The Irem Collection Volume 2 offers a nostalgic journey through arcade gaming history with three iconic titles: GunForce, GunForce II, and Air Duel. While some games may not be big names, their inclusion in this collection holds greater significance for gamers and vintage lovers.
One of the most popular franchises in the run-and-gun genre is Metal Slug, and GunForce II is widely regarded as its precursor. This connection alone makes the collection a noteworthy artifact, allowing players to discover the creative stepping stones that led to creating a great series.
This collection aims to preserve the specialized arcade experiences that helped define the 1990s gaming era. Titles like GunForce and Air Duel, while overshadowed by contemporaries like Contra and 1942, are historically significant as early pioneers of genre mechanics.
Adding modern conveniences like casual modes, save states, and internet leaderboards makes these sometimes punishingly difficult games more accessible. Whether you’re a longtime arcade shooter lover or a beginner, Irem Collection Volume 2 is a history lesson and a gaming challenge.
Exploring the Gameplay Spectrum: Run-and-Gun Meets Vertical Shooters
At its core, GunForce I is a traditional run-and-gun experience that seems like an early version of Konami’s Contra. Both games have a similar left-to-right progression, multi-directional shooting controls, and a focus on fast-paced combat.
GunForce I, on the other hand, distinguishes itself with the inclusion of vehicles—motorcycles and tanks that players can commandeer to wreak havoc on foes. This feature adds a layer of dynamism to the gameplay, but the execution feels awkward compared to more refined titles from the era.
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The collection includes the arcade and SNES versions of GunForce I, offering an interesting hardware comparison. The arcade version is superior, with faster pacing, more detailed visuals, and a larger sense of chaos that enhances the gameplay.
While competent, the SNES adaptation significantly reduces the action, resulting in a stripped-down experience that feels underwhelming. Fans of classic run-and-gun games will likely enjoy GunForce I’s basic gameplay, albeit it lacks the polish and precision of Contra and the originality of later genre entries such as Metal Slug.
GunForce II, known as Geo Storm in Japan, is undoubtedly the collection’s highlight. Often regarded as Metal Slug’s spiritual precursor, this sequel takes everything from the previous game and amps it up to eleven. The most significant enhancement is the addition of dual-wielding features, which allow players to fire two weapons simultaneously in separate directions. This innovation feels ahead of time and adds strategic depth to the gameplay.
The game’s visual style is when the connection to Metal Slug becomes clear. From the detailed pixel art to the chaotic explosions and wacky enemy designs, GunForce II radiates the charm and personality that would later define SNK’s legendary franchise. Cooperative gameplay adds to the experience by allowing players to ride vehicles together, providing moments of shared mayhem and humor.
However, the game’s hasty production is apparent in its uneven difficulty and occasional problems, such as game-freezing issues and slowdown during intense action sequences. Despite these flaws, GunForce II remains a must-play for genre fans, offering a glimpse into the origins of one of gaming’s most beloved franchises.
The collection concludes with Air Duel, a competent vertical shoot-’em-up that struggles to leave a lasting impression. A jet fighter or a helicopter, each offering unique handling and firing techniques, is available to players in layers.
The helicopter adds a unique twist by allowing players to shoot diagonally based on their mobility. However, this innovation is insufficient to propel the game above its competitors. Comparisons to Capcom’s 1942 are unavoidable, as the two games follow a similar framework of weaving through enemy fire while upgrading weapons and eliminating enormous enemies.
While visually appealing with its clear pixel art and large-scale adversaries, Air Duel lacks the memorable set pieces and unique gameplay that distinguish top-tier shoot-’em-ups like Ikaruga and DoDonPachi. Its inclusion in this collection feels more like an addition to fill space rather than a conscious decision to highlight Irem’s best work. Still, it offers a satisfactory experience for genre fans, particularly when played collaboratively.
This collection covers various gameplay modes by merging GunForce’s run-and-gun pandemonium and Air Duel’s aerial combat. However, GunForce II remains the standout, bridging the gap between Irem’s early attempts and Metal Slug’s genre-defining brilliance.
A Polished but Imperfect Retro Revival: Presentation and Emulation Quality
Irem Collection Volume 2 offers players a reasonable selection of visual alternatives, catering to those who value real retro design. The collection’s scanlines, CRT filters, and changeable screen sizes allow players to modify their experience to match the feel of classic arcade cabinets.
