Aero Fighters 2

Last updated
Aero Fighters 2
Aero Fighters 2 arcade flyer.jpg
Developer(s) Video System
Publisher(s) SNK
Designer(s) A. Ōkawara
Katsuyuki Yamamotoya
Hiroko Yokoyama
Composer(s) Hiroyuki Itou
Norie Aoki
Soshi Hosoi
Series Aero Fighters
Platform(s) Arcade, Neo Geo AES, Neo Geo CD
Release
18 July 1994
  • Arcade
    • JP: 18 July 1994
    • NA: 1994
    Neo Geo AES
    • JP: 26 August 1994
    • NA: 1994
    Neo Geo CD
    • NA/JP: 29 September 1994
Genre(s) Vertically scrolling shooter
Mode(s)
Arcade system Neo Geo MVS

Aero Fighters 2 [lower-alpha 1] is a vertical-scrolling shoot 'em up arcade game released in 1994 by Video System. [1] [2] It is developed by SNK and released in Japan, North America and Europe. It is the second part of the Aero Fighters series followed by the third part Aero Fighters 3 and a spin-off Aero Fighters Assault . It was initially released as a cabinet token base game.

Contents

Gameplay

Gameplay screenshot. NEOGEO Aero Fighters 2 (Sonic Wings 2).png
Gameplay screenshot.

The game is played with two buttons, with the A button firing projectiles from the plane and the B button launching a special bomb attack which uses a bomb from a limited stock of bombs. [3] Power projectiles can be obtained by destroying buildings and armored enemy planes. There are two types of Power projectiles: "P" Power projectiles, that increase the plane's firepower by one level, and "F" Power projectiles, that increase the plane's firepower to the maximum level instantly. The maximum level only lasts for a limited number of shots. When certain ground enemies and buildings are destroyed, money bonuses appear which give a set number of points based on how fast the player destroys them and how quickly they collected the bonus. When the player reaches the end of the stage, the player has to face a boss ship. There are ten levels. Once those levels are beaten, there is a character-specific ending. The game then loops with palette changes, but after the looped stages are beaten, the game truly ends.

Development and release

Reception

In Japan, Game Machine listed Aero Fighters 2 on their September 1, 1994 issue as being the seventh most-popular arcade game at the time. [20] In North America, RePlay reported it to be the fifth most-popular arcade game at the time. [21] Play Meter also listed the title to be the fifty-seventh most-popular arcade game at the time. [22] The game was met with generally positive reception from critics. [6] [23] [24] [25] It holds a 90% on the video game review aggregator GameRankings . [4] AllGame 's Kyle Knight praised the variety of ships and backgrounds, sound, level designs and gameplay but criticized its replay value. [5] GamePro 's Captain Squideo gave it a generally positive review. While citing some issues with slowdown and an absence of sound effects for the player's jet, as well as a general lack of originality, he considered it an overall enjoyable shooter with fun weapons, huge bosses, and "crisp" controls. [7] Next Generation reviewed the Neo-Geo version of the game, stating that "players with any skill will beat the game on the easy or normal level in under an hour. The higher levels offer more challenges, but not new ones". [12]

Hobby Consolas 's Manuel del Campo praised the graphical design of stages and enemies despite the small size of the player's plane, music, playability and ship variety but criticized the lack of variety with sound design and "wow factor". [8] Joypad's Benji regarded the Neo Geo CD version to be disappointing, writing that "we found ourselves in front of a game which would have been all the rage (although!) On Neo cartridge five years ago. Because even soundtrack side, for CD, the result is trivial". [9] MAN!AC's Ingo Zaborowski commended the visuals but criticized the music for being inappropriate and unmotivated, comparing the game with both Raiden II and Twin Eagle II. [10] Mega Fun 's Martin Weidner visually compared the title with Last Resort and Viewpoint , criticizing the music, slowdown during gameplay and lack of additional options. [11]

