NebulasRay Launches on Nintendo Switch and PS4: Classic Namco Shoot 'Em Up Debuts at Premium Price

NebulasRay Launches on Nintendo Switch and PS4: Classic Namco Shoot 'Em Up Debuts at Premium Price In an exciting development for fans of classic arcade gaming, Namco's acclaimed 1994 vertically-scrolling shoot 'em up, NebulasRay, is now available for the first time ever on home consoles via the Arcade Archives collection.

Released by Hamster Corp, the specialist publisher behind the Arcade Archives series, NebulasRay can now be purchased digitally on both Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4. The release, which landed on May 15th, 2025, represents a milestone for NebulasRay, a game revered for its innovative use of visuals and design pedigree.

Notably, this version of NebulasRay arrives with a higher-than-usual price tag of $14.99 / £13.49—nearly double the cost of most Arcade Archives releases, which typically retail for $7.99 / £6.29.

The pricing recalls Banpresto's launch strategy for Mazinger Z in 2023, which was also priced at a premium for Japanese buyers at ¥1500, almost twice the standard rate for games in the collection. Hamster Corp’s announcement came during a recent livestream event, where the company revealed that NebulasRay would be the next addition as part of "Namco Month," celebrating Namco’s storied arcade heritage.

This marks NebulasRay’s first-ever debut outside of arcades, bringing its signature gameplay to a new generation of gamers on Nintendo Switch and PS4 through modern digital storefronts like the eShop and PlayStation Store. NebulasRay first hit arcades in the mid-1990s and quickly became recognized for its striking graphics and challenging gameplay.

The game was directed and designed by several of Namco’s key talents, including Masahiro Kimoto—who would go on to lead development for Tekken 3 and Tekken Tag Tournament—and Yuji Yamamura, later known for his work on the Soul Calibur series.

Joining them was Hiroshi Kuwabara, a renowned 3D graphics pioneer responsible for CG intros in Tekken 3 and Soul Blade before his notable tenure at Square, where he contributed to titles such as Final Fantasy VIII. Musically, NebulasRay features a soundtrack composed by Takayuki Ishikawa and Masahiro Fukuzawa, whose sampled voice work and audio production further enhanced the game's immersive experience.

The title was originally developed for the Namco NB-1 System—hardware not capable of rendering full 3D graphics.

Despite this limitation, the development team utilized pre-rendered 3D sprite techniques to simulate depth on-screen, much like contemporaries Donkey Kong Country and Seta's Twin Eagle II: The Rescue Mission. In terms of gameplay, NebulasRay invites players to command a prototype fighter during a galactic war, facing off against the formidable "Master Force" in a quest to liberate the Austral star system.

The action spans six detailed "areas," each demanding quick reflexes and mastery of classic shoot 'em up mechanics. With its rich development history, iconic design team, and innovative visual approach, NebulasRay’s arrival on Nintendo Switch and PS4 provides retro enthusiasts and modern gamers alike the chance to experience a hidden arcade gem.

The higher launch price reflects the title’s legacy and unique qualities, ensuring its place among the most notable Arcade Archives releases to date.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch Arcade Archives PS4 Namco NebulasRay Hamster Corp Banpresto Masahiro Kimoto Yuji Yamamura Hiroshi Kuwabara Takayuki Ishikawa Masahiro Fukuzawa Namco NB-1 System