F-18 Thunder Strike

"A solid game with no serious vices"

F-18 Thunder Strike is a new flight simulator for the Game Boy Color. It is similar to Top Gun: Guts and Glory, in that you get an in cockpit view (unlike 1942- which isn't supposed to be that way anyway).

Graphics: 8-The graphics are very well done, and your displays look somewhat realistic. The radar screen dominates your panel, as it would in a real-life F/A-18. You have altitude, attitude, thrust, and weapons indicators. The MFD (multi-function display in the center of your panel can switch between radar, missile warning, and landing modes. There is also a target tracking mode. The enemy planes are okay, and there lights and engines show up well during night missions. The carrier looks like it would if you were actually landing on it in real life. Boy, it is hard to see at night. Your landing MFD screen looks exactly like the one from the original Top Gun on the Nintendo. Brings back memories.

Sound: 7-The sounds are good, but some things like a missile launch warning, sound kinda strange. Then again, we are talking about the Game Boy here. The take-off sounds are really good as is the general music.

Overall: 8-This game has many features. The two primary ones are the ability to toggle the sounds. The other is simulation are arcade mode. In sim mode, you control every aspect of your Hornet, whether it is locking on to a MiG-29 or landing on the carrier. In arcade, the computer takes off for you, locks you on, and sets you up for final approach on landing. All you do is fly and fire weapons. Your weapons load is another strength of this game. Just like in real-life, you can choose between a 20mm Vulcan Cannon, AIM-7 Sparrow missiles, and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. The cannon is fun, while the missiles can be tricky, particularly the AIM-7. The three types of targets you meet are: MIG-29 Fulcrum (fighter), MiG-27 Flogger (attack jet), and a Troop Transport (cargo plane). Your fuel is also something you gotta watch, and a cool thing is if you are running low, just hook up to an A-6 Intruder tanker plane to get more gas(just like in real-life). Overall, this game is solid with no serious vices. It should please any die hard flight sim fan, or just the casual gamer looking for air-to-air combat. Majesco Sales did really well on this one. (If you like this game, you should try out Top Gun: Guts and Glory which is a pretty good simulator for the Game Boy. Majesco didn't make Top Gun, but they have made Battleship and Monopoly for the Game Boy. (Both are lots of fun.) I suggest you get this game if this is what you are after. (Beware, the Game only works for the Game Boy Color)

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 05/18/00, Updated 05/18/00