After Burner (1989). Play online

Summary

After Burner turned the simple act of dogfighting into a full‑throttle arcade spectacle. Designed by Yu Suzuki and inspired by the 1986 film *Top Gun*, the game lets you pilot an F‑14 Tomcat through 18 high‑speed stages, blasting enemy jets with a machine gun and limited heat‑seeking missiles. What made it legendary was Sega’s hydraulic “taikan” cabinet: the cockpit rocked, tilted and even rolled in sync with on‑screen action, giving riders the feeling of a true flight simulator.

The title became a commercial smash, ranking among the world’s top‑grossing arcade games of 1988 and breaking into America’s top five dedicated cabinets that year. Its fame spread to home systems, with a Sunsoft Famicom version and an unlicensed North American NES release by Tengen. After Burner’s blend of visceral gameplay and pioneering motion tech paved the way for later Sega aerial racers and remains a touchstone for retro enthusiasts.

Storyline

In the NES version of After Burner, you pilot an American F‑14 Tomcat fighter jet. The sortie begins on the deck of the SEGA Enterprise aircraft carrier, launching you into a high‑speed aerial assault. Across 18 distinct stages, your objective is to hunt down and destroy waves of enemy jets that threaten the skies. Each stage ramps up the intensity, demanding quick reflexes and precise shooting. The game’s straightforward premise keeps the focus on fast‑paced dogfighting and relentless action.