FixEight EXA Label - TOAPLAN's Run and Gun Legend Reborn

When FixEight EXA Label hit exA-Arcadia cabinets in 2024 as the 6th entry in the prestigious EXA LABEL series, it brought TOAPLAN's legendary 1992 run and gun classic screaming back to life. This wasn't just preservation—it was resurrection, complete with the original TOAPLAN staff returning to realize their full vision for the game.

TOAPLAN was an absolute titan of the arcade golden age, cranking out some of the most beloved shoot 'em ups and run and gun games that defined a generation, including AirGallet which also received the EXA Label treatment. When FixEight originally dropped in 1992, it showcased the company's mastery of the genre. The EXA LABEL revival brought together exA-Arcadia's Team EXA-AM2 and original TOAPLAN illustrator Nanpei Kaneko to deliver what they described as the world's first vertical widescreen 4-player run and gun action game.

Eight Mercenaries, One Desperate Mission

The setup was pure arcade gold: choose from 8 imprisoned mercenaries fighting for freedom against invading omnipotent beings known as "Gods." Each character packed 3 different weapon types with unique attributes, giving players genuine tactical options. What elevated this beyond typical arcade fare was the star-studded voice cast of legendary '90s anime voice actors bringing these characters to life.

Tomokazu Sugita voiced Howard Young and narrated the whole experience. Kappei Yamaguchi brought Vistario to life. Kikuko Inoue voiced Agatha Bordeaux. These weren't just names—these were voices that defined an era of anime, lending authentic '90s credibility to the entire production.

Five Modes, Endless Possibilities

EXA LABEL MODE completely reimagined the game as a fast-paced, action-packed remake focused on scoring and bomb usage. This was the definitive modern version, built for competitive play.

ORIGINAL' (DASH) delivered a 1-loop enhanced version that fixed graphics bugs, gameplay bugs discovered over three decades, and added quality of life improvements like moving through other players without collision.

ORIGINAL MODE preserved a 100% accurate port of the 1992 game for purists who wanted that authentic experience exactly as they remembered it.

EXTREME difficulty existed for the hardcore soldiers of fortune who thought the base game was too easy. And Score Attack let players practice any stage at any difficulty, perfect for lab'ing routes and strategies.

Technical Excellence That Defined Next-Gen Arcade

The 1-frame input lag response was absolutely massive—more than twice as fast as the original arcade hardware from 1992. For run and gun games where split-second reactions determined survival, this technical achievement removed all excuses. The marketing nailed it: "Play like you're meant to. Never get hit again."

Nanpei Kaneko, the original TOAPLAN staff member, returned to redesign all characters according to his original vision. Every mercenary got new in-game portraits and animations that captured what he'd always wanted to create but couldn't with 1992 hardware limitations.

Audio That Honored the Past, Embraced the Future

Players could choose between two soundtracks: the original 1992 arcade OST remastered in stereo, or a hot new arranged soundtrack composed by Keishi Yonao—the same legendary composer who'd worked on other EXA LABEL revivals. Both options ruled, giving players authentic nostalgia or fresh interpretations depending on their mood.

The game supported both vertical orientation (recommended for that classic arcade experience) and horizontal with customizable gadgets, making it adaptable to different cabinet configurations without compromising gameplay.

TOAPLAN's Legacy Lives On

FixEight EXA Label represented more than just bringing back a cult classic. It demonstrated how arcade preservation should work—respect the original while leveraging modern technology to remove limitations and enhance what made the game special. The collaboration between TATSUJIN (which owns TOAPLAN's IP rights), exA-Arcadia, and original staff like Nanpei Kaneko ensured this wasn't some corporate committee's idea of what FixEight should be.

For arcade enthusiasts who lived through TOAPLAN's legendary run in the '80s and '90s, FixEight EXA Label delivered that pure hit of nostalgia enhanced with everything modern arcade hardware could provide. For new players discovering it on exA-Arcadia, it showcased why TOAPLAN's run and gun games were revered in the first place.

This was the 6th EXA LABEL release, and it proved the series' formula worked perfectly: take a beloved classic, bring back original staff, fix bugs discovered over decades of play, add modern technical enhancements, and give it the production values it deserves. Pure arcade preservation done right.

For more information, visit the official FixEight EXA Label page.