After Burner II

From Sega Retro

For the Sega Saturn rerelease, see Sega Ages After Burner II.

n/a

After Burner II Title.png

After Burner II
System(s): Sega X Board, Sega Mega Drive, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS, FM Towns, J2ME, MSX, NES, PC Engine, Sharp X68000, TurboGrafx-16, ZX Spectrum
Publisher: Sega,
Sega Mega Drive
Dempa (JP), Sega (US/EU),
PC Engine
NEC Avenue,
Famicom
Sunsoft,
Nintendo Entertainment System
Tengen,
Amiga
Amstrad CPC
Atari ST
Commodore 64
MSX
ZX Spectrum
Activision
Developer:
Genre: Shoot-'em-Up

















Release Date RRP Code
Famicom
JP
1989 ¥? ?
Nintendo Entertainment System
US
1989 $? ?
Amiga
US
Amiga
UK
£24.9924.99 [1][2]
Amiga
UK
(The Hit Squad)
£7.997.99 [3]
Atari ST
UK
£24.9924.99 [2]
Amstrad CPC
EU
(Disk)
Amstrad CPC
UK
(Cassette)
£9.999.99 [2]
Commodore 64
US
Commodore 64
UK
(Disk)
£14.9914.99 [2]
Commodore 64
UK
(Cassette)
£9.999.99 [2]
ZX Spectrum
EU
ZX Spectrum
UK
(Cassette)
£9.999.99
ZX Spectrum
UK
(Hit Squad)
£2.992.99 [5]
IBM PC compatibles
US
$39.9539.95 [4]
MSX
EU

After Burner II (アフターバーナーII) is the sequel to After Burner, developed by Sega AM2 in 1987. The game is essentially an upgraded version of its predecessor, adding throttle control which allows the players to adjust their fighter's speed during flight. There are also three new stages, bringing the total to 21 and various gameplay and music tweaks.

Sequels and Re-releases

The original After Burner was only ported to the Sega Master System, all other versions, despite what their box arts may say, are actually ports of After Burner II. This includes the ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS, FM Towns, J2ME, MSX, NES and Sharp X68000 versions, as well as the PC Engine and Sega Mega Drive ports, which are clearly labeled "After Burner II". Two versions for both the Commodore Amiga and Commodore 64 were released; a set for US audiences (1988) and another for the European market (1989). With the exception of the NES and US Amiga/C64 versions, all ports have After Burner II depicted on their title screens.

Tengen took Sunsoft's port of After Burner II to the Famicom and heavily modified it into an unlicensed After Burner for the NES (there are still some remnants of the old version, such as the sound test).

After Burner II also saw release as part of the Sega Ages: Volume 1 compilation on the Sega Saturn, and is playable within Shenmue II.

Production Credits

X Board Version

The arcade version of After Burner II has no detailed credits screen, instead aliases of the developers are seen on the backs of clothing in the ending sequence:

Kio, Yu, Bo, Kim, Hiro, Asu, MK, Bin, Mr, Sada, Ken

Amiga Version (US)

Programmed by: Jeff Spangenberg
Graphics by: Matthew Stubbington
Level Desgin and additonal graphics by: Darrin Stubbington
Music and sound effects by: Jason Brooke

Amiga Version (EU)

Programmed By Argonaut Software Ltd.
Code C 1985 1988 Argonaut Software Ltd
Music and Sound Effects By Uncle Art
Artwork By Focus C.E. Ltd.
A Software Studios Production

Commodore 64 Version (EU)

This game has been produced under license from Sega Enterprises Ltd Japan and used by Activision UK Ltd
Coding by: Dalali Software Ltd
Graphics by: Focus CE Ltd
Music by: Adam Gilmore
A Software Studios Production
Copyright Sega 1988

DOS Version

Programmer: Jack Rebbetoy
Graphic Artsits: Gerard DeSouza, Faye Hoffman
Unlimited Software Inc.

