Extreme nostalgia
Growing up in the 90s I was exposed to a ton of video games, and during that era we weren’t always aware of who made them, or what legacy they carried with them. Shooters were a dime a dozen, and while some had familiar mechanics, I never thought about who made them. As it turned out, there was one company that had a generational run during that era, that company was known as Toaplan. Their shooters are legendary, and even if we didn’t know who they were back then, mention one of their games, and likely someone will recognize it if you were playing games at that time. One such game was Truxton, also known as Tatsujin in Japan, and it is easily one of those classics I have never forgotten.
The original game, which was released in 1988, was known for its extreme difficulty and of course skull-shaped bombs. It was fast and frenetic, and still considered one of the greatest shooters of all time. It gained more popularity in the West after being released on the Sega Genesis. Fast forward to 2026 and it is making a return with Truxton Extreme. This new shooter doesn’t just retain the name, but original members of Toaplan have also returned with their new company, aptly named Tatsujin Co.
MSRP: $24.99
Platforms: Xbox (reviewed), PlayStation, Switch, PC
Price I’d Pay: $24.99
This brings us to Truxton Extreme. This is a brand-new entry in the series, with a lot of familiar mechanics. As I mentioned, the skull-shaped screen-clearing bombs are still here. The power-up system also returns; each weapon gets an upgrade for collecting three power-up icons. Most of the same weapons also make a return alongside a host of new ones. The game does an outstanding job of making things feel both familiar, and fresh at the same time. I was getting vibes of the original titles, the masterful design of Toaplan, as well as feeling like a modern game all at the same time.
Extreme also forgoes the TATE mode of the original for a full, widescreen presentation. This opens up the battlefield and gives players more room to work. This changes the dynamics as players have more room to maneuver their craft. There are eight stages to plow through, and it will take time to master them for sure. Truxton was never an easy series, and Extreme is no exception. While I have nostalgia for these titles, my aging skills are not quite as sharp as they were when I was a teenager.
Thankfully, there is an easy mode for newcomers and us less-skilled older players who simply do not have the reflexes anymore. In addition to that co-op joins the game for the first time, and it is as chaotic as you think it is. I had a blast with this mode. The standard arcade is here alongside a museum to see all the ships and models. There is even a story mode that is better than it has any right to be. The game allows players to customize the game with bombs and lives, so fear not older gamers, we can still relive the glory.
Visually the game has a very sharp, clean look. Some will love it, others maybe not. The gritty pixelized design of the original was so iconic. I go back and forth on the new design. It has some fantastic designs, but at times I felt it looked a little ‘too clean’ for my liking. The frame rats thankfully never missed a beat. The game is rock solid no matter what is onscreen, which is great. That is one way modern shooters are so much better than the 90s era. The music is simply sublime with both new and familiar tracks. Shooters always have outstanding music, and Extreme is no exception.
Truxton Extreme is about as good as a return for this series could be. My gripes are minor and mostly revolve around its aesthetic. For better or worse, this looks like a new game, and it misses some of that gnarly pixel design. Outside of that everything else is stellar. Fans of shooters should not miss this one. This entry offers up a challenge if you want it, and plenty of accessibility if you need it. Now to fire up my soundtrack to Hellfire.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
