HAMSTER News Articles
Thursday17th Feb 2022
News Namco's Dragon Spirit Is Coming To Arcade Archives On Switch
Arrives in early March
Namco's 1987 fantasy-themed shmup Dragon Spirit is joining the Arcade Archives series on Nintendo Switch, it has been revealed. Notable for fusing traditional shmup mechanics with dragons and other mythical beasts, the game shares similarities with another Namco classic, Xevious, in that the player has a standard shot for...
Wednesday9th Feb 2022
News Classic Coin-Op Thunder Dragon 2 Blasts Off On Switch This Week
Joins the Arcade Archives range tomorrow
Hamster has announced that NMK's vertical shmup Thunder Dragon 2 is joining the Arcade Archives range this week. A sequel to Thunder Dragon – which is also part of the Arcade Archives series – and hit arcades back in 1993. You'll be able to play it solo or simultane
Wednesday2nd Feb 2022
News Namco's 'New Rally-X' Is Joining Arcade Archives On Switch This Week
What's old is new again (but still old)
Hamster has confirmed that this week's Arcade Archives title is Namco's 1981 racer, New Rally-X. Originally released in 1981, New Rally-X improves on the original Rally-X (which is also part of the Arcade Archives series) by showcasing ever-so-slightly better visuals and a new soundtrack. It also has easier...
Sunday16th Jan 2022
But it needs to know what you think...
Right before the end of 2021, during one of Hamster's Arcade Archives streams, Hori revealed a special "retro game controller" designed for old-school gaming and Arcade Archives titles. So far they've come up with a bunch of concepts - including a modular one, which would allow plays to change the controller...
Thursday30th Dec 2021
News Hamster's Final Arcade Archives Release Of 2021 Is Mutant Night
Out December 30th
Hamster Corporation has once again made it to the end of another year, so how is it ending it? It's final Arcade Archives release of 2021 is UPL's 1987 arcade platform shooter Mutant Night. Here's a bit about it, along with a look: "Players will control a mysterious character named "Mutron-kun" who will power up using various...
Tuesday21st Dec 2021
News Xexex, One Of Konami's Greatest Shmups, Is Coming To Switch This Week
The Arcade Archives range expands again
Hamster has done a fantastic job in bringing a host of cult arcade games to home systems of late, and it's continuing the trend with the cult classic Xexex (pronounced "Zekseks"), which joins the Arcade Archives range next week. Originally released in 1991 and powered by hardware that was far more advanced...
Thursday9th Dec 2021
News 'Lost' Namco Title That Inspired The First Live-Action Video Game Movie Is Coming To Switch
Pre-dating Super Mario, Street Fighter and Double Dragon's movies
Next week's Arcade Archives release is Mirai Ninja, a Japan-only Namco title from 1988 which was never ported to any home system, and holds a special place in video game history. Released in the same year as Keita Amemiya's 1988 movie Mirai Ninja: Keigumo Kinin Gaiden (known as Cyber...
Wednesday8th Dec 2021
News Namco's Groundbreaking Dragon Buster Is Coming To Switch This Week
Joins the Arcade Archives range tomorrow
Hamster has revealed that the next entry in its long-running Arcade Archives series is Namco's 1984 title Dragon Buster. Notable for being one of the first arcade games to fuse RPG elements with the ability to select your level based on a world map, Dragon Buster followed in the footsteps of Namco's...
Friday3rd Dec 2021
"An adventure of danger and excitement"
Hamster's made it to the final month of the year and it's started out with Taito's action-platformer arcade title, Liquid Kids. This game made its debut in the arcades in 1990 and was followed by a number of home console ports. Here's a bit more about it, along with a look - courtesy of Nintendo Life...
Friday26th Nov 2021
News Another Namco Title Has Joined Hamster's Arcade Archives On Switch
Download it from the eShop today
This week's Arcade Archives release on the Switch eShop is the 1983 Namco release, Phozon. It's described as an action game where the player controls a nucleus called 'chemic' and must merge with molecules to complete specified formations. "Control a nucleus called CHEMIC and merge with MOLECULES to complete...
