Popular Games by ININ Games
Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn Switch
- 29th Aug 2024 (UK/EU)
- 29th Aug 2024 (NA)
ININ Games / Taito Corporation
- 11th Dec 2020 (UK/EU)
- 11th Dec 2020 (NA)
Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! Switch
ININ Games / Taito Corporation
- 23rd May 2023 (UK/EU)
- 23rd May 2023 (NA)
- 25th Feb 2021 (JPN)
- 20th Jun 2021 (UK/EU)
- 20th Jun 2021 (NA)
Wonder Boy: Asha In Monster World Switch
- 28th May 2021 (UK/EU)
- 28th May 2021 (NA)
Reviews of ININ Games Games
Mini Review Taito Milestones 3 (Switch) - Third Time's A Charm
Getting better all the time
The Taito Milestones series has already witnessed two collections (the '3' at the end of the Taito Milestones 3 is a bit of a giveaway), but the odd thing with this series is that the quality has arguably improved with each offering, rather than diminishing as the best games are featured early on. As we noted with the...
Review Shadow Of The Ninja - Reborn (Switch) - A Beautiful, Brutal Return To 8-Bit Basics
Stepping out of the shadow
Though Ninja Gaiden occupied the spotlight on the NES back in the day, there was another similar ninja action game called Shadow of the Ninja which proved to be just about as good and featured two-player co-op. Due to publisher issues, a planned Game Boy version was repurposed as a Ninja Gaiden prequel and a sequel was...
Review Rainbow Cotton (Switch) - The Definitive Version Of This Dreamcast Shooter
I can sing a rail shooter
Developer Success’s flagship franchise since 1991, Cotton's enigmatic Halloween world and cutesy-witchy theme struck a chord with fans of the shoot-'em-up genre. Its zany premise of broomsticking across badlands in search of delicious candy, coupled with a magical mix of coloured gem grabbing, weapon power-ups, flashy...
Review The Legend Of Steel Empire (Switch) - A Classic Steampunk Shmup Gets A Lick Of Paint
Full steam ahead!
We believe it quite impossible to be a shoot-'em-up lover and not have stumbled upon HOT-B’s cult classic Steel Empire, the 1992 Mega Drive-exclusive horizontal shmup that mesmerised players with incredible steampunk aesthetics, an epic soundtrack, and a stiff challenge. Far from forgotten, there have been in the past two...
Review Irem Collection Volume 1 (Switch) - Three Great Games, But One Slim Package
After image
Founded in 1974, Irem, then known as IPM Co. Ltd, began as a distributor and assembler of arcade machines for general stores and other small independent businesses. It wasn’t until 1978 that the relabelled company released its own software. Despite being shoot-'em-up focused, the Irem Collection Volume 1 sidesteps R-Type, the obvious...
Review Air Twister (Switch) - An Arcade Blast From Yu Suzuki's Past, And A Missed Opportunity
Like we did last summer
Back in 2010, the Wii's Sin & Punishment: Star Successor inadvertently informed how, in various ways, the Space Harrier model could be revitalised in a contemporary fashion. In Air Twister, director Yu Suzuki, famous for creating Space Harrier, Out Run, and After Burner (not to mention Shenmu
Latest ININ Games News
Thursday22nd May 2025
News Shenmue III On Switch 2? Publisher's Latest Tease Suggests It Might Be Happening
Get IN(IN)!
After securing the Shenmue III publishing rights last year, ININ Games has dropped us little bits and pieces to suggest a Switch port may be on the cards. Well, the publisher has returned with another tease, but it seems to be Switch 2 in the spotlight this time. The studio recently took to BlueSky to share its love
Friday6th Dec 2024
News New Shenmue III Publisher Asks If You Want To See The Game On Switch
Umm...YES?
ININ Games announced last week that it has officially gained the publishing rights to Shenmue III, the long-awaited third entry in the cult Dreamcast series. Of course, here at Nintendo Life, that got us thinking about the future of the series — particularly given than none of the games have appeared on Switch. And now, ININ Games has...
