Is the third attempt the one that finally hits the mark?
The first two Taito Milestones collections had mixed reviews, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Taito Milestones 3 ends up with a similar reception. Sure, it features another set of 10 classic arcade games, but the truth is, not every game will resonate with every player. As someone who has fond memories of the mid-’80s to early ’90s arcade era, only a handful of these games in the collection really drew me back for multiple playthroughs.
Now, I wasn’t expecting these games to offer deep, intricate gameplay. Most are beat ’em ups, including the entire Rastan Saga trilogy. Naturally, if you’ve got a buddy who shares your taste for this genre, playing together can certainly enhance the experience. Some titles even support up to four players, like Dead Connection and Runark. Sadly, these aren’t the kind of games my wife enjoys. Luckily, Bubble Bobble and its sequel, Rainbow Islands, are more up her alley. Whether you’re following the adventures of Bub and Bob in their dragon or human forms, the fun is undeniable.
But here’s something to consider: as much as we love Bubble Bobble, how many different versions do we really need? Many games in this collection, except for a few like Thunder Fox, have been released time after time, either as standalone titles or part of other compilations. In fact, a bulk of these games can be picked up individually under the Arcade Archives label. If you already own a few of those, this collection might not seem as enticing.
Imagine, instead of shelling out $40 for this collection, you could choose any ten Taito Arcade Archive games for the same price. I bet that idea would spark much more interest, allowing players to handpick their favorites. But alas, Taito Milestones 3 is what we have. On the upside, plenty of these games have impressed me visually. The vibrant colors, intricate details, and the number of objects onscreen exceed what I expected back in the day. Not to mention the music, which I never fully appreciated in the noisy chaos of the arcade as a kid. And design-wise, games like Cadash bring something unique to the table as an arcade RPG. But ultimately, it boils down to the gameplay, which leaves me with mixed feelings, much like my take on the previous Taito Milestones collections.
Many games here are intriguing, each entertaining in its way. But arcade games weren’t just about catching the attention of passersby for a quick quarter. They were about creating excitement that would encourage players to splurge their allowance or grandma’s pocket money in no time. If you’re picking up this collection for your Switch to enjoy at home, you’d probably expect to rack up some substantial playtime, not just a fleeting moment of gameplay. That might not be my experience, but it could be yours.
If these Taito collections are going to stick around, a slightly lower price paired with a few added exclusives might do the trick. Some extra historical content, like what’s seen in similar collections, would be a welcome value addition as well. So, if you already own the top games from this third volume individually, you might not be the target audience for Taito Milestones 3. Take a moment to think before spending $39.99, unless, of course, nostalgia is calling you.
