Rebel Raiders: Operation Nighthawk

The game features homing missiles that allow the player to target multiple enemies at once.

There are twenty planes available for use, each featuring its own special weapons such as machine guns, missiles, and homing missiles. Health is lost when the player's "shield" is completely broken, but the shield's health can be replenished by destroying enemies. Planes can only be unlocked by completing challenges.[5]

Jeff Haynes of IGN applauded the PS2 version of Operation Nighthawk for its arcade handle feel and noted that it was enjoyable to unlock the new planes. The cut scenes were cited as very impressive, but the gameplay graphics did not compare to those of the cut scenes. He also criticized the game for its very small three-song soundtrack and noted that the game is beatable in one sitting due to the lack of difficulty levels.[5] "Rebel Raiders isn't exactly what flight fans are looking for in terms of a must have purchase. The aerial action is okay, but you're really missing out on a lot of mission pacing, replay value and even challenge with this easily completed game. Unless you're a hardcore fan simply looking to acquire every single flight title out there (it is only 20 bucks, after all), you probably should look elsewhere for your air combat." Haynes closed with.[10]

GameSpot's Bob Colayco considered the PS2 version to be repetitive,[6] while Louis Bedigian of GameZone stated, "For those who really love the genre, it's actually worth the price."[8] IGN's Mark Bozon criticized the Wii version's artificial intelligence and graphics, and stated that while some of the game's ideas "could have worked nicely, the game is plagued by sketchy motion controls and an overall cheap feel."[9] GameSpot's Carolyn Petit, reviewing the Wii version, stated that when the game was originally released for PS2 and PC, it was "already way behind the times – a simple, unimpressive air combat game that did nothing to stand out from the pack." Petit stated that the Wii version "is best ignored," calling it "generic and disposable."[7]