Overview
- Website
- treasure-inc.co.jp
- Average Review Score
- 8.07/10
- Average Game Rating
- 8.01/10
Latest Reviews of Treasure Games
Review Radiant Silvergun (Switch) - A Superb Shmup That's Still One Of The Very Best
No refuge
Making it business to boycott sensible business practices, Treasure’s commitment to dying consoles once cemented it as Japan’s most revered boutique developer. A practice that gave rise to some of gaming’s most significant works, Radiant Silvergun is a product of both spectacular overachievement and unapologetic showboating. Once...
Review Sin And Punishment (N64) - A Genuine Treasure And No Mistake
Run-and-gun fun
This review originally went live in 2007, and we're updating and republishing it to mark the arrival of N64 games on Nintendo Switch Online. Tiny Japanese developer Treasure has a back catalogue packed with classic titles, but one that sticks out more than most is Sin & Punishment. Released in the twilight days of the N64...
“Even though the ideal is high, I never give in”
Upon first release on Sega NAOMI-powered arcades back in 2001, Ikaruga polarised audiences. While it most certainly was a vertical scrolling shmup like one would expect from the spiritual sequel to Radiant Silvergun, it played nothing like it. In fact, it played like no shmup before it and even...
Review Sin and Punishment (Wii U eShop / N64)
On the rails and off the hip
It's no secret that many Japanese titles never see the light of day overseas. Countless games have been unreleased for fear of lack of public interest and fear of bad. This was the initial reason Sin and Punishment, released in 2000, never surfaced on the Nintendo 64 outside of Japan. The hectic shoot'em up only made...
Review Bakuretsu Muteki Bangaioh (Nintendo 64)
Insanity redefined
Bakuretsu Muteki Bangaioh (which translates as Explosive, Invincible Bangaioh — you might know it as Bangai-O) is a relatively obscure Japanese exclusive for Nintendo 64 that holds a rather interesting history. Released in 1999 and developed by Treasure — the same team that produced the Sin & Punishment games — it is...
Wish you weren't here
Nintendo is a company that's world renowned for its varied cast of versatile characters and Wario is certainly no exception. Since his first playable appearance in Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3, Wario has starred in a plethora of 2D platforming adventures spanning the Game Boy right through to the DS, each one seeing...
Review Mischief Makers (Nintendo 64)
Go Go!! 2D Treasure Makers
With a US release in 1997 Mischief Makers, or Go Go!! Trouble Makers in Japan, was not only an early example of a N64 centric side-scrolling 2D platformer, it also successfully made its mark in gaming history by being the first Treasure game to land on a Nintendo platform. However, it would be shallow to describe Mischief...
Review Sin and Punishment: Star Successor (Wii)
Treasure's cult classic returns for a second helping of laser death
When the original Sin and Punishment was passed over for Western release back in 2000 it marked one of the cruellest injustices video gaming has ever experienced. Thankfully this crime has now been partially rectified by the release of Treasure's gloriously chaotic cult classic on...
Ikaruga might not be quite as intricate as its predecessor Radiant Silvergun, but its added intensity more than makes up for it.
There are very few shooters that can bring a smile to a shooter fan's face quite like Ikaruga can - which brings me to my quandry. What can I say about Ikaruga that hasn't already been said a hundred times before. It's...
Review Bleach: Blade of Fate (DS)
Finally - a fighting game DS owners can be proud of
Although the DS has witnessed some truly amazing titles in its lifetime, one genre that has singularly failed to translate effectively to the format is the fighting game. While the PSP has experienced some particularly impressive brawlers (despite its woeful d-pad which is put firmly in the shade...
Latest Treasure Articles
News Four Critically Acclaimed Shmups To Get Physical Switch Release In Europe
Including Mushihimesama
Clear River Games has revealed that it's releasing four critically acclaimed Switch shmups in physical form in Europe. Three Cave classics — DoDonPachi Resurrection, Espgaluda II, Mushihimesama — and Treasure's celebrated Radiant Silvergun will all be getting a physical release across Europe soon. More details will be...
Countdown 3DS eShop Spotlight - 3D Gunstar Heroes
#12 - A real treasure
For the month before the 3DS and Wii U eShops close for new purchases on 27th March, each day we're going to highlight a specific eShop game for one of those consoles and give a short pitch as to why we think it deserves your love and attention — before it's too late. The chance to add these to your library will be gone for...
