Switch updates - Operation Hardcore and Iro Hero

Operation Hero is a Run'n'Gun already out on Steam that launches on Switch tomorrow.




Upcoming shmup Iro Hero I told you about back in April launches on June 7th. Timely considering that Ikaruga was just launched on Switch and the mechanics here look similar.


Maybe it's just me but the over-stylized 8-bit pixel look trend is beginning to feel stale. Hopefully the games are fun anyway.

The other big fish released today

Ikaruga sailed onto the Nintendo Switch today as expected and it looks like they did a bang-up job with the port.

As I told you back in April, PSP-classic Metal Slug XX was set to return on the PlayStation 4. And it did just that, today. If you have a PlayStation 4 Pro it supports 4K. Yes, really. You'll want to head on over to PSN and grab it. NOW.

Quad Fighter K going West

Quad Fighter K is a shmup available for Switch in Japan but it's being translated and released in the US and Europe on May 31st. With "timeless" 8-bit graphics and 4-player local co-op (that second mortgage to afford 3 Pro Controllers finally worked out!) this might be fun.



You may or may not want to skip to the 2:50 mark depending on how badly you want to see the game in action.

The Game Paradise and Plus Alpha rumoured to be Switch-bound

There's more and more evidence that Jalecos The Game Paradise (previously available on the good ol' Sega Saturn, Steam and PS4) is coming to Switch together with another Jaleco shmup; Plus Alpha.


Plus Alpha is listed as Plus Alpha Beta so like The Game Paradise is likely a bigger, better version of the old arcade shooter.

C64CD releases HyperZap 2018, for Commodore 64(!)

It's not every day I get to feature a brand new Commodore 64 game. And a shmup at that.

But here it is, HyperZap:



And just in case, here's some info on the Commodore 64 itself.

EDIT: More info on HyperZap.

Shikhondo coming to PS4

Korean bullet-hell shmup Shikhondo that launched late last year on Steam is coming to PS4.



There's no date yet but expect it sooner rather than later.

Dreamcast shmup Battle Crust is shipping

That new Dreamcast shmup I told you about all the way back in March is now in stock and shipping from RushOnGame.

It's a port of a PC game available on Steam so if you want to practice while the Dreamcast game is shipping, feel free!

Hellstar Squadron released on Steam

A new horizontal bullet-hell shooter, Hellstar Squadron, was released on May 8th on Steam.


It's 10% off a few more hours. Go grab it!

LRG goes for broke, Super Hydorah to get PS Vita release

Popular side-scroller Super Hydorah that was released by the very same Limited Run Games on the PS4 a couple of weeks ago has been announced as a physical release for the PlayStation Vita.

The Vita isn't seeing a lot of releases these days so this is cool I guess.

Arcade classic Terra Cresta arrives on Switch

Hamsters ongoing Arcade Archives series is bringing Terra Cresta (1985) to the Nintendo Switch on May 10th.



In other news, this blog has now passed another milestone, its 2 year anniversary!

Black Bird coming this summer on PC, Mac and Switch

Black Bird is a new shmup, first announced 2016, that will land on Nintendos eShop and Steam (for Mac and PC) this summer.


There will be a live stream with more news on the game today.

Switched on shmups

We knew it was on it's way but making it official that Treasure's beloved Ikaruga lands on the Nintendo Switch on May 29th is still something of a milestone. Yes, it's available on Steam, GameCube, Dreamcast and the Xbox 360/One but it's still great to see it available on the switch so you can "take it anywhere".



The second great news is that Zerodiv will bring Psikyos Gunbird 2 to the Switch. After the first Gunbird it was pretty much inevitable and, of course, very welcome.

The Bullet Heaven review of Star Force (for Switch)

Bullet Heaven seems to be on a roll lately with reviews dropping every other day. Which is nice.