Summary
- Release Year: 1996
- Genres: Arcade, Shooter
- Platforms: Arcade, PC (Microsoft Windows)
- Developers: Seibu Kaihatsu Inc.
- Publishers: DotEmu, fabtek, The Metrotainment Network, Tuning Electronic
Raiden Fighters (1996)
Raiden Fighters is a vertical scrolling shooter arcade game developed by Seibu Kaihatsu and published by Fabtek in 1996. It is the third game in the Raiden series, and the first to be released in arcades since Raiden in 1990.
The player controls one of seven fighters and must defeat waves of enemy aircraft and ground targets. The game is known for its fast-paced action, impressive graphics, and challenging difficulty.
Gameplay
Raiden Fighters is a vertical scrolling shooter in which the player controls one of seven fighters and must defeat waves of enemy aircraft and ground targets. The player’s ship can fire a variety of weapons, including lasers, missiles, and bombs. The player can also collect power-ups to increase their firepower and speed.
The game is divided into three missions, each of which consists of three stages. The first two stages of each mission may appear in either order. The final stage of each mission is always the same.
The player’s ship is equipped with a variety of weapons, including lasers, missiles, and bombs. The player can also collect power-ups to increase their firepower and speed.
Graphics
Raiden Fighters is known for its impressive graphics. The game’s backgrounds are highly detailed and feature a variety of environments, including cities, forests, and mountains. The enemy aircraft are also well-designed and animated.
Difficulty
Raiden Fighters is a challenging game. The enemy aircraft are numerous and aggressive, and the player must be constantly on their toes to avoid being hit. The game also features a number of difficult bosses, each of which requires a unique strategy to defeat.
Reception
Raiden Fighters was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its fast-paced action, impressive graphics, and challenging difficulty. It was also a commercial success, selling over 100,000 arcade units worldwide.
Legacy
Raiden Fighters is considered to be one of the best vertical scrolling shooters ever made. The game has been ported to a number of home platforms, including the Sega Saturn, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch. It has also been included in a number of compilation releases, such as the Raiden Fighters Aces collection.
Seven Fighters
Raiden Fighters features seven playable fighters, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses.
- Raiden MkII: The Raiden MkII is a well-rounded fighter with good firepower and speed. It is also the most maneuverable of the seven fighters.
- Judge Spear: The Judge Spear is a powerful fighter with a high rate of fire. However, it is also the slowest of the seven fighters.
- Blade: The Blade is a fast and agile fighter with a wide range of weapons. However, it is also the weakest of the seven fighters.
- Burner: The Burner is a heavily armored fighter with a powerful laser cannon. However, it is also the slowest of the seven fighters.
- Viper: The Viper is a versatile fighter with a variety of weapons. It is also the most maneuverable of the seven fighters.
- Einherjar: The Einherjar is a powerful fighter with a high rate of fire. However, it is also the slowest of the seven fighters.
- Dragon: The Dragon is a unique fighter that can transform into a dragon. In dragon form, the Dragon has increased firepower and speed.
Three Missions
Raiden Fighters is divided into three missions, each of which consists of three stages. The first two stages of each mission may appear in either order. The final stage of each mission is always the same.
- Mission 1: The first mission takes place in a variety of environments, including cities, forests, and mountains. The final stage of the mission is a boss fight against the giant alien mothership.
- Mission 2: The second mission takes place in a futuristic city. The final stage of the mission is a boss fight against the giant robot Raiden.
- Mission 3: The third mission takes place in space. The final stage of the mission is a boss fight against the giant alien mothership.
Development
Raiden Fighters was developed by Seibu Kaihatsu, a Japanese video game developer. The game was directed by Satoshi Hamada, who had previously worked on the first two Raiden games.
Raiden Fighters was developed using the Seibu ST-V hardware, which was also used in other arcade games such as Battle Garegga and Dodonpachi. The ST-V hardware was known for its powerful graphics and sound capabilities.
Release
Raiden Fighters was released in arcades in Japan in 1996. The game was later ported to the Sega Saturn, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch. It has also been included in a number of compilation releases, such as the Raiden Fighters Aces collection.
Reception
Raiden Fighters was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its fast-paced action, impressive graphics, and challenging difficulty. It was also a commercial success, selling
Review Score
8.5/10
