F/A-18 Interceptor
| Industry | Video game development |
|---|---|
| Founder | Bob Dinnerman |
| Headquarters | United States |
Key people | Bob Dinnerman (designer and programmer) |
| Products | F/A-18 Interceptor |
F/A-18 Interceptor is a combat flight simulator created by Intellisoft and released by Electronic Arts for the Amiga platform in 1988. The main aircraft flown by players is the F/A-18 Hornet, although the F-16 Fighting Falcon is also accessible for aerobatic maneuvers, free flight, and the initial mission. Despite its name, the F/A-18 functions as a multirole strike fighter rather than a dedicated interceptor.
Gameplay
The setting of the game is the San Francisco Bay Area, featuring recognizable landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge, and Electronic Arts’ headquarters located in San Mateo. Players have the option to take off and land at multiple airfields, including San Francisco International Airport, Oakland International Airport, Moffett Federal Airfield, and aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise. An undisclosed starting point modeled after Edwards Air Force Base exists but remains incomplete.
Only air-to-air weaponry is available in the game: AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, and a 500-round M61 Vulcan Gatling gun, along with chaff and flares for missile defense.
There are six missions centered on combating hostile "terrorists," commencing on September 1, 1994. Players must successfully complete a carrier landing qualification before advancing:
- Visual Confirmation Mission: Identify an unidentified aircraft approaching San Francisco, avoiding firing unless provoked.
- Emergency Defense Operation: Defend Air Force One from an attacking MiG targeting the President.
- Intercept Stolen Aircraft: Neutralize or retrieve two defecting F-16s equipped with advanced ECM systems, supported by MiG-29 escorts.
- Search and Rescue Operation: Deploy a rescue pod to retrieve a downed pilot near the Farallon Islands while under threat from enemies.
- Intercept Incoming Cruise Missile: Destroy a high-speed cruise missile aimed at San Francisco.
- Carrier Sub Mission: Eliminate enemy aircraft and a submerged aircraft carrier during combat operations.
The concluding mission generated discussion about whether sinking the carrier was possible. Designer and programmer Bob Dinnerman confirmed that it can be accomplished, although the carrier does not display an explosion visually. Generally, destroying all enemy aircraft is sufficient to complete this mission.
The game does not feature a concluding sequence; after finishing all missions, it returns to the main menu and restarts from the first mission.
When played on an Amiga system with more than 512KB of RAM, a musical theme reminiscent of the "Top Gun Anthem," composed by David Warhol at Dinnerman’s request to capture the film’s ambiance, plays. Known bugs include the ability to land on water or upside down on an aircraft carrier.
Reception
Dragon gave the game a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. Computer Gaming World also offered favorable commentary, commending its gameplay mechanics. The Palm Beach Post praised its success, especially highlighting the feature allowing flight from any external viewpoint.
In 1996, Computer Gaming World ranked it as the 87th greatest game ever released, acknowledging it as a jet combat simulator that represented cutting-edge technology during its time.
Reviews
- Amiga Computing (July 1988)
- ACE (Advanced Computer Entertainment) (July & October 1988)
- Zzap! (December 1990)
- The Games Machine (July 1988)
- ST/Amiga Format (July 1988)
- Raze (January 1991)
- Commodore User (June 1988)
- Tilt (September 1988)
- Zero (November 1989)
- Computer and Video Games (July & December 1990)
- Commodore Computing International (August 1988)
- Amiga User International (July 1988)
- Happy Computer (June 1988)
- Power Play (July 1988)
- Amiga Joker (September 1991)
- Australian Commodore and Amiga Review (September 1988)
- Jeux & Stratégie #54