AirForce Delta | July 29, 1999
AirForce Delta
AirForce Delta is a flight shooting game series developed and published by Konami, available on various platforms such as Dreamcast, Game Boy Color, Xbox, Game Boy Advance, and PlayStation 2. The game is known for its realistic aircraft modeling, with collaboration from companies like Lockheed Martin and Boeing to faithfully recreate the exterior of real-world fighter jets.
One of the key features of the series is its wide range of aircraft, spanning from older jets from the 1960s and 1970s, to experimental and prototype planes. In the second installment, more high-performance original aircraft were added, further enhancing the variety. The series stands out by offering innovative aircraft designs based on real-world jets while introducing new and futuristic elements. Compared to other flight shooters, the game features large-scale battles and massive weapons, creating visually spectacular and thrilling combat. Rather than focusing on the realistic aspects of piloting, such as landing, refueling, and resource management, the series emphasizes the excitement of shooting combat.
The difficulty level is relatively high compared to other flight shooting games, a design choice made with export markets in mind. Targets in the game are marked as "TGT," similar to the target system used in the Ace Combat series. Additionally, players can pilot iconic aircraft from Konami's other classic shooters, such as the Big Viper from Gradius, the Twinbee, and the A-JAX's Jerry Mouse. Some of these aircraft are re-imagined as fictional fighter jets inspired by their original games.
The first game in the series, AirForce Delta, was released on Dreamcast on July 29, 1999, followed by a Game Boy Color version on November 22, 2000. The official genre is classified as "flight shooting." Players control a variety of aircraft to fight against massive weapons and enemy forces.
The game is set in a post-Cold War world where the resurgence of nationalism has caused instability. The "Jabiral Federation" has collapsed, and nine years later, the "Clone Republic" begins to invade neighboring nations in the name of national unity. In response, the "Laconia Republic" deploys the mercenary unit "AirForce Delta" to deal with the crisis. The protagonist joins AirForce Delta as a new recruit.
The game features a wide range of fighter jets, including the F-16C, F-15E, F-14D, F/A-18E, F-4E, and Mirage 2000. Each aircraft has different performance characteristics, providing players with a variety of tactical options.
