- Get your (ice)skates on: we're on sale & on deck! - 1 September 2025
To celebrate Snow Brothers Wonderland being Steam Deck certified, we have a weeklong deal at 85% off, but don't wait, discount melts away on September 8! https://store.steampowered.com/app/3214870/Snow_Bros_Wonderland/ And don't forget the other hot property from Tatsujin: Truxton Extreme! Wishlist here for more news https://store.steampowered.com/app/3323490/Truxton_Extreme/
- TRUXTON EXTREME Demo available now! - 12 June 2025
Retro Fury, Modern Firepower! It’s finally here! One of gaming’s most iconic franchises has returned bigger, better and more Extreme than ever before! Dodge countless shots, unleash your spaceship's destructive power, and annihilate wave after wave of hostile aliens in the explosive vertical-scrolling shoot 'em up that is Truxton Extreme! Truxton is one of Toaplan's great classics, which says a lot considering their catalog also includes shoot 'em up juggernauts like Batsugun, Zero Wing, and many others. Brought to you by Tatsujin, founded by Toaplan executive Masahiro Yuge, this new edition to a legendary franchise is an evolution of Truxton. It’s packed with great features, new graphics, new sounds, even a brand new interactive digital comic! Why not to try it for yourself? Truxton Extreme has a demo available throughout Next Fest. check it out here: https://store.steampowered.com/app…
- OMEGA 6 The Triangle Stars is OUT NOW - 28 February 2025
It's Takaya Imamura Day! Or, as it’s also known, the launch day of OMEGA 6 The Triangle Stars! That’s right, today marks the long-awaited release of the legendary Nintendo illustrator’s latest adventure. And it’s a truly special one. OMEGA 6 The Triangle Stars is a retro-inspired space adventure for anyone who has ever fallen in love with the 16-bit aesthetic of the ‘90s. It tells the story of the androids Thunder and Kyla as they search for a new planet for humanity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4utzzsS9Rg One of the absolute best things about OMEGA 6 The Triangle Stars is the vast number of wonderful creatures and aliens you’ll encounter on your journey. But that’s hardly surprising. After all, Takaya Imamura is the man behind characters like Captain Falcon (F-Zero), Fox McCloud (Star Fox), and Tingle (The Legend of Zelda). He’s also joined by Shinobu Amayake, who worked on the so…
- Win an epic OMEGA 6 The Triangle Stars bundle! - 25 February 2025
Hey all! OMEGA 6 The Triangle Stars launches on Friday, February 28th. Now that's a reason to celebrate! 🎉 We're giving a packed OMEGA 6 bundle. Follow to enter: https://gleam.io/KFNKT/omega-6-the-triangle-stars-launch-celebration-giveaway We're giving away the following to one (1) lucky winner Nintendo Switch OLED Console. Approximate Retail Value (ARV) $349.99 USD. A physical copy of OMEGA 6 The Triangle Stars on Nintendo Switch. Approximate Retail Value (ARV) $34.99 USD. A CRKD Nitro Deck Retro Purple Limited Edition with Carry Case. Approximate Retail Value (ARV) $69.99 USD. An OMEGA 6 prequel comic sign by Takaya Imamura. Additionally, five (5) winners will receive a digital game key for OMEGA 6 The Triangle Stars on Steam or Nintendo Switch. Good luck!
