Afterburner III

 
"You're pressed back in your seat as the afterburner kicks in - it's you against the enemy, but you have the flying edge - your F-14 Tomcat!"
 
Game Information
Developer CSK Research Institute
Publisher Sega Enterprises
Copyright Date 1993
Players 1
Age Rating(s) None given
Save Type None
Cart Version No
 

 
 
Part Numbers
Game 4415
Front Cover 670-3101-50
Back Cover 670-3103-50
Manual 672-1212-50
Spine Card 670-3102-50
CD 1 670-3100-50
Bar Code 4 974365 644154
 

 
 

     
     
 
 
 
 
 
Thanks to Adam Buchanan (Cauterize) for scanning his sealed copy to provide us with the spine card image above.
 
The Mega-CD conversion of Sega's arcade hit isn't quite as pretty as the 32X cartridge version, and it's not the same without a flight stick and hydraulic cabinet. but the static shots here don't do this game justice.  The scenery may be limited but it moves very smoothly and the unit's sprite rotation and scaling power is put to good use.  Players can fly with a view behind the jet or in cockpit mode, which will pull back smoothly if an enemy approaches from the rear.  Both ground and air targets are presented for attack, and the lack of fuel or ammunition limits makes this a pure arcade blast.  Using a 6-button controller allows for a little extra control with the wing flaps for braking bound to the Z button.  A couple of timed challenge modes add some variety.