Beating EVERY N64 Game - Aero Fighters Assault (174/394)

[@alexhosselet6962]

The US military spent $323 billion developing the F-35 and *it's doesn't even have a Ninja Beam*.

[@thendar823]

Someone needs to leak Top Secret documents so they can fix it in Aero Fighters Assault 2

[@valiantparagonvideos2383]

It doesn't have a Ninja Beam as far as you know.

[@pokepress]

That we know of. 😉

[@DM-kv9kj]

I still can't believe how 1 year's US military budget alone is STILL more than the entire running budget of NASA ever since it was founded in 1958... And Americans still complain that NASA is where their taxes are being wasted.

[@nidhoggstrike]

@@pokepress This is the real reason the F-35 isn't in war thunderyet; to hide the existence of the ninja beam (and the Homing Shurikens, don't forget the HOMING SHURIKENS)

[@bes03c]

I didnt realize how much i missed this series until there was a couple week break.

[@pepeepupoo]

And he came back with a game we all played as kids too. You can really tell why there was such a long break because he put so much time into this edit

[@joshmeads]

Agreed

[@theblode1337]

i didn't know it was friday for so long...

[@Sascouch805]

Worst week of my life lol

[@Mr407Derek]

Recently after not being able to log into to my KZbin account after getting a new phone I was able to log in. Probably 8-10 months and after coming back to see what I missed, I was happy & depressed at the same time. Like forgetting about your favorite show you binge watch on tv to find out it’s still going and you can back to back to back no life 2-3 straight seasons. Mad/sad you missed it but happy as a mf that you get to watch so many back to back.

[@SleezyPizza]

I used to rent this game all the time as a kid. I remember the receipt for it would always say "Aerofighters ASS". I always got a kick out of that lol

[@hagzomush]

I read the quoted part in the voice of AVGN

[@SkulShurtugalTCG]

When I was a kid, my best friend had this game. We played the two-player dogfight mode a bit. He was MUCH better at this game than I ever was. It took me this long to finally realize that THIS was that game; I've been spending most of my life since then trying to figure out the name of it. Now I know!

[@zacktaylor1143]

Sounds like the start of a training arc

[@crism8868]

"I don't need practice, I'm a gaming legend" - Famous Last Words

[@whatjake7898]

Back then developers would make earlier levels way too hard on purpose to counter rentals. They wanted you to not be able to beat it during your rental period in hopes you would just buy it so you could beat it.

[@ReadingAdam]

So much this. I can't remember how many games I stopped playing altogether because of this tactic by the developers.

[@BratislavMetulski]

This game is actually really easy on can be done in 45 minutes. Its flying and the game doesnt take you by your hand 😂

[@ArcadeCinema]

I'm still working my way through your N64 playlist. I'm like 10 or 11 videos deep, so not that far. I just want you to know, you're my go-to for breakfast over the last few weeks when I am at my PC. I enjoy your channel, keep up the good work bro.

[@dmfrendzy2177]

It’s a pain at first when you catch up, but it’s now my Friday morning breakfast routine lol

[@MatthewBakke]

I wish I was you and only that far in. But I’m totally understanding of the burnout and take what I can get!

[@mobias1616]

This is one of my favorite "not very good" games that I rented a ton as a kid.

[@kylec.6818]

Same, I loved this game growing up but it was tough AF!

[@guillaumegiroux9425]

As a boy my cousin had this game and I was full into it, although never beat the third mission. It took me forever as an adult to find the name of the game. The game isn’t that bad, in 1997, there wasn’t that many, if any, sandbox fighter jet game like those. It’s DCS 25 years ahead of it’s time and a blast to play.

[@KazanaAoi]

RE: 18:10 "The Antarctic Base is the enemy bridgehead on earth"; That isn't mistaken translation/bad localization. A bridgehead is kindof like a forward operating base, but specifically within enemy territory; It's a strong position secured by an army inside enemy territory from which to advance or attack.

[@tristanwegner]

Yes. The sentence is normal and makes sense in context.

