Night Striker Gear Launches on Nintendo Switch and Steam

M2 released Night Striker Gear on October 23, 2025, bringing a retro-inspired 3D action shooter to Nintendo Switch and Steam. The title marked the standalone debut of the game, which previously launched exclusively as part of Operation Night Strikers' special edition in August 2025.

Developed by M2 under official Taito licensing, Night Striker Gear continued the legacy of the 1989 arcade classic Night Striker. Rather than a direct port or remake, the game represented a complete new work by M2's publishing brand M2 Shot Triggers, operating under the slogan "From restoration to creation."

Players controlled the INTER-GRAY special armored vehicle from a third-person perspective, tearing through cyber-futuristic highways while battling waves of enemies. The stage-clear format emphasized simple controls and satisfying action gameplay, rated CERO A for all audiences.

The narrative took place in A.D. 2059 at Lotus Layer, an experiential theme park in the Middle East where advanced AI and combat robots turned hostile. When the central AI system Lotus Core malfunctioned during a VIP preview event, UN Secretary-General Noah Eisenberg deployed Night Striker—an elite special action unit—to rescue trapped dignitaries and disable the rogue system.

The soundtrack featured cinematic compositions by Koji Urada, formerly of legendary game music group ZUNTATA. Steam users could purchase the original soundtrack separately or bundled with the game at a discount.

M2 launched alongside a promotional campaign offering prizes including a cyber controller, garage kits, acrylic stands, posters, and Steam gift cards up to ¥5,000, running through November 9, 2025. The Steam version supported the restored CyberStick USB controller for arcade-authentic controls.

Priced at ¥2,800 including tax, Night Striker Gear supported both Japanese and English languages across platforms, making the retro action shooter accessible to a global audience.

Game Information

Official Website