_____ _____ __ / _ \_/ ____\/ |_ ___________ / /_\ \ __\\ __\/ __ \_ __ \ / | \ | | | \ ___/| | \/ \____|__ /__| |__| \___ >__| \/ \/ __________ .___.___ \______ \__ _________ ____ ___________ | | | | | _/ | \_ __ \/ \_/ __ \_ __ \ | | | | | \ | /| | \/ | \ ___/| | \/ | | | |______ /____/ |__| |___| /\___ >__| |___|___| \/ \/ \/ After Burner 2 FAQ/Walkthrough: VERSION 1.00 This guide was created, edited and compiled by GameFAQs member Snazzyhoppy. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Last Update: May 29, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Notes before reading this document: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ b) This document is protected by US Copyright Law, and the Berne Copyright Convention of 1976. This document is for private and personal use only--it cannot be reprinted in part or in whole or reproduced in any way or in any form (written or otherwise). It is a free document that cannot be used in any sort of commercial transaction, including selling it or giving it away as a gift. Please respect the work I have included in this guide. c) This may be not be reproduced under any circumstances except for personal, private use. It may not be placed on any web site or otherwise distributed publicly without advance written permission of the author. Use of this guide on any other web site or as a part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and a violation of copyright. All rights and ownership of this guide are bestowed to Christopher Hopkins. Contact GameFAQs and the author to inquire about reproducing any part of this guide for more than personal, private use. d) This document is best read on a plain text reader. Use a standard find feature to navigate the sections and to find exactly what you're looking for. e) This guide appears in plain text at GameFAQs and other websites may link to its location on GameFAQs. f) I began my research on April 17, 2009 after thinking about the game's use of scalar graphics and its appearance in the movie "Terminator 2: Judgment Day." After playing it through with the additional continues provided with a Game Genie, I began to see myself developing effective strategies to conserve lives and to get through the game. This guide is a result of numerous runthroughs of the game as well as sectional play and dissection of stages. For me, I could reach Stage 16 with the three continues the game gives you on the hard difficulty setting. g) The guide was constructed using the Sega Genesis version, although the guide should be useful for the Arcade version and the other ports of the game. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Table of Contents: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1) Version Changes 2) History of the Game 3) Differences Between After Burner and After Burner 2 4) Facts 5) The Briefing 6) Game Structure 7) Secret Messages 8) Dogfighting Strategies 9) After Burner Challenge 10) Aircraft Strategies Enemy Plane Types Ally Plane Types Possible Enemy Formations 11) Contact 12) Credits ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1) Version Changes: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.00 - May 29, 2009: Completed construction of guide on May 29, 2009. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2) History of the Game: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ After Burner 2 was originally planned to have a World War II theme and make it a realistic flight sim but was dropped because Yu Suzuki states that "It would not have fit the arcade scene." A pure dogfighter was not his intention. After Burner 2 has been translated and ported to numerous home computers and consoles, including versions for the PC Engine, Sharp X68000, Sega Mega Drive/Sega Genesis, Famicom, FM Towns Marty, Atari ST, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum, Sega Saturn and, in Japan, the PlayStation 2 as part of the Sega Ages classic series. It is notable that the version released for Sega Saturn is a nearly direct port of the arcade code, which before consoles like the Saturn and PlayStation was largely unheard of for a home version. It can also be played within the game Shenmue II. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3) Differences between After Burner and After Burner 2: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. The waiting-for-start sequence (the screen/music after a player inserts credits but before starting the game) is different. 2. After Burner 2 added a throttle to the controls, allowing players to vary their speed while flying. 3. After Burner has 18 stages; After Burner 2 has those same stages but adds three additional stages that make 21 stages total. 4. After Burner 2 added a few minor enemy changes to introduce new speed-based challenges (missiles/aircraft behind the player aircraft) to account for the use of the new throttle control. 5. The player's missiles in After Burner 2 could be fired considerably more frequently. 6. Musical compositions were the same for both games, though After Burner's instrumentation is different in spots. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4) Facts: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The fighter you fly in After Burner was based on the F-14 Tomcat, complete with M61 Vulcan cannon. Although the plane you pilot is a variation of the F-14, the cover art for the Mega Drive version uses an F-15E Strike Eagle. Your fighter is equipped with a Vulcan 20 mm cannon. Normally, it fires automatically. If you wish to control its operation (more authentic to the Arcade version), select "TRIGGER TYPE 4" in the Control Select screen. Your supply of Vulcan rounds is unlimited. Your fighter plane plane departs and returns via Sega Enterprise Carrier 606. 