Bermuda Triangle (World Wars) (US)

Bermuda Triangle is a 1987 vertically scrolling shooter from SNK, built for arcades. It arrived during the golden age of shoot 'em ups, when developers like SNK were competing with Toaplan and Capcom. The US version carries the 'World Wars' label, though the core experience remains the same as the Japanese release: you pilot a fighter jet through wave after wave of enemy aircraft and naval vessels, blasting everything that moves across a scrolling ocean backdrop. SNK handled both development and publishing, and the game later saw a digital re-release on modern platforms as part of the Arcade Archives series in 2025.

The player controls a fast-moving jet that can fire forward shots and drop bombs. Power-ups appear from destroyed enemies: weapon upgrades that increase your firepower or spread, smart bombs that clear the screen, and speed boosts. Each stage ends with a boss - often a giant warship or a heavily armed aircraft - that requires pattern recognition and rapid reflexes to bring down. The loop is simple: survive the bullet patterns, collect upgrades, destroy the boss, and move to the next area. There is no multiplayer, so it's a pure solo challenge from start to finish.

Bermuda Triangle doesn't break new ground, but it is a well-executed example of late-80s arcade shooting. The sprite work is clean, the difficulty curve is manageable for the first few stages, and the power-up system gives you enough control over your loadout to feel strategic. If you have played games like Flying Shark or TwinBee, you will recognize the structure here. It is not a genre-defining masterpiece, but it is a competent, enjoyable shooter that holds up if you are in the mood for straightforward arcade action. Worth a quarter on an emulator, especially if you are curious about SNK's earlier output before they became known for fighting games.