UK OXM's April issue: Ikaruga 'out now' on XBLA

30 Comments by Alexander Sliwinski Mar 19th 2008 2:15PM
Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, Action

The April issue of UK Official Xbox Magazine apparently believes that the XBLA version of Ikaruga is "out now," meaning the classic polarity-bending shooter may finally be close to release. Receiving a 9 out of 10 from the magazine, there's no clear release date for the game, but given the magazine's publication month, the only thing we can venture to guess is the title should be out by the end of April.

We were impressed with the port of Ikaruga during our hands-on time with the game back at the Tokyo Games Show. Ikaruga's XBLA premiere has been a long time coming, first popping up on our radar in Feb. of 2007 and finally being officially confirmed much later in the year. Hopefully the UK OXM piece means the wait is almost over.

Tags: ikaruga, treasure, xbla

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(Page 1) Reader Comments

samfish: Mar 19th 2008; 2:22PM

Anyone who owns a 360 and doesn't buy this little piece of awesome is a damn fool.

Mr.ESC: Mar 19th 2008; 2:27PM

Same can be said of the people who didn't buy Exit.

xFenixKnightx: Mar 19th 2008; 2:30PM

If it doesnt have online co-op THEN it isnt a must buy. This game frys brain cells more than a big rolled up phatty!

Cyro: Mar 19th 2008; 2:37PM

Well. I have never heard of this game before, just like I had never heard of REZ. I took the advice from you guys and had a great time with REZ HD.

Now my question is, will I have the same amount of fun I had with REZ HD, with this game ? Is it worth buying?

samfish: Mar 19th 2008; 2:55PM

"If it doesnt have online co-op THEN it isnt a must buy."

MAYBE if you already own it...
But if you don't and you still don't buy it, than you're a damn fool.

Oh, and you totally deserve to get Red Ringed.

xFenixKnightx: Mar 19th 2008; 2:58PM

Im probably still buyin, I love me some shmups!! This and Bionic Commando FT-XBLA-W!!!!

Co: Mar 19th 2008; 4:00PM

Why do I have this feeling that if this was the exact same situation and senario but with a Nintendo console involved rather than the 360, you'd be bashing it Fenix?

Admit your fanboyism!!

xFenixKnightx: Mar 19th 2008; 4:17PM

Co.

Actually no, I tried looking everywhere for Ikaruga for my Gamecube back in the day so then I just gave up. Ill play this game no matter what the console. And yes Ive already admitted that as a PSWii60 owner I still prefer teh 360 overall. Im not hiding it. I like all 3 but the 360 gets the most play time. Its really more of a friend thing. My buddies all have 360 therefore I play it more.

Mr.ESC: Mar 19th 2008; 2:24PM

Don't tease me bro.

Nigeria: Cody ChesnuTT Defense Force: Mar 19th 2008; 2:25PM

Man this game was hard. So, so hard. Really, really hard.

Fun?

ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force): Mar 20th 2008; 3:07AM

Your fascination for the term "hard" makes me wonder about your hormonal state of mind.

Nigeria: Cody ChesnuTT Defense Force: Mar 20th 2008; 7:03AM

You're a sick, intelligent man, Venom.

I like it.

aaron_k7: Mar 19th 2008; 2:44PM

I saw this game on Screwattack's list of top 10 shooters. I wanted to curl up into the fetal position. Anyone who can play that game well must be a super genius.

Kye NFC: 7016 - 9552 - 1191 - 8991: Mar 19th 2008; 2:44PM

Hard is the perfect word to describe this game.

samfish: Mar 19th 2008; 2:52PM

I thought it got easier once you realized that it's all a huge pattern instead of trying blast your way through everything. You can anticipate the entire level.

That's not to say it's easy, though. I still can only make it through level 1 without firing a shot to get the Bullet Eater ranking.

Dynamo Matt: Mar 19th 2008; 2:44PM

http://inside.mygamercard.net/2008/03/18/ikaruga-youkaruga-everybodykaruga-for-achievements/

Achievements for Ikaruga revealed at MGC. Looks like they should be a challenge to get. :D

mr mobius: Mar 19th 2008; 3:03PM

Surely the fact its the April edition should give some sort of doubt.

That game is extremely hard though.

WiNG: Mar 19th 2008; 3:06PM

I have this game for Dreamcast (came out first on Dreamcast, then Gamecube). It is AWESOME and DIFFICULT - what else do you expect from Treasure?

There is a reason this game goes for a hundred bucks on eBay even though it's easily pirated: it's a gaming gem and will fascinate anyone who even remotely likes shoot'em-ups.

Considering it's the spiritual sequel to Radiant Silvergun, the rare Saturn shmup often considered "the best shooter of all time", I think that there is almost no limit to a "reasonable" XBLA price.

Even Maddox did a whole article about loving this game.

In other words, buy this game.

Gimbal: Mar 19th 2008; 3:22PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZEGyrEnXrk

For those who haven't heard of the game, you will also need to be introduced to this...the self-co-op madness.

GamerCrusader: Mar 19th 2008; 3:34PM

What is that thing right under the "Released -- Out Now" Button? I can't stop staring at it.. Looks kind of like a hand, then a fin of some kind.. maybe a bed? Im facinated...

aphoushole: Mar 19th 2008; 3:47PM

I went to this computer camp one time and I had over heard this guy say that he had a world record for like the last level/boss in Ikaruga. It's too bad that I didn't know what Ikaruga or Treasure even, was so I had no idea how much an accomplishment that is. Still thought it was cool at the time though.

Can't wait for it's 360 release.

Seishino: Mar 19th 2008; 4:03PM

Is there any news we can trust from this month's magazines? It's kind of like game journalism dies for 10% of the year.

Greyseal: Mar 19th 2008; 5:55PM

Mr. ESC: "Same can be said of the people who didn't buy Exit."

No... I'm sorry. It can't.

Exit may have clever puzzles, but it suffers from painfully slow and awkward controls. The biggest puzzle of all is why it takes five minutes to traverse a hallway.

Particularly up against the likes of Rez, N+, and now Ikaruga... Exit fails miserably.

Mr.ESC: Mar 19th 2008; 8:52PM

Not really, actually I never had problems with Exit and while it requires some repetition until you get it right it still holds up.

Yes is not quick unless you actually realize the situation.

I also have Rez Hd and N+ and N+ is pretty much a plat former and Rez Hd I fail to see how is that a puzzle game.

I completely disagree with you and I still believe Exit is still a brilliant game. Of course if the controls were more precise and a little faster it would be perfect but is still one great game.

Greyseal: Mar 20th 2008; 8:48AM

We'll have to agree to disagree ;)

PS -- wasn't meaning to imply that N+ and Rez were puzzle games. They're just ridiculously awesome.

filbertish: Mar 20th 2008; 12:56AM

Hmm. I just sold my Gamecube copy for $30. Maybe I should put some of that towards a digital copy.

Thomas: Mar 20th 2008; 6:15AM

Does it have the option to turn your TV sideways for that authentic vertical shooter experience?

Jeff: Mar 20th 2008; 6:14PM

I doubt it, but man would that be sweet on a huge widescreen flat panel.

Kuuma: Mar 20th 2008; 11:43AM

I'm glad this is coming to XBLA, I've always wanted to play it. I mean I could just buy it on GameCube but it's, FIFTY BUCKS!?!

hvnlysoldr: Apr 12th 2008; 3:41PM

I still regret passing off Ikaruga at a Gamestop bin several months ago.

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