Air Combat 22

Air Combat 22^[a] is a 1995 combat fight simulator video game released by Namco for arcades. It is the sequel to Namco's 1993 arcade game Air Combat. Its name comes from it running on Namco's Super System 22 hardware. It was released as both a dedicated deluxe arcade cabinet, and as an arcade conversion kit for Air Combat.

Air Combat 22
North American arcade flyer
Developer(s)	Namco
Publisher(s)	Namco
Platform(s)	Arcade
Release	JP: March 1995[1] NA: April 1995[2]
Genre(s)	Air combat simulation
Mode(s)	Single player
Arcade system	Namco System 22

On July 3, 2025, the game was re-released for the first time by Hamster Corporation as part of the Arcade Archives series for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4, as well as the Arcade Archives 2 series for the Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.^[3]

Gameplay

Gameplay screenshot of Air Combat 22

Gameplay is similar to the original Air Combat game, with the addition of being able to control one of three aircraft, namely the Grumman F-14 Tomcat, Sukhoi Su-27 and the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. It was available as either an arcade conversion kit for the original Namco System 21 Air Combat cabinet, or a dedicated deluxe arcade cabinet (measuring 78" high, 43" wide and 111" deep).

Reception

Next Generation reviewed the arcade version of the game, rating it three stars out of five, and stated that "as it is, Air Combat 22 is just a good facelift".^[4] Game Players called the arcade game "a screaming good time and worth every quarter", praising the game's "huge screen" and "authentic cockpit".^[5] Edge stated that the game "has few actual gameplay improvements" over Air Combat, but "boasts updated ground detail and enhanced aircraft", calling its surface detail "gorgeous". The publication also stated that the game was given "more of a close-combat feel", calling the result "a more exciting match-up".^[6]

Notes

1. Japanese: エアーコンバット 22, Hepburn: Eā Konbatto 22