Is the third time the charm? That’s the question buzzing around as Taito Milestones 3 hits the shelves. The past two entries in this series have had a mixed reception, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the latest installment garners similar feedback. Sure, there are 10 arcade games in the lineup, but let’s be honest—not all of them are likely to strike a chord with everyone. As someone who fondly remembers the arcade scene of the mid-80s and early ’90s, I have to admit that only a handful of these titles truly hooked me for more than a round or two.
It’s not that I expected these classic titles to boast intricate narratives or groundbreaking mechanics. Most are straightforward beat ’em ups, including the entire Rastan Saga trilogy. The collection truly shines when you’re teaming up with a friend or two, especially in games like Dead Connection and Runark. Unfortunately, those aren’t exactly my wife’s type of jam. Thankfully, Bubble Bobble and its sequel, Rainbow Islands, do the trick for her. There’s something timeless about turning into little dinosaurs or humans to conquer levels.
But here’s something to reflect on: as gaming enthusiasts, do we really need another version of Bubble Bobble? Most games in this collection—aside from a few outliers like Thunder Fox—have been released time after time, either as standalone titles or in other compilations. A lot of what’s here is already available under the Arcade Archives label, so if you own a few already, you might think twice about picking this up.
Imagine this compelling scenario: instead of shelling out $40 for a fixed collection, you could choose ten Taito Arcade Archive games for the same price. I’m pretty sure people would jump at the chance to create their own perfect mix. But alas, here we are with Taito Milestones 3. To give credit where it’s due, many of these games wow me with their visuals—rich colors, detailed designs, and unexpected features abound. The music also dazzles, with tunes that would have been hard to catch over the din of an arcade crowd back in the day. And let’s not forget unique gems like Cadash, an arcade RPG that stands out for its originality. However, at the heart of it all, the gameplay remains the deciding factor, and on that front, I’m torn—much like my sentiments toward the previous Taito Milestones entries.
Most of the games in this set pique my interest. They’re cool to watch and explore briefly. However, arcade games were designed to keep you coming back and spending those quarters like there was no tomorrow. If you’re picking this up for your Switch to enjoy at home, you’d want more than just a fleeting experience. You might fall into that category, but it’s not where I find myself.
If Taito continues down this milestone compilation path, a slightly reduced price tag along with some fresh exclusives might just hit the sweet spot. Toss in some historical content—not unlike what we’ve seen in similar collections—and it could crank up the value. But, let’s be clear: if you already have the standout games from this third collection as separate Arcade Archive titles, you might not be the target buyer here. Weigh your options carefully before spending $39.99 on Taito Milestones 3, unless, of course, nostalgia is calling your name.
