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Arcadia (Rapid Hero) is an arcade shoot-’em-up game developed by NMK and released in 1994. It is one of the later titles developed by NMK before the company ceased operations.

Gameplay:

In Rapid Hero, players control a futuristic aircraft and shoot down waves of enemy fighters, mechs, and bosses. The game follows the traditional vertical scrolling shooter formula, where the screen continuously moves upward, and players must dodge enemy fire while collecting power-ups to upgrade their weapons and ship.

Key gameplay features include:

• Weapon Power-ups: Players can collect various power-ups that enhance the firepower of their ship, including spread shots, lasers, and missiles.
• Bombs: Players can also use bombs to clear the screen of enemies in emergencies.
• Boss Fights: The game features large, intricate boss battles typical of the shoot-’em-up genre, with bosses having multiple attack patterns and weak points.

Visuals and Sound:

• Graphics: The graphics in Rapid Hero are colorful and detailed, typical of NMK’s late-stage arcade titles. It has a futuristic, vibrant look with large enemy sprites and a lot of screen-filling action.
• Sound: The game’s soundtrack is fast-paced and energetic, complementing the intense action, with sound effects that add to the arcade atmosphere.

Reception:

While Rapid Hero did not receive widespread attention compared to bigger names in the arcade shoot-‘em-up genre, it has since gained a level of appreciation among retro gaming enthusiasts. The game’s difficulty, smooth controls, and solid design have helped it build a cult following.

Unfortunately, NMK ceased operations in the mid-1990s, and its games became more obscure with time. However, some of their titles gained a cult following among retro gaming enthusiasts.

Released: June 28, 1994
Machine type: Arcade
Original System: Arcade
Developer by: NMK Co. Ltd.
Published by: Media Trading Corporation
Genre: Shooter / Flying Vertical
Main: Kochi
Sound: Tommysan
Sound Composers: Kazunori Hideya

#arcade
#retrogaming
#oldschool