Stealth ATF (NES) Playthrough
3Playthrough of Stealth ATF, Activision's 1989 combat flight simulator for the NES. The video shows the first ten missions: the missions loop after the eighth, so there is no ending.
Stealth ATF, released by Activision in 1989 for the NES, is a combat flight simulator that places players in the cockpit of a fictional stealth fighter jet inspired by the then-recently revealed F-117 Nighthawk. The game attempts to bring an arcade-style flight combat experience to the NES while incorporating light simulation elements such as takeoff and landing procedures, fuel management, and radar-based navigation.
Players pilot their aircraft through a series of missions set in various global conflict zones, with the objective typically revolving around engaging enemy fighters and completing bombing runs. The missions start with a takeoff sequence and end with a landing, adding a layer of realism uncommon in most NES action games. Once airborne, gameplay switches to a forward-scrolling first-person view with a basic HUD displaying altitude, speed, radar, and missile lock indicators. Combat involves switching between machine guns and missiles to intercept enemy aircraft while maneuvering to avoid incoming fire.
Stealth ATF’s visuals are modest, with a minimalistic cockpit interface and simplified wireframe-like representations of the horizon and enemy targets. The environments are largely barren, consisting of flat terrain and sky, relying on radar cues and instrument readings to track threats. Sound design includes basic engine noise, missile alerts, and weapon effects, with sparse use of music, keeping the atmosphere tense and focused.
While ambitious in its premise, the game’s controls can be stiff, and the steep learning curve may frustrate players not accustomed to flight sims. There is limited variety in enemy behavior or mission structure, and the simulation aspects are shallow compared to what would be found on computers of the era. Despite its limitations, Stealth ATF reflects an early console attempt to translate the appeal of air combat simulation to a home audience, offering a distinctive, albeit niche, experience within the NES library.