Vertical Shooter Ikaruga Launches On Nintendo Switch On May 29, 2018

Nicalis has announced that it has joined forces with Japanese game developer Treasure to release the critically acclaimed vertical shooter Ikaruga for Nintendo Switch. It will launch digitally on Nintendo Switch on May 29, 2018.

Ikaruga on Nintendo Switch features both single-player and two-player (local) cooperative modes, as well as global leaderboards that can be accessed online for tracking high scores. Ikaruga can be played in the traditional horizontal mode, or flipped vertically for arcade-style “TATE” mode action.

The game’s story follows a rebel pilot named Shinra as he battles an enemy nation using a specially-designed fighter called the Ikaruga, which can switch between two energy polarities (black or white) at the touch of a button. Bullets that are the same color as Shinra’s ship can be absorbed, while the opposite color will do damage. This polarity-switching mechanic is the game’s core feature and the foundation for its stage and enemy design, as all of the enemies and bullets that players encounter will appear as either black or white.

Throughout the gameplay, as the amount of absorbed bullets increases, so does the player’s homing laser attack. When maxed out, this special attack can be ten times more powerful than a standard shot and all attacks can be chained together to earn bonuses that will achieve higher scores.

Check out the Ikaruga Nintendo Switch Screenshots:

Check out the Ikaruga – Nintendo Switch Announcement Trailer: