Taito Memories


Taito Memories is a series of arcade video game compilations developed and published by Taito exclusively in Japan. A total of five collections were released - four on the PlayStation 2, and one on the PlayStation Portable. The first entry, Taito Memories Jōkan, was released in 2005, with the latest being Taito Memories II Gekan, released in 2007. The PlayStation 2 entries each have twenty-five titles, while the PlayStation Portable game has sixteen - all included games are arcade games published by Taito. A similar series of collections, Taito Legends, was released outside Japan in North America and Europe - many titles from the Taito Memories series would be added into several Taito Legends compilations, alongside much of its user-interface being re-used.
The series was a commercial success for Taito, with a few entries being re-released under The Best budget line-up - the first two compilations sold 145,616 copies combined. Critical reception for the games were also positive, with their large selection of games being highly praised, although criticism would be drawn to later entries, many classifying their game library as "filler content". Square Enix holds the rights to the series, following their acquisition of Taito.

Games

''Taito Memories Jōkan''

The first entry, Taito Memories Jōkan, was released on July 28, 2005. It would be re-released under two different budget labels - first under the Taito BEST label on July 7, 2006 and the second under Eternal Hits on June 28, 2007. Among the included titles, KiKi KaiKai, Bubble Bobble, Syvalion, Cameltry and Metal Black are locked, and can be accessed by inserting a code in the title screen - the reprints of the game would have these games available from the start.
TitleGenreOriginal releaseUnlockable
Space Invaders ColorFixed shooter1978
Lunar RescueFixed shooter1979
Alpine SkiAlpine skiing1982
The Fairyland StoryPlatform1985
KiKi KaiKaiMulti-directional shooter1986
Bubble BobblePlatform1986
Rastan SagaBeat'em up1987
Kuri KintonPlatform1988
SyvalionMulti-directional shooter1988
Bonze AdventurePlatform1988
CameltryPuzzle1989
Don Doko DonPlatform1989
FlipullPuzzle1989
Ah Eikou No KoshienBaseball1990
'Fixed shooter1990
RunarkBeat'em up1990
Pu-Li-Ru-LaBeat'em up1991
Metal BlackHorizontal-scrolling shooter1991
'Vertical-scrolling shooter1992
Dungeon MagicBeat'em up1994
Space Invaders DXFixed shooter1994
Darius GaidenHorizontal-scrolling shooter1994
Elevator Action ReturnsPlatform1995
Cleopatra FortunePuzzle1996
Puchi CaratPuzzle1997

''Taito Memories Gekan''

The second entry, Taito Memories Gekan, was released on August 25, 2005. It would be re-released under two different budget labels - first under the Taito BEST label on July 9, 2006 and the second under Eternal Hits on June 28, 2007. Among the included titles, Qix, Elevator Action, Front Line, The NewZealand Story and Gun Frontier are locked, and can be accessed by inserting a code in the title screen - the reprints of the game would have these games available from the start. The ports of both RayStorm and G-Darius are instead the PlayStation versions instead of the arcade releases.
TitleGenreOriginal releaseUnlockable
Space InvadersFixed shooter1978
Space Invaders Part IIFixed shooter1979
Crazy BalloonMaze1980
Balloon BomberFixed shooter1980
QixMaze1981
Wild WesternFixed shooter1982
Front LineMaze1982
Elevator ActionPlatform1983
Chack'n PopPlatform1983
The Legend of KageHack'n slash1985
The NewZealand StoryPlatform1988
Rastan Saga IIBeat'em up1988
RaimaisMaze1988
Insector XHorizontal-scrolling shooter1989
CadashAction adventure1989
Violence FightFighting1989
Gun FrontierVertical-scrolling shooter1990
Hat Trick HeroFootball1990
Liquid KidsPlatform1990
Arabian MagicHack'n slash1992
Space Invaders '95Fixed shooter1995
GekirindanVertical-scrolling shooter1995
Puzzle Bobble 2Puzzle1995
RayStormVertical-scrolling shooter1996
G-DariusHorizontal-scrolling shooter1997

''Taito Memories Pocket''

This compilation is a portable version only available for the PlayStation Portable, and was released in Japan on January 5, 2006. It includes 16 titles, four of which are featuring an additional remake version.
TitleGenreOriginal releaseRemake
Lunar RescueFixed shooter1979
Crazy BalloonMaze1980
Balloon BomberFixed shooter1980
QixMaze1981
Alpine SkiAlpine skiing1982
Elevator ActionPlatform1983
Chack'n PopPlatform1983
The Legend of KageHack'n slash1985
The Fairyland StoryPlatform1985
KiKi KaiKaiMulti-directional shooter1986
Rastan SagaBeat'em up1987
Kuri KintonBeat'em up1988
The New Zealand StoryPlatform1988
RaimaisMaze1988
Rainbow Islands ExtraPlatform1988
CameltryPuzzle1989

''Taito Memories II Jōkan''

This compilation saw its release on January 25, 2007.
TitleGenreOriginal release
Space ChaserMaze1979
Grand ChampionRacing1981
Time TunnelMaze1982
The AthleticSports game1984
Ben Bero BehPlatform1984
Return of the InvadersFixed shooter1985
GladiatorBeat'em up1986
Kick and RunSports game1986
Scramble FormationVertical-scrolling shooter1986
Continental CircusRacing1987
ExzisusHorizontal-scrolling shooter1987
Super QixMaze1987
Platformer1987
Operation ThunderboltShooting gallery1988
Cloud MasterHorizontal-scrolling shooter1988
Fighting HawkHorizontal-scrolling shooter1988
Asuka & AsukaVertical-scrolling shooter1989
S.C.I.Racing1989
Darius IIHorizontal-scrolling shooter1989
Champion WrestlerFighting1989
Space GunShooting gallery1990
The Ninja KidsBeat'em up1990
Dino RexFighting1992
RayForceVertical-scrolling shooter1994
Bubble MemoriesPlatform1996

''Taito Memories II Gekan''

This is the final compilation, released in Japan on March 29, 2007.
TitleGenreOriginal release
Field GoalBreakout1979
PhoenixFixed shooter1980
PolarisFixed shooter1980
Great SwordsmanFighting1984
Sea Fighter PoseidonHorizontal-scrolling shooter1984
GyrodineVertical-scrolling shooter1984
Buggy ChallengeRacing1984
Typhoon GalFighting1985
Metal Soldier Isaac IIVertical-scrolling shooter1985
Halley's CometVertical-scrolling shooter1986
Land Sea Air SquadVertical-scrolling shooter1986
Operation WolfShooting gallery1987
Full ThrottleRacing1987
Plump PopBreakout1987
Chase H.Q.Racing1988
Rainbow Islands ExtraPlatform1988
Final BlowFighting1988
VolfiedMaze1989
Night StrikerShooter1989
Battle SharkShooter1989
Master of WeaponVertical-scrolling shooter1989
MegablastHorizontal-scrolling shooter1989
ThunderFoxBeat'em up1990
Beat'em up1991
Bubble SymphonyPlatform1994

Reception