Aero the Acro-Bat 2
Sequel platformer dedicated to Ayrton Senna.
Aero the Acro-Bat 2, a platform game from Iguana Entertainment and published by Sunsoft, arrived on the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo in October 1994 as a follow-up to the original Aero the Acro-Bat.
The story picks up right after the first game, with Aero knocking villain Edgar Ektor off the top of his Museum of Horrors. While exploring the museum afterward, Aero steps into a magician's box and is transported to an ancient castle. Meanwhile, Ektor's henchman Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel catches him before he hits the ground, and Ektor orders Zero to put "Plan B" into action.
The game is divided into eight worlds, each except the last containing three acts. Levels are noticeably longer than those in the first game, with many secret areas. There are no objectives, but a timer counts down in each act; the goal is simply to find the exit at the end of each act while defeating enemies and collecting power-ups. Aero retains his drill jump, which can be aimed diagonally up or down, and gains a new ability to aim it straight down to attack enemies below. Food items give extra points, and stars can be thrown at enemies. Each act hides four letters spelling "AERO"; collecting them unlocks a cup-switching minigame (also accessible from the Options Menu) where an extra life can be won at the act's end.
Sunsoft used SGI technology to render the game's backgrounds. The title was shown at the 1994 Summer Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago. Sunsoft, with help from the Spanish company Spaco, released the game in Spain alongside Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel and Hebereke's Popoon for Christmas 1994.
Reviewing the Genesis version, GamePro praised its darker theme, superb graphics, new moves, and better controls, calling it an improvement over the original. They highlighted the huge levels, numerous secrets, and the Drop Drill as the best new move. Electronic Gaming Monthly described it as a solid sequel with good graphics, many techniques, large levels, and clever secret areas, giving it a 7.75 out of 10. Next Generation agreed the graphics, levels, and techniques added up to solid gaming, but criticized both Aero games for lacking originality. Nintendo Life gave the Super NES Virtual Console release an 8 out of 10, calling it a more varied and playable platformer than the original.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Aero the Acro-Bat 2
- Developer
- Iguana Entertainment
- Director
- Nigel Cook / Carl Wade
- Producer
- David Siller / Jeff Spangenberg
- Designer
- Nigel Cook
- Programmer
- Richard Cowie / Carl Wade / Iguana UK
- Composer
- Rick Fox (as Fox Productions)
- Genre
- Platform
- Modes
- Single-player
- Platforms
- Super NES / Sega Genesis / Nintendo Switch / PlayStation 4 / PlayStation 5 / Xbox One / Xbox Series X/S
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The story starts directly after the events of the original game, where Aero had knocked Edgar Ektor off of the highest tower of his Museum of Horrors. After knocking him off, Aero leaves to explore Ektor's museum, finding a magician's box which brings him to an ancient castle. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Aero, Ektor's henchman Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel manages to save him before he hits the ground, and Ektor tells Zero to prepare a 'Plan B'.
The game is split into eight worlds, all of them except for the final world with three 'acts' each. The levels are significantly longer than the first game and they are designed in a similar way with many secret areas. There are no objectives, but a timer counts down in each act. The goal of each level is to find the exit at the end of every act, defeating enemies and collecting power-ups along the way.
Reader's Guide
Aero the Acro-Bat 2 is significant as a sequel that refined the gameplay of its predecessor, introducing new moves such as the drop drill and featuring larger levels with more secrets. Its dedication to Ayrton Senna adds a notable cultural touch. Reception was generally positive: GamePro praised its graphics, new moves, and play control; Electronic Gaming Monthly gave it a 7.75 out of 10, citing good graphics and large levels; Next Generation noted solid gaming but criticized a lack of originality. The Super NES version was re-released for the Wii Virtual Console in the PAL region on August 6, 2010, and in North America on September 20. Ratalaika Games re-released the game in September 2024 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. David Siller planned to port and remake the game for Game Boy Advance in 2002, but cancelled it in favor of original titles. The game remains a well-regarded platformer of its era, with a dedicated fan base.
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