Player One's Christophe Delpierre reviewed the Neo Geo CD version, remarking that the graphics needed more work and criticized the levels for their short length, concluding that "in short, Aero Fightere 2, without being bad, still disappoints a little. On Neo CD, we are entitled to expect much better". [14] Like Manuel del Campo, Superjuegos' Roberto Serrano praised the visual design, music, sound design and playability but criticized the occurrence of slowdown when many sprites are displayed on-screen, stating that the sequel far exceeds its predecessor. [15] CD Consoles' David Taborda commended the audiovisual presentation and playability but criticized its creativity on display and slowdown during gameplay but he nevertheless regarded the title to be a good game. [16] Computer+Videogiochi's Maurizio Miccoli reviewed the Neo Geo CD release, praising the gameplay, longevity and presentation. [17] VideoGames ' Gabe Soria stated that the graphics were similar to those of the original Aero Fighters and compared the sound design with Apocalypse Now but commended its playability but noted it was neither new nor special. [19]

Aero Fighters 2 has been met with mostly positive reception from retrospective reviewers in recent years. [26] [27] In 2014, HobbyConsolas identified it as one of the twenty best games for the Neo Geo AES. [28] Nintendo Life 's Dave Frear praised the Nintendo Switch version for the addition of hi-score and caravan modes, selection of planes, enemy variety, action and multiple endings. [13] In contrast, however, Pure Nintendo Magazine 's Justin Sharp commended the visual presentation and two-player mode but criticized the short length and lack of replayability. [18]

Notes

  1. ↑ Also known as Sonic Wings 2 (Japanese: ソニックウィングス2, Hepburn: Sonikkū~ingusu 2) in Japan.

Related Research Articles

<i>Blazing Star</i> 1998 shooter video game

Blazing Star is a shoot 'em up video game developed by Yumekobo and published by SNK in 1998 for the Neo Geo arcade and home systems. It is a follow-up to Pulstar (1995) and features side-scrolling action similar to its predecessor and different ships with varying characteristics. It was made less challenging than its predecessor, and the graphic quality was improved upon.

<i>World Heroes Perfect</i> 1995 video game

World Heroes Perfect is a 1995 fighting arcade game developed and published by ADK with the assistance of SNK. It was originally released for the Neo Geo MVS arcade cabinet on May 25, 1995. It is the fourth and final title of the World Heroes series.

<i>Money Puzzle Exchanger</i> 1997 video game

Money Puzzle Exchanger is a puzzle game created on January 17, 1997 by Japanese video game developer Face for the Neo Geo MVS arcade system. Athena Co. Ltd. ported it to the Game Boy on August 29, 1997, and the PlayStation on November 5, 1998. The Japanese PlayStation version was made available by MonkeyPaw Games on the PlayStation Network's import store on November 16, 2010. It was later re-released as part of the Arcade Archives Neo Geo series for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch on June 28, 2018.

<i>NAM-1975</i> 1990 video game

NAM-1975 is a war shooting gallery arcade video game developed and originally published by SNK on April 26, 1990. It was one of the launch titles for both the Neo Geo MVS (arcade) and Neo Geo AES (home) platforms, in addition to being the only title in the system that does not feature the Neo Geo boot screen in its attract mode, as well as one of the pack-in games for the AES.

<i>Aero Fighters 3</i> 1995 video game

Aero Fighters 3, known as Sonic Wings 3 in Japan and Europe, is a vertical-scrolling shoot 'em up arcade game released in 1995 by Video System. The Neo Geo AES version was not released in North America, but the Neo Geo MVS and Neo Geo CD versions were released in North America. The game was later released for Nintendo Switch in 2018 by the eventual copyright holder for the game, Hamster Corporation.

<i>Alpha Mission II</i> 1991 video game

Alpha Mission II is a vertically scrolling full screen shoot 'em up released by SNK in 1991 for the Neo Geo arcade and home systems. It is the sequel to the 1985 arcade game Alpha Mission. It was later released for the Neo Geo CD in 1994 and for the PlayStation Portable in 2010.

