Hamster's weekly Arcade Archives release is Jaleco's 1991 scrolling shooter, Earth Defense Force.
This original version of the game allows you to take control of an XA-1 space fighter as you fight to save the earth. Here's the backstory along with some information about the gameplay and some screenshots:
Control your XA-1 space fighter and take part in a worldwide endeavor to stand up against the AGIMA EMPIRE'S plot to take over the Earth! With each power-up the might of your weapons and the types of optional formations increases!
Earth Defense Force also got a Super Famicom release in the same year and arrived on the Super Nintendo in 1992. This same version was added to the Switch Online SNES library last year.
The Arcade Archives iteration will set you back $7.99 (or your regional equivalent), supports up to two players, and comes with various game settings that enhance the experience. Players can also compete against other high scores.
Is this a game you've been waiting to join the Hamster's library of retro releases? Tell us below.
Comments 20
I'm a sucker for coop games and this looks like it has it, se interested. Not sure if I'll get it anytime soon though.
DAY ONE! EDF! EDF! Great game.
This games reputation has forever been tarnished by the piss poor port it got on SNES. Way too much slowdown.
Not bad, never played the arcade version and it looks a lot better than the SNES version. This is a game I would be willing to buy.
Nice, combined with S.C.A.T. on the NES NSO, new B.Ark info the Aleste Collection announcement, first footage of Aleste Branch and so on it was a pretty great week for shmups so far.
Can't wait to see DeathSmiles 1&2 Collection at Tokyo Game Show.
Eh, it's not the one with giant insects and multiplayer singing/chanting.
Actually a pretty great game, much more playable than the SNES port...obviously.
@doctorhino SNES port is actually extremely faithful, slowdown is due to the piss poor processor.
Every time I see this game, it makes me think of "Electricité De France" (EDF) which is our electricity provider in France !
@YANDMAN it was an early SNES game, they had no idea how to optimize it. It could have run it just fine.
Played on the Online service when I had it for a stint and wasn’t too impressed. However I love side scrolling shm’ups and would prefer to have full ownership (well as much as a digital download offers). Also sounds like the arcade version will be a better experience.
Now Sega, you own Technosoft right? About that release of Hyper Duel...
(Yes I’m gonna mention it whenever and forever until the day comes I don’t have to put down £600-£700 to play the dang thing!!)
American Thanksgiving is on a Thursday. Maybe Raiden will launch then.
Ah man, I saw the headline and thought I was going to get some giant bug killing action on the go and then saw the 'Hamster's Arcade Archives' part and realised it was talking about a different game series. Shame really, as EDF would be perfect for Switch.
@BionicDodo this voxel spinoff is coming though https://www.destructoid.com/stories/earth-defense-force-world-brothers-is-a-voxel-graphics-spin-off-coming-to-ps4-and-switch-595232.phtml
@romanista I had somehow completely missed the existence of that. Thanks for the heads up! Not 100% sure on the visual style, but I'll get anything EDF.
Hamster is really starting to bug me here. Why do they keep holding off on Raiden? They really gonna let Wiz be the only Seibu Kaihatsu title they put out?
@BionicDodo Yeah i know what you mean, stilff for portable edf i have my vita, so this is at least refreshing..
One week closer to chase hq I think! Xxxx
@BionicDodo I would LOVE if this series would come to Switch in some kind of official capacity. I agree about how perfect of a fit it would be. Such great, stupid fun.
EDF! EDF!
Oops, wrong game.
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