Darius Bursts onto the App Store

Square Enix has released another Taito shmup on the App Store, and as with pretty much all Square releases, we can't help but be aghast at the price. Given the source material, however, maybe $11 isn't that bad.

Dariusburst Second Prologue is based on both the PSP Dariusburst and its arcade followup, Another Chronicle -- the two latest iterations of Taito's long-lived shmup series about shooting enormous robot fish. The PSP game content is all here, along with a remixed mode with new enemy patterns and stuff from Another Chronicle. There are also four new tracks by Taito's Zuntata band.

In other words, if it were on PSP, there'd be no question of its value. We admit we're still kind of balking at the App Store price anyway. That's just how the market is on that platform!%Gallery-147056%

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DARIUSBURST SECOND PROLOGUE NOW AVAILABLE ON THE APP STORE
The Latest Installment in TAITO's Classic Shooting Series, Now with Exclusive Features

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 9, 2012) – TAITO Corporation (TAITO®), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd., today announced the worldwide release of DARIUSBURST™ SECOND PROLOGUE for iPhone®, iPod touch®, and iPad®. Available for download from the App Store™, the science fiction shooter combines elements from both its console and arcade game predecessors, and is the first edition of DARIUSBURST™ to be released abroad.

A Next Gen Shooting Game!
DARIUSBURST SECOND PROLOGUE is the latest installment in a series that began with the release of the original DARIUS™ arcade game in 1986. (DARIUS was sold in some territories under the title SAGAIA™.) Chronicling the struggle to save the planet Darius from the invading Belser Army, the series' aquatic-themed boss enemies and branching stage design quickly gathered a devoted following. The franchise experienced a long-awaited revival in 2009, with the release of DARIUSBURST for the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system. The latest game, DARIUSBURST SECOND PROLOGUE, incorporates elements from both DARIUSBURST and its arcade follow-up DARIUSBURST ANOTHER CHRONICLE, delivering the definitive portable DARIUS experience.

Featuring Smartphone-Exclusive Features, Retina Graphics, and Game Center Support!
Far from a simple conversion, special care has been taken to ensure the most optimal iPhone experience possible. In addition to an updated version of the original PSP system DARIUSBURST game, this version includes a "remixed" SP Mode featuring new enemy attack patterns and two new boss battles featuring enemies from DARIUSBURST ANOTHER CHRONICLE. The Silver Hawk ships seen in the PSP system edition are all present and accounted for, and are joined by the new Assault Silver Hawk. First seen in DARIUSBURST ANOTHER CHRONICLE EX, the Assault Silver Hawk's special defense system makes it ideal for newcomers to the shooting genre and those seeking a more casual experience.

DARIUSBURST SECOND PROLOGUE boasts gorgeous Retina graphics and full iPad compatibility; no pixel doubling necessary. The touch controls are both intuitive and stress-free, and the screen layout is fully customizable, allowing players to adjust the button layout to suit their personal preferences. Also unique to the iPhone edition are four all-new tracks by TAITO's popular ZUNTATA sound team, and an in-game visual catalog containing unlockable design illustrations and character models. Game Center support rounds out the package, with 59 challenging achievements and a variety of global leaderboards.

TAITO will continue to release high-quality games that take full advantage of the iPhone and iPod touch's individual characteristics.


Details
DARIUSBURST SECOND PROLOGUE
* Release Date: Available Now
* Region: Worldwide
* Price: US $10.99
* Device: iPhone 4, 4S / iPod touch (4th generation) / iPad / iPad 2
* Operating System: iOS 4.3 or later
* Copyright: ©TAITO CORP.1986,2012

Related Links

* Official Smartphone Homepage - touch! play! TAITO: http://tap.taito.com/
* TAITO Official Homepage: http://www.taito.com/
* TAITO's Official Facebook® Page: http://www.facebook.com/TAITO.Eng
* Follow TAITO on Twitter®: http://twitter.com/TaitoCorp

About TAITO Corporation
TAITO Corporation (TAITO) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. With headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, TAITO operates core businesses such as game arcade operations, coin-operated game machines, and mobile phone content services. A seminal part of gaming history, TAITO caused a worldwide sensation with its arcade legend, SPACE INVADERS®, and developed such fan favorites as PUZZLE BOBBLE® (BUST-A-MOVE®) and ARKANOID®. Today, TAITO continues to thrill game lovers of all generations by offering both classic and new family-oriented titles on the latest gaming platforms. TAITO delivers a wide range of entertainment experiences with the goal of providing consumers with fresh surprises and new discoveries.

More information on TAITO can be found on the Internet at http://www.taito.com/.

About Square Enix, Inc.
Square Enix, Inc. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX®, EIDOS® and TAITO® branded entertainment content throughout the Americas as part of the Square Enix Group. The Square Enix Group operates a global network of leading development studios and boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property, including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 100 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 59 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 35 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix, Inc. is a U.S.-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.

More information on Square Enix, Inc. can be found at http://www.square-enix.com/na.