F-22 Interceptor

F-22 Interceptor is a 1991 combat flight simulator created by Ned Lerner and Gene Kusmiak. It was released by Electronic Arts and Ingram Entertainment for the Sega Genesis.

The player controls one aircraft, the F-22 Raptor, throughout the game. At that time, the prototype of the F-22, the Lockheed YF-22, had only first flown in 1990. Like LHX Attack Chopper, another flight simulator by EA, the playable aircraft had not yet been developed.

Gameplay


The player has three skill levels to choose from: Cadet, Training, and Combat. The player must then pick one of four campaigns, called 'US', 'Korea' (North Korea), 'Iraq', and 'Russia' (Soviet Union). In each level, the player's F-22 is targeted by surface-to-air missiles, enemy aircraft, and artillery. The mission is to destroy the targets and complete the objectives using a wide range of missiles, from heat seeking missiles, precision-guided bombs, and chaff. The aircraft is also given two cannons for engaging enemy targets.

At the end of each mission, the player is required to either land on a runway or an aircraft carrier. Sometimes in-flight refueling is needed to prevent the F-22 from crashing.

As the game progresses, the player will be able to unlock an Aces campaign, where they will face off with advanced pilots from North Korea, Iraq, the Soviet Union, and the United States, the four countries the player visits while playing through the first four campaigns.

The game also had a rudimentary mission editor.

Although there is not conventional multiplayer, two players can fly as pilot and copilot; a second controller allows a second player to target while the first player flies.

Reception
MegaTech magazine said the game was "absolutely fantastic. The graphics, presentation and playability are all spot on". Mega placed the game at #30 in their Top Mega Drive Games of All Time.