If you’ve ever felt the urge to jump back into old-school arcade dogfighting, Air Combat 22 is about to give you that chance on PlayStation consoles. The game, initially launched in 1995 on Namco’s System Super 22 arcade board, is coming to PS5 and PS4 via the Arcade Archives series on July 3rd.
Now, why does this matter? Well, Air Combat 22 is the sequel to the 1993 title Air Combat, which later laid the foundation for the favorite Ace Combat franchise. This port is a neat nod to the series’ origins, offering a taste of polygonal dogfighting from the mid-’90s era with a modern polish.
The Japanese developer Hamster Corporation, who handle these Arcade Archives ports, describes the game as featuring an “evolutionary step in 3D graphics and flashy animations” for its time. Players will engage in various aerial combat missions that require precise skill and strategy to down enemy aircraft across diverse scenarios. The promise is straightforward: become a hero of the skies.
Like other Arcade Archives releases, expect leaderboards and quality-of-life improvements. The PS5 version will come with extras like rewind and a time attack mode, though it will cost a bit more, $16.99 on PS5 versus $14.99 on PS4. For those picking it up on PS4 first, a $2.99 upgrade is available to get the PS5 enhancements. A little pricey, sure, but these ports tend to be solid, so it might be worth it if nostalgia hits you hard.
Honestly, I’m curious how many folks will go into this classic dogfighting sim. Will the old-school polygonal visuals charm you, or is it a relic better left in the arcade halls? Yikes, I’m already eager to see some epic dogfights replayed with a current twist.
Are you ready to take to the skies once more with Air Combat 22? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
