Air Combat 22

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2025}} {{Infobox video game | title = Air Combat 22 | developer = [[Namco]] | publisher = Namco | released = {{vgrelease|JP|March 1995<ref>{{cite book |last1=Akagi |first1=Masumi |title=アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971-2005) |trans-title=Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971-2005) |date=October 13, 2006 |publisher=Amusement News Agency |lang=ja |location=Japan |isbn=978-4990251215 |pages=53|url=https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005/page/n53/mode/2up}}</ref>|NA|April 1995<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Namco Roars In To Its 5th Decade: Having Completed 40 Glorious Years of Coin-Op, "The Game Creator" is Going Stronger Than Ever |magazine=RePlay |date=April 1995 |volume=20 |issue=7 |pages=144-146 (146) |url=https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-20-issue-no.-7-april-1995/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2020%2C%20Issue%20No.%207%20-%20April%201995/page/146}}</ref>}} | genre = [[Combat flight simulation game|Air combat simulation]] | modes = [[Single player]] | platforms = [[Arcade video game|Arcade]] | arcade system = [[Namco System 22]] | image = Air Combat 22 Flyer.jpg | caption = North American arcade flyer }} {{Nihongo foot|'''''Air Combat 22'''''|エアーコンバット 22|Eā Konbatto 22|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 1995 [[Combat flight simulation game|combat fight simulator]] [[video game]] released by [[Namco]] for [[Arcade video game|arcades]]. It is the sequel to Namco's 1993 arcade game ''[[Air Combat (arcade game)|Air Combat]]''. Its name comes from it running on Namco's [[Namco System 22|Super System 22 hardware]]. It was released as both a dedicated deluxe [[arcade cabinet]], and as an [[arcade conversion]] kit for ''Air Combat''.

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 and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]].<ref name="ArcadeArchives">{{Cite web |last=Extension |first=Time |date=2025-06-30 |title=Namco's Air Combat 22 Is Coming To Arcade Archives On PS4, PS5, Switch And Xbox |url=https://www.timeextension.com/news/2025/06/namcos-air-combat-22-is-coming-to-arcade-archives-on-ps4-ps5-switch-and-xbox |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=Time Extension |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Gameplay== [[File:Air Combat 22 gameplay example.png|thumb|left|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-35]] and the [[Lockheed YF-22]]. 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 (magazine)|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".<ref>{{Cite journal|date=August 1995|title=Air Combat 22|url=https://archive.org/details/nextgen-issue-008/page/n79/mode/2up?q=%22air+combat%22|journal=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|issue=8|pages=79}}</ref> ''[[Game Players]]'' called the arcade game "a screaming good time and worth every quarter", praising the game's "huge screen" and "authentic cockpit".<ref>{{Cite journal|date=July 1995|title=Air Combat 22|url=https://archive.org/details/Game_Players_Issue_54_July_1995?q=%22air+combat+22%22|journal=Game Players|issue=54|pages=85}}</ref> ''[[Edge (magazine)|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".<ref>{{Cite journal|title=AOU: Coin-op houses unveil '95 line-up|url=https://archive.org/details/Edge_UK_020/page/n15/mode/2up?q=%22air+combat%22|journal=Edge Magazine|issue=20|pages=16–17}}</ref>

==Notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{KLOV game|6828}} * [http://www.arcade-history.com/?page=detail&id=45 ''Air Combat 22''] at the Arcade History database

[[Category:1995 video games]] [[Category:Ace Combat]] [[Category:Arcade Archives games]] [[Category:Arcade Archives 2 games]] [[Category:Arcade video games]] [[Category:Arcade-only video games]] [[Category:Flight simulation video games]] [[Category:Hamster Corporation games]] [[Category:Namco arcade games]] [[Category:Namco System 22 games]] [[Category:Single-player video games]] [[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]