Today's game on display from our physical collection is Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack for the Nintendo 3DS!
Azure Striker Gunvolt is a series I was beyond excited for when it was first announced. Developed by Inti Creates, the game served as a spiritual successor to their Mega Man Zero and Mega Man ZX series. Though the studio was no longer working with Capcom, the titles retained much of the same core action that made those previous games so special, while also introducing fresh mechanics centered around the protagonist Gunvolt's electric powers. Tagging enemies with darts and shocking them served as the main form of combat, with new abilities and equipment unlocked as the adventure progressed. However, the launch of the original title didn't go as smoothly as many had hoped, and to this day, it can be a bit confusing for newcomers to know where to start due to all the different versions and compilations that have released since.
The Striker Pack Improvements
Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack launched on the Nintendo 3DS in 2016, bundling both the original game and Azure Striker Gunvolt 2. The sequel introduced a second playable character, Copen, whose high-speed, dash-focused playstyle greatly expanded and improved upon the foundation of the original. Crucially, the Striker Pack featured an updated version of the first Gunvolt, restoring voice acting and story dialogue that had been cut from the initial Western digital release. While those story additions were eventually patched into the standalone digital version of the original game, buying the physical Striker Pack gave players instant access to the definitive experience alongside Gunvolt 2.
Legacy Hardware vs. Modern Hardware
When it comes to newcomers diving into the franchise today, there isn't much reason to track down the 3DS version unless you specifically want that original hardware feel. On 3DS, you're looking at a 30 FPS frame rate, a tighter screen resolution with limited viewable screen area, and handheld controls of that era. Otherwise? The series is best experienced on modern platforms, making it a perfect pick for fans searching for fast-paced 2D action platformers. There is even a Trilogy release that packs revised versions of all three mainline titles together—alongside new story content added for the Nintendo Switch 2 release.
However, if you're a collector looking to expand your physical 3DS library, the Striker Pack remains an absolute must-have. Also, the 3DS version was published by our friends over at Yacht Club Games, which was pretty cool to see.
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