- DARK HORSE AND LEGENDARY GAME DESIGNER TAKAYA IMAMURA BRINGS THE COLORFUL CAST OF OMEGA 6 THE TRIANGLE STARS TO ENGLISH MANGA FANS - 13 February 2025
Imamura's adventure "Omega 6" manga is available in English for the first time! Based on the upcoming pixel-art adventure game Omega 6 The Triangle Stars, Dark Horse Comics presents Takaya Imamura's (Star Fox, F-Zero) Omega 6, a complete story in one manga volume. This will be available for English readers in October 2025. Translated by award-winning manga translator Zack Davisson (H.P. Lovecraft's The Colour out of Space, Cat + Gamer), the 16-bit video game revolution is coming to comics! Creator Takaya Imamura had this to say about bringing the original manga to English readers in conjunction with the game. "I sincerely hope that my manga and games can be enjoyed by people regardless of where they live, and it would make me very happy if my work delivers an exciting and thrilling experience!" In Omega 6: After awakening from a rejuvenating months-long stasis, androids Thunder and Kyla…
- Happy Birthday, Toaplan! Snow Bros. Wonderland is on sale! - 13 February 2025
It's the TOAPLAN Arcade Masterpieces 40th Anniversary! And what better way to celebrate an anniversary than by offering some great discounts? Since this is the 40th Anniversary (and not the 30th, 20th, or even the 10th), you get 40% off Snow Bros. Wonderland! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfOEWzJbNQ4 This cool game was released as recently as last year and is not only a fantastic comeback for the Snow Bros. brand but also one of the most fun co-op games in recent years, supporting up to four players in couch co-op. Don't wait another 40 years. Grab it now: Snow Bros. Wonderland https://store.steampowered.com/app/3214870/
- SNOW BROS. WONDERLAND WINS COOL AWARD! - 13 December 2024
We’ve said it from the start, and we’re thrilled to say it again—Snow Bros. Wonderland is an absolutely excellent co-op game! Partly because it strikes the perfect balance between serious gameplay and lighthearted fun. Partly because it’s so easy and accessible to jump in and out of whenever you like. And also because it’s so fitting for the season. After all, who wouldn’t want to spend time with loved ones during these magical holiday times? Now, it seems the wonderful folks at Video Chums agree with us. In their Indie Game of the Year Awards 2024, they’ve named Snow Bros. Wonderland the Co-op Game of the Year! We’re honored! https://videochums.com/article/indie-game-of-the-year-awards-2024#snow-bros-wonderland So, are you looking for a snowy arcade adventure to share with up to three friends? Give Snow Bros. Wonderland a chance—it’s sure to brighten up the winter darkness! https://sto…
- Omega 6 The Triangle Stars - coming to Steam in 2025 - 11 November 2024
Omega 6 is the latest game from the legendary Takaya Imamura. Imamura, who previously designed characters for F-Zero and Star Fox among many other projects, now invites us into a brand-new universe where humanity is searching for a new planet. Joining you on this journey are two androids, Thunder and Kyra, along with over 100 other colorful characters. It promises to be a 16-bit-style adventure unlike anything you've seen before! The Steam version of Omega 6 is set for release in 2025, and the game will also be coming to the Switch—both digitally and physically. While the extra content hasn’t been fully decided, something special is definitely being prepared. By the way, did you know Omega 6 actually began as one, before the game was created? That's right—this new universe was first crafted by Imamura-san in manga form. And now the story has come full circle, as a series from Dark Horse…
- Introducing the Toaplan & Psikyo Classic Arcade Shoot ‘em up Collection - 16 September 2024
Introducing the Toaplan & Psikyo Classic Arcade Shoot ‘em up Collection The Japanese studios Toaplan and Psikyo created some of the most groundbreaking and greatest shoot ‘em up games from the early 80’s and up until the start of the 2000’s including beloved series such as Truxton and Strikers 1945. We’re now teaming up with City Connection to bring you the Toaplan & Psikyo Classic Arcade Shoot ‘em up Collection! This bundle includes 16 games from Toaplan and 9 games from Psikyo filled with fast-flying bullets and bombastic bombing action. If you already own some of these games, then you will just pay and receive the games in the bundle that you don’t already have in your Steam library. Take the chance to enjoy some of the finest arcade experiences from the golden era – updated with modern features. Toaplan & Psikyo Classic Arcade Shoot 'em up Collection GAMES INCLUDED Toaplan games: Ba…
