Toaplan Classics Return with New Arcade Collections
Fans of classic shoot ’em ups are in for a treat as Bitwave and Clear River Games release two new Toaplan Arcade Collections, bringing eight titles from the beloved japanese arcade developer to modern consoles and digital stores. ToaplanS arcade hits had previously been seeing a resurgence thanks to M2’s Toaplan Arcade Garage series, but updates stalled after Zero Fire in summer 2023.
These new collections span Toaplan’s history, focusing on vertically scrolling shooters. Players can enjoy arcade staples like Slap Fight alongside early examples of the “bullet hell” genre, such as Batsugun.While six of the included games – Tiger Heli, Twin Cobra, “Flying Shark”, “Fire Shark”, “Hellfire”, and “Zero Wing” – are already available in the M2 collections, this marks the first time the remaining titles have been released on modern consoles in their original arcade form.
Both collections feature a user-amiable interface, allowing players to easily select a game and choose between different regional versions. A robust options menu provides filters, graphic modes, and even the ability to display the full playing field for portrait-oriented titles, correcting the original slight horizontal scroll. Convenient rewind, fast-forward, and slow-motion functions are also accessible via the controller’s shoulder buttons.
However, these collections prioritize gameplay over extensive extras. Don’t expect artwork, past documents, or home console versions of the games. For those seeking a deeper dive into Toaplan’s history, the Evercade retro console’s four Toaplan modules offer printed materials with interesting details about the games’ progress.
