Fighters' Impact ad, featuring cosplay of Wrestling-style Silene, from 1996. The ad also promotes the upcoming release of Zuntata's Psychic Force and RayStorm soundtracks.
After re-releasing the Darius games as the Darius Cozmic Collection and G-Darius / G-Darius HD, M2 has returned to Taito’s other big shoot-em-up series with the Ray’z Arcade Chronology. The “Ray’z” name seems to be Taito’s official designation for the 90s-era trilogy consisting of RayForce, RayStorm, and RayCrisis, which all feature the same incredibly satisfying lock-on laser game mechanics as well as the usual spacey soundtracks from inhouse band Zuntata. This collection offers ports of all three games, based on the original arcade versions, developed by M2 as part of their ShotTriggers line of shoot-em-ups. Beyond their incredible emulation accuracy, they also include gadgets on the side of the screen, which let you know your current stage, the difficulty rank (if applicable), and status of your lock-on lasers. A particularly amusing option features background noise recorded from the Hey arcade in Akihabara, Tokyo, if you want to further immerse yourself in the action.
ININ Games will release Ray’z Arcade Chronology and RayStorm x RayCrisis HD Collection for PlayStation 4 and Switch in the west, the publisher announced. A release date was not announced.
While ININ Games will publish RayStorm x RayCrisis HD Collection both physically and digitally, it will only publish Ray’z Arcade Chronology digitally. A physical edition of the latter will be sold by Strictly Limited Games, however.
Ray’z Arcade Chronology, which is due out on March 9, 2023 in Japan, includes the following titles:
RayForce (1994)
RayStorm (1996)
RayStorm NEO-HD (2023) – A remastered version of the arcade version of RayStorm. RayStorm HD launched in 2010 with additional elements and support for 16:9 aspect ratio, but RayStorm NEO-HD includes the same content as the arcade version and retains a 4:3 aspect ratio.
RayCrisis (1998)
RayCrisis HD (2023) – A remastered version of RayCrisis.
RayStorm x RayCrisis HD Collection, which is a new announcement by ININ Games, was not detailed, but judging by the title will likely only include RayStorm NEO-HD and RayCrisis HD.
In the 90’s, the space shooter genre really hit peak levels with improving technology and the implementation of 3-D graphics. Taito’s Ray’z Arcade Chronology is an interesting piece of history, as it includes the original game in the series, RayForce, which was a 2-D vertical shooter, but then you get to see how things transitioned to 3-D in the follow-up, RayStorm, and then how it all tied…
Ray’z Arcade Chronology was announced last year and I was immediately intrigued. I love Shoot-em Ups (SHMUPs) and immediately made a YouTube video. Well, finally the game was released, in Japan. I bought the cartridge for my Nintendo Switch and made a few more YouTube videos.
The Games
Rayforce, also known a Layer Section or Galactic Attack, depending on region, was ported to the SEGA Saturn. I…
Ray'z Arcade Chronology and RayStorm x RayCrisis HD Collection Coming West
Ray’z Arcade Chronology and RayStorm x RayCrisis HD Collection Coming West
ININ Games have announced that they will be publishing both RayStorm x RayCrisis HD Collection and Ray’z Arcade Chronology in the West. While the former will be released both physically and digitally, Ray’z Arcade Chronology will only be released as a digital title by them. Strictly Limited Games will be releasing a physical version for Ray’z Arcade Chronology.
While the RayStorm x RayCrisis HD…
long overdue speedpaint of the piece i did for @metalwolf399 of his oc, Metal, and the ship r-gray 01 from Raystorm! If you like obscure retro games and gundams, you should check out his page. also shouts out to @lovedentist for the art i used for wolf’s reference images!
Raybo- the mood egg (ring) Pokémon- the moment raybo hatches from its egg, it will immediately feel the emotions of everyone near it. It’s body color will change depending on what emotions are present.
Rainclo- the angst Pokémon- this Pokémon has felt many strong emotions when it evolved, because of this, it is continuously trying to process them, often leaving it in a state of mental exhaustion. This Pokémon, despite its outward mood, is actually very empathetic, and it will often let tired trainers lay on its clouds to rest.
Raystorm- the emotional storm Pokémon- Raystorm is a terrifying force of nature when it is angered. This pokemon’s mood can change the weather and even cause hurricanes. However, this Pokémon prefers to live in isolated areas, making it difficult to rile it up.