News Superb Shmup Radiant Silvergun Is Getting A Physical Release On Switch
Update: Pre-orders on LRG go live
Update [Sat 15th Oct, 2022 06:55 BST]: Pre-orders for Radiant Silvergun have gone live on the Limited Run Games website. Original article [Thu 13th Oct, 2022 01:25 BST]: If you're a fan of shoot 'em ups, one game you can't go past on the Switch is Radiant Silvergun by Treasure. It made its debut in 1998 and was...
News Radiant Silvergun Is Back Up On The North American eShop
Update: You can now shmup to your heart's content
Update #2 [Tue 20th Sep, 2022 14:30 BST]: Treasure fans, shmup fans, rejoice — Radiant Silvergun is now available to purchase from the eShop once again! It appears that the game was re-uploaded to the store earlier today. The web store hasn't updated yet, but we've double-checked the eShop on the...
Feature Treasure Games That Need Switch Ports Or Sequels
We’re going on a Treasure hunt
The aptly-named Japanese studio Treasure — in spite of its fondness for focusing on less popular formats and its infrequent and occasionally Japan-only releases — has long been a developer famed throughout all of game-dom for the consistent originality and sheer quality that runs through its work. Formed in 1992...
News Japanese Developer Treasure Teases Future Releases For Switch Online
Gunstar Heroes and Sin & Punishment have already been locked in
One developer that showed up a few times during Nintendo's reveal of the N64 and Mega Drive NSO service was Treasure. The famous Japanese company - known for hits such as Ikaruga on the Dreamcast and GameCube - appears to have two games on the way to Nintendo's digital retro libraries...
News Sin & Punishment For Nintendo 64 Now Has An Official Western Box Art
Thank the Switch Online service
After a recent rumour, Nintendo yesterday lifted the lid on N64 games for its Switch Online service. They'll be arriving "late" next month as part of an 'Expansion Pass' which also includes Sega Genesis (Mega Drive) titles. Fans have been spotting some smal
News Physical Copies Of Ikaruga For Nintendo Switch Are Now In "Active" Production
Get ready to shoot 'em up
Publisher Nicalis has been teasing a hard copy of Treasure's sublime shmup Ikaruga for Switch since it showed off a gigantic Switch game case at PAX West 2018. It sent fans of this iconic game – first published as an arcade title in 2001 – into an absolute frenzy. Roughly a year later, Nicalis officially
News Treasure Considering Arcade Shmup Radiant Silvergun For Switch
Fingers crossed
The iconic Japanese developer Treasure might be bringing another shoot 'em up game to the Nintendo Switch eShop in the near future. Based on a Twitter reply to a fan last month, Radiant Silvergun has been in consideration for the Switch for some time now. Here's how it all unfolded in tweet form: Radiant Silvergun was released in...
Random NieR: Automata Game Director Explains How He Was Inspired By Ikaruga
Total respect for Treasure's shmup
In celebration of the recent re-release of Ikaruga on multiple platforms including the Switch eShop, the Japanese publication Famitsu sat down with Yoko Taro - the director of the highly praised NieR: Automata - to discuss how exactly Treasure's sublime shmup has influenced his own work over the years...
There’s no strict policy in place
When Masato Maegawa departed Konami in 1993, he co-founded Treasure – a Japanese company that became known for its classic action-style and shoot ‘em up games. Starting out with Gunstar Heroes and eventually moving onto projects like Sin and Punishment years later, the newest arrival is the re-release of...
Feature Nicalis On The Timeless Allure Of Physical Games And Bringing More Treasure Titles To Switch
"We're always listening to fan requests"
American publisher Nicalis has been around for longer than you might think, and has recently gained recognition for its efforts to publish physical versions of Switch games with extra treats for fans. Such goodies often include delightful trinkets such as soundtrack CDs or retro inspired instruction manuals;...
News Treasure Teases Both Ikaruga And Nintendo Switch Fans
Will this GameCube classic ever come to Switch?
Hardly a day goes by at Nintendo Life Towers when we don't daydream about Ikagura one day appearing on Nintendo Switch. Smooth 60fps in both docked and portable mode? Check. Optional TATE mode for both modes? Double check. We do like to daydream around here, but looks like we might not be the only...
News Treasure's Masato Maegawa Wants Sega To Make A Mega Drive Mini
It's time to give the SNES Mini some competition
It's fair to say that the NES Mini and SNES Mini have been very successful ventures for Nintendo, selling millions of units and creating a new awareness of the company's glorious past. However, when the NES Mini was announced it felt very much like Nintendo was playing catch-up; we'd already seen...