Saturday30th Nov 2024
News ININ Games Acquires Shenmue 3 Publishing Rights, Teases Announcement
Fans are already calling for a Nintendo release
Nintendo's platforms have hosted all sorts of iconic series over the years, but one we haven't seen just yet is Shenmue. While nothing has admittedly changed on this front, a recent announcement has reignited hopes. ININ Games has revealed it has now "officially acquired" the publishing rights to...
Thursday28th Nov 2024
News Taito Milestones 3 Finally Locks In A Western Release Date On Switch
Dive into the 10-game collection next month
The third entry in Taito's arcade collection series, Taito Milestones 3, has been sitting with a "Winter 2024" Western release window for a good few months now. But today, the day of the game's Japanese launch, no less, we finally have a firm date. Taito Milestones 3 will arrive on Western Switch eShops...
Wednesday28th Aug 2024
Exclusive Shadow Of The Ninja - Reborn's Legendary Devs Reveal Details In New Mini-Doc
"Looking back, it feels like my dream has come true"
As we gear up for the release of Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn, a remake of Natsume's classic NES action platformer, today we can exclusively reveal a new behind-the-scenes look at the development story behind the reimagined version. As put together by publisher ININ Games, the mini-documentary...
Thursday15th Aug 2024
News Shadow Of The Ninja - Reborn Is Getting A Demo On Switch
Update: And it's out now!
Update [Thu 15th Aug, 2024 19:15 BST]: Aaaaand it's here! The Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn demo is available to download now from the Switch eShop. If you like what you see from the demo, you can also pre-order the game so it's ready to download on launch day, which is 29th August 2024. Check out our original story below...
Friday12th Jul 2024
News Rainbow Island Sequel 'Parasol Stars' Finally Gets Modern Console Release For Bargain Price
And it's out now
ININ Games has brought us a digital release of the third game in TAITO's Bubble Bobble series — Parasol Stars: The Story of Bubble Bobble III. The game launched on the Switch eShop yesterday, 11th July 2024, and marks the first time the game has been ported to modern consoles. This modern port of the 1991 classic has many things...
Sunday19th May 2024
News Taito Milestones 3 Coming Winter 2024, First Batch Of Games Revealed
"Get hype for over 7 classic TAITO games"
Last year, it was revealed Taito Milestones 3 was on the way to the Switch and it's now been confirmed it will be arriving locally on the eShop in Winter 2024. The third retro collection will feature "over seven classic Taito games" between the late 1980s and early 1990s. Hamster Corporation, known for its...
Tuesday19th Mar 2024
News Dreamcast Shooter 'Rainbow Cotton' Is Getting A Remake On Switch
Launching in May
The classic Dreamcast shooter Rainbow Cotton is getting a full remake on the Nintendo Switch, and it's launching soon on 9th May, 2024. Boasting revamped visuals, improved game mechanics, and a new 2-player local multiplayer mode, the remake is said to be a faithful recreation of the original while bringing it in line with modern...
Saturday24th Feb 2024
News Irem Collection Volume 2 "Currently Postponed" While Dev Fixes Issues With First Game
The next patch is coming ASAP
ININ Games has shared an official statement about its upcoming Irem Collection Volume 2 via social media, confirming the release has been postponed. The developer wants the sequel collection to be released in a state "that's as flawless as can be" rather than repeat the Volume 1 launch which was released with "several...
Friday26th Jan 2024
News Shadow Of The Ninja Remake Locks In 'Summer 2024' Switch Release
Strictly Limited physical pre-orders "available now"
ININ Games has today revealed Shadow of the Ninja: Reborn will be arriving on the Switch and other platforms in Summer 2024. This information was revealed in a new comparison trailer earlier today, which you can view above. When it does arrive, players can look forward to both digital and...
Tuesday16th Jan 2024
News The Gorgeous Switch Revamp Of 'Steel Empire' Drops Next Week
Legend reborn
Remember Steel Empire for the Sega Mega Drive? What about the GBA release? 3DS? Well, whichever one you've experienced, if any, you'll be happy to know that an updated version dubbed The Legend of Steel Empire is about to drop for the Nintendo Switch on January 23rd, 2024. Boasting updated visuals and improved controls, The Legend of...