<i>Pulstar</i> (video game) 1995 video game

Pulstar is a horizontally scrolling shooter released for arcades by SNK in 1995. Players control a starship in its mission to eradicate the Solar System of a hostile race of aliens that threaten mankind. Its gameplay has been compared to the R-Type series for its similar premise and mechanics; players must complete each of the game's eight stages by destroying constantly-moving formations of enemies and avoiding their projectiles. There are power-ups that can be collected that provide additional abilities for the player. It runs on the Neo Geo MVS arcade system board.

<i>Ninja Masters</i> 1996 video game

Ninja Master's: Haō Ninpō Chō,, is a ninja-themed 2D fighting game produced by ADK and originally released in 1996 for the Neo Geo arcade and home platform. Ninja Master's was the sixth and final fighting game produced by ADK, following the four games in the World Heroes series and Aggressors of Dark Kombat. It was later featured in the 2008 compilation ADK Damashii for the PlayStation 2. Ninja Master's was also re-released on the Neo-Geo X handheld system in 2012, and for the Virtual Console in 2013. In 2019 it was released as part of Arcade Archives developed by Japanese company Hamster. As of 2021, Ninja Master's was released worldwide on Nintendo Switch and Xbox One. The PS4 version remains exclusive to Asia but includes both Japanese and English releases.

<i>Ironclad</i> (video game) 1996 video game

Ironclad is a horizontally scrolling shooter developed by Saurus for the Neo Geo CD video game console.

<i>Last Resort</i> (video game) 1992 video game

Last Resort is a horizontally scrolling shooter by SNK released as an arcade video game in 1992. It was also released for the Neo-Geo and Neo Geo CD systems, SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1 for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, and Wii, as well as ACA Neo-Geo for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

<i>Burning Fight</i> 1991 video game

Burning Fight is a beat 'em up arcade game released by SNK in 1991 for the Neo Geo MVS system. Introduced to capture a share in the then-popular beat 'em ups market, it was meant to compete with Technōs' Double Dragon, the leader of the genre at the time. Three years after its release in the arcades and on the Neo Geo AES, it was released on Neo Geo CD as the only other home version.

<i>Blues Journey</i> 1990 video game

Blue's Journey is a side-scrolling platform game released by Alpha Denshi in 1990 on SNK's Neo Geo MVS arcade system and their AES home system. It was ported to the Neo Geo CD in 1994. It was rereleased on the Wii's Virtual Console in Europe on November 9, 2007, followed by North America on November 12, 2007.

<i>Top Hunter: Roddy & Cathy</i> 1994 video game

Top Hunter: Roddy & Cathy is a side scrolling arcade beat 'em up platform game developed by SNK for the Neo Geo in 1994. It was also released on the Neo Geo CD, and the Wii Virtual Console. The game has been re-released as part of SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1, on May 1, 2008, and in the ACA Neo Geo series on PlayStation 4 on January 10, 2018. Its development team consisted of former Irem staff members.

<i>Spinmaster</i> 1993 video game

Spinmaster is an arcade game developed and released by Data East in December, 1993 in North America, in Europe the same year and on February 18, 1994 in Japan. It is the first game Data East developed and released for the SNK Neo-Geo MVS hardware. Its character designs are almost identical to the ones in Data East's Sega Genesis game titled Dashin' Desperadoes; however, the rest of both games are completely different. Also, Spinmaster's gameplay, artwork style, animations of some characters and the styles of its weapons were heavily inspired by another arcade game by Data East titled Joe & Mac, according to the Japanese Miracle Adventure arcade flyer.

<i>Ghost Pilots</i> 1991 video game

Ghost Pilots is a vertically scrolling shooter arcade video game released in 1991 by SNK. It has elements similar to Capcom's 194X series, but the player controls a seaplane.

