Ikaruga landing on Japan XBLA this April 9

Chances are, if you’re a fan of classic shoot ’em ups, Ikaruga has a special place in your heart. Fret not, because your long lost sweetheart by developer Treasure is making a comeback as a port on the Xbox Live Arcade. We’ve heard this before, but the big news is that it’s finally tagged with a solid Japanese release date. Fly to the full article for more details!

After quite a long wait, the Xbox Live Arcade version of Ikaruga is finally set for launch this April 9 in Japan for 800 Microsoft Points. Originally developed by Treasure and widely regarded as one of the best vertical scrolling shoot ’em ups which rocked the arcades, Ikaruga has been ported to the Dreamcast and GameCube before making its way to the Xbox 360.

Much like other XBLA ports, Ikaruga is getting the high-definition makeover and new game modes. The revered sh’mup on a current generation console is coming packed with online co-op play, replay mode, leaderboards, and Achievements.

As of now, Ikaruga is only slated for a Japanese release. Those who’ve been keeping tabs on the classic, however, would know that the Official Xbox Magazine in the UK basically revealed that the region will also get its 2D shooting fix come April. We’re all eyes for any confirmations of Ikaruga flying west, so watch this space for updates!

Via Eurogamer