Classic ports always fare better when handled by a team that approaches the source game's legacy with the utmost respect, and without a hint of hyperbole 3D After Burner II is a truly exceptional retread. Developer M2 has worked wonders with this re-release of Sega's 1987 arcade cabinet, presenting a faithful port that captures the white-knuckle turbulence and twitch manoeuvrability that made the original release such a blast.
Weaving a heavily-armed F-14D Tomcat jet fighter through wave after wave of unrelenting gunfire, kamikaze planes and heat-seeking missiles is a genuine thrill, and the format – weirdly – feels comparable to modern-day endless runners, thanks to the ceaseless gauntlet unfolding before your straining eyes.
It isn't actually endless, of course, as there are 21 different checkpoint stages to battle your way through, but the aim is to make it as far as possible before your continues run out; there is an addictiveness here to get a little further each time – this is also true of Yu Suzuki's classic OutRun. The progression template is simple yet clever, but if you can't be arsed starting over from stage one after losing all your credits, you can just hop right back in to any stage from the title screen.
The key to surviving each stage is to split your attention between peppering enemy craft with your auto-fire chaingun, while gliding your cross-hairs over targets to engage a missile lock. In a great turn of risk-reward play, each missile released by your jet produces thick plumes of smoke that obscure your vision – so while you are unleashing heavy ordnance, you leave yourself blind to incoming enemy fire. That's quite ingenious.
Using missiles sparingly is certainly advised, particularly in the later stages when your attackers start chasing you from behind. The 3D depth of field truly sings during these pursuit encounters, but your attention needs to be firm if you are to give them the slip and avoid their machine guns while concentrating on enemies attacking from the horizon.
As an act of mercy, the game enables players to pull off a barrel roll by thrusting to the side and then switching direction. You'll need to master this to avoid incoming heat-seekers bearing down on your tail, and navigating through sheer walls of enemy missiles. The 360-degree spin effect is simply glorious on the 3DS screen, and simply adds to the thrill of each stage.
There are also bonus rounds that see you wiping out enemy radar towers, while skirting through perilous desert canyons where one wrong move sees your craft erupting into a fireball. These levels are used sparingly, but they are a welcome change of pace from the army of jets blocking your path. Mid-round cut-scenes blend seamlessly into the gameplay to break the pace further, and show your jet refuelling in mid-flight or landing on air strips while miniature crews restock your missiles.
All of this – the fluid, engaging gameplay, the lavish sprite work and attention to detail – makes for one hell of a nostalgia trip. That said, younger gamers with no knowledge of the series would also do well to invest a few quid into After Burner II, given its parallels with modern endless runners. The desire to get further without continuing is strong with this one, so expect to put a lot of time in.
M2's port dedication doesn't stop there, because a special mode unlocks after you finish the main mission. This blends elements of Sega's 2006 arcade game After Burner: Climax – namely, the ability to fill a Burst gauge by downing enemies and then using it to slow time momentarily. It adds a new layer of depth to the original game, and because the mode has no continue option you need to use the slow-mo wisely to rack up big points and earn extra lives.
There's also a sound test in the options menu with special '+' versions of the original score, a replay option to show off your best runs and plenty of HUD and control tweaks. That the initial release has been expanded in such a manner further underlines M2's respect for Sega's classic, and in the end you have a port that shows how retro games should be treated on second pass.
Conclusion
We simply can't recommend 3D After Burner II enough. It's a game designed to be played in short bursts and to that end it lacks narrative and mechanical depth, but its core strengths shine bright. With a kickass soundtrack, Sega's wonderful 'blue sky' aesthetic and a superb modern mode, this is an essential purchase for retro enthusiasts and endless runner fans alike.
Comments 50
No doubt. I am sold on this.
@Djreisat so, so impressed with the port quality
can sega give us the game gear games that japan has and the us and pal regions do not
@andrew20 which ones would you like to see?
"The Need For Speed"?!, yay!, jijiji, No signals of cars like Ferrari or McLaren?, XD, sorry, I'm just kidding ^.^
@SakuraHaruka haha
It's interesting that the car series nicked that phrase from Top Gun isnt it?
thanks for the review. ive been waiting for it. looking forward to getting this game!
@DaveCook Does it support the Circle Pad Pro like Galaxy Force 2 did ? The only time I have ever managed to play Afterburner Climax properly was on the actual machine but it needs a separate stick for the throttle.
@JHDKoopman no problem, thanks for reading
@unrandomsam yeah it uses the circle pad, it handles really fluidly too.
I've never been a big Afterburner fan,but this sounds great. Guess I'll check it out. Might sway me like 3D Space Harrier did.
It has aged to perfection. Having this and all of SEGA's awesome sprite scaling arcades in my pocket is a sign we truly live in the future. Highly recommended, the 3D stereoscopic effect makes it even more awesome than the original.