While standard for modern retro compilations, these selections are especially helpful in displaying the brilliant pixel art of GunForce II and the clear, colorful surroundings of Air Duel. On the Switch, the visuals are extremely clear. Air Duel features a vertical “Tate mode” for Flip Grip users, adding to the game’s arcade authenticity.
However, the lack of variety in wallpapers—only one available—feels like a missed opportunity to inject more personality into the presentation.
The audio emulation is mostly accurate, recreating the lively soundtracks and explosive sound effects that characterized the original arcade experiences. For example, the music of Air Duel has the martial and high-energy feel of other classic vertical shooters like 1942.
Notably, the rewind functionality, which previously resulted in audio distortions in Volume 1, now functions effortlessly, guaranteeing that soundtracks remain intact even when players use this modern feature. While the audio does not jump out as a collection highlight, it is properly rendered and free of severe flaws.
Despite the collection’s generally strong presentation, it has technical issues. GunForce II experiences substantial delay during strong action moments, which derives from the original arcade version but still interrupts the modern experience.
Similarly, while authentic to the original material, the game’s flickering visuals may be unsettling to players unaccustomed to such idiosyncrasies. These difficulties and occasional faults that cause the game to freeze completely highlight the original release’s rushed nature.
While these flaws may be considered part of GunForce II’s historical accuracy, they also distract from the polished feel modern players anticipate from retro compilations.
In conclusion, the collection’s emulation and presentation preserve the original games’ charm but fail to provide a fully improved experience.
Modern Features for Classic Gameplay: Features and Modes
One of the most noticeable innovations is the inclusion of Casual and Classic modes in Irem Collection Volume 2. These modes cater to both veteran players searching for a true arcade experience and newbies looking for a more lenient approach. Classic mode retains the arcade releases’ original difficulties, including limited lives, no mid-game saves, and the challenge of learning each game’s mechanics.
This option is great for purists or those seeking high leaderboard scores. On the other hand, casual mode adds modern conveniences like save states, configurable difficulty settings, and cheats, allowing players to experiment with the games without the harsh difficulty of their original versions.
This dual-mode concept strikes a remarkable mix between making the collection accessible to a broad audience and preserving the challenge for arcade lovers.
Online leaderboards lend a competitive edge to the collection, especially in Classic mode. Players can compare their scores globally, offering an incentive to understand the complexities of each core and strive for perfection. However, due to their rather niche popularity, the leaderboards for these titles may be less populated than those for more mainstream arcade classics. Still, for die-hard fans, the function offers a rewarding way to interact with the collection beyond casual play.
The rewind ability and save states are vital aids for players navigating the challenging difficulty curves of GunForce and Air Duel. These innovations allow players to retake difficult segments or experiment with new techniques, making the games significantly less daunting.
Cheats, such as invincibility and infinite ammo, increase accessibility by offering a stress-free way to experience the collection’s content. Meanwhile, the autofire feature is a great addition that reduces button-mashing weariness, particularly during action-packed situations. While these features are standard in modern retro collections, they are expertly executed, allowing players to experience the games at their own pace.
By combining competitive components with accessibility features, Irem Collection Volume 2 skillfully bridges the gap between preserving the spirit of arcade gameplay and catering to modern tastes.
Tracing the Legacy: Historical Context and Influence
The GunForce series occupies a unique place in gaming history as the precursor to SNK’s Metal Slug, one of the most well-known run-and-gun games. GunForce II, for instance, was developed by the same team that would eventually produce Metal Slug, and it features many of the design aspects that would become synonymous with the genre. GeForce II’s vivid pixel imagery, exaggerated animations, and chaotic, fast-paced gameplay foreshadow Metal Slug’s visual and mechanical identities.
Vehicle segments, destructible settings, and rescuable hostages—all of which have become iconic with Metal Slug—are present in their embryonic form. This influence establishes the GunForce series as a critical stepping stone in the evolution of run-and-gun games, bridging the gap between Contra’s basic action and Metal Slug’s personality-focused design.
While Air Duel does not have the same historical significance as the GunForce series, it does represent Irem’s contribution to the vertical shoot-em-up genre. Air Duel, released at a time when games like Capcom’s 1942 and Toaplan’s Tiger Heli dominated arcades, aimed to stand out with its dual-vehicle concept.
The ability to switch between a jet and a helicopter, both with their own handling and shooting mechanics, introduced a layer of strategy to the otherwise straightforward gameplay. However, Air Duel lacks the memorable set pieces and unique features of more well-known titles in the genre. Therefore, it is overshadowed by its competition.
