Released for the Sega Genesis in 1991, 688 Attack Sub brought a surprisingly deep military submarine simulator to home consoles. Originally developed by Electronic Arts and based on the earlier PC version created by Rowan Software, the game attempted to deliver realistic Cold War-era naval combat while remaining accessible to console players.
Players command either an American Los Angeles-class submarine or a Soviet Alfa-class submarine during tense underwater missions involving enemy vessels, stealth operations, and torpedo combat. Unlike arcade shooters of the time, 688 Attack Sub focused heavily on patience, sonar tracking, and tactical positioning. Detecting enemy ships before being detected yourself was often the key to survival.
The game featured multiple control stations that simulated real submarine operations, including navigation, weapons systems, sonar monitoring, and periscope targeting. Players had to manage speed, depth, and noise levels carefully because moving too quickly could reveal the submarine’s location to enemy sonar. This slower, more strategic style gave the game a unique atmosphere compared to most Sega Genesis titles.
Visually, 688 Attack Sub used a combination of cockpit interfaces, sonar displays, and simple external graphics to create immersion rather than flashy action. The tension came from listening to sonar pings, tracking enemy movements, and launching carefully timed torpedo attacks. Missions could quickly become dangerous if hostile destroyers or helicopters located the player’s submarine.
Although the Genesis version simplified some of the more advanced features found in the PC release, it still retained much of the realism that made the original respected among simulation fans. The game appealed to players interested in military strategy and naval warfare rather than fast reflex-based gameplay.
While never a mainstream hit, 688 Attack Sub became one of the more unusual and ambitious simulation games released for the Genesis. Its combination of realism, stealth, and tactical submarine combat helped it stand apart from the action-heavy library commonly associated with Sega’s 16-bit console.
Each game uses different controls, most Amiga games use both mouse and keyboard.