- Update 2024-04-17 - 17 April 2024
Practice Mode: after hit return direct to Practice Menu Don't show double menu after saving a game in Practice Mode and getting hit Mac Steam Input: Fixed the input mapping files
- The final Toaplan volume is out now! - 8 April 2024
They're here and we couldn't be more delighted! Toaplan Arcade Shoot 'Em Up Collection Vol.4 has landed on Steam and GOG, featuring heavy hitters such as Truxton II, Grind Stormer, Dogyuun, and Twin Hawk. We’re also launching an Ultimate Collection with all 16 games for the unrivaled Toaplan experience. The Toaplan PC project was announced back in August 2022, and the circle is now complete. At Bitwave, we take great pride in our collaboration with Tatsujin, aiding them in continuing the Toaplan legacy making games like Dogyuun available in home versions for the first time. SHMUPS INCLUDED IN VOL.4 Truxton II: Enjoy the visually stunning pixel graphics in one of the hardest and most unforgiving Toaplan games! Grind Stormer: Experience a vertically scrolling manic shooter featuring impressive pixel art graphics and an upbeat FM soundtrack! Dogyuun: Known for its detailed pixel art, c…
- Update notes for April 8 2024 - 8 April 2024
Fixes and Memory Optimizations coinciding with the release of Volume 4
- Toaplan Arcade Shoot ‘Em Up Collection Vol.4 is coming soon - 22 March 2024
Happy Friday, shmupers! We’re glad to tell you that Toaplan Arcade Shoot ‘Em Up Collection Vol.4 is coming soon! Vol.4 includes Truxton II, Grind Stormer, Dogyuun, and Twin Hawk, and you can wishlist them all today: Truxton II: Enjoy the visually stunning pixel graphics in one of the hardest and most unforgiving Toaplan games! Grind Stormer: Experience a vertically scrolling manic shooter featuring impressive pixel art graphics and an upbeat FM soundtrack! Dogyuun: Known for its detailed pixel art, colossal bosses, and menacing difficulty. Take on the challenge with a friend and combine your ships into a space-wrecking vehicle! Twin Hawk: Call in a formation of six friendly fighter planes and take down powerful enemies in this classic military-themed shoot 'em up! We’ve got more news to share shortly. Please tune in ShooterFes on April 6th, 8am ET / 2pm CEST / 9pm JST, to learn more.…
- The new Toaplan volume is out now! - 1 February 2024
Today marks an exciting milestone! The Toaplan Arcade Shoot ‘Em Up Collection Vol. 4 is officially released on both Steam and GOG. This volume holds special significance as it includes two games that have never seen an official release outside the arcade until now: Vimana and FixEight. Additionally, experience the classic chopper shooter Tiger-Heli and the fan-favorite Batsugun. The Games In Detail Tiger-Heli: This is where it all started. Tiger-Heli, Toaplan's pioneering bomb-based vertical shooter set the stage for an entire genre back in 1985! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SG9XHhx19-k Vimana: Uncover the magic of Indian mythology, unique power-ups, and an enchanting soundtrack in this electrifying space showdown! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXcYaaL2oFI FixEight: Toaplan's thrilling vertical run-and-gun game features eight peerless warriors with cutting-edge weapons! https://www…
- Win Batsugun clothes from KumaGumi! - 25 January 2024
🚨BATSUGUN COMPETITION🚨 We’re teaming up with Japanese clothing company KumaGumi to celebrate the upcoming release of Batsugun on PC! The aim of KumaGumi is to do quality retro gaming apparel. “Kuma”(熊 / Bear) “Gumi”(組 Group) reflects the days, evenings, years (oh wtf?!) spent hibernating and playing videogames with friends. A time of innocence, simplicity with no Internet. One of the many amazing collections from KumaGumiis a line of Batsugun clothes and now you have the chance to win a Skull Hornet coach jacket, Warning Kuma hoodie, or a Skull Hornets t-shirt from that very collection! Participate in the competition on X/Twitter. Enter before 23:59 CET on January 31st 2023. Three winners will be selected and announced on February 1st.