@Shiryu good that you mention the sprite scaling because it's very impressive in this one
@Byron-3D it's on the 3DS eShop homepage just now
Didnt wait for a review knew it would be ace, I miss classic sega
Yeah, gonna have to download this today...
Sounds great. Add to Wishlist...
The lock-on sounds would probably drive me crazy if I played this.
I can still remember the day my uncle who was on leave from the army,bought me this for the Megadrive.It was an incredible feeling to be able to play arcade games you drooled over in your own home.Unfortunately I don't own or want a 3DS,so come on SEGA bring us some Arcade Classics for the Wii U Daytona,SEGA Rally,Virtua Racing,Cop and Fighter are all waiting to be purchased on day one
@DaveCook yeah looks pretty spot on. Really, all the arcade ports of these sega classics have been on point. Super hang on has eaten hours of my time...that and fantasy zone 2.
I am a huge SEGA fan. SEGA somehow manages to troll its fans from time to time but I really like how handles the Classic games except the Game Gear ones.
As far as Mega Drive is concerned there is the huge PS3 Mega Collection, a cool PS2 and PSP (Vita) collection, almost all MD games are in Steam and Wii VC (not on Wii U VC though). Master System Classics are on Wii VC too. And we also have those cool 3D Classics on the 3DS.
However I would also want more Game Gear games, as some friends stated above. Even some Jap imports. There is Sonic Chaos, the second Tails game, Phantasy Star Adventure, Phantasy Star Gaiden and more. GG is really a cool console.
At some point SEGA should offer classic games from Mega CD, Saturn and Dreamcast.
Anyway waiting for Outrun next week. Outrun if one of my favourite games ever.
Looks like I might have to get this soon...
May pick it up soon. If the New 3DS had improved 3D feature then this game will be the first I try for that.
Sounds good!
an amazing game
An amazingly good version of a classic game, it has so many options and includes one to add the lead melody to the music, that most versions missed. Even the credits are great, cant wait for Thunderblade and my favourite game ever, Outrun!
@CanisWolfred Galaxy Force 2 is worth checking out as well.
@belmont I would also like to see sonic
Chaos on vc.The game gear version of ninja gaiden is another title I'd buy instantly.
Never got the chance to play Afterburner back in the day so really looking forward to this, and bring on Outrun!
And can we have Enduro Racer, please
I don't want to seem ungrateful, as I'm super hyped that Sega are doing these... but I think they'd have had more success (at least here in Europe) with Golden Axe (with local play) and Sonic 2.
That said, I am happy to see these games make their way Westward, and I hope that they're successful enough to warrent wave 3 of 3D classics. Certainly not paying £4.50 for After Burner though, lol.
@Moon Its certainly cheaper than buying the arcade cabinet.Id love to see a 3d sonic 2.Those bonus stages would be a blast in 3d.
@audiobrainiac let me know what you think
@Byron-3D no problem
@OorWullie great memories there. That's the power of retro nostalgia
@Djreisat I heard fantasy zone has a ton of new features. Sounds like it's rammed full of content.
@Fandabidozi yes to enduro racer!
Sega is pretty much saving the 3D Classics! Keep them coming great job again!
The only version I've ever played was the ZX Spectrum conversion that I owned back in the day. Is this version even better?
@antonvaltaz yes
WHEN THE HELL WILL SEGA DIVE INTO WII U VC/ARCADE CLASSICS???? Soooo many SEGA games I would snag Day 1 in the eshop!!!!
Don't understand why it's not happening!!
@xj0462 I find that difficult to believe...
Downloaded! Glad I can play this classic now.
@unrandomsam To clarify Dave's answer, yes the game has Circle Pad Pro functionality.
@antonvaltaz well, this ones arcade perfect, ZX version is NOT!
INCOMING LONG MESSAGE!
Firstly, I agree completely with the 8/10 Dave (great name).
One issue I have with this game though is that although they give you a massive wealth of options to use none feel absolutely perfect. I'll elaborate below...
SCREEN/CABINET: you are pretty much forced to play in none-moving cabinet mode and in 1:1 pixel mode to have any chance of a high score as literally every pixel counts in this game and having the pixels become distorted and disappearing entirely as the cabinet moves ruins any chance of a good score. The screen options are fantastic fun but probably would have suited a HD version better.
CONTROLS: the default 'type 1 circle pad' (circle pad centre = reticle centre) controls are really twitchy and the 'type 2 circle pad' (circle pad centre = no movement of reticle) controls feel too slow so manoeuvring never feels truly comfortable. I default to the 'type 2 circle pad' for control but the most accurate would probably be the 'type 1 touch' although using the touch screen can become tiring very quickly. I find myself always switching between the controls but find none of them satisfying.
Apart from these issues the game is obviously great, the 3D is fantastic although can feel pretty overwhelming at times, the music and sound options are amazing and the gameplay in spite of the controls is still rather good.
Up there with Super Hand-On as my current favourite 3D classic.
