Tag: Arcade Archives
News Hamster Corporation Celebrates 400 Arcade Archives Titles On Switch
Here's to many more!
It seems like yesterday Hamster was only celebrating its 100th 'Arcade Archives' release, but it's now actually 400 titles into its retro revival project. Hamster Corporation shared this milestone in a brief post on social media earlier before, noting how Rainbow Islands was its latest game to arrive on the Nintendo Switch and...
News Super Contra Joins Hamster's Arcade Archives Library This Week
Run and gun
Hamster Corporation has revealed the next game for its Arcade Archive collection on Switch is Konami's run-and-gun release Super Contra. It's available across all regions on 18th January 2024. Here's a bit more about this version of the game, along with a look (above): "SUPER CONTRA" is an action game released by KONAMI in 1988. The...
News Hamster Corporation Reveals Its First Arcade Archives Release Of 2024
Stop the supercomputer 'Zelda' in Mighty Guy
To kick off the new year, Hamster Corporation has announced it will be adding Mighty Guy to the Arcade Archives collection this week. The game is out today and should be live on the Switch eShop very soon. This action game made its debut in 1986 and requires players to put a stop to a massive...
News Hamster Corporation Reveals Its Final Arcade Archives Release Of 2023
It's Taito's 1991 game Solitary Fighter
It's been another action-packed year of Hamster Corporation retro releases and to go out with a bang, the Japanese video game company will be releasing the 1991 Taito fighting game Solitary Fighter on 28th December. This should make it the final Arcade Archives release of 2023! Solitary Fighter follows the...
News Taito's Animal-Saving Beat 'Em Up 'Growl' Is This Week's Arcade Archives Game
Poaching the poachers
There are a whole lot of beat-em-up games out there to sink your teeth into, but how many of them circulate around rescuing helpless animals from hoards of evil poachers? Taito's Growl is one such game and it is making its way to the Arcade Archives this week from 27th July (thanks, Nintendo Everything). Originally released in...
News Greek Mythology-Inspired Vertical Shooter 'Phelios' Is This Week's Arcade Archives Game
By the beard of Zeus!
Greek mythology might not be the first thing to come to mind when you think of a vertical-scrolling shooter, but that didn't stop Namco from releasing Phelios in 1988, and it hasn't stopped Hamster from adding said title to its arcade collection this week (from 2nd February). There's probably many out there who haven't...
News Taito's Action Platformer 'The NewZealand Story' Is This Week's Arcade Archives Game
Seal the deal
Arguably one of the most adorable arcade titles out there, The NewZealand Story is waddling its way onto Hamster's Arcade Archives collection this week (thanks, Nintendo Everything) and will be turning us all against seals once again. Originally released in 1988, this classic platformer sees you play as Tiki, a kiwi who is forced out...
News Galaga Is Hamster's First Arcade Archives Switch Release Of 2023
Another blast from the past
Following on from the release of Bubble Bobble at the end of December, Hamster has now officially unveiled its first Arcade Archives release of 2023. This time it's Namco's classic arcade space shooter Galaga. This title was first released in 1981 and is a sequel to the 1979 release Galaxian (previously released on the...
News Arcade Archives Nintendo Collection Goes On Sale For The First Time Ever, 30% Off
Grab a bargain
We've extensively covered the Switch's Arcade Archives series over the years, and November 24th marks the 300th week (5 years and 9 months, to be precise) of Hamster Corporation rolling out these updated retro releases. To celebrate this milestone, the Nintendo Switch eShop is hosting a special sale. All 20 Nintendo titles from the...
News Surprise! Hamster Is Bringing The Hardest Tetris Series To Switch eShop Next Week
Tetris: The Grand Master joins Arcade Archives
If you think you've played all the Tetris games, think again! The Japan-only 1998 title Tetris: The Grand Master will be receiving a Switch eShop release next week on December 1st. Hamster Corp will be adding this Arika title to its well-known Arcade Archive series, so there's a good chance there'll be...
