points.
The game's five stages are:
* Warehouse
* Expressway
* Wasteland
* The Tower of Them (Missile silo)
* Final stage - A nuclear missile has launched and must be destroyed mid-flight.
- TECHNICAL -
Game ID : D74
Main CPU : Motorola 68000 (@ 14.346 Mhz)
Sound CPU : Zilog Z80 (@ 4 Mhz)
Sound Chips : Yamaha YM2610B (@ 8 Mhz)
Players : 2
Control : Lightgun
Buttons : 2
=> Shoot, Grenade
- TRIVIA -
Operation Wolf 3 was released in September 1994.
This arcade machine came in 2 different styles. Alternate artwork and alternate guns colour.
- SERIES -
1. Operation Wolf (1987)
2. Operation Thunderbolt (1988)
3. Operation Wolf 3 (1994)
4. Operation Tiger (1998)
5. Operation Tiger - Second Mission (1999)
- STAFF -
Cast : Eigo Okajima, Katuhiro Hirano, Satoru Komiya, Toshihiro Kimura, Masaru Tamura, Naoaki Wataya as Terrolists
Direct of Photography : Eigo Okajima
Design all Characters : Masaru Tamura
Design OP & ED : Saori Ohkura
Design title & Capture : Saori Ohkura
Design 1st Scene : Masaru Tamura, Natuko Tanahara
Design 2nd Scene : Masaru Tamura, Natuko Tanahara, Saori Ohkura
Extra Scene : Masaru Tamura
Design 3rd, 4th & Final Scene : Naoaki Wataya
States : Natuko Tanahara, Saori Ohkura
Effects : Masaru Tamura, Naoaki Wataya
All Mechanics : Naoaki Wataya
Program Event : Katuhiko Hirano, Satoru Komiya
Program 1st Scene : Katuhiko Hirano
Program 2nd & 4th Scene : Satoru Komiya
Program Extra & Final Scene : Toshihiro Kimura
Program 3rd Scene : Katuhiko Hirano, Toshihiro Kimura
System : Katuhiko Hirano
Music by : Hiroshi Tuda
Planned by : Eigo Okajima
- SOURCES -
Game's manual.
Game's picture.
Game's ROMs.
Game's screenshots.
Accepted [+] [X] Operation Thunderbolt Update submitted by sjy96525
Operation Thunderbolt (c) 1988 Taito Corp.
Operation Thunderbolt is a light-gun controlled shoot-em-up in which one or two players take on the role of Special Forces operatives. They must take on a terrorist group that has seized a US passenger plane which is threatening to execute all hostages if their demands to release terrorist prisoners are not met within 24 hours.
The plane landed in Africa and the hostages were removed and hidden at several different locations throughout the region. The CIA calls on Roy Adams, hero of the 'Operation Wolf' mission of the previous year, to find and rescue the American hostages. This time, Roy decides to take along a trusted comrade called Hardy Jones.
The game is a direct sequel to "Operation Wolf" and as with the first game, players are constantly attacked by waves of enemy soldiers and vehicles. Enemies can throw hand grenades and knives, as well as launch missiles at the players, while enemy vehicles can also shoot missiles, launch rockets and use rapid-fire machine guns. The players' ammunition and grenades are limited but can be topped-up by shooting barrels and crates.
While Operation Thunderbolt plays very similarly to it's prequel, scenes no longer simply scroll horizontally - every second of the game's eight stages feature 3D into-the-screen action.
- TECHNICAL -
Prom Stickers : B67
Main CPU : Motorola 68000
Sound CPU : Zilog Z80
Sound Chips : Yamaha YM2610
Players : 2
Control : Lightgun
Buttons : 2
=> Shoot, Grenade
- TRIVIA -
Operation Thunderbolt was released in December 1988 in Japan. It was then released in February 1989 in the US and in March 1989 in Europe.
The game's plot is loosely based on a real life incident known as 'Operation Entebbe' which consisted of the hijacking of Air France Flight 139 which took place in June 27, 1976 and ended on July 4, 1976. One year later, Menahem Golam directed a movie based on the incident called 'Mivtsa Yonatan'. Coincidentally the English title of the film is called 'Operation Thunderbolt'.
- UPDATES -
Two different versions were released in US; the new one features some changed texts (during introduction).
