There’s only a few companies across video game history who can comfortably fill multiple arcade collections that each contain, in their own way, more than one groundbreaking game. Taito definitely fit into that category, with both the first and second Taito Milestones collections each containing more than one unmistakably iconic game from the publisher’s early arcade history.

Once more, the publisher raids their mid-80s to early-90s archives for this collection, and they’ve held a good few classics back from Taito Milestones 1 & 2 to bolster this one.

Of the ten games included, it almost goes without saying that single screen platform cute ’em up, Bubble Bobble, is the highlight. It’s a timeless game with a soundtrack that’s been playing on my internal jukebox for the nearly 40 years since I first played it. Two player simultaneous gameplay also adds to the appeal; it’s a fantastic game that Taito never quite managed to equal with its many sequels and spin-offs.

Speaking of which, Rainbow Islands, the first sequel to Bubble Bobble, is also included. Though undeniably beautiful, there’s something not quite as intuitive or appealing about the rainbow flinging, as there is with the first game’s bubble blowing action.

It’s certainly not a bad game, but it’s definitely not quite as accomplished and timeless an experience as Bubble Bobble.

Rastan Saga, sometimes known simply as Rastan, is a fantastic fantasy hack and slash title that I was obsessed with back in the 80s. It’s still good, if a little cheap with its design (but it is an arcade title designed to separate you from your pocketful of loose change, so it’s hardly alone in that respect on this collection).

The same absolutely cannot be said for Rastan Saga 2, which massively increases the size of the sprites, while completely forgetting how to animate them. It’s an absolute disaster and has somehow aged much worse than the first game, visually; I had never seen or played it in the arcade, but it may well have tainted my memories of the series if I had.

Rastan Saga 3, aka Warrior Blade, pulls the series back with a Golden Axe-style scrolling beat ’em up with swords, instead of the platform hack and slash style. It’s got big sprites (and this time they look superb even in motion), a very wide play area and some incredibly varied level designs. It’s really good, even if it does feel a little derivative at first.

Another fantasy title, Cadash pulls off the trick of feeling pretty deep and expansive for an arcade game, with plenty of RPG style elements. Talking to strangers, levelling up, co-operative play; it’s a wonder that Cadash isn’t more fondly remembered. I’m glad it’s a game I’m now able to play without being at the mercy of how much money I have to pump into it, because it’s the kind of title I would have been absolutely obsessed with back when it was released. Cadash is another hidden gem from the publisher’s extensive ouevre.

Thunder Fox is an incredibly 80s title that sees your shirtless soldier taking on an army single handedly (or with another shirtless friend; the names of the playable characters being Thunder and, yes, Fox). Initially a run and gun style game, it feels like it’s going to be a Rolling Thunder type experience, but ends up being more like the multi-genre Sly Spy. It’s fast, frantic, surprisingly varied and really good fun.

Champion Wrestler is,  unsurprisingly, a wrestling title. With real arcade immediacy, this one’s pretty enjoyable too.

Dead Connection is a cool gangster action game, with a camera pulled way back from the action, giving plenty of opportunity for cinematic set pieces. This one definitely goes into the hidden gem pile, though it’s a little odd that the Japanese version is here without a full English translation.

Runark, aka Growl, is a hilariously terrible scrolling beat ’em up with some surprisingly violent elements. It’s not good, but its tackiness does have some off-kilter charm.

All in all, even with the misfires here, Taito Milestones 3 feels like another unmissable collection. Though it’s fairly basic in its presentation and it does feel a little cheap that the three collections have been separated the way they have, given their price, there’s no denying just how strong the good games are in each one, and Taito Milestones 3 has a few of their best ever titles.

Taito Milestones 3 is available now for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4. Many thanks to the publisher for providing me with a code for review purposes.