List of Top Gun video games
The popularity of the 1986 film Top Gun resulted in several licensed video games that have been released since the film's theatrical debut.
Top Gun (Ocean game)
The Ocean Software version of Top Gun was released for various home computer formats in 1986. The game was released for Atari ST, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, and Amstrad CPC.
It is a one-on-one dogfighting simulator with 3D wire-frame model graphics; versus more traditional sprite-based graphics and straightforward gameplay of the Konami game. The game has one and two-player modes; in the former, the opposing aircraft is flown by the computer.
Top Gun (Konami game)
The Konami version of Top Gun was released for Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in November 1987 in the United States. It is an adaptation of an earlier arcade game by Konami titled Vs. Top Gun, released for the Nintendo VS. System. The NES version sold two million copies.[1]
Piloting an F-14 Tomcat fighter, the player, as the film's protagonist Maverick, has to complete four missions. Given a choice of missiles, and starting with a training mission, the player is sent after an enemy aircraft carrier, an enemy base, and finally an enemy space shuttle. The game has two endings. If the player loses but achieves a minimum score of 50,000 points, a still shot is shown of the player being presented the Top Gun plaque that was awarded to Iceman in the film. If the player completes all four missions and successfully lands on the aircraft carrier, a scene is shown of the F-14 taxiing on the carrier and the player waving to the LSO crew.
Gameplay takes place from the cockpit's point of view and consists of two main themes: dogfighting and landing the aircraft. For the dogfights, the player is allowed to pick between three missile types, each varying in the target locking area they can be fired at. Landing of the aircraft can be particularly difficult as it requires the player to control both speed and angle of aircraft. The point of view for the final part of the landing sequences is from the side of the aircraft carrier with the F-14 coming in from the right side of the screen.
The Second Mission
Top Gun: The Second Mission, released in Japan as Top Gun: Dual Fighters, is the second Top Gun game produced by Konami for NES. It was released in Japan on December 15, 1989, in North America in January 1990, and in Europe and Australia on October 24, 1991.
Danger Zone
Top Gun: Danger Zone, developed by Distinctive Software and published by Konami, was released for PC (DOS) in 1991. Have a choice of two aircraft - F-14 Tomcat and an F-18 Hornet. The choice of missions is eight - intercept, escort, clear airspace, provide air support and run interference. Also have to participate in the "Top Gun Challenge Board" in the Officer's Mess and also have a choice of playing against the CPU or against another human player in split-screen mode.
Guts & Glory
Top Gun: Guts & Glory, developed by Distinctive Software and published by Konami, was released for Game Boy in January 1993. The player pilots an F-14 Tomcat as they engage against Soviet Union forces. The game offers extra modes and jet fighters like other USA F-series and the MiG-29 Fulcrum, taking part in combats with top enemy aces flying MiGs.
Fire at Will
Top Gun: Fire at Will was released by Spectrum Holobyte in 1996 for Mac OS, PC (DOS and Windows) and PlayStation. The PlayStation version differs greatly from PC and Mac versions, emphasizing action over simulation; in particular, take-offs and landings were cut, and the player begins each mission with enemies near at hand, rather than having to hunt them down. It is also the only title to feature any actors from the film, with James Tolkan reprising his role as a commanding officer (he is called "Stinger" in the film, but is called "Hondo" in Fire at Will).[2] The game's overall plot focuses on the player-character, Maverick, going to combat in Cuba, North Korea, and Libya against a secret group of mercenary pilots called the "Cadre".
Hornet's Nest
Top Gun: Hornet's Nest was developed by Zipper Interactive and published by MicroProse. It was released in 1998 for Microsoft Windows. Instead of the F-14 Tomcat, players pilot the F/A-18C.
Firestorm
Top Gun: Firestorm was developed by Fluid Studios and published by Titus Interactive in 2001 for Game Boy Color, and the following year for Game Boy Advance. It is an Isometric flight action game with missions to complete.
Combat Zones
Top Gun: Combat Zones was released for PlayStation 2 in 2001. It was developed by Digital Integration and published by Titus Interactive. The following year the game was ported to GameCube and in 2003 it was also ported to PC. In 2004, Mastiff published a version for Game Boy Advance. Mastiff also re-released the PS2 and GameCube versions in the same year.
The game is composed of 36 missions spread over three eras (distinct periods in history), intended to illustrate the history of the Top Gun combat school and its near future. In each era, missions are located both at the Top Gun academy at Miramar and in a live combat zone. Upon gaining access to each era the academy missions must be performed before moving to the combat zone itself, but while the former do introduce new game concepts, aircraft and weapons they are not simple training missions – players must face tough opponents and live fire to succeed. The game features various Navy fighter aircraft and bonus fighter aircraft.
Only the first era is accessible from the outset, and is set in South East Asia, towards the end of the Vietnam War (erroneously showing the F-14 engaging in combat with North Vietnamese forces, despite never having fired a shot in action during that conflict). During the second era, the action is set in the Persian Gulf States circa 1990; although the game story does not make direct reference, parallels can be drawn to the real-world Gulf conflicts of that time (such as hunting for Scud missiles and protecting oil refineries). The final era is set within the Arctic Circle and depicts a future conflict based around disputed borders and a global fuel crisis.
Top Gun: Combat Zones received "mixed" reviews for GameCube and PlayStation 2, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[3][4]
Air Combat
Top Gun: Air Combat for Java ME was released in 2003. Mobile game publisher Hands-On Mobile (formerly named Mforma) have published game based around Top Gun. It was top-down scrolling arcade shooter.
Air Combat II
Top Gun: Air Combat II for Java ME was released in 2004. Mobile game publisher Hands-On Mobile (formerly named Mforma) have published game based around Top Gun. It was top-down scrolling arcade shooter.
