Back in July I had the pleasure of welcoming one of my favorite shooters of all time, Cope-Com's excellent Battle Squadron, into the App Store in the form of a native iOS port of the original Amiga game. Today I'm happy to bring news of a new, lower-priced iPad-only release of the title featuring two-player, split-screen action and Game Center achievements as well as an update to the original, universal release. The new iPad-only release, entitled Battle Squadron ONE 2-player [App Store], allows two players to face off on the same device, thanks to a new split-screen, portrait play mode that lets you and a friend share in the action (for those equipped with a friend). In this mode, each player is able to choose their own control configuration, and gameplay is as smooth and fast-paced as it is in the one-player mode. What's more, two-player network gameplay is planned for Read More

Cope-Com, the developers behind the arcade hit Battle Squadron ONE, has just released version 2.0 of the iOS game along with a brand-new edition for the iPad.  Battle Squadron ONE was reviewed back in July and awarded 5/5. So what’s in the new version?  A total of 36 Game Center achievements have been added, along with an even tougher difficultly level named Air Commodore, which if you’ve played the Squadron Leader level, you’ll understand just how much of a challenge it’s likely to be! Additionally, the controls have been given an overhaul and a second, even more sensitive touch system has been added.  Like all games that require a deft touch, choosing the right control method is a matter of personal preference, and the original touch controls still feel just right.  However, because it’s down to the player, the more options the better. Battle Squadron ONE is a universal app for Read More

If anyone out there needed proof that putting in months of work converting a ‘retro’ game to iOS was worth it, then Cope-Com’s Battle Squadron is it.  I had the pleasure of being involved with the beta testing, and my review reflects just how good I think the game is; but it’s always refreshing to see my enthusiasm reflected on iTunes, and I’m sure the developers feel the same way! Cope-com has stated that 92% of the ratings they’ve gained inside the App Store are 5-stars, a very impressive and richly deserved performance.  What makes this even more impressive is that Battle Squadron is their first iOS game, which bodes well for any future conversion of Hybris and, with any luck, some brand-new original titles too. The post also reminds readers that Battle Squadron will be getting an update with a two-player mode (my favorite part of the original), enhanced controls Read More

Back in January we heard the excellent news that Cope-Com would be bringing an exact port of their classic Amiga shooter to iOS. Originally released for the Amiga in 1989 (arriving on the Genesis / MegaDrive the following year), Battle Squadron is widely considered one of the very best Amiga shooters ever released and is probably my personal favorite 2D shooter of all time. And, I know Arnold Kim spent plenty of time with this one on his Amiga 500, as well. Since the original announcement, I've previewed several pre-release builds of the game and have loved every minute of it. I'm happy to report that, at long last, Cope-Com released the Universal application (for iPhone and iPad) Battle Squadron ONE [link] into the App Store. And, any self-respecting shooter fan (of a retro bent or no) needs to take notice. At its core, Battle Squadron ONE for iOS is an Read More

It all started more than 20 years ago, when my best friend and I would sit down in front of a 21″ CRT TV and an Amiga computer, pop the Battle Squadron 3.5″ disk in the drive and look forward to hours of fantastic two-player shoot ‘em up action.  The game has remained a firm favorite of mine, despite not having played it since selling my Amiga many years ago. Fast forward to the 31st March 2010, when I wrote a top ten list of Amiga titles I’d love to see adapted for iOS, one of which was Battle Squadron.  A few months afterwards, I was contacted by Cope-com, the developers of the game, who said they were just starting work on an iOS edition!  Since then I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in the beta-testing – you may have seen our videos – and have watched the game evolve Read More