Very underrated game, and it gets really hard in later stages. I did beat it two or three years ago, but didn't complete the second, even harder, quest.
This game was such a pleasant surprise for me. A friend gave me a little lot of games, and this was in there. Had never heard of it, but gave it a shot and was so surprised. Certainly not the deepest game on the system, but it feels very polished and has some serious challenge. The first time I blew up a reactor and was met with that creepy music and failing lights affect, I was hooked. Nice choice, sir.
@@NESFriend I have, and good lord it is a challenge! I just remember one fortress that is NOT the last one, (maybe the penultimate or around there), that is killer. I was utilizing that shooting backwards technique and still barely made it out. I definitely should stream it at some point. I believe in you!
Man, how’d I miss this one? This looks awesome and right up my ally. I’ll definitely be on the hunt for this one. This is one reason why I love your channel! Nice job, Trav
I'm always amazed how you track down the old commercials. I'm sure I saw them when I was a kid, but I certainly don't remember them. Its a great touch on these vids
“Wondering what to do next, Farmel decides to just send out plain old Hal Bailman,” Oh man this review is hilarious. About to watch everything else you’ve put out. Thank you.
I was going to pick up the phone and order the game with the free t-shirt after watching the tv commercial, then I realized that it was a bit late. This is a very fun game, thank you Trav for bringing us another great video!
My brother and I had this as a kid, and never met anyone else who did. It was mail order only and we certainly didn't have a tshirt or poster. I'm more surprised my parents even bought it (and even played it!). I sucked at it, and never beat it (got to 2nd to last level with those codes), but loved it. Only shooter I played as a kid (not that good at those parts)! And the Famicom version has such a nice hard sci-fi cover, tho I'm perfectly happy with the us version. I always called the red enemy spaceman a Cosmonaut. Definately one of the first carts I bought after the great foolish video game purge! Great memories and great video! And thanks for the dr strangelove/atomic Cafe reference!
Love the channel! New subscriber, gotten back into NES gaming recently. Looking forward to your Ultima video! Unless you've already done one. Thank you and happy gaming!
Yeah I could never decide what the main character looked like. I always thought he kinda looks like if my computer and desk merged and then compacted like a Voltron lion before rocketing away. Definitely a really odd design. I'll take any Dr. Strangelove reference though!
Air Fortress was quite possibly the most well-crafted mediocre game on the NES. It severely lacked variety, both in stage design and power ups, but it was so well put together that I never minded it as a kid playing it over and over. The controls are tight and responsive, and the level layout and enemy placement is always challenging, but not really unfair. It's just a really fun game.
My friend had this way back when. 8 year old me could never get past the third level. I always had some slight nostalgia for this game but I've never attempted to play it again. Never understood what that space sled horse thing was all about. Maybe I'll give it another shot.
I don't know where the person that wrote that on the Wikipedia page was getting their info (from between their seat cushions, I reckon), because that is absolutely nowhere in the actual game. I've beaten both the NES and Famicom versions, and all it shows is Hal returning to Farmel, triumphant on his lightship.
This one looks so ambitious for its time. Not bad at all! Never heard about it before but I'll certainly give it a go. I wonder Metroid would look a bit like that if you have to travel with Samus from one planet to another
This game seems to be really underrated. I've been a big NES collector almost my entire life and I didn't even know this game existed until a little over a year ago.
My brother and I used to argue whether this or Blaster Master was better. We figured they were the same game because the little dude exits the vehicle in both.
Played this a lot with my Dad, he still remembers the final password too, 30 years later lol.
I sure love when you show the old commercials when possible. Makes this old man feel like a kid again. Thanks for the videos
Very underrated game, and it gets really hard in later stages. I did beat it two or three years ago, but didn't complete the second, even harder, quest.
This game was such a pleasant surprise for me. A friend gave me a little lot of games, and this was in there. Had never heard of it, but gave it a shot and was so surprised. Certainly not the deepest game on the system, but it feels very polished and has some serious challenge. The first time I blew up a reactor and was met with that creepy music and failing lights affect, I was hooked. Nice choice, sir.
Have you finished this one? I'd show up for this. I struggle with the second half. Need a pro to show me the way.
@@NESFriend I have, and good lord it is a challenge! I just remember one fortress that is NOT the last one, (maybe the penultimate or around there), that is killer. I was utilizing that shooting backwards technique and still barely made it out. I definitely should stream it at some point. I believe in you!
Please let me know. I'll be front row!
@@NESFriend You bet, sir!
I love your subtle humor the line "... Hal is riding a bomb like that dude from Dr. Strangelove and that didn't end well for that guy" really got me
Man, how’d I miss this one? This looks awesome and right up my ally. I’ll definitely be on the hunt for this one. This is one reason why I love your channel! Nice job, Trav
I dunno, Slim Pickins seemed pretty happy riding that bomb
Moment of silence for Slim.
And go Whitesox!
I remember playing this game as part of a bootleg NES collection for the PS1. This is pretty good!
I'm always amazed how you track down the old commercials. I'm sure I saw them when I was a kid, but I certainly don't remember them. Its a great touch on these vids
Hey thanks. They're honestly pretty easy to find on YT. There are some pretty fun compilations that should send ya back to the good ol days!
Damn I love Air Fortress! I didn't play it until recently and I'm kicking myself for not at least renting it back in the day!
I played a bit of this game and it got super tough partway through... I liked it though! You did a great job with this one. Keep it up!
That commercial is radical. Great video, thank you!