NES Version

Program Director: Hiro-kun
Program: Hiro-kun, Suzuki Kun, Luckyasada
Art Director: Iwata Kun
Music: Kodaka San, Morota San
Hard Ware: A.T
Special Thanks: Don Gavacho, Erica, Yoko Chan
Director: Cho Musow
Marketing: Eguchan, Masato♥Kun, Kozawa, Norichan
Presented by...: Sun Electronics Corporation

TurboGrafx-16 Version

~In-game credits~
Program: Bits Lab., 「山.Kanayama
Produce: NEC Avenue, T.Tabeta

~Other credits~
Executive Producer: M.Sakio
Programmer: Moto Kanayama
Director: Y.Takahara
Sound: Kenichiro Isoda, Shigeharu Isoda
Graphic: S.Miyazaki
Analog drv.: H.Mesuda
Still: K.Yamashita
Special Thanks: Masas, K.Matsuda

Promotional Material

Physical Scans

X Board Version

Mega Drive Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
69 №49, p78[7]
90 №4, p26
95 №103, p102/103[8]
70 №17
92
79 №6, p80
61 №5, p90
35 №17, p64/65
85 №1, p45
90 №1, p76
90 №8, p40-42[9]
92 №8, p40
86 №18, p44
80 №23, p52
85 №1, p18[10]
66 №18, p64
90 №9, p74
Sega Mega Drive
80
Based on
17 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
50
[11]
ACE (UK)
70
[7]
ACE (UK) PAL
50
[12]
Ação Games (BR)
75
[13]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
80
[14]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
90
[15]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
90
[16]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK)
90
[17]
Console XS (UK) NTSC-J
76
[18]
Cool Gamer (RU)
60
[19]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
95
[8]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
83
[20]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
30
[21]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
74
[22]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
73
[23]
Game Mania (UK)
90
[24]
Games-X (UK)
70
[25]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
92
[26]
Joystick (FR)
79
[27]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
61
[28]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
79
[29]
Mega (UK) PAL
35
[30]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
83
[31]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
88
[32]
Mean Machines (UK)
90
[9]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
90
[33]
Player One (FR)
92
[34]
Power Play (DE)
80
[35]
Score (CZ)
65
[36]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
86
[37]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
75
[38]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
66
[39]
Sega Pro (UK)
85
[10]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
77
[40]
Tilt (FR)
65
[41]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
60
[42]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US)
70
[43]
Zero (UK)
90
[44]
Sega Mega Drive
75
Based on
38 reviews

After Burner II

Mega Drive, US
After Burner II MD US Box.jpg
Cover
AfterBurnerII MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, EU
After Burner II MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
AfterBurnerII MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, JP
AfterburnerII md jp cover.jpg
Cover
AfterBurner2 MD JP CartTop.jpg
Afterburnerii md jp cart.jpg
Cart
Afterburnerii md jp manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, AU

Mega Drive, BR
AfterBurnerII MD BR Box.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, CA

Amiga Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
70 №21, p77[1]
50 №18, p39
68 №17, p31
Amiga
63
Based on
3 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Amiga
N/A
Based on
0 reviews

After Burner II

Amiga, US
AfterBurner Amiga US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngAfterBurner Amiga EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
AfterBurner Amiga US Disk.jpg
Disk
Amiga, UK

Amiga, UK (The Hit Squad)

Amstrad CPC Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
67 №19, p84[45]
Amstrad CPC
67
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Amstrad CPC
N/A
Based on
0 reviews

After Burner II

Amstrad CPC, UK (cassette)

Amstrad CPC, UK (cassette) (alt)
AfterBurner CPC EU Box Cassette Alt.jpg
Cover
Amstrad CPC, UK (disk)

Amstrad CPC, ES (cassette)
AfterBurner CPC EU Box Cassette MCM.jpg
Cover
Amstrad CPC, ES (disk)
AfterBurner CPC EU Box Disk MCM.jpg
Cover

Atari ST Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
69 №16, p54-55[46]
47 №15, p59
Atari ST
58
Based on
2 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Atari ST
N/A
Based on
0 reviews

After Burner II

Atari ST, UK
After Burner AtariST EU Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngAfter Burner AtariST EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
AfterBurner AtariST UK Disk1.jpg
Disk 1
AfterBurner AtariST UK Disk2.jpg
Disk 2
Atari ST, UK (The Hit Squad)
AfterBurnerII ST UK Box Back THS.jpgNospine-small.pngAfterBurnerII ST UK Box Front THS.jpg
Cover