My default (lives 3, difficulty 3) highscore: 5459270
Game gear games that japan 3ds vc has and other regions do not
puyo puyo
Shining Force Gaiden
nazo puyo
nazo puyo 2
nazo puyo aruru no ru
puyo puyo tsu
now the game gear games that need to come to all regions
sonic drift 1(we have 2 why not 1)
aerial assault
mega man(we have the nes version just put on the game gear version)
pac-attack(game gear or game boy version)
out-run europa
phantasy star adventure
ristar(game gear or a 3d classics version)
sonic chaos
I was actually the first American to download this! I also was the first to post in the Miiverse community. Honestly, I'd give it a 9.5/10. One of the best 3DS games.
First of all, great review! I agree with it 100%. This is how a classic should be treated.
So far, i enjoyed all the sprite scaler games Sega brought back to the 3DS, each one giving me that perfect feel of nostalgia, with the added depth of the 3D effect, that will be better even when my NEW 3DS XL will arive in Europe! No more double lines because i move to much!
For this game, i had no worries tough, as the jet fighter model they used seems to be not licenced, or they have payed for the proper licenses. All those sprite scallers are just awesome on the 3DS, can't wait for the rest of them, but i worry for one title, and that is OutRun. I know it looks good, but the changed car may remove my feeling towards this as a game i used to play so much in the arcade in 1986! I have this game also on the Dreamcast collection, where they used the same changed car, and i so much more love my Sega Saturn Japanese copy of that game, just having the proper Testarossa car in it.
I will still buy it, no doubt, but hope the smaller screen will make the changed car model not to much important for me, as it's the gameplay that should be good!
Thanks for the review of Afterburner, i love this game to bits, and will be played a lot more!
Oh, and some games i'd love to see on the 3DS as well:
Virtua Racing: Arcade version, would be great in 3D, as the arcade version was smooth and great!
Turbo OutRun: New surroundings, that feeling of racing trough America in oldschool graphics, and the speed update is just awesome! I loved that ending music!.
OutRunners: Can't have to much of a good thing, and this game should have system link and internet multi player, as this arcade game had a great multiplayer mode in the arcades. More stages, forks in the road are back, revamped old tunes, and new ones! Add to this the cool funny animations at the and, and you can see why i love this a lot.
Power Drift: This game just screams for 3D! The way the camera pans to your car at the start of each race, i'd love to see this one in 3D, but we had a great home version on the Sega Saturn allready!
Now all those great Megadrive/Genesis games are also welcome, so here are a few of my favorite:
Sonic 1, 2, 3, 4: Ok, i must be fair and say Sonic 1 (allready out!) and 2 are my most favorite, closely followed by Sonic 3, but still, it would be cool to have all the Megadrive/Genesis Sonic games out, just to have the collection complete.
Streets of Rage 1, 2, and 3: Ok, the first one is out allready, but number 2 is my most favorite. This side scrolling street brawler was so good (for me), it made me forget wanting a Neo Geo console at that time. I was so impressed with the much improved graphical style, animation, use of collor, and that arcade feel. Also in this case, it would be cool to keep the series complete, so the less favorite 3rd part i'd buy just to keep the series complete.
Mikey Mouse Castle of illusion 1 and 2: I loved those games so much on the Megadrive/Genesis, best platform games that are not Sonic if you ask me. The looks and animations where so good, i finished those games to much, and still enjoy the trip trough those. I disliked the new 3D remake on the Xbox 360/Playstaion 3 compared to the Megadrive/Genesis version.
Donald Duck Quackshot: Platformer with a twist, i loved the idea of backtracking because you got a new plunger that can stick to walls for a while! Graphics and animations where top notch as most platformers from Disney where on this system.
Ok, i know there are more, like Golden Axe, but this game has not much use of 3D, due to the lack of paralax scrolling, and to my taste, i feel the ways you can attack the enemies was rather limited: Hit, or jump and hit. Ok, you had magic, and once in a while you could ride dragons that breath fire or shoot fire balls, but that was not to rewarding to play for me as the other brawlers Sega did. Still, this is a matter of personal taste, so i respect everyone's opinion, and i know this game has been requested by other users.
@musicmaniac1965
This would make my year! Well almost, there's a certain film on the way... Quackshot is my favourite game on the Mega Drive.
@Fandabidozi
Quackshot brought a complete new twist to the platform game, it was not just a easy cash grab from Disney, but a proper platformer with more replay value than any other platformer on the same system (minus Sonic 1 and 2, i played those a bit more, but only because of the speed!)
Would be great if they did this game for 3DS!
Do you know if it's possible to do a barrell roll in the direction of the flight? I use the bottom to do barrells whilst I am going right for example, and I want to to a barrell roll in that direction, but the plane just changes its direction and starts going left?
Am I doing something wrong? Is it actually possible to do these rolls in the direction your plane is going?
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