Sonic Wings: The Arcade Shmup That Made Us All Love Tiny Fighter Planes
July 6, 2025
"Wait... this plane has a panda in it?!"
That was most players' first reaction to Sonic Wings (known as Aero Fighters in the West), the 1992 arcade shooter that proved you could have both adorable characters and bullet-hell madness. This Psikyo classic took the shmup formula and injected it with personality - and enough firepower to make Rambo blush.
The Roster: Where WWII Meets Saturday Morning Cartoons
What set Sonic Wings apart was its utterly bizarre (and amazing) selection of pilots:
- Mao Mao: A Chinese girl with a panda co-pilot (because why not?)
- Keaton: A literal fox spirit from Japanese folklore
- The Flying Twins: Two kids in a plane way too advanced for them
- Hi-en: A dolphin. Yes, a dolphin. In a fighter jet.
Each character had unique weapons and bombs, creating legit reasons to replay the game beyond just chasing high scores. Mao Mao's spread shot was beginner-friendly, while Keaton's focused lasers required precision but wrecked bosses.
(Watch a TAS run that shows off every character's weapons in glorious detail)Gameplay: Deceptively Simple, Brutally Hard
At first glance, Sonic Wings looks like a standard vertical shmup:
- Move up (don't)
- Shoot things (constantly)
- Collect power-ups (P icons, naturally)
- Don't die (good luck)
But then you reach Stage 3 and realize:
- Enemy bullets come faster than your reflexes
- That "helpful" speed power-up might actually kill you
- The hitbox is smaller than you think (but not small enough)
The true genius was in the risk/reward bombing system:
- Hold bomb button to charge a more powerful explosion
- But you can't move while charging
- And everything is trying to kill you
Why It Still Soars in 2025
- The Psikyo Legacy: This was the foundation for classics like Strikers 1945
- Speedrun Potential: Current WR sits at 12:34 - can you beat it?
- That Pixel Art: Sprites so crisp you can see the stitching on Mao Mao's dress
Where to Play Today
- Arcade Archives (PS4/Switch) - Includes online leaderboards
- MAME - Works perfectly with a decent arcade stick
- Original PCB - If you find one, guard it with your life
Final Verdict: Who Should Take Flight?
- Shmup Fans: This is essential history
- Retro Collectors: The start of an amazing series
- Anyone Who Likes Their Games Cute AND Challenging
Score: 8.5/10 "Panda-Powered Missiles"
"A perfect blend of charm and challenge that defined Psikyo's signature style."
Pro Tip: The dolphin is actually top-tier if you master his wave shot. Just saying. 🐬✈️