Gunship

Apple II and Atari XL/XE versions

Despite loading instructions for both platforms in the manual, the game was never released for those systems.

Development

Originally scheduled for release in mid-1988, the Amiga version of Gunship didn't materialise until mid-1989. Reportedly, the delay was predominantly the result of the programmer's source disk becoming infected with a virus. Source: Amiga User Internation (Sept 88, page 44) and HOL.

MicroProse had to release a later DOS version of Gunship to deal with faster computers. The game was also not easily playable in CGA, due to the similar color of HUD controls vs. targeting radar.

Maxis' Gunship

Maxis released an arcade side-scroller called Gunship made with the Klik and Play system. It was apparently inspired by this game.

Sidewinder missile

The AH-64 Apache actually cannot mount the sidewinder missile at the wingtips as depicted on the arming screen. The manual explained that it should be quite possible to do so, and there was no other air-to-air missile that Apache can mount at the time. In the sequel, Gunship 2000, one gets to choose between sidewinder and the smaller stinger missiles (in a 2-pack).

Strategy guide

Gunship was so popular, it spawned a strategy guide from Compute! Books titled Gunship Academy.

Awards

• ACE
  • October 1988 (issue #13) - Included in the Top-100 list of 1987/1988 (editorial staff selection)
• Commodore Format
  • March 1991 (Issue 6) - listed in the A to Z of Classic Games article (Great)
  • July 1993 (Issue 34) - Modern Classics: Sims (Disk Version)
  • July 1993 (Issue 34) - Modern Classics: Sims (It's a Croaker! Cassette Version)
  • March 1994 (Issue 42) Heaven – The Path to Righteousness: 20 Essential Games
• Computer Gaming World Magazine
  • August 1988 (Issue #50) – Introduced into the Hall of Fame
  • November 1996 - #102 overall among the “150 Best Games of All Time”
• CRASH
  • Newsfield Reader's Awards - Best Simulation 1987 (readers choice)
• Happy Computer
  • Issue 01/1988 - Best Simulation in 1987
• ST Format
  • May 1990 (Issue #10) - Included in the list "ST Format's 30 Kick-Ass Classics"
• ZZAP! 64
  • Newsfield Reader's Awards - Best Simulation 1987 (readers choice)

Information also contributed by Kasey Chang, mailmanppa, Trixter and Zack Green.