F-19 Stealth Fighter
| Industry | Video games |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1982 |
| Headquarters | United States |
F-19 Stealth Fighter is a combat flight simulator released in 1988 by MicroProse for the PC DOS platform, with subsequent versions available on Amiga, Atari ST, and the Japan-exclusive NEC PC-9801. This title serves as a 16-bit update to the 1987 8-bit Project Stealth Fighter originally developed for the Commodore 64. In 2015, the DOS edition was reissued on Steam.
Created prior to the 1988 public reveal of the F-117 Nighthawk, the game focuses on an imagined stealth aircraft named the F-19, inspired by the 1986 Testors F-19 model kit. Although a real F-117 model was later added as an option, its design was derived from limited press images and displayed inaccurate proportions.
The title received strong critical praise and was followed up in 1991 by Night Hawk: F-117A Stealth Fighter 2.0, which replaced the fictional plane with a precise representation of the F-117.
Gameplay
Players undertake missions set in four theaters: Gaddafi's Libya, the Persian Gulf, North Cape (Norway), and Central Europe. These missions occur under various conditions—conventional warfare, restricted engagement, or Cold War tensions—where detection can lead to diplomatic repercussions.
The simulator provides an extensive arsenal of authentic weaponry and incorporates advanced AI that manages enemy fighters, SAM installations, and radar systems. These defenses escalate from routine patrols to aggressive target searches once detection occurs. The radar system is detailed, calculating the player’s radar signature against incoming radar signals over different distances.
Mission results differ widely; pilots may be rescued by a V-22 Osprey, become headlines in Pravda if captured, or provoke protests from allied or neutral countries due to friendly fire incidents. A pilot roster before missions tracks individual progress including rank advancement, scores, and decorations; pilot fatalities are permanent, adding depth to campaign authenticity.
Copy protection
At launch, players must successfully complete an "Aircraft Identification Exam" by choosing the correct aircraft from multiple options. Failure restricts access to only training missions with fixed equipment.
Development
After creating Project Stealth Fighter for the Commodore 64, designers Jim Synoski and Arnold Hendrick teamed up with Sid Meier and Andy Hollis for its PC adaptation. Hendrick explained that only scenario ideas, military intelligence, and some flight physics were preserved from the original C64 version. Although initially scheduled for a September 1988 release, the launch was postponed until mid-November. The game sold out rapidly within two months of release.
MicroProse timed the game's launch alongside the U.S. military’s official disclosure of the F-117A Nighthawk. The title leveraged speculation regarding the absent F-19 designation in Air Force numbering by basing its aircraft design on informed assumptions about stealth technology. Subsequent updates added the authentic F-117 alongside the fictional F-19.
The original retail package included comprehensive materials: an in-depth manual detailing late 1980s U.S. and Soviet aircraft, keyboard overlays, guides on stealth and fighter tactics, plus basic maps of conflict zones—enhancing immersion and user experience.
Reception
The 1989 issue of Computer Gaming World lauded F-19 Stealth Fighter for its authentic simulation and intricate detail, emphasizing its thorough instructional content covering aerodynamics, radar systems, stealth mechanics, and combat strategies. In a 1992 evaluation, the game received a rating of three stars out of five, which was adjusted to slightly above two stars in a 1994 reassessment. Meanwhile, Compute! praised the title for its impressive graphics and realistic portrayal on IBM PC platforms.
F-19 Stealth Fighter was honored with the "Simulation Game of the Year" accolade by Computer Gaming World in recognition of its successful integration of cutting-edge technology with engaging gameplay. It also secured the Software Publishers Association's Excellence in Software Award for "Best Simulation." The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum included the game in a 1989 exhibition entitled "Flight Enters the Computer Age." In 1990, it placed sixth in a reader-driven poll featuring "All-Time Favorites," and its various ports earned the 1991 Golden Joystick Award for "Best Simulation - 16 Bit." The title was ranked as the 29th best Amiga game by Amiga Power in 1991 and listed as the 52nd greatest game overall by Computer Gaming World in 1996.
Furthermore, F-19 Stealth Fighter received the Origins Award for both "Best Military or Strategy Computer Game of 1988" and "Best Screen Graphics in a Home Computer Game of 1988."
Reviews
- Jeux & Stratégie #56
External links
- The Official F-19 Stealth Fighter Handbook at FlightSimBooks.com
- A Look Back at F19 Stealth Fighter by Microprose at FlightSim.com
- Articles with short description
- 1988 video games
- Amiga games
- Atari ST games
- Cold War video games
- Combat flight simulators
- DOS games
- Golden Joystick Award winners
- MicroProse games
- NEC PC-9801 games
- Origins Award winners
- Single-player video games
- Video game remakes
- Video games designed by Sid Meier
- Video games developed in the United States
- Video games set in East Germany
- Video games set in Germany
- Video games set in Iran
- Video games set in Libya
- Video games set in Poland
- Video games set in the 1980s
- Video games set in the Soviet Union