5) The Briefing: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The instruction manual for the Sega Genesis port of After Burner 2 has a thorough briefing of what is at stake here: Mission: Destroy Satellite Links! "Your once-peaceful nation has been under siege by General Zorbia and his incredibly powerful armed forces from Halvary. They've advanced relentlessly, and you and your countrymen are standing with your backs to the wall Ð waiting for the inevitable final strike! According to the latest intelligence reports, the enemy is planning to strike the fatal blow with some outside help. Strong evidence exists that there will be a communiquŽ sent by Halvary HQ to the allied forces waiting somewhere along the NESW (Northeast/Southwest) communications network. Could things get any worse? Actually, there's some good news to tell. In addition to the report regarding the communiquŽ, the intelligence organization has also been able to approximate the locations of 2 enemy microwave stations in the NESW network! These stations pass radio signals along with the help of signal-boosting equipment. If these locations are put out of commission, the enemy will be unable to signal for help and will virtually be at your mercy! You're the pilot of the 'Skycat', an F-14XX fighter that is widely regarded as the baddest bird to ever darken the skies! You're waiting nervously for your orders aboard the carrier Sega Enterprise, stationed some 200 miles (320 km) offshore in international waters. Your mission is to destroy the 2 locations' antennas and signal booster complexes, and return to the carrier. Your super-sophisticated battle computer knows the course, and will guide you directly to your targets. Whether or not you reach them in one piece, though, is entirely up to you! Good luck!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6) Game Structure: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Before you are ready for take off, review the game plan described in the instruction manual: Stages 1 through 7 are the enemy's front-line defense squadrons. The fact that this is a surprise attack doesn't make it any easier for you. They are on alert 24 hours a day, 365 days a year! Should you make it through this nightmare, you'll come upon the first of 2 microwave amplification complexes (Stage 8). Fly through the middle of the granite barriers and destroy all of the antennas and shelters! Stages 9 through 16 are even more trying than the earlier battles. Now you've really offended your hosts, and they are after you for more than an apology! If you survive their furious attacks, you'll see the second microwave station (Stage 17). Destroy it, and you're well on your way to a successful mission! Stages 19 through 22 represent the enemy trying to save face after having its communications virtually wiped out in this theater of action. You got in, and they are going to do everything in their power to make sure you don't get out! Should you make it out of there, Stage 23 shows you landing safely on the deck of your carrier. Well done! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7) Secret Messages: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In the Sega Genesis version, the programmers inserted secret messages that can be displayed through pressing a certain button combination while the refueling plane is onscreen. For Stages 3, 13, or 16, press Left and B together. For Stages 5, 11, or 21, press Right and B together. For Stages 9 or 19, pressing B will suffice. Stage 3: PRINCESS CAPTURED DARK FORCE, RESCUE PRINCESS MIA, TOM!! Stage 5: THE NAME OF DARK FORCE IS -SIMEKIRI-. Stage 9: TOM FIGHT THE FORCE AT G-PEN AND TONE. Stage 11: DARK MASTER USES SPELL, "BOTTSU!!". TOM FEELS EVIL POWER. Stage 13: OH! IT IS SO DANGEROUS! Stage 16: "I NEVER GIVE UP!" TOM USES ITEM, "YUNKKELUU!!" Stage 19: TOM DRAWS AND DRAWS. PRINCESS MIA ONLY PREYS... Stage 21: HURRY UP!! THE MORNING COMING SOON. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8) Dogfighting Strategies: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Sega Genesis port starts you off with 3 planes and gives you 3 continues with 3 planes each for a total of 12 planes. If you destroy a plane either with the Vulcan Cannon or missile while it is relatively far from you, it will not be able to shoot a missile at you. If it cannot get off a missile, you have one less missile to dodge from. One of the keys of being a "Maverick" pilot is to make less work for yourself. Once the lock on target is available, you should take the shot. Otherwise be prepared to dodge an onslaught of missiles. The most useful stages to slow down your plane are the bonus stages for the simple reason that you can navigate between the pillars easier and you can have more time to destroy the ground bases and antennas. If you double tap and hold the speed button, you activate the plane's afterburners (hence the name of the game). If you watch your speed bar, you will see it surpass the speed of simply holding down the speed button. Using the afterburners is essential for getting away from "the enemy" and his missiles from behind. They also allow you to speed through the stages though you compromise time to aim, shoot and dodge. Whenever the enemy planes make a line or circle formation, you should be able to take them all down with the lock on target. The hardest planes to take down are those on the sides of the screen. It is extremely difficult to angle the plane so the target is on those planes. If you shoot the middle planes of a horizontal line formation, there is a chance that the other planes will simply fly off to