- SERIES -
1. Operation Wolf (1987)
2. Operation Thunderbolt (1988)
3. Operation Wolf 3 (1994)
4. Operation Tiger (1998)
5. Operation Tiger - Second Mission (1999)
- STAFF -
Project reader : Masaki Ogata
Game designers : Junji Yarita, Hiroyuki Sakou
Game programmers : Daisuke Sasaki, Akira Ootsuki, Youzou Koma, Tatsuo Nakamura, Shinji Soyano
Music composer : Spratter. A
Sound editers : Masahiko Takaki, Kazuyuki Onui, Yasuko Yamada
Character designers : Junji Yarita, Yoshihiko Wakita, Minori Ishino, Taira Sanuki, Hisakazu Katoh
PCB designer : Takashi Ohara
Mechanical designer : Itsuji Yamada
Cabinet designer : Atushi Iwaoka
Art designers : Hiroyasu Nagai, Osamu Matsuura
- PORTS -
* CONSOLES:
Amstrad GX4000 [EU] (1990)
[US] Nintendo SNES (oct.1994) "Operation Thunderbolt [Model SNS-36]"
[EU] Microsoft XBOX (oct.14, 2005) "Taito Legends"
[EU] Sony PS2 (oct.14, 2005) "Taito Legends [Model SLES-53438]"
[US] Microsoft XBOX (oct.25, 2005) "Taito Legends"
[US] Sony PS2 (oct.25, 2005) "Taito Legends [Model SLUS-21122]"
[KO] Sony PS2 (jul.18, 2006) "Taito Legends [Model SLKA-15056]"
[JP] Sony PS2 (jan.25, 2007) "Taito Memories II Joukan [Model SLPM-66649]"
* COMPUTERS:
[EU] Amstrad CPC (1989)
[EU] Sinclair ZX Spectrum (1989)
[EU] Commodore Amiga (1989)
[EU] Atari ST (1989) by Ocean
[US] Commodore C64 [EU] (1990)
Amstrad CPC+ [EU] (1990)
[EU] Atari ST (1991) by Hit Squad
[EU] PC [MS Windows, CD-ROM] (oct.14, 2005) "Taito Legends"
[US] PC [MS Windows, CD-ROM] (nov.10, 2005) "Taito Legends"
- SOURCES -
Game's manual.
Game's picture.
Game's ROMs.
Game's screenshots.
Accepted [+] [X] Operation Wolf Update submitted by sjy96525
Operation Wolf (c) 1987 Taito Corp.
Operation Wolf is a light-gun controlled shoot-em-up in which the player takes on the role of Special Forces operative 'Roy Adams' and must infiltrate and capture six heavily fortified bases, with the ultimate aim of rescuing five trapped hostages and guiding them to safety.
In order to complete each stage, the player must shoot as many enemy soldiers and vehicles as that stage requires. Enemy soldiers can throw hand grenades and knives, while enemy vehicles can shoot missiles and launch rockets. The player's ammunition and grenades are limited, but can be stocked up by shooting barrels and crates. Occasionally a high-powered machine gun power-up appears, allowing the player's gun to have unlimited ammo and an increased rate of fire for 10 seconds. Completing the 'Powder Magazine' stage fills the player's ammunition and grenade supplies to maximum.
The hostages do not appear until the 'Concentration Camp' stage. Here, the player must protect them from harm as they run to safety. During the 'Airport' stage, the player must fend off enemy attacks as the hostages run toward the open hatch of an airplane as it taxis along a runway. A bonus is awarded based on the number of hostages that successfully board the plane.
A damage bar is displayed to the right of the main play screen, this increases each time the player takes a hit. The damage bar also increases if a civilian or hostage is shot. Energy boost items randomly appear which, if shot, decrease damage by five points. In addition, the player recovers a large amount of damage after completing the Village stage, and a small amount after completing each of the others. If the damage bar fills completely or if the player runs out of ammunition and grenades, the game ends. Farm animals, in the form of chickens and pigs, will occasionally run across the screen; Shooting these will reveal bonus items such as health or ammunition.
Once the game is completed, the player is returned to the first mission, but with an increased level of difficulty. The game's six stages are:
* Communication Setup
* Jungle
* Village
* Powder Magazine
* Concentration Camp
* Airport
- TECHNICAL -
Board Number : M4300189A
Prom Stickers : B20
Main CPU : Motorola 68000, Zilog Z80 (x2) (C-chip is a z80!)
Sound Chips : Yamaha YM2151, OKI MSM5205 (x2)
Players : 1
Control : lightgun
Buttons : 2
- TRIVIA -
Operation Wolf was released in November 1987.
Mark Twitty holds the official record for this game with 212350 points.
A bootleg of this game is known as "Operation Bear".
Pony Canyon / Scitron released a limited-edition soundtrack album for this game (The Ninja Warriors : G.S.M. Taito 1 - D28B0001) on June 21, 1988.
- TIPS AND TRICKS -
* Time your grenade shots to wipe out more than one enemy vehicle at a time. It is rarely smart to use a grenade on a single vehicle. Grenades are not plentiful enough to use in this fashion.