News Masato Maegawa Talks Shoot 'em Up Designs and Sin and Punishment
A blast from the past
The shoot 'em up genre is one that's seemingly been around for nearly as long as video games have. While they do certainly have a limited appeal, these types of games offer up what could certainly be argued as the purest arcade experiences, with lightning fast reflexes and pattern recognition being absolute musts. Treasure is...
News Sin & Punishment Confirmed to be Blasting it Up on Wii U This Week in Europe
An absolute Treasure
Around about this time on a Monday we'd normally be posting the European Nintendo Download Update, but unfortunately for us it's a public Holiday that the big N seems to be observing. It's a bitter pill to swallow, we know, but we'll all just need to wait an extra 24 hours. We do know two games that are coming to Wii U in...
News Double Dose Of Sin & Punishment Arrives On North American Wii U Virtual Console Tomorrow
Get ready for an intense, adrenaline-pumped thrill ride
If you happen to live in North America and are yet to experience Treasure’s brilliant Nintendo 64 title, Sin & Punishment, along with its sequel, Sin & Punishment: Star Successor, on the Wii, then you’re in for a treat as of tomorrow – with both games releasing on the Wii U’s...
Matters Of Import 3D Gunstar Heroes Is Hyperactive Run And Gun Action At Its Finest
Another classic to treasure on your 3DS console
Gunstar Heroes charged onto the Sega Mega Drive in 1993, significantly marking the début of quirky developer Treasure, having been formed from ex-Konami staff wanting to go it their own way. Often seen floating near to the top of many 'best game ever' lists, Gunstar Heroes is a bona-fide classic of...
News 3D Gunstar Heroes Brings New Modes And Local Co-Op To 3DS
Launches this week in Japan
This week 3D Gunstar Heroes hits the 3DS eShop in Japan, and it's bringing with it a host of new features. In addition to being in stereoscopic 3D and offering the usual range of screen filters, the game will also include a brand-new "All Spec" mode which grants immediate access to all 14 weapons available in the game...
Video Sin & Punishment: Successor of the Skies Shines On Wii U
A pleasurable experience
For the latest Wii release to get another chance on the Wii U eShop, Nintendo has given us something a little different in Treasure's Sin & Punishment: Successor of the Skies, or Star Successor as it's known in North America. A sequel to an N64 game that never even made it out of Japan (until a Virtual Console release on...
News Pandora's Tower And Sin And Punishment Coming To The European eShop This Month
Early bird discount applies, too
It has been confirmed during the recent European Nintendo Direct that the Wii classics Pandora's Tower and Sin and Punishment: Successor of the Skies will be coming to the Wii U eShop in Europe on the 16th and 30th April respectively. Both games will be subject to a 25 percent discount during their first week on...
Video Did You Know That Gunstar Heroes Shipped With A Fruit Roll-Up?
The Sega Channel takes a look at Treasure's first release
Gunstar Heroes is unquestionably one of the greatest games ever to grace Sega's 16-bit Mega Drive / Genesis system. It was also the first title from Treasure, a studio formed by former Konami employees that would find greater fame producing the likes of Radiant Silvergun, Ikaruga and Sin...
Videos show them off and hopefully point to similar Western releases
After a two week absence for Wii downloads on the eShop, this week's European Nintendo Download Update details confirmed the arrival of Kirby's Adventure Wii in the region. With that confirmed, focus for Wii fans inevitably turns to the remaining games that have already been...
News Gamer Proposes To Girlfriend During Mischief Makers Speedrun Livestream
Awesome Marriages Done Quick
This year, gamers all over the globe got together for Awesome Games Done Quick, a gaming marathon that raises money for the Prevent Cancer Foundation. The event has delivered many memorable moments -- including our very own Marcel blasting through Shovel Knight -- but one of the most heart-warming has to be this...
News Gaist Crusher God Is Getting A Beastly Serving Of Monster Hunter 4 Content
Joining the hunt
Gaist Crusher God launches in Japan on September 4th, and Capcom has today announced that the game will get crossover content from Monster Hunter 4. Players will be able to do battle with famous beasts from the popular title, each boasting a revised look so that they fit snugly into the Gaist Crusher world. Characters will also be...
News Four Critically Acclaimed Shmups To Get Physical Switch Release In Europe
Including Mushihimesama
Clear River Games has revealed that it's releasing four critically acclaimed Switch shmups in physical form in Europe. Three Cave classics — DoDonPachi Resurrection, Espgaluda II, Mushihimesama — and Treasure's celebrated Radiant Silvergun will all be getting a physical release across Europe soon. More details will be...
