Back in 1999, a famous TV personality, Adam Buxton, surprised a video game store employee by purchasing Raiden DX, showcasing his love for shoot-em-up games. Fast forward to 2024, MOSS has released Raiden Nova for the Nintendo Switch, taking a different approach from the traditional vertical scroller to a twin-stick shooter.
In Raiden Nova, players navigate an overhead perspective arena, defending against waves of enemies in 360 degrees. The game offers six stages in Arcade Mode, each with a countdown timer and a challenging boss battle. Players can upgrade their ship with various bonuses like increased defense, firepower, shields, and new weaponry.
While the game starts off easy, it quickly ramps up in difficulty, requiring strategic use of the quick dash feature for dodging enemy attacks. Players can also collect health items and bombs to aid them in the intense battles. Additionally, there is a shop where players can purchase upgrades to enhance their ship’s capabilities.
Despite the recognizable Raiden graphical style and iconic purple laser weapon, Raiden Nova feels more like a fan project than a full-fledged entry in the series. The gameplay, while fun, can become repetitive with constant movement arcs. There are also occasional frame dips on the Switch, but nothing too significant.
For fans of the shoot-em-up genre, Raiden Nova offers a fun diversion with its ship-building aspect and online leaderboards for score competition. However, the game may feel limited for some players, especially those expecting a traditional Raiden experience. It’s more of a simplistic affair that might appeal to those looking for a casual gaming experience on the go.
While Raiden Nova may not reach the heights of a traditional Raiden game, it still provides an enjoyable gameplay experience with its unique mechanics and upgrade system. Whether it’s worth the price tag ultimately depends on your expectations and preferences as a player. For those seeking a new twist on the classic shoot-em-up formula, Raiden Nova could be a worthwhile addition to your gaming library.
