Raiden Project is a PS1 compilation of the first two Raiden games by Seibu Kaihatsu, cult vertical shoot-em-ups. The pair of genre-founding shmup games is well preserved. A precious nostalgic collection for fans of 1990s Japanese arcade and classic vertical shmup.
Your verdict
Category
Shooter2 players7+
Co-op
Description
Western edition of Raiden Project by Seibu Kaihatsu, compilation gathering Raiden and Raiden II. Created by Seibu Kaihatsu and Sony Computer Entertainment, released in 1995 in the United States and Europe under the The Raiden Project title. Compilation of the two original arcade Raidens emulated, classic vertical scrolling, ship armed with vulcan cannon and missiles, two-player cooperative mode and chiptune soundtrack. Western edition under the The Raiden Project title.
Raiden Project, The review
3/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Polished"
3/5
Music
★★★★★
"Memorable"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Engaging"
Difficulty
"Punishing"
Bringing together the first two Raiden games, this compilation offers vertical shooting in its rawest form: fast enemy fire, tight waves and bosses that demand perfect placement. Switching between laser and cannon to suit the situation becomes a vital reflex. Unadorned but formidably effective, it appeals to arcade-cabinet nostalgics and score hunters.
Sony's compilation of Seibu Kaihatsu's first two Raiden games, The Raiden Project gathers these founding vertical shooters in a careful port prized by fans of 90s arcade shmups. Loose copies stay affordable, but sealed stock climbs sharply: the genre's lasting demand and the quality of the arcade preservation justify that split pricing far better than most PS1 shooters.
Is Raiden Project, The still worth playing in 2026?
A Seibu Kaihatsu compilation gathering the ports of the first two Raiden games, this collection offers a concentrated dose of old fashioned vertical shoot them up, demanding and snappy. The barrage of fire, the iconic power-ups between winding laser and homing missiles, and the merciless difficulty reward memorisation and mastery. The production stays faithful to the cabinets, without modern frills. A vertical arcade classic to recommend for fans of old school shmups and scoring under pressure.
