Latest Reviews of Irem Games
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...
Mini Review Arcade Archives In The Hunt (Switch) - One Of The Most Unique Shmups You'll Ever Play
Don't call it sub-par
You could almost be forgiven for mistaking almost any given screenshot of In the Hunt for one of the submarine sections in the much more popular Metal Slug series. They're extremely similar visually, for a very good reason – Irem's cult favourite sub-'em-up was developed by the same team who went on to form Nazca and make the...
Review R-Type Dimensions EX (Switch) - Two Arcade Classics For The Price Of One
Irem-emember you
The shoot 'em up genre is the very definition of ‘easy to learn, hard to master’. At its core it's probably easier to explain than any other type of game: move around and shoot things, job done. Despite this, most shoot 'em ups tend to be extremely difficult. Whether it's because their roots are based in the arcades – where...
Review Arcade Archives 10-Yard Fight (Switch eShop)
8-16-Nintendo 64. Set… Hut-Hut-FUMBLE!?
American Football! We don’t ‘get it’ on this side of the pond, but that’s okay because we do know that the sport translates to excellent video games. However, translating the action of gridiron to the hardware available in 1983 was no easy feat. Irem took on this task and the end result was the very...
Review Arcade Archives Moon Patrol (Switch eShop)
The bright side of the moon
Irem’s Moon Patrol is a simple game across two auto-scrolling levels. Control is limited to adjusting the speed of your vehicle (forwards to accelerate, back to decelerate) as it trundles along the surprisingly colourful surface of the moon. There are two cannons that fire upon pressing this button (one vertical, one...
Review Arcade Archives Heroic Episode (Switch eShop)
Middling experience
HAMSTER may not release titles in its Arcade Archives series as frequently as with its ACA Neo Geo one, but it does similarly seem determined to release whatever it can. R-Type is on the way, but before then there’s this lesser-known Irem title. Originally released in Japan as Yōjūden, Arcade Archives Heroic Episode puts you...
Review Arcade Archives Traverse USA (Switch eShop)
A basic but fun highscore chaser
The Switch may still lack a Virtual Console, but HAMSTER is keen to fill that void. Having released many Neo Geo titles (with more appearing regularly), the company has now started to bring other retro delights to the system. It's already released one of Nintendo's own games and now here’s the first offering from...
Review R-Type (Wii U eShop / TG-16)
More like our type
You can't have a conversation about shoot-'em-ups, or shmups, without mentioning R-Type. Back in the late '80s and early '90s the game was synonymous with the genre. Unfortunately for Nintendo fans at the time one of the best ports of the arcade classic was on the TurboGrafx-16, an also-ran console that never found its place in...
Review Spelunker (3DS eShop / NES)
Go back to your cave and stay there
Ask a few western gamers about Spelunker and it's likely that barely any of them will have heard of the game, despite it being originally developed by an American company. Ask Japanese gamers, though, and it's a completely different story — the game is very well known to them and is joked about online all the...
Review Spelunker (Wii U eShop / NES)
Deeper underground
Ask a few western gamers about Spelunker and it's likely that barely any of them will have heard of the game, despite it being originally developed by an American company. Ask Japanese gamers, though, and it's a completely different story — the game is very well known to them and is joked about online all the time, though not...
Latest Irem Articles
Poll Box Art Brawl: Super R-Type
Make a choice, R-kid
Hi folks, and welcome back to another edition of Box Art Brawl! Last week, we checked out Astro Boy: Omega Factor for the Game Boy Advance, and would you believe it, we had a draw! Both the EU/NA and Japanese variants bagged 50% of the vote each, so uhh... We've either got two winners or no winner at all. We'll let you decide!...
News Granzella's R-Type Tactics I & II Remakes Are Coming To Switch In "Fall 2024"
Update: Now scheduled to release next year
Update #3 [Sat 30th Dec, 2023 08:30 GMT]: Earlier this year in July, it was announced the release date of "Summer 2023" for R-Type Tactics I • II Cosmos had been pushed back to 2024, with the aim to launch the game at the "earliest possible date". Now in an new broadcast this week, Granzella has narrowed...
