This huge arcade hit After Burner makes a cameo on the Nintendo Entertainment System. It's a pretty good flight simulator that makes its Sega Master System counterpart look a bit dull. The Master System's was choppy and the sound was less than stellar. The gameplay is also much quicker in this version. Tengen and Sega did a pretty good job here, but it's simply impossible to take an arcade game, convert it to the NES, and make it look just like it did in your local arcade. After Burner was a pretty good game despite the limitations of the NES.

In the sky, you are the perfect combination of man and machine. The country's freedom depends on your success. Good luck.
--From the Sega Master System After Burner instruction manual.

After Burner is a jet fighter pilot game. Released on the Sega Master System, you control a jet fighter armed with machine guns and missiles and must destroy enemy fighters for points. You pilot your jet over various terrains, such as ocean and desert, that change when each level is completed.

After Burner doesn't have any real direction, as each level just increases the frequency of the same 2 enemy jets. There is no "main battle" at the end of a round as the terrain changes and level change is announced. Playing through 5 levels, the only abnormality to occur is this large jet and the end of round 3 that you can dock with for bonus points. No other reason, as your jet has an inexhaustible supply of fuel and weapons.

Graphics are good, with abundant color, and the sound of your jet in flight seems realistic. Gameplay is pretty easy, but as I said, not much excitement or variety within. Controls response, I would say is fair. It's kind of difficult to hit your enemies unless they are real close. Sometimes a missile will find a distant opponent, but that doesn't happen too often.

Afterburner is just "OK". It could've been a better game with a few surprises or unique enemies or mission scenarios, but there doesn't seem to be any. After Burner didn't ignite my interest, it just sort of fizzled out.

You’re the pilot of the "Skycat", an F-14XX fighter that is widely regarded as the baddest bird ever to darken the skies! You're waiting nervously for your orders aboard the carrier Sega Enterprise, stationed some 200 miles (320 km) offshore in international waters. Your mission is to destroy the 2 locations' antennas and signal booster complexes, and return to the carrier. Your super-sophisticated battle computer knows the course, and will guide you directly to your targets. Whether or not you reach them in one piece, though, is entirely up to you! Good luck!
--From the Sega Genesis After Burner 2 instruction manual.

You're a pilot of a plane that continuously shoots its machine guns, destroying anything in the path of its cross hairs, and uses missiles to target enemies from afar. Every so many levels you'll refuel and gain more missiles. Eliminate as many enemies level by level, as scenery changes, to gain the high score.