Irem Collection Volume 1

Irem Collection Volume 1 has a couple of excellent games and one rarity on offer, and the quality of those games is its biggest strength. Slight emulation issues, a wide array of bugs, and a bare-bones approach to presenting the games all work against the high-quality feel that ININ seems to want this series to have. Unless you’re very interested in the home ports of Image Fight and its highly lackluster sequel, you’re far better off buying the Arcade Archives releases of Image Fight and X Multiply, a choice that will save you some money to boot.

While its presentation is in some cases downright lacking, the Irem Collection Volume 1’s essentials are at least in order, delivering three great games, several port variations, and enough adjustable options to satisfy. That said, both Image Fights are utter taskmasters that require a hardened disposition, and that limits their broader appeal. X Multiply makes up for this by being a lot more accessible, with a visually superb aesthetic, but also feels like the odd one out because of it. We can’t help but feel an Irem Collection combining eight to ten titles would have been something worth shouting about, but with further volumes in the pipeline, this does feel like yet another exercise in squeezing a niche consumer base over several releases. Despite our appreciation of the games on board, it's hard to get too excited.