Alright, so you know those arcade games that once made us shell out quarters like they were candy? Irem Collection Volume 3 just went digital, bringing back that mix of nostalgia and pixelated chaos. Why am I talking about this? No clue, but it’s worth your time, trust me.
Teaming up with ININ and Tozai Games, Irem’s dropping a bunch of shooter classics from the 80s and 90s. Remember Mr. Heli from ’87? Yeah, that cute ’em up that made you fly around weird levels—totally back. And Mystic Riders from ’92? Little known fact: it had boomerangs and dodge rolls way before they were cool. Oh, and Dragon Breed—because who doesn’t love a giant, fire-breathing dragon? These games were once like ghosts in the arcade realm but now? Hidden gems, for sure.
Now, these shooters aren’t just about mashing buttons. They’ll test your sanity, believe me. Made to gobble up coins, so don’t expect a walk in the park. Side note: ever think how arcade cabinets just gleamed under those overhead lights? Anyway—where was I? Oh right, they’ve thrown in some mod-cons for those of us who didn’t waste our childhood quarters.
You can tweak it all—controls, difficulty, you name it. Auto-fire is a lifesaver, let me tell you. No more bruised thumbs, and trust me, you’ll thank them later. Classic 80s challenge meets modern-day comfort. Also, can we just take a moment for the sound of your character respawning? Like stepping on crunchy leaves, but zippier.
And visuals—oh man—filters galore! Want that old-school CRT feel? Or maybe jazz it up with funky colors? It’s your call. Either way, the games look sweet, whether you’re diving into nostalgia or just ELI5 exploring.
Competitive streak? I hear you. Leaderboards let you flex those high scores globally. It’s about bragging rights, after all, and a little motivation never hurts anyone, right? Nothing like seeing your initials at the top of the list. Take that, childhood rival!
Now, if you missed Volumes 1 and 2, seriously, catch up. They’re chilling on Xbox One and Series X|S, too. Irem Collection Volume 3 is here, and it’s wild, quirky, and a total blast from the past that’s begging for some playtime. Go on, give it a whirl. Treat yourself.