While Space Invaders and Asteroids might be the grand old cultural highlights of the 2D shooter in popular consciousness, later classics such as R-Type, Gradius and Raiden have long achieved cult status among the cognoscenti. The latter is the latest to make an appearance on contemporary consoles, with PS3 exclusive Raiden IV: Overkill.

Reworking 2007 arcade title Raiden IV, Overkill is a traditional shooter that unashamedly serves a rather niche taste. The sci-fi setting underpins a towering difficulty level, while the simple dodging-and-shooting, dogfighting gameplay veils intricate scoring systems.

This release offers several versions, including the original arcade arrangement. Overkill mode, however, is the star, introducing new levels and a scoring mechanism that showers points on players who risk focusing firepower into the remains of recently defeated enemies. Distinct from the "bullet hell" style that is the genre's current most popular flavour, Raiden IV: Overkill is far more evocative of shooters from the 1990s, and played properly – using a single credit per turn – it is an absolute thriller.