Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Iridion 3D plunges you into a high-speed, Afterburner-inspired shoot ’em up on the Game Boy Advance. You pilot the nimble SHN fighter through seven varied, pseudo-3D levels, each featuring distinct enemy formations and environmental hazards. The sense of velocity is immediate—enemies and obstacles rush toward you as the world scrolls smoothly, demanding quick reflexes and steady aim.

The upgrade system adds strategic depth. Scattered power capsules let you cycle through five weapon types—from homing missiles and spread shots to devastating lasers and charge blasts. Each weapon changes your playstyle: you might rely on a rapid-fire spread when swarmed or save up charge shots for armored bosses. Deciding when to switch weapons during intense moments keeps the gameplay fresh across repeated runs.

Controls are tight and responsive. The shoulder buttons offer strafing options while the A and B buttons handle shooting and speed boosts. Learning to balance offensive firepower with evasive maneuvers is rewarding. Later levels ramp up enemy numbers and projectile density, providing a satisfying challenge without feeling unfair. For shoot ’em up veterans and newcomers alike, mastering the SHN fighter’s capabilities feels both accessible and deep.

Graphics

From the moment you power on your GBA, Iridion 3D’s pseudo-3D visuals impress. Shin’en uses clever sprite scaling and rotation to simulate depth, creating tunnels, cityscapes, and asteroid fields that look surprisingly three-dimensional. While it’s not true polygonal 3D, the effect is convincing, especially given the hardware’s limitations at launch.

Enemy ships and bosses are richly detailed, with distinct color palettes and subtle animations that give life to the battlefield. Explosions burst with layered sprite effects, and weapon beams streak across the screen with satisfying clarity. The HUD remains unobtrusive, displaying your remaining lives, weapon level, and score without cluttering the action.

Performance is consistently smooth, even when the screen fills with foes and projectiles. Shin’en’s experience developing sound drivers for the GBA likely contributed to their knack for optimization here. Load times are minimal between levels, and there’s virtually no slowdown, ensuring the action never loses its momentum.

Story

Iridion 3D keeps its narrative succinct yet engaging. You’re a lone pilot returning to Earth after a routine space patrol, only to discover the Iridion Empire has invaded and seized control. There are no lengthy cutscenes—just a clear mission statement that drives you through each airborne assault and boss encounter.

While the story isn’t the focal point, it provides enough context to motivate your mission. Brief text interludes between levels outline your progress: you repel invaders in orbit, breach planetary defenses, and ultimately confront the Iridion flagship. This straightforward approach suits the arcade-style gameplay, letting you jump right into the action without distraction.

Character development is minimal by design, but the game’s pacing and level variety create a satisfying narrative arc. You feel the rising tension as you advance from atmospheric skirmishes to deep-space battlegrounds. For players seeking a rich lore, Iridion 3D may feel light, but as a classic GBA shooter, it delivers a clear and compelling objective.

Overall Experience

Iridion 3D stands as a standout GBA launch title, marrying fast-paced shooting action with eye-catching pseudo-3D visuals. Its tight controls, varied weapon system, and consistently smooth performance make it a joy to play, whether you’re tackling it in short bursts or striving for a high-score run.

Shin’en’s first English-language game demonstrates impressive technical prowess. The blend of refined sprite work and optimized performance showcases what the GBA could achieve early in its lifecycle. While the storyline is lean, it never detracts from the core experience—pure arcade-style shooting with escalating intensity.

For retro enthusiasts and newcomers scouting for classic handheld shooters, Iridion 3D remains a must-play. It captures the spirit of arcade flight combat, offering both immediate thrills and long-term replay value through its upgrade mechanics and scoring challenges. Whether you’re dusting off your GBA or exploring Game Boy Advance gems for the first time, the SHN fighter awaits your command.

Retro Replay Score

6.3/10