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Raiden (USA)

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Raiden - Shooter Classic

Raiden arrived on the NEC TurboGrafx-16 as a port of the beloved 1990 arcade shooter. Originally developed by Seibu Kaihatsu, this vertical scrolling shoot 'em up was a staple in arcades worldwide. The TurboGrafx-16 version brought the fast-paced action home, and the USA release let American players experience one of the genre's defining titles without quarters. It's a direct port that retains the core arcade feel, which was a big deal for fans at the time.

You take control of the Raiden fighter jet and blast through waves of enemy planes, tanks, and battleships across multiple stages. The game scrolls vertically, so you'll dodge enemy fire while managing two main weapon upgrades: the red ammunition spreads wide, while the blue focuses firepower forward. Collecting similar power-ups boosts their strength. Each stage ends with a boss that requires precise timing and pattern recognition. The challenge ramps up quickly, and losing your current weapon upon death adds to the intensity.

Even today, Raiden on the TurboGrafx-16 is worth playing for its tight controls and satisfying arcade loop. It stands as one of the better home conversions from that era, with decent graphics and sound that capture the original's feel. Unlike many modern shooters, it gets straight to the point with no frills. If you enjoy no-nonsense vertical shooters that test your reflexes, this port holds up nicely. It's a classic that shows why the genre was so popular in arcades.

GAME INFO

Platform: NEC TURBOGRAFX-16
Genre: Shooter
Publisher: Seibu Kaihatsu
Developer: Seibu Kaihatsu
Released: 1991
Region: USA

How to play Raiden online

Getting started: When you load the game, press Enter to start. You'll see the title screen, then press Start again to begin. The goal is straightforward: pilot your ship from the bottom of the screen upward, destroying everything in sight. Your main attack is the B button, and you can also use the A button for bombs if you have them.

As enemies appear, shoot them down while avoiding their bullets. Red and blue power-up icons float by; red gives you a wide spread shot, blue gives a concentrated forward blast. Collecting multiple copies of the same weapon type increases its power. If you crash into an enemy or get hit, you'll lose your current weapon and drop a power-up that you can recollect if you're quick. The game scrolls automatically, so you always need to be moving and shooting. Survive long enough to reach the boss at the end of each stage, then defeat it to advance.

New players should focus on learning enemy patterns and not getting cornered. The game is tough but fair; memorizing where power-ups appear helps a lot. Practice makes perfect, and the TurboGrafx-16 version's responsive controls make it a great way to experience this arcade classic.

CONTROLS

Controls

Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
X: I button
S: II button
Enter: Run / Start
V: Select

Raiden FAQ

Who developed Raiden?

Seibu Kaihatsu developed the original arcade game. The TurboGrafx-16 port was likely handled by the same studio or a contracted team, though exact developer details for this particular release are not widely documented.

Is Raiden exclusive to NEC TURBOGRAFX-16 or did it appear on other systems?

Raiden appeared on many platforms. It started in arcades, then came to the PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, PlayStation, and more over the years.

What type of game is Raiden?

It is a vertical scrolling shooter, one of the defining games of the shoot 'em up genre. Players control a fighter jet and battle waves of enemies while avoiding bullets.

All NEC TURBOGRAFX-16 games