Sequel to classic arcade shoot-’em-up Raiden hits Xbox One later this month

By Danny Cowan May 3, 2016

Once a staple of supermarkets and gas stations across the United States, the classic arcade shoot-’em-up Raiden is set to return with a sequel on the Xbox One later this month.

The Xbox One version — Raiden V — will launch digitally via the Xbox Live Marketplace in North America and Europe on May 11.

Originally released in 1990, Seibu Kaihatsu’s vertically scrolling shooter Raiden found considerable popularity stateside thanks to its widespread distribution. In addition to being a hit in arcades back in the day, Raiden also found its way to many American convenience stores and laundromats, making it one of the more ubiquitous arcade games of the era.

The sequel Raiden II also earned a great deal of popularity in American arcades in the years leading up to the closure of series creator Seibu Kaihatsu. The studio’s departing development staff later formed Moss, creator of Raiden III, IV, and the upcoming Raiden V.

Raiden IV is available digitally and as a physical release in North America on the Xbox 360. An upgraded version, Raiden IV Overkill, launched stateside for the PlayStation 3 in 2014, and a Steam version premiered last year. Moss has issued no word regarding a possible physical release for Raiden V.

Raiden V‘s stateside arrival is part of a recent resurgence in popularity for arcade-style shoot-’em-ups. Veteran Japanese developer Cave recently released Steam versions of its shooters Deathsmiles and Mushihimesama as part of a collaboration with indie-focused publisher Degica, and a Steam port for the acclaimed shooter DoDonPachi DaiFukkatsu is currently in the works.

The PlayStation 4 currently has several shoot-’em-ups looming on the horizon, including a port of Cave’s Dangun Feveron, as well as Touhou Genso Rondo: Bullet Ballet, a head-to-head shooter from Tecmo Koei premiering in September.

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