Strap into the cockpit of the prototype Blue Lightning jet in this 1989 title and take to the skies in this fast-paced arcade-style combat flight game, developed by Epyx as a showcase title for the Atari Lynx. Clearly inspired by After Burner, Blue Lightning throws you into nine increasingly difficult missions filled with aerial dogfights, ground assaults, and daring objectives—like precision landings to deliver critical intel. Seen from a dynamic behind-the-plane perspective, the action is intense but accessible—there’s no risk of stalling or crashing from poor piloting. Armed with a machine cannon and heat-seeking missiles, plus a rechargeable afterburner and evasive barrel rolls, your aircraft is built for speed and spectacle. Fail a mission and you lose one of six jets; run out, and it’s game over. Designed by Stephen Landrum and Chuck Sommerville, Blue Lightning set the visual standard for early Lynx games with its smooth pseudo-3D scaling effects and varied terrain—from deserts to naval fleets. As a launch title, it demonstrated the Lynx’s raw power and arcade ambitions.

An ambitious title for the late 1980s,. it was an exhilarating gaming experience at the time.  Flight and combat simulators are all about how well connected you feel on the controls to the action you see on the screen.  How this title could stand out today in any sort of revival is a big question.  If you’re interested either in a port to another game system (of the original – with some quality of life improvements), or even making a retro-inspired modern adaptation, please reach out to us on the licensing page.