Beach Head 2000

Lore & Background

Beach Head 2000 was developed by Digital Fusion and released as a budget title for Windows and Mac OS. It is a loose remake of the 1983 game Beach Head, sharing the premise of a lone gunner defending a beach from invading soldiers, tanks, helicopters, and other military vehicles. Players use a gun turret with a machine gun, howitzer cannon, and guided surface-to-air missiles, with a handgun as a last resort. Ammo and health are obtained by shooting parachuted packages. Missions are infinite, with no ending, and each mission changes enemy spawn points.

The game received generally unfavorable reviews on Metacritic. Critics noted repetitiveness, with GameSpot stating it becomes repetitive when taking out streams of enemies. AllGame said its initial appeal wears off quickly and compared it unfavorably to the original. Inside Mac Games felt it was not worth its low price. However, IGN had a more positive reaction, comparing it to Missile Command and calling it 'strangely addicting.' The PC version was nominated for Worst Game of the Year at GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2000 Awards and for Best Sound in a PC Game at The Electric Playground's Blister Awards 2000.

Digital Fusion produced several sequels: Beach Head 2002, Beach Head Desert War, and Baghdad Central Desert Gunner. Global VR later took over the license from Tsunami and produced arcade versions of the first three games. Digital Fusion continues to sell the Windows version as a download via its website.

Reader's Guide

Beach Head 2000 holds a modest place in gaming history as a budget-priced first-person shooter that attempted to revive the 1983 classic Beach Head. Its significance lies in its accessibility and arcade-style simplicity, offering infinite missions with no ending, which appealed to players seeking quick, repetitive action. The game's reception was largely negative, with critics citing monotony and a lack of depth, though IGN found it 'strangely addicting.' Its nominations for both Worst Game of the Year and Best Sound in a PC Game highlight the polarized response. The game's legacy includes a series of sequels and arcade adaptations, indicating a niche but persistent audience. As a value-priced title, it represents a segment of the market focused on low-cost, straightforward gameplay, and its continued availability as a download shows enduring, if limited, interest.

Did You Know?

• Beach Head 2000 is a loose remake of the 1983 computer game Beach Head.
• The game has infinite missions and no ending.
• It was nominated for both Worst Game of the Year and Best Sound in a PC Game awards in 2000.
• Digital Fusion continues to sell the Windows version as a download via its website.