🎮

Overview of S.C.A.T. Game Mechanics

Apr 27, 2025

S.C.A.T.: Special Cybernetic Attack Team

General Information

  • Developer: Natsume
  • Publisher:
    • Japan/North America: Natsume
    • Europe: Infogrames Entertainment
  • Platform: Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
  • Genre: Shoot 'em up
  • Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
  • Release Dates:
    • Japan: June 22, 1990
    • North America: June 1991
    • PAL: 1992
    • Virtual Console releases for Wii, Nintendo 3DS, and Wii U (2011 to 2015)

Game Overview

  • Known as:
    • "Final Mission" in Japan
    • "Action in New York" in Europe
  • Setting: Year 2029
  • Plot: Alien invasions led by Vile Malmort with a structure called "Astrotube" connecting earth to their space station.
  • Objective: Players are part of the Special Cybernetic Attack Team (SCAT) to combat the invasion.

Game Mechanics

  • Playable Characters:
    • Arnold (male), Sigourney (female)
    • No skill differences between characters
  • Players can fly in eight directions, but can shoot only left or right.
  • Satellites orbit the player and shoot in tandem with the player’s gun.
  • Five power-up items available:
    • Laser, Wide Beam, Bomb launcher
    • Speed power-up, Life recovery
  • Features five stages with boss encounters.

Gameplay Differences Across Versions

  • Japanese Version (Final Mission):

    • Released earlier with a distinct opening sequence
    • Two male soldiers, one Russian protagonist
    • Higher difficulty: fewer lives, loss of upgrades upon hits
    • Different satellite mechanics
  • American Version:

    • Easier gameplay; starts with more lives
    • Auto-orbit satellites
    • Includes a map absent in the Japanese version
  • European Version (Action in New York):

    • Similar to American version
    • Name changes to Silver Man and Sparks (from Arnold and Sigourney)
    • Team name changed from SCAT to SAT

Music and Reception

  • Composer: Kiyohiro Sada
  • Music received universal praise
  • Noted for high-quality gameplay

Other Information

  • Released on various Nintendo platforms over the years, including the Nintendo Switch in 2020 via the Nintendo Classics service.

References:

  • Numerous references are cited for further reading about game details, reviews, and historical context.