Raiden DX
Raiden DX | |
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Developer(s) | Seibu Kaihatsu |
Publisher(s) |
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Series | Raiden |
Platform(s) | Arcade, PlayStation |
Release | 1994 (arcade) |
Genre(s) | Vertical scrolling shooter |
Mode(s) | Single player, 2 player Co-op |
Raiden DX (雷電DX, Raiden Dīekkusu) is the third installment in the Raiden series of arcade games developed by Seibu Kaihatsu. Released for the PlayStation and arcades.
Gameplay
The gameplay of Raiden DX is similar to that of its predecessor Raiden II in ways of weapons, levels, and bosses; however its expert stage mode branches slightly from the formula.
Stages
Unlike its first two predecessors, Raiden DX includes three stages of play:
Alpha Stage
A 15-minute single level with only one boss right at the end, where no continues are allowed and no 1UPs are available (you get three lives with which to battle all the way to the end, and if you are destroyed you must completely restart). The player can progress to a harder version of the Novice and Expert stages by playing perfectly, collecting all radars, shooting down almost all enemies, and not dying and bombing at all.
Bravo Stage
A beginner stage spanning levels 1 to 5, which is very similar to Raiden II. Good for beginners. Like the Training Stage, all the new rules and hidden specials apply here.
Charlie Stage
A stage spanning all 8 levels including an extra bonus level. This mode is completely remade, different locations mixed into ones that remind of the classic ones but aren't the same. All the levels now carry the scars of a prolonged conflict, looking much more gritty and beat up. New enemies also come into play, as well as completely new attack formations and shot patterns. The frequency of enemy encounters is also multiplied compared to other Raidens. All of this along with the new rules and secrets make this a very, very different game than its predecessor. The extra level takes players above a cluster of floating icy planetoids and fight a boss tank. Good for skilled players.
Ports
Raiden DX was ported to the PlayStation in Japan. This version includes a PS-exclusive soundtrack, the Viper Phase 1 soundtrack, the arcade original soundtrack, The Master of Raiden, encyclopedia, and various features.