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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesStart with Darius. It is the closest follow-up to Exzisus because a secondary arcade-history catalog links Exzisus’s player ship design to Taito’s Silver Hawk fighter. The original Darius is also a Taito side-scrolling arcade shooter, first released in 1986, so it preserves the horizontal format while expanding the scale with its famous three-screen cabinet. Continue with Darius II and Darius Gaiden if you want the same lineage. Choose RayForce, RayStorm, or RayCrisis when you want Taito shooting games built around lock-on targeting, a more overtly 3D presentation, or a virtual-space setting.
The short list, ranked by what you want next
| Game | Original arcade year | Why play it after Exzisus | Format or signature feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Darius | 1986 | Closest documented design connection; the Silver Hawk ship is the key link | Horizontal side-scrolling shooter; three-screen arcade presentation |
| Darius II | 1989 | Direct continuation of the same series and visual lineage | Horizontal Darius structure with a larger arcade spectacle; one or two players documented for Arcade Archives |
| Darius Gaiden | 1994 | Stay with Darius while moving to a later arcade entry | Later Darius arcade game included in Darius collections |
| RayForce | 1994 | Best change of pace when you want targeting to define the run | Vertical shooter centered on a lock-on laser |
| RayStorm | 1996 | Best for a more overtly 3D-rendered viewpoint | Overhead, 3D-rendered presentation; two ships with different lock-on capacities |
| RayCrisis | 1998 | Best for a story and setting shift within the Ray series | Battle inside the runaway Con-Human network; prequel to RayForce |
This ordering is about continuity, not a claim that one game is universally superior. Darius answers the specific “what feels most like Exzisus?” question. The Ray games answer “what other Taito arcade shooter should I learn next?” by changing orientation, targeting, presentation, or setting.
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Why Darius is the right first move
The documented Exzisus connection
Exzisus is listed by Arcade-History.com’s secondary arcade catalog as a Taito game released in Japan in August 1987. That catalog specifically reports that the player spaceship was designed from Taito’s Darius. Because this is a secondary source rather than an official Taito archive, treat it as a historical connection, not as a first-party statement. It is nevertheless the clearest reason to begin with Darius rather than jumping immediately to an unrelated shooter.
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The connection is especially useful for players who remember the ship silhouette and horizontal movement of Exzisus. Instead of merely sharing a publisher, Darius gives you the series and fighter design that the catalog identifies as the reference point. That makes it the most defensible answer to the exact question “best Taito arcade shooters to play after Exzisus.”
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What makes the original Darius distinct
Hamster’s official Arcade Archives description identifies Darius as Taito’s side-scrolling shooting game, first appearing in arcades in 1986. The original arcade cabinet used a distinctive three-screen presentation. Those two facts establish the game’s basic identity: it is a horizontal shooter with a much wider physical display than a conventional single-monitor cabinet.
The original game also introduces the Silver Hawk fighter, the ship associated with the wider Darius lineage. For an Exzisus player, that makes the first session a useful comparison exercise: notice how the horizontal route, ship profile, and large-scale arcade framing change the feel of a familiar side-scrolling formula. The point is not that the games are identical. The value is that Darius is the nearest documented branch from the same design idea.
Who should choose it
- Choose Darius if you want the strongest historical and design link to Exzisus.
- Choose it if horizontal scrolling matters more to you than a modernized presentation.
- Choose it if you want a first entry before moving through Darius II and Darius Gaiden.
Darius II: the direct continuation
Darius II is the next stop for players who want “more Darius” rather than a change to the Ray series. Hamster dates the original arcade release to 1989 and documents a three-screen version, preserving the series’ association with an unusually wide arcade display. That makes it a logical second game after the original, especially if the cabinet-scale presentation is part of what interests you.
The game is also documented as supporting one or two players in its Arcade Archives release. That is a concrete difference in how you can approach it: play alone to study the route and handling, or use the two-player option when you want the arcade experience to be shared. Do not assume the same player-count documentation applies to every title in this list; the one- or two-player detail is specifically documented for the Arcade Archives releases of Darius and Darius II.
Why it belongs ahead of the Ray games for some players
Darius II keeps you inside the same named series and follows the original Darius chronologically. It is therefore the better choice when your goal is to understand the Silver Hawk lineage, compare successive arcade entries, or stay with horizontal scrolling. The Ray games are more valuable when you actively want a different structure.
Rank #2
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Best fit
- Players who want a direct Darius sequel from 1989.
- Groups looking for a documented two-player Arcade Archives option.
- Anyone interested in how Taito extended the three-screen arcade spectacle.
Darius Gaiden: a later Darius entry
Darius Gaiden is the Darius recommendation for players who want to remain in the same family but move forward to a later arcade generation. Taito’s announcement for Darius Cozmic Collection Arcade lists it as a 1994 game alongside Darius, Darius II, and Sagaia. That places it after the first two recommendations and makes it a natural third step through the series.
