"This game is only great, if you play the arcade version."

After Burner

This game is the one of the best arcade games I have ever played. Now notice when I say arcade because this game is only great when you get to be in the cockpit. So for the best experience, you should really find an arcade with this game in it.

Gameplay- Wow, this game is so fun, I mean first off your in a war with tons of other planes, and missiles in the air, secondly you are in the cockpit flying your own plane. The thing is when your in the arcade you get the joy stick and flashing lights, the sounds, the moving of your plane. You feel like you are actually playing the plane. Wow, I cant express how much fun this game is in an arcade. Now on to the actual missions/stages. The stages of this game are fun, you have so much stuff in the sky, you have to react so quickly at times and you get to fight huge other planes. The levels are highly action packed and are very fun.

Controls- The games controls are great. You are in the simulator and you have you joy stick with your missiles, your regular guns and your bombs. Not much to explain here since I am reviewing the arcade version.

Difficulty- I cant speak for everyone, but damn was this game tough. The stages are big and end with stage bosses. With all the other planes and missiles in the sky you have to think quickly and have to break in between missiles and other objects. This game is very tough but I love it. The challenge is great which keeps you trying and trying for hours. Arcade games that provide tons of fun (Like this one) and lots of challenge(Like this one) No wonder it is so great.

Sound- The sound is very good, when your sitting inside your jet, flying at hyper speeds and firing missiles left and right, bombs exploding right in front of you, it is a rush, and wow was it done great. When your sitting in your cockpit and you get bombed it is like you actually get bombed, it sounds great, you shake and the speakers all around you go off, wow its like your really in war with all the great sound effects. Yet another reason why you should play this game.

The Final Word- Is you must go out and find this game somewhere, It will be one of the best and coolest experiences with an arcade game. This is really Sega at it's best. This game is classic and always will be. Sure it will be hard to find, and even harder to find one that works, but when you do you will not regret the time you spent looking, as you will have so much fun. Go now, find it, play it.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 03/02/03, Updated 04/10/03