One of my most played games as a kid.
Lolo _and_ Kirby? Man sure loves his colorful puffballs, doesn't he?
Has to be the happiest guy ever. Or he's a very wicked man with something to hide. WHO KNOWS?
“Wondering what to do next, Farmel decides to just send out plain old Hal Bailman,”
Oh man this review is hilarious. About to watch everything else you’ve put out. Thank you.
The game’s music got me hyped!
Thanks for the game recommendation!
And "Hal" is a great name.
Humble, yet rare
Both simple and pleasing to the ear
Underrated game here definitely a hidden gem!
These are always great videos. I really appreciate watching them every time.
Thanks finn! Great to hear that
Oooo infinite continues. That's my kind of game.
Don't get too excited. You might need them all in this one!
I was going to pick up the phone and order the game with the free t-shirt after watching the tv commercial, then I realized that it was a bit late. This is a very fun game, thank you Trav for bringing us another great video!
Hey, might still be worth a try. I couldn't find a pic of the t-shirts online anywhere.
My brother and I had this as a kid, and never met anyone else who did. It was mail order only and we certainly didn't have a tshirt or poster. I'm more surprised my parents even bought it (and even played it!). I sucked at it, and never beat it (got to 2nd to last level with those codes), but loved it. Only shooter I played as a kid (not that good at those parts)! And the Famicom version has such a nice hard sci-fi cover, tho I'm perfectly happy with the us version. I always called the red enemy spaceman a Cosmonaut. Definately one of the first carts I bought after the great foolish video game purge! Great memories and great video!
And thanks for the dr strangelove/atomic Cafe reference!
I called the red enemies Space Chimps.
I was wondering what you'd say for the last line and you FREAKING NAILED IT! 🤣😂
Just got this game and I'm excited to play it. I've always liked the Lolo games for the NES from HAl. Nice job on the video.
Hey thanks! Good luck with it, I find it to get tough around the fourth level but still pretty fun
Love the channel! New subscriber, gotten back into NES gaming recently. Looking forward to your Ultima video! Unless you've already done one. Thank you and happy gaming!
This game definitely gives off some Cybernoid vibes...but that game doesn't have a space horse missile thing.
Sure doesn't!
Neat! That horse looks like a sphynx to me
Well it's a space horse missile thing, Hans.
“That’s a big ‘no bueno’!”😂
Yeah I could never decide what the main character looked like. I always thought he kinda looks like if my computer and desk merged and then compacted like a Voltron lion before rocketing away. Definitely a really odd design. I'll take any Dr. Strangelove reference though!
Air Fortress was quite possibly the most well-crafted mediocre game on the NES. It severely lacked variety, both in stage design and power ups, but it was so well put together that I never minded it as a kid playing it over and over. The controls are tight and responsive, and the level layout and enemy placement is always challenging, but not really unfair. It's just a really fun game.
My friend had this way back when. 8 year old me could never get past the third level. I always had some slight nostalgia for this game but I've never attempted to play it again. Never understood what that space sled horse thing was all about. Maybe I'll give it another shot.
Good luck. It really picks up the difficulty around the 4th level. Strap in!
Great work as always. And holy crap, I just read the Wikipedia page and this game's story ends with an 'Ender's Game' level of a twist! Wild.
Too bad I'll never get to see it.
I don't know where the person that wrote that on the Wikipedia page was getting their info (from between their seat cushions, I reckon), because that is absolutely nowhere in the actual game. I've beaten both the NES and Famicom versions, and all it shows is Hal returning to Farmel, triumphant on his lightship.
I’ve been playin this a bunch lately.
Great video!
Thanks Jason. You able to beat it?
Only to stage 4. Got my password tho, lol I’ve been playing ninja Gaiden 2. It’s been so good!
Stage 4 is where I start to fall apart
This was the only game that gave me such anxiety for blowing up on the stations!
This one looks so ambitious for its time. Not bad at all! Never heard about it before but I'll certainly give it a go. I wonder Metroid would look a bit like that if you have to travel with Samus from one planet to another
Man, this is a nice looking game.
Definitely going to have to check it out.
Wonder how many of those t-shirts and posters are out there. I call the number to order.
I couldn't find a pic of one on a person. I tried for a solid 4 minutes
@@NESFriend My parents ordered it, and all I remember getting was a poster.
Great video as usual! I wanted to ask you... what’s up with The Untouchables on the NES? Thanks!
I hope we find out some day! Thanks for checking it out Josh!
This is basically Guardian Legend, isn't it?
This game seems to be really underrated. I've been a big NES collector almost my entire life and I didn't even know this game existed until a little over a year ago.
I saw this game as a kid and knew I had to have it. I wasn't disappointed.
My brother and I used to argue whether this or Blaster Master was better. We figured they were the same game because the little dude exits the vehicle in both.
I found someone selling this game at an old retro gaming store
I’ve always wanted a space horse missile thing. This looks pretty cool, I wasn’t familiar with it.
nice video! what game you think is better between Air Fortress and Xexyz?
Good question - I might like Xexyz an ounce more but probably only because I've gotten through it and not air fortress.
Why the enemies look so much like Xevious on the shoot them up part...
Because they were ripped off from Xevious. Don't overthink it.
How does the escape music sound like Metroid?
Welp, another cheap shmup I never heard of. Guess I’m hitting eBay because it looks fun. Also, can’t go wrong with HAL
I was wondering what you'd say for the last line and you FREAKING NAILED IT! 🤣😂