Carrier Air Wing

Game Details:

`Carrier Air Wing` is a hardcore vertical STG (shoot 'em up). Players take on the role of a pilot in the U.S. Navy, taking off from an aircraft carrier to fly deep behind enemy lines and complete eight distinct missions. The stages include oceans, deserts, dense forests, industrial bases, and even the interior of an enemy aircraft carrier. The core of the game lies in the choice of three fighters: the F-14 Tomcat, F/A-18 Hornet, and A-6E Intruder. They differ not only in appearance and base speed but also in the upgrade paths and performance of their main cannon, missiles, and special tail gun (Option), offering distinct gameplay experiences. The weapon system is upgraded by collecting "P" power-up capsules that appear after shooting down specific enemy aircraft. Players must collect multiple capsules of the same color to level up their main weapon and can switch between using missiles or the tail gun. The game has a very fast pace, with dense fire from both enemy aircraft and ground units. The player's hitbox is also quite large, truly testing their route planning, resource management, and split-second reflexes. It is a high-quality shooter released by Capcom during the golden age of arcade games.

Game Guide:

Successfully mastering `Carrier Air Wing` requires a clear strategy right from the start. The first step is choosing your fighter: The F-14 has balanced overall performance, and its upgraded main cannon fires both forwards and backwards, making it suitable for beginners learning the system. The F/A-18 is the fastest, equipped with a focused laser cannon that excels at dealing damage to bosses, but it comes with high survival pressure. The A-6E is the slowest but has the most firepower, with a spread shot main cannon that is excellent for clearing out mobs. Beginners are recommended to start with the F-14.

Weapon system management is the key to survival. The "P" capsules dropped by specific red enemy aircraft are crucial for upgrading. The main cannon (Red P) has a maximum of 3 levels, is your primary source of damage, and should be prioritized for upgrades. Missiles (Blue P) are auto-tracking, a useful screen-clear and survival tool, but their damage is average. The tail gun (Green P) can attack behind the aircraft, which is key to defending your blind spot. Strategically, ensure your main cannon is maxed out as quickly as possible, and flexibly switch to missiles to clear out sudden enemy groups. The number of bombs you can acquire in the game is limited, so be sure to save them for the most critical situations, such as when you're surrounded by bullet patterns or during a major boss's deadly attack.

Tackling key stage difficulties: In the second stage, the desert scene, watch out for tanks emerging from underground and prioritize destroying them. In the fourth stage, the forest, numerous turrets hidden behind trees are the main threat, so advance with caution. In the sixth stage, inside the factory, the area is narrow, and enemies appear from all directions. This is where the A-6E's spread shot has a clear advantage. The final boss fight requires memorizing its bullet pattern sequences. Be patient, maneuver carefully, and use your maxed-out main cannon and missiles for sustained damage. The overall tactical mindset is to "proactively clear enemies," destroying them before their firepower is fully established, and always plan a safe path of movement for your ship on the screen.