Bitwave Games has brought classic Toaplan titles to Steam in a way that truly honors the original games while still improving them with modern gaming practices and techniques. These games are, Twin Cobra, Zero Wing, Outzone, and Truxton, have been preserved and updated for a new generation of players to experience.
Bitwave Games’ approach to retro gaming is a breath of fresh air in a world where many classic games are only accessible through emulators. By offering these games on Steam with modern updates, they’re not only making them more accessible to a new generation of gamers, but they’re also providing a solution for players who want to experience these games without resorting to emulation. The games have been updated to run on modern systems, which means that players don’t have to worry about compatibility issues or other technical problems that can arise when running old games on new hardware.
This solution is especially appealing for Steam Deck owners, who can play these games on-the-go without having to go into desktop mode or switch to another device. As someone who has played the majority of these games on a Steam Deck, I can say that the experience is seamless and enjoyable. It’s clear that Bitwave Games has put a lot of effort into these releases, and it’s great to see classic games getting the respect and attention they deserve.
By adding additional features it gives people the reason to buy the game over emulating. One of the most impressive features of these games is the ability to rewind the gameplay between 10-18 minutes, depending on the action. This is an incredibly useful feature that allows players to quickly and easily correct mistakes, replay exciting moments, or simply experiment with different strategies. This is especially important for these games, which are known for their challenging gameplay and bullet-hell-style mechanics.
In addition to the rewind feature, Bitwave has included a variety of other features that enhance the gameplay experience. For example, quick save and reload options are available using Shift+F1-F10 and F1-F10 respectively. This allows players to save their progress at any time and quickly return to their previous position if they make a mistake.
The games also include online leaderboards for Single Credit, No Assist, and Assisted plays. This adds a competitive element to the games, encouraging players to push themselves to achieve better scores and rankings.
Other features include instrument panels with extra gameplay information and artwork, the ability to capture and share replays, and assist features such as auto-fire at multiple rates. Bitwave has also included a very easy mode for players who want to experience the games without too much of a challenge.
The games look and sound fantastic, with updated visuals that retain the original aesthetic and timeless music that still sounds incredible to this day. Players can choose between raw input on Windows or Steam Input, and there are even Steam achievements to unlock for completing various challenges.
Perhaps the most impressive feature of these games is the ultra-customizable practice mode. This allows players to hone their skills with a range of options, including pixel-perfect or full-screen scaling in windowed or full-screen mode, and the ability to rotate the gameplay in 90-degree increments. This level of customization is unprecedented for retro games, and it’s a fantastic way to get to grips with these challenging titles and really master their mechanics.
Bitwave Games’ approach to retro gaming is a fantastic example of how to treat classic games with the respect they deserve. By preserving the original gameplay while still improving the games with modern updates, they’ve brought these titles to a new audience while still retaining their authenticity. Their attention to detail and commitment to making the games accessible and enjoyable for players of all skill levels is commendable, and it’s clear that they’ve put a lot of effort into these releases. We can only hope that Bitwave will continue to bring more classic titles to Steam in the future, so that even more players can experience the joy of these timeless games.
Review of the 4 games