Areo Fighters

Video System's 1992 vertical-scrolling shoot-'em-up, released in Japan as Sonic Wings, lets players choose from fighter pilots representing the USA, Japan, UK, and Sweden — each with a distinct main weapon and bomb special. Eight stages sweep across global cities and carrier fleets, culminating in a showdown against a mysterious terrorist organization. Two-player co-op is supported, with different endings unlocking based on character pairings. Boss encounters are fast and intense. A defining arcade shooter of the early 1990s, the title launched the multi-entry Sonic Wings franchise.