<i>Zed Blade</i> 1994 video game

Zed Blade is a horizontally scrolling shooter arcade video game developed by NMK and originally published by SNK on September 13, 1994. It is the only game created by NMK for the Neo Geo arcade platform. In a science fiction setting, players choose one of three characters to attempt to overthrow an army of enemies led by the on-board supercomputer at the automated Yggdrasil space station and seize full control of it once again.

<i>Robo Army</i> 1991 video game

Robo Army is a beat 'em up video game developed and published by SNK that was released for Neo Geo arcades and home consoles in 1991 and the Neo Geo CD in 1995.

<i>Gururin</i> 1994 video game

Gururin is a puzzle arcade video game developed by Face, with the assistance of Minato Giken, and originally published by SNK on May 25, 1994. It was the first game to be created by Face for the Neo Geo platform and it was not released on the Neo Geo AES (home).

<i>Power Spikes II</i> 1994 video game

Power Spikes II is a volleyball arcade video game developed by Video System and originally published by Taito on October 19, 1994. A follow-up to Hyper V-Ball on Super Nintendo Entertainment System, it was first launched for Neo Geo MVS (arcade) and later ported to Neo Geo CD. It is the final installment in the Super Volleyball series. It is also the only volleyball game released on the Neo Geo.

<i>Super Sidekicks</i> (video game) 1992 video game

Super Sidekicks is a 1992 soccer arcade video game developed and published by SNK. It is the first installment in the eponymous series and the second soccer game released for Neo Geo MVS, succeeding Soccer Brawl (1991). Featuring an arcade-style approach to soccer compared to other games released at the time, the title allows players to choose any of the available game modes with AI-controlled opponents or other human players with the team of their choosing. Its gameplay uses a simplified two-button configuration.