Commondore 64 Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
52 №16, p54-55[46]
29 №15, p59
Commodore 64
41
Based on
2 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Commodore 64
N/A
Based on
0 reviews

After Burner II

Commodore 64, US
AfterBurner C64 US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngAfterBurner C64 US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Commodore 64, UK (disk)
AfterBurner C64 EU Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngAfterBurner C64 EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
AfterBurner C64 EU Disk.jpg
Disk
Commodore 64, UK (cassette)

Commodore 64, UK (The Hit Squad)
AfterBurner C64 EU Box THS.jpg
Cover
AfterBurner C64 UK Cassette HitSquad.jpg
Cassette

DOS Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
77 №3, p145
IBM PC compatibles
77
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
IBM PC compatibles
N/A
Based on
0 reviews

After Burner II

DOS, US
AfterBurner DOS US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngAfterBurner DOS US Box Front.jpg
Cover
AfterBurner DOS US Disk1.jpg
Disk 1

FM Towns Verison

FM Towns, JP
AfterBurner FMTowns JP Box Front.jpg
Cover

MSX Version

MSX, ES (MCM)
After Burner MSX EU MCM Box.jpg
Cover

NES Version

NES, US
AfterBurner NES US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngAfter Burner NES US Box.jpg
Cover
After Burner NES US Cart.jpg
Cart
NES, JP
AfterBurner NES JP Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngAfterBurner NES JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
After Burner NES JP Cart.jpg
Cart
AfterBurner NES JP Manual.pdf
Manual

Sharp X68000 Version

Sharp X68000, JP
After Burner X68000 JP Box.png
Cover
AfterBurner X68000 JP Disk1.jpg
Disk 1
AfterBurner X68000 JP Disk2.jpg
Disk 2

PC Engine Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
67 №39, p104[47]
82 №109, p105[48]
72 №10, p123
88 №4, p50
81 12/90
PC Engine
78
Based on
5 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
ACE (UK)
67
[47]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
88
[49]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
82
[48]
Computer + Video Giochi (IT)
90
[50]
Joystick (FR)
72
[51]
Player One (FR)
88
[52]
Power Play (DE)
81
[53]
PC Engine
81
Based on
7 reviews

After Burner II

PC Engine, JP
After Burner II PCE HuCard JP Back.jpgAfter Burner II PCE HuCard JP Spine.jpgAfterBurnerII PCE JP Box Front.jpg
Cover

ZX Spectrum

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
66 №16, p54-55[46]
90 №86, p52-53[54]
82 №113, p72[5]
83 №15, p59
ZX Spectrum
80
Based on
4 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
ZX Spectrum
N/A
Based on
0 reviews

After Burner II

ZX Spectrum, UK (cassette)

ZX Spectrum, UK (disk)

After Burner Spectrum EU Disk.jpg
Disk
ZX Spectrum, UK (The Hit Squad)
Afterburner zx-spectrum eu the-hits-squad outer-sleeve.jpgAfterburner zx-spectrum eu the-hits-squad inner-sleeve.jpg
Cover
Afterburner zx-spectrum eu the-hits-squad tape.jpg
Cassette
ZX Spectrum, ES
After Burner Spectrum EU MCM Box.jpg
Cover
ZX Spectrum, ES (alt)
After Burner Spectrum EU MCM Box Alt.jpg
Cover



