Keith Bishop
An American pilot associated with the F-14 Tomcat.
Documented for this version
8-way joystick | Move the aircraft |
|---|---|
Button 1 | Fire the main weapon |
Button 2 | Use a bomb |
Start | Start the game or join a multiplayer game |
Arcade control-panel button labels can vary by cabinet.
How it plays
The game uses a top-down vertical perspective. Players move their aircraft in eight directions, fire the main weapon, destroy ground and aerial enemies, and collect power-ups while avoiding bullets and collisions.
A run is divided into sequential stages, each ending with a boss. Bombs clear threats or inflict heavy damage, but the stock is limited. Losing a life usually removes weapon power, so survival and careful power-up recovery are central to progression. One- and two-player modes are available.
Plan your run
Stay near the lower portion of the screen, where incoming patterns are easier to read and reaction time is less restricted. Keep firing continuously and prioritize enemies that can attack from the sides or behind.
Save bombs for dense bullet patterns, dangerous boss phases, or situations where escape is unlikely. Learn the position of weapon power-ups and avoid taking unnecessary risks to recover them after losing a life.
Meet the cast
An American pilot associated with the F-14 Tomcat.
A pilot associated with the Swedish aircraft.
A Japanese pilot associated with the F-1.
A Japanese pilot associated with the FS-X.
Before you begin
Use short horizontal movements to dodge while maintaining fire.
Do not spend every bomb during ordinary enemy waves.
In two-player games, spread out to cover more of the screen without crossing paths.
Aero Fighters is a vertically scrolling arcade shoot 'em up developed and published by Video System in 1992. Players select a pilot and fighter aircraft before defending the world from a multinational invasion. Each aircraft has distinct weapon behavior and a limited bomb stock, giving the game a straightforward but demanding arcade rhythm. Stages combine dense enemy formations, airborne attacks, ground targets, and large mechanical bosses. The game supports cooperative two-player play, with both pilots fighting through the same route. Its fast pace, colorful presentation, memorable pilot dialogue, and sharp difficulty earned it a lasting reputation among arcade shoot 'em up fans and established the Sonic Wings series.
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