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Game Info

Cover art of After Burner
Platform
Sega Master System
Genres
Action
Player Perspective
Third person
Developers
Sega AM2
Publishers
Sega Enterprises, Inc. · Tec Toy
Release date
December 12, 1987

Summary

The Master System’s take on After Burner feels like a stripped‑down cousin of the arcade original, trading the X‑Board’s flashy sprite rotation for a simpler visual palette that still manages to capture the jet‑fighter rush. Because the console’s hardware was modest, developers re‑engineered the graphics and sound, resulting in crisper but less detailed sprites and a chiptune‑style soundtrack that echoes the arcade’s high‑octane vibe. One surprising tweak is the unlimited missile supply, which turns the original’s careful ammo management into a nonstop barrage that keeps the action flowing. Despite these compromises, the version sold like hotcakes in the United States in 1988, becoming a bestseller for Sega and proving that the core thrill of soaring through enemy fire could survive even on a budget system. In short, the Master System’s After Burner delivers a nostalgic, fast‑paced shoot‑‘em‑up that, while visually toned down, still lets players feel the exhilaration of piloting an F‑14 in a pure arcade‑style sprint.

Storyline

After Burner on the Sega Master System puts you in the cockpit of an American F‑14 Tomcat. The mission begins with a launch from the carrier SEGA Enterprise, and you must fly through 18 distinct stages. In each stage the goal is simple: destroy the enemy jets that appear. Clearing all 18 stages completes the game’s single‑player campaign.

Edited by Maya Carter

Game Videos

Game Screenshots

  • Screenshot 1 of After Burner
  • Screenshot 2 of After Burner
  • Screenshot 3 of After Burner

Multiplayer

Game modes
Single