Toaplan Arcade Shoot ‘Em Up Collection Vol. 2 is here and we’ve been chomping at the bit to get this review to you. Following the success of Vol. 1, which we rather liked, Bitwave Games is once again quenching our thirst for pew pew games of old with the second instalment available on Steam and GOG from 24th August 2023.
Before we get cracking on with the review, it’s good to explain that although the four games are released as a collection, they are purchased separately. This means you only have to purchase the ones you would like to play. Also, the version we have played for this review were test versions and we’ve already started seeing crucial updates to resolve some niggly issues.
The collection contains four Toaplan arcade games, Fire Shark, Flying Shark, Hellfire and Slap Fight. Each new port is based on a new emulation build that aims to recreate the perfect arcade experience with minimum input lag. There is also a host of modern features that have been added with the mains one being save states, online leaderboards, rewind, replay saves and difficulty settings.
Those that want the pure and original arcade experience, without any gameplay enhancements, can just leave the settings. Those that may be newcomers to the genre, or more casual in their approach, can utilise auto fire settings as well easy modes. The features are pretty much what we’ve come to expect from retro releases on modern systems but the option to customise the arcade experience is welcome.
Slap Fight was first released in 1986 and is a true classic of the genre that holds a cult status today. Much of that status is down to just how tough this game is. Most shmups are difficult and require practice but Slap Fight takes the challenge to a whole new level. The emulation here is spot on and even though you will be dying a lot, each death is on you. Also, there are no continues which may add to your suffering.
It features a unique upgrade system, where you save up stars to spend on weapons and speed boosts on the fly. This is an excellent feature that should be utilised in modern shmups. Overall, Slap Fight feels a little dated, both in terms of presentation and mechanics, but it’s a true classic that will give even the most hardened veterans nightmares.
Flying Shark was released in 1987 and takes place in a military setting. It’s a straightforward shmup with a normal shot and a bomb supply. The occasional weapon power-up can be collected as well as extra bombs. There are no continues so you need to learn the enemy patterns if you want to finish the game but you can accrue extra lives at certain point milestones.
The pixel art in Flying Shark is beautiful and feels quintessentially 8bit with bold colours and detailed animations. Even on the easy difficulty setting this one is truly challenging but the great gameplay makes up for it and you will just want that one more go after each failure. One for the arcade purists who savour skilled gameplay above all else, just save your bombs for those tough boss fights.
Fire Shark is the sequel to Flying Shark and was released in 1989. The military theme continues and the amount of enemy variety is impressive and helps keep the action fresh through ten tough levels that loop. The weapon system has been enhanced with three different types and each having three levels of power. There are also now extra speed and point pick-ups to utilise plus the thankful introduction of continues.
The overall game feels much more robust than its predecessor with more bang in every department. The toughness still ensures though and it can feel overwhelming at times. This is one of those shmups where you simply have to learn the waves and how to avoid the never-ending onslaught of bullets. Once you start to improve you will find the successes rewarding and enjoy the bonus points on offer.
Hellfire is the only horizontal shmup included in Vol. 2 but is the one with the most variety. Not just in the levels, with each having a distinct theme and enemy set, but also with an interesting weapon system. It allows you to rotate the direction of your cannons to attack enemies depending on where they appear on the screen. This gimmick is widely used in the boss battles where you will be constantly switching.
The slower nature of this one means it’s probably the best place for newcomers to Toaplan games to start but that doesn’t mean it’s any easier to finish. The waves are more structured but the bullets are just as plentiful. The boss battles let Hellfire down as they all follow a similar pattern but the overall gameplay design makes it stand out and it’s genuinely a different kind of shmup experience.
Overall, Toaplan Arcade Shoot ‘Em Up Collection Vol. 2 is a great achievement that any arcade fan will revel in. The high difficulty will have many excited to try while casual fans can use all the gameplay options to tone down the onslaught. It isn’t perfect, during this review a few moments of slowdown were noticed, but there were also regular patches that will hopefully remove this on the final release.
If you enjoy the arcade classics and want a modern way to enjoy them then you should be taking a look at any one of these great offerings from Bitwave Games. With modern extras, such as being able to adjust your starting lives or making your hitbox smaller, it allows anyone to jump in without feeling overwhelmed. A triumph on how to bring real arcade gaming to modern platforms, a must-play.
