The Silver Hawk takes flight

Following a string of relative obscurities, this week’s Arcade Archives entry isn’t any stranger to any coin-op fan price their weight in pocket-jingling quarters — Taito’s legendary shmup, Darius, is now accessible to obtain on Nintendo Switch by way of the eShop.

Released to arcades in 1987, earlier than making its approach to a slew of house platforms, Darius is without doubt one of the most recognizable and beloved franchises within the shmup style, rendered iconic due to its dazzling visuals, thrilling two-player motion, sometimes nice Taito soundtrack, and, famously, its monumental arcade cupboard, which sported an enormous, three-screen panoramic show. Darius places gamers within the cockpit of the mighty Silver Hawk area vessels, tasked with defending the titular planet from the Belsar Empire.

Check out the widescreen motion within the video under, courtesy of YouTuber World of Longplays.

The unbelievable success of those arcade and residential ports would see the franchise stamp its id as one of many all-time shmup classics. Taito would launch a sequel, Darius II, in 1989, and a remixed model of the unique recreation, Darius Plus, in 1990. Since these halcyon days, the franchise has been visited a number of instances within the type of numerous remasters, sequels, and spin-offs. The most up-to-date iteration, Dariusburst: Chronicle Saviours, is out there now on PS4 and PC. It can also be price noting that Darius, together with a number of follow-up releases, can also be accessible by way of the 2 Darius Cozmic Collections.

Darius is out there to obtain now on Nintendo Switch, priced at $8. It is already accessible on PS4.

Chris Moyse

Senior Editor – Chris has been enjoying video video games because the Nineteen Eighties. Former Saturday Night Slam Master. Graduated from Galaxy High with honors. Twitter: @ChrisxMoyse