Start with Gunbird, Samurai Aces, or Strikers 1945. Each is a good first stop for a different reason: comic fantasy, historical fantasy, or military aircraft. That is a choice by theme, not an objectively easiest-to-hardest ranking; the official sources reviewed do not publish a comparative beginner-difficulty list.
Which Psikyo game should you play first?
Choose the setting that sounds most appealing. Psikyo’s catalog includes several distinct shooter series, so a newcomer can sample different flavors rather than treating one title as the required starting point.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
| Game | Why start here | Collection options |
|---|---|---|
| Gunbird | Comic, character-driven fantasy tone. | Psikyo Shooting Stars Bravo for Nintendo Switch; Psikyo Shooting Library Vol. 2 for PS4. |
| Samurai Aces | Historical-fantasy setting and an entry point to the related TENGAI and SENGOKU CANNON games. | Psikyo Shooting Stars Bravo for Nintendo Switch; Psikyo Shooting Library Vol. 2 for PS4. |
| Strikers 1945 | Military-aircraft theme; a good alternative if fantasy is not your preference. | Psikyo Shooting Library Vol. 1 for PS4, alongside other games in the Strikers series. |
The recommendations describe each game’s theme and collection availability, not a tested assessment of difficulty, controls, accessibility, or port quality.
What’s in the Psikyo game collections?
Psikyo Shooting Stars Bravo on Nintendo Switch
Nintendo lists Psikyo Shooting Stars Bravo as a six-game collection published by NIS America. It includes Samurai Aces Episode I, Samurai Aces Episode II: TENGAI, Samurai Aces Episode III: SENGOKU CANNON, GUNBARICH, GUNBIRD, and GUNBIRD2. The Switch release date was February 18, 2020; Nintendo lists Japanese and American English as supported languages. Its cited US store page labels the edition digital.
#1 Best Overall
Psikyo Shooting Library Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 on PS4
Clear River Games’ collection listing describes physical PS4 editions released January 5, 2023. Each contains six games:
- Vol. 1: STRIKERS 1945, STRIKERS 1945 II, STRIKERS 1945 III, SOL DIVIDE, Dragon Blaze, and ZERO GUNNER 2.
- Vol. 2: Samurai Aces Episode I, TENGAI, SENGOKU CANNON, GUNBARICH, GUNBIRD, and GUNBIRD2.
If you want several games in one purchase, these collections make it easier to compare series. Check regional compatibility and current retailer stock before buying; a collection’s listed release does not establish present availability in your market.
Rank #2
![Psikyo Shooting Library Vol. 1 - (NSW) Nintendo Switch [Pre-Owned] (Japanese Import)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51avb9SXJRL._SL160_.jpg)
- Features Strikers 1999's first home release
- Strikers 1999 series: Blockbuster sequel to Strikers 1945, offering intense vertical scrolling action
- Strikers series renowned for its accessible yet challenging gameplay
- Diverse STGs: Magic, dragons, and unique mechanics await
- Action-packed titles: Soldivide's magical attacks, Dragon Blaze's powerful dragon, and ZeroGunner 2's 3D models
Where can you buy Psikyo games now?
The official Psikyo portal lists games with digital listings for Nintendo Switch, PS4, and Xbox One, and links Steam pages. Its catalog includes titles such as Strikers 1945, Strikers 1945 II, Strikers 1999, Gunbird, Gunbird 2, Gunbarich, Samurai Aces, Tengai/Sengoku Blade, Sol Divide, Dragon Blaze, and Zero Gunner 2. The portal is oriented toward the Japanese market, so its prices should not be assumed to apply elsewhere. Check the local console storefront for the specific title, edition, language, and price.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Steam availability requires particular care. In a notice dated October 15, 2025, Psikyo said sales of twelve titles on Steam would end October 31, 2025, due to the expiration of a licensing agreement. The notice says existing purchasers can continue playing and sales on other platforms continue. For a new purchase, verify the individual game in your local supported storefront rather than assuming it remains available on Steam: Psikyo’s Steam sales notice.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
- RETRO GRAPHICS: Immerse yourself in nostalgia with the Arcade Classics Pac-Man’s classic arcade graphics that look just like the original!
- AUTHENTIC GAMEPLAY: Use the joystick to guide Pac-Man through the mazes as you collect Pac-Dots and power-ups. Just don’t get caught by those sneaky ghosts!
- FULL COLOR SCREEN: With a brighter, full color screen that makes it easy to see the characters and dots, you’ll be cruising through those mazes like a pro.
- CLASSIC MUSIC: Pac-Man fans will love the authentic music and sounds that play just like the original arcade game.
- SHARE AND COLLECT: Arcade Classics are a must-have retro toy for collectors or for anyone looking to share this classic toy with the next generation!
How to choose your first Psikyo game
- Pick a theme: choose Gunbird for comic fantasy, Samurai Aces for historical fantasy, or Strikers 1945 for military aircraft.
- Decide whether you want a collection: Bravo groups six games on Switch; the two Shooting Library volumes group six each on PS4.
- Confirm the exact edition locally: check platform, region compatibility, languages, digital or physical format, and current availability before paying.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