Games in the After Burner Series
Arcade
After Burner (1987) | After Burner II (home computers) (1987) | G-LOC: Air Battle (home computers) (1990) | Strike Fighter (1991) | Sky Target (1995) | Sega Strike Fighter (2000) | After Burner Climax (2006)
Sega Master System
After Burner (1987) | G-LOC: Air Battle (1991)
LCD handheld game
After Burner (1988)
Sega Mega Drive
After Burner II (1990) | G-LOC: Air Battle (1993)
Sega Game Gear
G-LOC: Air Battle (1990)
Sega Mega-CD
After Burner III (1992)
Sega 32X
After Burner Complete (1995)
Sega Saturn
Sega Ages After Burner II (1996) | Sky Target (1997)
Windows PC
Sky Target (1997)
Mobile phone
After Burner II (200x) | After Burner II DX (2007)
Sony PlayStation 2
Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 10: After Burner II (2004)
Sony PlayStation Portable
After Burner: Black Falcon (2007)
Xbox 360
Sony PlayStation 3
After Burner Climax (2010)
Nintendo 3DS
3D After Burner II (2013)
Google Android OS
iOS
After Burner Climax (2013)
After Burner related media
Music
Sega Game Music Vol. 3 After Burner (1987) | After Burner (1990) | Strike Fighter (1991) | Yu Suzuki Produce After Burner II (1997) | Yu Suzuki Produce G-LOC/R360/Virtua Racing (1998) | After Burner Climax Sound Track (2006) | After Burner 20th Anniversary Box (2007) | After Burner II (2018) | G-LOC Air Battle: Series Music Collection (2020)
Film
After Burner (1987) | After Burner / Super Hang-On (1987)
  1. 1.0 1.1 File:ACE UK 21.pdf, page 77
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 File:AfterBurner Computers UK PrintAd 2.jpg
  3. File:Raze UK 05.pdf, page 93
  4. File:CGW US 065.pdf, page 92
  5. 5.0 5.1 File:CVG UK 113.pdf, page 72
  6. http://www.mamedb.com/game/aburner2
  7. 7.0 7.1 File:ACE UK 49.pdf, page 78 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ACE UK 49.pdf_p78" defined multiple times with different content
  8. 8.0 8.1 File:CVG UK 103.pdf, page 102 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 103.pdf_p102" defined multiple times with different content
  9. 9.0 9.1 File:MeanMachines UK 08.pdf, page 40 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachines UK 08.pdf_p40" defined multiple times with different content
  10. 10.0 10.1 File:SegaPro UK 01.pdf, page 18 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 01.pdf_p18" defined multiple times with different content
  11. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 14
  12. ACE, "December 1991" (UK; 1991-11-08), page 108
  13. Ação Games, "Junho 1991" (BR; 1991-06-19), page 19
  14. Aktueller Software Markt, "Mai 1990" (DE; 1990-04-30), page 71
  15. Beep! MegaDrive, "April 1990" (JP; 1990-03-08), page 109
  16. Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume IV" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 26
  17. The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 44
  18. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 126
  19. Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 8
  20. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "August 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 22
  21. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 286
  22. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 17
  23. Famitsu, "" (JP; 1990-0x-xx), page 1
  24. Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 80
  25. Games-X, "15th-21st August 1991" (UK; 1991-08-15), page 38
  26. Hobby Consolas, "Octubre 1991" (ES; 1991-xx-xx), page 70
  27. Joystick, "Juin 1990" (FR; 1990-05-xx), page 80
  28. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 90
  29. Mega Drive Fan, "August 1990" (JP; 1990-07-07), page 73
  30. Mega, "February 1994" (UK; 1994-01-20), page 65
  31. Mega Play, "November/December 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 28
  32. MegaTech, "Xmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-06), page 45
  33. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 137
  34. Player One, "Avril 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 36
  35. Power Play, "6/90" (DE; 1990-05-11), page 123
  36. Score, "Březen 1995" (CZ; 1995-03-01), page 1
  37. Sega Power, "May 1991" (UK; 1991-04-04), page 44
  38. Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 52
  39. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 64
  40. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85
  41. Tilt, "Septembre 1990" (FR; 1990-0x-xx), page 100
  42. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 6
  43. VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "September 1990" (US; 1990-0x-xx), page 62
  44. Zero, "July 1990" (UK; 1990-0x-xx), page 74
  45. File:ACE UK 19.pdf, page 84
  46. 46.0 46.1 46.2 File:ACE UK 16.pdf, page 54
  47. 47.0 47.1 File:ACE UK 39.pdf, page 104 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ACE UK 39.pdf_p104" defined multiple times with different content
  48. 48.0 48.1 File:CVG UK 109.pdf, page 105 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 109.pdf_p105" defined multiple times with different content
  49. Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume IV" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 40
  50. Computer + Video Giochi, "Gennaio 1991" (IT; 199x-xx-xx), page 57
  51. Joystick, "Novembre 1990" (FR; 1990-1x-xx), page 123
  52. Player One, "Décembre 1990" (FR; 1990-xx-xx), page 50
  53. Power Play, "12/90" (DE; 1990-11-16), page 164
  54. File:CVG UK 086.pdf, page 52