Salamander/Life Force compilation with both games well emulated. Konami horizontal shmups remain fast-paced and fun. Important historical value for franchise fans. Polished interface, appreciated extra content.
Your verdict
Category
Shooter1 player12+
Co-op
Description
Compilation of three cult Konami horizontal shoot-'em-ups in their arcade versions. Published by Konami, released in Japan in 1997. Salamander, Life Force and Salamander 2 offer configurable ships with collectible power-ups, titanic bosses, simultaneous two-player mode and adjustable difficulty levels. The definitive Konami horizontal shoot-'em-up collection on Saturn.
Salamander Deluxe Pack Plus review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
The collection gathers three takes on Konami's horizontal shooters: organic corridors with pulsing walls, rippling eruptions of flame and organ-like bosses that fill the entire screen. The reds and purples of the biological stages cut against the cold metal of the space levels, and the conversion preserves those contrasts without trimming the original effects.
Iconic, Konami's music unfurls nervy, melodic electronic themes that match the speed and precision of this founding shooter. Each level pulses with a rousing tune etched into fans' memory. This timeless sonic energy, the studio's signature, remains inseparable from the legend of the series.
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Captivating"
Difficulty
"Punishing"
This anthology gathers the chapters of a Konami saga known for its briskness: alternating horizontal and vertical phases, lethal organic settings and massive bosses that grant no respite. Managing your options and preserving your firepower stay the key, since starting over bare is fatal. Varied and demanding, it satisfies fans of classic shooting after a challenge.
Complete: box, manual and disc/cart very clean. Lightly handled.
Q1 damagedQ6 completeQ10 new
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Collector interest
Japan exclusive Saturn edition of Salamander Deluxe Pack Plus, distributed by Konami in June 1997, an anthology pairing Salamander, Life Force and Salamander 2 in faithful arcade conversions, completed by a Plus mode exclusive to the Saturn run. Konami Japan run was short, jewel case with intact obi, and the combination of the Salamander sub franchise's compilation scarcity and the Plus addition makes it for Konami enthusiasts a clearly valued archive object. Complete with obi marked Deluxe Pack Plus sought after.
Is Salamander Deluxe Pack Plus still worth playing in 2026?
A compilation by Konami, Salamander Deluxe Pack Plus gathers Salamander, Life Force and Salamander 2 on a single disc. The polished sci-fi art direction faithful to arcades, readable patterns and two player cooperative mode make it an excellent gateway to the Konami shoot saga. For anyone fond of Konami horizontal shoots or wishing to own the Salamander games on Saturn, a warm recommendation still valid today without any hesitation on the Sega machine for classic horizontal shoot genre fans truly here indeed.