Feature 'Arcade Perfect' Be Damned: R-Type DX Is Still Portable Perfection
Bydo To The Future
R-Type may be 34 years old but the beyond-enthusiastic reception for R-Type Final 2's Kickstarter proved Irem’s long-running series is much more than a nostalgic memory held close by a few greying fans, or vintage shmup still hazily respected from a great distance. R-Type can still generate hype and open up wallets; the thought...
Gallery Breaking The Seal On Retro-Bit's 'Undercover Cops' Reissue
One of the rarest Super Famicom games lives again
Irem's Undercover Cops is one of the most expensive Super Famicom titles, regularly changing hands for $200 just for the loose cartridge. However, Retro-Bit has come to our rescue with a reissue of the game which comes with a bunch of other goodies that collectors will want to check out. Retro-Bit...
News Irem's SNES Brawler Undercover Cops Is Getting A New Physical Release
And it comes with loads of goodies, too
One of Irem's 1990s classics is getting a fresh physical release this year, thanks to American company Retro-Bit. Undercover Cops originally launched in arcades in 1992, and built upon the legacy of Kung-Fu Master, which Irem had released way back in 1984. Set in a post-apocalyptic 2043, it's a...
News R-Type Final 2's Release Date Confirmed For Spring 2021
Blasting off again
R-Type Final 2 will hit Switch and other formats early next year, it has been revealed. The latest issue of Weekly Famitsu magazine confirmed the news. The shooter – which is the sequel to the 2003 PlayStation 2 original (itself part of a series which began life in arcades in the '80s) – was crowdfunded to the tune of...
Gallery Unboxing Metal Storm, The NES Hidden Gem That's Getting A Second Chance
Irem's cult classic is available once more
While your typical console has plenty of AAA titles which gain plenty of attention and bumper sales, there are always a few underrated gems which slip through the cracks for one reason or another. Irem's Metal Storm is one such title; originally released in the US to positive reviews in 1991, it was...
News Metal Slug Forerunner In The Hunt Is Coming To Switch
Thanks, Hamster!
Japanese company Hamster has been doing sterling work of late bringing classic arcade titles to the Switch via its Arcade Archives line, and it's lining up a release for one of Irem's most loved shooters. In The Hunt – known in Japan as Kaitei Daisensō – was originally released in 1993 and was developed by the same core team...
News Irem's Vigilante Joins The Arcade Archives Downloadable Series This Week
Take the law into your own hands
If River City Girls is beyond your budget, and you still want some beat 'em up action on Switch this week, then it might be worth taking a look at Hamster's latest Arcade Archives game, Vigilante. It was originally released by the Japanese developer Irem (best known for R-Type) in 1988 and is designed for 1-2...
News Irem's Classic Shoot 'Em Up X Multiply Is Coming To Arcade Archives On Switch
Blast some aliens
The classic side-scrolling shoot 'em up XMultiply is expected to make a comeback on the Switch thanks to Hamster's glorious retro line, Arcade Archives. If you're not familiar with this title, you might at least know the Japanese developer behind it. Irem was best known for R-Type back in the day. XMultiply - released in 1989 - is...
News R-Type Dimensions EX Lands On Switch At The End Of The Month
Bydo beware!
Shmup aficionados can circle their calendars on 28th November, the date that R-Type Dimensions EX releases on the Switch eShop, at long last adding Irem's revered, evil alien empire shooter to the ever-growing list of shoot 'em ups on Nintendo's hybrid system. If you're unfamiliar with this iteration of Irem's classic, know that it is...
News Hamster Adding Even More Games To The Arcade Archives On Switch
Switch virtual arcade salons are receiving a major update
While all of us at Nintendo Life are still rejoicing over yesterday's confirmation of the puzzling adventures of a certain well-known dinosaur duo, Hamster overnight revealed the Arcade Archives release schedule for the Switch. If you want to be surprised on the eShop every week, you should...
