Retro shoot ’em up fans, assemble! Classic video game publisher Clear River Games and Japanese developer Tatsujin have officially announced that Truxton Extreme has shipped!

Marking the first completely new instalment in the iconic Truxton (known in Japan as Tatsujin) franchise in nearly four decades, this explosive new release brings one of arcade gaming’s most celebrated vertical shmups bang up-to-date for modern platforms.

Whether you’re a hardened arcade veteran with high-score muscle memory or a newcomer curious about the Golden Age of vertical shooters, here is everything you need to know about the grand return of a shoot ’em up legend.

Retro Fury Meets Modern Firepower

Originally debuting in arcades back in 1988 under the legendary Toaplan banner, Truxton established itself as an instant classic thanks to its tight controls, relentless action, and iconic weapon arsenal. Now, original series mastermind and Tatsujin CEO Masahiro Yuge has returned to lead the charge, bringing the classic series into a whole new era while preserving its legendary gameplay DNA.

Truxton Extreme upgrades the pixelated starfields of the late ’80s into crisp 3D visual environments filled with twisting alien tentacles, gigantic mechanical bosses, and screen-filling laser battles—all designed with careful restraint to keep action smooth, readable, and incredibly satisfying.

Iconic Weapons & Fresh Upgrades

Combat in Truxton Extreme delivers the satisfying, heavy-hitting firepower fans expect from the franchise. Pilots will get to blast through alien fleets using classic and enhanced weaponry:

• Power Shot: A reliable spread attack that covers wide swathes of the screen.
• Truxton Beam / Tatsujin Beam: A concentrated forward laser that melts heavy enemy armour.
• Thunder Laser: The iconic locking laser that weaves across the screen targeting hostile forces.
• Homing & Star-Mine Shots: Destructive ordnance designed to sweep up trickier enemy formations.
• EX Shot & Screen-Clearing Bombs: Charge up your EX meter by destroying foes to unleash heightened firepower, or drop a classic screen-clearing bomb when you need an emergency escape route.

To top it all off, Masahiro Yuge—a classically trained pianist turned legendary game designer—returns with an electrifying new soundtrack that blends reimagined retro tracks with brand-new compositions.

Packed with Game Modes for Every Player

One of the standout additions in Truxton Extreme is its wealth of game modes catering to all skill levels:

• Story Mode: Dive into an expansive narrative featuring three distinct pilot protagonists, unravelling their drama through unlockable comic episodes as you progress through outer-space battles.
• Arcade Mode: Pure, unadulterated classic shmup action for purists who want to tackle stages sequentially for ultimate high scores.
• Co-Op Team Mode: Share lives, bombs, and total scores with a friend in local two-player co-op mode.
• Heart Starter Mode: A beginner-friendly option where making a mistake won’t cost you a life, letting newcomers build their reflexes without constantly hitting “Game Over.”
• Arena & Extras: Test your speed in 2-minute score attacks, explore unlockable character models, or rescue cute Pipiru aliens to help build up Pipiruville!

Launching on All Major Platforms

Truxton Extreme is available digitally and physically across PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam and GOG).

If you’ve been itching for a true arcade-style challenge packed with nostalgia, stunning music, and intense action, Truxton Extreme is ready for takeoff. Strap into your cockpit and prepare to save the galaxy!

Find out more here

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