Bandai Namco’s classic arcade flight shooter Air Combat 22 is getting its first-ever home console release on July 3. It will be available through both the Arcade Archives series by Hamster Corporation, launching on PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, and Switch 2.The release of Air Combat 22 lines up with the 30th anniversary of the Ace Combat franchise.
Originally released in arcades in 1995, Air Combat 22 is the sequel to Namco’s 1993 title Air Combat. The game ran on the System Super 22 arcade hardware, a more powerful version of the System 22 board used for titles like Ridge Racer. With enhanced 3D visuals and smoother animations, the game pushed arcade graphics forward and helped set the stage for what would become the long-running Ace Combat franchise.
The new home release offers upgraded features. The Arcade Archives edition for PS4 and Switch includes Original Mode, High Score Mode, and Caravan Mode. The Arcade Archives 2 version for PS5, Xbox Series, and Switch 2 adds enhancements like Time Attack Mode, multiple save slots, a rewind function, quick start option, and VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) support for a smoother experience. Network Mode is part of the Arcade Archives 2 toolkit, but it is not included with Air Combat 22 due to its single-player format.
Players can pilot one of three aircraft: the F-14 Tomcat, Su-35 Super Flanker, or YF-22 Lightning II. Gameplay involves fast-paced, time-limited missions across three modes. Cadet Mode offers fixed challenges. Expert Mode changes based on how much time is left when a stage ends, and Dogfight Mode contains 32 action-packed levels, each requiring players to eliminate four enemy aircraft to move forward.
The game is priced at $14.99 for PS4 and original Switch users, while PS5, Xbox Series, and Switch 2 players can expect to pay $16.99. Players who purchase the earlier versions can upgrade to the next-gen editions for $2.99, which means they won’t have to buy the game twice.
Hamster Corporation, known for its dedication to preserving classic games, has released over 350 titles in the Arcade Archives series and more than 100 through ACA Neo Geo. Hamster is now focusing more on early polygonal arcade titles. Air Combat 22 is only the second game in the newer Arcade Archives 2 lineup, following the recent home release of Ridge Racer.
For fans of arcade history or flight sims, this release is an opportunity to revisit an iconic shooter with new features and visual upgrades. Whether you remember it from the arcades or are jumping in for the first time, Air Combat 22 promises intense aerial action and a faithful recreation of the original experience.
Airborne!
Id love to revisit this and play some classic flight games this like one….very cool