Ikaruga is a fast-paced scrolling shooter with a twist – players must constantly switch their ship’s polarity to maximize their damage output and avoid incoming enemy fire of the opposite polarity, featuring a two-player co-op mode both locally and over Xbox Live. Newcomers can also easily bring their skill up to speed by using the game’s slow motion training mode.

Ikaruga is a perfect combination of beautiful, manga-style storytelling and challenging arcade heroics, all brought to life in a gorgeous HD environment.

Gamers itching to obtain a moment of “Ikaruga” glory will be wise to master the chaining system that detects when enemies of the same polarity are destroyed consecutively. Doing so will reward players with huge score bonuses, which will be key to topping “Ikaruga’s” leaderboards.

The ability to relive a particularly harrowing battle is also possible thanks to the game’s record and replay function, which is new to the Xbox Live Arcade version of the game.

Nicalis and Treasure have joined forces to introduce this groundbreaking piece of video game history to modern players in the updated version for Nintendo Switch.

Ikaruga on Nintendo Switch features both single-player and two-player (local) cooperative modes, as well as global leaderboards that can be accessed online for tracking high scores. Ikaruga can be played in the traditional horizontal mode on Nintendo Switch, or flipped vertically for arcade-style “TATE” mode action.

“I’ve always thought that Ikaruga is one of the most perfect vertical shooters of all time, and I know that a lot of shooter fans agree,” said Nicalis president Tyrone Rodriguez. “The fanboy in me is honored that Nicalis can work with Mr. Maegawa and Treasure in bringing this legendary game to Nintendo Switch.”

Ikaruga for Nintendo Switch is rated “E10+” by the ESRB and will be available digitally on May 29, 2018 for $14.99 MSRP.

Features:

• Players pilot their sleek Ikaruga fighter and face off against enemy ships, while they maneuver to avoid obstacles and other dangers.
• Switching the polarity of the ship between black and white will let pilots absorb bullets of the same color, while opposite colored bullets do damage.
• As bullets become absorbed, the player’s homing laser attack becomes up to 10x more powerful than a standard shot.
• Spectacular 3D graphics showcase this vertically scrolling shoot ‘em up cult classic.
• Five stages feature elegant, yet tactical, level design and include challenging boss battles.
• Two game modes include Arcade and Prototype, with support for single player and two player cooperative modes.
• Vertical screen mode support allows for the game to play like a side-scrolling shooter!

Already available on Gamecube, Xbox 360, and PC, Ikaruga is coming to Nintendo Switch on May 29, 2018 for $14.99 MSRP.