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)

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.

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.

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

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.