Piloting

M.A.C.H. is one of those unfortunate games that sport impressive production values, smart design and a good difficulty curve without ever getting any traction at retail. Heck, I don't even know another PSP owner who's considered playing it, let alone brought it home from a shop. It's too bad really, because past the generic-looking box art and incredibly dull title, there's a pretty sweet experience to be had.

After Burner: Black Falcon may be spiritually true to Sega's seminal 1987 hit, but game design has progressed by leaps and bounds since then. Cleaving so closely to its dusty, outdated forefather hurt more than it helped, I'd say.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence, and Use of Tobacco

Game Description: After Burner: Black Falcon puts you into customizable fighter jets, for intense arcade gameplay. Players maneuver through a barrage of missiles and enemy fire, destroying all terrorist targets in the air or on land. Budding pilots can also dogfight competitively via Ad Hoc in a variety of multiplayer modes, or work with another pilot to achieve co-op-only goals. For the first time, have intense arcade fun with many more in-depth features—all in one game!

To every person who went out of their way to say that I must be blind, dumb, or mentally disabled; for every person who decided that I did not know the meaning of the word fun; for every person who tried to convince me that I hate games and was absolutely missing the point of Earth Defense Force 2017... I give you Lost Planet: Extreme Condition.

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Game Description: Battlestations: Midway in direct command of multiple warships, planes and submarines in this epic solo and online tactical action game. The game follows the story of naval recruit Henry Walker, whose first assignment as a gunner at Pearl Harbor is the starting point of an incredible career at the heart of the US Pacific Fleet in 1942, in what was to become one of the most inspirational military campaigns in history. Play 11 campaign missions, 12 bonus challenges, plus naval training academy in an immersive storyline.

I know it's been said before, but it bears repeating: when it comes to videogames, World War II is the gift that just keeps on giving. It exists in a perfect middle ground where technology was just advanced enough to allow for interesting gameplay possibilities, but still primitive enough that individual humans were still an important part of the equation.