Toaplan’s decade-long contribution to the gaming industry left an indelible mark, particularly through its pioneering work in 2D shooters. Following the development of defining titles, the team at Toaplan paved the way for the bullet hell genre with their 1993 masterpiece, Batsugun. Even after the studio’s final closure, its former members went on to shape the landscape of the shooting game genre, joining forces with notable studios like Takumi, Gazelle, Raizing/Eighting, and the legendary Cave.
Despite its illustrious history, Toaplan’s most infamous creation, the mistranslated ‘all your base are belong to us’ in the European Mega Drive port of their game Zero Wing, has transcended the studio, genre, and even the video game realm to become a cultural icon. However, in recent years, a selection of Toaplan’s games have made a comeback, with developer-publisher M2 already porting several Toaplan shooters as part of its acclaimed ‘ShotTriggers’ series. Now, the retro specialist Bitwave Games introduces the Toaplan Arcade Shoot ‘Em Up Collection Vol.1 to PC owners.
Toaplan Arcade Shoot ‘Em Up Collection Vol. 1 – Release Date Trailer
This collection delves into a four-year period in Toaplan’s middle history, showcasing the team’s exploration of the foundational aspects that would later define the bullet hell genre. Expect a focus on the formative years between 1987 and 1990, during which Toaplan’s developers began to depart from the conventions of traditional shooters and ventured into more energetic territories.
Available as a Steam bundle or individually, the Bitwave’s debut Toaplan volume comprises four games: the relentless military shoot-’em-up Twin Cobra, the previously unported hybrid run ‘n’ gun shooter Out Zone, the visually stunning classic Truxton, and the meme-worthy horizontal scroller Zero Wing.
At the core, the ports are robust, offering performance and speed comparable to the arcade originals. When comparing Out Zone on an esteemed arcade PCB to Bitwave’s digital version, discerning differences would require a keen eye. For the most skilled players who can spot subtle nuances, some audio and sprite placement quirks might stand out. However, these are enjoyable ports overall, with the exception of a few peculiarities regarding audio and sprite elements.
With a diverse spread of games, each title offers its own delights. Truxton, with its sci-fi vertical layout and meticulous production quality, stands out as a shining example of Toaplan’s craftsmanship. Zero Wing, inspired by iconic titles like R-Type and Gradius, retains its charm despite being slightly longer than desired. Twin Cobra, the oldest game in the collection, retains a conventional military theme but adds a touch of energy that appeals to nostalgia buffs. Finally, Out Zone, never before officially released outside of arcades, brings a unique blend of run ‘n’ gun and 2D shooter mechanics, delivering an engaging experience that matches Truxton’s presentation and impact.
The highlight of the collection is undoubtedly Out Zone, which breaks the traditional shmup design template to deliver something truly special. By placing you in the role of a cyborg soldier, Out Zone blends run ‘n’ gun elements with 2D shooter gameplay, featuring vertical scrolling, multidirectional shooting, and ground-based hazards. The strategy lies in matching weapon behavior with the immediate environment, making each playthrough a dynamic and engaging experience.
Out Zone not only offers energy, personality, and presentation on par with Truxton but also adds a bounty of fun and challenges, particularly given its exclusive status in the compilation. Its inclusion significantly enhances the appeal of this package.
While the arrival of most retro compilations sparks emulation debates, the Toaplan Arcade Shoot ‘Em Up Collection Vol.1 goes beyond just the games themselves, offering online leaderboards, customizable game and display settings, and various assists like hitbox reduction and highlighting. The inclusion of a rewind button caters to players’ preferences, adding convenience to the experience.
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