[@Bombpop27]

Bruh, I know everyone is saying it but I need to let you know….I’m lost without this series, Friday’s lost all meaning. My gf who doesn’t even like videogames much has grown to love the thrill of the marble race. We need you, but also please don’t feel bad for taking a break for any reason. This just proves you have a whole community that cares. You should be proud of this series mate. Can’t imagine the process it takes to put this out in a consistent manner. I’m certain no matter how long the wait, we’ll all be here, waiting to see hilariously frustrating game mechanics and a banger of a game barely missing the first place slot of the race 😂

[@matthewleonmartin]

we are so back!

[@elephamoose]

Calm down Sam

[@Boco_Corwin]

You guys left?

[@matthewbuberniak3624]

damn you I came here to say this.

[@QmaBack]

@@matthewbuberniak3624to slow. Sorry blood

[@MatthewBakke]

This is huge for the company

[@seattlekarim964]

The wiggling left and right is called jinking. It's fun to watch Thab learn air combat the hard way.

[@thejunkmanlives]

was painful for me. watching him sit on the rudder in hopes that it would turn made me feel some kind of way.

[@joedent3323]

Jinkeys!

[@sweetpepino1907]

"I like Ace Combat, but I bet this game doesn't get as crazy as tha-" "In the first level someone has detonated a thermonuclear weapon on the South Pole flooding Japan"

[@gretchman]

"if you don't keep it under control, you'll crash for no reason"

[@nidhoggstrike]

I think the reason why the bosses have so much HP is because a lot of the concepts have been translated verbatim from when aero fighters was a 2d shmup series(3 games before this one). Large healthbars for bosses is typical for shmups.

[@sheepy403]

That's the vibe I got too: devs that adjusted their core gameplay mechanics, but didn't update their design philosophy when moving from arcade shmup to home console flight sim

[@mattpinter2143]

I'm not sure where to put this comment but this looks like as good a place as any. The bosses have weak points. Turrets and weapon systems take full damage and each boss has a main weak point that takes full damage. On the smaller bosses the weak point is easy to find and is hit almost automatically. His issue with the fortress in mission 3 is the cockpit at the front is the target. In the footage he always approaches from the sides or the rear and he's basically doing chip damage the entire time. If you line up the ninja beam to hit the cockpit and a turret at the same time you can take off 90% of it's health in one hit.

[@PrincipalSkinner3190]

When we needed him most... he returned.

[@michaela4772]

i got this game for Christmas one year, played it a week, got grounded due to yelling at it so much, and never played it again. lol

[@XxAponexX]

OH MAN!!! this was the game that got me into Jet fighter games!

[@MilkWasABadChoice17]

Welcome back THAB. Hope all is well.

[@sickfarce6275]

Got this for my birthday back then. I wanted Star Fox but got this from my grandma. Objectively, this is probably not a good game. I loved it very much tho back then. I liked the more """simulator""" (lol) feel and look to it as a kid. Definitely among the most memorable experiences for me during my N64-era.

[@KB8Killa]

@@jhkuno88🥴

[@randynielsen1413]

Its a pretty good game if you like flight sims. It plays a lot like a worse Ace Combat but if you've never flown a real plane or played a flight sim it would take a while to "get" it

[@randynielsen1413]

@@jhkuno88 how is aerofighters not arcade lol

[@kaihedgie1747]

Oh damn, didn't know you covered this already Aero Fighters Assault was at the time what I considered to be me all-time favorite game as a kid because you were flying fighter jets and I had also watched snippets of Top Gun. I kinda convinced myself it was the best ever for a long time, even trying to tell my parents that I'd never ask for another game again if I got it since we only ever rented it. Well now I own the game some years later and...yeah, not as good as I remember. I did eventually beat the game 100% for the true ending but there's actually two aircraft you unlock. Alongside Spanky, there's Mao Mao, piloting the F-15J Eagle. Spanky's plane is a bit of a gamebreaker since his gun, the Beam Saber, is essentially short-ranged Ninja Beam, damage and all. As for this, this game was at the time, the final installment in the Aero Fighters series, a series of arcade shoot 'em ups by Video System known for its rather silly cast of characters piloting fighter craft and the enemies they fight even more bizarre and over the top. Assault doesn't really get as nutty until the last two missions. Really, I think the problem with Aero Fighters Assault was that it was trying to be two things at once: trying to be an Ace Combat clone, but it expects you to fight boss enemies that were clearly designed for a sh'mup. The two just don't quite mesh well. It was announced last month though that a new Aero Fighters game called Reunion will be coming out and it's likely to return to the old formula

[@SN1PERx64]

sometimes I miss the storytelling of old games. Sure, fighting on the moon with fighter jets, why not? Screw physics! A late entry to my old N64 collection. Can still remember the audio of "Ninja Beam!" to this day.

