Irem underwater shmup, adapted from the arcade game. Successfully oppressive atmosphere, varied enemies, memorable bosses. Visually polished, immediately approachable. An overlooked title that fully deserves its place in the Saturn library.
Your verdict
Category
Shooter1 player12+
Co-op
Description
Horizontal underwater shoot-'em-up in which a combat submarine battles enemy fleets. Published by Irem, released in North America in 1997. Main submarine with missiles and torpedoes plus collectible power-ups, imposing end-of-level bosses, simultaneous two-player mode, detailed visuals and an atmospheric soundtrack. Saturn port of the 1993 Irem arcade.
Saturn conversion of Irem's submarine shooter In the Hunt (1993 arcade), released in North America under the obscure Kokopeli Digital Studios banner. That niche publisher's limited run drives genuine scarcity, sharpened by horizontal-shooter purists who consider the Saturn build the most faithful home port. The steep gap between loose and complete pricing reflects a thin pool of surviving NTSC cases handled by informed buyers rather than passing hype.
Is In the Hunt still worth playing in 2026?
In the Hunt is an Irem horizontal shoot'em up in which you pilot a combat submarine against enemy fleets, in a post-apocalyptic universe with sumptuous, detailed pixel art. The measured pace proper to submarine combat, the submarine's particular inertia and the heavy atmosphere make it a shmup with a strong identity, demanding but memorable. The high difficulty calls for perseverance. For fans of atypical retro horizontal shooters and polished art direction, it is a singular gem, by the creators of Metal Slug.
