The weekly Arcade Archives release has dropped, with Spinal Breakers making its way to Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4. This is a World War 2 themed rails shooter, featuring various mission themes, and feels quite similar to another game from the period.
Here’s what it’s all about:
“SPINAL BREAKERS” is an action shooting game released by VIDEO SYSTEM in 1991.
Players take control of Colonel WAFFLE and battle through stages by defeating enemies infected by the artificial lifeform known as “HILDROID.”Dodge enemy attacks using the rotation button while aiming precisely to take them down.
The game features three different endings, which vary depending on your performance throughout the playthrough.
As part of the record-breaking Arcade Archives, Spinal Breakers seems to be completely new to me. From what I can tell, it isn’t a game I’ve ever played, or even seen in the many arcades I visited as a kid. Produced by Video System and released in 1991, it’s a sort of third-person Operation Wolf clone, complete with on-rails progression through the level, and with added character maneuverability.
Spinal Breakers trailer
If you fancy a look at the game, a new trailer has been produced:
Choosing Arcade Archives versions of games includes some useful quality of life improvements. You can set a CRT filter to make the game look like it would have on the original hardware, as well as set your own difficulty level. Arcade Archives titles also offer a global high score table, although no online play is available. You’ll also find the game supports save states, enabling you to save and restore your progress.
Spinal Breakers is out now on the Nintendo eShop and PlayStation Store for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4, and you can learn more and find regional store links on the Arcade Archives website.
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Christian Cawley is a writer and editor who covers consumer electronics, IT, and entertainment media. He has written for publications such as Computer Weekly, Linux Format, MakeUseOf.com, and Tech Radar.
He also produces podcasts, has a cigar box guitar, and of course, loves retro gaming.