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If you’re new to Psikyo, start with Gunbird, Samurai Aces, or Strikers 1945. Each offers a different theme—comic fantasy, historical fantasy, or military aircraft—so choose the setting that appeals to you rather than treating this as an easiest-to-hardest ranking. Psikyo’s official product information confirms game lineups and platforms, but does not establish which title is easiest for beginners.
Which Psikyo game should you play first?
Pick a series by its setting and tone. The three options below are useful starting points because they show different sides of Psikyo’s shooter catalog; the recommendation is editorial, not a measured difficulty comparison.
Gunbird: comic fantasy
Gunbird is a good first choice if you want a lighter, character-driven fantasy setting. It is included in the Nintendo Switch collection Psikyo Shooting Stars Bravo and the PS4 physical collection Psikyo Shooting Library Vol. 2.
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Samurai Aces: historical fantasy
Choose Samurai Aces for a historical-fantasy setting. It also leads into related entries TENGAI and SENGOKU CANNON, all of which appear alongside it in Psikyo Shooting Stars Bravo and Psikyo Shooting Library Vol. 2.
#1 Best Overall
Strikers 1945: military aircraft
If aircraft and a military setting sound more appealing, try Strikers 1945. The PS4 physical Psikyo Shooting Library Vol. 1 groups it with two more games in the series, STRIKERS 1945 II and STRIKERS 1945 III.
Where to find these games
If you want a collection instead of buying titles individually, compare the platform and format as well as the game list. The official listings below establish the collections’ contents; they do not establish current stock or compatibility with every regional console.
Rank #2
![Psikyo Shooting Library Vol. 1 - (NSW) Nintendo Switch [Pre-Owned] (Japanese Import)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51avb9SXJRL._SL160_.jpg)
- Features Strikers 1999's first home release
- Strikers 1999 series: Blockbuster sequel to Strikers 1945, offering intense vertical scrolling action
- Strikers series renowned for its accessible yet challenging gameplay
- Diverse STGs: Magic, dragons, and unique mechanics await
- Action-packed titles: Soldivide's magical attacks, Dragon Blaze's powerful dragon, and ZeroGunner 2's 3D models
| Collection | Platform and format | Games included | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psikyo Shooting Stars Bravo | Nintendo Switch; Nintendo’s US listing labels this edition digital | Samurai Aces Episode I, Samurai Aces Episode II: TENGAI, Samurai Aces Episode III: SENGOKU CANNON, GUNBARICH, GUNBIRD, and GUNBIRD2 | Nintendo product listing |
| Psikyo Shooting Library Vol. 1 | PS4 physical collection; Clear River Games lists a January 5, 2023 release date | STRIKERS 1945, STRIKERS 1945 II, STRIKERS 1945 III, SOL DIVIDE, Dragon Blaze, and ZERO GUNNER 2 | Clear River Games collection details |
| Psikyo Shooting Library Vol. 2 | PS4 physical collection; Clear River Games lists a January 5, 2023 release date | Samurai Aces Episode I, TENGAI, SENGOKU CANNON, GUNBARICH, GUNBIRD, and GUNBIRD2 | Clear River Games collection details |
Psikyo Shooting Stars Bravo was released for Switch on February 18, 2020. Nintendo lists NIS America as publisher and Japanese and American English as supported languages. Check your local store for the edition available in your region. Nintendo’s listing identifies its US digital edition.
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- Want several games on Switch? Check Psikyo Shooting Stars Bravo and confirm the listing’s edition and regional availability.
- Prefer a PS4 physical collection? Compare Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 by their lineups; Vol. 2 contains Gunbird and Samurai Aces, while Vol. 1 contains the Strikers 1945 games.
- Want to buy a single game digitally? Psikyo’s official portal lists digital catalog entries for Switch, PS4, and Xbox One, as well as Steam pages. Listings and availability vary by title and region, so check the local storefront for the specific game: Psikyo’s official catalog.
Steam availability changed for some Psikyo games
On October 15, 2025, Psikyo announced that sales of twelve named titles on Steam would end on October 31, 2025 because a licensing agreement was expiring. The notice says people who already bought those titles can continue playing them and that sales on other platforms continue. For a new purchase, verify the individual game in your local supported store rather than assuming its Steam page is still available. Read Psikyo’s notice.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the available information does—and does not—tell you
Official catalog and collection listings can help you compare themes, series, platforms, and formats. They do not provide a comparative beginner-difficulty ranking or establish differences in input lag, port quality, or accessibility. Treat the three starter picks as ways to find a setting and series you like, not as an objective ranking of challenge.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
- RETRO GRAPHICS: Immerse yourself in nostalgia with the Arcade Classics Pac-Man’s classic arcade graphics that look just like the original!
- AUTHENTIC GAMEPLAY: Use the joystick to guide Pac-Man through the mazes as you collect Pac-Dots and power-ups. Just don’t get caught by those sneaky ghosts!
- FULL COLOR SCREEN: With a brighter, full color screen that makes it easy to see the characters and dots, you’ll be cruising through those mazes like a pro.
- CLASSIC MUSIC: Pac-Man fans will love the authentic music and sounds that play just like the original arcade game.
- SHARE AND COLLECT: Arcade Classics are a must-have retro toy for collectors or for anyone looking to share this classic toy with the next generation!
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.
