Sisters Royale goes physical, pre-order Feb. 23rd

Strictly Limited Games just announced that they will release physical editions of Sisters Royal(e) for both PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch and that pre-orders will begin February 23rd.

Or as they put it:
Released for the Japanese market back in 2018, the story driven Sisters Royal has since been localized for an English language western release and will be available through the eShop and PSN starting today!

As a spiritual successor to the legendary Castle of Shikigami series, Sisters Royal features everything you'd come to expect from a game by stellar japanese dev AlfaSystem. It's vertical side-scrolling gameplay features the following...  

• Tension Bonus System
• Super Secret Fairies
• Several Lovely Characters
• Bombs and Power Shots

The contents of the Collector's Edition will be announced at a later date, closer to when the pre-order goes live, but please expect the same high quality SLG Collector's Editions as you've grown accustomed to. :) 

The History of Zaxxon

It's actually kind of fun to finally post something about Zaxxon.

Cutesy bullethell shmup The Tawashi launched yesterday on Steam

The Tawashi is a new cutesy bullethell shmup that launched yesterday on Steam.

Here's a game play video:

January 26th is when Xeno Crisis goes physical on Switch and PS4

Strictly Limited Games just announced that January 26th is the date pre-orders for Xeno Crisis for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 opens up.

A port of the successfully crowdfunded Sega Mega Drive / Genesis title!

Xeno Crisis is an arena shooter that can be played solo or in local co-op mode. Take control of battle-hardened marines embarking on a deadly mission to confront an alien menace and get home alive! Run and gun your way through thousands of adversaries as you explore the devastated research outpost, searching for surviv
ors, and ultimately facing the origin of the outpost’s demise.

Outpost 88 is divided into seven distinct areas, each being randomly generated with each play, meaning that your strategy must evolve on the fly if you’re to succeed in your mission. Collect dog-tags from vanquished enemies to upgrade your equipment between areas and look out for special weapons which will give you a momentary advantage.

Features:
    A faithful port of the hit 16 bit game with added extras
    Incredible pixel art from the legendary pixel artist, Henk Nieborg
    Intense FM chiptune soundtrack by Savaged Regime, originally created for the YM2612!
    Two difficulty levels and three modes of play
    Seven varied areas to traverse
    Many different enemies to tackle
    An arsenal of 10 weapons to master
    Upgrade system allows you to change your tactics each playthrough
    Play solo or couch co-op with a friend!

There are regular and Collector's Editions as per usual.

The Collector's Edition contains:
    Xeno Crisis Game
    Hardcover CE Box with magnetic lock
    Original Soundtrack CD
    Hardcover Artbook
    Stickersheet
    1x Double-sided A2 Poster
    Military Patch


By the numbers, the PlayStation 4 Collectors Edition will be available in 700 copies, the regular in 1300 copies while Switch Collector's will be available in 1500 copies and the regular in 2500 copies.

Since this is a real gem of a game I fully expect these to go fast no matter what platform you aim for.

The Electric Underground lists the 25 greatest shmups of the 2010s

New Twin-Stick shooter Shwip in early-access on Steam

Shwip is a new twin-stick shooter that has a look similar to Geometry Wars.

The pitch: Dominate global leaderboards as you face off against an onslaught of geometric foes. Shwip combines straight up twin-stick arcade action with tight controls, insane pixel destruction and devastating weapons and abilities. Evade, outlast and play with style in four game modes over single and local multiplayer.

Looks like fun:

Other tidbits: M2 makes a PSA, Sisters Royale goes west etc.

M2 wish to make it clear that their new release of CAVEs ESP.Ra.De should have the moniker "Psy" as opposed to "Psi".

Sisters Royale, the Shikigami-esque game available for both Switch and PS4 in Japan is heading west on both platforms as Sisters Royale: Five Sisters Under Fire! with a January 30th release date.

Retro Cores Battle of the Ports tackles 1942:


Run'n'Gun Valfaris is getting its Japanese debut on both PlayStation 4 and Switch on January 23rd.


Bare Knuckle Development details where the inspiration for their awkwardly-named new shmup Super Mega Space Blaster Special Turbo came from.

Dezatopia has a Steam release date: January 24th

I reported on this one being on its way to Steam and Switch back in october of last year.

The developer just announced on Twitter that it has been submitted to Nintendo for approval on Switch but has a firm release date on Steam: January 24th.

Bells and Whistles have arrived

Hamsters Arcade Archives has a new title up its sleeve on both the PSN Store and on the Nintendo eShop; Bells and Whistles, aka Detana!! Twinbee from former giants Konami. If you like your shmups old-school and cute this will be a title very much up your alley.

Battle of the ports: Galaga ´88

So that clears that up. Including the name of the game. To be honest I have never heard anyone call Galaga "Galaaga" so I guess i'm blessed that way. 👍

Space Invaders Invincible Collection new trailer gives away all included games

Looking good! Not sure i'm willing to plunk down 150€+tax+customs+freight but even the regular edition looks nice!

Physical release of MSX shmup Uchusen Gamma available for pre-order

 

A new shmup for MSX? On cart? Sure! If you don't feel the need for a physical release you can download the ROM free of charge right now.

Shmups on Switch reviews Jets'n'Guns...

...and is not amused.
I think the best thing about the game is its soundtrack which doesn't even get a mention!
Of course I may be biased since Machinae Supremacy, the group behind it, is from my native Sweden. Judge for yourself:

Neon Aileron, new shmup launched yesterday on Steam

Neon Aileron is a retro-style shooter where enemies spawn to the beat of the music. Neon Aileron was created to evoke memories of playing older shooters that pre-date the bullet-hell genre. We call this bullet-lite, because the focus is on shooting enemies instead of dodging complex bullet patterns. Neon Aileron is great for players who are new to the shoot 'em up genre or those who haven't played a horizontal shooter in a while. The forgiving damage system and multiple difficulty levels allow the game to scale to the player's skill level. Switch to the Hard difficulty when you are ready for more of a challenge.

Local 2 player co-op and an included soundtrack when you buy the game sounds nice too.

Deathsmiles II-X review from Bullet Heaven

Technically posted on new years eve in the US, we had already passed that in my time zone so instead of ending the year with this review i'm starting up 2020 with it. I'm hung-over but otherwise ready for a new year of news!