Cross Fire, known as Super Airwolf in Japan, attempts to capture the high-octane spirit of the iconic 1980s television show but often struggles with its own identity. The game utilizes a dual-gameplay mechanic, forcing players to toggle between side-scrolling aerial combat and top-down on-foot missions once the helicopter lands. While the helicopter segments offer decent sprite work and a legitimate sense of scale, the transition to ground-based infiltration feels clunky and unpolished, suffering from stiff controls and uninspired level design that frequently hampers the momentum of the experience.
Visually, the game is a mixed bag that showcases the Mega Drive’s hardware limitations when handling complex multi-directional scrolling and numerous on-screen projectiles. The soundtrack aims for a cinematic feel, yet it falls short of the legendary TV theme's energy, providing a repetitive loop that can become grating during extended play sessions. It is interesting to note the diverging paths of regional software libraries during this mid-90s era; for instance, while the puzzle game Zoop saw a 1995 release across UK and European markets, it never officially reached the Japanese Mega Drive, highlighting the distinct regional publishing strategies that also saw titles like Cross Fire rebranded for specific markets.
Compared to genre titans like Thunder Force IV or the Strike series, Cross Fire feels like a mid-tier licensed property that lacks the necessary refinement to be a true classic. The difficulty curve is notoriously punishing, often relying on screen-filling bullets and "cheap" enemy placements rather than rewarding tactical skill or reflexes. Ultimately, it serves as a nostalgic curiosity for fans of the show, but for the average retro gamer, it remains a mediocre multi-genre shooter that fails to fully capitalize on the power of the "Lady of the Skies."
