Well, I would not say as big like as "GTA: Vice City". =).

But i'm quite sure it's one of those title series (along it sequens, urban strike, jungle strike) that helped to EA be where they're now, definitivelly.

It was a really great game.

Interesting point: if you think about it, both titles (gta and desert strike) have -a lot- of points in common: you go with your helicopter freely exploring the scenary completing any of the missions available, you're free to choose wich of them to complete at any time (it's non-linear game): picking up prisoners, destroying targets, buildings, etc. You have a zoomed out map also. And the most interesting of all: in some of them, you park/land the helicopter in some places and use some vehicles or go walking, etc.