Whereas I’ve given up on reviewing each single certainly one of these weekly Arcade Archives releases from SNK and Hamster, I’ll often be popping in for video games that I actually like. Aero Fighters 2 ($3.99) is a type of video games, so right here we’re. Not like lots of the video games we’ve checked out up to now, Aero Fighters 2 wasn’t anyplace close to the system’s launch window, hitting as a substitute throughout the center of the NEOGEO’s most lively interval in the marketplace. That is additionally a noteworthy launch in that it’s technically one of many comparatively small variety of third get together video games for the console, having been created by Video System.
There’s an fascinating historical past behind the Aero Fighters collection, additionally recognized underneath the title Sonic Wings in some international locations. The primary sport, launched in 1992, was a vertically-scrolling shooter constructed on devoted arcade {hardware} with the standard tate display orientation. The principle designer on the sport was Shin Nakamura, and he put collectively a moderately orthodox Toaplan-style sport whose important distinguishing function was its massive forged of eight distinctive playable characters. The sport was a hit for Video System, however the firm had determined to maneuver all of its arcade sport improvement to SNK’s NEOGEO platform. This was probably a monetary choice, because it mitigated a number of the appreciable danger of creating arcade video games.
This alternative didn’t sit effectively with everybody on the firm, nonetheless. Shin Nakamura was enthusiastic about following up Aero Fighters with extra video games prefer it, however the NEOGEO’s use of a horizontally-aligned monitor ran considerably at odds with the standard set-up for vertical shooters. Nakamura, together with a number of others, felt so strongly about this that he determined to go away Video System and located a brand new firm. That firm, Psikyo, would go on to carve its personal legend within the shoot-em-up style with video games like Strikers 1945, Samurai Aces, Gunbird 2, and plenty of extra.
Whither Aero Fighters and Video System, then? Whereas the lack of these key workers members little doubt harm, the present needed to go on. The remaining members of the Aero Fighters workforce, with the help of different Video System workers, set to work on a sequel for SNK’s NEOGEO {hardware}. Releasing in 1994, Aero Fighters 2 turned out to be a reasonably strong success. Extra sequels would comply with till the model resulted in a considerably tepid vogue with 1999’s AeroFighters Assault for the Nintendo 64. Video System itself would shut its doorways simply two years later.
Again to the happier days of 1994, nonetheless. By way of mechanics, Aero Fighters 2 performs issues fairly protected. Comprehensible, given the circumstances. You as soon as once more select your favourite pilot and take to the skies in ten levels of vertically-scrolling motion. Every character has their very own important weapon and particular transfer, with power-ups to spice up the principle weapons and further pick-ups growing your inventory of specials dropping from sure enemies. You may play this sport with one other participant, and a part of the enjoyable comes from discovering efficient combos of expertise. There are some secrets and techniques to search out, however for essentially the most half it is a easy, well-made shooter.
The novelty within the sport just isn’t present in its mechanics, however moderately in its tone and story. The characters are completely ridiculous, and embrace a dolphin, a child, and a head in a jar. All of them have issues to say between levels, and totally different groups will produce totally different dialogues and endings. Aero Fighters 2 is exclusive within the collection for permitting you to companion any two characters collectively, which ends up in this sport having extra interactions and endings than every other Aero Fighters sport. A few of them are poorly translated, however lots of them are simply deliberately weird. You’ve in all probability seen memes minimize from this sport in some unspecified time in the future in your life.
Aero Fighters 2 in all probability isn’t going to be on the prime of the checklist for rating assault followers, however there are sufficient variables right here that it’s not a foul sport for that goal. Whereas there are numerous endings to uncover, the sport itself is a bit on the shorter aspect as a result of brisk tempo of every stage. The issue can be moderately reasonable by the requirements of the style, so nearly anybody could make their manner by means of it and possibly even take a strong run at rating attacking. Very elementary stuff, however the humorousness and fixed motion make Aero Fighters 2 a crowd-pleaser.
Hamster has accomplished its ordinary job in bringing this sport to the Arcade Archives initiative. It’s well-emulated, affords up loads of choices, has help for exterior controllers (certainly that is the one approach to play multiplayer), and has on-line leaderboards for all 4 of its important modes. You may play the sport in each its Japanese and abroad model, and you can too deal with the Excessive Rating and Caravan modes that Hamster all the time contains. These modes are each satisfying to play on this sport. It’s exhausting to search out a lot to fault right here by way of Hamster’s half within the course of.
Whereas the NEOGEO wasn’t precisely recognized for wall-to-wall bangers within the shoot-em-up class, it did have some excellent ones. Amongst these, the Aero Fighters video games have been constantly the most well-liked and arguably the most effective. I’m certain we’ll be seeing Aero Fighters 3 roll in in the end, however Aero Fighters 2 is a wonderful sport all by itself. It additionally takes very effectively to the touch controls, making it well-suited to cellular play. One other win for the cellular ACA NEOGEO collection.
