This product is like new. At NexWave Games, like new means:
Additionally, all discs at NexWave Games are carefully inspected and assessed for quality. When discs arrive, we do not accept any that are so badly damaged that they are unlikely to work. We only accept discs with light scratches at most. Discs with scratches are then treated in our professional disc repair machine. By warming the disc and polishing it with soft brushes, these machines can remove a very thin layer from the disc. This removes the layer containing surface scratches and improves the disc’s readability. This ensures the disc works properly, even on consoles with ageing lasers that have difficulty reading games! Great news for the player.
1945 I & II: The Arcade Games for PlayStation 2
1945 I & II: The Arcade Games for PlayStation 2 bundles Strikers 1945 and Strikers 1945 II on one disc. Both are Psikyo vertical shooters in which a propeller aircraft fights through enemy formations, ground guns and huge bosses. You choose from six planes, each with its own shot pattern, support aircraft and powerful bomb. The historical styling soon gives way to enormous machines and science-fiction weapons.
Enemies leave power-ups, bombs and gold bars behind. Finding the right path through the bullets preserves your firepower and builds a higher score. The first four stages appear in a changing order, followed by a fixed sequence of later areas. Strikers 1945 II adds a chargeable special shot and further increases both the pace and the number of projectiles.
Both arcade games can be completed alone or with a second player. Two aircraft provide more firepower but leave less room to dodge volleys. The collection preserves the arcade originals' short runs, immediate restarts and score chasing. No online features or later mobile additions are required: both complete games are on the PS2 disc.
Region and language
Our PlayStation 2 games are PAL editions and come with a Dutch or English box, unless stated otherwise. By default, you receive the version for the European market. We note it in the product details if the region is different or the box is in another language. In almost all cases, the game is playable at least in English, and often in the other five common European languages too.
1945 I & II: The Arcade Games supports one or two players on PlayStation 2. Two controllers are required for simultaneous co-op play; both games are fully included on the disc.
Manual
1945 I & II: The Arcade Games for PlayStation 2 includes the manual unless the product title states otherwise. If the booklet is missing, the title says “No Manual”. This lets you see before ordering whether the game comes with a manual.
The manuals included with our games usually contain at least English and often around six European languages. The exact languages vary by edition, so Dutch is not always included. The booklet explains the controls and the main rules. You can use it to check how to control the game, which actions are available and how its different features work.
The history of 1945 I & II: The Arcade Games
Psikyo released Strikers 1945 in Japanese arcades in 1995. It combined recognisable Second World War aircraft with an unexpected alien threat and the fast pattern design for which the studio became known. Strikers 1945 II followed in 1997 with new planes, larger bosses and the Super Shot system. Both titles were later released separately on several consoles.
The PlayStation 2 collection was released in Japan as Psikyo Shooting Collection Vol. 1. For the 2004 European edition, Play It used the title 1945 I & II: The Arcade Games and removed the word Strikers from the presentation. The games remained the first two entries in the series; Strikers 1945 III and Strikers 1945 Plus are not included on this disc.
The compilation opts for a straightforward conversion rather than a new game with the same name. The original stages, aircraft, scoring systems and simultaneous two-player action therefore remain recognisable. Modern reissues may add screen filters, leaderboards or other settings, but those features are not attributed to this PS2 version. This disc is primarily a compact archive of two mid-1990s arcade shooters.
Similar games for PlayStation 2
Gradius V is another demanding PlayStation 2 shooter, but it scrolls horizontally and is built around the Option system and long, carefully constructed stages. 1945 I & II uses a top-down view, short arcade areas and an immediate choice of six aircraft. The bundle also includes two complete older games and simultaneous co-op play.
Raiden III uses the same vertical viewpoint and also centres on dodging bullets, collecting power-ups and improving scores. Its later 3D presentation and straight laser weapons create a different rhythm. 1945 I & II has two separate campaigns, changing early stages and a distinct formation attack and bomb for each aircraft.
Taito Legends collects dozens of varied arcade games, from platformers to puzzles and shooters. 1945 I & II is much narrower, but can therefore present two related Psikyo games in full. Taito offers more for players seeking variety across genres; this collection is more coherent for those who want to learn one shooting style.
Capcom Classics Collection likewise places old arcade versions on one PS2 disc, including several shooters. That collection emphasises breadth and extra museum information. 1945 I & II contains only two titles, but both are substantial vertical shooters with different aircraft, two-player action and an ongoing score chase.
R-Type Final lets you unlock dozens of ships and demands a slower, more methodical approach with the detachable Force unit. 1945 I & II responds faster, fills the screen with short volleys and immediately continues after a lost life. Both reward knowledge of patterns, but their scrolling direction and pace differ greatly.
