Does nostalgia ever really get old? Taito doesn't think so, and thus they're bringing us a legends collection. We take a look.

Classic compilations usually don't get a lot of playing time in my house, especially since I have a fairly extensive collection. It's just hard getting excited about a game like Pac-Man when I already own several different versions. With that being said, whenever I buy one of these treasure troves I usually run through all of the games just to see if they've been correctly translated and then toss it onto a shelf, but Taito Legends has officially become the exception to the rule. Busting through my naughty and neglectful habit, it's earned its spot in my current videogame rotation. Capcom released a fantastic compilation, but Taito's going to knock off the mountain.


It's not that one or even five of the 29 games on this disc are good. They all are. As I leisurely sampled the catalogue not one game pissed me off. Each has something special to offer, whether it's blasting aliens into gooey chunks, taking a ride on magic rainbows, saving the Earth from evil Space Invaders, or shooting a hostage in the face (accidentally, of course). All of Taito Legends is pure gold that's been wrapped around an attractive $19.99 MSRP.

What you're getting are 29 of the legendary developer's greatest arcade games, all of which have been perfectly translated and spread out across a few different genres. The standard issue stuff, Space Invaders, Elevator Action, and Bubble Bobble have been included, but it's the more obscure and wickedly cool games that make this disc shine. Jungle Hunt and Phoenix bring me back to the Atari 2600 days, yet these versions are a bit more sophisticated, featuring better graphics and music.

One thing's for sure, if you love shooting things, this is without question the greatest compilation ever conceived. Operation Thunderbolt, Battle Shark, and Operation Wolf are all amazing games that are worth playing numerous times. Actually, here's a complete list of the games on this disc, just so you're aware of the quality you'll be getting.

Space Invaders (released in 1978): I definitely have to show love for the game that was released the same year that I was. This is the arcade classic (sans coin shortage) in all its proverbial glory.

Phoenix (released in 1980): This borrows from the Space Invaders formula. Once again, you're on the bottom of the screen and must eliminate enemies that are flying about, except the difference with this game (aside from the better visuals) is the enemies are far more detailed and move a lot quicker. There's also a larger variety of foes including birds and space men. Ok...when I said larger variety...I meant like, three types.

Space Invaders Part 2 (released in 1980): Pretty much the same game as the original. A bit faster, but that's about it.

Colony 7 (released in 1981): This one's sort of Defender-esque in that you must save people from aliens. In this case, there's space colony that's protected by some force field. Each time an alien hits it a piece disappears, so you must keep shooting aliens before they break through and kill everyone. The game is played from a first person perspective, so you just line up your cursor with the enemy and blast away.

Electric Yoyo (released in 1982): An addictive as well as damn hard game where you must eliminate blocks with a yoyo without running into an enemy. Like Colony 7, it's simplistically designed, but I'm digging it.

Jungle Hunt (released in 1982): YES! The classic returns! You must brave the dangerous jungle to save your girlfriend. This includes swinging on vines, knifing blood thirsty alligators, and jumping over rocks.

Zoo Keeper (released in 1982): You're a brick layer who must run around a zoo exhibit to lay more bricks and keep the animals trapped inside. Why the animals are eating bricks I don't know, but the game's fun!

Elevator Action (released in 1983): Where there's Taito, there's Elevator Action. This is a great game that challenges you to shoot bad guys in the head while traveling up and down elevators. Yup...that's all there is to it, and it's excellent!

Great Swordsman (released in 1984): Olympic style fencing. It's deceptively easy and great fun.

Return of the Invaders (released in 1985): A Space Invaders spin off game that features better graphics and music.

Bubble Bobble (released in 1986): Does this game even need an introduction? Enclose enemies in bubbles and pop them with your spikes. Classic quality.

Gladiator (released in 1986): You're this warrior who is always moving to the right side of the screen, and you can use your shield to block projectiles and your sword to stab people in their throats.

Tokio (released in 1986): Just a vertical shooter. Decent, but it's nothing to gush over.

Exzisus (released in 1987): This one reminds me of the NES game Abadox. You fly across the screen blowing up aliens, and at certain points you morph into a space ship.

Plump Pop (released in 1987): Bounce a cat or dog off a trampoline and pop things. Addictive.

Operation Wolf (released in 1987): Come on! Any gamer worth his or her salt has played this one. An on rails light gun shooter, you must dispose of an innumerable amount of evil commando dudes. It's a bit primitive looking when compared to Operation Thunderbolt, but it's still pretty kick ass.

Rainbow Islands (released in 1987): This adventure title is actually a Bubble Bobble sequel of sorts. Bub and Bob (who are dinosaurs in Bubble Bobble) have been transformed back into kids, and instead of popping enemies you hit them with rainbows. Not exactly as cool as Katamari Damacy's Royal Rainbow, but this is still a fun game.

Rastan (released in 1987): I think I own this for the Genesis and it kind of sucks, but not here. Playing as a barbarian, you must rid your world of monsters. Plenty of swordplay ensues.

Super Qix (released in 1987): This was released the same year that Hulk Hogan slammed Andre the Giant. Those are two totally unrelated things, but I just love wrestling. Anyway, you must reveal a hidden picture by forming squares on the game board, all the while avoiding a nasty gremlin.

The New Zealand Story (released in 1988): A platform game where you, playing as a kiwi (not the fruit), must rescue his friends.

Operation Thunderbolt (released in 1988): Essentially Operation Wolf on steroids, Thunderbolt is much more graphically intense and in your face.

Battle Shark (released in 1989): Similar to Operation Thunderbolt, this is an on-rails shooter except it takes place underwater and you're firing torpedoes at submarines.

Continental Circus (released in 1989): A racing game that sort of looks like Pole Position.

Plotting (released in 1989): Match specially marked tiles with similarly marked tiles. Make them disappear. That is all. I like it. Oh my!

Volfied (released in 1989): Sort of like Qix in that you need to make portions of the screen disappear, except this game has an outer space, sci-fi edge to it.

Ninja Kids (released in 1990): Clearly one of the top five best games on the disc, this is by far THE REASON you need to purchase this compilation. A side scrolling adventure similar to those classic Ninja Turtles arcade games, you play as a ninja kid who's out to save the world from Satanists. It's ridiculous, and it's amazing.


Space Gun (released in 1990): Another Operation Wolf/Thunderbolt clone except this one takes place in outer space and you're firing away at all sorts of creepy looking aliens. Like Ninja Kids, this game is in that top five. Lots of action, the ability to choose which direction you want to go, and a surprising amount of gore, as in entrails splatter the screen.

Thunderfox (released in 1990): This is similar to Rastan except you're a commando dude and you can pick up all kinds of guns, ride in a jeep, and make things explode.

Tube It (released in 1993): An entertaining puzzle game where you must arrange tiles to form pathways.

In addition to all of these games, there's also advertising for many of them, a few interviews, tips on how to win, brief descriptions, and the option to enlarge of shrink the playing field. There doesn't appear to be a lot of bonuses, but considering the sheer number of titles, the lack of extra content isn't really an issue.

Taito Legends is just a hell of a lot of fun and you absolutely need to purchase a copy when Sega releases it on October 25

I'm buying it

Damn, I didn't know about this at all. Definate purchase here.

Although I do hope a second volume comes out eventually, with some of the later Bubble Bobble games (Parasol Stars, Bubble Memories and Bubble Symphony. I've never had the chance to play any of those).

luv4u said:

me too