Night Striker Gear Launches on Nintendo Switch and Steam: Reviving Taito’s Arcade Legacy

Night Striker Gear, the highly anticipated revival of Taito’s classic 1989 arcade shoot 'em up Night Striker, is now officially available on Nintendo Switch and Steam.

Developed by the renowned studio M2 Co.

Ltd, Night Striker Gear reintroduces players to the adrenaline-fueled, vehicular-based gameplay that helped define the arcade era while integrating new enhancements designed for modern audiences. Announced in November 2024, Night Striker Gear serves as a direct sequel to the original Night Striker, inviting players to pilot the transforming, high-speed vehicle known as the Inter Gray.

Emulating the dynamic perspectives and smooth sprite-scaling visuals popularized by legendary arcade titles like Sega’s Space Harrier and Out Run, this release sets out to capture both the nostalgia and excitement of its predecessor. Set against a futuristic backdrop in the year 2059 AD, Night Striker Gear’s storyline follows a crisis at Lotus Layer—an advanced AI-driven amusement park located in the Middle East.

During the park’s grand opening event attended by key dignitaries, the attractions dramatically malfunction, turning hostile.

In response, the United Nations dispatches the player on a high-stakes mission to unravel the mysterious conspiracy and quell the rogue machines at the heart of the chaos. M2 Co.

Ltd, noted for its work on the Operation Night Strikers collection, has taken significant steps to preserve and expand upon the series’ legacy.

The developer highlights several key features: - Faithful adaptation and long-awaited sequel to the 1989 arcade original - Brand-new stages with a range of visually striking enemies, blending the original’s pseudo-3D sprite-scaling with contemporary 16:9 widescreen graphics - Introduction of the innovative GEAR System, designed to bring additional depth and tactical variety to gameplay - A completely fresh and stylistically rich soundtrack, enhancing the sensation of high-speed action - Official support for Micomsoft’s Cyber Stick USB controller for a truly authentic arcade experience Night Striker Gear is priced at £14.01 on both Nintendo Switch (via Nintendo eShop) and Steam, with a digital soundtrack available separately on Steam for £8.05 or included in a bundle with the game for £19.85. The release of Night Striker Gear underscores M2’s commitment to revitalizing classic gaming experiences for new and returning fans alike.

As the legacy of Taito’s arcade heritage lives on through faithful remakes and inventive sequels, enthusiasts of retro shoot ‘em ups now have an exciting new chapter to explore on both Nintendo Switch and PC platforms.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Steam Switch Ltd. Taito arcade M2 Ltd Night Striker Gear Night Striker Arcade M2 Co. Ltd Operation Night Strikers Lotus Layer United Nations Micomsoft Cyber Stick