Crack Down

HISTORY

Crack Down (クラックダウン) is a run and gun arcade game released by Sega in 1989 and ported to the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis in 1990 in Japan and 1991 in North America and Europe by Sage's Creation and Sega respectively. It was also ported and released to a number of home computer platforms by U.S. Gold.

The Mega Drive version of Crack Down was re-released in 2007 on the Wii Virtual Console in Japan on August 7, and in PAL regions on September 7. It was also released on Steam on June 1, 2010.

Gameplay

Using a top-down perspective (akin to Gauntlet), the player controls either Ben or Andy, a pair of agents charged with stopping mad scientist Mr. X (Mr.K in the Sega Mega Drive version) from taking over the world, as they make their way through several timed levels, planting bombs and destroying cyborg enemies using guns (the "machine gun" and the "cannon" can be swapped back and forth) and smart bombs (which wipe out all enemies on screen). The goal of each stage is to plant all of the bombs and escape before their collective timer goes off.

Reception

In Japan, Game Machine listed Crack Down on their May 15, 1989 issue as being the third most popular arcade game during the previous two weeks. Console XS gave a review score of 82%, commending its detailed graphics, "addictive" gameplay, and the two player mode. They concluded saying it is worth playing. MegaTech gave the Genesis version a review score of 65%. They praised the two player mode, but criticized the game's lack of challenge.

STORY

A desperate race against time. Take on the role of brave freedom fighters attempting to destroy the fortress of evil Dr. K.

Place time bombs, cross roof tops and junk yards whilst avoiding rivers of mud, oil and lava. Battle through 16 levels in simultaneous two player action, against biogenetic humanoids using machine guns, rocket launchers, super bombs and if all else fails, your bare hands! Remember if you meet an enemy, there is just one rule ... THERE ARE NO RULES!!