Software:Army Men: Air Attack

From HandWiki
Army Men: Air Attack
Developer(s)The 3DO Company[lower-alpha 1]
Publisher(s)The 3DO Company
SeriesArmy Men
Platform(s)PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color, Microsoft Windows
ReleasePlayStation
  • NA: November 3, 1999[1]
  • EU: March 2000
Nintendo 64
Game Boy Color
  • NA: November 22, 2000[3]
  • EU: November 24, 2000
Windows
  • EU: June 22, 2001
Genre(s)Third-person shooter
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Army Men: Air Attack (Army Men: Air Combat for the Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Color versions) is a third-person shooter video game developed and published by The 3DO Company for PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color and Microsoft Windows. The game focuses on aerial combat and features the same protagonist, Cpt. William Blade. It is one of the first Army Men games to be powered by a 3D engine where terrain and units are rendered in real-time.

Overview

In Army Men: Air Attack, the evil Tan army is making a move into Green territory. Only one man has the ability to stop their advance: Captain William Blade of the Alpha Wolf Squadron.[4] Blade and his ragtag crew of chopper pilots fly in one of four choppers Huey, Chinook, Super Stallion, or Apache through 16 missions of plastic carnage, going through perilous settings like the "Backyard" and the "Picnic".

Plot

The Green and Tan armies are once again at war, this time by air. Players can select either the Huey, Chinook, Super Stallion or the Apache. In addition to the Tan Army are hordes of insects that players must also fight off. Players must protect tanks, trucks, other helicopters, a train, a teddy bear, and a UFO.

The players pilot one of four helicopters through the treacherous terrain of the backyard, picnic areas, and nearby beaches, engaging in Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground combat with enemies ranging from battleships to butterflies. They can utilise the unique abilities of each airship to capture giant Teddy Bears, blow up sand castles, and save Sarge from being melted by kids with a magnifying glass. The main character is a Green Air Cavalry pilot named Captain William Blade. This game has over 12 missions with three extra choppers to unlock. The first helicopter is a Huey, then a Chinook, a Super Stallion, and finally an Apache. There are also three extra co-pilots to unlock. The first pilot is 'Woodstock', then 'Rawhide', next is 'Hardcore', and lastly Sergeant Hawk. Captain William Blade, the leader of the newly formed Alpha Wolf Battalion, does battle against the Tan empire in both the real world and plastic world.

An extra co-pilot, ‘Bombshell’ (addressed as Felicity in-game) can be unlocked after beating the game's campaign.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
GBCN64PS
AllGameN/AN/AStarStarStarHalf star[9]
EGMN/AN/A6.375/10[12][lower-alpha 2]
Game InformerN/A7.5/10[15]6.75/10[16]
GameFanN/A69%[17]85%[18][lower-alpha 3]
(G.H.) 80%[19]
GameSpotN/A7.5/10[20]7.5/10[21]
IGN7/10[22]7.6/10[23]8/10[24]
N64 MagazineN/A83%[25]N/A
Next GenerationN/AN/AStarStarStar[26]
Nintendo PowerStarStarStar[27]7.1/10[28]N/A
OPM (UK)N/AN/A5/10[4]
OPM (US)N/AN/AStarStarStarStar[29]
Aggregate scores
GameRankings65%[5]78%[6]71%[7]
MetacriticN/A77/100[8]N/A

The Nintendo 64 version received "generally favorable reviews" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[8] Jeff Lundrigan of NextGen said of the PlayStation version, "It's got lots of cool ideas and good looks. All it needs is more levels, better gameplay balance, and a faster pace."[26] However, Pete Wilson of Official UK PlayStation Magazine said of the same console version, "All things considered, the game's few decent touches, like being able to pick up objects with a grappling hook, are just way too limited to make you want to carry on. Abort mission..."[4]