News Namco Shmup Dragon Saber Is This Week's Arcade Archives Game
Dragon flight
If you love a good vertical shoot 'em up - Hamster's Arcade Archives collection has you got covered this week. The latest release for this library on the Switch is the 1990 Namco title, Dragon Saber. It's a sequel to Dragon Spirit, released in arcades back in 1987. In this game, the Huey and Siria, who have been transformed into...
News Taito's 'Space Seeker' Blasts Its Way Into The Arcade Archives Line-Up
Searching and shooting in space
We're moving away from Namco's backlog for a bit this week in the Arcade Archives line-up, as the next game coming to the series is 1981 arcade shooter Space Seeker. the game will be dropping on the eShop tomorrow — 16th June — for the usual price of $7.99 / €6.99 / £6.29. This game is known for having...
News Bump Your Enemies Off The Edge In 'Motos', The Next Arcade Archives Game
Give it a push!
We've got our next Arcade Archives title hitting the eShop tomorrow, and it's 1985's bumper car arcade game Motos. This is the last of seven games to run on Namco's Super Pac-Man hardware while sharing a video system used in games like Mappy, Dig Dug II, and — last week's Arcade Archives addition — The Tower of Druaga. It's a...
News Classic Maze RPG 'The Tower of Druaga' Is This Week's Arcade Archives Game
No need for a key to play this
Did anyone else play Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean and think to themselves during a particular dungeon, "huh, what is that pixelated maze room full of slimes a reference to?" Well, maybe it was just this writer here, but you can now find out the game that inspired that dungeon! The Tower of Druaga is...
News Wacky Beat-Em-Up 'Trio The Punch' Is The Next Arcade Archives Title
You a tough guy?
The next entry to the 'Arcade Archives' line-up has been revealed. Arcade Archives Trio the Punch will launch on Switch tomorrow (May 19th) for the standard price of $7.99 / €6.99 / £6.29. Originally released in 1990 by Data East, the game is a side-scrolling beat-em-up in which you choose one of three playable characters: Tough...
News Pro Tennis: World Court Is The Next Ace In The Arcade Archives Line-Up
A forehand winner for the collection
It's our weekly Wednesday update on the Arcade Archives series. Except for last week, when the magic happened on Thursday. Golden Week, hey? This week, we've got something a bit different for Hamster's series; after weeks of shumps, platformers, racers, and puzzle games, we have a sports game coming to the eShop...
News Shmup Classic 'Fighting Hawk' Is The Next Arcade Archives Game On Switch
Take flight this week
Shmup fans, strap yourselves in, because Taito's Fighting Hawk is the latest game to enter the Arcade Archives collection on Switch. Originally released back in March 1989, Fighting Hawk is very much your typical shmup, with tanks, airplanes, gunships, and other heavy machinery just waiting to be blown to smithereens by your...
News Namco's Yokai Dochuki, Renamed 'Shadowland', Is The Next Arcade Archives Game On Switch
A platformer to close out Namco month
We're getting another Arcade Archives release on Switch tomorrow, as the Japan-only platformer Yokai Dochuki is the next game to launch in the series, but with a slightly different name in the West, however — Shadowland. Originally released in arcades in 1987, the game sees you platforming through jigoku...
News Galaga Sequel 'Gaplus' Is The Next Arcade Archives Game On Switch
Namco month continues
It's Wednesday, so we're obviously here to tell you what new arcade game you'll be able to pick up on Switch as part of the Arcade Archives series. Tomorrow, it's the turn of shmup sequel Gaplus, the third entry in the Galaxian series and follow-up to the hugely popular Galaga. Sometimes also known as Galaga 3, it's only one...
News Action Adventure RPG 'Valkyrie No Densetsu' Joins Switch Arcade Archives Line-Up
More PC Engine arcade goodness
Valkyrie no Densetsu is the latest game coming to the Switch via Arcade Archives. This cult classic action RPG launched in Japan in 1989 but didn't see a western release until Namco Museum Vol. 5, where it was titled The Legend of Valkyrie. Developed by Namco, Valkyrie no Densetsu was greatly inspired by the Vikings...
