The acclaimed classic arcade shoot ’em up, Radiant Silvergun, is making its way to the PC platform through the Steam storefront. Developed by Treasure, known for iconic titles like Gunstar Heroes, this classic gem played a pivotal role in rekindling the shoot ’em up genre’s popularity in the Western gaming landscape. After recent remasters of some of its older games like Dynamite Headdy and Alien Soldier, Treasure is finally bringing Radiant Silvergun to modern PCs, introducing a new generation of gamers to its timeless charm.
Radiant Silvergun, originally released as a 2D shoot ’em up in arcades and swiftly ported to the Sega Saturn, quickly earned its reputation as one of the greatest shmups (shoot ’em ups) ever created. Its arrival helped reignite interest in the genre, which had seen a decline in the 90s. For over a decade, the game remained exclusive to the Saturn and the Xbox 360 marketplace, only venturing to the Nintendo Switch in 2022, opening its doors to a fresh audience while rekindling nostalgia for long-time fans. The addition of a modern PC port further extends the game’s accessibility.
This PC release is seemingly based on the Switch version of Radiant Silvergun, and the porting duties have been handled by Live Wire. The system requirements are quite modest, demanding a modern Windows version and just 4 GB of RAM. The game retains its original features, offering 23 bosses to conquer, six challenging stages to navigate, and a deep scoring system that requires strategy and skill to master. While Steam has yet to announce an official release date, the game’s trailer indicates it will launch on August 18, 2023.
Radiant Silvergun on PC introduces five difficulty levels, carefully balanced to accommodate both newcomers to the 2D shoot ’em up genre and seasoned veterans. Players of the Steam version can test their skills on online leaderboards, compare scores with other players, and embark on the game’s story mode in either single-player mode or local co-op.
What sets this version apart is its secret game mode, which transforms Radiant Silvergun’s mechanics to emulate Ikaruga, the spiritual sequel also developed by Treasure. This mode introduces polarity mechanics reminiscent of Ikaruga, influencing subsequent games such as the True Final Boss in Sonic Frontiers, Nier’s bullet mechanics, and more.
For fans of classic arcade shoot ’em ups and newcomers eager to experience the genre’s allure, Radiant Silvergun’s arrival on Steam is an exciting opportunity to dive into a timeless classic.
