Ikaruga Blasting Its Way Onto Xbox Live Arcade This Week

[Haemorrhage]

Major Nelson (http://majornelson.com/archive/2008/04/07/this-week-on-arcade-ikaruga.aspx) brings word that Treasure's long-awaited Xbox Live Arcade version of its top-down shooter Ikaruga will be arriving this Wednesday, April 9. It will be priced at 800 MS points.

From Xbox.com: (http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/i/ikarugaxboxlivearcade)

* Co-op play: Multiplayer support for two-player co-op offline or over Xbox LIVE allows you to clear the levels with a friend.
* Video replay: Record your best moves and replay them to awe your friends.
* Arcade shoot-'em-up action: Five full classic and exciting levels are coupled with twelve new achievements to master.


Hardcore shooter fans rejoice!

[Sl1pstream]

Online co-op is what sold me on this one. That and the points I won last week.

[Variable Gear]

I would so buy this if I had one of those RROD machines, I so would! I always wanted to play this on the GC!/rabid Treasure fanboy
Will we ever see a shooter revolution? Doubtful. But, I wouldn't mind. This release is still proof that the genre has legs.
We can re-release that bird game. (http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/981/50400263.JPG) We have the technology!

[fitbabits]

Online co-op is what sold me on this one. That and the points I won last week.

[off topic]Did I kill you at all in Call of Duty 4 last night? I think I may have, but I'm not entirely sure.[/off topic]

[Goronmon]

Online co-op? Hells yeah. If it wasn't for Ikaruga, I wouldn't have turned my Gamecube on in the last 2 years.

[Codicier]

Whee!

Now if only I didn't have exams until the 29th. :(

[Haemorrhage]

Now this is impressive. One person controlling both ships.

5ZEGyrEnXrk

[Sl1pstream]

[off topic]Did I kill you at all in Call of Duty 4 last night? I think I may have, but I'm not entirely sure.[/off topic]

Yes, 2 or 3 times...I mean...no, not at all!

[shunoshi]

Wow, I must buy this.... This game ranks up there in the "all time best shooters" along with Einhander (now if they'd only bring that to Live). Online coop will be great as long as there isn't lag. Even miniscule lag (like you see in N+) would be completely infuriating in Ikaruga.

[oldschooldimo]

i loved this game on the dreamcast, ill def. pick it up.

[Zander]

Fantastic game, I'll be picking it up.

[Siraris]

I can't wait for this. Let's hope it doesn't suffer from the same issues as Mr. Driller online multiplayer.

[Haemorrhage]

Online coop will be great as long as there isn't lag. Even miniscule lag (like you see in N+) would be completely infuriating in Ikaruga.

The good think about the lag in N+ is that it saves your ass as often as it lags you into death.

[Rommel]

This is an AWESOME game. If you have not had opportunity to play this gem I highly recommend it. The overhead and side-scrolling shooter genre is not dead, and there have been some great editions over the past few years. Ikaruga is one of the best examples.

I do warn newbies that it is not for the faint of heart. This title is a true throw back to the days when games were not pushovers designed to be beaten in a day, completed at 100% in a week and then put aside so that another fifty can be dropped on the next game. Ikargua is BITCHSMACKINGLY difficult. Similar to Ninja Gaiden levels of difficulty if you have intention to unlock any of the extras. One of the coolest unlockables I have ever seen is the ability to view a video of how to navigate a previous stage without dying if you do so on a later stage. When you manage this task and watch another portion you were having trouble with, expect a chorus of "Ohhhhhhhh's!" to explicit forth from the crowd.

[fitbabits]

Yes, 2 or 3 times...I mean...no, not at all!

I know you nailed me a few times... :(

[shunoshi]

The good think about the lag in N+ is that it saves your ass as often as it lags you into death.

Haha, that is very true. Are you buying this Haemorrhage? I'll throw down with you Wednesday night if you are (I need to finish N+ coop as well :o).

[Haemorrhage]

Haha, that is very true. Are you buying this Haemorrhage? I'll throw down with you Wednesday night if you are (I need to finish N+ coop as well :o).

I've really been on the fence about buying Ikaruga. I never played the original and by everyone's reaction, I think I should. If the online coop is solid, I will be joining you.

[Johan]

Finally, I get to see what all the fuss is about. There certainly has been a lot of it, too!

[Cavalier]

I'm starting the backlash.

Castle Crashers is vapourware!

[Baron Samedi]

Online co-op....How many of you have tried Ikaruga two-player? Like most shmups, two players just generally mucks things up. Ikaruga throws another curve ball into the mix by not allowing both players to occupy the same space. Indeed, if you try to move into your teammate's space, you will end up pushing him. This causes you to have to relearn many sections of the game, as you now to have to compensate for your partner or else push each other into many unwanted deaths.

Online co-op is cool, just realize that shmups are meant to be played solo.

[shunoshi]

Online co-op is cool, just realize that shmups are meant to be played solo.

I 100% disagree. Ikaruga is a phenomenal game coop. The fact that there is collision between both players means you need to play "cooperatively." This is easily done by each player handling their side of the screen. I've never had issues with running into my teammate on a regular basis.

The difficulty is still very prevalent in coop as well, so the usual problem with coop shmups being much easier than solo isn't the case with this game. Overall, the shared experience of coop is what made me love this game on the NGC.

[silv]

Buying this the day it releases. Excited.

[Disgustipated]

Buying this. Anyone else gonna co-op with me?