- A new Toaplan collection lands on PC on February 1, 2024! - 10 January 2024
Greetings shmupers! Today we’re bursting with excitement to reveal the next installment of our Toaplan releases on PC, Toaplan Arcade Shoot ‘Em Up Collection Vol.3! Vol. 3 is a mix of firsts and lasts and good ol' classics in between. We’re also bringing the enhancements from our two first volumes to Vol.3 for both veterans and newcomers alike to enjoy. You can purchase all four games together for 19.99$/€ or separately for 7.79$/€. Be sure to wishlist all four titles to prepare for launch day! SHMUPS INCLUDED IN VOL.3 Tiger-Heli: This is where it all started. Tiger-Heli, Toaplan's pioneering bomb-based vertical shooter set the stage for an entire genre back in 1985! Vimana: Uncover the magic of Indian mythology, unique power-ups, and an enchanting soundtrack in this electrifying space showdown! FixEight: Toaplan's thrilling vertical run-and-gun game features eight peerless warriors wit…
- The Audio of Toaplan - 13 December 2023
The Toaplan games are known for their thrilling music that matches the intense shoot ‘em up gameplay. Taking off in Truxton and you immediately feel a level excitement as the music starts to play, it’s the start of an action-packed journey to furthest reaches of space. Or the dramatic straight into action upbeat tune of Hellfire. Add the sound effects of blazing shots and exploding bombs. It’s a soundscape that represents the best of the golden arcade era of pixelated shoot ‘em up games. At Bitwave we have worked to constantly improving the audio representation. Coder Carl Henrik Skårstedt has listened (no pun intended) to feedback and received input from Tatsujin, the owner of the Toaplan games and run by original Toaplan staff including Masahiro Yuge and Tatsuya Uemura that composed several of the songs in the game. To ensure proper emulation we listened to recorded arcade music and s…
- The first patch is here - 15 September 2023
Hey shmupers! We've just released a new patch for Hellfire. Details below: * Default version on first run is 1P newer instead of 1P older * Keyboard layout saves and loads properly again * Keyboard icons displayed when using keyboard and in keyboard setup * Record and replay reworked, replays from previous versions still works and should be better * Stairstep screen mode bleeding in from right edge fixed
- Four Toaplan SHMUP Classics are Out Now! - 24 August 2023
They’re here! Toaplan Arcade Shoot 'Em Up Collection Vol.2 is out now on Steam! We at Bitwave are proud to have worked on this project with our Japanese friends at Tatsujin, and the second volume includes four Toaplan classics with high-quality emulation and tons of quality-of-life extras! Games included in Vol. 2: Hellfire: Toaplan's first side-scrolling shooter, known for its blazing graphics and strategic gameplay. Save the galaxy by burning aliens to ashes with the ultimate firepower! Slap Fight (AKA Alcon): A brain-melting vertical shooter with gauge-based power-ups that'll get your blood pumping! Fire Shark: Set the skies ablaze and endure white-knuckle shmup action in this no-nonsense aerial trial! Fly solo or play in co-op. Flying Shark (AKA Sky Shark): A military shmup adventure with destructive power-ups, stunning graphics, and evil enemy forces to destroy! You can purchase al…
- Play Hellfire, Fire Shark, Slap Fight & Flying Shark on Aug 24! - 3 August 2023
We're releasing our second wave of Toaplan Arcade Shoot 'Em Ups on Steam and GOG on August 24! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wR5tEUTFDA Vol. 2 features four highly anticipated Toaplan classics emulated in high quality and enhanced with tons of quality-of-life features. You can purchase all four games together for 19.99$/€ or separately for 7.79$/€. Be sure to wishlist all four titles to prepare for launch day! SHMUPS INCLUDED IN VOL. 2 Hellfire: Toaplan's first side-scrolling shooter, known for its blazing graphics and strategic gameplay. Save the galaxy by burning aliens to ashes with the ultimate firepower! Slap Fight (AKA Alcon): A brain-melting vertical shooter with gauge-based power-ups that'll get your blood pumping! Fire Shark: Set the skies ablaze and endure white-knuckle shmup action in this no-nonsense aerial trial! Fly solo or play in co-op. Flying Shark (AKA Sky Shark): A…
