Aero Fighters 2

Overview

Aero Fighters 2 (known in Japan as Sonic Wings 2) is a vertical-scrolling shoot 'em up developed by Video System and released by SNK for arcades (using Neo Geo MVS hardware) on July 18, 1994.

The sequel to the 1992 game Aero Fighters, Aero Fighters 2 brings the series to Neo Geo hardware (which uses a horizontal resolution, despite the series' vertical scrolling). It also revamps the roster, replacing nearly all of the aircraft while including a bizarre variety of new pilots (including a dolphin and a baby). Unlike the previous game, players can choose any of the eight aircraft, regardless of their player side and the nationality of the other player's aircraft.

The game was also released on the Neo Geo AES on August 26, 1994 and ported to the Neo Geo CD on September 29, 1994. It was later digitally re-released as part of HAMSTER's Arcade Archives series, first on August 3, 2017 for the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch, then on May 25, 2018 for the PC, then on May 12, 2022 for iOS and Android devices.

Aircraft & Characters

The game includes a revamped roster of eight aircraft (each with their own weaponry, firepower, and pilot). Unlike the original game, players can choose any of the eight aircraft, regardless of their player side and the nationality of the other player's aircraft.

The only aircraft to make a return are the FS-X, the F-15 Eagle, and the F-14 Tomcat, and the only characters to return are Hi-En, Mao-Mao, and Blaster Keaton (the last of which is now in a new robot body). Other characters from the previous game also make an appearance in endings.

• F-117 Nighthawk (U.S.A.) - Piloted by the cyborg Robo Keaton (Mecha-Keaton in the Japanese version), whose head is inside an odd robot body (sometimes for comedic effect).

• A-10 Thunderbolt (U.S.A.) - Piloted by the veteran fighter pilot Captain Silver, who pals around with his parakeet Polly (Flint in the Japanese version).

• FS-X (Japan) - Piloted by the ninja Hi-En.

• F-15 Eagle (Japan) - Piloted by the idol singer Mao-Mao.

• F-14 Tomcat (U.N.) - Piloted by the aristocratic child Cindy (Cincia in the Japanese version) and her tutor Ellen, both of which previously appeared in the 1993 game Lethal Crash Race.

• Northrop YF-23 (U.N.) - Piloted by the genius dolphin Spanky (Whity in the Japanese version).

• Dassault Rafale (France) - Piloted by the androgynous punk rocker Steve (opera singer Angela in the Japanese version).

• FRS.2 (U.K.) - Piloted by the genius baby Bobby (Arthur in the Japanese version), who is the son of the previous game's Villiam Sid Pride and dresses as an old-time detective.