Random Where's Ms. Pac-Man In Pac-Land?
Pac-Mom? I hardly know her
In case you missed it, Pac-Land is out on Nintendo Switch today courtesy of Arcade Archives and Hamster. Those who have been eager to play this 1984 arcade classic now have a chance, just a little bit ahead of the release of Pac-Man Museum+. Fans have spotted something a little bit off, however. Pac-Man's wife appears to...
News Pac-Land Is The Next Arcade Archives Game Coming To Switch
Walk-a-walk-a-walk-a-walk-a-walk
Another week, another Arcade Archives release. This week's game features a name that'll be familiar to many but in an entirely different format. Pac-Land, the 1984 game, is the next title being added to the Arcade Archives line-up. Yes, this is your chance to discover exactly where that Smash Bros. for Wii U stage...
News Side-Scrolling Beat 'Em Up 'Wonder Momo' Is The Next Arcade Archives Game
Peachy
Namco's beat 'em up parody of Ultraman, Wonder Momo, is the next game coming to the Arcade Archives series on Switch, according to @ohfivepro on Twitter. First released in 1987 in Japanese arcades at a time when female protagonists were uncommon, Wonder Momo got a faithful PC-Engine port two years later. The game stars a young girl who is...
News Classic Puzzler 'Qix' Comes To Switch This Week
Box it in your calendars
Classic arcade puzzle game Qix is the latest to join the Arcade Archives collection, coming to Switch on March 10th from publisher Hamster. Originally released in 1981 by Taito, the husband-and-wife-developed game requires you to draw boxes within a set playing field, the objective being to make the area increasingly...
Review Taito Milestones (Switch) - An Oddly Meagre Collection Of Coin-Op Classics
A muted celebration of an important developer
A small "Powered by Arcade Archives" message sits in the corner of Taito Milestones' dual-purpose title/game select screen, a subdued seal of quality there to let players know the emulation within is of the same standard we've come to expect from Hamster's prolific series, with all the usual features...
News Namco's Dragon Spirit Is Coming To Arcade Archives On Switch
Arrives in early March
Namco's 1987 fantasy-themed shmup Dragon Spirit is joining the Arcade Archives series on Nintendo Switch, it has been revealed. Notable for fusing traditional shmup mechanics with dragons and other mythical beasts, the game shares similarities with another Namco classic, Xevious, in that the player has a standard shot for...
News Classic Coin-Op Thunder Dragon 2 Blasts Off On Switch This Week
Joins the Arcade Archives range tomorrow
Hamster has announced that NMK's vertical shmup Thunder Dragon 2 is joining the Arcade Archives range this week. A sequel to Thunder Dragon – which is also part of the Arcade Archives series – and hit arcades back in 1993. You'll be able to play it solo or simultane
News Namco's 'Dangerous Seed' Is Coming To Switch Later This Month
Joins the Arcade Archives series
Namco's 1989 vertically-scrolling shooter Dangerous Seed is joining the Arcade Archives series, it has been revealed. Designed by Yuichiro Shinozaki (The Tower of Druaga), Dangerous Seed runs on the Namco System 1 arcade hardware. It was later ported to the Sega Mega Drive, alongside a slightly improved soundtrack...
News Namco's 'New Rally-X' Is Joining Arcade Archives On Switch This Week
What's old is new again (but still old)
Hamster has confirmed that this week's Arcade Archives title is Namco's 1981 racer, New Rally-X. Originally released in 1981, New Rally-X improves on the original Rally-X (which is also part of the Arcade Archives series) by showcasing ever-so-slightly better visuals and a new soundtrack. It also has easier...
But it needs to know what you think...
Right before the end of 2021, during one of Hamster's Arcade Archives streams, Hori revealed a special "retro game controller" designed for old-school gaming and Arcade Archives titles. So far they've come up with a bunch of concepts - including a modular one, which would allow plays to change the controller...
