Sonic Wings Reunion arrives on PS5 and PS4 with Western support

With a confirmed release date of October 7, 2025 on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, Sonic Wings Reunion marks the return of one of the most traditional franchises in the shoot 'em up genre. Known in the West as Aero Fighters, the title that originally debuted on the Super Nintendo now returns with a retro visual, classic soundtrack, and arcade gameplay elements preserved at its core.

Despite the name used in Japan, the series gained popularity outside the country under the title Aero Fighters, especially for its versions on Super Nintendo, Neo Geo, and arcades. In Reunion, the focus is on fidelity to the original material, with eight playable characters, eight stages, local cooperative mode, training mode, and the possibility to customize the soundtrack with tracks from previous titles in the franchise.

The development is led by Shinya Nagatomo, with the participation of the original artist Fumihiko Nantoka and sound designer Soshi Hosoi, all veterans from the era of Japanese arcades. The graphic style was kept close to the classic, with redesigned pixel art sprites and a minimalist interface designed to preserve the original's identity.

"We want to keep the soul of the game intact, but present the content in a way that pleases both veterans and newcomers," Nagatomo said in a statement published in Japan earlier this year.

Sonic Wings Reunion will also have a physical edition, with pre-sales starting on May 27. There is no confirmation yet of bonuses or special editions, nor details about official availability in the Brazilian market. However, the Japanese digital version will be released later this month, with support for multiple languages, including English.

The absence of online multiplayer and the exclusive focus on local cooperative mode raised criticisms on social media, especially from genre fans who expected more modern features. On the other hand, the inclusion of training mode and customizable soundtrack were well received by those seeking a more refined arcade experience.

Although the return of the franchise is celebrated by some nostalgic fans, the lack of a more contemporary approach may limit the title's reach amidst the growing offer of modern shoot 'em ups with online support and expanded progression modes. Nevertheless, the release of Sonic Wings Reunion represents a clear attempt to reposition the series in a market dominated by remakes and re-releases.

Now it remains to be seen if the combination of nostalgia, classic soundtrack, and arcade gameplay will be enough to attract both old fans and a new audience.