Retro-Bit opens pre-orders for all-new Toaplan Genesis/Mega-Drive game reprint collection; Pre-orders open until December 1st 2024

 

Here comes Retro-Bit once again with a new set of Genesis/Mega-Drive Collector Cartridge sets that you can pre-order right now.

Retro-Bit, in collaboration with current Toaplan rights holders Tatsujin, have revealed the Toaplan Shooters Vol. 2 Collector’s Cartridge set, consisting of Twin Cobra (1991), Slap Fight MD (1993), and Grind Stormer (1994). Not familiar with Vol. 1? That began pre-orders in 2020, consisted of Truxton (1989), Hellfire (1990), Fire Shark (1990), and Zero Wing (1991), and we somehow neglected to do a write-up about it. (Hey, I wasn’t here to cover retro news back then. Sorry.)

Anyway, all three games can be ordered separately or together in one big, bad collectors set with all three games in a nice slipcase. The collector’s set also includes a digital pocket clock, a sheet of puffy stickers, and a booklet featuring an interview with Toaplan developer and composer and current day president of Tatsujin, Masahiro Yuge. It can be had for $159.99 USD and is now up for pre-order in North America from Castlemania Games, Rondo Products, Limited Run Games, and PNP Games. Pre-orders in Europe are currently available at Just For Games, Retro Cables, Spel & Sant, Strictly Limited Games, Dragon Box Shop, Xtra Life, Zedlabz, and NedGame. Each separate game costs $59.99 and is NTSC and PAL complainant. This is a limited product and all pre-orders will only run throughout November 2024 and end December 1st, 2024.

Have a look after the break for the deets on each of the individual games.

Released to Japanese arcades in October 1987 as Kyūkyoku Tiger, Twin Cobra was the follow-up to Toaplan’s earlier arcade shooter Tiger-Heli (1985). You pilot your attack chopper into active warzones, reigning fire on all enemy aircrafts, tank battalions, and naval fleets that lie in your path with up to four weapon powerups. It’s as simple as it gets, but is a beloved arcade and Genesis classic regardless. The Genesis version is for one player only despite the arcade version supporting up to two.

Here’s what you get with Retro-Bit’s Collector’s Cartridge release.

• Black Hawk cartridge for Genesis and PAL Mega Drive
• Reversible cartridge inlay sleeve
• Full-color instruction manual
• Individually numbered embellished slipcover

Slap Fight released to Japanese arcades in 1986 and was later ported to the Mega-Drive as Slap Fight MD in 1993 by MNM Software, with help from Toaplan and Sega of Japan. Slap Fight MD was also made available as part of the Mega-Drive Mini. It’s only other home ports were on western computers such as the Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum, and some of these ports saw the game’s name changed to A.L.C.O.N., after the “Allied League of Cosmic Nations” faction that you fight for within the game. The Mega-Drive version never left Japan, making this its debut release for North America and Europe.

Slap Fight sees you piloting the SW745 spaceship, reigning fire on all enemy aircrafts, alien battalions, and missile fleets in your way with up to three weapon powerups (Which does not include slapping them). It’s as simple as it gets, except not really, because the Mega-Drive game included an all new special mode with extra features not found in the arcade game, such as a helper drone that can fire upon enemies and be controlled with a second controller like Tails in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. The Special mode also included rearranged music by the one and only Yuzo Koshiro. All this is preserved in Retro-Bit’s Collector’s cart release, which also includes the following.

• Cosmic Flare cartridge for Genesis and PAL Mega Drive
• Reversible cartridge inlay sleeve
• Full-color instruction manual
• Individually numbered embellished slipcover

V-V, or V-Five, released to Japanese arcades in 1992 and released to North America on Genesis two years later as Grind Stormer. There was no European release, making this Collector’s Cartridge release the debut launch in Europe. In North America, the game was published by Tengen, who was manufacturing their own cartridges instead of letting Sega do it for them, but Tengen wasn’t as good at making cartridges as Sega, so their original releases are prone to failure now. Thankfully, Retro-Bit takes the manufacture of new cartridges seriously, with high-quality engineered boards that have beveled insert points and rounded corners and a proper 5-volt regulator chip to also reduce damage to your console. That goes for all of Retro-Bit’s Collector’s Cartridge releases. Rest assured, you’re paying for professional quality here.

Grind Stormer sees you piloting your spaceship, reigning fire on all enemy aircrafts, alien battalions, and missile fleets in your way with up to three weapon powerups, four speed powerups, and a few pods that move alongside your ship for extra firepower. It’s as simple as it gets, except not really, because the Mega-Drive game included a V-Five mode. Essentially, this lets you choose between playing the Japanese or International arcade game, which both handled the issue of powerups differently. Try them both and see which you like better.

Here’s what else comes with Grind Stormer.

• Crystal Shield cartridge for Genesis and PAL Mega Drive
• Reversible cartridge inlay sleeve
• Full-color instruction manual
• Individually numbered embellished slipcover

Keep in mind that you do not get the digital pocket clock, the puffy stickers, or the Masahiro Yuge interview booklet if you order the games separately. You gotta get them all in the collector’s set. Here’s a closer look at those items.

If you’re ready to pre-order, you can check out Retro-Bit’s own Toaplan Shooters Vol. 2 webpage right here for the most up-to-date pre-order links for wherever you want to order from. Let us know in the comments below if you pre-ordered or if you’ve owned or played any of these games before. Did you also buy Toaplan Shooters Vol. 1 or any other Collector’s Cartridges from Retro-Bit? Let us know what you think of those too.

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