Gallery Unboxing Retro-Bit's Incredible R-Type And Holy Diver Limited Editions
Limited to 2,900 copies each
Retro-Bit is doing an excellent job when it comes to keeping the past alive, and has already released a couple of welcome compilations for the NES and SNES. However, the company has really outdone itself with its latest project, which features limited edition versions of Irem's R-Type and Holy Diver, for the SNES and...
News Coin-Op Gridiron Classic 10-Yard Fight Is Coming To Switch Next Week
Hut!
Hamster is bringing Irem's classic 10-Yard Fight to the Switch eShop as part of the Arcade Archives range, it has been revealed. A listing on the eShop shows that the 1983 classic - along with its 1984 update, VS 10-Yard Fight, which includes a two-player feature - is hitting the digital store on May 2nd. If you were a NES fan during the...
News World Heroes 2 JET, Moon Patrol And Sol Divide Bring The Retro To Switch Next Week
Jet laggin', Moon patrolin' and Sol devidin'
Circle 22nd March on your calendars, NL retro enthusiast readers, because HAMSTER and Zerodiv are after your tokens. No less than three very distinct retro gaming choices await you next week (four if you have an American eShop account). With the upcoming release of World Heroes 2 JET ADK's curious...
News Two New Hamster ACA Titles Dropping Next Week On Switch eShop
Magical Drop III and Heroic Episode demand your coins
Data East's love affair with the Nintendo Switch is set to continue next week thanks to Hamster's Arcade Archives label. Magical Drop III drops onto the eShop giving puzzle lovers who keep wandering why Taito's Puzzle Bobble is still a no show on the system something to look forward to. This...
News Irem Arcade Classics Kid Niki, Youjuu-Den And Moon Patrol Heading To Switch
Retro-tastic
Hamster has confirmed another three coin-op classics for release on the Switch eShop. Irem titles Kid Niki, Youjuu-Den And Moon Patrol will be available soon, and are also coming to the PlayStation 4. Here's what they all look like: Will you be downloading any of these games on your Switch?
News Retro-Bit Announces R-Type Returns For Super Nintendo
Irem's Holy Diver also making a comeback on NES
Looks like Retro-Bit is once again targeting retro gamer's wallets in early 2018 with a couple of exclusive physical re-releases. R-Typepe Returns will bring both excellent entries of the series exclusive to the Super Nintendo (Super R-Type and R-Type III: The Third Lightning) in a single...
News R-Type And Other Irem Arcade Hits Are Coming To Switch
Thanks to Hamster
Japanese conversion specialist Hamster - famous for its superb line of Neo Geo ports on the Switch eShop - has just revealed that it has gained the licence to bring some of Irem's most beloved coin-op titles to Nintendo's console. The first game is Arcade Archives Zippy Race, which is due for release this year in Japan...
News Retro-Bit Generations Game List Contains Capcom, Irem And Data East Classics
Rest easy, Super Noah's Ark is included
Clone consoles are all the rage at the moment, what with Nintendo's own NES Mini and RetroUSB's AVS arriving on the scene to remind everyone just how great the NES was, and still is. However, Retro-Bit is taking a slightly different approach by not focusing on a single system but instead creating an "all in...
News Retro-Bit's Next System Aims To Challenge The NES Classic Edition Mini Console
Over 100 titles, HDMI support, SD card slot and 6-button controllers
Ever since the Retron 5 and Retro Freak arrived on the scene clone hardware maker Retro-Bit has fallen a little silent. The company's last major release - the Super Retro Trio - was seen as a rival to Hyperkin's hardware, but lacked HDMI su
Poll Box Art Brawl: Super R-Type
Make a choice, R-kid
Hi folks, and welcome back to another edition of Box Art Brawl! Last week, we checked out Astro Boy: Omega Factor for the Game Boy Advance, and would you believe it, we had a draw! Both the EU/NA and Japanese variants bagged 50% of the vote each, so uhh... We've either got two winners or no winner at all. We'll let you decide!...
