Getting better at this news thing – we’re here within minutes for once! Anyway, one of the most elusive arcade games ever, Cannon Dancer by Mitchell Corp, is coming to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation and Xbox for the first time ever, with a planned release in Q1 2023. Originally only released in arcades in Japan and North America, ININ Games unearthed the game and will bring it to consoles as a digital download version with a brand-new translation, additional features, and more.
Cannon Dancer is an action jump & run set in a dystopian late 21st century, in which the world is under the control of a single federal government. One day, a new threat known as “Abdullah the Slaver” – an evil sorceress who wants to take control of the world – appears, causing widespread terror and panic. This fear incites the abandonment of all economic activity and corruption in the government, which now undermines the foundations of society itself. Judicial Affairs Director, Jack Layzon, fears the worst and summons a lone assassin. The player controls a Cannon Dancer called Kirin; a top-class agent in a mercenary unit known as “Teki”, and a highly skilled martial arts fighter. As he travels, he has to face not only Abdullah the Slaver and the government forces but also the other members of the Teki, who want him dead for personal reasons.
After being released to little fanfare during the 90s fighting-game frenzy, Cannon Dancer, also known as “Osman” in the US, might not have had a great shelf-life in arcades as a result, but over time the title became a video game legend, and almost 30 years later, ININ Games has teamed up with original developers Kouichi Yotsui (also known as “Isuke” and famous for his work on “Strider”) and the artist Takashi Kogure (better known as “Utata Kiyoshi”).
For anyone looking for a physical copy, Strictly Limited Games is preparing a regular Limited Edition (physical copy + game manual) and a Collector’s Edition for Nintendo Switch, PS4 and PS5. Pre-orders will kick off on Sunday, September 18th, at 12 AM CEST at strictlylimitedgames.com.
The Collector’s Edition will include the following:
- Cannon Dancer Game + Game Manual
- High-quality Collector’s Edition Box
- Artbook (B5)
- Soundtrack in Jewel Case
- Tenugui (Japanese-style towel)
- Arcade Coin
- Acrylic Diorama
- Reversible Poster (A2)
- Arcade Instruction Flyer (A5)
- Calendar & Photo Frame (metal) with 2023 Calendar
- Postcards
- Marquee Sticker
Retro Arcadia 