Air Combat

Based on a 1993 arcade game of the same name that ran on the Namco System 21 hardware. Company employees Masanori Kato and Kazumi Mizuno were tasked with bringing the game to the then-new PlayStation, but decided to create a new game from scratch after realizing the PlayStation's hardware was not powerful enough to properly render the arcade version's gameplay. Both a critical and commercial success; its arcade-like gameplay, realism, and cinematic approach were praised, though several criticized its graphics and presentation for being below-average. It spawned the Ace Combat franchise with several sequels, spin-offs, and other forms of media, and was followed by Ace Combat 2 in 1997.

Publication is recorded by Namco and Sony Interactive Entertainment. The recorded date of publication is 1995. It belongs to the series Ace Combat. It is associated with Japan. Recorded genres are action game, simulation video game and combat flight simulator game.

• Title — Air Combat • Developer — Namco • Producer — Kazumi Mizuno • Designer — Masanori Kato • Composer — Nobuhide Isayama Masako Oogami • Series — Ace Combat • Platforms — PlayStation, mobile phone • Released — PlayStation MobileAugust 25, 2005 • Genre — Combat flight simulation • Modes — Single-player, multiplayer

• Illustration — The player firing a missile at an enemy. Air Combat is a combat flight simulation game presented in an arcade-like format. The player controls one of sixteen different aircraft, including the F-4 Phantom, Su-27 Flanker, and Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk, and must complete each of the game's seventeen levels, each having mission objectives that must be fulfilled. Missions range from destroying a squadron of enemies, protecting an allied base from enemy fire, or destroying a massive battleship. Completing missions awards the player money, which can be used to purchase new aircraft in their own personal hangar. Extra money can also be earned by destroying optional, "non-target" enemies. Beginning at the game's fourth mission, a wingman can be employed that will help protect the player and fight alongside them. Additional wingmen can be hired by earning additional money during combat. The game progresses in a linear format. Alongside the main single-player campaign, there is also a split-screen multiplayer deathmatch mode, where two players attempt to destroy each other in the quickest time possible. Players can also unlock new aircraft and special minigames by completing specific objectives at various points throughout the game. Players can also swap between a first-person and third-person camera option.

In 1995, a terrorist organization launches an insurrection against allied nations, specifically the Skully Islands in the fictional country of Usea. In response to attacks made across the globe, a mercenary air force is assembled to prevent the terrorist organization from seizing control of the government.

Air Combat was created by Namco designer Masanori Kato and producer Kazumi Mizuno. The two were commissioned by company executives to create a home port of the arcade game Air Combat for the then-new PlayStation console. The arcade game was published in 1993 for Namco's polygon-powered System 21 hardware, and is noteworthy for its 3D graphics and technological capabilities. Problems arose early in development for the home port, as staff did not believe the PlayStation's hardware was powerful enough to properly render the arcade version's gameplay. At the time, Namco primarily focused on developing ports of arcade games like Ridge Racer and Cyber Sled, which often contained content exclusive to their PlayStation releases. Believing console-exclusive features would give consumers more incentive to buy it, the team chose to scrap a straightforward port and instead create a new game based on the arcade game's core mechanics. The project planner, Asahi Higashiyama, believed the PlayStation's superior hardware could allow for more potential in the game and room for expansion. Air Combat was released in Japan on June 30, 1995, as Ace Combat. It was released in North America on September 9 as a launch title for the console, and in Europe by Sony Computer Entertainment on October 13. On August 9, 1996, it was re-released in Japan under Sony's The Best budget title range. A version for Japanese mobile phones was released on August 25, 2005, for the EZweb content provider.