There is something wonderfully comforting about the shoot ’em up genre. In an era when many games demand dozens of hours, complex progression systems, and endless content updates, a good arcade shooter understands the beauty of simplicity. Point your ship forward, survive impossible odds, collect powerful upgrades, and push your reflexes to their absolute limit. It is a formula that has endured for generations because, when executed properly, few experiences are as instantly satisfying.
Strike Pack, developed and published by Cube Games, fully embraces that philosophy. Rather than attempting to modernise the genre with unnecessary additions, the collection focuses on delivering three distinct shooting experiences in one affordable package. Released for the Nintendo Switch in June 2026, Strike Pack combines Strike Mission, X-Force Genesis, and X-Force Genesis: Definitive Edition into a compact collection designed for fans of classic arcade action.
The result is a mixed but enjoyable selection of sci-fi combat that understands exactly what makes these games appealing. It is not a revolutionary package, nor does it attempt to compete with the biggest modern shooters, yet it succeeds as a quick, explosive dose of nostalgia, perfectly suited to handheld gaming.
Three Missions, Three Styles of Combat
The biggest strength of Strike Pack is the variety among its three included games. Although all three share a love of fast-paced projectile dodging and enemy destruction, each experience approaches the genre from a slightly different angle.
Strike Mission is the most distinctive entry in the collection, stepping away from traditional space warfare and placing players in a military-style aerial combat scenario. You take control of elite pilot Jake Walker across a series of missions that blend classic shooting mechanics with objective-based challenges. Instead of simply destroying every enemy on screen, you are tasked with intercepting weapon shipments, destroying enemy installations, and rescuing hostages.
This additional structure gives Strike Mission a slightly different identity from the other included games. The radar system adds a tactical layer, encouraging players to consider positioning and targets rather than simply holding down the fire button. The seven-mission campaign provides a clear sense of progression, and the occasional story sequences help create a stronger connection to the action.
However, Strike Mission’s more rigid movement style may not appeal to everyone. Players expecting the smooth freedom of modern aerial combat games may find the controls a little restrictive. It works well as an arcade experience, but it occasionally reminds you that this is a game built around simplicity rather than realism.
Returning to the Golden Age
The true heart of Strike Pack lies in X-Force Genesis and its Definitive Edition counterpart. These games fully embrace the classic vertical-scrolling shooter formula, evoking memories of arcade cabinets filled with colourful explosions, relentless enemy formations, and bosses that seem almost too large for the screen.
X-Force Genesis recognises the importance of rhythm. Enemies arrive in carefully designed patterns, encouraging players to learn attack patterns and improve with each attempt. The early stages may seem manageable, but the challenge quickly escalates as screens fill with incoming fire and increasingly complex enemy formations.
Power-ups are central to the experience, allowing players to transform their basic ship into a devastating weapon platform. Collecting upgrades, managing screen-clearing attacks, and choosing when to take risks creates the kind of tension that made classic arcade shooters so addictive.
The Definitive Edition further improves the experience with cleaner visuals, better performance, and a smoother overall presentation. It is arguably the strongest version of the formula in the collection, making the inclusion of the original X-Force Genesis feel slightly unnecessary. While having both versions offers a glimpse into the game’s evolution, most players will likely spend most of their time with the enhanced edition.
Perfectly Suited for Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch has become something of a home for arcade-style games, and Strike Pack feels like a natural fit for the system. Shoot ’em ups are ideal for short sessions, whether you are playing for ten minutes on a commute or settling in for a longer high-score challenge.
The controls are responsive, which is essential in a genre where a single missed movement can cost a life. The smaller screen also works surprisingly well, keeping the action focused without overwhelming the player. Whether played handheld or docked, Strike Pack delivers consistent performance, keeping gameplay the priority.
There is also something satisfying about returning to a genre centred on immediate action. You do not need to spend time managing inventories, completing side quests, or navigating complex menus. Strike Pack simply asks you to play, improve, and try to survive a little longer each time.
A Few Missed Opportunities
While Strike Pack delivers enjoyable arcade entertainment, it feels somewhat limited compared with larger retro collections. There are no additional historical features, developer insights, artwork galleries, or extras that could have elevated the package into something truly special.
The three games themselves also begin to blend together when played for extended periods. While each title has its own identity, the repeated cycle of shooting waves of enemies, collecting upgrades, and fighting bosses can become slightly repetitive over longer sessions.
The inclusion of both X-Force Genesis versions is another questionable decision. The Definitive Edition improves on the original in almost every way, making the standard release feel more like a curiosity than an essential part of the collection.
These issues do not ruin the experience, but they prevent Strike Pack from becoming a must-have compilation for genre enthusiasts. It delivers exactly what it promises, though perhaps not much more.
Final Verdict
Strike Pack is a fun, straightforward celebration of classic shoot ’em up design. Cube Games has created a collection that captures the genre’s appeal, focusing on responsive controls, explosive action, and the simple pleasure of chasing a higher score.
Strike Mission offers a welcome change of pace with its tactical objectives, while X-Force Genesis and its Definitive Edition deliver the pure arcade thrills fans will be looking for. The package may lack the depth and extras of more ambitious retro collections, but its charm lies in its straightforward approach.
For long-time fans of spaceship shooters, Strike Pack offers a nostalgic trip back to a simpler era of gaming. It may not reach the heights of the genre’s legendary classics, but it delivers enough excitement, challenge, and nostalgia to make it a worthwhile addition to any Switch owner’s library.