News Granzella's R-Type Tactics I & II Remakes Are Coming To Switch In "Fall 2024"
Update: Now scheduled to release next year
Update #3 [Sat 30th Dec, 2023 08:30 GMT]: Earlier this year in July, it was announced the release date of "Summer 2023" for R-Type Tactics I • II Cosmos had been pushed back to 2024, with the aim to launch the game at the "earliest possible date". Now in an new broadcast this week, Granzella has narrowed...
Feature 'Arcade Perfect' Be Damned: R-Type DX Is Still Portable Perfection
Bydo To The Future
R-Type may be 34 years old but the beyond-enthusiastic reception for R-Type Final 2's Kickstarter proved Irem’s long-running series is much more than a nostalgic memory held close by a few greying fans, or vintage shmup still hazily respected from a great distance. R-Type can still generate hype and open up wallets; the thought...
Gallery Breaking The Seal On Retro-Bit's 'Undercover Cops' Reissue
One of the rarest Super Famicom games lives again
Irem's Undercover Cops is one of the most expensive Super Famicom titles, regularly changing hands for $200 just for the loose cartridge. However, Retro-Bit has come to our rescue with a reissue of the game which comes with a bunch of other goodies that collectors will want to check out. Retro-Bit...
News Irem's SNES Brawler Undercover Cops Is Getting A New Physical Release
And it comes with loads of goodies, too
One of Irem's 1990s classics is getting a fresh physical release this year, thanks to American company Retro-Bit. Undercover Cops originally launched in arcades in 1992, and built upon the legacy of Kung-Fu Master, which Irem had released way back in 1984. Set in a post-apocalyptic 2043, it's a...
News R-Type Final 2's Release Date Confirmed For Spring 2021
Blasting off again
R-Type Final 2 will hit Switch and other formats early next year, it has been revealed. The latest issue of Weekly Famitsu magazine confirmed the news. The shooter – which is the sequel to the 2003 PlayStation 2 original (itself part of a series which began life in arcades in the '80s) – was crowdfunded to the tune of...
Gallery Unboxing Metal Storm, The NES Hidden Gem That's Getting A Second Chance
Irem's cult classic is available once more
While your typical console has plenty of AAA titles which gain plenty of attention and bumper sales, there are always a few underrated gems which slip through the cracks for one reason or another. Irem's Metal Storm is one such title; originally released in the US to positive reviews in 1991, it was...
News Metal Slug Forerunner In The Hunt Is Coming To Switch
Thanks, Hamster!
Japanese company Hamster has been doing sterling work of late bringing classic arcade titles to the Switch via its Arcade Archives line, and it's lining up a release for one of Irem's most loved shooters. In The Hunt – known in Japan as Kaitei Daisensō – was originally released in 1993 and was developed by the same core team...
News Irem's Vigilante Joins The Arcade Archives Downloadable Series This Week
Take the law into your own hands
If River City Girls is beyond your budget, and you still want some beat 'em up action on Switch this week, then it might be worth taking a look at Hamster's latest Arcade Archives game, Vigilante. It was originally released by the Japanese developer Irem (best known for R-Type) in 1988 and is designed for 1-2...
News Irem's Classic Shoot 'Em Up X Multiply Is Coming To Arcade Archives On Switch
Blast some aliens
The classic side-scrolling shoot 'em up XMultiply is expected to make a comeback on the Switch thanks to Hamster's glorious retro line, Arcade Archives. If you're not familiar with this title, you might at least know the Japanese developer behind it. Irem was best known for R-Type back in the day. XMultiply - released in 1989 - is...
News R-Type Dimensions EX Lands On Switch At The End Of The Month
Bydo beware!
Shmup aficionados can circle their calendars on 28th November, the date that R-Type Dimensions EX releases on the Switch eShop, at long last adding Irem's revered, evil alien empire shooter to the ever-growing list of shoot 'em ups on Nintendo's hybrid system. If you're unfamiliar with this iteration of Irem's classic, know that it is...
