Darius Cozmic Collection Console (REVIEW)

Spanning 9 games, a handful of console platforms, and different regions "Darius Cozmic Collection Console" offers up the more varied collection of games between the two collection variations. Not only do you get console ports for Darius II, SAGAIA, Darius Twin, Darius Force, Super Nova, and Darius Plus, but Darius Alpha itself which is a game that was never released for sale. A game in the series that was limited in releases to 800 copies worldwide. It is in the rarity of Alpha, and the collection as a whole that the developer sees value nearing $60. Whether or not you agree is up to you ...

Bringing to life the saga of Silver Hawk piloting pioneers Proco, Tiat, and their similarly named ancestors in an ongoing adventure that spans multiple games, and multiple versions we find a collection that may just be the definitive console edition in regards to their brave endeavors. With each entry, and it's rehashed versions we are gifted, what in most instances, is a visual and audio overhaul fitting of their respective console generation. Each game offering a noticeably different experience whether it be through control scheme or presentation. Some of which comes with extra modes of play outside of the main game.

In most of the console versions within the collection you'll find 16 -32bit pixel constructed single screen presentations of the games once found at the arcade as well as other games that were console exclusives only. Games from the early 90's onward. Darius II, and the SAGAIA duo which made their way to the Japanese Mega Drive, the Sega Genesis, and the European Master system are each downscaled console entries that keep intact base arcade gameplay mechanics while pushing the graphical limits of the given hardware. The beginning entries on a list of diverse console ports. Going from the arcade's dual screen format to a single screen presentation these versions of Darius II offer gameplay with an arcade art border. With Darius II, in particular, you also gain access to an extra mode that was a part of a hidden secret within the main game om top of everything else.

The gameplay loop for the Darius II/SAGAIA trio is much like it's arcade collection counterparts. You'll be flying your Silver Hawk from left to right as you blast through waves of enemy ships, and a final aquatically inspired boss. Path choices come at the end, and will have you flying upwards or downwards to reach the next area. Unique to this version is the shot types which are each assigned individually to one of the four face buttons. Unlike the arcade port this version has a separate button for missiles, lazers, and shots. Upgrades of the shot, and Arms type will increase in power as you collect color coded power-ups as per usual.

Past the familiar territory that is Darius II, and SAGAIA we find duplicate yet different console versions of Darius Twin. One is the Japanese Super Famicom version while the other is a US SNES version. They play a lot like the former entries with the same pilots at the helm of the Silver Hawk, but new environments, and bosses. The graphics also change as well. Both translations are true to their country of origin with the Japanese entry containing Japanese text, and the international version containing English text. As with Darius II the onscreen adventure is all about facing waves, and bosses as you power-up your Silver Hawk to better deal with the threats.

Coming in as the collection's third pairing of unique titles is Darius Force, and Super Nova. Darius Force is the Super Famicom Japanese port while Super Nova is the US SNES port. What's so different about these to entries is the bosses. Unlike the rest of the Darius series these two games dare to change up the enemy theme. Included now are bosses that bypass the marine biology nature of enemy design. You'll find such things as dinosaur bosses in this deviation from the norm. Though the mechanics, and alphabetical stage choices remain fairly much intact as they were in later entries where the alphabet tree was introduced things still harbor similarities. The only other additional change is to the Silver Hawk ship selection which allows you to choose from four different Silver Hawks that have their own unique shot type, and Arms. Things like wide shots, plasma beams, and various bombs.

With the following entry that is Darius Alpha we are privileged to bare witness to a port of an entry that was not only limited in copies released worldwide, but that was never actually put on sale for the public. With Alpha you gain access to a handful of different modes tied to a boss rush theme. You'll fight, and flight against 16 old, and new bosses in both a regular boss rush, a time trial, and a four minute challenge. Each boss you defeat powers-up your Silver Hawk further, and allows you to be better prepared for the next battle. Darius Alpha is a Japanese PC Engine port.

Lastly is Darius Plus which is also a Japanese PC engine port. It is more or less a version of Super Darius that takes the series back to it's more basic roots. Back to the roots of Darius. With basic mechanics, and features included. The biggest difference, if any being the included 26 bosses, and the fact that it was ported from HuCard tech.

Extras ...

Extras in this collection are more varied. Some games get instantly accessible extra modes, and others toggles for things like auto-fire, auto-bombs, ship stock, and audio sound levels or audio tests. It definitely outdoes the Arcade collection in regards to extra content, and content at base level. Visually it adheres to what you'd expect from the hardware. Mostly 16 -32bit sprites with chiptune soundtracks, and the occasional stereo soundtrack. One soundtrack, in particular, is plagued by an original release problem that made it go monotone.

The Verdict ...

Though sinking $60 ($59.99 US) into a collection of this nature might seem iffy I have to side with the developer on this one in that they did release a rare game among the lot. Something limited, and not previously for sale. I think if anything that's where the pricing stems from. That, the nine games, and the inclusion of extra modes for some of the games. In regards to gameplay all games play smoothly, and fluidly with a bit more speed than their arcade counterparts. I imagine this is possible due to the hardware, limited pixel design, and the fact that every entry has been downsized to a single screen format. Overall I found nothing faulty in the games outside of the noted monotone soundtrack that the developer acknowledges was an issue with the original game. That, and the hard normal difficulty that is a bit steep for such an experience. Thankfully you can change difficulty to easy though. When it comes down to recommendation it's gonna depend whether or not you see the value in what is offered. I personally think the rare entry being added in does warrant the price, and for what it's worth the rest of the collection is fairly beefy. I'll let you weigh it. What do you want out of your shmup collections?