Raiden Densetsu (1991)
Raiden Densetsu, also known as Raiden Trad in some regions, is a vertical-scrolling shoot 'em up game developed by Toei Animation and published by Toei for the Super Famicom, released on October 4, 1991. The game is a port of the arcade classic Raiden, which was originally released by Seibu Kaihatsu in 1990. Toei Animation, more famous for their anime productions like Dragon Ball Z and Saint Seiya, ventured into video game publishing with this title, bringing the intense aerial combat of the arcade original to home consoles. The game retains the core mechanics of the arcade version, including the iconic weapon power-up system, challenging enemy patterns, and the legendary "Raiden" difficulty.
Gameplay and Power-Up System
Players control a fighter jet equipped with two main weapon types: the Vulcan (a rapid-fire machine gun) and the Laser (a concentrated beam that deals heavy damage). Power-up capsules dropped by enemies can be collected to upgrade these weapons, increasing their power, adding spread shots, or enhancing the ship's speed. The game also features a "bomb" system, where players can deploy a powerful explosion to clear the screen of enemies, which is essential for surviving the game's intense bullet patterns. The game features eight stages, each with a distinct theme, including tropical islands, futuristic cities, and alien fortresses, and each ending in a massive, multi-segmented boss fight.
The game's difficulty is notoriously high, with enemy bullets often filling the screen and requiring pixel-perfect dodging. The game also includes a two-player simultaneous mode, allowing friends to team up and share the challenge, which was a major selling point for the genre. The game's graphics are detailed and colorful, with smooth scrolling and impressive sprite animations, and the soundtrack, composed by Toei's in-house sound team, features fast-paced electronic and rock themes that keep the energy high.
Raiden Densetsu received mixed reviews, with critics praising its faithful arcade conversion but criticizing the lack of additional features compared to other home ports. Nevertheless, the game found an audience among shmup enthusiasts and remains a nostalgic title for fans of the genre. Toei Animation would not publish many more games, but Raiden Densetsu stands as a unique entry in their catalog, bridging the worlds of anime and video games in the early 1990s.