Taito Milestones 3 for Nintendo Switch

Is the saying “third time’s a charm” going to stand true here?

The earlier Taito Milestones games hit the shelves with mixed reactions, and it’s not far-fetched to think Taito Milestones 3 might stir the same pot. Sure, it’s another pack of 10 arcade classics, but let’s be real—you’re probably not going to adore every single one. Reflecting on my own days roaming the arcade halls back in the mid-’80s and early ’90s, only a handful of these games still tug at my nostalgia enough to keep me coming back.

Now, I wasn’t expecting any of these to be groundbreaking epics. Most are beat ’em ups, featuring the entire Rastan Saga series. If you’ve got a co-op buddy who digs this genre, you’ll definitely find more value in the collection. Even more so if you can rope in a team of four for games like Dead Connection and Runark. Alas, my spouse isn’t into these brawlers. Fortunately, Bubble Bobble and its follow-up, Rainbow Islands, are right up our alley. Bub and Bob have their charm, regardless of whether they’re dragons or humans.

Here’s a lingering thought: Bubble Bobble might be one of our personal favorites, but just how many versions do we really need? Many titles in this set, aside from unique ones like Thunder Fox, have been reissued repeatedly, either as standalone games or part of other collections. Most of these can be snagged individually through the Arcade Archives series. So if you already own a few, you might hesitate before picking this up.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if, rather than offering these $40 collections, they let us choose any ten Taito Arcade Archive games for the same price? Bet a lot of folks would jump at the chance to handpick their favorites. But here we are, dealing with Taito Milestones 3. To its credit, many of these games are visually impressive, boasting vibrant colors, intricate details, and more on-screen action than expected. The soundtracks hold up too—tunes I missed back then in crowded arcades but appreciate now. And the game design also caught me off guard with features I never foresaw in those coin-eaters of old. Cadash, an engaging arcade RPG, stands out for its originality. Still, gameplay is what it boils down to, and that’s where my feelings get conflicted, echoing Kirk’s reception of the previous Taito Milestones releases.

These games are intriguing to browse, they’re fun to witness, but arcade titles were all about keeping players hooked, getting them to pour through their allowances or grandma’s change purse in no time. And if you’re bringing this collection home for your Switch, you hope it would clock more than just a quick play session. While that’s not exactly the case for me, it might resonate with you instead.

Moving forward, for these Taito compilations to keep interest piqued, dropping the price a bit and tossing in some exclusive gems wouldn’t hurt. Adding a slice of historical context could enhance value, much like similar collections do. But if you already own the top-tier offerings from this third set as single Arcade Archive editions, maybe reconsider before spending $39.99 on Taito Milestones 3 unless, of course, you’re chasing those nostalgic vibes.