Switch

Revisiting the golden era of arcade gaming Across a fifteen-year period between 1986 and 2001, VISCO Corporation created 38 arcade games. What’s remarkable about this span isn’t just how prolific the Kyoto-based developer was. It’s ...

Most of today’s retro compilations offer only brief glimpses into the development process. But The Making of Karateka chronicles the journey with the meticulousness of an academic historian and the flair of a multimedia artist. ...

Tragically overlooked in the early 2000s, Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster unites two innovative role-playing adventures into one, remarkable, deck-building bundle. Success is never guaranteed in gaming. Despite earning critical acclaim upon its ...

The allure of fan-service versus the tedium of inconsequential dialog. Undoubtedly, Mugen Souls had its share of problems. The title was burdened by longwinded conversations and a battle system laden with mechanics which barely enriched the role-playing ...

The latest SciADV is the most fantastical and fast-paced entry. But that means we don’t really get to know some of the characters. Long before science fiction habitually became a conduit for escapism, it provided ...

Feeling a bit sheepish is understandable For some, the Story of Seasons and its spin-off, Rune Factory are a single, hulking monolith. Undoubtedly, there’s a shred of validity to that perspective since each entry revolves ...

Despite the lack of historical material and a few obligatory clunkers, Taito Milestones 2’s emulation is top-notch thanks to Hamster’s habitual diligence.   As a retro anthology, 2002’s Taito Milestones was a bit lackluster. The ...

Take the initiative and enjoy this pair of uplifting RPG-musical classics. In most modern role-playing games, geopolitical tensions and world-ending threats are pervasive. But as the rereleases of 1999’s Rhapsody II: Ballad of the Little ...

When fists fly, clothes will vanish. Whether it’s a metaphor for vulnerability or just old-fashioned fan service, Akiba’s Trip: Undead & Undressed Director’s Cut lets Switch owners enjoy an expanded version of Acquire’s puckish brawler. ...

A Ray of Hope Courtesy of Retro Aces M2 Every STG fan should be familiar with the three Rs: Raiden, R-Type, and Taito’s Ray series. Each franchise takes a distinct approach to the genre. Raiden’s ...