Raiden III x Mikado Maniax | PS5

NISA once again brings to us an impressively enhanced port from the popular Raiden shoot'em up series. This time in the form of "Raiden III x Mikado Maniax" for the PlayStation 5 console. As with "Raiden IV Mikado Mix" this latest rerelease returns with extra features not included in the original arcade cabinets. It includes a fully customizable soundtrack featuring three different styles along with different artists whose newer songs can be unlocked in the main mode of play simply by reaching score milestones. This in addition to applicable wallpapers earned in a similar fashion as well as art gallery entries, demonstration videos, and the ability to switch between TATE mode and other screen orientations are options tailor made for a player preferred experience. 

Beyond all that, the core game and it's 7 stages remain intact, but visually upgraded for the PS5, and more content rich than ever before. It is a bullet hell experience from yesteryear that caters to the gamer with features aplenty. 

For those of you not familiar with the gameplay gimmicks of Raiden III there's not much needed to get you acquainted. It's a top-down shmup featuring a red and blue ship with a color coded power-up system that changes the gunfire according to color. The red orb will gift a spread shot, the blue a straight firing laser beam, and the green a tracking laser that sweeps from left to right when moved in those directions. Additionally there are missile power-ups that come in the form of rockets, homing missiles, and a barrage of smaller missiles. Both the shot type, and missiles can be further upgraded by picking up multiples of the same power-up type. Leaving any collected after they are maxed out to act as bonus points for the taking.

In the way of scoring, quickly shooting down enemy craft in rapid succession will build upon a score multiplier enhancing the base points earned. It's all about preemptively striking the static flow of incoming craft that always follow the same patterns regardless of playthrough. Learning the levels and enemy spawns is key to earning the top score on the local or worldwide leaderboards. 

Aside from the score multiplier efforts you can also earn bonus points by collecting, and keeping a full stock of bombs as well as ships to the end. That and finding all the hidden golden orbs tied to a no-hit reward or fairies in gems that will gift immediate bonus points upon acquisition. There's even the occasional secret object that can be destroyed for more points than the per shot accumulation. The end tally of a stage after a boss fight ultimately accounts for all you've accomplished in this regard. Keep in mind though that ship lives are limited as are continues, and that continuing voids the current earned score. Resetting it to a zero value if you choose to pick up where you failed. 

Modes, and modes of play are similar to that of the previously released "Raiden IV x Mikado Mix". Giving you different ways to play both in ship and stage/level form. In standard play, or 'Game Start', you have a 7 stages or levels playthrough with waves of lesser enemies leading up to a final boss fight. This can be played on Practice, Very Easy, Easy, Normal, Arcade, Hard, or Very Hard difficulties with an appointed ship stock total, and number of continues applied beforehand. Difficulties range, respectively, from zero bullets to a bullet hell nightmare in the given hierarchal order. 

In the same base mode selection screen you'll also find a single stage 'Score Attack' mode in which the point is to complete a stage with the highest score possible. Difficulty settings also apply to these stages or levels. Making it as easy or as hard as you want it to be. Lastly, in true shmup fashion, there's also the 'Boss Rush' mode, and it plays out like it sounds. Pitting you against each of the 7 bosses in order without much pause. Dropping minimal power-ups at the beginning of each battle to make winning more possible. It's one of a few ways to prove your skills as a veteran Raiden player, and earn your place among the ranks of the world's best. 

For those going for the crown though knowing that the Worldwide leaderboard menu houses a somewhat hidden competitive mode wherein you get one set of ships, and no continues with which to score as highly as possible is a must. Hopefully in taking it on you'll land yourself somewhere in the Top 10, if you are skilled enough. Personally I landed at 42, but that should not put anyone off. Practice makes perfect, as they say.

Outside of the base modes you can opt to play the game using different ship modes as well. There's a 'Solo' singleplayer ship mode, a 'Dual' 2 player ship (Red & Blue) mode, or a 'Double' single player controlled mode in which both ships are controlled simultaneously using a thumbstick for maneuvering each ship individually. Leaving the shoulder/trigger buttons on each respective side to function as shot firing and bombs for the associated ship. This changes up the gameplay approach, and allows for different ways to experience an otherwise straightforward set of challenges. 

If you ever wonder how well or poorly your doing in regards to your playthroughs you'll find that the local, and worldwide leaderboards list your rankings by the ship modes, and the difficulty settings. Adding with it your inputted initials or usernames according to the nature of the leaderboard as well as the level or stages you completed in the run.

Extras are also a huge part of 'Raiden III x Mikado Maniax'. As you earn higher and higher scores in the main mode you will unlock new BGMs or soundtrack options as well as wallpapers, and art gallery entries. It is this game's method of incentivizing replay beyond the pursuit of a flawless playthrough.

The Verdict ...

By far this updated and upgraded version of Raiden III is the pinnacle of perfection in comparison to the OG release. It's all a fan would want in returning to this third entry in the series. It is not only true to the original, but it builds upon it's legacy by adding to the soundtrack, customization options, and quality of life features. 

Gameplay-wise it is more doable than later entries like Raiden IV as a result. Allowing players who wish to play more casually to do so without the stress of bullet hell. Enabling the possibility of completing the game, and unlocking everything in Practice difficulty. Even trophies can be earned at that lowest setting. If I were to pick the key selling point out of everything though it would be the customizable soundtrack that can be altered on a per stage basis in the BGM menu via the "CUSTOM" soundtrack option. This alone allows an experience custom tailored wholly to the player or players desire. A fresh way to enjoy a returning classic.

If I had a preference among recent NISA Raiden revivals I'd say 'Raiden III x Mikado Maniax' is my current favorite, because of it's newcomer friendly setup. It's a customizable tailor made experience with difficulty settings for the picking, and player preferred options across the board! Something that not only revives the original in full, but also enriches it for a modern audience. If you fancy taking a trip down memory lane back to the old arcade cabinets of yesteryear like I have be sure to pick up 'Raiden III x Mikado Maniax' when it releases on the 6th of June!!! Also remember to support physical media whenever you can. We really need to preserve the legacy of games like this for future generations, and let studios/publishers know physical media should always be a thing.