Video System vertical shmup with colorful characters and off-beat humor. Solid and fast-paced gameplay, numerous playable characters with distinct styles. More complete version than the arcade versions. A fun and accessible shmup.
Your verdict
Category
Shooter1 player12+
Co-op
Description
Compilation of the three Sonic Wings series episodes with exclusive unreleased Saturn content. Published by Video System, released in Japan in 1996. Aero Fighters 1, 2 and 3 with their international pilots and distinct aircraft and special attacks, shooting and power-ups, impressive bosses, cooperative two-player mode, exclusive Saturn stages and characters. The definitive collection of the series on Saturn.
Sonic Wings Special review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
Gameplay
"Solid"
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Engaging"
Difficulty
"Difficult"
Lifespan
"Long"
Technical info
💾0,04 GB📅29/11/1996
Published by Media Entertainment
Sonic Wings Special (Saturn) price, value & rarity
Complete: box, manual and disc/cart very clean. Lightly handled.
Q1 damagedQ6 completeQ10 new
Compare prices
Loading eBay listings…
Alert active — budget
$
Collector interest
Japan exclusive Saturn edition of Sonic Wings Special, distributed by Media Entertainment in November 1996, an anthology compilation of the three Aero Fighters from the Video System Sonic Wings sub franchise in a dedicated Saturn presentation. Media Entertainment Japan run was short, jewel case with intact obi, and the general scarcity of Sonic Wings in physical compilation form on the Saturn makes it for Video System completists a targeted archive object. Complete with obi marked Sonic Wings Special clearly sought after.
An underrated gem
Gathering all three Aero Fighters with fresh content, this compilation offers a generous dose of arcade vertical shooting with its offbeat pilots. Released in Japan and quickly forgotten, it never found an audience elsewhere. Varied and full of humor, it's an ideal gateway into the series for fans of lighthearted shmups.
Is Sonic Wings Special still worth playing in 2026?
A direct sequel to the Video System saga, Sonic Wings Special offers a fantastic vertical shoot with seven playable characters of distinct abilities tracking an international plot. The vibrant cartoon art direction, accessible handling and energetic soundtrack make it a vertical shoot reference on Saturn. For anyone fond of Video System vertical shoots or seeking a genre classic, a warm recommendation still valid today without any hesitation on the Sega machine for classic vertical shoot genre fans truly here indeed for any returning newcomer.