The strongest reason to choose Darius Gaiden is continuity with a later point of the arcade line, not a specific platform feature documented in the available material. The collection announcement confirms its inclusion, but it does not establish every edition, control option, or regional storefront listing. When buying, verify the exact collection contents for your platform and country rather than assuming that every version contains the same extras.
Where it fits in a play order
- Begin with Darius to establish the Silver Hawk and horizontal format.
- Play Darius II if you want the 1989 continuation and its documented one- or two-player option.
- Move to Darius Gaiden for the later 1994 arcade entry.
If you are choosing only one Darius game and the original is unavailable in your region, Darius Gaiden is still a reasonable series-focused alternative through a collection. It is not, however, the best answer to the narrowest “closest to Exzisus” question; that remains the original Darius.
RayForce: switch from horizontal routes to lock-on targeting
RayForce is the first Ray-series game, with an arcade release in 1994 according to Taito. It is the clearest recommendation when you want a different kind of Taito shooter rather than another horizontal Darius game. Taito identifies its central hook as a lock-on laser mechanic, and the editorial distinction is straightforward: the game is described as a vertical shooter whose target acquisition is central to play.
That changes what you pay attention to. In a Darius game, the horizontal route and Silver Hawk lineage are the organizing ideas. In RayForce, the lock-on system becomes the feature to learn and practice. You are still choosing a Taito arcade shooter, but the comparison is now about orientation and targeting rather than ship design and three-screen staging.
Rank #3
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Who should pick RayForce
- Players who want vertical scrolling after a horizontal game.
- Players who enjoy planning target acquisition instead of relying only on conventional shooting.
- Players who want the starting point of the Ray series before trying its sequels.
Because RayForce is the first Ray entry, it is also the cleanest introduction to that series’ terminology and structure. If you plan to play all three Ray games, starting here gives the later presentation and story changes a clear reference point.
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Taito identifies RayStorm as the second Ray-series entry, released in arcades in 1996. Its defining presentation change is an overhead viewpoint rendered in 3D. That makes it the right recommendation for readers who want the Ray lock-on concept but also want the screen to look and feel more overtly three-dimensional than the earlier entry.
Taito also documents two selectable ships with different lock-on capacities. This is a meaningful choice before you start: the ships are not merely cosmetic alternatives in the available description. Their lock-on capacities differ, so the selection changes the way you approach target acquisition. The source does not establish a universal “best” ship, and the practical choice will depend on whether you prefer a smaller or larger lock-on emphasis.
How it differs from Darius
- Darius is a horizontal side-scroller with a Silver Hawk lineage.
- RayStorm is the second Ray game with an overhead, 3D-rendered viewpoint.
- RayStorm keeps the lock-on identity introduced by RayForce and adds two ships with different lock-on capacities.
Choose RayStorm when presentation and targeting are your priorities. Choose Darius II instead when you want to stay with horizontal scrolling and the direct Darius sequence.
RayCrisis: a virtual-space setting and a prequel story
RayCrisis is the third Ray-series entry, with an arcade start in 1998 according to Taito. Its setting shifts the conflict into virtual space: Taito frames the story as a battle inside the runaway Con-Human network. Taito also describes it as a prequel to RayForce.
Rank #4
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That combination makes RayCrisis the best choice for players who want the Ray series’ lock-on identity with a different narrative frame. It is not simply “another Darius.” The setting moves from the physical-world presentation associated with the earlier games to a network-centered conflict, while the release date places it at the end of the three-game Ray sequence documented here.
When to play it
Play RayCrisis after RayForce and RayStorm if you want the release-order progression. If story chronology matters more than release order, Taito’s description that it is a prequel to RayForce gives you a reason to revisit it with that context. The available information does not establish that one order is mechanically superior; choose based on whether you prefer series history or the stated prequel relationship.
Choose by scrolling, targeting, and presentation
| If your priority is… | Start with… | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| The closest follow-up to Exzisus | Darius | The secondary arcade catalog links Exzisus’s ship design to Darius, and both are horizontal Taito shooters. |
| Staying with the Silver Hawk lineage | Darius II | It is the direct 1989 Darius continuation. |
| A later Darius arcade entry | Darius Gaiden | Taito lists it as a 1994 game in the Darius collection. |
| Vertical shooting and lock-on lasers | RayForce | It is the first Ray game and centers on lock-on laser targeting. |
| A 3D-rendered overhead viewpoint | RayStorm | The second Ray entry uses a 3D-rendered presentation and offers two ships with different lock-on capacities. |
| A virtual-space story | RayCrisis | Its conflict takes place inside the runaway Con-Human network, and Taito calls it a prequel to RayForce. |
| Documented two-player support | Darius or Darius II | Hamster documents one- or two-player support for their Arcade Archives releases. |
Current official ways to play
Arcade Archives DARIUS
Hamster lists Arcade Archives DARIUS for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4. The catalog page includes historical release information and a listed price, but storefront prices and availability can change. Check the local Nintendo or PlayStation store before buying; the catalog explicitly cautions that availability varies by country or region.
