SAR - Search And Rescue (World)

A distress signal leads two operatives on a perilous mission in SAR – Search and Rescue. Players control these specialists as they navigate treacherous terrain to investigate the wreckage of a lost spaceship. This cooperative shooter blends walking sequences with ranged combat against alien creatures encountered along the way, tasking players with uncovering the cause of the crash and eliminating the hostile presence. The game utilizes SNK’s final arcade title to incorporate rotary joysticks for player control, offering a unique feel compared to standard directional sticks. Two buttons allow for firing and other actions as players work together to progress through the increasingly challenging environments and confront formidable bosses. Originally released in Japan during December of 1989, SAR – Search and Rescue later appeared in North America featuring an anti-drug message screen. Powered by a Motorola 68000 processor and boasting impressive sound capabilities from chips like the YM3812, SAR – Search and Rescue represented SNK’s final foray into arcade hardware before their focus shifted to the Neo-Geo system. A port of this title later appeared on Sony PSP as part of a collection of classic SNK games.