Taito’s 1987 arcade shooter Exzisus is getting another chance to blast its way into the spotlight, with Hamster Corporation bringing the retro shoot-’em-up to its Arcade Archives / 2 lineup on November 5.
Originally released in arcades, Exzisus puts players in control of a transforming combat mech tasked with fighting through waves of mechanical enemies. The shooter features both robot and spaceship forms, each offering different abilities to help players survive its hostile sci-fi environments. Mechanical animal companions also lend a hand during the battle, while four stages stand between players and victory, each culminating in a challenging boss encounter.
However, this release has an extra reason for arcade enthusiasts to pay attention. The Arcade Archives / 2 version will include both the single-screen and dual-screen versions of Exzisus, with the latter receiving its first home release. That makes this more than just another opportunity to revisit a classic Taito shooter, offering a version of the original arcade experience that has previously remained tied to its original hardware configuration.
Exzisus joins the Arcade Archives /2 catalog on November 5 for PlayStation, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 platforms. Fans of Taito’s arcade history will have another reason to revisit the company’s extensive shooter catalog, particularly those interested in seeing how the original dual-screen presentation translates to modern hardware.