Wing Warriors: new homebrew shmup for SEGA Master System

Every once in a while these things happen, a very old console or home computer gets a new shmup.

This is such an occasion, Wing Warriors is a new homebrew shmup for the SEGA Master System. It's free so just go grab it!

Nicalis teases physical Ikaruga for PS4 and Switch again

As I reported way back in June, Ikaruga is coming around for another round of physical releases, this time for PS4 and Switch.

Nicalis tweeted yesterday that the physical releases are in production.

It's a great game so i'll be sure to get a fresh. new copy or two when it arrives. So should you.

The Darius games goes west and physical on Switch and PS4

Strictly Limited Games is celebrating their second anniversary with a very special release.

The games will release in 3 different editions for both PlayStation 4 and Switch.

As SLG puts it:
To start our celebrations, we are proud to announce the English localization of one of the highest revered game series in the history of video gaming. We are thrilled to inform you that the Darius Cozmic Collection will FINALLY get a proper localization for the west - for both the Nintendo Switch, and as a worldwide first release - the PlayStation 4!

The Darius series pioneered horizontal Shoot 'Em Up games and was developed by the legendary TAITO Corporation in Japan. The first Darius game was released for arcade machines back in 1986. In Darius, the player slips into the role of a spaceship pilot, either alone or in two-player mode. The objective is to save the Darius civilization by shooting and fighting through enemy hordes, using the famous space ship the Silver Hawk.

Numerous sequels and ports followed over the years, setting new standards for Shoot 'Em Up excellence each time, from the outstanding soundtracks to the unforgettable opponent design and the innovative branching paths at the end of each section. The Darius Cozmic Collection represents the classic 2D history of the iconic Shoot 'Em Up series.

The different editions:

Darius Cozmic Collection: Arcade

The Arcade Collection contains 4 different arcade titles in 7 versions, as well as an exclusive DARIUS enamel pin badge for 39.99 EUR.

It will be limited to only 1900 Playstation 4 copies and 2500 units for the Nintendo Switch! As mentioned previously, there will be no western physical retail release of this collection.
 

Darius Cozmic Collection Arcade includes 4 different arcade titles in 7 versions:

• DARIUS (old version)
• DARIUS (new version)
• DARIUS (extra version)
• DARIUS II (dual screen version)
• SAGAIA (Ver. 1)
• SAGAIA (Ver. 2)
• DARIUS GAIDEN

The Arcade Edition will come with a unique DARIUS enamel pin badge.

Darius Cozmic Collection: Console

The Console Collection will feature 6 legendary console titles in a total of 9 versions, as well as an exclusive SAGAIA enamel pin badge for the price of 54.99 EUR.

It will be limited to 1900 Playstation 4 copies and 2500 Nintendo Switch copies respectively. As mentioned previously, there will be no physical retail release of this collection.
 

Darius Cozmic Collection Console includes 6 different console titles in 9 versions:

• DARIUS II (Mega Drive JP version)
• SAGAIA (Genesis version)
• SAGAIA (Master System EU version)
• DARIUS TWIN (Super Famicom JP version)
• DARIUS TWIN (Super NES US version)
• DARIUS FORCE (Super Famicom JP version)
• SUPER NOVA (Super NES US version)
• DARIUS ALPHA (PC Engine JP version)
• DARIUS PLUS (PC Engine JP version)

The Console Edition will come with a unique SAGAIA enamel pin badge.

And the piéce du resistánce:

Darius Cozmic Collection: International Collector's Edition

The Collector's Edition is limited worldwide to only 900 copies for the Playstation 4 and 1500 copies for the Nintendo Switch, and contains exclusive fan items from the Darius universe:

• Darius Cozmic Collection Arcade & Console game cartridges/discs for the Nintendo Switch and Playstation 4 respectively
• Omnibus I CD (1997) by Zuntata
• Omnibus II CD (2009) by Zuntata
• Hardcover Arcade Book
• SLG-Exclusive Acrylic Art Cards x6
• Stylish Marquee Stickers x4
• Darius Gaiden Instruction Card
• Instruction Stickers x2
• SLG-Exclusive Enamel Pin Badges x3
• SLG Collector's Box /w Magnetic Closure
• SLG-Exclusive Retro Arcade PCB Cardboard Box

The Darius Collections will be available in two batches:
Round 1: Sunday, 24. November 2019 at 12 AM (midnight) CET.
Round 2: Sunday, 27. November 2019 at 6 PM CET.

Bullet Heaven reviews Remote Life

Available on Steam.

Shmups on Switch raves about Black Bird

I think it's fair to say that it's a pretty unique experience and one you should at least try. Should Switch not be your platform of choice it's also available on Steam.

Buzz Kill Zero has arrived!

Available right now on Steam! There's a demo to try first if you like...

Bullet Heaven reviews Tiger-Heli for the NES

Archaic is a word used.

Rainbows, toilets and unicorns heading to all systems

Rainbows, toilets and unicorns (what is it with shmup naming lately?) is a new shmup heading for Steam, Xbox One, Switch and PlayStation 4.

