Operation Night Strikers review: why these cult ’80s games still hit the mark

Booting up Operation Night Strikers on Nintendo Switch for the first time, I was instantly whisked back to the era of ZX Spectrum tapes and the clattering cassette drives that loaded monochrome versions of Operation Wolf and Operation Thunderbolt. Those early lightgun experiences were simple, yes, but genuinely thrilling, and this compilation manages to capture that same spark while expanding it in ways I hadn’t anticipated.

The collection isn’t just about nostalgia, which I'm thankful for, as I was beginning to get nostalgia burnout. It brings together four classic arcade shooters – Operation Wolf, Operation Thunderbolt, Space Gun – alongside Night Striker, a slightly left-field inclusion and a rarity. While Night Striker was a cult hit in Japan rather than a worldwide hit, its addition here is a fascinating contrast to the familiar Wolf-style games, and a treat for players who never had access to the Sega Mega-CD version.

Together, these titles feel both familiar and surprisingly fresh, in the same way the Capcom Fighting Collection 2 did. For anyone who grew up with Spectrum versions of the Wolf games, or even played the coin-op with a juddering Uzi, seeing them presented with modern enhancements breathes new life into these classics. (And there's no monochrome in sight, these are the coin-op versions.)

Nostalgia versus novelty

The wild card here, then, is Night Striker. Rather than featuring traditional lightgun mechanics, this novelty is a high-speed 3D shooter that's closer to Space Harrier than the Operation Wolf formula, which might surprise purists, but the rush of piloting the little hover craft while blasting enemies feels explosive and unmistakably arcade. Night Striker is the game here that pushes beyond pure nostalgia, offering an experience that many players may not have encountered before.

The ports themselves are nicely crafted. Every game is faithfully recreated, with attention to audio, visuals, and gameplay that borders on obsessive. CRT filters simulate the soft, phosphor glow of 1980s arcade monitors, while save/load states make it possible to pick up anywhere without sacrificing the challenge. These are the kind of quality-of-life tweaks that can make notoriously hard games, games made for the arcades, easier on modern consoles.

Control options on Switch are particularly impressive. Joy-Con motion controls emulate the lightgun experience of old, with surprising precision, while mouse and cursor support offer accuracy. It’s a thoughtful approach that balances authenticity with convenience, but I love some of the randomness that comes from using Joy-Con like lightguns.

Variety is another strength. Multiple arcade versions of each game let players explore different iterations, and the inclusion of Zuntata’s iconic soundtracks ensures that the energy and tension remain intact. From the hostage rescues in Operation Wolf to the cosmic oddities of Space Gun, the audio-visual presentation is a highlight on its own.

That said, the collection isn’t without its flaws. Locking alternate versions behind paid DLC feels unnecessary, especially for retro enthusiasts who enjoy exploring historical quirks. If you want SNES, NES, and Sega Master System versions of these games, you'll need to pay a little extra. Also, Night Striker’s divergent gameplay might alienate players expecting purely lightgun action (a minor point). Small frustrations remain as well: in Operation Thunderbolt, pickups can be tiny and difficult to grab, interrupting the flow of the game and reminding you of the coin-op roots.

Retro shot of fun

Even with these quibbles, the collection succeeds because it never loses sight of what makes these games compelling: snappy shooting tests the reflexes and rewards strategy and timing. Operation Wolf tasks players with infiltrating enemy lines and rescuing hostages. Operation Thunderbolt raises the stakes with an African rescue mission (complete with co-op) and 'new' into the screen scrolling stages, and Space Gun injects Alien-like terror into a familiar setup. All three are variations on a core template, yet each delivers short, satisfying bursts of retro fun.

Modern enhancements add polish without overcomplication. Extra bullets, adjustable difficulty, and online leaderboards provide options for both casual and competitive players. Accessibility guided the compilation’s design, ensuring that new players can enjoy these games just as much as seasoned veterans.

Operation Night Strikers is a rare example of a retro compilation that honours its history in a well-made package. For fans of 1980s lightguns or anyone curious about classic arcade shooters, it delivers nostalgia as well as time-honored game design. While it’s not perfect, DLC restrictions in particular are disappointing compared to other retro compilations; its strengths far outweigh the minor flaws, making it a compelling addition to any Switch library.