If Seibu's earlier Raiden games had a somewhat more measured pace compared to the rest of the genre in the mid-90s, Raiden Fighters was designed to catapult the series forward, with a fleet of fighters to choose from and more frenetic gameplay. The ships on offer here vary more dramatically in their weaponry, giving players a true choice in play style, with the enemies, bosses and graphics all upping the ante alongside them. With driving techno music and a more complicated scoring system, Raiden Fighters succeeds in pushing the series forward without abandoning its roots.