The need for speed, etc.
PLAYERS: 1
PUBLISHER: Konami
DEVELOPER: Konami
GENRE: Flight sim
RELEASE DATE: November 1987
Mav, Goose, Iceman, Cougar and the boys are nowhere to be found in Konami’s name-only 8-bit interpretation of Top Gun. In place of these hunks of beef is an average flight simulator, more known for its difficult landing procedures than stellar gameplay. First the missions. There’s only four of them, with one of them being a “training” mission; or, as I like to call it, a “figure out the controls” mission. Controlling your plane in the air is simple compared to other 8-bit flight sims: Up steers you down, Down steers you up, ‘A’ shoots your birthday pellets, holding down ‘B’ fires missiles, ‘Start’ brings out the Re-fuel plane (there is no pause feature – unfortunate, as the game could really use one). There’s a map grid on your plane’s dashboard that’ll show you incoming bogeys and such. Planes are but one enemy: you’ll also have to deal with subs, battleships, aircraft carriers. Once you carry out the goal of the mission, the game will initiate the landing sequence. Your plane will begin to descend on its own, but as you approach the aircraft carrier, your dashboard will shout instructions at you: “Right, right!” “Speed up!” “Blast Kenny Loggins!” If you don’t follow the instructions to a fault, your plane will crash into the water and you’ll lose a life. You’re still able to proceed to the next stage, but with your three-life supply, you won’t make it past stage two or three if you can’t land your plane. The landing sequence is unforgiving, but it’s also the most interesting portion of an otherwise forgettable flight sim. Save your breath (away) for a better game. Top Gun‘s all business, no party.
C-
Latest posts by Dylan Cornelius (see all)
- By Request – New Ghostbusters II - April 4, 2014
- The 86 Worst NES Games – Part 4 - April 1, 2014
- The 86 Worst NES Games – Part 3 - March 29, 2014
5 replies on “#674 – Top Gun”
Despite all my tragic landings, I've never taken out my own aircraft carrier!
A buddy of mine owned this one and I would borrow it from time-to-time. It was never a favorite game, but I love the AVGN video about it. 🙂
This game was made by Satan. Landing, refueling. I could never get anything right. This game is the reason I am a mild-mannered office drone instead of a fighter pilot. This game crushed my ability to hope and dream at a tender age…nevermore.
No, canovaccio! Don't give up. Konami's poor development skills shouldn't deter you from your dreams!
I just came across this review today, and I would like to point out that TopGun was the *best* game for the PowerGlove (if you happen to have access to one). The Glove really made it feel like you were flying – or at least, really controlling the plane. If you have a chance to try it again that way I would *highly* recommend it.
Conversely, arguably the *worst* game for PowerGlove was Punch-Out (with or without Mike Tyson). Don't ever play that game unless you really enjoy fighting only the first guy over and over as you'll never make it beyond that. Whoever set that up should be beaten by Iron Mike in person; punching works correctly but pulling your arm back to punch again? That will cost you your power punch.