Shmups

The new game is set to feature high-definition visuals, an enhanced soundtrack featuring a remix of Project X's title track from the original Amiga composer Allister Brimble, 35 random power-ups to find and unlock, two player co-op, and online leaderboards.

Here is the link to the Steam page. A demo of the game is also available to try out, to try before you buy.

Published with Toaplan's blessing (well, it's technically Tatsujin's blessing, the company founded by former staffer Masahiro Yuge, which owns the IP), the Atari 7800 version of Tiger-Heli is a towering technical achievement, even if it pales in comparison to the original arcade version. In terms of gameplay and challenge, it's as close a match as you could possibly hope for on a console designed in 1984 – the year before Tiger-Heli arrived in arcades.

I missed this run when it originally aired, and it just now popped up in my YT feed. From the description:

Runner introduction starts at 0:00
Run starts at 0:23

Commentary is provided by Eldra, Hafkie andPheynixIgnition cartridgeblowers is host

This speedrun was recorded during Summer Games Done Quick 2025, a week long charity speedrun marathon raising money for Doctors Without Borders. Summer Games Done Quick 2025 is just one of the many charity marathons organized by Games Done Quick. For more information on Summer Games Done Quick 2025, find us at: https://gamesdonequick.com/

Personal note: This is a poor review written by someone who didn't even look at the press-kit. I hate being negative, but this is a review of 2x8 games and the author seems to focus on Zero Wing's notoriety, and graphics, etc., when (I think) some of these variants have never had a modern console release (except on Evercade).

Edit: here is a review with game-by-game commentary

I will likely get these collections when my pay comes in (and maybe Gradius too...).

I wish I still had my Genesis :(

I've really been enjoying the Steam version.

From the description:

In episode 084, MetalFRO and Addicted kick off Pacific Theater Summer with the Capcom classic WWII shoot-em-up 1943!

Per the description (auto-translated from Spanish):

Available on December 18 in Japan for Nintendo Switch, both in standard edition and in Collector's Edition.

It seems that Play Asia is taking pre-orders now.

Real voices, real voice actors.

There's a Steam page up for the game now, with more info, too!

Even if people download the pirated ROM, I hope at some point they square up and buy a legit copy at some point in the future.

Hey folks! I'd love to hear about what you're playing this weekend. I'll be digging into the Steam version of Earthion -- anybody else?

Now, about Game of the Month... the last GOM, post got no comments even though it was posted pretty far in advance of the end of July. It's totally fine, but it does suggest that people aren't really into the idea.

So I'm putting the GOM posts on ice while I invite the community to suggest some stuff that they'd rather see in its place, or a better way to handle it. Feel free to pitch in! I'd love to hear from y'all!

Have a great weekend!

Treasure is one of the great OG Japanese developers, and of note to shmup fans mostly for Ikaruga and Radiant Silvergun. But they made a bunch of great stuff. FTA:

This intriguing Treasure interview with President Masato Maegawa originally appeared in Nintendo Dream magazine in 2004. Coinciding with the release of Guardian Heroes Advance, Maegawa looks back at twelve years of Treasure's history and offers various insights into his philosophy of game development, 2D vs 3D design, working with Nintendo, and more

The first of the reviews are in!

And here it is on Steam! Consoles will have to wait until mid-September, but PC players (who don't mind using Steam) can grab it now.