Arcade Archives: Air Combat 22

You'll have a good experience with Arcade Archives 2: Ace Combat 22, provided you know what you're getting into. The gameplay loop is quite simple, and the experience seems short, at least initially, which might make it a tough sell for more casual players. When you start diving into the game mechanics and the various difficulty levels (and inherent differences), you'll find a title that appeals to both high score-chasers and completionists due to the various possible campaign paths. Those looking to add to their current arcade collection will find this game to be a great addition to that library, especially since it never received a home port before. Everyone else will find a game that has a surprising amount of depth, despite its quarter-munching roots.

Air Combat 22's biggest claim to fame is its fluidity and timeless visuals. The core mechanics are serviceable, but there isn't enough to keep it engaging past one playthrough. Without the cockpit cabinet and the booming chaos of a '90s arcade screaming in the background, there is less novelty and charm. Playing Arcade Archives: Air Combat 22 on a Nintendo Switch 2 is not the same as it would be on an original unit, but even if it were, the core experience is spread thinly, emphasising that the game was a shallow, cheap thrill.