Wing Commander - Prophecy ROM

Also be sure to check out R-Type III: The Third Lightning.

Wing Commander: Prophecy is the fifth installment in the Wing Commander science fiction space combat simulator franchise of computer games. The game was originally released in 1997 for Windows, produced by Origin Systems and distributed by Electronic Arts, and in 2003, a GBA conversion was produced by Italy-based Raylight Studios and distributed by Destination Software.

Twelve years after the destruction of the Kilrathi homeworld, the Terran Confederation is building several Midway-class megacarriers, brainchild of Navy Commodore Christopher ‘Maverick’ Blair. The first one, the Midway herself, is undergoing her shakedown cruise, with Blair along for the ride. The player takes the role of 2nd Lieutenant Lance Casey, son of the venerable Major Michael “Iceman” Casey from Wing Commander I. He and his best friend Max “Maestro” Garrett have been assigned to the Midway as members of the ship’s junior Diamondback Squadron, led by Lieutenant Jean “Stiletto” Talvert.

Blair, Colonel Jacob “Hawk” Manley and Major Todd “Maniac” Marshall compete for control of the Black Widow Squadron. In charge of the Midway‘s two squadrons is CAG Patricia Drake, while Captain Eugene Wilford serves as her skipper. Commander Aurora Finley heads up the “Sciences Division”, while Colonel John “Gash” Dekker leads the ship’s contingent of Marines. Finally, Blair’s old love interest Rachel Coriolis has returned as the ship’s Chief Technician.

Controls are available in two modes: basic, catering to new and casual players, and advanced, aiming to give a more realistic feeling of space combat. The two modes leverage the same flight dynamics engine, but in basic mode turning the ship around is assisting the player by coupling pitch, yaw, and roll (emulating airplane flight dynamics), while in advanced mode each axis is made independent for more complex but increased control, especially when using a HOTAS setup.