Thursday18th Nov 2021
News Another Taito Game Joins Hamster's Arcade Archives Collection On Switch
A blast from the past
If you're looking for some more retro action on your Switch, then why not check out Raimais when it arrives on the Switch eShop later this week. It's the latest addition to Hamster's Arcade Archives collection and is an action game released by Taito back in 1988. Here's a brief rundown, along with some screenshots:...
Thursday11th Nov 2021
News Hamster Adds Another Namco Title To Arcade Archives On Nintendo Switch
More retro goodness
Hamster has been slowly bolstering the Namco Arcade Archives offerings and the latest game to be added to the collection is the 1983 action-puzzle game, Libble Rabble. Here's a bit about it and some screenshots: “LIBBLE RABBLE” is an action puzzle game released by NAMCO in 1983. Control Libble and Rabble to “bashishi”...
Wednesday27th Oct 2021
News Sky Kid Is The Next HAMSTER Arcade Archives Release, Out This Week
Looping round for another shot
The HAMSTER Arcade Archives series keeps on rolling, delivering a broad range of classics with impressive emulation (and extra goodies) of iconic cabinets. This week's arrival, on 28th October, will be Sky Kid; as usual for this series it'll cost $7.99USD with regional equivalents. The name may be familiar to eager...
Thursday21st Oct 2021
News Hamster Adds Another Namco Classic To Arcade Archives On Nintendo Switch
Mappy is back
In recent times, Hamster has been releasing Bandai Namco games for its Arcade Archives collection on the Nintendo Switch. This week, the trend continues with the release of the 1983 action title, Mappy. "Players control MAPPY, an enthusiastic, committed police officer on a mission to reclaim stolen goods from a mansion. Avoid getting...
Tuesday19th Oct 2021
News Arcade Archives Publisher Hamster Has Filed A Trademark For 'Console Archives'
Is even more retro goodness on the way?
Hamster Corporation has been pumping out enhanced arcade releases since the Nintendo Switch arrived on the scene in 2017, but it might finally be time for it to take the next big step in retro preservation. According to a story over on Gematsu, the Japanese company filed a trademark for "Console Archives" in...
Thursday14th Oct 2021
News Another Classic Namco Title Joins Hamster's Arcade Archives This Week
Rally-X returns
This week's arcade archives release from Hamster Corporation is the 1980 Namco "maze chase" classic, Rally-X. Here's some PR and screens: “RALLY-X” is an action game released by NAMCO in 1980. Players control a car and dodge pursuing red cars while collecting flags. Stall the red cars using a smokescreen when they get too...
Friday8th Oct 2021
News Namco's Hack & Slash 'The Genji And The Heike Clans' Joins The Arcade Archives
Out now!
This week's arcade archives release from Hamster Corporation is the 1986 Namco side-scrolling hack 'n slash game, The Genji and the Heike Clans. Here's some PR and screens: "Players control the hero Taira no Kagekiyo on a mission to the capital city of Kamakura, to defeat the Demon Genji Clan's king Yoritomo. The player will face attacks...
Monday4th Oct 2021
News Four More Classic Shmups Confirmed For Switch, Including Konami's Cult Hit, Xexex
Shooter shower!
Hamster – the Japanese company behind the excellent Arcade Archives series – has announced at the Tokyo Game Show that it is bringing four classic shmups to Switch, including Konami's Xexex. Released in 1991, Xexex is held in very high regard by fans of the genre, and sadly never got a domestic port at the time of release (it...
Thursday30th Sep 2021
News Taito Beat 'Em Up Typhoon Gal Joins Hamster's Arcade Archives On Switch
Available from the eShop
This week's Arcade Archives release from Hamster is Typhoon Gal / Onna Sanshirou. It was originally an action beat 'em up game released by Taito in 1985. Here's some PR and screenshots: "Players control martial-arts challenger Yuki as she faces off with the toughest opponents at rival martial arts schools. Yuki can use...
Sunday26th Sep 2021
News Two Namco Classics Join Hamster's Arcade Archives This Week
A double serve of retro games
Hamster Corporation joined in on the Nintendo Direct celebrations earlier this week, with not one but two Namco game releases on the Switch eShop. First up we've got the original PAC-MAN title, released in arcades in 1980. The same rules apply here - players must clear stages by eating all the dots in each round...