[@jhaywood100]

Thanks!

[@Thabeast721]

Thank you I really appreciate it

[@benbirdsong5400]

We back!!!

[@Nhawk316]

I loved this game, used to rent it at blockbusters all the time

[@Dojonpachi]

Aero Fighters was a 2D arcade shmup series. We got one on SNES actually in the west. This is their sad attempt to bring the series to 3D.

[@bes03c]

I like playing as either the dolphin or the baby.

[@Bassibasukki]

@@bes03c what baby?

[@nidhoggstrike]

@@Bassibasukki kid you not, one of the pilots you could choose in aero fighters 2 was a baby.

[@newbner]

omg dude, you did it. ive been searching for this game forever. i only remember fighting that walking enemy as a kid but jeeze i couldn't figure out this game for the life of me. thank you

[@ryannachtrab]

Literally waited till now before clicking on another video

[@Ichiboy900]

Personally these videos are the reason I watch this channel. This is a game almost no one would play voluntarily, and if they did they almost certainly wouldn't make it to the end because of the archaic mechanics. And yet you make it to the end and actually find some small positives in the game.

[@fernicusmaximus9282]

0:04 Okay dude there is a time and place for everything.🤣

[@REAPER-1xxx]

I’ve been hooked on this game the last couple weeks. Huge learning curve and high difficulty. The dpad was the key for me as is offers other views that opens your awareness of your surroundings. This game has solidified itself as favourite of mine now.

[@onji81]

Wow, no wonder you had to take some time off. Reliving this nightmare while editing... Conrats on beating it though!

[@ADoseofBuckley]

Welcome back!

[@chrisandrew7577]

this game rocked my world as a kid

[@StayGoldWV]

VERY excited about Mace as the next video! Definitely a fun fighting game. Blast Corps will be my favorite to see when it eventually happens!

[@PKMNwww411_MkII]

The game runs at 7.5fps. You can unlock the F-15 by inputting a secret code on the title screen. The X-29 is unlocked by beating the game.

[@Bored_Barbarian]

I’m so excited that you’re back. I’ve heard of it, but never played.

[@avebave6550]

I haven't taken a shower since the last video! 😢

[@Ryo]

Same 😊

[@joedent3323]

You could bottle your swamp-crotch and sell it.

[@logainwolfe1988]

Holy blockbuster flashback. I had forgotten for years what this game was called.

[@Roflcrabs]

You're alive!

[@Whageca]

We back!!! Hope your doing well THAB

[@wiscomitch3412]

What is crazy is that just last week I was wondering when you were going to get to this game. I'm going through your playlist and I'm at the starcraft one right now so I'm not up to date, but lo and behold I see this one pop up on my youtube feed and it just blew my mind that it was the next game after I had thought of it. Funny how that works.

[@kc_jones_gaming]

My favorite part about this series is watching games get beat that I rage quit in my 5 day rental period

[@SuperLufkin]

I remember seeing screenshots of a N64 combat flight simulator like this one in a magazine as a kid. I remember being super impressed by the graphics and I really wanted the game. I never got it. I don't know if it's this one or one that never released. I should try to find the magazine, I might still have it!

[@mistrdevine]

I’d completely forgotten about this one. Now I remember enjoying it back in the day. Played through the whole thing with my friends, Justin and Jeff. Thanks for unlocking some great memories.

[@monogreen]

I'm really loving more of these videos. At the same time though, I hope you aren't forcing yourself too much and I hope you are healthily working through your burnout

[@odenwaldquelle8228]

Best game ever! he sovjet jet has a totally OP gun that alone is enought to beat the game. Also special attacks like the ninja beam or fire wall deal more damage if you hit the enemy across its longest side.

[@Desincarnage]

Oh my god, Mace! I played the absolute hell out of this one when I was a kid, I loved it despite its jankiness. I can't wait to see what you do with it!

[@OrdinProds]

Just wanted to say, I didn't miss you at all, Thab...as I've been catching some of your streams lately! ✊

[@hijjins]

Welcome back!!!!

[@LethinGabbins]

I loved this game. This was my jam growing up. I play it every once in a while for the nostalgia trips. Loving this challenge! Thanks for doing thses videos!

[@JakeWerkmeister]

I loved this game. There are a ton of tactics understanding boss HP, and individual enemy jet tactics. Certain planes do have very devastating counter measures, so knowing when to shoot missles is important. There's a dogfight training level that goes through all of the standard jet enemies. Only a handful have those mines in the chaff. The special planes also come in handy, particularly the F-15. That land fortress is still the devil. FYI, "NORMAL" pilot control is much more efficient than "NOVICE". There's an unrealistic auto level in the novice setting that's maddening for me to use. Normal allows you to roll the plane in complete 360 degrees. You turn by rolling, then pulling back on the control stick. It allows you to out maneuver most enemies as they were doing to you during this playthrough.

[@Jmnzz]

Was always into space/flying/dog fighting games but this one was, I think one of, if not the first 3d flying game with (somewhat) realistic controls and aircraft that I played on console. Beat it with every character and spent months playing the multiplayer with my brother racing, doing stunts, and dog fighting. Loved it. Played this and I think Aero Wings 2 on the Dreamcast right before I got introduced to the Ace Combat series and the rest is history. Crashed more times than I care to remember in that final tunnel but overall, this game prepped me for Ace Combat and the other flying series I have played. And yes, if you are not good at flying games then you will not like this. And again, I don't remember the lag you experienced.

[@eve-llblyat2576]

Before aero fighter assault n64 i played only pc flying games. as a kid i was total into jets. I played the dynamix games red barron from 1990 or aces over europe. f22 lightning 2, apache longbow, hind, jet fighter 3, strike comander. After all this games, aerofighter assault was also fun, doesnt matter that its was arcade game and doesnt matter that it was to easy. to bad i lost interest in flight simulators when there was so much more to play.

[@chrishart4034]

There is no series I’m more invested in than Thab’s journey to beat every N64 game

[@TzeentchLord412]

The SFX of Aero Fighters was not the greatest. But I really enjoy the soundtrack.

[@markiemarkmar]

Babe wake up. THAB just posted an N64 video.

[@innsomatic]

I remember renting this game a few times because I loved flying games with combat... I remember eventually unlocking the dolphin, but it took MANY weekends. It drove me nuts.

[@matthewbutner8696]

Nice to have you back! Even better was you were playing something other than a sports/racing/wrestling game.

[@matteusmag]

This was one of those N64 games I played a lot as a kid, but only the first 3 levels over and over again. Never made it past that giant airship and never knew about the alternative endings. Still good memories.

[@AllisonBranford]

It's always fun seeing games I rented as a kid. I never got past the first level so mad props.

[@Liquidglitch]

This was one of my favorites on the console as a kid. The flying fortress level was one my greatest challenges back then

[@jhaywood100]

I’m so glad that you are back! Love watching these videos!

[@ElectricBlueJoshR]

I’m skipping weekly uploads, and I mean all of them! Glad you’re back Thab. Hope you’re feeling better.

[@MrKroest]

I remember as a Kid this Game was awesome. It we're difficult but fun and with a 2 player fun as well. I do remember some of the Bonus Levels, but not remember that i beated it in one Go. The Ninjabeam were the strongest when you are far away from the enemy. I also remember, there we're another Fighter to unlock

[@OmarSaldana92]

Thought you were dead. So happy to see another upload!

[@Ironcorgi2]

Hoping you are feeling better! love this series it’s so good

[@craigwise6374]

I'm so glad to be watching you again mate

[@devanlaney3238]

I loved mace the dark age as a kid sure it's probably hard as hell to beat though

[@DynastyGuy]

You would have had a much easier game if you had put in the code to unlock the pilot Mao Mao the title screen. She has most of the same armaments as Hawk, but she also gets the ninja beam as her special weapon.

[@JakeWerkmeister]

My favorite plane and player. The F-15 has all of the strengths with very few weaknesses.

[@TurdFergusonMatters]

I remember playing this when it came out. I do remember the fortress being tough, but don’t remember the Flying Fortress being quite that tough. I quite enjoyed it at the time.

[@thomasa4749]

I've been waiting for this one! Owned the game as a kid, loved it so much even though I never beat it. I rarely got past the Air Fortress level and never got past the desert level, but still had fun. Now time to wait for you to play Jet Force Gemini!

[@quiescent1530]

Now my life is back on track.

[@unshavenhobo]

welcome back THAB, thanks for the great content

[@jonmc6573]

“If you do t keep things under control you just crash for no reason” Sounds to me like the reason is because you didn’t keep things under control

[@dhall888]

Glad your back brother!! My Friday mornings are complete again!!

[@ChristMetalMayhem]

It honestly scares me when Thab doesn't upload on Fridays, I always assume he got sick or worse. Just glad to see him back!

[@shinosukenohara5721]

A single plain crashes into a building and it collapses, is that strange?

[@ionewingedangel1712]

I actually owned this. That third boss man took me forever to beat. Btw you could change the controls so full left is just a turn vs a roll.

[@jeremyphillips3087]

It's been 69 years.

[@VincentLaboorMusic]

Good to see you back in action. Greetings from Germany 🥳

[@greeple0]

You ARE beating every N64 game! Welcome back Thab 🎉

[@thunder____]

Spoiler warning for the next game in the series I'm so hyped for Mace, I grew up with that game and it's a lot of fun. Probably the best fighting game on the console imo

[@XpRnz]

Rented this one back in the day, it's an ancient memory but i remember kind of liking this game. It had quite a peculiar atmosphere, it was something different as there weren't alot of air combat games on the N64. Once you get the hang of it, it aint bad, just arcade fun!

[@imillnotsick420]

Was never really into planes or flying or anything when I was younger (still not) but I used to love playing Pilot Wings when I was younger, absolutely no idea why I liked it so much but that was one of my favorite games to play from what I remember.

[@stuarthall9854]

Core Memory Unlocked!! Seriously thought I’d dreamt this game up because I had to have been like three years old when my parents rented this game for me back in 1997.

[@fast_mattw8059]

Hey buddy! Glad to see ya back! Lets go!!!!!!!! Hope you are doing good man, we were hoping you were relaxing a little!

[@Wolf_90702]

I loved this game! It was so cool cause of the giant bosses you fought and the massive empty levels

[@Younkid]

was literally searching for this on youtube a awhile back crazy that your playing it now

[@theosphere]

I was having a tough day at work but this instantly made my day better! Thanks Thab!

[@chrisegg7936]

one of my N64 faves from my childhood! My friend and I still say "dos re-dohn-ya" to each other because we misheard Volk's russian speech.

[@TFriies]

with a weekly upload without miss, this series is still gonna be going on well into July 2028. lol. mans signed a long term deal with youtube.

[@charliep5139]

this and that snowboarding 1080 game were my go to games at blockbuster when nothing else was available. if i really hated myself and thought I could do it, I would rent shadows of the empire, when nothing else was available, convinced that this time I was going to beat it!

[@KrossFire330]

I thought he was done after the last one. But he means all of them!?

[@Nirakolov]

Really liked Aero Fighters Assault

[@dmfrendzy2177]

I feel incredibly validated that the stealth bomber level is as hard as I remember. Got this game from an uncle and never got past that level despite hours of attempts. There really has to be some strategy to beat it haha it’s killing me

[@PrinPrin]

N64 games are back on the menu! (All of them mind you) Never played Mace but it looks like an interesting fighting game kind of like Soulcalibur. Can't wait for that video

[@Schwarzgeist89]

Yeah that Yellow Rafael fighter is like your rival or enemy ace.....gets to be a real pain in the ass....love this game.

[@aleckermit]

Bro you gotta bump up that score for Spanky the Dolphin alone 😂

[@gustavocve1779]

this game is actually amazing, you just need to learn how to play. I used to speedrun it back in the day and it was so much fun. So many memories playing the multiplayer with my uncle.

[@Micolash_is_behind_you]

2:46 lololol real life implications