I'm so glad that Hamster's Arcade Archives are a thing.

[Atariboy]

This is actually not the first console port. It was on the Konami Classics Series: Arcade Hits compilation released for Nintendo DS, and developed by M2! I have that one but never really gave this game the time to understand it on that comp (spent more of my time on stuff like Circus Charlie, Yie Ar Kung-Fu, Pooyan...). I should have.

It was also on Microsoft's Game Room service for the Xbox 360. A lot of these lesser seen Konami classics popped up there back in the day.

[Sturmvogel Prime]

Gekirinwhen

I also ask the same thing, but looks like it will be when Taito runs out of 80's games.

Before Raiden, there was Seibu's Stinger.
https://www.famitsu.com/article/202507/47937

Another Seibu Kaihatsu game joins the Arcade Archives, that means one step closer to Raiden II.

[Jeneki]

I thought Stinger was a Konami game?

This game reminds me of Zaxxon in a good way. Yeah I'll give it a try.

[BIL]

Players control the "Stinger Wolf" and aim to capture the enemy base.

Are you ok?! STINGA WOLF

Doing Seibu proud with them XTRA deep cuts. Drum would be proud! RIP Drum 3;

[AGermanArtist]

Capture the enemy barse

[hamfighterx]

Before Raiden, there was Seibu's Stinger.
https://www.famitsu.com/article/202507/47937

This is interesting from a release schedule perspective, because it slightly tweaks the common Namco/Taito/Konami/Other formula. I wasn't paying close enough attention to the earlier announcement of Taito's Field Day and assumed that was this week's game, but that one is next week (31 July).

Could be that Hamster is operating under a calendar month system, with the usual 4-pack formula in months with 4 Thursdays, and then when we get a month with 5 Thursdays that just means a bonus game. Would be consistent with every month so far in 2025, with the exception of May being a special Namco-focused month.

January: NTK + Athena + Tecmo
February: NTK + Success
March: NTK + Seibu
April: NTK + Nichibutsu
May: **NAMCO MONTH**
June: NTK + Video System
July: NTK + Banpresto + Seibu

[Sturmvogel Prime]

More screenshots of this week's release: The Undokai/Field Day ¿Why this game instead of Space Invaders, Gekirindan or Darius Gaiden? I don't know.
https://www.famitsu.com/article/202507/48543

Hope Namco brings something interesting next week.

[Jeneki]

Field Day looks like Japanese high school sports rather than Olympic, with stuff like the 3-legged race and fill-the-basket (as seen in various anime). I'm guessing this is more of a nostalgia pick for Japan.

[Darkseed_5150]

Does the Arcade Archives version of Viper Phase 1 run all juddery since the arcade version it runs at an oddball refresh rate similar to Raiden Fighters? Did Hamster do anything to resolve that in this release?

[Sumez]

More screenshots of this week's release: The Undokai/Field Day ¿Why this game instead of Space Invaders, Gekirindan or Darius Gaiden? I don't know.

Because two of those require Hamster to crack F3 emulation.
I'm sure it's gonna happen eventually, they've already done PS1 emulation after all, as well as Psikyo's much later 2D hardware, with both of the TGM games.
But I'm sure they are saving the first one for a special moment.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Does the Arcade Archives version of Viper Phase 1 run all juddery since the arcade version it runs at an oddball refresh rate similar to Raiden Fighters? Did Hamster do anything to resolve that in this release?

For Darkseed_5150,

If you're referring to Seibu Kaihatsu's SPI arcade motherboard platform of running the Raiden Fighters series & Viper Phase 1 + Viper Phase 1 "New Version," yes, they do run at the odd-ball arcade-spec 54hz refresh rate (rather than the more acceptable 60hz as with most other arcade-based stg hardware/software released by other arcade game developers/publishers at the current time back in 1995).

----------
As with the American Seibu SPI release of Viper Phase 1 U.S.A. distributed & sold through American arcade distributor Fabtek, it still remains as an "exclusive" arcade-only release even nowadays (with it's two-player "join-in at any given time" and two loop feature functionality {giving it an edge over the JPN only VP1-NV with it's "1 loop only" setup easily} makes it worthy to own/play outright indeed). There's always the Mame route should you feel inclined to play VP1-USA properly.

