A PS4 and Vita version of Windjammers has been announced at PlayStation Experience 2016. Originally released in arcades back in 1994, the game was ported to the Neo Geo in the same year. It was called Flying Power Disc in Japan, but no one can deny how much cooler Windjammers is as a name. Well, you’ll get to find out how cool the game is when it releases for the PlayStation consoles. No release date was given.
The only re-release this game has had since its original release was for the Wii Virtual Console in Japan, which was eventually de-listed after original publisher Data East filed bankruptcy. There doesn’t seem to be many differences between the original release and this one except that there will be online multiplayer included when it launches. That’s exciting, though a lot of the fun is playing with friends in the same room. I’m interested to see how the game holds up online especially because it is very dependent on speed and reflex.
For those unaware, Windjammers is essentially Pong turned up to 11. Players control a character who has its own signature ability. The objective of the game is to just throw the flying disc past the opponent so they cannot catch it. A dash mechanic and throwing makes it a more chaotic version of Pong and forces a player’s full attention. Signature abilities can make the disc move at alarming speeds in varied directions. It’s all about knowing what the opponent is about to do and preparing for it.
This is my personal favourite announcement at PSX 2016. Perhaps the best sports game I have ever played, Windjammers has been a long sought after game for me. I’ve played it with friends locally and had a lot of fun, but there hasn’t really been any way to do so without emulating. It’s exciting that this game might get a new life in competitive scenes thanks to this re-release.
Source: PlayStation Experience 2016