Arcade Archives to Bring Jaleco’s 1984 Shooter D-Day to Nintendo Switch and PS4

Hamster, renowned for reviving arcade classics for modern audiences, has announced that Jaleco’s 1984 naval shoot 'em up D-Day will be the next addition to the popular Arcade Archives series.

The title is set to launch digitally on both Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 via their respective eShops on August 7th, offering players an authentic retro gaming experience with enhanced accessibility for today’s hardware. Originally released in Japanese arcades in 1984, D-Day is not to be mistaken for Olympia and Centuri's 1981 title of the same name.

Jaleco's D-Day stands out for putting players in control of a heavily armed battleship, tasking them with navigating dangerous waters filled with shifting islands, enemy tanks, aircraft, and warships.

The vertical shooter challenges players to break through enemy lines and ultimately destroy the heavily fortified enemy base. Gameplay in D-Day centers on utilizing two distinct attack types: a rapid machine gun and a powerful missile launcher.

Each weapon is controlled independently by separate aiming reticles, encouraging strategic use of firepower to eliminate threats from all angles.

This level of control was considered innovative for its era, expanding on the typical shoot 'em up formula where fixed firing directions were commonplace. Following its initial arcade debut, D-Day was also released on the MSX home computer, with that version featuring simplified graphics to accommodate the technical limitations of the platform.

Despite its niche presence, the game has retained cult status among fans of classic arcade shooters and Jaleco’s game catalog. According to the official Arcade Archives description: the operation is now underway, and players must pilot their battleship through enemy encirclements to destroy the enemy fortress.

The directive captures the relentless pace and high-stakes action that defined the mid-1980s arcade experience. Hamster’s Arcade Archives has become a vital platform for the preservation of vintage arcade games, introducing key titles to a new generation of players while supporting nostalgic fans.

The upcoming release of D-Day further cements Jaleco’s contribution to shoot 'em up history and demonstrates Hamster’s ongoing commitment to digital game preservation. D-Day will be available for download on Nintendo Switch and PS4 starting August 7th, expanding the Arcade Archives library with another influential piece of arcade history.

For retro enthusiasts and shoot 'em up aficionados alike, this release represents an opportunity to take command of the battleship and relive one of Jaleco’s landmark titles on modern hardware.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch Arcade Archives Hamster PS4 Jaleco D-Day MSX