Four-Eyed Dragon of GamePro said of the PlayStation version in one review, "Cadets new to the squad may enjoy Air Attack's simple, gung-ho gameplay, which lacks any heavy strategizing. But for generals who expect more bang for the buck, Army Men: Air Attack is a war that should be first fought at the local rental store."[30][lower-alpha 4] Scary Larry said that the same console version was "just like the Army reserves - good for a weekend, but a little boring in the long run."[31][lower-alpha 5] Vicious Sid said of the Nintendo 64 version in one review, "Although mundane Campaign missions and slowdown nearly clip this bird's wings, the hilarious multiplayer games make Air Combat a worthy weekend rental. It's hardly a breath of fresh air, but fans of EA's Strike series should definitely fly these unfriendly skies."[32][lower-alpha 6] The D-Pad Destroyer said of the same console version in another review, "It's a pleasure to be able to say that Army Men Air Combat is a good game. While it's not the best game ever on the N64, it's easy to recommend it for chopper-action fans and folks who are dying for a decent military shooter on the Fun Machine. It looks like the little green men over at 3DO have finally found the secret to bringing toys to life."[33][lower-alpha 7]

Notes

  1. Ported to Game Boy Color by Fluid Studios and ported to Microsoft Windows by Aqua Pacific.
  2. In Electronic Gaming Monthly's review of the PlayStation version, two critics gave it each a score of 6/10, one gave it 7/10, and the other gave it 6.5/10.
  3. In GameFan's viewpoint of the PlayStation version, three critics gave it each a score of 81, 85, and 88.
  4. GamePro gave the PlayStation version two 3.5/5 scores for graphics and fun factor, 4.5/5 for sound, and 5/5 for control in one review.
  5. GamePro gave the PlayStation version three 3.5/5 scores for graphics, sound, and fun factor, and 4/5 for control in another review.
  6. GamePro gave the Nintendo 64 version two 4/5 scores for graphics and fun factor, 3.5/5 for sound, and 4.5/5 for control in one review.
  7. GamePro gave the Nintendo 64 version 3.5/5 for graphics, two 4/5 scores for sound and fun factor, and 4.5/5 for control in another review.

