P-47: The Phantom Fighter is a 1988 arcade shooter from Jaleco. The successful shmup was ported to various home computers but the Mega Drive port, titled P-47 II MD, was cancelled. Now, 35 years later, specialist publisher Retro-Bit is teaming up with Jaleco to fulfil the dream of bringing this much-loved shooter to the Mega Drive. To make this news even better, the cart will be available in the USA and Europe at several retailers.

“P-47 II MD is more than a 16-bit shoot ‘em up, it’s a true piece of gaming history,” explains Richard Igros, Director of Marketing at Retro-Bit Publishing. “This never-released classic offers everything you could possibly want from a great action game, including stunning visuals based on Europe’s scenic landscapes, over-the-top boss battles, and explosive firepower that you won’t find in any other game. Best of all, with forgiving difficulty levels, P-47 II MD is great for both newcomers and shoot ‘em up veterans.”

The individually numbered collectors release will include a reversible cover inlay, a full-colour manual, a commemorative slipcase and an 8mm CD of the original soundtrack. The game is getting ready to ship and those wanting to get in on the action will need to make a pre-order and have until the 16th February 2025 to secure a copy.