Taito Memories
Taito Memories[lower-alpha 1] is a series of arcade video game compilations developed and published by Taito exclusively in Japan. A total of five collections were released - four on the PlayStation 2, and one on the PlayStation Portable. The first entry, Taito Memories Jōkan, was released in 2005, with the latest being Taito Memories II Gekan, released in 2007. The PlayStation 2 entries each have twenty-five titles, while the PlayStation Portable game has sixteen - all included games are arcade games published by Taito. A similar series of collections, Taito Legends, was released outside Japan in North America and Europe - many titles from the Taito Memories series would be added into several Taito Legends compilations, alongside much of its user-interface being re-used.
| Taito Memories | |
|---|---|
 Official logo to the series. | |
| Genre(s) | Compilation |
| Developer(s) | Taito |
| Publisher(s) | Taito |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo Switch |
| First release | Taito Memories Jōkan July 28, 2005 |
| Latest release | Taito Memories II Gekan March 29, 2007 |
The series was a commercial success for Taito, with a few entries being re-released under The Best budget line-up - the first two compilations sold 145,616 copies combined.[n 1] Critical reception for the games were also positive, with their large selection of games being highly praised, although criticism would be drawn to later entries, many classifying their game library as "filler content". Square Enix holds the rights to the series, following their acquisition of Taito.
Games
Taito Memories Jōkan
The first entry, Taito Memories Jōkan, was released on July 28, 2005.[3] It would be re-released under two different budget labels - first under the Taito BEST label on July 7, 2006 and the second under Eternal Hits on June 28, 2007. Among the included titles, KiKi KaiKai, Bubble Bobble, Syvalion, Cameltry and Metal Black are locked, and can be accessed by inserting a code in the title screen - the reprints of the game would have these games available from the start.[4]
Taito Memories Gekan
The second entry, Taito Memories Gekan, was released on August 25, 2005. It would be re-released under two different budget labels - first under the Taito BEST label on July 9, 2006[5] and the second under Eternal Hits on June 28, 2007. Among the included titles, Qix, Elevator Action, Front Line, The NewZealand Story and Gun Frontier are locked, and can be accessed by inserting a code in the title screen - the reprints of the game would have these games available from the start.[6] The ports of both RayStorm and G-Darius are instead the PlayStation versions instead of the arcade releases.
| Title | Genre | Original release | Unlockable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Space Invaders | Fixed shooter | 1978 | No |
| Space Invaders Part II | Fixed shooter | 1979 | No |
| Crazy Balloon | Maze | 1980 | No |
| Balloon Bomber | Fixed shooter | 1980 | No |
| Qix | Maze | 1981 | Yes |
| Wild Western | Fixed shooter | 1982 | No |
| Front Line | Maze | 1982 | Yes |
| Elevator Action | Platform | 1983 | Yes |
| Chack'n Pop | Platform | 1983 | No |
| The Legend of Kage | Hack'n slash | 1985 | No |
| The NewZealand Story | Platform | 1988 | Yes |
| Rastan Saga II | Beat'em up | 1988 | No |
| Raimais | Maze | 1988 | No |
| Insector X | Horizontal-scrolling shooter | 1989 | No |
| Cadash | Action adventure | 1989 | No |
| Violence Fight | Fighting | 1989 | No |
| Gun Frontier | Vertical-scrolling shooter | 1990 | Yes |
| Hat Trick Hero | Football | 1990 | No |
| Liquid Kids | Platform | 1990 | No |
| Arabian Magic | Hack'n slash | 1992 | No |
| Space Invaders '95 | Fixed shooter | 1995 | No |
| Gekirindan | Vertical-scrolling shooter | 1995 | No |
| Puzzle Bobble 2 | Puzzle | 1995 | No |
| RayStorm | Vertical-scrolling shooter | 1996 | No |
| G-Darius | Horizontal-scrolling shooter | 1997 | No |
Taito Memories Pocket
This compilation is a portable version only available for the PlayStation Portable, and was released in Japan on January 5, 2006. It includes 16 titles, four of which are featuring an additional remake version.
