It’s interesting what kind of arcade history Taito has produced over the years. And just when you think you’ve seen everything there is with the company, boom! Here come more surprises. In this case, Taito Milestones 4 from Clear River Games, which follows the last collection with the oddest compilation of titles yet.
That’s not to say it’s a bad collection though. There are some genuine arcade gems here, including Arkanoid and The Ninja Kids, as well as the challenging Cameltry. But there are some weird titles worth checking out as well, like Sylvalionand Bonze Adventure. That said, they’re not all winners – both Field Day and Typhoon Gal should’ve easily been skipped.
It’s pretty bare bones when it comes to extras, however. You can’t rewind, and there are only so many options to play with. I would’ve liked a little more history behind certain games, such as a chat with the producer of Ninja Kids. Because it’s pretty wild.
I digress, however. This is still a good batch of history from Taito, despite some weaker titles. Taito Milestones 4 will definitely keep your attention, whether you’ve heard certain games or haven’t. I just hope the next collection gets even weirder. Daddy needs his Pu-Li-Ru-La.
Enter the Taito Milestones 4 Game Collection
It’s nice to see all ten of the included games here emulated so nicely, for better or worse. Here’s a quick rundown of each game, and my personal thoughts.
Water Ski- overhead game where you guide a water skier through perilous waters. It’s lacking details, but still presents a noteworthy challenge.
Field Day- a forgettable take on the Track and Field formula, with some events that don’t even make sense. It’s not even fun in a laugh-out-loud type of scenario. Shame.
Typhoon Gal- a wrestling game where a girl takes on all challengers. Unfortunately, it’s extremely one-note, and the controls are confusing.
Arkanoid- even without a paddle-style controller, this futuristic action game definitely dials in with its numerous levels. I hope we see its sequels in the future.
Bonze Adventure- a delightfully weird adventure where you’re a hero trying to do away with evil demons. Difficult, but fun.
Kuri Kinton- a hilarious side-scrolling beat-em-up where you take on all sorts of foes with punches and kicks. Typical, but well designed.
Sylvalion- a strange oddity where you control a dragon through a tight maze, setting everything ablaze. Still, this one is very cool.
Don Doko Don- a weird take on Bubble Bobble where you control gnomes, taking on dangerous demons. Neat in its own little way.
Cameltry- also known as On the Ball on the SNES, this maze-shifting game has various stages and lots of obstacles. Terrific fun.
The Ninja Kids- a hilarious (and somewhat untimely) beat-em-up with a Sesame Street style vibe. Way more entertaining than I thought it’d be.
I think we could’ve changed out a couple of these for more noteworthy titles. But, really, it’s a good collection of older favorites that fans and newcomers alike will enjoy. Bring a friend for The Ninja Kids, though.
What Extras Does Taito Milestones 4 Have?
Along with solid emulation, each game utilizes the Arcade Archives menu. Here, you can adjust certain settings to make the game however you wish. It’s a neat idea, though I would’ve preferred an original structure. Also, there aren’t any technical bonus features, such as the ability to rewind. (That would’ve been particularly useful in, say, Bonze Adventure.)
Also, while this is a neat historical compilation, there’s hardly any exploratory history itself. I mean, interviews with devs, behind-the-scenes goodies, or even creation tools. Other, stronger arcade collections have these, but Taito Milestones 4comes up short. Still, at least the menu is spiffy and easy to navigate.
Should You Enjoy These Milestones?
If you’re new to Taito and want to get an idea of what they’re about, do yourself a favor and play the first few Taito Milestones first. They’ll provide a wider spectrum of hits that give you an idea about the company’s true history. That said, however, don’t skip Taito Milestones 4. Despite some titles lacking long-term value, there’s more than enough good here – especially with Cameltry and Arkanoid. You’ll be playing for hours.
Besides, we need a part five with more out-of-left-field games. Such as, for instance, the Chase HQ games? There’s all sorts of ground to cover here. Here’s hoping we see that done.
GAMERHUB RATING: 3.5 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to Clear River Games for providing us with a review code! Taito Milestones 4 is available now for Nintendo Switch!
