The Nintendo Switch with its touchscreen functionality seems like a sure fit for mobile app ports. Just add some controller support and maybe add an extra level and you’re done. Sprakelsoft decided now was the right time to bring their 2015 released game Airfield Mania to Nintendo’s latest console.
Air traffic control
In Airfield Mania, you are responsible for the air traffic control. I can imagine this being on the top of the most stressful jobs ever. One mistake could potentially cost the lives of many. In Airfield Mania you can be that guy in a very rudimental way. There is no traffic control tower in which you have to monitor a bazillion screens with extensive numbers on them. It’s just one top-down screen of your runway. As a plane or helicopter enters your view, you guide them to their designated runway. No bothering with altitudes, wind interference and guiding difficult landing sequences. Just appoint the aircraft to their spot and try not to crash them while doing so.
Handheld mode only
In Airfield Mania, the aircrafts and runways all have colors. Red planes go to the red runway, blue planes go to the blue runway and so on… Helicopters go to the helipad. Your job is to draw the path the planes and helicopters need to take to reach their landing spot. All while trying not to intertwine which could result in a crash and ends your game. Consequently, this means, Airfield Mania can only be played in handheld mode and does not support docked mode in any way.
Beat your own record
The concept of this game is extremely simple to start right away. The execution of that concept is actually harder than it looks. After the first planes are safely landed, more and more start popping up at the same time which makes for some hazardous flying maneuver. Airfield Mania offers no challenges except trying to land as many aircrafts as possible without causing a deathly crash. I found the touch screen functionality of the Nintendo Switch not precise enough to play this kind of game. I can imagine a bigger iPad screen is much better for this kind of games.
Not much gameplay
Back in 2015 the game offered 3 different airfields to test your skills on. Sprakelsoft hinted at updates where they would expand the amount of airfields. Four years later and no extra content is added. I can’t imagine you will spend more than fifteen minutes on one map. Having only 3 airfields limits the gameplay to the point you should feel cheated if you bought this game. I know this game is intended for young kids but even my 8-year old couldn’t spend more than 5 minutes with this game.
Conclusion
Airfield Mania feels like an easy cash grab by its developers. Although the concept is nice, the execution looks effortless. Don’t give this to your kids. They will know it’s just an empty box and you’ll score badly on the whole cool dad/mom scale.
