Desert Strike - Return to the Gulf (GB)

In Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf for Game Boy and Game Boy Color, players take on the role of a combat helicopter pilot, maneuvering a modern Apache helicopter through a series of dangerous missions inspired by the Persian Gulf conflict. The game utilizes a distinctive isometric (top-down) perspective, providing a wide view of the battlefield.

Each level in Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf is a sequence of complex objectives, requiring players to combine piloting skills with strategic thinking. Missions include: destroying enemy military targets such as tanks, anti-aircraft guns, and fortified structures; rescuing stranded hostages or allies; collecting vital intelligence; and occasionally escorting friendly units. Players must carefully manage their fuel and ammunition. The helicopter can carry various weapon types, from machine guns to powerful missiles, each with a limited supply. When fuel or ammo runs low, players need to locate and land at marked supply points on the map to rearm and refuel.

Enemies in the game are diverse, ranging from rifle-wielding infantry, fast-moving Jeeps, armored tanks, to anti-aircraft missile batteries. They will constantly fire back and try to bring down your helicopter. Damage to the helicopter is indicated by a health bar, and when it depletes, the mission fails. Despite being a Game Boy/Game Boy Color version with graphical and performance limitations, Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf retains the core engaging and challenging gameplay of its console counterparts, delivering an intense action experience on a handheld device.