Tuesday24th Oct 2023
News Yu Suzuki's Rail Shooter 'Air Twister' Is Full Of Unlockable Features In New Trailer
Out next month
Ys Net's Air Twister, the once-Apple Arcade exclusive rail shooter from veteran game developer Yu Suzuki, dropped a brand new trailer last week showcasing a myriad of features which will be included in the game at launch. Swooping onto Switch on 10th November, you'll be able to unlock additional modes by acquiring stars and tickets...
Tuesday27th Jun 2023
News Yu Suzuki's 'Air Twister' Is Space Harrier With Swans, Coming To Switch November
Takes flight from Apple Arcade
In 2022, renowned creator and industry figure Yu Suzuki revealed that his development studio Ys Net was creating an arcade-style shooter exclusively for Apple Arcade. Now, publisher ININ Games has revealed that the very game — which is a love letter and spiritual successor to Suzuki's Space Harrier — is coming to...
Tuesday20th Jun 2023
News Ray'Z Arcade Chronology Brings A Trio Of Classic Taito Shmups To Switch This Month
No sign of R-Gear in the digital edition
The three main shmups in Taito's 'Ray' series will be flying onto Switch as a part of a special digital collection titled Ray'z Arcade Chronology from 30th June. Not to be confused with the RayStorm X RayCrisis HD Collection that was revealed back in April, this co
Wednesday31st May 2023
News Taito Milestones 2 Collects Even More Arcade Archives Titles On Switch This August
Back at it again
Publisher ININ Games has today announced that it will be releasing Taito Milestones 2 — the follow-up to last year's Taito Milestones — worldwide on Switch on 31st August in both digital and physical form. Much like the former game, this collection will bring together a series of the studio's classic arcade titles, many of...
Wednesday24th May 2023
News Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! "Limited-Time" Demo Arrives On Switch eShop
Pop some bubbles while you can
As part of the release of Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! on the Nintendo Switch this week, a free "limited-time" trial has been made available on the eShop. This special demo is playable from now until 30th June and can be played as many times as you like during this period, as long as you have access to an NSO...
Monday17th Apr 2023
News RayStorm X RayCrisis HD Collection Brings Two Taito Shmup Masterpieces To Switch
Out June
ININ Games is bringing two Taito all-timers to Switch in the form of RayStorm X RayCrisis HD Collection. Confirmed for a western release last year by the publisher, an eShop listing for 30th June 2023 has appeared, suggesting that we won't have to wait too long to get our hands on this classic bundle. RayStorm and RayCrisis (also known as...
Monday3rd Apr 2023
News After 30 Years, Cannon Dancer Will Finally Be Out On Consoles Next Week
The unofficial sequel to Strider is almost here
Cannon Dancer - Osman — affectionately dubbed "the unofficial sequel to Strider" — will finally be playable on consoles from 13th April 2023 with both a physical and digital launch. After its original eShop release date slipped from both January and March to April (spotted by gosokkyu, via Tim
Tuesday21st Mar 2023
Hands On Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! - A Warm, Cuddly Return (Except For The Space Invaders)
It's a Taito blowout
It's hard to argue that Bub and Bob aren't the most adorable video game dinosaurs of all time (sorry, Yoshi), so we were delighted when the dynamic duo returned with the Switch-exclusive Bubble Bobble 4 Friends back in 2019. It was exactly as we remembered their pixels back in the dusty halls of the arcade growing up, just a...
Thursday2nd Feb 2023
News Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! Will Get Popping On Switch This May
Bub's your uncle
Taito's Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! is launching on the Switch eShop on 23rd May, ININ Games has announced. You'll also be able to snap up a physical edition over at ININ Games' website. Bringing four-player co-op to the beloved spin-off series, ININ Games also revealed a brand new mode coming to the new game — One vs. One Online...
Thursday19th Jan 2023
News Japanese Best-Seller 'Ninja JaJaMaru' Gets Multiple Collections On Switch
Out February
Jaleco's classic Ninja JaJaMaru series makes its grand return in February, bursting onto the Switch with three different collections that will be available on 21st February! Published by ININ Games, all three collections will be available on the Switch eShop, along with some physical releases. Many of the games on these collections...
