Aero-Cross

Aero-Cross was a platform video game that never saw release, having been in development for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 under Namco Bandai Games. It was designed as a spiritual successor to the arcade title Metro-Cross and was the second game in the Namco Generations series, which focused on remakes of older titles. The game was first revealed in September 2010 at the Tokyo Game Show, but was ultimately canceled in early 2013, with reports of cancellation emerging in January 2013.

In Aero-Cross, players control a runner navigating each level with the objective of reaching the end goal before the timer expires. The levels, which included themes like futuristic cities, deserts, and factories, were filled with hazards such as giant steel cylinders, slowing tiles, rising walls, and computer-controlled opponents. Power-ups found in item capsules granted abilities like a speed boost, a time-stopping clock, and a hoverboard for gliding. Players could also use a "slipstream" effect by running behind opponents to gain speed, and an "air dash" for temporary boosts or to knock enemies off the map and destroy obstacles.

The game was produced by Hideo Yoshizawa, known for producing the Klonoa series and working on Mr. Driller. Yoshizawa admired the original Metro-Cross for its challenge of finding the fastest route to the goal and wanted to expand that concept in Aero-Cross. He also prioritized stage hazards, player acceleration, and cooperative play. Many of the game's mechanics were kept under wraps during development.

Namco Bandai filed a trademark for Aero-Cross in Germany and Australia in August 2010, and it received a rating from the Entertainment Software Rating Board before its official reveal that September, alongside Galaga Legions DX. Because Metro-Cross was relatively obscure compared to series like Pac-Man and Galaxian, the announcement puzzled some publications. The company described it as a "dynamic running action" game, highlighting its speed and acceleration, and planned to release it as a digital download for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

After the reveal, Namco Bandai remained largely silent about Aero-Cross and the Namco Generations line, leading to speculation among gaming news sites about whether the game was still in production.