IREM Collection Vol. 3: Offbeat Fantasy Shooters Revived

If there’s a sweet spot in retro re-releases, it lies in shining a light beyond the usual suspects—and that’s exactly what IREM Collection Vol. 3 delivers. This compilation unearths three underappreciated arcade shooters—Mr. Heli, Mystic Riders and Dragon Breed—and outfits them with modern conveniences. Whether you missed these the first time around or you’re chasing nostalgia with fresh eyes, there’s plenty to explore.

About IREM Collection Vol. 3

Rather than recycling R-Type for the umpteenth time, this set spotlights Irem’s more experimental side. Each title blends classic side-scroll shoot ’em up action with touches of fantasy, puzzle and co-op design that expanded the genre in arcades during the late ’80s and early ’90s.

Feature	Detail
Publisher	ININ, Tozai Games, IREM
Release Date	July 1, 2025
Platforms	Nintendo Switch, PS5/4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
Genres	Retro arcade, shoot ’em up, fantasy

Mr. Heli

Originally released in 1987, Mr. Heli mixes run-and-gun action with light puzzle elements. You pilot a walking helicopter—your avatar for navigating hidden paths, managing limited ammo and facing larger-than-life bosses. Its cheerful art style might suggest a simple mascot game, but the tight level design and resource management reward exploration and skill.

Mystic Riders

Hitting arcades in the early ’90s, Mystic Riders lets you and a friend mount broomsticks and blast monsters in local co-op. Think of it as a bridge between traditional shoot ’em ups and modern bullet-hell games: enemies fire dense patterns of projectiles, while power-ups and boomerang mechanics add strategic variety. “Co-op essential” isn’t a marketing line here—it captures the arcade camaraderie that kept players feeding coins into the cabinet.

Dragon Breed

Dragon Breed stands out as a cult favorite thanks to its bio-mechanical art inspired by sci-fi and fantasy. You ride a giant dragon that serves as both shield and weapon, unleashing flamethrower attacks on wave after wave of foes. The design feels like Hayao Miyazaki meets H.R. Giger—an imaginative leap for an ’80s shooter that still looks and feels unique today.

Modern Features Explained

• Save State & Fast Load: Preserve your progress anywhere—no more hunting for extra credits.
• Rewind: Instantly reverse a few seconds of gameplay to correct mistakes without restarting the entire level.
• Custom Controls: Remap buttons to suit your play style, from rapid-fire setups to ergonomic layouts.
• Leaderboards: Compare high scores globally—perfect for arcade competitions in a digital age.
• Visual Filters: Apply CRT scanlines or pixel-perfect mode to match the original cabinet presentation.

Significance and Legacy

While many retro compilations lean on big names, IREM Collection Vol. 3 celebrates the offbeat and imaginative corners of arcade history. These three games showcase Irem’s willingness to experiment—whether blending genres or introducing early bullet-hell patterns. They influenced later shooters and set a creative bar that many “retro-inspired” indies still struggle to reach.

Conclusion

IREM Collection Vol. 3 isn’t a blockbuster release, but it doesn’t need to be. For shoot ’em up enthusiasts, arcade historians and anyone curious about the genre’s more surreal moments, this is a must-play package. The modern features smooth out the challenge without diluting the original spirit, making these forgotten gems accessible—and endlessly replayable.