How to Play After Burner: Climax

After Burner: Climax is easy to start, even for new players.

Here is how it works:

• You choose one of three fighter jets
• Your mission is to destroy enemies and survive each stage
• Move your aircraft to avoid missiles and obstacles
• Use the machine gun for close range attacks
• Lock onto targets and fire missiles for bigger hits
• Activate Climax Mode when the gauge is full to slow time and target more enemies

Tip: Do not try to attack everything at once. Focus on dodging first, then counterattack.

Controls and Arcade Machine Guide

If you have never played a flight arcade game before, the machine is still easy to understand.

• Flight stick controls the direction of your jet
• Buttons are used for shooting and missile attacks
• Throttle controls speed on some cabinet versions
• Start button begins the game

Some versions of After Burner: Climax were released in moving cabinets. These machines shift with the action and make the experience feel more physical and immersive.

Tip: Smooth movement usually works better than sudden aggressive steering.

First Time Playing

If this is your first time playing:

• Focus on surviving instead of trying to play perfectly
• Watch for missile warnings and move early
• Use lock-on missiles as often as possible
• Save Climax Mode for busy combat sections
• Do not worry if the first run feels fast and chaotic

The game is designed to feel intense right away. After a few minutes, the speed starts to feel natural and much more fun.

Why After Burner: Climax Was Special

After Burner: Climax was special because it kept the classic Sega arcade spirit alive in the mid 2000s. While many games were becoming more realistic or console-focused, this one stayed true to arcade action.

It stood out because of:

• Its incredible sense of speed
• Its dramatic missile lock-on combat
• The new Climax slow-motion system
• Multiple aircraft instead of only one jet
• Its strong connection to motion arcade cabinets

It was one of the last major Sega arcade flight games to fully deliver that big, physical arcade experience.

After Burner: Climax as a Museum Piece

After Burner: Climax is an important museum game because it shows how arcade design evolved while keeping its original identity. It updated a famous 1980s Sega series with better graphics, new mechanics, and modern hardware, but it never lost the fast, direct excitement that made After Burner famous.

The cabinet is also a big part of its historical value. This is not just a game you watch on a screen. On the original machine, the seat, controls, sound, and movement all work together to create a stronger sense of flight.

At a museum like GamePlaza, After Burner: Climax helps visitors understand how arcades once offered experiences that home systems could not fully match.

Secrets in After Burner: Climax

After Burner: Climax does not rely on cheat codes, but it still has hidden depth for players who keep coming back.

🎵 Classic SEGA sound

Hold B button during attract mode/opening screens

🚀 Unlock Auto-Missiles

Reach Ending A in arcade mode

⚡ Unlimited Climax Gauge

Activate Climax Mode 200 times

⚡ 2x Speed Mode

Reach Ending B

✈️ Different routes change the game

The stage path can branch in different directions, so one playthrough will not show everything.

🎨 Extra paint options

Some versions include alternate aircraft colors and unlockable options that reward repeated play.

⚡ Climax Mode is the real secret weapon

Using it at the right moment can completely change a difficult section and improve your score.

🎯 Score chasing adds hidden depth

The more you learn enemy patterns and route choices, the more strategic the game becomes.

💡 Replay value comes from mastery

This is a game where secrets are often found through practice, not code entry.

Play After Burner: Climax in GamePlaza Video Game Museum, Altstetten, Zurich

You can experience After Burner: Climax at GamePlaza Video Game Museum in Altstetten, Zurich. GamePlaza is an interactive video game museum where visitors can play original arcade machines and discover gaming history in a hands-on way. Instead of only reading about arcade classics, you can sit down and try them yourself. If you want to feel the speed and excitement of Sega’s famous jet combat series, this is one of the best places in Switzerland to do it.

Who Will Love This Game

After Burner: Climax is perfect for:

• Fans of Sega arcade games
• Players who enjoy fast action games
• Visitors interested in flight and military themed games
• Retro gaming enthusiasts
• Anyone curious about motion arcade machines

Its simple controls make it approachable, while its speed and challenge give it lasting appeal.

Ready to Play

Step into the cockpit and experience After Burner: Climax for yourself. Visit GamePlaza Video Game Museum in Zurich and discover why Sega’s high speed jet combat games are still exciting today.