After Burner II - The PC Engine Software Bible by Sunteam

One of Sega's big arcade hits using their 'super scaler' technology, it was a bold move to try and convert this to any home machine. After Burner II is, quite simply, one of the most mindless shooters that you're ever likely to play: simply fly your F-14 into the screen, dodging missiles like crazy and letting all hell loose with your vulcan. There is precious little strategy - even less than Space Harrier, and often luck plays more of a part than skill. But despite all that the game is just SO DAMN FUN.

Not the kind of game you will play for hours, but one you will repeatedly stick on for a quick blast, the conversion to the PC Engine is better than you would have ever expected. The arcade has been replicated very faithfully given the limitations of the machine, and thankfully it retains the furious pace of the original. It even has some points over the Mega Drive version, like the graded horizon and scaling of the refuelling plane. The control method is just a tad fiddly, with you having to reach for the Run button to kick in the speed, but you soon get used to it. The main thing that lets it down is the canyon sequence, which is blocky and ugly - but this is only a bonus stage and of minor importance. Sound is average, with the great tunes from the original tainted a bit by NEC Avenue's poor drum beats, but effects are full-on and satisfying enough. There's also a bonus 3D room in which you can play around with the shapes and colours of the balls on the title screen, which is a nice touch. Definitely one of the better NEC Avenue/Sega conversions.