News Hamster's Final Arcade Archives Release Of 2021 Is Mutant Night
Out December 30th
Hamster Corporation has once again made it to the end of another year, so how is it ending it? It's final Arcade Archives release of 2021 is UPL's 1987 arcade platform shooter Mutant Night. Here's a bit about it, along with a look: "Players will control a mysterious character named "Mutron-kun" who will power up using various...
News Xexex, One Of Konami's Greatest Shmups, Is Coming To Switch This Week
The Arcade Archives range expands again
Hamster has done a fantastic job in bringing a host of cult arcade games to home systems of late, and it's continuing the trend with the cult classic Xexex (pronounced "Zekseks"), which joins the Arcade Archives range next week. Originally released in 1991 and powered by hardware that was far more advanced...
News 'Lost' Namco Title That Inspired The First Live-Action Video Game Movie Is Coming To Switch
Pre-dating Super Mario, Street Fighter and Double Dragon's movies
Next week's Arcade Archives release is Mirai Ninja, a Japan-only Namco title from 1988 which was never ported to any home system, and holds a special place in video game history. Released in the same year as Keita Amemiya's 1988 movie Mirai Ninja: Keigumo Kinin Gaiden (known as Cyber...
News Namco's Groundbreaking Dragon Buster Is Coming To Switch This Week
Joins the Arcade Archives range tomorrow
Hamster has revealed that the next entry in its long-running Arcade Archives series is Namco's 1984 title Dragon Buster. Notable for being one of the first arcade games to fuse RPG elements with the ability to select your level based on a world map, Dragon Buster followed in the footsteps of Namco's...
"An adventure of danger and excitement"
Hamster's made it to the final month of the year and it's started out with Taito's action-platformer arcade title, Liquid Kids. This game made its debut in the arcades in 1990 and was followed by a number of home console ports. Here's a bit more about it, along with a look - courtesy of Nintendo Life...
News Another Namco Title Has Joined Hamster's Arcade Archives On Switch
Download it from the eShop today
This week's Arcade Archives release on the Switch eShop is the 1983 Namco release, Phozon. It's described as an action game where the player controls a nucleus called 'chemic' and must merge with molecules to complete specified formations. "Control a nucleus called CHEMIC and merge with MOLECULES to complete...
News Another Taito Game Joins Hamster's Arcade Archives Collection On Switch
A blast from the past
If you're looking for some more retro action on your Switch, then why not check out Raimais when it arrives on the Switch eShop later this week. It's the latest addition to Hamster's Arcade Archives collection and is an action game released by Taito back in 1988. Here's a brief rundown, along with some screenshots:...
News Hamster Adds Another Namco Title To Arcade Archives On Nintendo Switch
More retro goodness
Hamster has been slowly bolstering the Namco Arcade Archives offerings and the latest game to be added to the collection is the 1983 action-puzzle game, Libble Rabble. Here's a bit about it and some screenshots: “LIBBLE RABBLE” is an action puzzle game released by NAMCO in 1983. Control Libble and Rabble to “bashishi”...
News Sky Kid Is The Next HAMSTER Arcade Archives Release, Out This Week
Looping round for another shot
The HAMSTER Arcade Archives series keeps on rolling, delivering a broad range of classics with impressive emulation (and extra goodies) of iconic cabinets. This week's arrival, on 28th October, will be Sky Kid; as usual for this series it'll cost $7.99USD with regional equivalents. The name may be familiar to eager...
News Hamster Adds Another Namco Classic To Arcade Archives On Nintendo Switch
Mappy is back
In recent times, Hamster has been releasing Bandai Namco games for its Arcade Archives collection on the Nintendo Switch. This week, the trend continues with the release of the 1983 action title, Mappy. "Players control MAPPY, an enthusiastic, committed police officer on a mission to reclaim stolen goods from a mansion. Avoid getting...
