31 Years Later, Classic PS1 Shooter Officially Returns on PS5 & Switch 2

A PlayStation game released in 1995 is making a comeback, and is now available on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2. Developer Hamster Corporation has been regularly bringing retro games to modern hardware via the Console Archives collection, a series of re-releases that enhance decades-old titles with conveniences afforded by emulation.

Hamster Corporation's latest addition to the Console Archives lineup is Raiden Project, a vertical-scrolling shooter. While Raiden Project was first released 31 years ago, it's a collection of two preceding arcade games, 1990's Raiden and its sequel, Raiden 2, which followed three years later in 1993. Raiden Project then became a PlayStation exclusive, and was even a launch title for Sony's first console in the North America market.

Raiden Project Released on PS5 & Switch 2 October 22

Raiden Project is now available on PlayStation 5 and Switch 2 for $11.99, having released for both consoles on October 22, 2026. Both games see the player pilot a futuristic aircraft, the Fighting Thunder, in defense of a united Earth during an alien invasion. The first game takes place in the year 2090, with the sequel's timeline mimicking the three-year gap between the game's initial releases, moving the story up to 2093. Both center on the fight against an alien alliance known as the Crystals.

Each Raiden game contains eight levels that increase in difficulty. The vertical scroll has players face waves of enemies and bosses, while dodging projectiles and grabbing power-ups. Those who like modern bullet hell games may find a lot to enjoy in Raiden Project, and the Console Archives re-release includes additions like save states and button remapping. The only caveat is that Hamster Corporation's revitalized Raiden Project contains only the Japanese version, so there is no English text.

Another Classic Joins Console Archives

Hamster Corporation's Console Archives has turned into a consistent source of revived retro games since it began earlier this year—though it was preempted by similar lines like Arcade Archives and ACA Neo Geo. Console Archives now includes 38 games, counting compilations like Raiden Project as one. They range from the mid-80s up to one release from 2000 (Monster Rancher: Hop-A-Bout), and are a great example of what can be accomplished with thorough game preservation.

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Console Archives titles like Raidern Project are not only more accessible now via popular systems like the PS5 and Switch 2, but they are both preserved in their original functions and enhanced through optional settings. Retro games can often be prickly to modern audiences that are used to the convenience afforded by today's sophisticated games, and while it's nice to preserve these games' original vision, adding some bells and whistles possible through emulation makes them more enticing to new players.

Raiden Project is available now on PlayStation 5 and Switch 2, and even though the text is entirely in Japanese, it may still be enjoyable to those that can't read the language. The gameplay is rather straightforward, so those hoping to experience this classic PlayStation title will likely only find minimal struggle with the menus.

Brand Sony Original Release Date December 3, 1994 Original MSRP (USD) $299 / £299 / ¥39,800 Storage 512 KB ROM (BIOS storage) / Memory Card VR Support No Processor MIPS Computer Systems R3000 @ 33.87 MHz 0:00 / 0:00