Arcade Archives 2 SPACE CYCLONE is a fixed shooter action game originally developed by Taito and released in arcades in 1980. Players take control of a laser base at the bottom of the screen to defend against waves of BEMs, insect cyborg enemies that descend from the top by warping between meteors. The goal centers on preventing these enemies from reaching the ground, where they assemble rockets capable of launching and firing powerful Cyclone Shots back at the player.
Gameplay
The core loop involves precise shooting and positioning as BEMs enter from the sides of the screen while riding cloud-like formations. They then drop or float downward, firing projectiles at the laser base. Destroying enemies before they land is essential, because any that reach the surface contribute to building a rocket on the left side of the screen. Once three BEMs complete the construction, the rocket launches and unleashes a wide Cyclone Shot that sweeps across the play area.
Additional threats appear in the form of UFO-style craft that cross the screen and release their own cyclone-type beams. The vertical layout keeps the action focused on vertical movement and timing, with the player limited to horizontal movement along the bottom edge while firing upward. Success requires balancing offensive fire with evasion to avoid incoming shots from both the descending BEMs and the completed rockets.
Game Modes
Arcade Archives 2 SPACE CYCLONE includes the standard modes from the series along with one addition. Original Mode reproduces the arcade experience as closely as possible. Hi Score Mode challenges players to achieve the highest possible score across sessions. Caravan Mode focuses on scoring within a limited time frame or set of lives.
The new Time Attack Mode shifts the objective to clearing stages or the full game as quickly as possible, independent of score totals. This mode emphasizes speed and efficiency over point accumulation, providing a distinct way to approach the same core mechanics.
Arcade Archives Series Features
The release follows the Arcade Archives approach of faithful reproduction with added modern conveniences. Options allow adjustments to difficulty levels and screen settings. Rewind functionality lets players backtrack from mistakes during play. Rapid-fire settings and multiple save slots support extended sessions and experimentation.
Online rankings enable competition with players worldwide for top scores. Variable Refresh Rate support improves visual smoothness on compatible displays, bringing the experience closer to the original hardware performance.
Is It Worth Playing?
This title suits players who enjoy classic fixed shooters and precise, timing-based action from the early arcade era. The straightforward mechanics reward consistent practice and pattern recognition, while the added modes in the Arcade Archives 2 version provide variety for those seeking different challenges beyond high scores.
Availability on PS5 with features such as rewind and online leaderboards makes it accessible for both newcomers to the genre and longtime fans of Taito's 1980 release. The separate PS5 version offers no save data compatibility with the earlier PS4 edition, so owners of the prior release should note the distinction when considering an upgrade.