News Arcade Archives Publisher Hamster Has Filed A Trademark For 'Console Archives'
Is even more retro goodness on the way?
Hamster Corporation has been pumping out enhanced arcade releases since the Nintendo Switch arrived on the scene in 2017, but it might finally be time for it to take the next big step in retro preservation. According to a story over on Gematsu, the Japanese company filed a trademark for "Console Archives" in...
News Another Classic Namco Title Joins Hamster's Arcade Archives This Week
Rally-X returns
This week's arcade archives release from Hamster Corporation is the 1980 Namco "maze chase" classic, Rally-X. Here's some PR and screens: “RALLY-X” is an action game released by NAMCO in 1980. Players control a car and dodge pursuing red cars while collecting flags. Stall the red cars using a smokescreen when they get too...
News Namco's Hack & Slash 'The Genji And The Heike Clans' Joins The Arcade Archives
Out now!
This week's arcade archives release from Hamster Corporation is the 1986 Namco side-scrolling hack 'n slash game, The Genji and the Heike Clans. Here's some PR and screens: "Players control the hero Taira no Kagekiyo on a mission to the capital city of Kamakura, to defeat the Demon Genji Clan's king Yoritomo. The player will face attacks...
News Four More Classic Shmups Confirmed For Switch, Including Konami's Cult Hit, Xexex
Shooter shower!
Hamster – the Japanese company behind the excellent Arcade Archives series – has announced at the Tokyo Game Show that it is bringing four classic shmups to Switch, including Konami's Xexex. Released in 1991, Xexex is held in very high regard by fans of the genre, and sadly never got a domestic port at the time of release (it...
News Taito Beat 'Em Up Typhoon Gal Joins Hamster's Arcade Archives On Switch
Available from the eShop
This week's Arcade Archives release from Hamster is Typhoon Gal / Onna Sanshirou. It was originally an action beat 'em up game released by Taito in 1985. Here's some PR and screenshots: "Players control martial-arts challenger Yuki as she faces off with the toughest opponents at rival martial arts schools. Yuki can use...
News Two Namco Classics Join Hamster's Arcade Archives This Week
A double serve of retro games
Hamster Corporation joined in on the Nintendo Direct celebrations earlier this week, with not one but two Namco game releases on the Switch eShop. First up we've got the original PAC-MAN title, released in arcades in 1980. The same rules apply here - players must clear stages by eating all the dots in each round...
News Jaleco's Original Fairy Puzzle Game Soldam Joins The Arcade Archives
Not to be confused with the updated version
Following on from the release of Pop Flamer last week, Hamster's now made another Jaleco arcade classic available. This one is a puzzle game known as Soldam, which was originally released in 1992. If you feel like you might have already played this on the Nintendo Switch before, then you've likely played
News Jaleco Action Game 'Pop Flamer' Joins Hamster's Arcade Archives Collection
Take control of a mouse with a flamethrower
Hamster's Arcade Archives release for the Nintendo Switch this week is the 1982 Jaleco action game, Pop Flamer. As the player, you'll take control of the "Pop Flamer" - a mouse with a flamethrower - to defeat monsters. You'll need to refuel your flamethrower by popping balloons, as the flames get weaker...
News Another Taito Game Joins Hamster's Arcade Archives This Week
Be the captain in Space Cruiser
Hamster's Arcade Archives series delivers more retro goodness on the Nintendo Switch eShop this week. The latest release is yet another Taito game. This time it's the 1981 arcade shooter Space Cruiser. As the player, you'll take on the role of a space cruiser captain in 2100 AD - patrolling space to ensure peace on...
News More Top-Down 2D Action Joins The Arcade Archives On Switch This Week
UPL's Vandyke returns
Hamster has confirmed this week's Arcade Archives release as UPL's 1990 top-down action arcade game, Vandyke. Your job, as a barbarian warrior, is to take down hordes of enemies and slay end of level bosses. "Players use weapons including swords, boomerangs, bombs, and flails to defeat enemies and bosses as they progress...