News Hamster Adding Even More Games To The Arcade Archives On Switch
Switch virtual arcade salons are receiving a major update
While all of us at Nintendo Life are still rejoicing over yesterday's confirmation of the puzzling adventures of a certain well-known dinosaur duo, Hamster overnight revealed the Arcade Archives release schedule for the Switch. If you want to be surprised on the eShop every week, you should...
Gallery Unboxing Retro-Bit's Incredible R-Type And Holy Diver Limited Editions
Limited to 2,900 copies each
Retro-Bit is doing an excellent job when it comes to keeping the past alive, and has already released a couple of welcome compilations for the NES and SNES. However, the company has really outdone itself with its latest project, which features limited edition versions of Irem's R-Type and Holy Diver, for the SNES and...
News Coin-Op Gridiron Classic 10-Yard Fight Is Coming To Switch Next Week
Hut!
Hamster is bringing Irem's classic 10-Yard Fight to the Switch eShop as part of the Arcade Archives range, it has been revealed. A listing on the eShop shows that the 1983 classic - along with its 1984 update, VS 10-Yard Fight, which includes a two-player feature - is hitting the digital store on May 2nd. If you were a NES fan during the...
News World Heroes 2 JET, Moon Patrol And Sol Divide Bring The Retro To Switch Next Week
Jet laggin', Moon patrolin' and Sol devidin'
Circle 22nd March on your calendars, NL retro enthusiast readers, because HAMSTER and Zerodiv are after your tokens. No less than three very distinct retro gaming choices await you next week (four if you have an American eShop account). With the upcoming release of World Heroes 2 JET ADK's curious...
News Two New Hamster ACA Titles Dropping Next Week On Switch eShop
Magical Drop III and Heroic Episode demand your coins
Data East's love affair with the Nintendo Switch is set to continue next week thanks to Hamster's Arcade Archives label. Magical Drop III drops onto the eShop giving puzzle lovers who keep wandering why Taito's Puzzle Bobble is still a no show on the system something to look forward to. This...
News Irem Arcade Classics Kid Niki, Youjuu-Den And Moon Patrol Heading To Switch
Retro-tastic
Hamster has confirmed another three coin-op classics for release on the Switch eShop. Irem titles Kid Niki, Youjuu-Den And Moon Patrol will be available soon, and are also coming to the PlayStation 4. Here's what they all look like: Will you be downloading any of these games on your Switch?
News Retro-Bit Announces R-Type Returns For Super Nintendo
Irem's Holy Diver also making a comeback on NES
Looks like Retro-Bit is once again targeting retro gamer's wallets in early 2018 with a couple of exclusive physical re-releases. R-Typepe Returns will bring both excellent entries of the series exclusive to the Super Nintendo (Super R-Type and R-Type III: The Third Lightning) in a single...
News R-Type And Other Irem Arcade Hits Are Coming To Switch
Thanks to Hamster
Japanese conversion specialist Hamster - famous for its superb line of Neo Geo ports on the Switch eShop - has just revealed that it has gained the licence to bring some of Irem's most beloved coin-op titles to Nintendo's console. The first game is Arcade Archives Zippy Race, which is due for release this year in Japan...
News Retro-Bit Generations Game List Contains Capcom, Irem And Data East Classics
Rest easy, Super Noah's Ark is included
Clone consoles are all the rage at the moment, what with Nintendo's own NES Mini and RetroUSB's AVS arriving on the scene to remind everyone just how great the NES was, and still is. However, Retro-Bit is taking a slightly different approach by not focusing on a single system but instead creating an "all in...
News Retro-Bit's Next System Aims To Challenge The NES Classic Edition Mini Console
Over 100 titles, HDMI support, SD card slot and 6-button controllers
Ever since the Retron 5 and Retro Freak arrived on the scene clone hardware maker Retro-Bit has fallen a little silent. The company's last major release - the Super Retro Trio - was seen as a rival to Hyperkin's hardware, but lacked HDMI su