Irem Collection Volume 2 from ININ Games, Tozai Games, and Ratalaika Games is bringing another batch of beloved classics to the Nintendo Switch, and I’m here to give you the rundown. Let’s jump into the details of this collection, featuring the run ‘n’ gun titles GunForce and its sequel GunForce II, alongside the fast-paced shoot ’em up Air Duel.
Last year, I got my hands on Irem Collection Volume 1 for the Nintendo Switch, which included some thrilling shoot ’em ups like Image Fight, Image Fight II, and X-Multiply. Now, we are diving into what Volume 2 has to offer, and I’ve got to say, it’s an exciting trio.
Once you get the collection, you have a choice: Casual Mode or Classic Mode. Casual Mode makes it easier to enjoy the games by allowing you to rewind if you make a mistake, enter cheat codes like invincibility and infinite lives, and save your progress anytime. Autofire is also available to keep your fingers from cramping up. But if you want to experience the games as they were originally meant to be, Classic Mode’s got you covered, and you can even compete for high scores on the online leaderboard.
Let’s talk about GunForce. This game first hit arcades back in 1991, and your mission is straightforward—blast anything that stands between you and the villain threatening Earth. It was a simpler time for gaming, and you can feel that nostalgic charm in every pixel. GunForce also made its way to the Super Nintendo in 1992, although it came with the usual limitations of the era, like occasional slowdown and sprite flicker. This collection includes both the arcade and SNES versions, letting you decide which version suits your fancy.
Controlling your character is a breeze, whether you prefer the left analog stick or the D-Pad. Use the A button to fire, the B button to jump, and with autoshooting mapped to the Y button, taking down adversaries becomes a thrilling challenge. If you ever find yourself in a pinch, the L button lets you rewind time. The collection offers a solid arsenal: power ammo, machine guns, lasers, and flamethrowers are yours to wield. And don’t forget, pressing the + button opens the menu to save or load your progress with ease.
Moving on to GunForce II, this sequel hit the arcade in 1994, throwing even more frenetic action your way. It’s a run ‘n’ gun that amps up the intensity, allowing your character to wield dual weapons simultaneously. You can upgrade one of your guns while maintaining your standard firepower in the other. The dynamic aiming system, with arms swinging in a circle, adds a layer of strategy as you face relentless enemies and tough bosses. Despite these upgrades, the feel and power-ups remain: it’s intuitive and keeps the action consistent with its predecessor.
In GunForce II, you step into the shoes of Max and Lei, tasked with halting the planetary threat posed by D.A.S. Playing this, you might get flashbacks to the Metal Slug series, known for its captivating animation and fast-paced gameplay—perhaps not a coincidence, as GunForce II is often dubbed “Metal Slug Zero”. Fascinatingly, this was Irem’s last arcade release, making it a pivotal point in their game development history.
Finally, we have Air Duel, a classic vertical shoot ’em up that first launched in arcades in 1990. Like its collection companions, Air Duel manages to keep things straightforward in the controls department, letting you navigate with precision. You can choose to pilot either a jet fighter or a chopper, each with its own attack styles. The jet’s spread shot clears a path through masses of enemies, while the chopper’s directed fire delivers focused attacks, ideal for taking down bosses.
If you want to get the authentic arcade experience, the game’s settings allow you to rotate the screen, perfect for using your Flip Grip if you’ve got one, creating an arcade cabinet feel right on your Switch.
In summary, Irem Collection Volume 2 delivers a solid lineup for fans of retro classics. With GunForce, its sequel GunForce II, and the vertical shoot ’em up Air Duel, this collection offers a fascinating dive into arcade history, now playable on the Nintendo Switch for $24.99.
Disclaimer: A Nintendo Switch copy of Irem Collection Volume 2 was provided by ININ Games for this review.
