Cave has released a number of shooters on the App Store, and virtually all of them have been very well-received. In the interest of preserving that tradition, they’ve just announced an iOS port of Bug Princess (also known as Mushihimesama). I’m hoping that I have all my facts straight, but bear with me here.

Mushihimesama was a big hit in Japanese arcades when it was released in 2004. Thanks in no small part to its “Manic” and “Ultra” modes, I’m sure. After all that success, Cave released a sequel – Mushihimesama Futari – in 2006, followed by a 2010 spin-off most iOS users should be familiar with at this point: Mushihimesama Bug Panic. Still with me? Good.

So, Cave is getting ready to release the original vertical-scrolling shooter Mushihimesama, now under the name Bug Princess on the App Store for our enjoyment. My head hurts a little now… Anyway, the original arcade title that led to the creation and release of Mushihimesama Bug Panic is headed our way. According to the developer, it’s going to be compatible with the iPhone4, 3GS, iPod Touch 3rd Gen and up, the iPad and iPad2, and will require OS 4.2 or higher.

There’s no specific release info yet aside from “winter 2011,” but there isn’t a whole lot of 2011 left so it won’t be too long a wait. As for pricing… Well, that’s still unannounced, but it’s a Cave game so I’d imagine it’ll range from $5 to $10 or so. Best get those App Store funds ready.

Okay, I’m obviously kidding but the inclusion of Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum wouldn’t be all that out of place in Escape to Earth. Someone’s been captured by aliens, then somehow miraculously manages to escape their captors and hijack a ship. The only problem is they have to get out of the mothership before they can taste real freedom. Or smoke those cigars. Last Independence Day reference, I promise.

So players will find themselves in control of yet another space-faring vessel, however things aren’t as derivative as they might initially seem. It’s true that they’ll have to blast away at many an aggressive extra-terrestrial along the way, but Escape to Earth is about more than just blowing stuff up. In addition to the other-worldly armaments (i.e. a laser and missiles), players also have access to a tractor beam and “repulser” which are needed to solve a number of physics-based environmental puzzles. So if they ever want to see Earth again, they’ll have to use both their brain and their trigger fingers.

Those interested in fighting (and puzzling) their way through this interstellar labyrinth can do so right now. Escape to Earth is already on the App Store, and it can be had for the low/standard price of one dollar.

$0.99

Escape to Earth

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2011-10-27 :: Category: Games

Yes, that’s the real title of an actual game. A game about a sheriff named Django and his war with the undead hordes as he attempts to drive them out of the town of Dead End for good. With the aid of bullets, mostly.

Django West vs. the Barefoot Zombie Gang touts itself as a hilarious old west zombie shooter. It’s got 21 levels, 12 “hilarious” weapons to mess around with, a “groovy” soundtrack and plenty of gore. I mean, it’s a zombie game, after all. One in which players will no doubt be blasting away quite a few zombies (6 different kinds, to be exact).

If nothing else, it’s apparent from the trailer below that Django West vs. the Barefoot Zombie Gang has a boxing glove gun. A boxing glove gun. I can bop zombies in the face with an extend-o-fist and make their noggins explode. How wacky-awesome is that?

Django and his kooky zombie-fighting gear can be found as a Universal app in the App Store right now for $0.99.

$0.99

Django West vs. The Barefoot Zombie Gang

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2011-10-03 :: Category: Games

A couple of months ago we mentioned that Cave was working on an HD version of Espgaluda II for the iPad, but at the time they didn’t disclose much else. We just knew that it was a thing. Well Cave has since chipped away at the ice a bit.

The “Guinness-recognized ‘danmaku’ shooter!” is indeed being refitted with high definition displays in mind, however it’s looking like this HD release will be exclusive to the iPad 2. At least for the time being. In addition to the remastered visuals – although according to the press release, the backgrounds and “some other graphics” will retain their SD quality – the “iPhone Mode” is being re-dubbed “Smartphone Mode” and receiving a new soundtrack by Kenichi Fukui and “KAY.”

Of course, that’s not all. Along with all this HD craziness, the current iPhone/iPod Touch version of Espgaluda II is getting a bit of a revision. For starters, the soon-to-be newly dubbed Smartphone Mode will also receive the new soundtrack. So there’s no need for audiophile non-iPad users to feel left out. Secondly, the full version will also get two separate “split” versions: Arcade and Smartphone. Each one will contain the full content of its titular mode, but won’t contain the other. Of course, the Full version will still be available, and contain everything. I’m guessing (keyword: guessing) this was done to allow more frugal App Store shoppers a way in, so to speak.

There’s still no official release date or pricing, but Cave promises that it’ll all be posted “soon” on their homepage. I’d strongly suggest iPad 2 owners with a love of bullet-hell keep an eye on it. Or here. We’ll probably mention something here, too.

rRootage Online HD has given shmup fans quite a bit of love. It’s got lots of shooting, plenty of resulting explosions and a grand total of 160 stages. There are four different game modes included, giving players four different ways to experience the bullet-hell mayhem. It also features the expectant online high scores and, of course, achievements.

Until recently, this was an experience only afforded to iPhone users. Now, after the new 1.3.0 release, iPad users can get in on the action. Yes, rRootage Online HD is indeed a universal app now.

Since I don’t own an iPad myself I can’t really say much of the experience on the larger device, but I imagine the bigger screen makes spotting those pesky enemy projectiles a bit easier. Regardless, it’s nice to see rRootage Online HD getting even more love. It’s bound to please iPad using shmup fans who’ve might have missed it the first time around.

$0.99

rRootage Online HD

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2010-08-28 :: Category: Games