Toaplan Arcade Collection Vol. 2 review

Any respectable conversation about the golden era of arcade shooters wouldn’t end with Toaplan’s first anthology. While Vol. 1 charted the Suginami-based developer’s trajectory from Tiger-Heli to Batsugun, this second anthology showcases Toaplan stretching its wings creatively, dabbling in ideas that would inspire creativity across the STG skyscape.

Like the first volume, Toaplan Arcade Collection Vol. 2 gathers eight faithfully emulated titles previously released on PC. Similarly, they’re bundled on Switch with a multitude of welcome modern convivences that range from online leaderboards, display filters, to player-friendly assists like save states and the ability to rewind play. Just like the previous entry, it’s a package built for both nostalgia trips and serious score-chasing sessions on the go.

Beyond the Vertical Battlefield

Volume 1 was dominated by vertical military-themed shooter, and unsurprisingly, this companion completion largely sustains that focus, but with a few indispensable deviations. Zero Wing is a horizontally scrolling outing that’s probably most famous for its mistranslated “All your base are belong to us” text in the opening cutscene. But this 1989 STG should probably be remembered for its tight level design and weapon-cycling system, instead. Long live green, homing-shot supremacy!

1989’s Hellfire maintains the horizontal perspective but increases the intensity with a directional-fire mechanic that demands unbroken situational awareness. 1986’s Slap Fight blends vertical shooting with a Gradius-style weapon upgrade system, rewarding careful survival over aggressive play. 1993’s Grind Stormer pushes toward bullet-heavy chaos with dense enemy patterns and sophisticated scoring systems.

A Pair of Legends That Defined the Genre

Then there’s Truxton, a quintessential Toaplan vertical shooter that became a staple in arcades (and when ported to the Genesis / Mega Drive). Here it’s presented alongside Truxton 2, which expands everything from enemy density to visual spectacle. Rounding out the collection, Vimana offers a masterclass in charge-shot mechanics, while Twin Hawk distinguishes itself with its “wingman” helpers, who can flood the screen with assistive firepower. Arguably, a majority of STG mechanics can be traced back to the groundbreaking ideas found in this pair of Toaplan anthologies.

The ability to appreciate these games side by side underscores how creative Toaplan could be within the constraints of the arcade market. Slap Fight’s measured pacing sits comfortably next to Grind Stormer’s relentless bullet swarms, demonstrating the studio catering to both methodical players as well as reflex-driven thrill-seekers. Horizontal shooters like Hellfire and Zero Wing reveal the team’s knack for level design outside of the vertically scrolling comfort zone. Meanwhile, Vimana and Twin Hawk showcase Toaplan’s ambitions for innovation while maintaining their signature intensity. In many ways, Volume 2 emphasizes refinement and diversification, revealing the developer’s mounting technical prowess.

Flawless Execution But Incomplete Curation

As with Vol. 1, Bitwave’s emulation deserves praise once more. Input latency is minimal, ensuring that the razor-sharp timing demanded by these games remains intact. CRT-style filters and other display options allow for visual customization. Everything from crisp pixel art to the nostalgia-inducing curvature and scanlines of arcade monitors in available to players. Accessibility features such as adjustable difficulty, save states, and rewind help make even the most daunting stages. Last, there’s the inclusion of online leaderboards that have indicators showing whether assists were used.

If there’s a criticism to be leveled at Toaplan Arcade Collection Vol. 2, it’s the same one that lingered over its predecessor: the absence of supplemental materials. No developer interviews, no cabinet artwork, no design documents. There’s nothing that contextualizes these releases beyond the games themselves. For a studio with such an influential legacy, these kinds of extras would have enhanced the package immensely. And while this second volume offers more variety than the first, some may find the overall impact slightly diminished, especially if they consider Batsugun from Vol. 1 as Toaplan’s crown jewel.

Toaplan Arcade Collection Vol. 2 was played on Switch with review code provided by the publisher.