November 21st 2024.
Introducing the Irem Collection Volume 1 – a treasure trove of classic games that will take you on a nostalgic trip back to the 80s and 90s. While the name R-Type may immediately come to mind when thinking of Japanese developer Irem, they actually had a whole catalogue of amazing 2D shooters that deserve recognition. And luckily, this retro compilation series is here to remind us of that.
If you were a regular at arcades during the golden age of gaming, or dabbled in home console versions, R-Type was most likely a household name for you. This influential 2D shooter was Irem's defining work and spawned a long line of sequels that still hold up today. With its intense gameplay and iconic bullet dodging, R-Type remains a fan favorite to this day.
But as the saying goes, don't judge a book by its cover. And the same goes for Irem – their contribution to arcade culture goes beyond R-Type. This is where the Irem Collection series comes in, with its second volume now available on modern consoles. Developed by Tozai under the careful guidance of Irem, this collection pays homage to the studio's lesser-known gems. And yes, you read that right – not a single R-Type game is included in this volume.
So what exactly does Irem Collection Volume 1 offer? Well, for starters, it includes three classic 2D shooters – Image Fight and its sequel Image Fight 2: Operation Deep Striker, released in 1988 and 1992 respectively, and X-Multiply, released in 1989. These games were all released after the first R-Type, and it's clear to see how much they were influenced by its success.
Each game is expertly crafted and provides an exhilarating shooter experience that is on par with the R-Type series. And the emulation is top-notch as well, staying true to the original games. Some may be disappointed to learn that these are emulated releases rather than true ports, but they still perform just as well as the real thing.
Image Fight is especially noteworthy for its influence on Treasure's iconic shooter Radiant Silvergun, released a decade later. It serves as a precursor to the bullet hell sub-genre, although it's not technically a bullet hell shooter itself. The game requires players to memorize every attack pattern and offers a fast-paced, intense vertical-scrolling experience. With the ability to customize weapons on the fly, Image Fight is a dynamic and thrilling game that captures the energy of 90s Japanese sci-fi.
Included in the collection are multiple versions of each game, including the original arcade release, ports for various consoles such as PC Engine, NES, and Famicom, and a Standard mode that offers modern difficulty options like a rewind function and access to cheats.
And that's not all – each game also comes with an online leaderboard-focused challenge mode and various display options that can replicate the nostalgic look of an old arcade CRT monitor.
But enough about Volume 1, let's move on to Volume 2. This volume is dedicated to the games that led up to Irem's most famous title, Metal Slug. And it's impossible to discuss this volume without mentioning Nazca Corporation – the Irem spin-off founded in 1994. The Nazca team is responsible for the critically acclaimed Metal Slug series, known for its stunning pixel art and energetic hand-animation.
Similar to Volume 1, Irem Collection Volume 2 includes games from developers who later joined Nazca. This is evident in titles like GunForce and GunForce 2, both of which are run 'n' gun games that bear a striking resemblance to Metal Slug. The games feature fast-paced gameplay, overpowered weapons, and a variety of stages to navigate through. Think Contra or the more recent indie hit, Cuphead.
GunForce and GunForce 2 come in four different versions, including arcade, SNES, and Super Famicom. And for Metal Slug fans, GunForce 2 is often referred to as "Metal Slug 0" due to its similarities to the popular series.
In conclusion, the Irem Collection series is a must-have for any retro gaming enthusiast. It not only pays tribute to Irem's most famous title, but also showcases their lesser-known gems that are just as entertaining and well-crafted. So why not take a trip down memory lane and experience these classic games for yourself?
The first installment of the Irem Collection, Volume 1, offers a glimpse into the extensive collection of 2D shooters produced by the renowned Japanese studio, Irem. While most people may associate Irem with their iconic game R-Type, this compilation showcases their other lesser-known but equally fantastic titles from the 80s and 90s.
For those who spent their childhood in arcades or playing home console versions, the mention of R-Type would surely bring back nostalgic memories. This influential 2D shooter remains the most defining work of Irem, spawning multiple sequels and leaving a lasting legacy in the gaming industry. Even today, it still offers an entertaining and thrilling experience with its intense gameplay and challenging bullet dodging.
However, R-Type was not the only contribution from Irem to the gaming world. This is precisely what the Irem Collection series aims to highlight, with its second volume now available on modern consoles. Developed by Tozai under the careful supervision of Irem, this collection features classic arcade games, with a third volume already confirmed and surprisingly, without a single R-Type game in sight.
Volume 1 of the collection comprises of three classic 2D shooters, including Image Fight, its sequel Image Fight 2: Operation Deep Striker, and X-Multiply. All three titles were released after R-Type but were heavily influenced by its success. These games are well-crafted and exciting, deserving of the same recognition and praise as the R-Type series. They are also emulated seamlessly, maintaining the same level of precision and performance as the original versions.
Image Fight, in particular, is known for its significant influence on Treasure's iconic game, Radiant Silvergun, released a decade later. It is often considered a precursor to the bullet hell sub-genre, although it is not technically classified as one. The game offers a fast-paced, intense vertical-scrolling experience, where players must memorize attack patterns to survive. With the ability to customize weapons and a dynamic gameplay, it exudes the energy and charm of 90s Japanese sci-fi.
The collection includes various versions of the games, such as the Japanese and international editions of the arcade originals, as well as ports for PC Engine, NES, and Famicom. It also offers an Arcade and Standard mode, the latter featuring a rewind function and other features to cater to modern difficulty standards, such as cheats for infinite lives and invincibility.
Additionally, each game comes with an online leaderboard-focused challenge mode and various display options to replicate the old-school arcade experience with warm, scanline-slashed images. Image Fight 2, although not as popular as its predecessor, is a hidden gem in its own right. Exclusive to the PC Engine CD-ROM², it offers a challenging yet rewarding gameplay that will only appeal to hardcore fans of the genre.
The final game in the collection, X-Multiply, is a traditional horizontally-scrolling shooter, much like R-Type, but with a unique and grotesque biological setting. Taking place inside a human body, players must navigate through tentacles and fleshy growths to defeat enemies. It is more welcoming to less experienced players, yet still offers enough challenge for seasoned players. The collection features the Japanese and international versions of the game, along with extra modes and settings.
While the collection offers three top-notch and underexposed arcade games, it is quite bare bones in terms of modern standards. This is also the case with Volume 2 of the collection, which delves into the games that led up to the iconic Metal Slug series by Nazca Corporation, a spin-off of Irem founded in 1994.
GunForce and GunForce 2, two run 'n' gun games with similarities to Metal Slug, are featured in this volume. Both games offer a fast-paced and action-packed experience, with players dashing and shooting their way through enemies. The collection also includes four versions of GunForce, available on arcade, SNES, and Super Famicom.
Overall, the Irem Collection Volume 1 and 2 offer a glimpse into the diverse and impressive collection of 2D shooters by Irem and its spin-off, Nazca Corporation. While the collections may not offer many modern features, they are a must-have for fans of classic arcade games and those looking to explore the roots of iconic titles such as Metal Slug.
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