[menage]

Hell fucking hardcore yeah.

Prepares to die a million times.

[Nimos]

Great ! Played that to death on my Dreamcast... now how about a NEW shooter for the 360 ... Treasure ?

[Baron Samedi]

Great ! Played that to death on my Dreamcast... now how about a NEW shooter for the 360 ... Treasure ?

Treasure is currently developing Bangai-O Spirits for DS, an untitled shmup for 360 and an untitled action game for Wii. Be patient.

[TrackZero]

Ikaruga + "Co-op play: Multiplayer support for two-player co-op offline or over Xbox LIVE allows you to clear the levels with a friend." = ?!@#?$!?@#$?!?@#?!@#$ WANT

[Pigeon]

I almost beat level 2 on normal once! true story!

[Spigot]

I just traded away my Cube copy of this last week or the week before. Most of the reason for that was because I knew I could always download it on XBLA.. the rest of the reason was because I've never gotten past level 2.

Playing this online with co-op would be fun. I MIGHT get this, but probably not right away. Too busy with Mr. Driller :)

[Rommel]

I 100% disagree. Ikaruga is a phenomenal game coop. The fact that there is collision between both players means you need to play "cooperatively." This is easily done by each player handling their side of the screen. I've never had issues with running into my teammate on a regular basis.

The difficulty is still very prevalent in coop as well, so the usual problem with coop shmups being much easier than solo isn't the case with this game. Overall, the shared experience of coop is what made me love this game on the NGC.

It is part of the point of the two-player mode. Instead of flying in the same spot, which the videos teach you just how to do, each player is forced to actually play and learn. 2P Ikaruga is a totally new experience from the single player, and that is a good thing! Besides, two players screaming "JESUS CHRIST DON'T TOUCH ME!" in pure terror is always fun!

I almost beat level 2 on normal once! true story!

Liar.

If you are all wondering what makes this game so hard, allow me to elaborate a wee bit. Your ships hit box is about the size of a period. Sounds helpful, but all it does is give excuse to fill 100% of the screen with death. WITH DEATH. You do not *dodge,* you are either in the right death or not. Good luck.

[no wii]

i pre ordered this for the gamecube . loved every minute . wont pay again when my wii will play the gamecube one. I am with Nimos . give me a new shooter or how bout radiant silvergun I never got to play that . ... treasure is giving me a new bangai o later this year for ds so no tears .

[shunoshi]

You do not *dodge,* you are either in the right death or not. Good luck.

Hah, that's so true. You're either the correct color or you're dead. Dodging isn't an option most times. :D

[EvilTheBadger]

Oh so happy. To think I almost spent those points on COD 4 maps (that can't possibly stay 800 pts forever)

[agentgray]

The right game at the right price point. I no longer have my Dreamcast, but I still have the import. A buddy and I even went so far as to build an arcade cabinet with joystick controls and a tate monitor. I even have the Appreciate DVD (which has since been eclipsed with youtube videos). Why did I ever get rid of the system?

It's also the only Gamecube game I still play, and at that I play it about every other week.

I'm hoping the Live version keeps the tate mode. I have a widescreen LCD that I can tilt on the side with my VGA cable. It's the only, for me, true way to enjoy the game.

It's punishing. After almost three years of gameplay, I can pretty much only chain levels one and two.

[mister_slim]

Sweet, finally. This is a much cheaper way to replace my copy.

[Yeti]

Sweet. I've got too much hair anyway. :)

[sleepbox]

I will buy.

[YoungAlCapone]

This will be mine.

Me and a friend actually beat this on Gamecube, only took us a few years. Funny thing, it took us all those years just to get past the first part of the final stage, and then we beat it right away after passing that part. We even restarted because we thought we had turned it onto practice mode or something, there was just no way we could be playing that well.

[Ten19]

I'm probably going to pick this up...if I do I'll be trolling friends lists for co-op ;)

[SteelAttack]

Sweet news! Even though I'm a wimp at shmups, I really have to pick this one up. Its difficulty is legendary.

[Rommel]

Its like Silver Surfer but fun

[Headcase]

The flow of this game is great, how your ship keeps switching black, white, black, white, black, white, over and over again, forcing you to pay attention to two different types of bullets at the same time.

The second to last boss is my personal favourite part of the game. And while I don't care much about HD this particular game would surely look much better in HD.

One really key thing about this game to keep in mind is that only the very center of your ship is vulnerable.

Good luck getting past all that bullet hell :)

[Spigot]

Arg. I played the demo today and remembered why I stopped playing this game. As gorgeous as it is, as fun as it is, it's just too much like work. I'm just not hardcore enough anymore. Sigh.

Time to check into the retirement home and play Wii Bowling all day with Myrtle from Room 209.

[EvilTheBadger]

Arg. I played the demo today and remembered why I stopped playing this game. As gorgeous as it is, as fun as it is, it's just too much like work. I'm just not hardcore enough anymore. Sigh.

You work as a fighter pilot destroying huge robots? I guess you can't please everybody :0)

[Spigot]

You work as a fighter pilot destroying huge robots? I guess you can't please everybody :0)Well, there's the fact that I played the game to death on the Cube, so I'm not getting a big novelty thrill from it like I do from other games. There's also the fact that the game kicks my ass after the first level, assuming I can even make it through the first level.

I love the look of the game and I have no problem being a fighter pilot blowing up robots. I just wish they were nicer about it.