After Burner is a classic game that takes its inspiration from the high-adrenaline action of military dogfights. The game immerses players in a fast-paced and exhilarating arcade shooter experience, where they must master their aircraft's controls and battle their way through treacherous dogfights in a futuristic city. Players must quickly and skillfully maneuver their aircraft in order to take advantage of any open shots, dodge enemy fire, and outmaneuver their adversaries.
The game features highly responsive controls that allow players to move their aircraft around the city with ease. The game uses the directional pad and the four face buttons to control the aircraft. The D-pad can be used for general movement and the face buttons can be used for specific actions such as shooting, boosting, and performing tight maneuvers.