Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere Cheats & Cheat Codes for PlayStation

Originally releasing in 1999 for the Sony PlayStation, Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere is the third game in the Ace Combat series and the direct sequel to Ace Combat 2. Interestingly, the original Japanese release of Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere is vastly different from the Western releases. The localization of the game, which wouldn’t arrive in PAL and NTSC regions until Q1 2000, abandons much of the story that the Japanese release contains. That said, the gameplay is identical across all versions of the game. Similar to the other games in the Ace Combat series, Ace Combat 3 is an arcade-style flight-sim game with an emphasis on accessible controls and fast action.

The core Ace Combat team would begin development on Ace Combat 3 in 1998 shortly after the reception and success of Ace Combat 2. With the technical aspects of the series seeing a vast improvement in the second entry, the goal for Ace Combat 3 would end up being to expand the series’ narrative and scope. The risks that Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere takes over its predecessors would ultimately pay off. Not only is the title a pivotal entry in the Ace Combat franchise in terms of its story and presentation, but it’s also the first game in the series to ship over 1 million units.

Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere Premise

Like Air Combat and Ace Combat 2 before it, Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere is an accessible flight-sim game. While it maintains some of the realism of traditional flight sims, the controls and movement in Ace Combat 3 are far more accessible than other games in the genre. As a result, the Ace Combat series has a reputation for being an arcade-style flight-sim, sitting comfortably between the shooter and flying simulation genres. Namco would take its experience making R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 (also the first game in its respective series to feature characters and a narrative) as inspiration for expanding on the Ace Combat formula in Ace Combat 3.

Accordingly, Ace Combat 3 (at least the Japanese version) features the series’ first concentrated narrative, complete with a full cast of characters that each have motivations and backstories. Players take on the role of Nemo, a pilot in the Universal Peace Enforcement Organization (UPEO). When the company Neucom triggers a war between competing corporations, Nemo begins completing missions to see the war come to an end. Players have different choices they can make throughout the game’s campaign, each of which factors into one of the game’s 5 different endings.

While the gameplay in Ace Combat 3 is similar to both Air Combat and Ace Combat 2, the game does make some important additions to the franchise. For the first time in the series, players can complete outer space missions using experimental aircraft. During these segments aircraft behave differently to account for zero gravity, and players can fully rotate their camera to get a full field of view for using unconventional weaponry.

Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere Main Characters

Ace Combat 3 is the first game in the series to introduce a full narrative and cast of characters. However, these additions are different across different regional versions of the game. The original Japanese release contains the full, unaltered story and characters, while the PAL and NTSC versions of Ace Combat 3 remove characters and their backstories, as well as limit the number of endings players can unlock. That said, players do still take on the role of the young pilot Nemo regardless of which version they happen to play. Main characters in Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere include:

• Nemo: Nemo is a young hotshot pilot who joins up with the UPEA. As the player character, he can choose to defect to any of the other factions in the Intercorporate War that serves as Ace Combat 3‘s backdrop.
• Abyssal Dision: An ace pilot and Ace Combat 3‘s primary antagonist. Abyssal is the best pilot in General Resource’s air force and a rival to Nemo.

Games in the Ace Combat Series

Though the series has been dormant for roughly 5 years, the Ace Combat franchise is one of Bandai Namco’s more important IPs. Beginning during the 5th generation, the series has 8 mainline entries and several spin-offs spanning nearly 30 years of console hardware. Ace Combat 3 would end up being the last game in the series on the PlayStation, capping off a successful trilogy of titles and the origins of the franchise. Games in the Ace Combat series include:

• Air Combat (1995)
• Ace Combat 2 (1997)
• Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere (1999)
• Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies (2001)
• Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War (2004)
• Ace Combat Advance (2005)
• Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War (2006)
• Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception (2006)
• Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation (2007)
• Ace Combat Xi: Skies of Incursion (2009)
• Ace Combat: Joint Assault (2010)
• Ace Combat: Assault Horizon (2011)
• Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy (2011)
• Ace Combat Infinity (2014)
• Ace Combat 7: Skies Unkown (2019)

Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere Cheats & Cheat Codes

In addition to several unlockables and secrets, Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere has several Game Shark codes players can use to make the game significantly easier.

Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere Unlockables

Completing any of the following conditions will reward the player with unlockable bonuses for use in Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere.

Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere Secrets & Cheat Codes

Secret Weapons

Players can unlock the following weapons for use in missions without needing to complete the Mission Simulator requirements. First, beat Ace Combat 3 on Normal or Hard difficulty (Rank does not matter). In the Weapon Selection screen, select the machine gun you wish to use and then press the following buttons:

Control Mission Replay Video

Players can control the Mission Replay video by pressing any of the following buttons to change the camera angle:

Square, X, Circle, Triangle, R1, L1

Additionally, players can add a filter by pressing L2 or add motion blur by pressing R2

Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere (NTSC/North America) Game Shark Cheats

General Cheats

Unlock Aircraft Cheats

Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere (JP) Game Shark Codes

Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere Cheat FAQs

How long to beat Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere?
Completion times for Ace Combat 3 vary depending on the player. While the average completion time is around 6 hours, players can complete the base game’s 35 missions in roughly 3.5 hours. Conversely, a completionist playthrough to unlock everything (including the 5 different endings) can take up to 13 hours.

Is Ace Combat 3 different across regions?
Yes, the Japanese version of Ace Combat 3 has several differences from the international release in PAL and NTSC regions. The biggest difference is the Japanese version’s inclusion of a story and characters. The PAL and NTSC releases of Ace Combat 3 do not feature the characters, backstories, and endings of the Japanese version.

How do I unlock the Mission Simulator in Ace Combat 3?
Players will need to meet several requirements to unlock Ace Combat 3’s Mission Simulator option. Primarily, players will need to beat Ace Combat 3 on both Normal and Hard difficulty, beating all 52 missions and earning all 5 different endings. After, players will have the “S-File” option on the menu. This is the Mission Simulator, which allows players to replay any mission using any aircraft.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere Japanese cover artwork.