Ikaruga

 Switch
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 63 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 63
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 63
  3. Negative: 10 out of 63

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  1. yMat
    Jun 3, 2018
    9
    It's a incredibly good port of an already great game!
    It's a beautiful experience with refined graphics, and it's totally worth buying.
  2. ElementalSoldie
    Jun 7, 2018
    7
    The switch has become a dumping ground for ports. This is just another port with a few very small small bells and whistles. If you don't own it and enjoy challenging shmups pick it up, if you already own it then it's not really worth the double dip.
  3. Mekylot
    May 30, 2018
    10
    Um ótimo porte do antigo jogo, está tudo melhor, os controles são incríveis, e os gráficos melhoraram muito, recomendo para nostalgia.
  4. Dingobaron
    May 29, 2018
    8
    It's Ikaruga on the Switch. So far, the port seems flawless. The game looks really crisp on the Switch, but in handheld mode with the default settings, the size of the game screen is pretty small (as expected). To get a bigger picture, it is possible to rotate the screen and hold the Switch vertically, but you won't be able to use the buttons on the left joycon for shooting, only on theIt's Ikaruga on the Switch. So far, the port seems flawless. The game looks really crisp on the Switch, but in handheld mode with the default settings, the size of the game screen is pretty small (as expected). To get a bigger picture, it is possible to rotate the screen and hold the Switch vertically, but you won't be able to use the buttons on the left joycon for shooting, only on the right joycon (unless you detach the left joycon, of course). Not a big problem since you can also use the right stick for movement. Also, rotating the HUD will also rotate the controls. This means that if you decide to hold the Switch vertically, the HUD won't be easily readable. Kind of an oversight from the devs, but no big deal, it's still perfectly playable. Double Play (for which there are control settings, too) is probably a different story, but I have no plans to ever even attempt that.

    Alternatively, you can also play it as a horizontal shooter or detach a joycon and find something to prop up the Switch vertically. No problems there. If you have a monitor that can be rotated into a vertical position, that works too.    … Expand
  5. jj350
    Jun 21, 2018
    5
    This is probably on the top of my list of the most overrated games of all time. It definitely isn't bad, but it definitely isn't this amazing incredible game that it's fans make it out to be. It is just a shoot-em-up, and definitely not my favorite in the genre. The game is tough but it isn't this masterful thing that some people make it out to be. To be honest it is just a remarkablyThis is probably on the top of my list of the most overrated games of all time. It definitely isn't bad, but it definitely isn't this amazing incredible game that it's fans make it out to be. It is just a shoot-em-up, and definitely not my favorite in the genre. The game is tough but it isn't this masterful thing that some people make it out to be. To be honest it is just a remarkably average game considering the amount of praise it gets, which is why I gave it the most average of average scores.… Expand
  6. BombaePotato
    May 29, 2018
    10
    Bullet heaven in bullet hell. The classic Dreamcast and Arcade title Ikaruga is now on Switch with brilliantly smooth gameplay, updated HD graphics, ridiculous difficulty and the added bonus of being able to play it co-op with the joy cons add to that the portability of the Switch and the glorious ability to utilise handheld or table top mode to enjoy the game in its original 'vertical'Bullet heaven in bullet hell. The classic Dreamcast and Arcade title Ikaruga is now on Switch with brilliantly smooth gameplay, updated HD graphics, ridiculous difficulty and the added bonus of being able to play it co-op with the joy cons add to that the portability of the Switch and the glorious ability to utilise handheld or table top mode to enjoy the game in its original 'vertical' aspect ratio and you can relive the glory days of the arcade pretty much in your pocket. The game is short but sweet, hard yet fair and is a welcome addition to the Switch.… Expand
  7. Neatqt
    Feb 25, 2019
    7
    Cast: n/a
    Story: 3/10
    Fun: 8/10
    Gameplay: 9/10

    Recommended
    ----------------------
  8. DeusGod
    Jun 26, 2018
    8
    It is a little difficult for me, but it is a good classic shooting game. *Vertical mode is supported.
  9. Rakereview000
    Jan 21, 2023
    10
    Ikaruga is undeniably the best arcade shooter ever made, and possibly the best shoot-em-up game in history. It takes a simple concept, and makes you master the hell out of it in a series of fun yet brutally hard stages. As a matter of fact, Ikaruga's insane difficulty is what makes it so great and so endlessly replayable, yet it never makes me mad- it's so fair that I can't get mad at theIkaruga is undeniably the best arcade shooter ever made, and possibly the best shoot-em-up game in history. It takes a simple concept, and makes you master the hell out of it in a series of fun yet brutally hard stages. As a matter of fact, Ikaruga's insane difficulty is what makes it so great and so endlessly replayable, yet it never makes me mad- it's so fair that I can't get mad at the game, only frustrated with myself. This port also looks great on the Switch, and btw- this game has one of the best video game soundtracks of all time. I think I've said enough, but I really recommend picking it up. I really really do.… Expand
  10. shootingstars99
    Sep 16, 2019
    9
    This game has a neat gimmick and a different take on arcade style shooters. I like the color swapping polarity system, but I think that the puzzle like areas that use it in the later levels is much more interesting of a use of it than the combat. It's somewhat different from that pack, and certainly challenging, and mastering the polarity system, coupled with good movement and evasion willThis game has a neat gimmick and a different take on arcade style shooters. I like the color swapping polarity system, but I think that the puzzle like areas that use it in the later levels is much more interesting of a use of it than the combat. It's somewhat different from that pack, and certainly challenging, and mastering the polarity system, coupled with good movement and evasion will be your key to success here. If you are looking for an arcade style shooter that does things a little different, this is one to check out.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

15
#15 Best Switch Game of 2018
73
#73 Most Shared Switch Game of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Switch Player
    Jul 3, 2018
    80
    Ikaruga is hard. That may be the conclusion you've already drawn from the review, but rarely before has it been so apt. This is bullet hell with emphasis on the hell - don't think you're going to breeze through it.
    Read full review
  2. Everyeye.it
    Jul 1, 2018
    90
    The presence of online rankings and all desirable options makes this conversion the perfect one for Ikaruga, at least until the holographic screens are invented.
    Read full review
  3. Digitally Downloaded
    Jun 25, 2018
    90
    While the latest package of Ikaruga isn’t quite the grand celebration it should be for a classic title, Treasure’s shooter has aged fantastically well. The puzzle-like shooting is just as thrilling and demanding as it was back in 2002, and it’s sure to challenge any fan of shooters. Ikaruga’s themes of polarity help it stand out from the bullet hell crowd, and make it one of the finest shoot ‘em ups that can be purchased on Switch.
    Read full review
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