Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Air Traffic Controller puts you directly in the high-stakes world of routing multiple aircraft through a limited airspace. As the sole operator, you use a radar display to issue commands—altitude changes, turn instructions, and holding patterns—to each incoming or outgoing flight. The game ends the moment a plane crashes, exits the area improperly, lands at the wrong airport, or collides with another aircraft, so precision and foresight are key to surviving as long as possible.

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The controls are intuitive: select a plane by clicking or highlighting its letter, then issue commands that can take effect immediately or be delayed until the aircraft reaches a beacon, marked by ‘*’ on the radar. Lowercase letters represent jets, uppercase letters prop planes, and each letter is followed by a digit indicating current altitude. You’ll quickly learn to manage dozens of flights simultaneously, juggling takeoffs, landings, and holds without letting any aircraft stray off course or conflict with another.

Replayability is a highlight of this simulation. The game comes with thirteen scenario files in plain ASCII, each offering unique traffic patterns, airport layouts, and difficulty levels. For those who crave more variety, the manual explains how to create or modify scenarios, letting you design your own traffic challenges. This openness gives the game an almost endless lifespan, encouraging players to experiment with increasingly complex airspace configurations.

Graphics

Despite being written in ST-Pascal for high-resolution displays of its era, Air Traffic Controller uses crisp, minimalist visuals to convey critical information. The radar screen is laid out in clear lines, with runways, beacons, and airport boundaries rendered in simple geometric shapes. This retro aesthetic may feel dated, but it excels at prioritizing function over flash, ensuring that every symbol is immediately recognizable even in high-pressure moments.

Planes appear as letters on the radar grid, and their alphanumeric labels update in real time to show altitude. The contrast between uppercase and lowercase letters helps you distinguish props from jets at a glance. Airports are marked by a lowercase “a” alongside arrows indicating approach or departure directions, and beacons (‘*’) serve as reliable waypoints for delayed commands. The HUD elements—active list, altitude readouts, and holding queues—are laid out neatly around the radar, making status checks quick and intuitive.

While there are no lush 3D models or dynamic weather effects, the graphics do their job exceptionally well. Clarity is paramount: you need to see every aircraft’s position, heading, and altitude without confusion. For aficionados of classic sims or anyone fascinated by the operational aspect of air traffic control, the straightforward visual style not only feels authentic but also enhances focus under mounting pressure.

Story

Air Traffic Controller does not present a traditional narrative with characters and cutscenes. Instead, the story unfolds organically through the traffic flows you manage. Each flight has its own implicit backstory—an inbound commercial jet carrying passengers, a small prop plane departing at dawn—and your role is to prevent these stories from ending in disaster. This emergent storytelling allows you to craft your own dramatic moments based on split-second decisions.

The manual hints at the history and purpose of the simulated airports, offering a backdrop that fans of aviation lore will appreciate. You’re not just sending blips across the screen; you’re keeping imaginary crews safe, orchestrating runway rotations, and averting mid-air collisions. The sense of responsibility becomes personal as you try to beat your best run, with each successful landing list and conflict-free hour adding to the narrative of your expertise.

For players who enjoy building their own scenarios, story potential explodes further. By editing or creating ASCII scenario files, you can introduce themed challenges—rush-hour commuter traffic, emergency landings, or even fictional airports with unique constraints. These custom setups can feel like standalone campaigns, each with its own cast of aircraft, weather quirks, and operational hurdles that deepen the game’s overall narrative appeal.

Overall Experience

Air Traffic Controller offers a tightly focused simulation experience that rewards patience, strategic thinking, and quick reactions. The learning curve is moderate: mastering the radar interface and perfecting command timing takes practice, but once you find your rhythm, the game becomes an addictive test of multitasking prowess. Failures—whether a single collision or an accidental low-altitude exit—are learning opportunities that push you to refine your approach.

The inclusion of multiple scenario files and the ability to craft your own ensure that the game remains fresh long after you’ve memorized the standard airspace layouts. While the presentation is distinctly retro, it underscores the emphasis on operational fidelity rather than graphical sheen. For aviation enthusiasts, simulation purists, and anyone curious about the mental demands of air traffic control, this title delivers an authentic, challenging, and ultimately rewarding experience.

Though it lacks modern polish like dynamic weather or 3D cockpits, Air Traffic Controller compensates with solid mechanics, clear visuals, and near-limitless customization. It stands as a testament to how good design and a well-defined concept can create enduring gameplay. If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to keep dozens of aircraft safely separated in a busy sky, this classic sim is the perfect place to take the controls.

Retro Replay Score

null/10