Ikaruga Reviews
Infuriatingly difficult, but perfectly constructed. Ikaruga is the PC's best bullet-hell shooter.
Treasure's cult 2D shooter remains as uniquely entertaining as always and works extremely well on the Nintendo Switch.
Treasure’s cult 2D shooter remains as uniquely entertaining as always, and surprisingly well adapted for a modern PC.
Ikaruga is one of those games I'll happily rebuy and replay every time there's a new port, but with this Switch version, I should be set. Being able to easily bust out the Joy-Con controllers for co-op and flip the system on its side for a vertical screen orientation is the real deal. Ikaruga is a timeless classic, and for those of us without a swiveling monitor, the Switch is just about the ideal way to experience it.
Ikaruga on Switch instantly becomes the definitive version of Treasure masterpiece, without any misstep in a truly excellent package.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Overall, Ikaruga remains a treasure in the shoot 'em up genre due to its tight gameplay, challenge, and overall design.
Ikaruga is not so highly revered by chance, despite its near accidental creation. It is the result of a combination between an incredibly talented team making the most of excellent hardware, bringing in the unique double polarity gimmick that stealthy introduces puzzle solving mechanics into a bullet hell shmup. So it's no great surprise it not only remains an incredibly compelling experience but it lands smoothly on top of the currently available shmup list on Nintendo's hybrid console library.
If you're a Switch owner with a penchant for arcade games or shoot-em-ups, this is an easy recommendation. Just be sure to put on your learning pants if you're a newcomer: Ikaruga is a difficult beast to wrangle.
As it always has been, Ikaruga is a must-play for anyone even remotely interested in shoot 'em ups.
It's long been known that Ikaruga is one of the true classics of the top-down shooter world, but going back to the game again on the Nintendo Switch really cements that legacy. This is a brutal but beautiful, relentless yet rewarding, and frantic yet fun bullet hell challenge that feels as fresh now as it did 17 years ago in its original arcade release.
Ikaruga has a reputation that is known well enough in the shoot'em up genre: its gameplay mechanic and difficulty level helped it build its name and now, Nintendo Switch players have the chance to enjoy this classic. While it does not add anything new to the original, Ikaruga on the Nintendo Switch expands the game's audience further and allows players on the new Nintendo console to get their hands on this merciless work, which might prove too frustrating for those not used to this level of challenge.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Ikaruga has gone down in history as one of the most difficult games ever, but in recent years, between one Dark Souls and another, the perception of difficulty has changed. This edition for Switch is the perfect opportunity to (re)discover one of the most beautiful shoot'em ups ever, a title that had made the "severe but fair" its flag before the much-talked-about masterpiece by From Software.
Review in Italian | Read full review
A timeless blast from the past that's easy to recommend to anyone looking for not only a piece of gaming history but a game that still thrills to this day.
In the end, if you've played Ikaruga on any other previous platform, then you've played what is available on the Switch. However, that's also the beauty of it all. Ikaruga is a timeless classic and a game that is worth picking up again and again. The main question is should you pick it up. With the obvious answer being, HELL YES. Casual gamers will welcome the challenge, while SHMUP masters will feel right at home. And now you can take it on the go!
After so many subsequent ports and re-releases, little love is lost in a game whose age only elevates its timelessness and whose gracious-but-clever philosophy on enemy engagement makes it a thoroughly unique affair in general.
Overall, Ikaruga is a great shooter but not quite what I was expecting. The length of the game combined with the difficulty may deter most people but the game is customizable enough to be fun for anyone. The game even features a couple 2-player options so you can invite a friend along for the ride. If you're a fan of shooter games, Ikaruga is definitely worth checking out. From the combo system, to the light/dark switching, it offers some unique gameplay elements even for genre veterans. Just be ready for a healthy challenge!
This is the best version of the best (or one of the top three, in any case) shoot'em up ever, with a glorious TATE mode and a 2-player coop that will both blast you. Do we need to say more?
Review in Italian | Read full review
Ikaruga is great—everyone should play it unless you're fundamentally opposed to the genre. It can be frustrating but I found that I got a little farther almost every run. Maybe someday I'll even try to get through Arcade Mode with the default settings (on Easy) so that I can actually post a high score!
Ikaruga is a classic, but it’s not a game for everyone. It confidently dwells in its genre and is designed to cater to a specific audience. It won’t alter the perception of those who aren’t thrilled about shoot-em-ups, and neither is it meant to.