the sides and not take a shot at you. Stage 8 and 17 are the bonus stages. These levels correspond to the two microwave stations mentioned in the instruction manual. According to the mission description, you need to bust the antennas and signal boosters on the ground terrain so the enemy can't signal for help. Stages 5 and 13 contain a refueling and no enemies. Stage 23 contains no enemy planes nor enemy fire. The player loses control of the plane as the autopilot safely lands your plane onto the Carrier Sega Enterprise in the ocean. Ways in which your plane can be destroyed: 1. get hit by an enemy plane's missile 2. get hit by a "Be Careful!" heat seeking missile from behind 3. crash into a rock pillar in the bonus stages 4. get shot down from the Vulcan cannon of "the enemy" from behind Ways in which your plane can go down: 1. if a wing is destroyed, only the wing will catch aflame. Your plane will then tilt, hit the ground, and crash inevitably. 2. if a missile gets a direct hit, your entire plane will explode in a frenzy of fireballs instantly ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 9) Aircraft Strategies: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Enemy Plane Types: Plane, white with stripes, one burner - these planes cannot harm you and are perfect to destroy with either your vulcan cannon or missiles. They fly very close to the front of your plane and then fly off to the sides so you have a small margin of time to shoot them down. They first appear in Stage 1. Variants include blue or green stripes. Plane, large bottom - these planes attack using missiles and often appear in formations with other similar plane types. The vulcan cannon will be effective only to destroy one or two planes in the time window you have. Use the missiles to hit the middle planes of a formation. The plane may drop bombs onto the land instead of attacking you. They first appear in Stage 1. Color variants include white, red, and teal. Plane, thin - these planes attack using missiles and often appear in formations. Their maneuverability is better than the bulkier planes. Angle your plane so you can slowly move left or right and lock on multiple targets for the missiles. The plane may drop bombs onto the land instead of attacking you. They can also do rolls similar to your plane. They first appear in Stage 2. Color variants include red and blue. Helicopter, white - often appearing on the sides of the screen, they offer easy hits for those who want to rack up a large hit count by the game's end. They are equipped with missiles. They first appear in Stage 3. "The Enemy!" - The enemy plane looks exactly like the vulnerable planes with stripes and one burner that are easy targets for you. This plane uses its vulcan cannon to try to shoot you down from behind. You can either keep your plane far away from him, speed up your thrusters to outrun him, or slow down so he outruns you. The only way to destroy them is to slow down. The other ways just shake them off. They first appear in Stage 6. "Be Careful!" - You don't even get to see which plane got you locked on by the time you hear this. A missile is locked on to your plane from behind and the only way to shake it off is to either speed up or slow down. Just do not slow down with the missile directly behind you! They first appear in Stage 9. Ally Plane Types: Gas plane, four burners, very long - once this plane connects with yours, no enemies can shoot you down. It appears at the start of several stages and provides fifty missiles for you. You can store up to 100 missiles and this plane will give you either fifty missiles or enough to get you to 100, whichever comes first. It first appears in Stage 3. Possible Enemy Formations: 1. X X X X 2. X X X X 3. X X X X XXX X X X X 4. X X X X 5. X X XXXXXX 6. X X X X X X X X 7. X (with more than one plane behind it) 8. X X X X X X X X 9. X X X X X X All other formations are variations or a combination of these by shape and plane count. The game's difficulty arises from the constant approach of enemy planes and variety in plane types and formations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10) After Burner Challenge: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Get first place on the "Best Fighters" high scores without shooting a single missile! Go to Options and set the difficulty to hard. You only have 3 continues to work with. This helped me gain better control of the Vulcan Cannon while improving the effectiveness of my plane rolls in dodging enemies. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 11) Contact: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Contact me! Here are the following ways you can contact me: E-Mail: AOL: snazzyhoppy@aol.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12) Credits: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thank you to those who made this guide possible: Casey "Raditz-San 2" Morris and Sintaku - for their guides on various ports of After Burner 2 Hardcore Gaming 101 - for their comprehensive retrospective of the After Burner series at http://hg101.classicgaming.gamespy.com/afterburner/afterburner.htm Sega Enterprises - for sending their multimillion dollar jet carrier to the unheard-of country of Halvary just so they can make an arcade game! GameFAQs - for the best source in walkthroughs, maps, and helpful hints since 1995, and for their guidelines in constructing a FAQ guide Wikipedia - for its user contributions to the pages of After Burner and its descendants ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Become the "Best Fighter" with over 10 million points and over 1000 hits to your name! -Snazzyhoppy Copyright (c) Christopher Hopkins 2009