I do have a Viper Phase 1 U.S.A. SPI cart in my arcade gaming collection alrighty and is awesome to play from time-to-time for nostalgia purposes. Tis a shame that Seibu & Hamster couldn't include VP1-USA as part of the entire VP1 arcade stg collection for completeness as a "proper trifecta collection" -- but it is what it is for now nevertheless. Perhaps Hamster couldn't get the proper legal rights to include the Fabtek VP1-USA IP and would've further delayed the initial VP1 & VP1-NV home game console release down the road if they did so -- something to take into serious consideration, especially nowadays. So be it.
----------

Hamster gave both Seibu SPI titles of VP1 and VP1-NV the 60hz treatment to run smoothly on the Nintendo Switch & PS4/PS5 gaming platforms, so no, there's no judderly effects associated with the extra 6hz afforded with the home console releases of Viper Phase 1 games to begin with -- it's all super silky-smooth gameplay through and through.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Lord British]

More screenshots of this week's release: The Undokai/Field Day ¿Why this game instead of Space Invaders, Gekirindan or Darius Gaiden? I don't know.

Because two of those require Hamster to crack F3 emulation.
I'm sure it's gonna happen eventually, they've already done PS1 emulation after all, as well as Psikyo's much later 2D hardware, with both of the TGM games.
But I'm sure they are saving the first one for a special moment.

Any chance they'll do Aqua Jack? I want me some Space Invaders '95 too.

[SavagePencil]

More screenshots of this week's release: The Undokai/Field Day ¿Why this game instead of Space Invaders, Gekirindan or Darius Gaiden? I don't know.

Because two of those require Hamster to crack F3 emulation.
I'm sure it's gonna happen eventually, they've already done PS1 emulation after all, as well as Psikyo's much later 2D hardware, with both of the TGM games.
But I'm sure they are saving the first one for a special moment.

Any chance they'll do Aqua Jack? I want me some Space Invaders '95 too.

Both of those were on the Taito Egret Mini vol. 3, so I would expect them showing up soon enough.

[Darkseed_5150]

Does the Arcade Archives version of Viper Phase 1 run all juddery since the arcade version it runs at an oddball refresh rate similar to Raiden Fighters? Did Hamster do anything to resolve that in this release?

For Darkseed_5150,

If you're referring to Seibu Kaihatsu's SPI arcade motherboard platform of running the Raiden Fighters series & Viper Phase 1 + Viper Phase 1 "New Version," yes, they do run at the odd-ball arcade-spec 54hz refresh rate (rather than the more acceptable 60hz as with most other arcade-based stg hardware/software released by other arcade game developers/publishers at the current time back in 1995).

----------
As with the American Seibu SPI release of Viper Phase 1 U.S.A. distributed & sold through American arcade distributor Fabtek, it still remains as an "exclusive" arcade-only release even nowadays (with it's two-player "join-in at any given time" and two loop feature functionality {giving it an edge over the JPN only VP1-NV with it's "1 loop only" setup easily} makes it worthy to own/play outright indeed). There's always the Mame route should you feel inclined to play VP1-USA properly.

I do have a Viper Phase 1 U.S.A. SPI cart in my arcade gaming collection alrighty and is awesome to play from time-to-time for nostalgia purposes. Tis a shame that Seibu & Hamster couldn't include VP1-USA as part of the entire VP1 arcade stg collection for completeness as a "proper trifecta collection" -- but it is what it is for now nevertheless. Perhaps Hamster couldn't get the proper legal rights to include the Fabtek VP1-USA IP and would've further delayed the initial VP1 & VP1-NV home game console release down the road if they did so -- something to take into serious consideration, especially nowadays. So be it.
----------

Hamster gave both Seibu SPI titles of VP1 and VP1-NV the 60hz treatment to run smoothly on the Nintendo Switch & PS4/PS5 gaming platforms, so no, there's no judderly effects associated with the extra 6hz afforded with the home console releases of Viper Phase 1 games to begin with -- it's all super silky-smooth gameplay through and through.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

That's what's up. Thank You!
Bought VP1 on PS5 and it indeed runs smooth. Bodes well for other releases with "oddball" refresh rates.

[Sturmvogel Prime]

Expecting a Namco release as usual? Not this time.

Jaleco's D-Day is this week's Arcade Archives release
https://www.famitsu.com/article/202508/49174

[AGermanArtist]

Figured we might see a surprise Konami shmup given the Gradius Origins release. Oh well.

[Marc]

Hmm, bar Ridge, this is probably the least interesting run in a long while. Don't think I've bought anything else in three months or so

[NightBeast]

Hmm, bar Ridge, this is probably the least interesting run in a long while. Don't think I've bought anything else in three months or so

Agreed. I’ve picked up a couple of games in the past few months but there have been very few must-buys.

[OldSkoolShmuper]

Hmm, bar Ridge, this is probably the least interesting run in a long while. Don't think I've bought anything else in three months or so

Aside from Ridge Racer and Air Combat 22, it's been a very lackluster few months, I agree.

[Sweatlord_STG]

Hmm, bar Ridge, this is probably the least interesting run in a long while. Don't think I've bought anything else in three months or so

Aside from Ridge Racer and Air Combat 22, it's been a very lackluster few months, I agree.

