Double Hawk

Double Hawk

Overview & History

Released by Sotsu Agency and published by Sega in 1990 exclusively for the PAL territories on the Sega Master System, Double Hawk is a lesser-known vertical scrolling shoot-'em-up that trades traditional starfighters for infantry combat. Set in a fictional 1930s-inspired dieselpunk era, the storyline follows two elite mercenaries, Jack and Ryan (the titular Double Hawk), tasked with infiltrating heavily fortified enemy territories across war-torn jungles and industrial complexes to dismantle a rogue military regime. Despite its late-era Master System release—arriving well after the Mega Drive had captured the spotlight—this obscure title delivers a frantic arcade experience that pushes Sega's 8-bit hardware to render bustling environments and relentless enemy waves.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Unlike standard spaceship shooters, Double Hawk places players on foot from a top-down perspective, blending run-and-gun mechanics with traditional arcade shooting. Players can dynamically alternate their attacks between forward-firing projectile weapons to clear advancing ground infantry and anti-air grenades or bazookas to destroy incoming enemy biplanes and armored turrets. The game features diverse terrain hazards, destructible environments, and intense boss encounters at the end of each stage. Scattered throughout the battlefield are power-ups that enhance weapon spread, increase firepower, and grant temporary invincibility, which are essential for surviving the bullet-hell onslaughts. The gritty military aesthetic is paired with a driving chiptune soundtrack that amplifies the relentless, gritty atmosphere of the campaign.

Keyboard Controls

• Arrow Keys / D-Pad: Move
• Action Keys: Attack / Jump
• Enter: Start / Pause