Air Traffic Controller 3
Japanese simulation puzzle game from TechnoBrain, third in the series.
Air Traffic Controller 3 (ぼくは航空管制官３, Boku wa Kūkō Kanseikan San), often shortened to ATC3, is a Japanese simulation puzzle game from TechnoBrain that was released between 2008 and 2012. It is the third installment in the Air Traffic Controller series and includes numerous editions, some of which feature special events or real-world airports like Hong Kong’s former Kai Tak International Airport and Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa.
In each level, the player’s goal is to earn enough points to pass while avoiding hazards such as near misses, head-on collisions during takeoff or taxiing, or simply failing to reach the required score. A game over also occurs if an aircraft’s stress level hits 100%. Players must direct planes onto runways facing into the wind; otherwise, the captain will automatically perform a go-around. Some editions allow players to control traffic from other airports. Each level ends with a cutscene that uses a different version of the game’s opening theme. The opening is unlocked by passing at least one level, while the ending requires completing the last default stage.
The game’s editions include Tokyo BigWing (Tokyo International Airport, released February 25, 2008, version 1.03B), where Stage 3 features a bird strike on the first aircraft taking off from runway 16L, and Stage 6 closes runways 34L and 34R due to microburst and windshear. Okinawa BlueCorridor (Naha Airport, July 2, 2008, version 1.03) lets players control traffic from Kadena AFB. Osaka ParallelContact (Osaka International Airport, October 24, 2008) includes Techno Air planes that cause problems, from medical emergencies to landing blunders. The ANA Edition (Tokyo International Airport, November 1, 2008) features the ANA Gold Jet, allows viewing of moving parts like flaps and landing gear, and offers 360° aircraft views. The English version of Tokyo BigWing (November 17, 2008, version 1.06) replaces all Japanese airline names with generic colors due to copyright issues. Hong Kong Kai Tak International Airport (February 27, 2009, version 1.00) is the first airport outside Japan, has more difficult stages with frequent near-misses, introduces aircraft like the Boeing 747-200F and McDonnell Douglas MD-11, and shows Chek Lap Kok Airport under construction. Sendai Airmanship (Sendai Airport, June 26, 2009) restores the speed reduction function and has no delivery channel, with G
- type
- Video game series entry
- developer
- TechnoBrain
- release period
- 2008 to 2012
- genre
- Simulation puzzle game
- platform
- Not specified in source
- notable editions
- Tokyo BigWing, Okinawa BlueCorridor, Hong Kong Kai Tak International Airport
Lore & Background
The objective of each level in Air Traffic Controller 3 is to reach a required number of points to pass while avoiding dangers such as near misses, head-ons during take-off or taxiing, or having enough points to pass the level. Players must also avoid making the stress level for aircraft go up, which results in a game over if it reaches 100%. Aircraft must be directed onto runways facing into the wind, or they will perform an automatic go-around. A cutscene plays at the end of every level, with a different version of the game's opening theme; the opening can be unlocked by passing at least one level, while the ending requires completing the last default stage.
Reader's Guide
Air Traffic Controller 3 is significant as the third installment in TechnoBrain's Air Traffic Controller series, released over a four-year period from 2008 to 2012. It expanded the series beyond Japan with editions featuring Hong Kong's Kai Tak Airport and Kadena Air Force Base. The game introduced special events such as bird strikes, microbursts, and windshear, as well as features like altitude separation, visual approaches, and bird management. Editions like the ANA Edition allowed 360-degree aircraft viewing and moving parts. The series also included expansion packs adding airports and aircraft such as the Concorde. Its legacy lies in its detailed simulation of air traffic control challenges, with multiple editions catering to different airports and scenarios.
Did You Know?
- The game includes an edition featuring the former Kai Tak International Airport in Hong Kong, the first airport outside Japan.
- In the Tokyo BigWing edition, Stage 3 includes a bird strike event on the first aircraft taking off from runway 16L.
- The ANA Edition allows players to view aircraft 360° and see moving parts like flaps and landing gear.
- The English version of Tokyo BigWing replaced all Japanese airline names with generic color names due to copyright issues.
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