Fire Shark

Infobox VG
title=Fire Shark


caption=
developer = Toaplan
publisher = Dreamworks
distributor =
designer =
version =
released = 1990
genre = Shoot'em up
modes = 1 Player
ratings =
platforms = Arcade, Mega Drive
requirements =
input = 8-way stick, 2 buttons
cabinet =
arcade system =
cpu =
sound =
display =

Fire Shark is a vertical scrolling shooter developed for the arcade by Toaplan, and ported to the Sega Mega Drive in 1990 by Dreamworks. It is considered a sequel to "Flying Shark" (also known as "Hishou Zame", or "Sky Shark" for the Nintendo Entertainment System). The player controls a biplane and builds up a score by shooting a variety of military targets.

tory

The back-story indicates that the pilot is from another time and place, who appears suddenly when all hope seems lost in a global conflict against a mysterious, evil army. The pilot uses a biplane known as The Tiger Shark modified to use unique weapons to do battle.

Gameplay

The mission is divided into ten stages, each possessing a different setting. Players must destroy every enemy that crosses their path between kamikaze enemy monoplanes and, land and sea vehicles. Players can increase their bomb count, the speed via pick-ups. Players can hold up to ten bombs and can acquire extra lives from accumulating their score. The game has a checkpoint system that once a player dies, they have to restart at the closest checkpoint they passed.

The weapon pick-ups include the following:
*Wide Shot - the player's standard weapon, symbolized by a blue diamond, which spreads out in a wide V shape.
*Shark Beam - twin, green lasers, symbolized by a green diamond, which fire straight forward in a helix pattern.
*Super Fire - A single column of fire, symbolized by a red diamond, that multiples and spreads out at different angles independently when powered up. Is the only weapon that covers the plane's sides and tail-end.

Once all ten stages are complete, the player is offered a chance to replay the game at a higher difficulty.

Reception

The Sega Genesis version was well-received when it was released, earning a rating of 8.25 in "Electronic Gaming Monthly".