Top Gun (Mastiff Inc game)
Top Gun for Nintendo DS was released on February 23, 2006 in Japan and May 3, 2006 in North America. The game was developed by Interactive Vision, and published by Mastiff Inc in North America, and Taito in Japan.
The game has a story-driven campaign (featuring appearances by characters from the film) as well as a set of solo missions and a multiplayer mode that supports up to 4 players.[5] The bottom screen is used as a map and weapons readout. There are two control schemes offered, but there seems to be no difference between them. The game was poorly received.[6]
Reception
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Top Gun received "generally unfavorable" reviews, according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.
Gulf Crisis
Top Gun: Gulf Crisis for Java ME was released in 2006. Mobile game publisher Hands-On Mobile (formerly named Mforma) have published game based around Top Gun. It was game similar to Sega's After Burner games.
Top Gun (Blast! Entertainment game)
Top Gun was released on October 5, 2007 for PlayStation 2 in Europe only. The game was developed by Atomic Planet Entertainment, and published by Blast! Entertainment Ltd.
Top Gun (2009) (Paramount Digital Entertainment)
Top Gun for iOS was released in 2009. Two years later, the game was ported to PlayStation Portable. The game was developed by Freeverse Inc., and published by Paramount Digital Entertainment. The game was announced by Freeverse Inc. about a month before the release.[8] It was game similar to Sega's After Burner games. The game uses accelerometer to pilot the plane around and touch firing controls. The plot involves the Miramar Top Gun School featuring cartoon versions of the film characters, Maverick, Iceman and Viper. This game runs on every device with iOS 2.2.1 and up.
Top Gun 2 (Paramount Digital Entertainment)
Top Gun 2 for iOS was released in 2010. The game was developed by Freeverse Inc., and published by Paramount Digital Entertainment. It was game similar to Sega's After Burner games.
Reception
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Top Gun 2 received "generally favorable" reviews, according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.
Top Gun (2010) (Paramount Digital Entertainment)
Top Gun was released in 2010 for PlayStation 3 and Windows. The game was developed by Doublesix, and published by Paramount Digital Entertainment. Top Gun received "generally unfavorable" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[10]
Hard Lock
Top Gun: Hard Lock was released in March 2012 for PlayStation 3, Windows and Xbox 360, by 505 Games and Paramount Digital Entertainment. The player takes the role of a pilot named Lance "Spider" Webb, who graduated from Top Gun under the auspices of Pete "Maverick" Mitchell. As Spider, the player engages in missions during a blockade of a new terrorist regime (a former US ally who had a coup) in the Persian Gulf. The player flies missions from USS McKinley in the Gulf, which involve shooting down hostile planes and destroying missile boats. Eventually, the player conducts bombing runs over enemy camps and bunkers, and the last mission involves assisting NATO ground forces, an airfield, and special forces troops in attacking the enemy forces.
Reception
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Top Gun: Hard Lock received "mixed" reviews for Xbox 360, according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.
Cancelled games
In 1995 a Top Gun game from Spectrum Holobyte, developed exclusively for the Nintendo 64, was announced.[12] However, as Nintendo 64 launch approached, Spectrum Holobyte became dissatisfied with Nintendo's treatment of the console's third party publishers. Head of Spectrum Holobyte Steve Race commented, "There is still no sign of a publisher plan for any licensee, and the machine is supposed to be just five months away from launch. We're already worried about the long lead times and high cost of supporting a cartridge machine. The question is, does Nintendo really think it needs licensees? It seems to want the lion's share of the software sales, possibly as much as two thirds."[13] In 1996, a Top Gun game was also in the works by Spectrum Holobyte for the Panasonic M2 but it was never released due to the system's cancellation.[14][15][16][17]
References
- Sheff, David (1999). Game Over: How Nintendo Conquered the World. GamePress. p. 217. ISBN 978-0-9669617-0-6. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
- "Top Gun: Fire at Will". Next Generation. No. 16. Imagine Media. April 1996. p. 62.
- "Top Gun: Combat Zones for PlayStation 2". Metacritic. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
- "Top Gun: Combat Zones for GameCube". Metacritic. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
- Top Gun for DS Review - DS Top Gun Review
- Top Gun Reviews
- "Top Gun for Nintendo DS". Metacritic. Retrieved 2019-12-24.
- Buchanan, Levi (2009-03-26). "Top Gun Preview". IGN. Archived from the original on 2009-03-31. Retrieved 2009-04-23.
- "Top Gun for iPhone/iPad". Metacritic. Retrieved 2019-12-24.
- "Top Gun for PlayStation 3". Metacritic. Retrieved 2019-12-24.
- "Top Gun: Hard Lock for Xbox 360". Metacritic. Retrieved 2019-12-24.
- "Ultra 64 Debuts in Japan". GamePro. No. 78. IDG. January 1996. p. 22.
- Svensson, Christian (July 1996). "Race Slames Nintendo". Next Generation. No. 19. Imagine Media. p. 21.
- "Cutting Edge - 3DO buoyant as M2 picks up speed". Edge. No. 23. Future Publishing. September 1995. pp. 6–7.
- "Preview - Coming Soon - M2". 3DO Magazine. No. 10. Paragon Publishing. May 1996. p. 34.
- "News - E3 '96: 3DO? - M2 Dream List". 3DO Magazine. No. 12. Paragon Publishing. July 1996. p. 4.
- "Preview - Coming Soon - M2". 3DO Magazine. No. 12. Paragon Publishing. July 1996. p. 34.
External links
- Top Gun at SpectrumComputing.co.uk
- Gamestyle Top Gun: Combat Zones Review