Arcade Gems Mr. Heli, Mystic Riders, and Dragon Breed Join the IREM Collection Volume 3
ININ and Strictly Limited Games, in partnership with IREM and Tozai Games, are excited to reveal the titles of the IREM Collection Vol. 3 and announce the pre-order start for the exclusive and highly limited boxed editions of IREM Collection Vol. 3. This collection continues to celebrate the gaming legacy of IREM, one of the industry's most esteemed developers.
This volume is packed with true arcade gems of the shoot 'em up genre: Mr. Heli, Mystic Riders, and Dragon Breed. It’s set to launch in Q2 2024, and if you are a collector, you can already snag exclusive Limited Editions (Playstation & Switch) starting on October 12! The physical edition of Volume 3 will be exclusively available through Strictly Limited Games in the West and through Tozai Games in Japan.
ININ and Tozai will handle the digital versions for the Western and Japanese markets on Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox, scheduled for release in Q2 2024.
Mr. Heli, also known outside Japan as Battle Chopper, took the Japanese arcades by storm in 1987, when IREM’s creative mojo was in full bloom. This quirky adventure invites you to steer a little-legged orange Chopper named Mr. Heli through a multitude of innovative stages. What goes up, must come down. .. and walk! The heroic helicopter can soar through the stages, walks across lands, and wields three different weapons, each with two upgrade levels. Along the way, you’ll mine crystals and buy upgrades to help you take on the massive bosses that stand in your way. And don’t forget to keep your eye open for hidden paths, sneaky secrets, and clever puzzles built into the level design - they might just be your ticket to success in this high-flying adventure! The comeback of Mr. Heli offers a fascinating time travel for shoot 'em-up fans. The IREM Collection Volume 3 contains both Battle Chopper in its 1987 Arcade M-92 version and the 1989 PC Engine / Turbo Grafx version. The fascinating gameplay of these games is preserved over time and stands out as a one-of-a-kind masterpiece deserving your love.
You’re a wizard, Harry! The 1992 Arcade Shoot ‘em up Mystic Riders takes you on a magical journey that’s a bit different from IREM’s usual dark and challenging shoot ‘em up style. Developed by the same team that gave us the comical Daiku no Gen-san (Hammerin’ Harry), this shmup ventures into a world of fantasy and magic, far from its counterparts' biomechanical ‘’nightmares’’. Take on the roles of two comical and lighthearted characters, the wizard Mark and the witch Zeal, and start your (possibly co-op) adventure! While riding a broomstick, defeat giant sky turtles, ghosts, grim reapers, dragons, and other mystical creatures. Fling your broom in a boomerang fashion to block projectiles or get a taste of an early version of the dodge roll, a move that’s now common in gaming. Mystic Riders is a true gem in the shoot ‘em genre and a highly entertaining co-op experience, so don’t miss it!