Announced earlier this month, and scheduled to hit the Japanese Market by the end of the year, “Dariusburst: Another Chronicle” is the latest Taito’s Arcade game that we had the chance to test.

13 years after
Darius, a horizontally-scrolling shoot’em up arcade game that was using a unique three-screen arcade cabinet setup has been introduced for the first time in 1986. In total, the Japanese developer released 5 Opus (Including this new version). Really popular in the 90s, 13 years after Taito is finally back with Dariusburst: Another Chronicle is the latest Taito’s Arcade game.

For this new title, Taito proposes us a quite impressive cabinet with a Super Wide Screen made from two 32-inch LCD screen stuck together. Actually, they are not really stuck together. Indeed, Taito explained us they were using a mirror stuck side-by-side to a 32-inch screen that reflects another screen, a bit like the heads-up display (HUD) you can find in aircraft, automobiles, etc…
The interest of this setting is to avoid an annoying bezel appearing between the two displays…
Other interesting point regarding the cabinet: the coop mode that will allow up to 4 players (2 per machines). Perfect if you need to enjoy a game with your friends after work!
Taito also tried to bring us the best Arcade gaming experience by adding a nice surround system, as well as subwoofer integrated in seat to be sure to completely immerse you in the game. “Dariusburst: Another Chronicle” features the NESYS system (or Net Entry System) that allow players to play online with others across Japan. Thanks to this technology, players will also have the possibility to check their rankings from a PC or Cell Phones.

Lastly, Taito explained us this game is mainly targeting people between 30 and 40 years old. In other words, people who discovered the joys of arcade games with titles like Dairus. Actually, and I’m sure most of you are aware that arcade games are experiencing a slow death, Taito hopes and want to bring back these people to game center, the same people who use to spend hours in front of an arcade game. It’s interesting to notice that, according to Taito’s PRs, the major problem for Japanese arcade center is the raise of SNS game available on mobile phone. And this is very unfortunate, since the arcade game centers still hide nice title like Gaia Attack 4… Anyway let’s try this new Opus with Taito’s Staff!

Impression
To be honest, Loic (Our intern) and myself are agree to say that we had a great time playing this game. The game offers you two modes with Arcade mode and Chronicle mode with 12 Zone divided in 3 stages.
Graphically speaking, it was really pleasant to rediscover Darius game. Well designed, Taito brought us some new space ship with now four choices: The “Legend” (Silver Hawk Burst Type-1), the “Next” (Silver Hawk Burst Type 2), the Origin (Silver Hawk) available on the PSP version and the Formula (Silver Hawk Burst Type-3).
The interesting part of this game is, of course, the possibility to play with three other players, but above all to cross and combine your burst Laser to get more impact on your attack. You will have a lot of enemies to fight which, at the end, will bring you a big mess with a lot of fun!

With a nice surround system, and built-in subwoofer (in the seat), Taito brought us a really nice arcade gaming experience. The only “drawback” (because I had to find one to be credible) was the seat was a bit small for four people… Ok, for four average Japanese, it could be right, but if you take a look at our pictures gallery, you will see that was maybe short!

Anyway, for those who are nostalgic of this good old game, you will be probably delighted to play with this one during your next trip in Japan! Taito did it again for our greatest pleasure.

PS: Thanks to Taito and its nice Staff that took time to introduce us their game in their office