| Title | Genre | Original release | Remake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lunar Rescue | Fixed shooter | 1979 | No |
| Crazy Balloon | Maze | 1980 | Yes |
| Balloon Bomber | Fixed shooter | 1980 | Yes |
| Qix | Maze | 1981 | No |
| Alpine Ski | Alpine skiing | 1982 | No |
| Elevator Action | Platform | 1983 | No |
| Chack'n Pop | Platform | 1983 | No |
| The Legend of Kage | Hack'n slash | 1985 | Yes |
| The Fairyland Story | Platform | 1985 | No |
| KiKi KaiKai | Multi-directional shooter | 1986 | No |
| Rastan Saga | Beat'em up | 1987 | No |
| Kuri Kinton | Beat'em up | 1988 | No |
| The New Zealand Story | Platform | 1988 | No |
| Raimais | Maze | 1988 | No |
| Rainbow Islands Extra | Platform | 1988 | No |
| Cameltry | Puzzle | 1989 | Yes |
Taito Memories II Jōkan
This compilation saw its release on January 25, 2007.
| Title | Genre | Original release |
|---|---|---|
| Space Chaser | Maze | 1979 |
| Grand Champion | Racing | 1981 |
| Time Tunnel | Maze | 1982 |
| The Athletic | Sports game | 1984 |
| Ben Bero Beh | Platform | 1984 |
| Return of the Invaders | Fixed shooter | 1985 |
| Gladiator | Beat'em up | 1986 |
| Kick and Run | Sports game | 1986 |
| Scramble Formation | Vertical-scrolling shooter | 1986 |
| Continental Circus | Racing | 1987 |
| Exzisus | Horizontal-scrolling shooter | 1987 |
| Super Qix | Maze | 1987 |
| Rainbow Islands | Platformer | 1987 |
| Operation Thunderbolt | Shooting gallery | 1988 |
| Cloud Master | Horizontal-scrolling shooter | 1988 |
| Fighting Hawk | Horizontal-scrolling shooter | 1988 |
| Asuka & Asuka | Vertical-scrolling shooter | 1989 |
| S.C.I. | Racing | 1989 |
| Darius II | Horizontal-scrolling shooter | 1989 |
| Champion Wrestler | Fighting | 1989 |
| Space Gun | Shooting gallery | 1990 |
| The Ninja Kids | Beat'em up | 1990 |
| Dino Rex | Fighting | 1992 |
| RayForce | Vertical-scrolling shooter | 1994 |
| Bubble Memories | Platform | 1996 |
Taito Memories II Gekan
This is the final compilation, released in Japan on March 29, 2007.
| Title | Genre | Original release |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goal | Breakout | 1979 |
| Phoenix | Fixed shooter | 1980 |
| Polaris | Fixed shooter | 1980 |
| Great Swordsman | Fighting | 1984 |
| Sea Fighter Poseidon | Horizontal-scrolling shooter | 1984 |
| Gyrodine | Vertical-scrolling shooter | 1984 |
| Buggy Challenge | Racing | 1984 |
| Typhoon Gal | Fighting | 1985 |
| Metal Soldier Isaac II | Vertical-scrolling shooter | 1985 |
| Halley's Comet | Vertical-scrolling shooter | 1986 |
| Land Sea Air Squad | Vertical-scrolling shooter | 1986 |
| Operation Wolf | Shooting gallery | 1987 |
| Full Throttle | Racing | 1987 |
| Plump Pop | Breakout | 1987 |
| Chase H.Q. | Racing | 1988 |
| Rainbow Islands Extra | Platform | 1988 |
| Final Blow | Fighting | 1988 |
| Volfied | Maze | 1989 |
| Night Striker | Shooter | 1989 |
| Battle Shark | Shooter | 1989 |
| Master of Weapon | Vertical-scrolling shooter | 1989 |
| Megablast | Horizontal-scrolling shooter | 1989 |
| ThunderFox | Beat'em up | 1990 |
| Warrior Blade: Rastan Saga Episode III | Beat'em up | 1991 |
| Bubble Symphony | Platform | 1994 |
Reception
Notes
- In Japanese: Taito Memories (タイトーメモリーズ, Taitō Memorīzu)
References
- "Taito Memories Vol. 1". Garaph (data from Famitsu). Retrieved 28 July 2005.
- "Taito Memories Vol. 2". Garaph (data from Famitsu). Retrieved 25 August 2005.
- Yasuki, Shiga. "タイトー、名作ゲーム25作品が1本に!! PS2「タイトーメモリーズ 上巻」を7月28日に発売". GAME Watch. Retrieved 13 May 2005.
- Taito Memories Jōkan BOOK. Taito Corp. Retrieved 28 July 2005.
- Ishida, Katsuo. "タイトー、アーケードゲーム集の廉価版を発売 PS2「タイトーメモリーズ 下巻 TAITO BEST」". GAME Watch. Retrieved 8 July 2006.
- Taito Memories Gekan BOOK. Taito Corp. Retrieved 25 August 2005.