Earlier this week, a brace of games from developer Treasure made their way to the Nintendo Switch Online’s service, which is all the excuse we needed to celebrate the beloved Japanese studio. They’ve been remarkably quiet in recent years, with nothing but re-releases since 2014, but that shouldn’t stop us enjoying its remarkable past, especially now once elusive and expensive games such as Sin & Punishment and Radiant Silvergun can be played relatively easily.
Here, then, with zero science but hopefully some insight, are nine of the very best Treasure games we’ve picked from their outstanding back catalogue. Here’s hoping it’s a back catalogue that might grow again someday soon.
Alien Soldier
Gunstar Heroes is Treasure at its most refined; Alien Soldier, which has always felt something like a companion piece, is Treasure at its most chaotic. Which one I’ll tell you is the best depends what mood I’m in, though I’ll always assert they’re both masterpieces, perfectly presenting both sides of Treasure’s beguiling personality.