This feels familiar…
I love classic game compilations, especially obscure ones. The IREM collections have been the pure definition of that. I reviewed the first game and was taken back to a bunch of games I haven’t played since the 90s. These titles deliver some truly niche titles that most gamers today have never even heard of. The second collection is even more obscure than the last one. This collection includes three games with multiple versions of each game from ININ and Tozai games. While they may not be household names, these games are definitely worth playing.
So, let’s kick off with what is included. For this collection we get GunForce I and II alongside Air Duel. Like I said, games most people have never heard of. The GunForce series is credited with being one of the first run ‘n gun games, while Air Duel is an aerial shooter that allows players to swap aircraft each level. Both games pioneered mechanics that would be used in their respective genres to this day.
MSRP: $24.99
Platforms: Xbox (reviewed), PlayStation, Switch
Price I’d Pay: $19.99
Let’s start with the GunForce games. The original was released on the SNES in the US, while in Japan it only hit arcades. This game will feel familiar to fans of titles like Metal Slug. It is a left-to-right shooter with plenty of artillery as well as vehicle stages. The comparisons to Metal Slug are impossible, only because more people are familiar with that game, but GunForce actually existed before SNK’s titular title. Having both the SNES and arcade versions is excellent, as players can clearly see how much better arcade games were at the time than home ports. It was a different time.
GunForce II is interesting because this release marks the first time it has been playable in the West. This Japanese only arcade game was released about three years after the original and improved in nearly every area. It was the definition of a great sequel. It is also worth noting that a lot of the developers that worked on the second game went on to make Metal Slug, which further enforces the comparisons. The GunForce series was truly the granddaddy of side-scrolling shooters and it is awesome to finally be able to play the sequel.
Finally, we have Air Duel, which was also only released in Japanese arcades making its debut in the West. This is a vertical shooter in a similar style of something like 1942 from Capcom. The hook in this game is that players can swap up their vehicle every level. It is filled with gorgeous pixel art and large bosses that fill the screen. Not surprising this game was made by the same team that worked on GunForce, so this collection is sort of an homage to this team, and that is awesome. They can finally get the recognition they deserve for pioneering these games.
Much like other collections there are plenty of bells and whistles here. Each game has two modes to choose from, either casual or classic. Casual has save states and DIP switches for the arcade games. There are also cheats in these modes to make the games easier. There are online leaderboards for the classic modes, which is a nice touch. The alternate versions of the games can be selected from the main menu. Sadly, there are no extra features such as history items for these games, but we do get an excellent selection of visual filters. Some of these are above my pay grade, but they are nice to have. The games look and run great.
The second IREM collection may not be packed with well-known games, but it includes important games. These titles set the stage for more popular games and launched the careers of these developers. It is worth knowing that from the outset. That is how I would market this collection, it makes it worth owning alone. Being able to see the origins of classic arcade games is great. Toss in making previously unavailable in the West games and you have a can’t miss collection that any gamer that grew up in 90s arcades would be disappointed to miss out on.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
