The Wait Is Over! Taito's 1987 Shmup 'Exzisus' Joins Arcade Archives Today

I wish we could get even mini reviews of these Arcade Archives releases. (Even the most awful Wii ware was covered back in the day). Arcade Archives is convenient but finding decent information about the games is not all that easy. I know I could try them on Mame but it is hard to know whether cheap tricks are in the later game or not or whether it is just hard but fair and good. (I don’t really like playing on computer either)

Hmm interesting - not one that’s come to Egret II, and no surprise, either, since it was dual-screen game like Rastan 3 (aka Warrior Blade, which is on sale this week with some other Arcade Archives Taito games). I’ll look forward to seeing more about the game during Hamster’s livestream for it in November. Apparently it’ll be the first home port of the dual-screen version of the game.

If anybody’s wondering how to pronounce the title, it’s read “ikujiizasu” in Japanese, so “ickzeesus” is probably close enough. 😁

@Teksette Is there any of the current ones that are on sale that are worth getting ?
(I don’t like games where the AI cheats I nearly got warrior blade but I usually scrutinise anything pre 1990 much more.)

@h3s Hmm well tastes vary, but I’d say Warrior Blade is worth it if you’re fond of the original Rastan or beat ‘em ups like Golden Axe.

Ninja Warriors is a side scrolling slash ‘em up arcade classic, presentation was top-notch for the era with its multi-screen stretch layout and wild theme song. Probably more style than substance, but it’s a quality game!

I personally will be getting Front Line, for a couple reasons.
1) It’s the granddaddy of games like Ikari Warriors - an older game but a fun one I played a ton on Colecovision growing up.
2) Hamster will be build in compatibility with the “loop lever” revolving joystick on the HORI modular arcade stick I managed to preorder. I’ll be keen to try that out.

Elevator Action might even be worth it for you, if you’re not averse to older games or enjoyed the NES version.

If they stretch the Taito sale to a 3rd week and include Elevator Action Returns, though, definitely jump on that!

Sorry to drone on. I’m just a fan of Taito and Arcade Archives in general. 😅

@Teksette Thanks I will probably pick up the first two. Don’t worry about rambling on I dunno whether it is due to not giving away review codes or what but nobody seems to cover Arcade Archives at all really. (Personally I like Konami /SNK and some Data East but I do want to branch out a bit. (Excluding shmups that seem to be quite well served in terms of information.)

It is also kind of bad for such as us that stuff like the new Snow Bros on Nintendo Life gets completely panned when there is not really anything wrong with it. (In the past Thomas Whitehouse used to put at least 25hrs into a game I don’t envy him having to do that but far too often these games are not even reviewed by people who have even bothered to learn to play properly.)

If you haven’t tried Mazinger Z I think anyone with even a passing interest in Arcade Games would like it despite its cost. (I think it’s more worth its price than Ridge Racer etc)

@h3s
Ooh yeah Mazinger Z! I’ve been meaning to buy that ever since it launched. I really liked the other licensed Banpresto games (Macross and Macross II) but for some reason I kept waiting for a sale on Mazinger that has never come. I’ll pick it up eventually - thanks for the recommendation!

It’s true that Arcade Archive news is really sparse in the West, sadly. There’s info in Japan, though you have to get around the language barrier. I lived in Japan and have decent language ability, so I really enjoy watching Hamster’s livestream every Thursday morning. They talk about the weekly releases, do some gameplay, and often have some of the original devs come in as guests to describe how the games were built. There may be some auto-subtitle option on YouTube these days that could help, if you ever wanted to check that out. Even the modest older games have pretty interesting origins, when you look at them in context.

@Teksette You really need to stop singing the praises of that unscrupulous company. Last time, you spouted nonsense claiming Hamster wasn't a company obsessed with money, and now you're spouting rubbish again. I always wondered why you praised that Japanese company so excessively. Turns out you were a Wapanese person too.

@gmar
Umm what? Are you still sore Hamster charged full price for Space Invaders?
And you call MY opinions “rubbish” and “nonsense?” Oh, that is rich!

Just because you feel Hamster overcharges for games does not make them an unscrupulous company. I’d say there are plenty of other companies WAY more deserving of the label. Hamster delivers a consistent product, every single week, and I feel the pricing is within reason.

And yeah, my opinion of them is informed by my Japanese fluency, and experience living in Japan for almost a decade. So what?? If anything, it provides me a fuller picture of what they’re doing, which is honest, hard work. The Hamster president and all the developer guests who appear on their livestream most weeks love games, and they’re excited to preserve and bring back some of these lost gems. I feel their enthusiasm, and it comes out in my posts here. Hey, at least I have an informed opinion! How about you?

Actually, forget I asked. Someone who dismisses others as “Wapanese” must have some pretty ingrained biases, so I’m not going to bother arguing further with you.