References

  1. ↑ "Title Catalogue - NEOGEO MUSEUM". SNK Playmore. 2010. Archived from the original on 2018-08-28. Retrieved 2020-02-24.
  2. ↑ "Oh! Neo Geo Vol. 27 - ソニックウィングス2". Beep! MegaDrive (in Japanese). No. 62. SoftBank Creative. November 1994. p. 134.
  3. ↑ Zverloff, Nick (November 2, 2011). "Aero Fighters 2". Hardcore Gaming 101. Archived from the original on July 26, 2019. Retrieved 2020-02-24.
  4. 1 2 "ACA NeoGeo: Aero Fighters 2 for Nintendo Switch". GameRankings . CBS Interactive. 2019. Archived from the original on 2019-12-06. Retrieved 2020-02-24.
  5. 1 2 Knight, Kyle (1998). "Aero Fighters 2 (Neo Geo Advanced Entertainment System) - Review". AllGame . All Media Network. Archived from the original on 2014-11-15. Retrieved 2020-02-24.
  6. 1 2 "NEO GEO GAMES CROSS REVIEW: ソニックウィングス2". Famitsu (in Japanese). No. 332. ASCII. April 28, 1995. p. 21.
  7. 1 2 Squideo, Captain (November 1994). "ProReview: Neo•Geo – Aero Fighters 2". GamePro . No. 64. IDG. p. 168.
  8. 1 2 del Campo, Manuel (January 1995). "Lo Más Nuevo - Neo Geo: Aero Fighters 2 – Infierno En Los Aires". Hobby Consolas (in Spanish). No. 40. Hobby Press. pp. 112–113.
  9. 1 2 Benji (February 1995). "Le zapping des tests - Aero Fighters 2 (Néo Géo CD)". Joypad (in French). No. 39. Yellow Media. p. 100.
  10. 1 2 Zaborowski, Ingo (October 1994). "Spiele-Tests – NG: Aero Fighters 2". MAN!AC (in German). No. 12. Cybermedia. p. 72. Archived from the original on 2019-01-04. Retrieved 2020-02-24.
  11. 1 2 Weidner, Martin (September 1994). "Test Neo Geo: Aerofighters 2 - Video Systems NG-Debut gibt sich technisch noch etwas zurückgeblieben, spielerisch dagegen ist es alles andere als zu verachten". Mega Fun (in German). No. 24. Computec. p. 109.
  12. 1 2 "Finals - NEO-GEO - Aero Fighters 2". Next Generation . No. 1. Imagine Media. January 1995. p. 94. Archived from the original on 2016-04-11. Retrieved 2020-02-24.
  13. 1 2 Frear, Dave (August 28, 2017). "Aero Fighters 2 Review (Switch eShop / Neo Geo) - Awesome Shmup action". Nintendo Life . Nlife Media. Archived from the original on December 22, 2019. Retrieved 2020-02-24.
  14. 1 2 Delpierre, Christophe (January 1995). "Vite Vu – Neo Geo CD: Aero Fighters 2". Player One (in French). No. 49. Média Système Édition. p. 120.
  15. 1 2 Serrano, Roberto (February 1995). "Neo Geo CD - Review: Aero Fighters 2 – Vuelo Rasante". Superjuegos (in Spanish). No. 34. Grupo Zeta. pp. 66–69.
  16. 1 2 Taborda, David (January 1995). "Les Critiques: Aero Fighters 2 - Neo Geo CD". CD Consoles (in French). No. 3. Pressimage. pp. 154–157.
  17. 1 2 Miccoli, Maurizio (December 1994). "Neo Geo CD - Review: Aero Fighters 2". Computer+Videogiochi (in Italian). No. 43. Gruppo Editoriale Jackson. pp. 72–73.
  18. 1 2 Sharp, Justin (August 29, 2017). "Review: ACA NEOGEO Aero Fighters 2 (Switch)". Pure Nintendo Magazine . Pure Media, LLC. Retrieved 2020-05-22.
  19. 1 2 Soria, Gabe (November 1994). "Reviews: Neo•Geo - Aero Fighters 2". VideoGames - The Ultimate Gaming Magazine . No. 70. Larry Flynt Publications. p. 110.
  20. ↑ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 479. Amusement Press, Inc. 1 September 1994. p. 25.
  21. ↑ "Player's Choice - Top Games Now in Operation, Based on Earnings-Opinion Poll of Operators: Best Video Software". RePlay. Vol. 19, no. 12. RePlay Publishing, Inc. September 1994. p. 10.
  22. ↑ "Equipment Poll - Video & Pinball Combined". Play Meter . Vol. 20, no. 11. Skybird Publishing. October 1994. p. 11.
  23. ↑ Schnelle, Mick (April 1994). "SNK - Neo Geo: Aero Fighters 2". Megablast (in German). No. 6. Joker-Verlag. p. 61.
  24. ↑ "Reportaje - Clásicos en CD -- Titulos disponibles para el nuevo formato de SNK: Aero Fighers 2". Hobby Hi-Tech (in Spanish). No. 1. Hobby Press. March 1995. p. 28.
  25. ↑ "NF編集部にまる - ネオジオゲームㇱインレビュー: ソニックウィングス2". Neo Geo Freak (in Japanese). No. 25. Geibunsha. June 1997. pp. 124–128.
  26. ↑ Osange, Elliott (August 11, 2017). "ACA NEOGEO AERO FIGHTERS 2 Review". bonusstage.co.uk. Bonus Stage. Archived from the original on April 16, 2019. Retrieved 2020-02-24.
  27. ↑ Maciejewski, A.J. (August 12, 2019). "ACA NeoGeo Shoot 'em Ups - Aero Fighters 2 Review". videochums.com. Video Chums. Archived from the original on August 13, 2019. Retrieved 2020-02-24.
  28. ↑ Alonso, Álvaro (February 12, 2014). "Reportaje: Los 20 mejores juegos de Neo Geo (AES)". HobbyConsolas (in Spanish). Axel Springer SE. Archived from the original on 2014-03-02. Retrieved 2023-02-06.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.