Mig-29 Soviet Fighter

"Incredible Graphics, realistic aircraft, heat seeking missiles, in-flight refuelling, Sidewinders and Nuclear Warheads! Real air to air combat with helicopter gunships, Tomcats, Hornets and Tornadoes. Air to ground combat with tanks, Subs and ground attack vehicles. Combat environment include Desert, Tropical and Arctic regions."

It's Afterburner from the Soviet perspective! Maybe it's Afterburner done right for the C64.

Codemasters put this game on most of the 8 and 16 bit home computers of the time. The C64 version colourful fast and very chunky compared to other versions. Collision detection is a big problem for this version with you often taking hits from invisible projectiles when the screen gets busy and bombing targets are nearly impossible to line up.

At the end of each level your refuel but I'm not sure if the fuel can run out before the time limit (Distance) runs down. The game will drop extra fuel just in case though. You get limited ammo but there are drops along the way. I find saving the homing missiles useful against the helicopters as there bullet spray can make it challenging to line up your missiles. The F-14 Tomcats are probably the most deadly enemy as they fly in a fire fast causing damage to you regardless of where you given the chance.

The Nuclear Bomb is an impressive take on the Smart Bomb but as it destroys all your enemies, shouldn't it destroy you as you fly into it! Overall it's a nice budget game from Codemasters but with what seems to be a running theme, also insanely challenging with you only getting one life. Make sure to collect shields when they drop to replenish health. The game does have an ending though!!!

00:00:00 Title Music
00:02:25 Gameplay