Gaiares Collector's Edition for Sega Genesis by Retro Bit Review

In this episode, we unbox, examine, and play test Gaiares from Retro-bit and Renovation Games.

The 16-bit era had so many amazing games that became classics. The shoot-em-up genre was one of the strongest, maybe only second to the fighters. Games like Gradius and R-type refined and defined the genre on the Nintendo side of things, while games like Truxton, Zero Wing, and Hellfire defined it on the Sega genesis. One entry into the Genesis library looked to change the game in Gaiares, a game people didn't know how to pronounce, but they learned quickly that this game is not playing around.

Retro-bit has worked with Renovation Game to bring Gaiaresback to consoles, and they have done so in their traditional fashion of respecting the collector's market. The cartridge itself comes in a different color, what they're calling Tektite, the labels are slightly different, and overall it was done in a respectful manner. In addition to the cartridge itself, you also get a numbered certificate of authenticity, a full-color instruction manual, an interview with Jamie Bunker, and a Gaiares t-shirt. Overall, very nice package.

From a system compatibility standpoint, pretty much any major system compatible with the Sega Genesis or the Mega Drive will work with this cartridge. I used my trusty and beautiful JVC X'EYE for my testing. Retro-bit has taken to beveling the edges on the connector on the cartridge, and I have to say that this went into the cartridge slot beautifully. These are some of the extra details things that Retro-bit does that make their collections so nice.

From the word go, I knew instantaneously that this was not your average shoot-'em-up. First and foremost, the game is beautiful and it sounds great, especially going through my RetroTink 5X and HD Retrovision component video cables. As soon as the game started, I knew I was in for a different sort of shooter. It instantaneously turns into a bullet hell on the very first level, and it does not let up. While skilled shooter players will appreciate the challenge, those who are less skilled, people like me who are part of the bottom 50% that make the top 50% possible, it can get frustrating really quick. Just when you think you've avoided all the bullets and projectiles on screen and there's an asteroid, or an enemy, or a missile that just happens to catch you out of nowhere.

One difference between Gaiares and other shooters is the level-up system for your weapons. In games like R-type or Gradius, enemies drop power-ups and you can choose how to apply them as you destroy them. Not so here, as you use your companion pod to fly out and capture enemy ships. From here you assimilate their powers into your vessel, very much like the Borg. Each time you capture a ship of the same model it levels up your weapon. You will eventually max out on this, however, and the next time you send out your assistant it simply obliterates the ships in its path. You need to be careful when you send this out as you cannot fire when it is retrieving enemy ships.

Thankfully, a quick Google search unlocked a number of different cheat menu items. You can unlock things such as invincibility mode, all weapons loaded at loadout, a difficulty selector, and a level selector. I do wish there was a difficulty mode on the main menu, I know that Retro-bit works with publishers to add their trademark and such into the ROM itself, and since this is unlockable via cheat code having it on the menu would have really been appreciated.

Gaiares Cheat Codes:
Invincibility: Hold Left, A, C, and press start
Options Menu: Hold A, B, & C on the title screen and press start

Using the invincibility code, I eventually played through the first three levels of the game. Some of the enemy designs on here are simply fantastic. It literally is some of the best and most original design work that I have seen in a shooter like this ever, and I understand why it is such a classic. The long guns on level 3 in particular have a really neat design aesthetic to them.

Why it RoX:
- Beautiful graphics and sound
- Tight play control
- Truly unique power-up system
- Awesome enemies and bosses
- Certificate of authenticity
- The t-shirt is awesome

What could be improved:
- Brutally difficult
- Add a difficulty selection in the main menu
- Very limited edition

Should you buy one?
I love these collector sets from Retro-bit, they really do them well & protect collectors and owners of originals in doing so. Gaiares is another excellent example of doing a collector's edition properly, bringing a game out of the past to the present, well protecting the collector's market. Gaiares is brutally difficult but it's also rewarding when you do succeed. It is a game of patterns and quick reactions. If you happened to pre-order one, look forward to this arriving soon. If you didn't, check your local retailers that carry Retro-bit products, because this is something you're going to want in your collection.

#RetroBit #Gaiares #Sega