Toaplan Arcade 4 (Evercade) Review: Rediscovering the Glory of Retro Shooters

When I first got my hands on the latest Evercade cartridge release, I didn’t know exactly what to expect. I’ve followed Blaze Entertainment’s Evercade platform for a while now, enjoying its dedication to retro gaming and preservation, but I hadn’t yet decided where toaplan arcade 4 (evercade) review would rank in the library. That changed quickly after I booted it up. In this toaplan arcade 4 (evercade) review, I’ll walk you through my full experience with this fourth installment of the legendary Toaplan arcade collection and why I believe it’s one of the most dynamic entries Evercade has put out to date.

The Legacy of Toaplan Lives On

Toaplan may not be as well-known today as some other vintage developers, but back in the 1980s and early ’90s, they were pioneers of the arcade shoot-’em-up genre. Their titles weren’t just about blasting enemies—they were about mastering complex enemy patterns, overcoming overwhelming odds, and maintaining laser-like focus. The toaplan arcade 4 (evercade) review cartridge captures that intensity and delivers it in a fresh, approachable format for handheld and TV play.

This collection brings together four classic titles: Batsugun, Vimana, FixEight, and Ghox. Each game adds something different to the overall experience, whether it’s deep gameplay mechanics, innovative design, or quirky artistic flair. As a long-time fan of retro shooters, this mix felt both nostalgic and excitingly new to me.

Batsugun: A Defining Moment in Arcade History

Let’s start with the obvious standout in the toaplan arcade 4 (evercade) review—Batsugun. This vertical shooter is considered by many to be the bridge between traditional shmups and the bullet hell subgenre. Its visual chaos, layered attacks, and power-up mechanics make for an adrenaline-pumping experience that still feels groundbreaking today.

When I first fired it up on my Evercade EXP, I was amazed at how well it held up. The pixel art pops on the screen, the explosions are satisfying, and the pacing is relentless. More importantly, I never felt like the game was unfair. Every time I lost a ship, I knew it was because I made a mistake. That’s what makes Batsugun such a compelling game—it punishes carelessness but rewards strategy and improvement.

Even after multiple sessions, I kept coming back to Batsugun. It’s addictive, stylish, and packed with action. I honestly believe this game alone justifies picking up the cartridge.

FixEight: Pure Run-and-Gun Mayhem

Shifting from aerial combat to ground-based chaos, FixEight offers a completely different vibe. This is a top-down run-and-gun shooter where you play as one of eight selectable characters, each with unique weapons and abilities. It’s the spiritual successor to Out Zone, another Toaplan classic, and while it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it does everything with high energy and flair.

I was surprised at how quickly the game threw me into intense combat. Enemies are relentless, and the level designs constantly force you to adapt. I found myself picking different characters to see which playstyles best suited the stages, and the variety added unexpected depth.

The controls were tight, the challenge was real, and I genuinely enjoyed the sense of progression as I slowly mastered the tougher levels. While FixEight might not be the most famous title in this set, it’s absolutely worth your time.

Vimana: A Hidden Gem with Heart

Vimana is the dark horse of this cartridge. I went into it with few expectations, but it turned out to be one of my favorite discoveries during this toaplan arcade 4 (evercade) review. It’s another vertical shooter, but one that stands out for its spiritual theme and unusual aesthetic. You pilot a futuristic ship designed like a relic from ancient mythology, and the overall tone is less militaristic than most shooters.

The gameplay is fast and focused, with a simple power-up system that emphasizes skillful play over random upgrades. It took me a few tries to get a handle on the pacing, but once I clicked with it, I was hooked. There’s an almost meditative rhythm to the enemy waves, and the soundtrack has this ambient quality that sets it apart from the others.

Vimana feels like a thoughtful experience that demands your attention in a quieter way than Batsugun or FixEight. It’s a slower burn, but it’s every bit as rewarding.

Ghox: Bizarre and Brilliant

Then there’s Ghox, which feels like Toaplan’s answer to the arcade oddball category. It’s not a shooter in the traditional sense—instead, it’s a paddle-based brick-breaking game that throws in enemies, bosses, and fantasy themes. If you’ve ever played Arkanoid or Breakout, you’ll have a general idea, but Ghox takes that formula and cranks it up to eleven.

I found Ghox weirdly captivating. You control a magical ball and paddle, but you’re also fending off monsters, navigating tricky traps, and collecting power-ups. There’s even a story to follow, which is rare for this kind of game. It doesn’t take long before the game shifts from “relaxing puzzler” to “panic-inducing action.”

It may not appeal to everyone, but it gave me a much-needed break from the intensity of the shooters. In a way, Ghox acts as a palette cleanser, and its inclusion in this set adds real value.

Presentation and Performance on Evercade

If you’re already familiar with the Evercade platform, you’ll know that Blaze takes great care with its emulation and packaging. Toaplan Arcade 4 is no exception. The games run beautifully on both handheld and TV modes, with minimal input lag and crystal-clear visuals. Whether I was using the Evercade EXP or connecting to a larger screen, the performance remained smooth.

The collection comes with its signature clamshell case and a full-color manual—a feature I always appreciate. It makes the experience feel tangible, and that’s something retro gamers like me often miss with modern digital releases.

Save states, screen filters, and display options round out the package nicely. I used save states frequently while learning Batsugun and FixEight, and it made the games far more accessible without taking away the challenge.

How This Volume Stacks Up

For this toaplan arcade 4 (evercade) review, I spent time comparing it to earlier Toaplan volumes on Evercade. What stands out most is the variety. While previous entries leaned heavily into vertical shooters, Volume 4 mixes things up by adding a run-and-gun and a breakout-style game to the formula. It makes the entire experience feel more balanced and less repetitive.

In terms of gameplay hours, I found myself returning to this cartridge more than I expected. Each game scratches a different itch, whether it’s the pure shooter bliss of Batsugun, the strategic pace of Vimana, the chaos of FixEight, or the creativity of Ghox. That variety gives this volume an edge over its predecessors, and for collectors, it’s a no-brainer addition.

Final Verdict: A Collection Worth Owning

If you’ve been following the Evercade library, you’ll know that Blaze continues to impress with each release. But in my honest opinion, this cartridge stands out as one of the most well-rounded and thoughtfully curated in the entire lineup. As I wrap up this toaplan arcade 4 (evercade) review, I can confidently say that this is a must-have for any fan of classic arcade games, shoot-’em-ups, or just retro gaming in general.

What makes this collection shine isn’t just the individual quality of the games—it’s the way they complement one another. There’s challenge, variety, creativity, and history packed into one neat package, and the Evercade handles it all like a pro.

If you’re new to Toaplan, this is an ideal place to start. And if you’re a veteran, you’ll still find plenty to love—and maybe even discover something you missed the first time around. Either way, this collection is more than just a nostalgic throwback. It’s a celebration of what made arcade gaming so special in the first place.