Countdown 3DS eShop Spotlight - 3D Gunstar Heroes
#12 - A real treasure
For the month before the 3DS and Wii U eShops close for new purchases on 27th March, each day we're going to highlight a specific eShop game for one of those consoles and give a short pitch as to why we think it deserves your love and attention — before it's too late. The chance to add these to your library will be gone for...
News Superb Shmup Radiant Silvergun Is Getting A Physical Release On Switch
Update: Pre-orders on LRG go live
Update [Sat 15th Oct, 2022 06:55 BST]: Pre-orders for Radiant Silvergun have gone live on the Limited Run Games website. Original article [Thu 13th Oct, 2022 01:25 BST]: If you're a fan of shoot 'em ups, one game you can't go past on the Switch is Radiant Silvergun by Treasure. It made its debut in 1998 and was...
News Radiant Silvergun Is Back Up On The North American eShop
Update: You can now shmup to your heart's content
Update #2 [Tue 20th Sep, 2022 14:30 BST]: Treasure fans, shmup fans, rejoice — Radiant Silvergun is now available to purchase from the eShop once again! It appears that the game was re-uploaded to the store earlier today. The web store hasn't updated yet, but we've double-checked the eShop on the...
Feature Treasure Games That Need Switch Ports Or Sequels
We’re going on a Treasure hunt
The aptly-named Japanese studio Treasure — in spite of its fondness for focusing on less popular formats and its infrequent and occasionally Japan-only releases — has long been a developer famed throughout all of game-dom for the consistent originality and sheer quality that runs through its work. Formed in 1992...
News Japanese Developer Treasure Teases Future Releases For Switch Online
Gunstar Heroes and Sin & Punishment have already been locked in
One developer that showed up a few times during Nintendo's reveal of the N64 and Mega Drive NSO service was Treasure. The famous Japanese company - known for hits such as Ikaruga on the Dreamcast and GameCube - appears to have two games on the way to Nintendo's digital retro libraries...
News Sin & Punishment For Nintendo 64 Now Has An Official Western Box Art
Thank the Switch Online service
After a recent rumour, Nintendo yesterday lifted the lid on N64 games for its Switch Online service. They'll be arriving "late" next month as part of an 'Expansion Pass' which also includes Sega Genesis (Mega Drive) titles. Fans have been spotting some smal
News Physical Copies Of Ikaruga For Nintendo Switch Are Now In "Active" Production
Get ready to shoot 'em up
Publisher Nicalis has been teasing a hard copy of Treasure's sublime shmup Ikaruga for Switch since it showed off a gigantic Switch game case at PAX West 2018. It sent fans of this iconic game – first published as an arcade title in 2001 – into an absolute frenzy. Roughly a year later, Nicalis officially
News Treasure Considering Arcade Shmup Radiant Silvergun For Switch
Fingers crossed
The iconic Japanese developer Treasure might be bringing another shoot 'em up game to the Nintendo Switch eShop in the near future. Based on a Twitter reply to a fan last month, Radiant Silvergun has been in consideration for the Switch for some time now. Here's how it all unfolded in tweet form: Radiant Silvergun was released in...
Random NieR: Automata Game Director Explains How He Was Inspired By Ikaruga
Total respect for Treasure's shmup
In celebration of the recent re-release of Ikaruga on multiple platforms including the Switch eShop, the Japanese publication Famitsu sat down with Yoko Taro - the director of the highly praised NieR: Automata - to discuss how exactly Treasure's sublime shmup has influenced his own work over the years...
There’s no strict policy in place
When Masato Maegawa departed Konami in 1993, he co-founded Treasure – a Japanese company that became known for its classic action-style and shoot ‘em up games. Starting out with Gunstar Heroes and eventually moving onto projects like Sin and Punishment years later, the newest arrival is the re-release of...
Feature Nicalis On The Timeless Allure Of Physical Games And Bringing More Treasure Titles To Switch
"We're always listening to fan requests"
American publisher Nicalis has been around for longer than you might think, and has recently gained recognition for its efforts to publish physical versions of Switch games with extra treats for fans. Such goodies often include delightful trinkets such as soundtrack CDs or retro inspired instruction manuals;...
News Treasure Teases Both Ikaruga And Nintendo Switch Fans
Will this GameCube classic ever come to Switch?
Hardly a day goes by at Nintendo Life Towers when we don't daydream about Ikagura one day appearing on Nintendo Switch. Smooth 60fps in both docked and portable mode? Check. Optional TATE mode for both modes? Double check. We do like to daydream around here, but looks like we might not be the only...
