The Silver Hawk takes flight

Following a string of relative obscurities, this week’s Arcade Archives entry is not any stranger to any coin-op fan value their weight in pocket-jingling quarters — Taito’s legendary shmup, Darius, is now obtainable to obtain on Nintendo Swap through the eShop.

Launched to arcades in 1987, earlier than making its solution to a slew of house platforms, Darius is among the most recognizable and beloved franchises within the shmup style, rendered iconic due to its dazzling visuals, thrilling two-player motion, sometimes nice Taito soundtrack, and, famously, its huge arcade cupboard, which sported an enormous, three-screen panoramic show. Darius places gamers within the cockpit of the mighty Silver Hawk house vessels, tasked with defending the titular planet from the Belsar Empire.

Take a look at the widescreen motion within the video under, courtesy of YouTuber World of Longplays.

The unimaginable success of those arcade and residential ports would see the franchise stamp its id as one of many all-time shmup classics. Taito would launch a sequel, Darius II, in 1989, and a remixed model of the unique recreation, Darius Plus, in 1990. Since these halcyon days, the franchise has been visited a number of occasions within the type of numerous remasters, sequels, and spin-offs. The newest iteration, Dariusburst: Chronicle Saviours, is accessible now on PS4 and PC. It’s also value noting that Darius, together with a number of follow-up releases, can be obtainable through the 2 Darius Cozmic Collections.

Darius is accessible to obtain now on Nintendo Swap, priced at $8. It’s already obtainable on PS4.