3D After Burner II

 3DS
  • Publisher: Sega
  • Release Date: Jan 15, 2015
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. XGN
    Mar 24, 2015
    90
    3D After Burner II is an old game but polished to something brand new. With all the customisation options and the colourful levels, 3D After Burner II is something every arcade fan has to play.
  2. NintendoWorldReport
    Jan 20, 2015
    85
    If you are even remotely interested in Sega and/or arcade history, or just wanting a quick and colorful action fix on your 3DS, you can’t go wrong with this affordable labor of love from Sega and M2.
  3. Hobby Consolas
    Jan 23, 2015
    82
    A frantic arcade game that returns with several improvements and a flashy 3D effect. A large array of new options are included to make old-school players happy. The rest of the crowd... may not be as interested.
  5. FNintendo
    Mar 11, 2015
    80
    Sega's 80s classic gets the most perfect conversion it could get into the 3DS in the shape of 3D After Burner II. Every aspect of this conversion is not only faithful to the original but even enhances it where possible.
  6. Everyeye.it
    Feb 23, 2015
    80
    A great chance to relive one of the most beloved shooters of old. Pure fun, and it can be appealing to newcomers too.
  7. Cubed3
    Feb 6, 2015
    80
    A great classic to begin with, 3D After Burner II is only magnified by the Nintendo 3DS' ability to render things in 3D.
  8. Eurogamer Portugal
    Feb 3, 2015
    80
    Quotation forthcoming.
  9. USgamer
    Jan 22, 2015
    80
    A meticulously ported slice of classic 80's arcade action. Without doubt the best version of Afterburner II around - and that includes the original arcade game.
  10. Vandal
    Jan 20, 2015
    80
    After Burner II still is a great game. If you want to relive it again with some remastered content, you won't be disappointed with this version.
  11. Nintendo Life
    Jan 18, 2015
    80
    It's a game designed to be played in short bursts and to that end it lacks narrative and mechanical depth, but its core strengths shine bright.
  12. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Apr 20, 2015
    75
    3D After Burner II is not a deep game in the slightest, but it is a lot of fun and great for quick pick-up-and-play sessions. [Issue #14: Old vs. New – March/April 2015, p.27]
    All this publication's reviews
  13. Hardcore Gamer
    Jan 23, 2015
    70
    Score-chasers, 16-bit enthusiasts, arcade-game aficionados and Sega addicts all need apply for this one; anyone outside of those groups may not get as much from it, but even still there’s fun to be had.

Awards & Rankings

12
#12 Best 3DS Game of 2015
43
#43 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2015
44
#44 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2015

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 22 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 22
  3. Negative: 2 out of 22
  1. musicmaniac1965
    Jan 15, 2015
    7
    Are you like me old enough to be a avid arcade gamer back in the 80's? If your answer is YES, this may appeal to you. This will go down lessAre you like me old enough to be a avid arcade gamer back in the 80's? If your answer is YES, this may appeal to you. This will go down less with the younger gamers amongst us.

    Afterburner II is most famous because of the arcade cabinet i played it in. Big, lots of movements to give the player a even bigger sense of speed, and at thet time of release, the graphics where awesome, and used the same scaling routine as Space Harrier, and OutRun did before this got released. Now, seeing the game on a small screen 3DS XL, it looks like they upped the resolution, and you can make the smoke trails from the rockets see trough, so it looks more "real". I prefer them to be like in the arcade.

    If i'd be to judge the conversion, the game would have gotten a 10+, as it looks and feels smoother than the original. The feeling of speed is also amazing. Still, i don't dare score this higher than 7. The biggest problem is the system it's running on: The buttons are to small, and this game makes you use 4 buttons and the analogue stick at the same time: The stick to controll the aircraft and do barrel rolls to escape homing missiles and enemy aircrafts, (i changed the button lay out so i will tell what my buttons do) Left trigger to shoot the vulcan cannon, right trigger to shoot homing missiles, B to boost/afterburner, Y to brake. So when you played trough the game once, your fingers probably not want to go for another round.

    Still, i must congratulate the developper for keeping the 80's arcade vibe alive, and finaly release this in Europe. The conversion is done superbly, and with the options to get more lives and easyer AI settings, you can actually finish the game, even if you are not to familiar with it.

    The 3D effect works good, as all those 3D conversions look good in 3D. I can't wait for the New 3DS XL to be released, so the 3D remains sharp, even if you move the system due to head tracking in the New 3DS (XL), so i can enjoy this effect even more!    … Full Review »
  2. otarcade
    Jun 28, 2015
    9
    This is the definitive port of After Burner. SEGA restored the original analog control, and added several options including a simulation ofThis is the definitive port of After Burner. SEGA restored the original analog control, and added several options including a simulation of the original arcade cabinet's "motion", a 5-Band audio equalizer, and 3D.
    We've never had such a good port of the arcade version, most ports used to be mediocre versions with digital D-Pad controls. It's great to see the love put into this arcade classic.    … Full Review »
  3. JJTX
    Mar 24, 2019
    8
    M2, the classic game porting experts, have done it again. The stereoscopic 3-D effect of Nintendo 3DS is rarely used so well as it is in 3DM2, the classic game porting experts, have done it again. The stereoscopic 3-D effect of Nintendo 3DS is rarely used so well as it is in 3D After Burner II, an absolutely perfect edition of the influential arcade aerial combat simulator. You'll want to play this one again and again, with the 3-D turned up all the way.… Full Review »
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