It’s been more than 25 years since the Sonic Wings (known as Aero Fighters in the West) series graced arcades and home consoles with its colorful chaos, zany characters, and sky-blazing bullet barrages. Now, in 2025, the series is officially back—reborn as Sonic Wings Reunion, thanks to Japanese studio Success, which has stepped up to resurrect the franchise in the absence of its original developer, Video System.
The game launched on May 29, 2025, for PC, with console versions arriving the same day in Japan on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5. A European physical release is slated for October 7, 2025, distributed by Red Art Games, who aim to offer it at a more reasonable price than the PC version. And that’s where the first turbulence begins.
Because no matter how nostalgic, how loyal to its roots, or how charming this retro revival might be, the €58.99 price tag on Steam has stirred up heated debate among fans and newcomers alike.
Back to the Skies – But What’s New?
When booting up Sonic Wings Reunion, you’re greeted with a feeling that’s at once familiar and slightly modernized. The game’s core DNA remains untouched—it’s a vertically scrolling shoot ’em up (shmup), complete with flying aces from around the world, bizarre bosses, and eccentric humor that borders on the absurd.
Visually, the game adopts a simple yet colorful 3D aesthetic, echoing the Dreamcast era more than modern AAA polish. Don’t expect ray-traced explosions or hyper-detailed cockpits. Instead, Sonic Wings Reunion opts for readability and retro vibes over flashiness. That may disappoint some, but for fans of the genre, the clean visuals serve their purpose: bullets are easy to track, enemies pop from the background, and explosions remain satisfyingly crunchy.
What sets this revival apart is its faithfulness. It’s clear the developers didn’t just slap a name on a generic shooter—they’ve gone to great lengths to honor the originals. For example, one standout moment occurs in the Barcelona stage, where the famous Sagrada Familia is repurposed as a key enemy encounter. It’s goofy, it’s unexpected, and it’s exactly the kind of irreverent charm that made Sonic Wings memorable in the first place.
Also returning is Whity the Dolphin, a fan-favorite from Sonic Wings 2, along with a roster of eight playable pilots (with more to unlock). Each character combination gives players access to unique “smart bombs” and unlocks exclusive dialogue sequences between levels. Even the scoring bonuses, which reflect the currency of the countries you’re flying through, feel lovingly retro.
Fast-Paced and Familiar Gameplay
If you’ve played any Sonic Wings title before—or other classic shmups like Strikers 1945 or Gunbird—you’ll know exactly what to expect. Sonic Wings Reunion doesn’t reinvent the wheel, and for better or worse, it doesn’t really try to.
Levels are short and snappy, designed to be beaten in just a couple of minutes. The first three levels are randomized with each run, adding some replayability, while the latter stages follow a fixed order. Standard power-ups upgrade your primary weapon, and once you reach maximum firepower, collecting additional upgrades converts them into temporary score multipliers.
That’s about as deep as the scoring system gets. There’s no chaining mechanic, grazing bonuses, or intricate bullet-dodging strategies here. It’s straightforward arcade shooting—easy to grasp, and maybe too easy for some.
Each full run of the game takes around 15 minutes, with the credits rolling shortly thereafter. A harder loop then begins, upping the challenge slightly but not dramatically. This setup suits the genre’s pick-up-and-play appeal, but might leave hardcore fans craving more meat on the bones.
Accessible to a Fault?
One of the game’s most divisive design choices is its difficulty—or lack thereof. On Normal difficulty, even players unfamiliar with the genre will find themselves finishing the game in just a few tries. The enemy patterns are basic, boss battles are more visual spectacle than mechanical challenge, and continues feel almost unnecessary.
If you’re a veteran of bullet-hell games or old-school arcade shmups, you might walk away feeling untested. Games like DoDonPachi, Ikaruga, or even Strikers 1945 offer a more intense, twitch-reflex experience. Sonic Wings Reunion, by contrast, is intentionally dialed down—designed to be accessible to beginners and casual players.
This design philosophy is not unprecedented. It mirrors the direction taken by Sisters Royale: Five Sisters Under Fire, another approachable shooter developed by Alfa System (known for Castle of Shikigami). The idea is simple: make shmups inviting again.
And there’s value in that. In today’s market, where shoot ’em ups occupy a tiny niche, widening the audience is necessary for the genre’s survival. Still, one wonders whether Sonic Wings Reunion could have offered optional difficulty tiers with smarter enemy AI or bonus scoring layers to satisfy both newcomers and veterans alike.
Post-Game Content and Features
After finishing the main game, Sonic Wings Reunion unlocks a Training Mode, allowing players to practice specific levels and improve their scores. It also offers the ability to display hitbox masks, which is a nice touch for those seeking precision dodging and deeper mechanical understanding.
While not revolutionary features, they’re appreciated additions. Yet these small perks don’t do much to address the elephant in the room: the price.
The Steam Price Controversy
At €58.99, the game is more expensive than many AAA titles offering dozens of hours of content and cutting-edge graphics. For a 15-minute game loop with minimalist visuals and modest replay incentives, the price feels disproportionately high.
Yes, the game is well-crafted, and yes, the nostalgia is genuine—but this is a genre where many high-quality shmups (like Danmaku Unlimited, Jamestown, or Crimzon Clover) are sold for less than half the price.
Thankfully, there’s hope. When Sonic Wings Reunion launches on PS5 and Nintendo Switch in Europe this October, it will be distributed by Red Art Games at a more forgiving €39.99. That’s still not cheap, but far more in line with what the game offers.
For PC players, the message is clear: wait for a discount. At €20–30, this game becomes a no-brainer for fans of the genre or retro gaming in general.
Verdict: Fun, Familiar, and Flawed
In many ways, Sonic Wings Reunion is a heartfelt success. It revives a long-dormant franchise with care, humor, and faithfulness to its roots. The accessible gameplay, quirky design, and pilot combinations offer genuine charm and replayability for those curious about the genre.
But it’s also held back by a lack of ambition. The scoring system is thin, the visuals are basic, and the gameplay loop is too easy and short for experienced players. Its steep launch price only amplifies those concerns.
Still, there’s room for optimism. If Sonic Wings Reunion draws in new players, just maybe it can reignite broader interest in the shmup genre. And for that alone, it deserves some credit.
⭐ Final Score: 6/10
✅ What We Liked:
- Nostalgic arcade shooter vibes
- Charming characters and silly moments
- Excellent for newcomers to the genre
- Fun pilot/weapon combinations
- Fully localized in multiple languages
❌ What We Didn’t Like:
- Extremely short campaign (15–20 minutes per loop)
- Simplistic visuals and scoring mechanics
- Lacks challenge for genre veterans
- Steam version is overpriced at €58.99
Should You Buy It?
If you’re new to shoot ’em ups or just looking for a light, fun, and nostalgic arcade experience, Sonic Wings Reunion is worth checking out—but only at the right price. Wait for a sale on Steam, or grab the physical console edition this October.
Veterans of the genre, on the other hand, might want to skip—or at least temper their expectations. This one’s built more for smiles than sweat.