The Irem development teams behind these titles helped shape the arcade environment in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Irem, a company known for its technical insight and originality, continuously pushed the frontiers of arcade gaming, as evidenced by previous works like R-Type. The GeForce series and Air Duel demonstrate the studio’s ability to experiment with genre standards while maintaining a high production standard.
The move of numerous Irem developers to SNK increased Irem’s influence, as their work on Metal Slug left an everlasting mark on the industry. This collection not only preserves great games but also illustrates Irem’s role as a pioneer whose innovations are still relevant in modern gaming.
Worth the Price? Assessing Value and Audience
Irem Collection Volume 2, which costs $24.99, offers three arcade titles—GunForce, GunForce II, and Air Duel—and the SNES version of GunForce. While including several versions of the games offers some variety, the overall bundle feels somewhat barebones, particularly compared to other retro collections on the market. The lack of museum-style features, such as developer interviews, concept art, or historical context, is a missed opportunity to honor these seminal titles.
Collections like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Cowabunga Collection and Capcom Arcade Stadium have established a high standard by providing copious historical content, making Irem Collection Volume 2’s modest additions feel lacking in comparison. The price may appear unreasonable for retro gaming enthusiasts, considering the minimal material outside the core gameplay.
This collection is aimed at two distinct groups: arcade enthusiasts who grew up with 1990s gaming and die-hard run-and-gun genre fans. GunForce II alone justifies the collection’s existence for anyone curious about Metal Slug’s roots. Casual players or those knowledgeable about Irem’s past may find the games too narrow or out-of-date, especially considering the high difficulty and lack of narrative depth.
Similarly, while Air Duel offers a competent vertical shooter experience, fans of the genre who have access to more sophisticated titles like Ikaruga or DoDonPachi are unlikely to be won over by the game.
Irem Collection Volume 2 is worth a look—especially during a sale—if you’re a retro gaming enthusiast interested in exploring Metal Slug’s origins. The genuine presentation, complemented by arcade core features like online leaderboards, save states, and casual modes, will appeal to hardcore arcade game fans.
However, for anyone looking for a more substantial package with supplementary content or a larger appeal, this collection may seem pricey for what it offers. A tight-budget player may be better off waiting for a discount or exploring similar compilations with more variety.
A Nostalgic Yet Uneven Journey: Final Thoughts on Irem Collection Volume 2
Irem Collection Volume 2 is a mixed bag, offering historical value and obvious flaws. The collection’s highlight is GunForce II, an intriguing precursor to the famed Metal Slug series that features bright pixel art and frantic run-and-gun gameplay.
Meanwhile, GunForce I provides a passable, albeit dated, Contra-like experience. Air Duel adds variety with its vertical shoot-’em-up gameplay. However, it pales in comparison to genre-defining titles like 1942.
The collection’s current features, such as casual and classic modes, save states, rewind capabilities, and online leaderboards, aim to bridge the gap between punishing arcade difficulty and modern accessibility. However, the lack of extra resources, such as concept art or developer insights, makes the package appear scant compared to comparable throwback compilations.
The collection, priced at $24.99, primarily offers value to die-hard arcade gaming fans from the 1990s or those interested in the Metal Slug franchise’s history.
Finally, while Irem Collection Volume 2 evokes the charm of a bygone age, its few features and uneven game quality may leave casual players and budget-conscious customers wanting more.
The Review
Irem Collection Volume 2
Irem Collection Volume 2 is an intriguing but uneven collection that offers a glimpse into the origins of classic arcade gaming, specifically the roots of Metal Slug. While GunForce II is a must-play for fans of the run-and-gun genre, the rest of the collection fails to match its charm or polish. Including modern accessibility features like save states and rewind options makes these difficult games more approachable. Still, the lack of bonus content or substantial extras reduces the collection's total worth. This collection may have just enough appeal for die-hard retro lovers and arcade purists. Still, the high price and variable quality may be difficult to justify for others.
PROS
- GunForce II offers excellent gameplay and historical significance as the precursor to Metal Slug.
- Includes both arcade and SNES versions of GunForce I, showcasing the differences between arcade and home console releases.
- Features modern accessibility options, such as save states, rewind functionality, cheats
CONS
- Lack of bonus content, such as concept art, developer interviews, or historical context, makes the collection feel barebones.
- Air Duel feels underwhelming compared to other vertical shoot-'em-ups like 1942 or DoDonPachi.
- Noticeable emulation issues, including slowdown and flickering in GunForce II, can disrupt the experience.
- Sparse wallpaper options and minimal menu design detract from the overall presentation.
