Rayz Arcade Collection
Image: Taito

Update #2 [Sat 30th Jul, 2022 17:15 BST]: ININ Games has confirmed it will release Ray'z Arcade Chronology and also RayStorm x RayCrisis HD Collection on the Switch here in the west.

There's no release date just yet and ININ will be handling publishing duties of both games digitally (via Gematsu). The physical edition of the Chronology will be distributed by Strictly Limited locally - with pre-orders opening on July 31st.


Update [Tue 5th Jul, 2022 15:30 BST]: Taito has announced a Japanese release date for Ray'z Arcade Chronology — 9th March 2023 (thanks, Gematsu).

It'll cost 7,480 yen, although there's a fancy special edition version with a Blu-ray, a two-disc CD set, a guidebook, and other printed goodies that will set you back 18,480 yen.

While Taito hasn't delivered any news on an overseas release just yet, anyone who pre-orders the game via Amazon Japan on Prime Day (12th-13th July) will get a code for R-GEAR, a previously unreleased sequel to Rayforce that was cancelled and replaced with Raystorm. Quite the catnip for shooter fans!

We'll keep you updated as and when an announcement is made for the West.


Original Story [Tue 28th Jun, 2022 04:45 BST]: Taito Corporation and the retro specialists at M2 have announced they'll be bringing Ray'z Arcade Chronology to the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 next year in Japan. There's no word on a western release at the moment.

The Switch already has an amazing selection of shmup games to select from, and this new collection will bolster it with a total of five games. It's a mix of the original releases along with some remasters as well.

Here's what you can expect in this Chronology (via Gematsu):

RayForce (1994)
RayStorm (1996)
RayStorm NEO-HD (2023) – A remaster of the arcade version of RayStorm. RayStorm HD launched in 2010 with additional elements and a 16:9 aspect ratio, but RayStorm NEO-HD includes the same content as the arcade version and retains a 4:3 aspect ratio.
RayCrisis (1998)
RayCrisis HD (2023) – A remaster of RayCrisis.

Developer M2 has previously worked on all sorts of retro collections throughout the Switch's life and has even assisted in bringing some classic games across to Nintendo's Online digital libraries.

Img 220527 Ray Ss 05

Would you be interested in this upcoming release? Leave a comment down below.

[source taito.co.jp, via gematsu.com]