Air Combat 22 (Namco Arcade Archives 2) coming 3rd July 2025 (PS4/PS5, Switch/Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S)

Follows the recent rerelease of arcade Ridge Racer




wncVxtMZqlUiUYI7.png
 
Last edited:
These need to be $10. I saw Ridge Racer on the store and was interested but $16 is a bit much.

I'm hoping they do all or most of the System 22 library and bundle them in the same way they've done for Taito Milestones. It's the only way we stand a chance to play these legally at a friendlier price point.
 
They are expensive, sure. I did do everything in RR and its really good but the PSX version offered more. RR Arcade doesn't have chase cam, devil car or any other car, etc.

Air Combat 22 is very novel though. I never played it. I want it for sure.

100% Rave Raver will come also. I think every game will at this point. Rave is the one I want the most, but Ace Driver is kind of fun too. And Cyber Sled. I have nostalgia for this games, having played them in the arcade.
 
Luckily I still have Afterburner on PS3. Its so good. I played it for countless hours. You can hope for Yakuza to include it, though it likely has licenses. Sega should bundle as well, I don't want to start up Yakuza games all the time lol.

How does this game differ from the PS1 Air Combat?

Graphically its obviously superior, running on hardware that far exceeded the PSX. I guess its shorter, timed and faster being an arcade game. But more fun for short bursts and score attacks.

Only get this if you like arcade experiences at home.
 
Luckily I still have Afterburner on PS3. Its so good. I played it for countless hours. You can hope for Yakuza to include it, though it likely has licenses. Sega should bundle as well, I don't want to start up Yakuza games all the time lol.



Graphically its obviously superior, running on hardware that far exceeded the PSX. I guess its shorter, timed and faster being an arcade game. But more fun for short bursts and score attacks.

Only get this if you like arcade experiences at home.
Are there any Afterburner-like games on Steam or Switch? I never played these I realized but they look super fun.
 
Luckily I still have Afterburner on PS3. Its so good. I played it for countless hours. You can hope for Yakuza to include it, though it likely has licenses. Sega should bundle as well, I don't want to start up Yakuza games all the time lol.



Graphically its obviously superior, running on hardware that far exceeded the PSX. I guess its shorter, timed and faster being an arcade game. But more fun for short bursts and score attacks.

Only get this if you like arcade experiences at home.

I have been on a quest to play Every ace combat game (And I mean every one, including handheld games, the reboot, and that sky crawlers game on Wii) and I JUST finished Air Combat on PS1 literally yesterday. Only got the OG Ace Combat 2 to go, and was wondering if this was worth it. It does look cool.
 
I have been on a quest to play Every ace combat game (And I mean every one, including handheld games, the reboot, and that sky crawlers game on Wii) and I JUST finished Air Combat on PS1 literally yesterday. Only got the OG Ace Combat 2 to go, and was wondering if this was worth it. It does look cool.

I should still have JP Electrosphere somewhere. Its probably my fave. And its been translated I think. Just the handling was a bit... different.

In this case AC22 is worth it, as its nothing like AC1. Should be over in an hour too.

You CAN probably emulate it, but those Namco games always ran a bit suspect. I don't know the status of them today.
 
I should still have JP Electrosphere somewhere. Its probably my fave. And its been translated I think. Just the handling was a bit... different.

In this case AC22 is worth it, as its nothing like AC1. Should be over in an hour too.

You CAN probably emulate it, but those Namco games always ran a bit suspect. I don't know the status of them today.
Yup, already played 3, with the patch. Might be my favorite one.

Despite loving classic games and emulating a lot of classic games daily, I have never tried arcade emulation.
 
Its pretty fun, but RR, way overpriced. This game should cost like 6,99 max. I am happy with it though. I am fan of AC and this was one I never go to try out.

You can beat it in approx 15 minutes, there are like 4 stages? The last is always this carrier and each difficulty is harder to beat. And there is an endless mode that runs on a timer.

Again, an easy Platinum for those interested. Just do all modes, post high scores in all.
 
I bought it on PS5. The gyro controls feel terrible to use but I might see if there are any options that can improve them. It controls well on the joysticks.
 


Namco System 22 is back on Nintendo Switch 2 and other major platforms with Air Combat 22 getting an Arcade Archives release along with Ridge Racer being a best Switch 2 launch game and even though its old...a best Switch 2 game in general! So let's take a look at Namco's arcade hardware getting a new life on modern consoles!
 
Hamster have become really greedy. Even the PS5 version costs more than the PS4 version, almost $19/euro. Not to mention Arcade Archive's pricing policy... Overaged stuff $7 minimum, but if a game is good or slightly newer, be sure it will go to $15/euro. No thanks!
 
Top Bottom