| Introduction
Top Gun was one of the early so-called 'High Concept'
movies, where the producers believed that the general
public didn't care about plot but more about action
or an exciting central theme. They were right of course,
and Top Gun went on to become one of the most successful
movies of the 80s.
Following this trend, Top Gun GBA is not an original
title but an updated version of last year's GBC effort.
That 2001 release received mixed reviews, so we can
only assume that Virgin/Titus decided to launch an 'Advance'
version because they in some way believed that the original
could be improved. Let's hope so...
GamePlay
Each of the twelve missions starts out with a short
briefing on the overall situation, but it's not necessary
to remember everything here since pressing 'select'
at any time in the game takes you to the map screen.
This screen contains the full terrain layout (you can
scroll through the whole area with the 'D-pad') with
your present objectives and their location. This is
especially helpful when dealing with moving targets
such as trucks or helicopters, as trying to find their
whereabouts without the aid of radar would make the
game incredibly frustrating.
Actual gameplay obviously involves shooting and destroying
things and as with all these type of games, it's the
most entertaining aspect of the title. Two different
ways of shooting can be done, by using your powerful
machine gun or your less than intelligent missiles.
During battle, enemy emplacements will always be
firing at you and your jet armor will start to deplete,
as well as your fuel supply, so keeping an eye on your
various gauges is very important. Your missiles will
also run out if you're too trigger-happy, but all this
can be rectified with a quick trip back to your base,
where simply landing for a couple of seconds will replenish
everything and in no time at all you’re back in business.
If a GBA game has to have a password system then
this is what it should be like: four 'Top Gun'-inspired
icons record your level progression and are incredibly
easy to input, allowing you to start each level with
a 'fresh' plane and completely replenished ammunition.
Finally, there's the Multiplayer Mode, which allows
two players to link-up and battle it out in a dogfight.
After selecting which terrain you wish to fly over,
the object is simple--shoot down your opponent’s plane
before they get you.
Controls
The control system is simple and very responsive,
meaning that if you do get shot down or fly into a cliff,
it's entirely your own fault. It's also surprisingly
intuitive to use while flying through the isometric
landscape, so you should be at one with your fighter
in no time at all.
The controls are almost identical to the GBC version,
with the shoulder buttons only used for rolling your
plane in various directions. The developers have also
added a Tutorial section, which allows you to roam around
a landscape with little danger to your plane while being
given instructions by your commander on various moves
and tactics, all of which will aid in your success.
Graphics
Top Gun's visuals are a mixed bag really, and while
some aspects of the game really tap into the power of
the GBA, others lend themselves more to the distant
days of the Gameboy Color. The highlights are undoubtedly
the cutscenes, which are lifted from the console versions,
and all look absolutely wonderful.
Things take a dramatic slide however, once you're
actually playing the game as the graphics are almost
identical to those featured on the previous GBC version,
with the only enhancements seemingly being the various
cloud and transparency effects. It's a decent enough
effort overall, but it doesn't even come close to what
the Gameboy Advance is capable of.
Sound & Music
The audio department in Top Gun is just as you'd
expect, so the soundtrack is filled with the usual military-inspired
score while the sound effects consist of explosions
and gunfire. This all works reasonably well and complements
the gameplay on some levels, but it's by no means outstanding.
There's really not a great deal more that could have
been done soundwise, considering the simplistic nature
of the game, although we've seen better instances of
well-designed audio that can turn an average game to
a better one.
Final Comments
Top Gun’s biggest problem is that of repetition--even
though the missions are set in very different terrains,
the objectives are still the same. The Multiplayer Mode
does manage to go about this differently and it's incredible
how much fun a simple two player dogfight can be, but
the fact is that the main game just isn't as immersive
and rewarding. However, it's a type of game that's not
widely replicated, and unlike platformers or 'Mode 7'
racers, there isn't a game like Top Gun released every
other week. Overall, if you like the look of the game
and enjoyed the movie, give it a try at your local retailer;
it could be just what you're looking for.
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