This is the most direct digital route if your priority is the original game rather than a larger compilation. Confirm that the edition shown in your storefront is the one you want, because regional catalogs may not display identical listings.
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Hamster likewise lists Arcade Archives DARIUS II for Switch and PS4. The same regional caveat applies: a listing in one country does not guarantee that the same product, price, or release date appears in another. The release is a documented option for the 1989 sequel, including its one- or two-player support.
Best Value
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Darius Cozmic Collection Arcade
Taito’s 2021 announcement describes a Steam release containing four arcade games and seven variants: Darius, Darius II, Sagaia, and Darius Gaiden. The announcement also lists training, quick-save and quick-load, display options, and online leaderboards. Those features make the collection useful when you want to compare several Darius versions or practice without relying on a single uninterrupted arcade run.
Any price in that 2021 announcement should be treated as historical, not current. Verify the present Steam listing, supported operating details, and regional pricing at the time of purchase.
Physical Darius collections
Taito’s official Japanese product page documents a packaged Nintendo Switch release and a PS4 edition for the Darius collection. Packaging, stock, language information, and regional compatibility can differ outside Japan. Confirm the exact edition and seller’s region before ordering, especially if you need a physical copy that works with your account or console.
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Ray’z Arcade Chronology
Taito lists Ray’z Arcade Chronology for Nintendo Switch and PS4, with the Japanese release dated March 9, 2023. The set includes RayForce, RayStorm, and RayCrisis, plus HD variants for the latter two entries. Availability and edition details are regional, so check the current local storefront or physical release listing rather than assuming that the Japanese contents and date apply everywhere.
A practical play plan after Exzisus
Plan A: preserve the closest lineage
- Play Darius first and compare its horizontal movement and Silver Hawk presentation with what you remember from Exzisus.
- Move to Darius II to see the 1989 continuation and, if available in your edition, use its documented one- or two-player option.
- Finish with Darius Gaiden as the later 1994 entry represented in Taito’s collection.
This route is best when the appeal of Exzisus was its side-scrolling structure and ship design rather than a desire for a radically different targeting system.
Plan B: compare Taito’s major shooter structures
- Start with Darius to establish the horizontal baseline.
- Switch to RayForce and focus on how lock-on lasers change target selection in a vertical format.
- Play RayStorm to compare the 3D-rendered overhead view and its two lock-on-capacity choices.
- End with RayCrisis for the virtual-space setting and its stated prequel relationship to RayForce.
This route is best when you want contrast rather than a chronological Darius marathon.
Plan C: use collections as a sampler
If your platform supports both collections, begin with the Darius compilation to sample the original, Darius II, and Darius Gaiden, then use Ray’z Arcade Chronology for the three Ray entries. Collections are particularly useful when you want display options, training, quick-save/load, or leaderboards documented for Darius Cozmic Collection Arcade, but verify which features belong to which edition before purchase.
What to verify before buying
- Platform: Arcade Archives listings are documented for Switch and PS4; the Darius compilation announcement documents Steam; Ray’z Arcade Chronology is listed for Switch and PS4.
- Region: storefront availability, prices, packaging, and stock can vary by country.
- Edition contents: a collection may include variants or HD versions that are not present in an individual-game release.
- Physical compatibility: confirm the region and edition of a packaged Japanese release before ordering.
- Desired format: choose an individual digital game for one specific entry, or a collection when you want several games and documented practice/display features.
- Player count: the one- or two-player information is documented for Arcade Archives Darius and Darius II; do not generalize that detail to the Ray games without checking the specific edition.
Release timeline
| Year | Game or product | What the date establishes |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Darius | Original Taito arcade release year listed by Hamster |
| 1987 | Exzisus | Japan release listed as August by Arcade-History.com’s secondary catalog |
| 1989 | Darius II | Original arcade release year listed by Hamster |
| 1994 | RayForce | First Ray-series arcade entry, according to Taito |
| 1994 | Darius Gaiden | Listed by Taito as part of the Darius arcade collection |
| 1996 | RayStorm | Second Ray-series arcade entry, according to Taito |
| 1998 | RayCrisis | Third Ray-series arcade entry, according to Taito |
| 2021 | Darius Cozmic Collection Arcade announcement | Four arcade games and seven variants, with training, quick-save/load, display options, and online leaderboards described |
| March 9, 2023 | Ray’z Arcade Chronology | Japanese release date listed by Taito |
Final recommendation
Buy or play Darius first. It is the strongest answer for an Exzisus player because the available arcade-history account directly connects Exzisus’s ship design to Darius, while Hamster’s official description confirms the original game’s 1986 Taito arcade identity and horizontal format. Follow with Darius II and Darius Gaiden for a focused Silver Hawk path. Choose RayForce, RayStorm, and RayCrisis when you want Taito’s lock-on shooters, 3D-rendered presentation, and virtual-space setting instead.
Quick Recap
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