After Burner
A fighter jet, missiles galore and a cockpit that rolled with you inside.
Coming soon to UsuArcade
Votes to bring it to the arcade: 0
In the meantime, head into the arcade and play the cabinets that are already there
- Year
- 1987
- Manufacturer
- Sega
- Players
- 1 player
- Genres
- Shoot 'em ups
- Decade
- '80s arcade games
After Burner was the cabinet you stared at from across the arcade. The deluxe version was a full cockpit you climbed into that tilted and rolled with every move you made, with the rock soundtrack cranked. Not everybody had the nerve to get in, and the ones who did came out a little dizzy and digging for more quarters.
It's not playable in our arcade yet, but it's on the UsuArcade wish list, and your votes can move it up.
History
Sega released it in 1987, once again with Yu Suzuki in charge after Hang-On, Space Harrier and Out Run. It took the fast sprite-scaling tech from those games into the sky, with a sense of speed that was off the charts for the time.
After Burner II arrived the same year, adding throttle control, and it's the version a lot of people remember from the arcade. Together they cemented Sega's reputation for jaw-dropping cabinets, and it didn't hurt that every kid had just seen Top Gun.
How to play
You fly an F-14 seen from behind. The stick handles maneuvers, dodging enemy missiles and pulling full barrel rolls to shake them off. You've got a rapid-fire cannon and missiles: when an enemy is locked in your sights, you can fire a homing missile at it.
The pace is relentless, with enemies coming from ahead and behind, so you never stop moving. Between some stages you land or refuel in midair to restock, a short breather before heading back into the fight.
Fun facts
- The deluxe cabinet was a cockpit that moved with your maneuvers.
- After Burner II came out the same year and added a throttle.
- You fly an F-14, the fighter jet every 80s kid wanted on their bedroom wall.
In the arcade
After Burner is on the wish list: coming soon to UsuArcade. Vote with the “I Want to Play It” button to move it up the line of games to add.
In the meantime, the lobby has other Yu Suzuki and dogfight classics: Hang-On and Out Run for speed, and Aero Fighters for air combat, all with spectators, chat and arcade high scores.
FAQ
Can I play After Burner on UsuArcade?
Not yet. It's on the wish list and you can vote with “I Want to Play It.” Meanwhile, try Aero Fighters or Out Run in the arcade.
What year did After Burner come out?
It came out in 1987 from Sega, with After Burner II following the same year.
How many players is After Burner?
It's single-player.
What plane do you fly in After Burner?
An F-14 fighter jet.
