Sonic Boom (1987 video game)

Sonic Boom (ソニック・ブーム, Sonikku Būmu) is a vertically scrolling shooter created by Sega and released in arcades in 1987. Home computer versions followed.

"Sonic Boom (video game)" redirects here. For the set of video games based on the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, see Sonic Boom (TV series) § Video games.

Sonic Boom
Arcade flyer
Developer(s)	Sega Source Software (EU)
Publisher(s)	JP: Sega NA/EU: Activision
Composer(s)	Katsuhiro Hayashi
Platform(s)	Arcade, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum
Release	Arcade JP: December 1987[1] Amiga NA: 1990[2] Amstrad CPC EU: 1990[2] Atari ST EU: 1990[2] Commodore 64 EU: 1990[2] ZX Spectrum EU: 1990[2]
Genre(s)	Scrolling shooter
Mode(s)	up to 2 players
Cabinet	Upright
Arcade system	Sega System 16
CPU	68000, Z80
Sound	YM2151 UPD7759
Display	320 x 224

Gameplay

The first stage

The player, piloting an airplane fighter, begins with a single gun (as with most scrolling shooters) and can power up by collecting power ups dropped by certain colored enemies. The power ups can add a ship to the fighter's left and right sides and increase shot power and range. They can also drop bombs, which can wipe out all weak enemies on screen and do massive damage to stronger enemies.

Reception

Reception
Review scores Publication Score Crash 59%[3] CVG 53%[4] Sinclair User 60%[5] Your Sinclair 5/10[6]

In Japan, Game Machine listed Sonic Boom on their February 1, 1988 issue as being the third most-successful table arcade unit of the year.[7]

The home ports of Sonic Boom received mixed to negative reviews.

Crash had said that it plays very much like Flying Shark and "doesn't offer anything that hasn't already been seen".[8]

The Games Machine' rated the Atari ST version 79%, the Amiga version 78%, the ZX Spectrum version 76%, the Amstrad CPC version 37% and the Commodore 64 version 64%.[9]

Zzap!64 rated the Commodore 64 version 52% and the Amiga version 58%.[10]

Amiga Action rated the Amiga version 49%.[11]

References

1. "Arcade Release Date". Retrieved 2014-02-19.
2. "Home Computer Release Dates". Retrieved 2013-11-06. at MobyGames
3. "Crash Home Computer Review". June 1990. Retrieved 2013-11-09.
4. "Computer and Video Games Review". June 1990. Retrieved 2013-11-06.
5. "Sinclair User Review". June 1990. Retrieved 2013-11-09.
6. "Your Sinclair Review". June 1990. Retrieved 2013-11-09.
7. "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 325. Amusement Press, Inc. 1 February 1988. p. 23.
8. "Crash Review". May 1988. Retrieved 2013-11-09.
9. "The Games Machine Review". June 1990. Retrieved 2013-11-09.
10. "Zzap!64 Review". August 1990. Retrieved 2013-11-09.
11. "Amiga Action Review". July 1990. Retrieved 2013-11-09.