Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX, developed by MOSS and published by NIS America, takes players back to the classic arcade shoot-’em-up genre with another newly remixed version of a classic in the Raiden franchise. This PlayStation 5 version of the game offers a fresh, high-octane experience with customizable features and a revitalized visual presentation.
The premise of Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX is straightforward: an extraterrestrial race known as the Crystals launches an assault on Earth, and it’s up to players to put an end to their relentless attack. The game stays true to its classic origins, offering a nostalgic arcade experience with vertical scrolling gameplay and unique wallpapers adorning the edges of the screen so that you’re not looking at a horizontally mounted screen that’s half black.
Visually, Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX captures the essence of a classic vertically scrolling shmup from the ’90s. The 4:3 ratio screen, accompanied by art panels on the sides, evokes a sense of authenticity. The sprite designs are impressive, although both player ships and enemies appear relatively small, making it easy to lose track of your ship in the chaos of the action depending on how far you’re away from the screen. However, the end-of-level bosses compensate for this by providing large, multi-stage encounters that add an exciting challenge.
In terms of audio, the game offers solid sound effects, delivering satisfying sound effects and explosions. One of the selling points of this remix edition is the remixed background music, but unfortunately, the new tunes don’t live up to expectations. The remixes feel like they don’t live up to the quality in the Raiden IV remix, so while the game boasts decent visuals and the original tunes haven’t lost their appeal, the audio experience falls short of its potential.
When it comes to gameplay mechanics, Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX impresses with its variety of modes. Arcade mode offers the classic “you against the hordes” gameplay, while Boss Rush mode lets players face off against formidable bosses. Score Attack challenges players to achieve the highest score possible, while the Overkill mode introduces a risk/reward dynamic with a focus on close-quarters combat. The addition of extra levels ensures there’s no shortage of content to explore, so from a gameplay perspective this is certainly the best version of Raiden III out there.
One standout feature is the couch co-op two-player mode, allowing players to team up and enjoy the action together. For those seeking an even greater challenge, Double Play mode enables control of two spaceships simultaneously, although it can be visually overwhelming to keep track of both ships at once.
However, one downside of Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX is the screen becoming too busy during intense moments, with the player’s own offensive weaponry adding to the visual clutter. This can make it challenging to discern enemy projectiles from your own attacks, leading to frustrating deaths.
Despite this flaw, Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX delivers an enjoyable gameplay experience that will please fans of old-school shoot ’em ups. With its nostalgic aesthetic and satisfying mechanics, the game offers a worthwhile challenge for those looking to test their skills. While the audio aspect may not hit the mark, the overall package makes Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX a worthy addition to the genre if you no longer have access to this arcade shooter classic.
Score: 7.1/10
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