Released in 1995

Available in

Genre: Shooting

Also known as: After Burner Complete

The 32X version of After Burner is actually a port of After Burner II. Whilst After Burner II had already been ported to the Genesis (in 1990), that version had a lot of graphical shortcomings. The 32X version is much closer to the arcade game, with bigger sprites, more colors, better controls (as long as you've got a six button controller), superior music and more. The only problem fans tend to have with this version is that it runs at 30 frames per second, whilst the arcade version ran at 60.

Reaction from the gaming press to this version was mostly negative, with many reviewers pointing out that it seemed odd for SEGA to be releasing an old game for their new system. At the time it was released however, this was the best version most fans would have been able to get. Whether or not you'd want it is another matter. The game is great for short sessions, but after you get over the bright colors and explosions, and have had some fun ramming the plane's speed up to maximum, there isn't much to come back to.

After Burner has you taking off in a F-14 Tomcat and engaging an enemy force. The majority of battles take place in the sky, as you have to shoot down approaching aircraft before they hit you. All enemies take one hit to destroy, however, your plane will also crash or explode if it gets hit. The F-14 has two weapons: a vulcan cannon (which has unlimited ammo) and lock-on missiles. The missiles can be fired whenever, but when you hear the pilot say "fire!", you will have locked onto an enemy and the missile will home in on them when fired. On certain stages you will be given a missile re-supply.

The F-14 can also slow down or speed up. If you are being chased by an enemy plane or missile, try speeding up or slowing down and moving around the screen to shake them off. Enemies will mostly appear in front of you, with the majority of them trying to shoot you down with their own lock-on missiles. Move around the screen to avoid them. You can also check if an enemy is approaching from behind by using your plane's radar (located in the top right corner of the screen).

A couple of levels have you attacking enemy bases. You won't be shot at here, however you can still die by colliding with buildings, or the canyons. Just blast away at the tents, hangars and other structures you to see to get as many points as possible. In total there are 21 stages, and the game will end with your plane making it back to the SEGA Enterprise aircraft carrier.

Continue option
When you run out of lives, the game will end. When the title screen appears, a continue option will be available, allowing you to continue from a certain level.

Arcade mode
At the SEGA logo, press A, C and start on player 2's controller. A voice should say "get ready!". When the intro starts, "press start!" will be changed to "insert coin!" and a credit counter will be shown at the bottom left of the screen. Press start on controller one to start the game with three credits.

Diagnostics screen
At the SEGA logo, press A, C and start on player 2's controller. A voice should say "get ready!". At the title screen, press A, B, C and start on player 1's controller. This should bring up the diagnostics menu, which has a lot of tests menus and a dip switch menu, although I don't think you can change anything on the latter.

-Advertising material reveals that the original title for this port was Super After Burner.

-Whilst the American version's box just states the game is called "After Burner", the title screen still has the "Complete" on it, just like the Japanese and European versions do.

-The artwork used for the box covers of the American and European versions is a re-use of After Burner III's American version cover art.

-This port was programmed by Rutubo Games, who also did the 32X version of Space Harrier. Their later works would including porting After Burner II, OutRun, The King of Fighters '95 and some other games to the SEGA Saturn.