![Area 88 [Model SHVC-E8]](images/marquees/61040.jpg "Area 88 [Model SHVC-E8]")
![Area 88 [Model SHVC-E8] screenshot](images/game/61040_2.png "Area 88 [Model SHVC-E8]")
Area 88 © 1991 Capcom Company, Limited.
Area 88 is Capcom's acclaimed Super Famicom conversion of their hit 1989 arcade shooter. Set against the backdrop of a global struggle against a ruthless dictator, the game follows three elite mercenary pilotsâShin Kazama, Mickey Scymon, and Greg Gatesâwho are contracted to dismantle the enemyâs forces. Unlike typical arcade shooters of the era, Area 88 introduces a sophisticated resource management system. Players begin with a modest F8E Crusader and a limited budget, but as they successfully complete missions, they earn cash to purchase advanced weaponry and superior fighter jets. This customization is balanced by a high-stakes risk: if a player is shot down, any equipped special weapons and accumulated funds are lost, adding significant tension to every sortie.
Pilot Specialization:
Each of the three playable pilots offers a distinct tactical advantage, encouraging different playstyles. Shin Kazama can upgrade his standard Vulcan cannon faster than his peers, Mickey Scymon boasts a greater capacity for carrying secondary special weapons, and the veteran Greg Gates features higher durability and faster recovery from damage.
![Goodies for Area 88 [Model SHVC-E8]](images/covermini160/61040_1.jpg)
GAME ID: SHVC-E8
Released on July 26, 1991 (Friday) in Japan at a retail price of 8,800 JPY.
Capcomâs Arcade Pedigree:
The Super Famicom version was widely praised for its faithful translation of the arcadeâs frantic, high-quality graphics and adrenaline-pumping soundtrack. It remains a hallmark of Capcomâs 'Golden Age' of shooters. This Super Famicom version features a couple of differences. First of all, players can buy different planes for their pilots to fly, unlike the original arcade game where each pilot has only one plane (F20 Tigershark, F14 Tomcat and A10 Thunderbolt). Then the shop counts more and different power-ups and some stages are very different, especially the end of the game and the boss awaiting there.
A Mercenary RPG Lite:
The ability to choose your own loadoutâselecting specific missiles, bombs, or entire new aircraftâwas a groundbreaking feature for a side-scrolling shooter at the time. It provided players with a genuine sense of agency, allowing them to tailor their ship to specific mission requirements or personal preference.
High-Stakes Combat:
The gameâs "punishment" mechanic, where death results in the loss of both specialized gear and the money used to buy it, elevates the difficulty. It prevents players from mindlessly upgrading their arsenal and forces a more cautious, strategic approach to combat.
Visual Scope:
Spanning ten intense, varied stages, the game takes players across diverse landscapes, from desert airfields to massive airborne fortresses. The visual fidelity and scale of the boss encounters are often cited as the highlights of the Super Famicomâs early library.
Single-Player Intensity:
While many shooters of the time emphasized cooperative play, Area 88 was designed as a strictly single-player experience. This allowed the game to focus its resources on a tighter, more cohesive narrative arc and perfectly balanced gameplay difficulty.
Reviews:
[FR] September 1991 - Consoles + N.1: 77/100
Export releases:
[US] U.N. Squadron [Model SNS-E8-USA]
[EU] U.N. Squadron [Model SNSP-E8-EUR]
