# Flashback

> 1992 video game

**Wikidata**: [Q1001925](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1001925)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flashback_(1992_video_game))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/flashback

## Summary  
Flashback is a 1992 cinematic platform‑action video game developed by the French studio Delphine Software International. It follows the amnesiac protagonist Conrad B. Hart through a sci‑fi, cyber‑punk storyline set in the year 2142, and was released on a wide range of platforms from DOS and Amiga to modern iOS and console digital stores.

## Key Facts  
- **Release year:** 1992.  
- **Developer:** Delphine Software International (France).  
- **Publishers:** U.S. Gold (United Kingdom) and Sun Corporation (Japan).  
- **Genre:** Cinematic platformer, puzzle, action, cyber‑punk, science‑fiction.  
- **Platforms:** Acorn Archimedes, 3DO, DOS, Commodore Amiga, Philips CD‑i, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Genesis, Mac OS, iOS, Windows, and later digital distribution via Steam, Nintendo eShop, Microsoft Store, PlayStation Store.  
- **Main character:** Conrad B. Hart.  
- **Setting:** The year 2142 on locations including Titan, Earth, and the planet Morph.  
- **Ratings:** USK 16 (Germany) and ESRB “Kids to Adults”.  
- **Key staff:** Director, designer, and screenwriter Paul Cuisset; composer Jean Baudlot.  
- **Game mode:** Single‑player.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What type of game is Flashback?  
A: Flashback is a cinematic platform‑action game that blends puzzle solving, action combat, and a cyber‑punk science‑fiction narrative.  

### Q: When and where was Flashback first released?  
A: The game debuted in 1992, originally published by U.S. Gold in the United Kingdom and Sun Corporation in Japan.  

### Q: On which systems can I play Flashback?  
A: It was released for classic computers and consoles such as DOS, Amiga, SNES, Sega Genesis, 3DO, and later re‑released on modern platforms including Windows, macOS, iOS, and digital stores like Steam and Nintendo eShop.  

### Q: Who created Flashback?  
A: The French developer Delphine Software International created the game, with Paul Cuisset serving as director, designer, and screenwriter, and Jean Baudlot composing the soundtrack.  

### Q: What is the story premise of Flashback?  
A: The player controls Conrad B. Hart, an amnesiac secret agent who must uncover his identity and stop a hostile alien force in the year 2142.  

## Why It Matters  
Flashback is celebrated as a landmark title in the evolution of cinematic video games. Its use of rotoscoped animation gave characters a fluid, lifelike motion that was unprecedented on home computers and consoles of the early 1990s. The game’s blend of narrative depth, atmospheric cyber‑punk world‑building, and challenging puzzles set a new standard for storytelling in action‑platformers, influencing later titles such as *Prince of Persia* and modern indie games that prioritize visual storytelling. By being ported to dozens of platforms over three decades, Flashback demonstrates enduring appeal and showcases the importance of cross‑generational preservation in video‑game history.  

## Notable For  
- **Cinematic presentation:** One of the earliest games to employ rotoscoped animation for a realistic, movie‑like feel.  
- **Cross‑platform reach:** Released on more than ten distinct hardware families, from floppy‑disk PCs to modern mobile and console digital stores.  
- **Genre‑blending design:** Combines platforming, puzzle‑solving, and action within a cyber‑punk sci‑fi narrative, a rare mix at its time of release.  
- **Critical acclaim:** Frequently cited in retrospectives as a benchmark for narrative‑driven platformers.  
- **Legacy titles:** Spawned a sequel (Flashback 2) and inspired a series of remakes and re‑releases, keeping the franchise relevant for new audiences.  

## Body  

### Development and Release  
- Developed by **Delphine Software International**, a French studio known for innovative gameplay mechanics.  
- Directed, designed, and scripted by **Paul Cuisset**, who also contributed to the game’s visual style.  
- Music composed by **Jean Baudlot**, adding an atmospheric synth‑driven score.  
- Initially published in 1992 by **U.S. Gold** (UK) and **Sun Corporation** (Japan).  

### Gameplay Mechanics  
- **Cinematic platformer:** Uses rotoscoped animation to create fluid character movements.  
- **Puzzle elements:** Players must solve environmental puzzles to progress.  
- **Action sequences:** Includes combat with alien enemies and platforming challenges.  
- **Input devices:** Primarily a **gamepad**; on iOS devices a **touchscreen** is used.  

### Platforms and Distribution  
| Platform | Release format |
|----------|----------------|
| Acorn Archimedes | Floppy disk |
| 3DO | CD |
| DOS (Windows) | Floppy disk, later digital download (Steam) |
| Commodore Amiga | Floppy disk |
| Philips CD‑i | CD |
| SNES | Cartridge |
| Sega Genesis | Cartridge |
| Mac OS (Classic) | Floppy disk |
| iOS | Digital download (App Store) |
| Modern consoles (Switch, PS, Xbox) | Digital distribution (eShop, PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store) |

- **Digital distribution** channels include **Steam**, **Nintendo eShop**, **Microsoft Store**, and **PlayStation Store**.  

### Narrative and Setting  
- Set in **2142**, the story follows **Conrad B. Hart**, an amnesiac secret agent.  
- Locations include the moon **Titan**, **Earth**, and the alien world **Morph**.  
- The plot revolves around uncovering Hart’s identity and thwarting an alien invasion.  

### Reception and Legacy  
- Recognized for its pioneering visual style and storytelling.  
- Received a **USK 16** rating in Germany and an **ESRB “Kids to Adults”** rating in North America.  
- Spawned a sequel (**Flashback 2**) and multiple re‑releases on modern platforms, cementing its status as a classic.  

## Schema Markup  
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  "@type": "VideoGame",
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  "description": "A 1992 cinematic platform‑action video game following amnesiac agent Conrad B. Hart in a cyber‑punk sci‑fi storyline.",
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  "author": {
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  "genre": "Cinematic platformer"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://www.mobygames.com/game/555/flashback-the-quest-for-identity/credits/amiga/)
2. Steam
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [Category:Video games set on fictional planets - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Video_games_set_on_fictional_planets?oldid=947236491#Pages_in_category)
5. RAWG
6. GameSpot
7. [Source](https://mediaarts-db.bunka.go.jp/id/C32465)
8. [Flashback — StrategyWiki, the video game walkthrough and strategy guide wiki](https://strategywiki.org/wiki/Flashback)
9. RetroAchievements
10. [Source](https://gamerprofiles.com/game/5P9l/Flashback-1992)
11. GOG Dreamlist
12. VGChartz