* When the large, blond enemy soldiers (with toting large machine guns) appear in stage four (Ammo Dump), shooting them in the face will take them down quickly. Otherwise, a grenade or lots of bullets will be required. Also in stage four, keep a stream of fire going just to the right corner of the mortar behind the sandbags. You will plug the guy shooting at you early and you will not be distracted by incoming mortar fire.
* Each round cleared heals three damage points and the village round heals twenty damage points. If you are playing on a generous machine (mucho power drinks) or an easy machine and you are a great shot, you may have less than three damage points near the end of the first stage (enemy radar) or less than twenty damage points near the end of the village scene. If so, leave one helicopter alive. When it flies on screen, pump it with nine bullets. This gives you points and you can finish it with one shot if you need to. The helicopters often take just one damage point and take a long time to deliver their damage. All the while they do this, power drinks, grenades, and ammunition may show up so you can stock up before the round has to end. Blow-up the helicopter when you have three or twenty damage points depending on the round.
* On the fifth stage (Concentration Camp), you are likely to finish this round shooting foot soldiers. If you are a good shot, wait until they flash. Sometimes, the enemies do not flash or shoot. The longer you delay the end of the round, the more likely you are to have ammo, grenades, and power drinks drift into the scene.
* If you play a game that allows you to select the scene in which you fight, choose the village when you have 15-20 damage points so you can make the most of the village's healing bonus where twenty damage points will be removed. Also, do not select the ammo dump. It uses more ammo than it gives, delivers inevitable damage to you, and the three helicopters the ammo dump sends to reinforce the final round are nothing compared to the onslaught you face at the ammo dump.
- SERIES -
1. Operation Wolf (1987)
2. Operation Thunderbolt (1988)
3. Operation Wolf 3 (1994)
4. Operation Tiger (1998)
5. Operation Tiger - Second Mission (1999)
- STAFF -
Developed by East Technology.
Cast : Eigo Okajima, Katuhiko Hirano, Satoru Komiya, Toshihiro Kimura, Masaru Tamura, Naoaki Wataya
Direct of photography : Eigo Okajima
Music by : Hiroshi Tuda
Planned by : Eigo Okajima
* Design :
All characters : Masaru Tamura, Op & Ed, Saori Ohkura
Title & Capture : Saori Ohkura
1st scene : Masaru Tamura, Natuko Tanahara
2nd scene : Masaru Tamura, Natuko Tanahara, Saori Ohkura
Extra scene : Masaru Tamura
3rd scene : Naoaki Wataya
4th scene : Naoaki Wataya
Final scene : Naoaki Wataya
States : Natuko Tanahara, Saori Ohkura
Effects : Masaru Tamura, Naoaki Wataya
All mechanics : Naoaki Wataya
* Program :
Event : Katuhiko Hirano, Satoru Komiya
1st scene : Katuhiko Hirano
2nd scene : Satoru Komiya
Extra scene : Toshihiro Kimura
3rd scene : Katuhiko Hirano, Toshihiro Kimura
4th scene : Satoru Komiya
Final scene : Toshihiro Kimura
System : Katuhiko Hirano
- PORTS -
* CONSOLES:
[JP] Nintendo Famicom (mar.31, 1989) "Operation Wolf [Model TFC-OW]"
[JP] NEC PC-Engine (aug.31, 1990) "Operation Wolf [Model NAPH-1010]"
[EU] Sega Master System (1990) "Operation Wolf [Model 7039]"
[EU] Nintendo NES (1992) "Operation Wolf - Take No Prisoners"
[EU] Microsoft XBOX (oct.14, 2005) "Taito Legends"
[EU] Sony PS2 (oct.14, 2005) "Taito Legends [Model SLES-53438]"
[KO] Sony PS2 (jul.18, 2006) "Taito Legends [Model SLKA-15056]"
[JP] Sony PS2 (mar.29, 2007) "Taito Memories II Gekan [Model SLPM-66713]"
* COMPUTERS:
[EU] Atari ST (1988)
[EU] Sinclair ZX Spectrum (1988)
[EU] Commodore C64 (1988)
[EU] MSX (1988)
[EU] Amstrad CPC (1988) : Keyboard / Joystick version
[EU] Amstrad CPC (1989) : LightGun version
[AU] Commodore Amiga (1989) "Amiga Champions"
[JP] FM Towns PC (1990) "Operation Wolf [Model HMB-126]"
[US] PC [MS DOS]
[EU] PC [MS Windows, CD-ROM] (oct.14, 2005) "Taito Legends"
- SOURCES -
Game's ROM.
Machine's picture.
