If you ever want to have a very wide-ranging conversation that lasts for hours, start a conversation with me about Cave’s classic shoot-em-ups.
Sadly, the reflexes that made me so good at games like Dodonpachi and Espgaluda II have been lost to me, but I still occasionally participate in high-score challenges when the opportunity arises.
The best way to play these classic blasters these days is on the Nintendo Switch (I wonder if these were what was in that woman’s bra), especially if you can play in Tate mode by holding the screen vertically. It may not be an option to find an original arcade cabinet, but they get mad at you if you try to drag one of those onto the plane with you.
Anyway, if you’ve never played them and fancy a mind-bogglingly hypnotic screen filled with explosions, bullets and patterns that only Japanese bullet-hell shooters can provide, four classic shmups are on sale now at 50% off on the Nintendo e-Store and every single one of them is worth your time.
These four titles include the four cave giants mentioned above. Dodonpachi ResurrectionEspgaluda II, and the much less played but equally excellent Mushihimesama.
It’s not just the Cave games that are on discount, but also Radiant Silvergun from seminal arcade studio Treasure which you may remember on the Sega Saturn if you’re old and wise like me. RS is one of the best shoot ’em ups ever made, but I’d go with the Cave games on personal preference but all of these games are arcade royalty.
Available in both the US and European e-shops, they’re all 50% off until June 26th and will set you back $9.99 / £7.59.
If you’re even mildly interested, search for a Flip Grip or 3D print a clone for yourself and play these games the way they’re meant to be played, with a few tweaks to the options. Only then will you experience their true brilliance.
up-your-shmup-game-with-five-discounted-classic-blasters-on-the-switch