References

  1. "3DO Ships Army Men(TM) -- Air Attack(TM) for PlayStation(R) Game Console". November 3, 1999. http://www.3do.com/investors/pr_110399.html. 
  2. "3DO Ships Army Men-Air Combat for Nintendo 64; Miniature Military Flies High in the Face of Plastic Peril". July 18, 2000. http://www.3do.com/investors/pr_071800.html. 
  3. "3DO Ships New Army Men(R) Games for Game Boy(R) Color". November 22, 2000. http://www.3do.com/investors/pr_112200.html. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Wilton, Pete (February 2000). "Army Men: Air Attack". Official UK PlayStation Magazine (Future Publishing) (55): 128. https://archive.org/details/Official_UK_Playstation_Magazine_Issue_055_2000-02_Future_Publishing_GB/page/n125. 
  5. "Army Men: Air Combat for Game Boy Color". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamerankings.com/gbc/340115-army-men-air-combat/index.html. 
  6. "Army Men: Air Combat for Nintendo 64". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamerankings.com/n64/196647-army-men-air-combat/index.html. 
  7. "Army Men: Air Attack for PlayStation". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/196648-army-men-air-attack/index.html. 
  8. 8.0 8.1 "Army Men: Air Attack [sic (N64)"]. Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/army-men-air-attack/. 
  9. Nguyen, Cal. "Army Men: Air Attack (PS) - Review". All Media Network. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=20291&tab=review. 
  10. Ham, Tom (July 21, 2000). "Army Men: Air Combat (N64)". CNET. http://www.gamecenter.com/N64/Reviews/Armymenair/. 
  11. Torres, Ricardo (January 7, 2000). "Army Men: Air Attack (PS)". CNET. http://www.gamecenter.com/Consoles/Sony/Armymenaa/. 
  12. Davison, John; Smith, Shawn; Johnston, Chris; Hager, Dean (January 2000). "Army Men: Air Attack (PS)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (126): 228. https://archive.org/details/electronicgamingmonthlyvol126january2000600dpi/Electronic%20Gaming%20Monthly%20Vol.%20126%20%5BJanuary%202000%5D%20%28Searchable%29/page/n225/mode/2up. Retrieved September 17, 2022. 
  13. Grant, Jules (July 28, 2000). "Army Men: Air Combat (N64)". Greedy Productions Ltd.. http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=2795&full=1#mr_toppy. 
  14. Lopez, Miguel (March 15, 2000). "Army Men: Air Attack (PSX)". Greedy Productions Ltd.. http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=2187&full=1#mr_toppy. 
  15. "Army Men: Air Combat (N64)". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (87). July 2000. 
  16. "Army Men: Air Attack (PS)". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (80). December 1999. 
  17. "REVIEW for Army Men: Air Combat (N64)". GameFan (BPA International). 2000. 
  18. Mylonas, Eric "ECM"; Ngo, George "Eggo"; Weitzner, Jason "Fury" (December 1999). "Army Men: Air Attack". GameFan (Shinno Media) 7 (12): 16. https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_7_Issue_12/page/n17/mode/2up. Retrieved September 17, 2022. 
  19. Higgins, Geoff "The Judge" (December 1999). "Army Men: Air Attack". GameFan (Shinno Media) 7 (12): 45. https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_7_Issue_12/page/n45/mode/2up. Retrieved September 17, 2022. 
  20. Gerstmann, Jeff (August 2, 2000). "Army Men: Air Combat Review (N64)". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/army-men-air-combat-review/1900-2611212/. 
  21. Gerstmann, Jeff (October 27, 1999). "Army Men: Air Attack Review (PS)". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/army-men-air-attack-review/1900-2546527/. 
  22. Harris, Craig (March 14, 2001). "Army Men Air Combat (GBC)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/03/15/army-men-air-combat-4. 
  23. Boulding, Aaron (July 19, 2000). "Army Men: Air Combat (N64)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/07/20/army-men-air-combat-2. 
  24. Perry, Douglass C. (November 23, 1999). "Army Men: Air Attack (PS)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/11/24/army-men-air-attack. 
  25. Maddrell, Alan (October 2000). "Army Men: Air Combat (N64)". N64 Magazine (Future Publishing) (46): 60. https://www.nintendo64ever.com/scans/mags/Scan-Magazine-527-60.jpg. Retrieved January 1, 2024. 
  26. 26.0 26.1 Lundrigan, Jeff (January 2000). "Army Men: Air Attack (PS)". NextGen (Imagine Media) (61): 97. https://archive.org/details/NextGen61Jan2000/page/n97/mode/2up. Retrieved September 17, 2022. 
  27. "Army Men: Air Combat (GBC)". Nintendo Power (Nintendo of America) 140: 135. January 2001. 
  28. "Army Men: Air Combat (N64)". Nintendo Power (Nintendo of America) 133: 117. June 2000. https://www.nintendo64ever.com/scans/mags/Scan-Magazine-375-117.jpg. Retrieved September 17, 2022. 
  29. Rybicki, Joe (December 1999). "Army Men: Air Attack". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) 3 (3): 156. https://archive.org/details/Official_US_PlayStation_Magazine_Volume_3_Issue_3_1999-12_Ziff_Davis_US/page/n151/mode/2up. Retrieved September 17, 2022. 
  30. Four-Eyed Dragon (December 1999). "Army Men: Air Attack (PS)". GamePro (IDG) (135): 172. https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_135_December_1999_U/page/n165/mode/2up. Retrieved September 18, 2022. 
  31. Scary Larry (November 24, 1999). "Army Men Air Attack Review for PlayStation on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG Entertainment). http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psx/games/reviews/3327.shtml. Retrieved September 17, 2022. 
  32. Vicious Sid (August 2000). "Army Men: Air Combat (N64)". GamePro (IDG) (143): 94. https://retrocdn.net/images/d/de/GamePro_US_143.pdf. Retrieved January 1, 2024. 
  33. The D-Pad Destroyer (August 11, 2000). "Army Men Air Combat Review for N64 on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG). http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/n64/games/reviews/6353.shtml. Retrieved May 14, 2015. 
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari



  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari