Overview and Gameplay
Earth faces the Mega Load Masters in 2030, sending Holly and Mike into battle aboard the Buster 1 and Buster 2 ships. Air Buster is a fast horizontal shooter converted from Kaneko’s 1990 arcade game.
Players cross six automatically scrolling stages filled with carrier ships, tight tunnels, moving hazards and large bosses. Weapon carriers release upgrades such as multidirectional fire, rear shots, guided missiles, support craft and defensive equipment. Later stages introduce high-speed sections and low-gravity movement that gives the ship added momentum.
Controls And Mechanics
- Move in eight directions and use the normal shot against enemies and obstacles.
- Hold A or C to charge the Buster Flash, then release it to damage enemies and clear small projectiles.
- Charging prevents normal fire, so timing the attack is an important defensive choice.
- The Twin Set-Up mode supports two players fighting simultaneously as a cooperative team, with separate scores and ship stocks.
Version Notes
The North American Genesis release is titled Air Buster. The Japanese Mega Drive version is called Aero Blasters and uses different title-logo presentation.
Release And Credits
- Release: 1991
- Genesis conversion: Inter State
- Publisher: Kaneko U.S.A.
- Original platform: Arcade