Thursday5th Jan 2023
Feature "Arcade Games Are Poetry" - 'Strider' Director On The Return Of 'Cannon Dancer'
"Now you can enjoy the miracle of a timeless classic of the past"
One of 2023's biggest surprises is the return of Cannon Dancer - Osman. Developed by Mitchell Corporation and released in arcades in 1996, thanks to a limited run of arcade machines for the game in the west, this side-scrolling gem was once lost to time. But very soon — 9th March...
Wednesday14th Dec 2022
News Wonder Boy Anniversary Collection To Get Switch eShop Release Next Year
21 Wonder Boys abound!
ININ Games is giving Wonder Boy Collection a little bit of a boost. An expanded digital release of this year's compilation, called Wonder Boy Anniversary Collection, is coming to the eShop on 26th January 2023. Now, if you're a little bit confused, there are a fair few differences compared to June 2022's Collection — at...
Thursday8th Sep 2022
News Cannon Dancer, The Strider 'Spiritual Successor', Officially Confirmed For Switch
Physical release also coming
Just a few weeks ago we caught wind that Cannon Dancer — often referred to as the unofficial sequel to the Capcom classic Strider — would be coming to the Switch. With no official announcement nor Western confirmation, we kept our excitement tightly under wraps. But the wrapper is off now, folks! We now have a brand...
Wednesday31st Aug 2022
News The 'Unofficial Strider Sequel' Cannon Dancer Is Finally Coming To Consoles
Step and stride
As we're only weeks away from this year's Tokyo Game Show, we're starting to find out what games developers and publishers will be showing off at the annual convention. And amidst Konami's line-up — which includes multiple Yu-Gi-Oh! games, Super Bomberman R 2, and Coffee Talk Episode 2 — is the surprise return of a forgotten...
Thursday25th Aug 2022
News We're Getting A New Four-Player 'Puzzle Bobble' Exclusively On Switch Next Year
Everybubble celebrate!
Puzzle Bobble — once known as Bust-A-Move in the west — is one of our favourite Taito franchises, so we're always happy to see more entries in this Bubble Bobble spin-off series. And Taito has today revealed the next new entry, coming exclusively to Switch in 2023. Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! doesn't just come with an...
Tuesday16th Aug 2022
News Chaotic Animal Beat-'Em-Up 'Jitsu Squad' Coming To Switch Later This Year
Feel the paw-er
The Switch is having a good year for animal-based beat-'em-ups (Kaiju! Turtles! Uh... Girls?), and Jitsu Squad, the upcoming release from ININ Games, looks set to add
Tuesday24th May 2022
News It's Official, Wonder Boy Collection Is Out On 3rd June
Wonderful news!
ININ Games has revealed that the upcoming Wonder Boy Collection is indeed launching on 3rd June. Containing four iconic Wonder Boy titles — Wonder Boy, Wonder Boy in Monster Land (both arcade), and two Mega Drive/Genesis titles Wonder in Monster World
Wednesday20th Apr 2022
News Cute 'Em Up 'Cotton Fantasy' Secures May Release Date On Switch
Will the landing be silky smooth?
Light-hearted shmup Cotton Fantasy finally has a release date on Switch. We originally expected to get the game towards the start of the year, but publisher ININ Games has revealed the witch-based shoot 'em up is coming to consoles on 20th May. The latest entry in the long-running Cotton series sees Cotton and Silk...
Thursday3rd Mar 2022
News Wonder Boy Collection Is Coming To Switch This Year
Update: 'Exclusive' version will benefit from more titles
Update #2 [Thu 3rd Mar, 2022 15:45 GMT]: Strictly Limited Games has confirmed that it is releasing an exclusive version of Wonder Boy Collection which will benefit from more titles than the standard edition. Here are the games included in this exclusive edition: Original Title...