News Treasure's Masato Maegawa Wants Sega To Make A Mega Drive Mini
It's time to give the SNES Mini some competition
It's fair to say that the NES Mini and SNES Mini have been very successful ventures for Nintendo, selling millions of units and creating a new awareness of the company's glorious past. However, when the NES Mini was announced it felt very much like Nintendo was playing catch-up; we'd already seen...
News Masato Maegawa Talks Shoot 'em Up Designs and Sin and Punishment
A blast from the past
The shoot 'em up genre is one that's seemingly been around for nearly as long as video games have. While they do certainly have a limited appeal, these types of games offer up what could certainly be argued as the purest arcade experiences, with lightning fast reflexes and pattern recognition being absolute musts. Treasure is...
News Sin & Punishment Confirmed to be Blasting it Up on Wii U This Week in Europe
An absolute Treasure
Around about this time on a Monday we'd normally be posting the European Nintendo Download Update, but unfortunately for us it's a public Holiday that the big N seems to be observing. It's a bitter pill to swallow, we know, but we'll all just need to wait an extra 24 hours. We do know two games that are coming to Wii U in...
News Double Dose Of Sin & Punishment Arrives On North American Wii U Virtual Console Tomorrow
Get ready for an intense, adrenaline-pumped thrill ride
If you happen to live in North America and are yet to experience Treasure’s brilliant Nintendo 64 title, Sin & Punishment, along with its sequel, Sin & Punishment: Star Successor, on the Wii, then you’re in for a treat as of tomorrow – with both games releasing on the Wii U’s...
Matters Of Import 3D Gunstar Heroes Is Hyperactive Run And Gun Action At Its Finest
Another classic to treasure on your 3DS console
Gunstar Heroes charged onto the Sega Mega Drive in 1993, significantly marking the début of quirky developer Treasure, having been formed from ex-Konami staff wanting to go it their own way. Often seen floating near to the top of many 'best game ever' lists, Gunstar Heroes is a bona-fide classic of...
News 3D Gunstar Heroes Brings New Modes And Local Co-Op To 3DS
Launches this week in Japan
This week 3D Gunstar Heroes hits the 3DS eShop in Japan, and it's bringing with it a host of new features. In addition to being in stereoscopic 3D and offering the usual range of screen filters, the game will also include a brand-new "All Spec" mode which grants immediate access to all 14 weapons available in the game...
Video Sin & Punishment: Successor of the Skies Shines On Wii U
A pleasurable experience
For the latest Wii release to get another chance on the Wii U eShop, Nintendo has given us something a little different in Treasure's Sin & Punishment: Successor of the Skies, or Star Successor as it's known in North America. A sequel to an N64 game that never even made it out of Japan (until a Virtual Console release on...
News Pandora's Tower And Sin And Punishment Coming To The European eShop This Month
Early bird discount applies, too
It has been confirmed during the recent European Nintendo Direct that the Wii classics Pandora's Tower and Sin and Punishment: Successor of the Skies will be coming to the Wii U eShop in Europe on the 16th and 30th April respectively. Both games will be subject to a 25 percent discount during their first week on...
Video Did You Know That Gunstar Heroes Shipped With A Fruit Roll-Up?
The Sega Channel takes a look at Treasure's first release
Gunstar Heroes is unquestionably one of the greatest games ever to grace Sega's 16-bit Mega Drive / Genesis system. It was also the first title from Treasure, a studio formed by former Konami employees that would find greater fame producing the likes of Radiant Silvergun, Ikaruga and Sin...
Videos show them off and hopefully point to similar Western releases
After a two week absence for Wii downloads on the eShop, this week's European Nintendo Download Update details confirmed the arrival of Kirby's Adventure Wii in the region. With that confirmed, focus for Wii fans inevitably turns to the remaining games that have already been...
News Gamer Proposes To Girlfriend During Mischief Makers Speedrun Livestream
Awesome Marriages Done Quick
This year, gamers all over the globe got together for Awesome Games Done Quick, a gaming marathon that raises money for the Prevent Cancer Foundation. The event has delivered many memorable moments -- including our very own Marcel blasting through Shovel Knight -- but one of the most heart-warming has to be this...
News Gaist Crusher God Is Getting A Beastly Serving Of Monster Hunter 4 Content
Joining the hunt
Gaist Crusher God launches in Japan on September 4th, and Capcom has today announced that the game will get crossover content from Monster Hunter 4. Players will be able to do battle with famous beasts from the popular title, each boasting a revised look so that they fit snugly into the Gaist Crusher world. Characters will also be...