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Silent Service

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You are now a member of the Silent Service, the US Navy Submarine command. For a long while after Pearl Harbor, you are the only forces capable of striking back at the Japanese in the Pacific. Take one of the "fleet boats" and go on extended patrols of up to 2 months from Hawaii, Australia, or Ne...

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Developer
Rare

Released on
1989

Size
1 Player

Version
NES

Requirements
Nintendo Entertainment System

Downloads
Vehicle Simulation

Publisher
Ultra Games

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

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Description

You are now a member of the Silent Service, the US Navy Submarine command. For a long while after Pearl Harbor, you are the only forces capable of striking back at the Japanese in the Pacific. Take one of the “fleet boats” and go on extended patrols of up to 2 months from Hawaii, Australia, or New Zealand. Set your difficulty/realism level and time period (early means less tech for juicier targets, later means tougher escorts, more tech, lousier targets). Contend with factors like dud torpedoes, maximum depth, and more.

Silent Service

Overview & History

Released by MicroProse and ported to the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989, Silent Service places you in the harrowing role of a World War II US submarine commander patrolling the treacherous waters of the Pacific theater. Unlike arcade-style naval shooters, this historical simulation focuses on strategic pacing, tension, and realistic submarine physics. Players stalk enemy convoys, manage fuel and torpedo inventories, and evade relentless Japanese destroyers dropping depth charges. The NES port successfully translated Sid Meier’s iconic PC original into a console format, offering a unique blend of tension, tactical navigation, and gritty historical immersion that stood apart from standard platformers of the era.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Gameplay revolves around switching between various submarine stations using the conning tower, radar, periscope, and damage control screens. Success requires mastering stealth: you must carefully calculate enemy ship speed, range, and angle-of-bow before firing your limited Mark 14 torpedoes. If spotted, players must dive to periscope depth or hit silent running to slip away from sonar detection. Management is critical; taking heavy hits floods ballast tanks, forcing emergency repairs while oxygen depletes.