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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Choose Psikyo Shooting Stars Alpha for its three Strikers 1945 games; choose Bravo for Gunbird, Gunbird 2, and the Samurai Aces series. Both collections contain six games and support TATE play, but they serve different series tastes. If replay, ranking, and display options matter as much as the games themselves, Darius Cozmic Collection is a useful alternative to compare.
What’s in Alpha and Bravo?
The two Psikyo Shooting Stars releases split their games by series rather than offering one collection that covers the whole catalog. Nintendo’s US store listings describe both as digital editions.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Hunting Simulator 2 Nintendo Switch | $28.83 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Metro Redux - Nintendo Switch | $27.50 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Sniper Elite V2 Remastered - Nintendo Switch | $34.87 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Hunting Simulator - Nintendo Switch | $28.87 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Zombie Army Trilogy (Nintendo Switch) | $28.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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| Collection | Games | Best fit | Switch details listed by Nintendo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psikyo Shooting Stars Alpha | Strikers 1945, Strikers 1945 II, Strikers 1945 III, Sol Divide, Dragon Blaze, and Zero Gunner 2 | Players who most want the Strikers trilogy, alongside three other Psikyo games. | TATE play; TV, tabletop, and handheld modes; one to two players on one system; Japanese and American English. Released January 21, 2020. |
| Psikyo Shooting Stars Bravo | Samurai Aces Episode I, Samurai Aces Episode II: TENGAI, Samurai Aces Episode III: SENGOKU CANNON, Gunbarich, Gunbird, and Gunbird 2 | Players drawn to Gunbird and Samurai Aces, or interested in the unusual Gunbarich. | TATE play; TV, tabletop, and handheld modes; one to two players on one system; Japanese and American English. Released February 18, 2020. |
Sources: Nintendo’s Alpha listing and Nintendo’s Bravo listing.
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Which Psikyo collection should you choose?
Choose Alpha for Strikers 1945
Alpha is the straightforward pick if the Strikers series is the reason you are considering the collections: it includes the first three Strikers 1945 games. Its other games are Sol Divide, Dragon Blaze, and Zero Gunner 2, so the collection is not exclusively a Strikers set.
#1 Best Overall
- Experience a realistic hunting adventure: Over 36 different animals of all sizes located in their natural habitats; hunt in one of 3 major regions, comprised of multiple sub regions for tons of variety and content
- Partner with your Dog companion: Introducing a brand-new hunting Dog mechanic to assist you on your hunt; command your dog to track, freeze, follow and more
- Track down 33 animal species in their natural environment by using the best hunting techniques.
- Enjoy the best of hunting brands: Using all licensed gear from top hunting brands around the world; customize your player with over 160 weapons, accessories and clothing items from the best brands, including Browning, Winchester, Bushnell, Kryptek and Verney-Carron.
- Explore the plains of Colorado, the Texan desert and the forests of Europe in vast open worlds.
Choose Bravo for Gunbird and Samurai Aces
Bravo includes Gunbird and Gunbird 2, three Samurai Aces entries, and Gunbarich. Nintendo Life’s March 2020 review singles out Gunbird and Gunbird 2 as likely draws and describes the Samurai Aces games as varied. The review characterizes Gunbarich as a breakout-style game with pinball elements, making it a change of pace from a conventional shooter. Those are the reviewer’s assessments, not a claim that every game will appeal to the same player. Read Nintendo Life’s Bravo review.
How does Darius Cozmic Collection compare?
Darius Cozmic Collection is the clearest documented alternative here if you want a Darius-focused lineup and features for replaying or comparing runs. Taito’s official page describes online high-score rankings for arcade versions, automatic replay recording with up to five saved replays, replay controls including speed adjustment, and scanline and smoothing options. It also explains that versions of Darius II differ in enemy placement, boss durability, and balance, a useful reminder that a collection can preserve meaningful differences between releases rather than just offer several names on a menu. See Taito’s Darius Cozmic Collection feature details.
Rank #2
- Immerse yourself in the Moscow Metro - witness One of the most atmospheric worlds in gaming brought to life on Nintendo Switch
- Brave the horrors of the Russian Apocalypse - equip your gasmask and an arsenal of hand-made weaponry as you face the threat of deadly mutants, human foes, and the terrifying environment itself
- Two campaigns, and all DLC included - Metro Redux includes two complete campaigns that combine to create One epic solo adventure, plus a further 10 hours of bonus content
- Two unique play styles: 'spartan' And 'survival' - approach the campaign as a slow burn survival horror, or tackle it with the combat skills of a spartan ranger in these two unique modes
Nintendo Life’s 2020 review of the Darius release discusses save states, replay functions, and controller configuration, while also noting limitations in those features. That is a dated review perspective, not a current universal verdict or a direct measurement against the Psikyo ports. Read Nintendo Life’s Darius review.
| What matters to you | Best-documented fit |
|---|---|
| Three Strikers games in one Switch collection | Psikyo Shooting Stars Alpha |
| Gunbird, Samurai Aces, and a genre-blending extra | Psikyo Shooting Stars Bravo |
| Darius games with documented rankings, replay controls, and display filters | Darius Cozmic Collection |
What to know about play features and port criticisms
Nintendo lists TATE play for both Psikyo collections, along with TV, tabletop, and handheld modes. TATE refers to vertical-oriented play, a natural match for arcade shooters originally presented on vertically oriented screens; how you use it depends on your display and setup. The store pages list one to two players on a single system. Nintendo notes that additional accessories may be required, so check your local multiplayer setup before relying on a second-player arrangement.
Rank #3
- Photo Mode - Share stunning photos with the community
- Multiplayer & Co-op - Compete in 7 modes, for up to 16 players online, or team up with a friend for 4 thrilling co-op modes
- Remastered Visuals - Feel like you're on the front line with updated graphics bringing this classic to life and PS4 Pro 4K & HDR support
- New Playable Characters - Play with characters from Rebellion's Zombie Army series
Nintendo Life’s March 2020 review of Bravo criticizes the Switch ports for high input lag and for lacking extras such as stage select or training options. Treat that as the reviewer’s assessment at the time: the cited review is not a fresh latency test, and it does not establish whether later software updates changed the behavior. If very responsive controls or practice tools are a deciding factor, account for that caveat rather than assuming the collections include features documented for Darius.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Availability: check the edition before buying
The cited Nintendo US pages identify Alpha and Bravo as digital editions. They do not establish current physical stock or guarantee that a particular cartridge edition is available. Confirm the edition and live availability in the store where you plan to buy; do not infer a physical release from the collection name alone.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Playable in Single player or co-op for up to four players
- frenzied undead-shooting action
- three nerve-shredding story campaigns and its brutal horde mode
- brand new features including 2-4 player local wireless play, motion controls, Pro controller and HD Rumble support
Rank #4
- Track 37 species, each with realistic animal behaviors: big and Small game, predators, waterfowl.and many more
- Explore 12 expansive regions, using a drone if you'd like, based on real hunting areas in Europe and north America. Adapt to the elements as the weather and time of day dynamically change.
- Choose from AMONG 17 different firearms (rifles, bows and crossbows) including official winchester and browning Licensed weapons, and close to 50 essential accessories
- Improve your Shooting skills on the Shooting range and track all sorts of Prey in Free hunt
- Take Off on an adventure with three friends or with players from around the globe
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.
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