After a great deal of anticipation and a painfully long wait in the certification line, Ikaruga finally arrived on Xbox Live Arcade last week. Boasting new high-definition graphics, online co-op, and the ability to save and share game session replays, it's not difficult to understand why so many 360 owners have been eagerly awaiting this classic title's rebirth.

As most of our readers know, I am certainly no exception. My love for Ikaruga runs deep, and thusly makes this simultaneously the easiest and most difficult review I've ever written for Destructoid. On one hand, I know this title inside out, and I'm both thrilled and honored to be writing about it. On the other, I'm faced with a dilemma. How does a man objectively review his favorite game of all time?

My intention, therefore, is not to review Ikaruga, but to review the XBLA version of Ikaruga. I'll do just that after the jump.