Inventive shmup MagMax is this week’s Arcade Archives release

A Blast from the Past

Recommended Videos

For this week’s Arcade Archives release, retro-publisher Hamster has reached into its big bag of ’80s hits and pulled out Nichibutsu’s sci-fi shmup MagMax, now available to download on Nintendo Switch.

Released in Japanese arcades back in 1985, before headed west some years later, MagMax is a horizontally scrolling shmup which – compared with many other examples of the genre – keeps the action fairly low to ground. Players begin each stage as a small hover-ship, taking on enemies and dodging obstacles in a dystopian cybernetic universe.

As each stage progresses, the player gathers extra components, transforming the vessel into a tank-like vehicle, and then a gun-toting android. Play alternates between surface-based mission and more traditional shmup action in a subterranean lair. This inventive blend of ship-building and two-level gameplay made MagMax a major hit on home computers in the late ’80s.

MagMax is available to purchase now on Nintendo Switch, priced at around $8. It has also been previously made available on PS4.


Destructoid is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more
related content
Read Article Hideo Kojima receives gorgeous handmade Ludens ring from fan
Sam Bridges wearing purple Ludens sunglasses in Death Stranding.
Read Article You’ll need to beat Like a Dragon Gaiden to play the next game’s demo
Like a Dragon: The Man Who Erased His Name
Read Article Konami set to reveal the latest on the Silent Hill series this Wednesday
silent hill transmission
Related Content
Read Article Hideo Kojima receives gorgeous handmade Ludens ring from fan
Sam Bridges wearing purple Ludens sunglasses in Death Stranding.
Read Article You’ll need to beat Like a Dragon Gaiden to play the next game’s demo
Like a Dragon: The Man Who Erased His Name
Read Article Konami set to reveal the latest on the Silent Hill series this Wednesday
silent hill transmission
Author
Chris Moyse
Senior Editor - Chris has been playing video games since the 1980s and writing about them since the 1880s. Graduated from Galaxy High with honors. Twitter: @ChrisxMoyse