Check it out:

Sisters Royale physical release for PS4 can be pre-ordered now

Sisters Royale, a previously Switch-exclusive shmup from the makers of Shikigami no Shiro, is heading for PlayStation 4 with a cool bonus: a physical release available to pre-order now.

Release date remains at January 30th 2020. Be sure to get your order in!

The Future Was 8 Bit releases physical C64 shmup Crazy Blaster

Been itching to buy a new physical shmup release for your collection? TFW8B can scratch that for you!


The pitch:

The game play on offer within Crazy Blaster is a mixture between arcade platforming and a shoot’em up game. Pushing up on the joystick will result in thrust being applied to your spacecraft allowing you to navigate from one platform to another. However, the ability to thrust is not infinite, meaning that you will need to apply multiple thrusts to be able to successfully pull off the longer jumps.

Once you eliminate all the aliens and rescue all the cosmonauts, you need to return safely to your base before you can move on to the next level. You will want to do all this before the timer expires as once the clock ticks down to zero, faster and more dangerous enemies will appear and hone in directly on you.

New Neo Geo shooter up on Kickstarter

Project Neon, a new shmup/STG for the Neo Geo platform has hit Kickstarter. You know i'm not the biggest fan of Kickstarter but don't let that deter you from tossing money at projects you care about.

R-Type Dimensions EX hits the App Store

With R-Type dimensions out on seemingly all current and last-gen consoles and  a new entry in the series on the way, perhaps it's only fitting that R-Type Dimensions EX is now also on iOS.

Go devade!

Devader is a new twin-stick shooter out on Steam whose presence had eluded me until just recently.

The pitch:
Devader is an intense 90's-style twin-stick shooter, complete with crazy old-school bosses, powerful strategic abilities and multiple endings. Upgrade your robot with nukes, shields, turrets and more to exterminate the relentless invaders.

Panzer Dragoon: Remake - The Interview

The guys (and gals?) over at Panzer Dragoon Legacy conducted an interview with Benjamin Anseaume who is the producer of the (hopefully epic) remake of the classic on-rails-shooter Panzer Dragoon.

The Panzer Dragoon remake has so far been announced for Switch (including physical release!) and Steam.

Bullet Heaven reviews Armed 7 for Dreamcast

Reminder: Starexcess and Exile Squadron are coming to Steam soon!

Starexcess debuts November 21st on Steam while Exile Squadron arrives a little earlier on the 11th of November. Wishlist now!

Shmups on Switch reviews Sturmwind EX

Sturmwind EX launched recently on Switch and Xbox One so a review is in order right?

For a game that started out on Jaguar, it sure has come a long way. And yes, of course I've played it on my Jaguar!

New Neo Geo shmup/STG Project Neon being teased

Named Project Neon (for now), there is an upcoming trailer and Kickstarter promised soon. It's fun to see the revival the Neo Geo platform has been getting.

Twin-sticker Xeno Crisis is out on literally everything now

After being successfully Kickstarted Xeno Crisis is now shipping for Sega MegaDrive, Sega Dreamcast, Neo Geo MVS/AES, Nintendo Switch, Sony Playstation 4 and Microsofts Xbox One (did I forget a platform?). I forgot a platform: Steam!

In a lovely twist you can buy just the game as a ROM for MegaDrive or a CD image for Dreamcast for people who just want to play the game without the added bulk (and wait for) of packaging.

The soundtrack is also available on vinyl and CD.

Bullet Heaven re-reviews some more shmups on Switch

Bullet heaven has reviewed these games before but takes a second look now that the game is on Switch:

Super Mega Space Blaster Special Turbo coming to PS4 & Switch in January 2020

Super Mega Space Blaster Special Turbo (yeah, really) is a new shmup heading for Playstation 4 and Switch on January 14th 2020.

The skinny:

A modern take on the retro arcade shoot 'em up (shmup). Super Mega Space Blaster Special Turbo is an addictive, fast-paced space shooter with bullet hell elements, loads of unlockables, and leaderboards to climb. The ‘Turbo’ edition of Super Mega Space Blaster Special is the definitive edition giving you more ships, more game modes, more unlockables, more challenges, and more space blasting fun than any ever before. Blast your way through 5 unique game modes including 2 new Turbo edition modes. Save cute astronauts and destroy the boss to claim victory in ‘Save The Colony’ mode. Manage your fuel and ammo to survive to the big-boss in 'Survival' mode. Protect your mothership from damage for as long as you can in 'Protect Mother' mode. Blast your friends into space dust in local competitive multiplayer modes 'To The Death' mode and the new ‘One Shot’ mode. 

Play alone in single player, or with a friend in local co-op to take out the aliens. Collect coins to unlock more space blasters (ships), upgrade your weapons and power-ups, and explore the shop for extra perks. Complete over 40 fun challenges to get those extra coins. Use each space blaster's strengths to your advantage; from turrets that allow twin stick control, to fast manoeuvrable ships that can outrun your foes. Arm yourself to the teeth with awesome power-ups like big-bombs, homing missiles and lasers. Destroy the alien boss and continue the endless gameplay to rack up a massive score and become the ultimate space blaster pilot and top the leaderboards.