After a recent SHMUP release (okay, not so recent. And they pretty much do SHMUPs exclusively), Cave is poised to drop another one on us. Kind of. Bug Princess 2 Black Label is more like a Director’s Cut than a real sequel, but it might just be the be-all-end-all version for series fans to get.

The key story and gameplay elements are exactly the same as the original Bug Princess 2. Make no mistake, however, there’s new stuff to justify the purchase. Even more bullets are included in this version, which is something I would never have considered possible but there it is. Players can also recreate a near arcade-perfect experience by slowing down the action (i.e. simulating processor strain). But by far the most interesting addition is the new Boss Rush Mode. All of the massive bosses from the first and second game are here, and high scores can be posted for bragging rights. There was also mention of an option to save progress, but details are still a little scarce at this point.

Bug Princess 2 Black Label has no definitive release date or price at the moment. Presumably it should be out in the next few months, and most likely sell for anywhere between $5 and $15 using Cave’s previous titles as a guide, but that’s all speculation. It is coming, though. And it’s looking like it’ll be glorious.

$6.99

Bug Princess 2

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-04-05 :: Category: Games

$4.99

Bug Princess

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2011-12-15 :: Category: Games

Game titles nowadays are often just so ambiguous. Boss Battles from Backflip Studios doesn’t muck around with any kind of ambiguity in its title. This is a shoot ‘em up that is pretty much all about the boss battles. There are eight different bosses to take on, each with different attacks and weak spots. When a boss is defeated, the player nets a bounty of gems for the conquest, which can be spent on ship upgrades such as support weapons. Repeat battles get more challenging, but also more lucrative. Defeat will come to the player often, so thankfully each boss fight begins with a wave of normal enemies that are just there for collecting gems, which go toward upgrades. The game is free to play, supported by ads and in-app purchases of additional gems. This all goes without mentioning that the protagonist is a squirrel with a commanding officer who is a bear. Why? Well, why not?

FREE!

Boss Battles

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2011-09-29 :: Category: Games

FREE!

Boss Battles HD

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2011-09-29 :: Category: Games

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