Star Fox Classic
Sega Genesis / Mega Drive · Shooter / Shoot 'em Up
Air Buster
Certified classic
| System | Sega Genesis / Mega Drive |
|---|---|
| Released | 1991 |
| Genre | Shooter, Shoot 'em Up |
| Developer | Kaneko |
| Publisher | Kaneko |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | An evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through) |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 10 |
Air Buster is a shooter released in 1991 for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive, developed by Kaneko. It blends shooter and shoot 'em up elements.
It landed about 2 years into the Genesis's life. Other notable Genesis releases from 1991 include Sonic the Hedgehog, Streets of Rage and Shining in the Darkness. Among the 24 Genesis shooters in our database, it ranks #3 by legacy score.
Kaneko also made Chester Cheetah: Too Cool to Fool, Chester Cheetah: Wild Wild Quest and Power Athlete for the Genesis.
Air Buster supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
Pick it if…
- you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
- you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
- you have a friend to play against
- you want to experience one of the Genesis's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you are not a fan of fast-paced aiming and twitch reflexes
What playing Air Buster is like
Shooters are built around aiming and firing, from first-person corridor blasters and light-gun games to run-and-gun stages and multidirectional arcade shooters.
Tip for newcomers: Retro shooters were designed for CRT TVs and original controllers; light-gun games in particular need special hardware or alternative controls on modern screens.
Air Buster cheats & codes
44 codes on file (Action Replay, Other codes). Here are a few Action Replay codes to start with:
| Infinite Ships | FFC016:03 |
|---|---|
| Most Powerful Shot | FFC005:FF |
| Have Missiles | FFC011:05 |
| Invincible | FFC014:01 |
| Almost Instant Bombs | FFC018:7A
FFC01E:00 |
Air Buster walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Air Buster.
If you like Air Buster, the Matrix also picks…
Lethal Enforcers Classic Co-op
Cosmo Gang the Video Deep cut
Body Count Deep cut
Tempest 2000 Classic
Aero Fighters Classic
Yoshi's Safari Classic
Duke Nukem 3D Classic Co-op
Playing Genesis games today
Genesis games are fast and immediate, and many are made for two players. Official collections and Nintendo Switch Online carry a big slice of the library, and Rec0m88 can run your own Genesis backups with online netplay.
Air Buster FAQ
When did Air Buster come out on the Genesis?
Air Buster was released for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive in 1991.
Who made Air Buster?
It was developed by Kaneko.
Is Air Buster multiplayer?
Yes. Air Buster supports up to 2 players.
How long does Air Buster take to play?
As a shooter, Air Buster typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Air Buster on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.