The Arcade Shooter Gamers Have Been Clamoring For

[Shrygue]

via IGN


The Japanese arcade hit Ikaruga receives the full Xbox Live Arcade treatment and is poised to launch on the platform this Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. GMT (1:00 a.m. PDT).

Ikaruga is a fast-paced scrolling shooter with a twist - players must constantly switch their ship's polarity to maximize their damage output and avoid incoming enemy fire of the opposite polarity.

Ikaruga on Xbox Live Arcade features a two-player co-op mode both locally and over Xbox Live. Newcomers can also easily bring their skill up to speed by using the game's slow motion training mode.

Ikaruga is a perfect combination of beautiful, manga-style storytelling and challenging arcade heroics, all brought to life in a gorgeous HD environment.

Gamers itching to obtain a moment of Ikaruga glory will be wise to master the chaining system that detects when enemies of the same polarity are destroyed consecutively. Doing so will reward players with huge score bonuses, which will be key to topping Ikaruga's leaderboards.

The ability to relive a particularly harrowing battle is also possible thanks to the game's record and replay function, which is new to the Xbox Live Arcade version of the game.

From the Japanese developer Treasure, Ikaruga will be available worldwide for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB.

[beetroot bertie]

If I didn't already have it for my Dreamcast this would be a must. Still, it beats the price of buying the DC import.

[Shadowblind]

I can't wait! I have 800 points already waiting on my account

[BrooksyX]

Yes!!! I have been waiting for this game to hit xbox live for ages! Im so glad I have points because come wednesday I am buying this for sure.

[beetroot bertie]

I only have 700 points left

I'm tempted to get some more so I can play this in HD though. If only my TV rotated 90˚. Anyone know if it has a TATE mode? I assume it does since the Dreamcast version did.