Third World War
Third World War: SCD Strategy
The Third World War, also known in Japan as The IIIrd World War, is a turn-based strategy game that landed on the SEGA CD (Mega-CD) in 1993. It was developed by Micronet, a studio that had a hand in several strategy and simulation titles for Sega's hardware. A Sega Genesis/Mega Drive version was initially planned but never saw release, so this CD-ROM edition remains the only official way to play it. It's a fairly niche title, even among the SEGA CD's library, and it skews more toward a cerebral, board-game-like experience than action.
How to Play Third World War Online
Getting started
When you boot up the game you'll see a title screen and a menu in Japanese, as this was a Japan-only release. Press Start to proceed then navigate the menu using the D-pad and confirm with the A button (X key). The game is entirely in Japanese so if you don't read the language you'll have to rely on trial and error or a translation guide. The core loop involves moving your units across a map, engaging enemy forces when adjacent, and managing resources like supply lines. You win by eliminating the opponent's main force or capturing a key objective, but the exact victory conditions may vary per scenario.
Since the interface is menu-driven with no real-time action, take your time to explore the options. The D-pad moves a cursor and the A button confirms selections. The B button (S key) typically cancels or goes back. The game expects you to plan several moves ahead, much like a digital board game. If you get stuck, try selecting every option to see what happens; most strategy games of this era follow similar conventions. Remember that the SEGA CD version loads data from the disc, so there might be brief loading times between screens.
Third World War Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: A button
- S: B button
- Z: C button
- A: X button (6-button pad)
- Q: Y button (6-button pad)
- E: Z button (6-button pad)
- Enter: Start / Mode
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