AeroFighters Assault for Nintendo 64

If you want a true to form aerial attack video game then the AeroFighters Assault for the Nintendo 64 has to be at the top.  There is nothing better than having an ex-fighter pilot getting in on all the development action.  Granted, this isn't the newest of games, but for being around over a decade it still delivers the kind of excitement you could imagine in a fighter jet.

The game itself hits the modern day of dictatorship as Phutta Morgana tries to pull their best imitation of Hitler mixed with a little terrorist action mixed into the program.   Basically, the idea of this ridiculous group is to turn New York City into one big dust pile.  Whether it happens or not is up to you and it starts in a totally different part of the world until ultimately reaching the North Eastern U.S. soil.

Listen, we feel this is up there in terms of game action, but the play and graphics kind of leave you looking for other titles.  Keep in mind this was released in 1997, and even though it's over a decade old, you'll still find many people playing it today.  However, when comparing AeroFighters to anything made today, the choppy scenes make for possible frustration if you aren't a patient person.

Overall though, you'll find a wide variety of places to do battle.  If not the skies, then taking care of issues in the Desert, through the Pacific, and even areas of Japan (where the makers are from) will come to the forefront.  Then of course, your weapons won't be called machine guns or missiles, but instead names like Makibishi, and Hunai Shot.  Keep in mind this is a Japanese made game.

Another thing you will come across that is quite peculiar, is the feeling that you're flying with a surfer as your wingman or something.  The constant "surfer slang" tends to make the noise as irritating as can be even though the game itself can be entertaining.  By the end of the first mission, you may want to turn off the volume options or game chatter because of it.  However, if you do this you'll also be turning off your mission briefings as well.

When it's time to play you'll get the chance to view three different styles of play. The first is your obvious cockpit view, the second allows you to see the action from behind the fighter, and the third gives you an option to see your location to other fighters.  Having each view gives you the opportunity to play with different styles and difficulty.  This way once you beat the game, it will take on a whole new look the next time around.

We definitely know that AeroFighters Assault has maneuvers you haven't seen before.  We aren't sure why, but they took the Cobra and Culbit right out of an air show and implemented both of them in the game.  Seriously though, this alone is enough to get the game, but just keep in mind it will take you a little getting used to in order to be successful in your dogfights.

If you're up for a challenge then investing in this game will be one of the best purchases you ever made.  By now, you know that flight simulation style games bulk everything out in 3D.  The thing with this game in particular is how to overcome the distraction issues of your controls.  Listen, this isn't some press A for gas B for brake and away you go game.  You will put in man hours trying to make yourself look like Tom Cruise from Top Gun. 

One thing we will recommend though is changing the way you play the game.  It will continue to give you a fresh new look each time so everything doesn't get old.  On a personal note, we know how frustrating this game can be at times, but if you need the challenge then you'll be extremely happy.  Oh, and once you've mastered the game you can play each main character, one right after the other.

Overall, the game is just like any other game out there.  It has some great features, some bad ones, and thousands of people giving their opinions.  There isn't a perfect game out there because someone always comes up with something the game is missing.  We believe the only way you can actually make an informed decision is by playing it yourself.  If you're just going off what others say, you may miss out on something you'll enjoy.