Irem Collection Volume 3 Collector's Edition (PlayStation 4)

Irem built some of the most inventive shoot 'em ups the arcade world ever saw, and three of their rarest are now collected on a single PS4 disc. The Irem Collection Volume 3 Collector's Edition for PlayStation 4 is a Strictly Limited Games exclusive, capped at 999 individually numbered copies with no retail edition planned anywhere outside Japan.

The lineup reads like a wish list for shmup devotees. Mr. Heli lets you pilot a quirky helicopter in full 360-degree multidirectional scrolling, dropping bombs and uncovering hidden paths. Mystic Riders brings broom-riding, boomerang-throwing co-op magic in a title that never left Japanese arcades until now. Dragon Breed hands you control of King Kayus and the invincible dragon Bahamoot, whose tail deflects projectiles while you handle the crossbow work, marking its first console release outside Japan. Modern quality-of-life features like rewind and quick saves make these arcade experiences more approachable without dulling their edges.

The magnetic-latch premium box uses a 4:3 aspect ratio design that channels genuine arcade cabinet energy. Inside: a visual compendium with art book and game guide, the original soundtracks on CD, a limited Irem collector coin (first in a five-volume series), arcade marquee stickers, a reversible poster, a Dragon Breed info desk pad with translated controls, and faithful reprints of original arcade flyers. The game itself is serialized with an exclusive cover and manual.

For PS4 collectors who value their shmup shelves, 999 copies of three previously inaccessible Irem classics is the kind of find that justifies the hobby.