First teaser for “F-16 Falcon Strike” for Atari 8-bit | Video

August 30, 2024 • Updated: Mar 17, 2025 - 08:49 PM

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Jarosław "R0e0endeR" Wosik has shared an exciting teaser video for his new combat flight simulator, "F-16 Falcon Strike", designed for the Atari XL/XE computers.

This title marks the first release of a combat flight simulator for the platform in over 30 years, which has generated great expectations in the community of developers and Atari 8-bit fans.

“F-16 Falcon Strike” will compete in the 2024 edition of the Atari Bit Byter User Club (ABBUC) and promises to offer a realistic and challenging simulation experience. The game will feature two main modes: “Training” and “Campaign”, allowing players to hone their skills before taking on more complex missions.

The teaser gives us a look at the mission screen, which reads in English:

"Królowiec Campaign - Mission 4": Take off! Low-flying enemy fighters are attacking us. Defend our airbase! Beware, a second wave may be approaching! Destroy six enemy fighter planes.

Additionally, the weapons menu screen is displayed, where options for air-to-air, air-to-ground, and other combat settings are presented. For air-to-air combat, AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles are available, while for air-to-ground combat, Lau-87 rockets and MK-84 bombs can be selected.

There is also the option to select from three fuel tanks with different gallon capacities, which influences the weight and maneuverability of the aircraft during the mission; a detail that adds an extra layer of strategy and realism to the game.

The teaser's aesthetic evokes memories of iconic titles such as "F-15 Strike Eagle" (MicroProse Software, 1986) and "Tomahawk" (Digital Integration, 1986), albeit with a more simplified interface and fewer on-screen instruments.

Players will face not only aerial enemies, but also ground-based structures such as buildings, radars, and other vehicles, all represented with the signature “wireframe graphics.” The teaser covers everything from takeoff to the landing sequence at the base; offering a full look at the flight experience that “F-16 Falcon Strike” promises to deliver.

This first preview has not only captured the attention of fans of the genre, but also highlights Wosik's dedication to bringing to the Atari XL/XE a flight simulation worthy of its legacy in combat simulators.