Air Duel

Game Details:

In this title, players can choose between two completely different aircraft before each stage: the F-14 jet fighter, which boasts powerful forward-firing weapons ideal for quick breakthroughs; and the attack helicopter, which, despite its slightly weaker range, offers incredible flexibility as its shots deflect 45 degrees as the craft moves left or right. The game features 7 stages (14 in total for the second loop), with settings that include the wreckage of abandoned bases, desolate deserts, and the core of a final supercomputer. The visual detail is exceptionally rich, with shattered metal parts and smoke effects that foreshadow the visual style of the later Metal Slug series. Additionally, the bomb in this game (B button) is not a simple screen-clearing flash but a vertical pillar of fire whose horizontal drift can be controlled, adding significant operational depth.

Strategy Guide:

• Strategic Use of Aircraft Abilities:
• Jet: If you're looking for maximum damage output and a powerful feel, the jet is your top choice. At full power, its spread covers a wide area, allowing it to quickly destroy large bombers. However, it requires significant movement to deal with tanks or turrets attacking from the sides.
• Helicopter: This is where the game truly shines. Because its shots change direction as you move, you can perform strafing maneuvers to shoot diagonally, safely destroying enemies in blind spots from a diagonal position below them. This technique is almost essential for survival in the complex terrain of Stage 4 and beyond.
• Controllable Bomb (Napalm Bomb) Technique: After deploying the bomb, it creates a pillar of fire that advances upward. The key is that you can use the joystick to make fine horizontal adjustments to the pillar's position. When facing multi-segmented bosses (like the large airship in Stage 5), you can use the pillar's continuous damage to destroy multiple turrets at once.
• Harsh Penalty System: Irem games have always been unforgiving. Once you lose a life, your firepower instantly reverts to its initial state, which is practically a game-over situation in later stages. Therefore, maintaining maximum firepower is more important than scoring points. It's recommended to prioritize destroying the red enemy aircraft that drop 'P' items and to always save at least one bomb for survival.
• Second Loop Challenge: After clearing the first loop, you will enter an extremely difficult second loop where enemy bullet speed and density are significantly increased. It's advisable to practice 'edge-strafing,' a technique where you use the blind spots at the edge of the screen to guide enemy bullet patterns, then cut back into the open gaps to counter-attack.