Wtf there has been tons of good stuff over the last few months. YOU are the problem.

[AGermanArtist]

It's a matter of personal taste. I'm just tired of the weekly drip releases. I get it, but I'd prefer a different distro method. I definitely prefer it to publisher comps for the most part, since most of those fuckwits don't know how to treat their respective back-cats.

[Jucksalbe]

I'm rather impressed that they managed to keep up their weekly schedule for around 500(?) releases now. I think it's a good strategy, gives me something to look forward to each week (I don't buy them every week, of course) and evidently it still allows them to also release lesser known games. I certainly prefer it to the "we update it when we update it" release strategy of Switch Online releases.

[Sweatlord_STG]

I'm rather impressed that they managed to keep up their weekly schedule for around 500(?) releases now. I think it's a good strategy, gives me something to look forward to each week (I don't buy them every week, of course) and evidently it still allows them to also release lesser known games. I certainly prefer it to the "we update it when we update it" release strategy of Switch Online releases.

100%

[NightBeast]

I think the lack of …. “enthused” GIFs or images speaks to the weak releases over the last few months. We usually see more rockets being launched.

[m.sniffles.esq]

New ACA Neo Geo Collections:

Vol .7

• Fatal Fury Special

• The King of Fighters 2003

• King of the Monsters 2

• Metal Slug 5

• Pleasure Goal: 5 on 5 Mini Soccer

• Power Spikes II

• Prehistoric Isle 2

• Puzzle Bobble

• World Heroes 2

• ZuPaPa!

Vol. 8

• Art of Fighting

• Blue’s Journey

• Crossed Swords

• The King of Fighters ’99

• Kizuna Encounter: Super Tag Battle

• Metal Slug 2

• NAM-1975

• Puzzle Bobble 2

• Super Sidekicks 2

• World Heroes 2 Jet

[Jucksalbe]

Huh? Super Sidekicks 2? I thought they lost the rights for that. They removed it from all digital stores years ago.

[Sima Tuna]

I think the lack of …. “enthused” GIFs or images speaks to the weak releases over the last few months. We usually see more rockets being launched.

Every week it's like a frat party around here, until recently. Lot of flaccid peens these days.

[Sweatlord_STG]

My personal highlights of the last three months, in chronological order of release:

S TIER: NEBULASRAY, RIDGE RACER, SPINAL BREAKERS, AIR COMBAT 22, Super Dimension Fortress MACROSS II

A TIER: SUPER XEVIOUS, STINGER, D-DAY

No obvious top tier but still interesting: Everything else.

[hamfighterx]

Disagree on any complaints about release quality, feels very fickle and "what have you done for me lately?", especially coming off the back of some Namco super-mega-heavyweight tier releases. The last three Namco releases have been Nebulasray, Ridge Racer, AND Air Combat 22! Can't do much better than that, these are like top of list games that people have wished to get in Arcade Archives for years. What do they need to do to satisfy people, toss in Tekken and Starblade too?? (and hey, neither would even be shocking to see soon - might get one of those next week for all we know!)

It has also been less than a month since SDF Macross II!

I always appreciate it when Hamster can pepper in some deeper cuts, and I like some of these getting a little bit of spotlight. There are some real hidden gems that released in May-July: Ryukyu is pretty great for puzzle fans, I'm glad we got Punk Shot and Spinal Breakers, and it's cool to see more obscure releases like Seibu's Stinger. Maybe more of a personal taste thing, but I did not expect that I would end up getting pretty into Konami's Super Basketball (addictive to play for score, IMO)!

[Sweatlord_STG]

Disagree on any complaints about release quality, feels very fickle and "what have you done for me lately?", especially coming off the back of some Namco super-mega-heavyweight tier releases. The last three Namco releases have been Nebulasray, Ridge Racer, AND Air Combat 22! Can't do much better than that, these are like top of list games that people have wished to get in Arcade Archives for years. What do they need to do to satisfy people, toss in Tekken and Starblade too?? (and hey, neither would even be shocking to see soon - might get one of those next week for all we know!)

It has also been less than a month since SDF Macross II!

I always appreciate it when Hamster can pepper in some deeper cuts, and I like some of these getting a little bit of spotlight. There are some real hidden gems that released in May-July: Ryukyu is pretty great for puzzle fans, I'm glad we got Punk Shot and Spinal Breakers, and it's cool to see more obscure releases like Seibu's Stinger. Maybe more of a personal taste thing, but I did not expect that I would end up getting pretty into Konami's Super Basketball (addictive to play for score, IMO)!

Exactly!

I first assumed every first week of a month we would get a game that's also available via ACA2 (June was RIDGE RACER, July was AIR COMBAT 22), but this week we got a normal ACA game. I hope they will keep doing 3D/later games once a month (and not only from Namco).