Friday17th Sep 2021
News Jaleco's Original Fairy Puzzle Game Soldam Joins The Arcade Archives
Not to be confused with the updated version
Following on from the release of Pop Flamer last week, Hamster's now made another Jaleco arcade classic available. This one is a puzzle game known as Soldam, which was originally released in 1992. If you feel like you might have already played this on the Nintendo Switch before, then you've likely played
Thursday26th Aug 2021
News Another Taito Game Joins Hamster's Arcade Archives This Week
Be the captain in Space Cruiser
Hamster's Arcade Archives series delivers more retro goodness on the Nintendo Switch eShop this week. The latest release is yet another Taito game. This time it's the 1981 arcade shooter Space Cruiser. As the player, you'll take on the role of a space cruiser captain in 2100 AD - patrolling space to ensure peace on...
Friday13th Aug 2021
News Taito Action Beat 'Em Up Kuri Kinton Joins The Arcade Archives On Switch
Take down some baddies
It's another week, and that means another Arcade Archives game is now available on the Nintendo Switch eShop. This time around it's the 1988 Taito side-scrolling action beat 'em up, KURIKINTON - also known as Kuri Kinton. The game follows the martial artists of Kinton as they engage in "brutal battles" with evil fighters, set...
Thursday5th Aug 2021
News Platinum's Retro Sequel 'Sol Cresta' Gets New Trailer (And Yuzo Koshiro)
Out of this world
We heard about Sol Cresta — a sequel to arcade shoot-'em-ups Moon Cresta and Terra Cresta — around April Fool's Day this year, and, honestly, we weren't sure if Platinum Games was pulling our leg (partly because it was their April Fool's joke for 2020). But now, a few months later, they've released
Friday25th Jun 2021
News Arcade Classic Raiden Is Coming To Nintendo Switch Next Week
As part of HAMSTER's Arcade Archives series
HAMSTER is bringing the classic shmup Raiden to the Nintendo Switch as part of its Arcade Archives range next month, it has been announced. The game arrives on the eShop on July 1st. Originally released by Seibu Kaihatsu to great success in 1990, Raiden spawned a long-running series that continues to this...
Wednesday5th May 2021
News 'The Astyanax' Is Coming To Arcade Archives On Switch Tomorrow
Or 'The Lord of King', if you prefer
Retro fans may be interested to know that HAMSTER is bringing Jaleco's 1989 side-scrolling action game The Astyanax to the Switch eShop tomorrow as part of its Arcade Archives range. Known as The Lord of King in Japan, this game appears to take inspiration from other fantasy brawlers of the time such as Rastan...
Monday26th Apr 2021
News Konami's Classic Coin-Op Shooter Thunder Cross II Hits Switch This Week
Bring the thunder
It has been revealed that this week's Arcade Archives release is Konami's 1991 shmup Thunder Cross II, the sequel to the popular 1988 original (which is also available on Switch). While the Gradius series tends to get all of the attention, both Thunder Cross outings are worth a loo
Friday2nd Apr 2021
News No Joke, PlatinumGames Is Releasing Sol Cresta On The Nintendo Switch
Update: "It's not an April Fool's joke"
Update [Fri 2nd Apr, 2021 06:35 BST]: Well, if you had any doubts about yesterday's announcement, PlatinumGames has now published another tweet - this time on April 2nd, Japan time. It reconfirms the Sol Cresta will arrive on Switch, PS4 and Steam at some point this year. Here's the official tweet from...
Wednesday31st Mar 2021
News The Absolute Worst Castlevania Is Coming To Arcade Archives On Switch
"We would have liked to make it a better game if we had the time"
Konami's Castlevania series is one of video gaming's all-time greats, with some amazing entries under its blood-soaked belt – Castlevania III, Super Castlevania IV, Dracula X and Symphony of the Night being notable
Thursday11th Mar 2021
News Thunder Dragon Brings More Shoot 'Em Up Action To The Switch This Week
Hamster's latest release
This week's Arcade Archives release from Hamster is Thunder Dragon. A top-down shoot 'em up released by NMK in 1991. Your mission is to pilot a combat helicopter, known as the "Thunder Dragon", and stop a group of mad scientists who have taken over an automated weapon of destruction. Along the way, you'll utilise four...
