Developer: Taito, Hamster Corporation
Publisher: ININ Games
Genre: Action, Arcade, Platformer, Retro
Price: $39.99
Release Date: December 10th, 2024
Where to buy: Switch
Taito Milestones 3, the latest installment in ININ Games’ series of Taito arcade compilations, offers a collection of ten games spanning various genres and eras. While the compilation showcases some iconic titles and lesser-known gems, it also suffers from a lack of features and presentation, leaving a somewhat mixed impression.
The standout titles in the collection are undoubtedly Bubble Bobble and its sequel, Rainbow Island. These beloved bubble-popping platformers remain as charming and addictive as ever, offering endless replayability and cooperative fun. Rastan and Rastan Saga, the hack-and-slash adventures, also hold up well, providing satisfying combat and exploration.
However, the compilation’s other titles are more divisive. Cadash, a standout title within Taito Milestones 3, presents a fascinating blend of action and role-playing elements that was groundbreaking for its time. This side-scrolling adventure offers players the choice of four distinct character classes – Warrior, Wizard, Priest, and Ninja – each with unique abilities and playstyles.
The game’s world is filled with diverse environments, from dark dungeons to sprawling forests, and populated by a variety of enemies. Combat is fast-paced and satisfying, with players using swords, magic spells, and special abilities to defeat foes. The RPG elements are surprisingly deep for an arcade game, with experience points, leveling up, and equipment upgrades adding a layer of strategy and progression.
While Cadash is a unique and ambitious title, it’s not without its flaws. The controls can feel clunky at times, and the difficulty curve can be steep, especially for those unfamiliar with the genre. The game’s timer system, which forces players to complete levels within a certain time limit, can also be frustrating.
Despite these shortcomings, Cadash remains a captivating and historically significant game. Its innovative blend of action and RPG elements, along with its challenging gameplay, makes it a must-play for fans of retro gaming and those who appreciate unique gaming experiences.
Rastan Saga, also known as Rastan in North America, is a side-scrolling hack-and-slash arcade game developed and published by Taito in 1987. It’s a classic example of the genre, known for its fast-paced action, challenging gameplay, and memorable boss battles.
The game follows the titular hero, Rastan, as he embarks on a quest to rescue a princess from a dark lord. Armed with a sword and shield, Rastan must battle through hordes of enemies, including skeletons, goblins, and dragons. The game’s levels are diverse, ranging from dark dungeons to sprawling outdoor environments.
One of the game’s standout features is its boss battles. Each boss encounter is unique and challenging, requiring players to learn their attack patterns and exploit their weaknesses. The final boss battle is particularly epic, pitting Rastan against a massive, multi-headed dragon.
While Rastan Saga may seem simple by today’s standards, its addictive gameplay and challenging difficulty have made it a beloved classic. It remains a must-play for fans of retro gaming and hack-and-slash enthusiasts.
Dead Connection is a vertical-scrolling shoot ’em up arcade game developed and published by Taito in 1992. It’s a unique blend of sci-fi and detective noir, with players taking control of a detective armed with a variety of futuristic weapons.
The game’s distinctive visual style and fast-paced action make it a standout in the genre. Players must navigate through a series of challenging levels, filled with hordes of enemies, powerful bosses, and intricate level designs. The game’s impressive graphics, smooth animation, and dynamic sound effects create a truly immersive experience.
While Dead Connection is a visually striking and challenging game, it may not appeal to all players. Its demanding difficulty and unforgiving nature can be frustrating for those who are not experienced with the genre. However, for fans of classic shoot ’em ups, Dead Connection is a hidden gem worth exploring.
Champion Wrestler is a unique arcade game released by Taito in 1989. It takes players into the world of professional wrestling, offering a blend of action and strategy.
The game features a roster of eight colorful wrestlers, each with their own unique attributes and special moves. Players can choose their favorite wrestler and battle their way through a series of matches, ultimately aiming to become the champion.
One of the game’s key mechanics is the power meter. By rapidly tapping the attack button, players can build up power, which can then be unleashed in powerful special moves. This adds a layer of strategy to the gameplay, as players must balance offense and defense to emerge victorious.
While Champion Wrestler may not be as well-known as some of Taito’s other arcade classics, it’s a fun and nostalgic title that offers a glimpse into the world of professional wrestling. Its simple yet addictive gameplay and colorful characters make it a worthy addition to the Taito Milestones 3 collection.
Rastan Saga 2, also known as Nastar and Nastar Warrior, is the sequel to the popular hack-and-slash game Rastan. Released in 1988, it continues the high-fantasy adventure, featuring a new hero named Nastar who must once again battle through dangerous dungeons and defeat powerful bosses to save the kingdom.
While the core gameplay remains similar to the original, Rastan Saga 2 introduces several new features, including a wider variety of weapons and magic spells. The game’s graphics are also improved, with larger sprites and more detailed backgrounds. However, some critics argue that the sequel’s level design is less inspired than the original, and the overall difficulty is somewhat reduced.
Despite these criticisms, Rastan Saga 2 is still a fun and challenging game that offers plenty of action and adventure. It’s a must-play for fans of the original game and hack-and-slash enthusiasts in general.
Runark, also known as Growl, is a unique beat-em-up game. It’s a chaotic, four-player co-op experience where players take on the role of rangers tasked with protecting animals from poachers.
The game stands out for its over-the-top violence and fast-paced action. Players can unleash a flurry of punches, kicks, and special moves on hordes of enemies. The game also features a variety of weapons, including guns, chainsaws, and even a giant bear trap.
While Runark may not be the most refined beat-em-up, its chaotic gameplay and cooperative fun make it a memorable experience. It’s a great choice for those who enjoy mindless action and cooperative gaming.
Warrior Blade is a unique beat-’em-up game that stands out for its innovative dual-screen setup. Released in 1991, it’s a sequel to the popular Rastan Saga series, though it takes a different approach to the hack-and-slash formula.
The game features a fast-paced, over-the-top style of combat, with players wielding a variety of weapons and unleashing powerful special moves. The dual-screen setup adds a layer of depth and strategy to the gameplay, allowing players to view both a close-up perspective of the action and a wider overview of the level.
While Warrior Blade may not be as well-known as some of Taito’s other arcade classics, it’s a hidden gem for fans of the beat-em-up genre. Its innovative gameplay mechanics and stylish presentation make it a memorable experience.
Thunder Fox is a fast-paced, vertical-scrolling shooter that takes place in a futuristic setting. Players control a fighter jet, battling through waves of enemy aircraft and ground defenses. The game is known for its challenging gameplay, impressive graphics, and dynamic sound effects.
One of the standout features of Thunder Fox is its variety of power-ups, which can enhance the player’s firepower and defensive capabilities. By collecting power-ups, players can unleash devastating attacks on their enemies.
The game’s boss battles are particularly intense, requiring players to dodge enemy fire and exploit the boss’s weaknesses. The final boss battle is especially epic, pitting the player against a massive, multi-stage enemy.
While Thunder Fox may not be as well-known as some of Taito’s other arcade classics, it’s a hidden gem for fans of the shoot ’em up genre. Its challenging gameplay, impressive visuals, and dynamic sound effects make it a must-play for those who enjoy a good challenge.
Overall, Taito Milestones 3 is a decent collection for fans of classic arcade games, but it’s not without its flaws. The inclusion of some lesser-known titles and the lack of features and presentation detract from the overall experience. While the core games are still enjoyable, the package could have been much more comprehensive and polished.