Sunday27th Feb 2022
Feature "I Think Studio Saizensen And I Will Make A Second Cotton Rock 'N' Roll”
Cotton Fantasy devs on building a new entry for the iconic cute-’em-up series
Over the decades Success Corporation has crafted a great many shmups that are distinct and captivating in equal measure. Games like the sublime Psyvariar, with its remarkable bullet grazing system and adaptive difficulty, or the curious, vibrant-yet-gritty...
Thursday20th Jan 2022
News Cotton Fantasy Delayed Until Spring On Switch
Light-hearted shooter's release date pushed back in West
ININ Games has announced a delay to the release of its upcoming shoot 'em up, Cotton Fantasy. The game, which landed in Japan on December 23rd of last year as Cotton Rock 'n' Roll, was expected to arrive in the West in the early part of 2022 for Switch gamers, but will now not see a release...
Saturday6th Nov 2021
Feature How United Games Entertainment Is Bridging The Gap Between Japan And The West
"Nothing is more fun than creating products and services that people love"
Chances are, you might not have heard of the German company United Games Entertainment, but you'll almost certainly have heard of one of its sub-brands. Strictly Limited Games, for example, is one of the many firms currently pushing special editions of modern titles, while...
Tuesday21st Sep 2021
News More Cotton Games Are Coming, Including The Extremely Rare Panorama Cotton
Along with Cotton 100% and Cotton Guardian Force Saturn Tribute
Earlier this year we had a Western release of Cotton Reboot!, which took a well regarded but niche arcade shoot 'em up title - or more accurately the best port of the arcade - and introduced it to a wider audience. It's pretty darn good, too. Strictly Limited Games and ININ Games are...
Thursday22nd Apr 2021
News Star Renegades Special Editions Up For Grabs On Switch
5000 copies in total
Star Renegades was rather highly regarded when it arrived on Switch eShop in late 2020; it's a stylish game with its own unique take on the roguelike turn-based battle genre. We were pretty glowing in our review, describing it as "a title that absolutely belongs in your Switch library". For big fans of the game the good news is...
Monday15th Mar 2021
News Wonder Boy - Asha In Monster World Director Explains Why He Chose That Divisive 2.5D Art Style
"I would be able to produce higher quality work in 3D"
Wonder Boy - Asha In Monster World's seen criticism since getting announced. Offering us a remake of Monster World IV in a similar fashion to The Dragon’s Trap, this latest entry has dropped the previous 2D visuals for a 2.5D art style, placing 3D characters into 2D gameplay. That's proven...
Sunday14th Mar 2021
Feature Clockwork Aquario Developers On The Restoration Of Westone's Lost Arcade Gem
We speak to the team, including Wonder Boy creator Ryuichi Nishizawa
For video game fans who have been playing in arcades and at home for several decades now, the topic of preservation has become a pressing one in recent years. As ageing technology inevitably fails and we sadly begin losing the creators who were there at the dawn of digital...
Monday25th Jan 2021
News Wonder Boy - Asha in Monster World Gets A New Trailer And Fresh Details
Physical edition exclusively contains the original Monster World IV too
Wonder Boy's been getting a lot of love in recent years. We've witnessed successful remake with The Dragon's Trap, an entertaining sequel with Monster Boy, and now, W
Thursday11th Jun 2020
Two collections, 10 games, 16 versions
Darius Cozmic Collection Arcade and Darius Cozmic Collection Console will both land on the Switch eShop next week, on 16th June. The Arcade collection includes four different titles across seven different versions, and the Console version includes six titles across nine different versions. Here's a rundown of...
Friday18th Oct 2019
Random This Switch Game Manual Has Controls For The Wrong Platform
Got a DualShock 4 handy?
As satisfying as it is to see an instruction manual inside a video game case nowadays, it's no use when it doesn't actually include the controls of the system you're playing on. This is exactly what a Reddit and YouTube user encountered when they picked up a European physical copy of The Ninja Saviors: Return of the...
Thursday22nd Aug 2019
News The Ninja Saviors: Return Of The Warriors Gets A Delay In North America
Due to "unforeseen logistical challenges"
It has been revealed that The Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors will be subject to a delay in North America, while the European release remains unaffected. The game – which is a sequel to the brilliant SNES title – hits Europe on August 30th, as was originally planned. However, the North American...
