| F-22 Interceptor | |
|---|---|
F-22 Interceptor North American box art |
|
| Developer(s) | Lerner Research |
| Publisher(s) | Electronic Arts |
| Distributor(s) | Electronic Arts |
| Designer(s) | Edward Lerner |
| Composer(s) | Michael Bartlow |
| Engine | Lerner Research |
| Platform(s) | Mega Drive/Genesis |
| Release date(s) | |
| Genre(s) | Flight simulator |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
| Media/distribution | Cartridge |
F-22 Interceptor is a 1991 flight simulator created by Ned Lerner and Gene Kusmiak. It was released by Electronic Arts and Ingram Entertainment for the Mega Drive/Genesis.
The player controls one aircraft, the F-22 Raptor, throughout the game. At that time, the real aircraft was known as the YF-22 Lightning II, and had only first flown in 1990. Like LHX Attack Chopper, another flight simulator by EA, the playable aircraft had not yet been developed.
The player has three skill levels to choose from: Cadet, Training, and Combat. The player must then pick one of four campaigns: the USA, Korea, Iraq, and Russia. In each level, the player's F-22 is targeted by surface-to-air missiles, enemy aircraft, and artillery. The mission is to destroy the targets and complete the objectives using a wide range of missiles, from heat seeking missiles, precision-guided bombs, and chaffs. The aircraft is also given two cannons for engaging enemy targets.
At the end of each mission, the player is required to either land on a runway or an aircraft carrier. Sometimes in-flight refueling is needed to prevent the F-22 from crashing.
As the game progresses, the player will be able to unlock an Aces campaign, where he will face off with advanced pilots from North Korea, Iraq, Russia, and the US.
The game also had a rudimentary mission editor.
There was a "hacked" mission that could be obtained if the player inputted "KOMBAT" on the password screen. If you then press A (To "use the password anyway"), you entered a mission where you were pitted in a dogfight with all of the aircraft in the game, including the KC-135 stratotanker.