A Forgotten Arcade Masterpiece Finds New Life on Sega Saturn
Few sequels have reinvented a classic arcade formula as dramatically as Elevator Action^2 - Returns (Japan). Released by Taito during the twilight years of the arcade golden age and later brought to the Sega Saturn, this explosive action game transformed the simple espionage concept of the original Elevator Action into a cinematic run-and-gun experience packed with destruction, atmosphere, and relentless action. While it never achieved the worldwide recognition of Metal Slug or Contra, many retro enthusiasts consider it one of the finest arcade shooters of the 1990s and one of the Sega Saturn's most impressive arcade conversions.
Originally debuting in arcades in 1994, Elevator Action Returns arrived during a period when developers were pushing 2D technology to extraordinary heights. The Saturn port preserved nearly everything that made the arcade version special, delivering a near-perfect home experience for players who wanted intense cooperative action and beautifully crafted sprite work.
Elevator Action^2 - Returns (Japan): Reinventing a Classic Franchise
The original Elevator Action, released in 1983, was a pioneering action game that blended espionage themes with vertical movement mechanics. More than a decade later, Taito chose not to simply update the formula. Instead, the developers completely reimagined the series.
The result was Elevator Action Returns, known in some regions as Elevator Action II. Rather than focusing exclusively on elevators and office buildings, players now fought through military bases, industrial facilities, prisons, and war-torn environments. The game retained its spy-themed roots while embracing the explosive spectacle that arcade audiences demanded in the mid-1990s.
The Saturn version became especially significant because it preserved an arcade experience that many players outside Japan rarely encountered. Today, it remains one of the most sought-after Saturn releases among collectors and arcade preservation enthusiasts.
Three Heroes, Three Playstyles
Players can choose from three unique operatives, each offering distinct strengths and weaknesses.
- Kart Bradfield: Balanced firepower and mobility.
- Edie Burret: Fast movement and agile combat.
- Jad the Taff: Heavy damage output and superior durability.
This variety encourages multiple playthroughs and creates meaningful strategic choices, especially in cooperative sessions.
Mastering the Chaos: The Gameplay of Elevator Action Returns
At first glance, Elevator Action Returns resembles a traditional side-scrolling shooter. In practice, it is a much more tactical experience.
Players advance through large stages filled with enemy soldiers, environmental hazards, destructible objects, and hidden routes. Elevators remain an important gameplay element, but they now serve as just one part of a much larger combat sandbox.
Combat That Rewards Aggression
The shooting mechanics feel remarkably modern even by today's standards. Characters can fire in multiple directions, throw grenades, perform sliding attacks, and interact with the environment.
Key gameplay systems include:
- Multi-directional Shooting: Engage enemies above, below, and across multiple planes.
- Environmental Destruction: Explosive barrels, collapsing structures, and breakable objects alter encounters.
- Dynamic Elevators: Moving platforms create unique combat situations.
- Civilian Rescue Elements: Protecting innocents can improve scores.
- Cooperative Play: Two-player action dramatically enhances the experience.
The level design deserves particular praise. Each stage introduces new mechanics and layouts while maintaining a steady escalation of difficulty. Rather than relying on enemy spam, the game carefully controls pacing through clever placement, environmental hazards, and surprise ambushes.
This design philosophy creates a satisfying challenge that rewards skillful movement, situational awareness, and efficient ammunition management.
Technical Excellence on Sega Saturn Hardware
Elevator Action Returns is often cited as one of the best examples of late-generation 2D arcade craftsmanship.
The game's visuals showcase extraordinary sprite animation. Characters move with fluidity, enemies react convincingly to gunfire, and environments feel alive thanks to layered backgrounds and detailed effects.
The Saturn proved particularly well-suited to this type of software. While many developers struggled with the system's complex architecture for 3D games, Taito leveraged its strengths in 2D rendering. The result is a port that maintains the arcade version's visual quality with minimal compromise.
Explosions fill the screen without significant slowdown. Large enemy encounters remain responsive, and sprite flickering is virtually nonexistent. The game's detailed animation work still rivals many modern indie action titles.
The sound design is equally impressive. Weapons deliver satisfying impact, environmental destruction feels powerful, and the soundtrack blends military tension with high-energy action themes. Combined with responsive controls and minimal input lag, the Saturn version remains a joy to play.
Playing Elevator Action Returns Today Through Emulation
Modern emulation has made preserving and enjoying this classic easier than ever.
Best Sega Saturn Emulators
- Mednafen: Exceptional compatibility and accuracy.
- RetroArch Beetle Saturn: Ideal for most users seeking accurate emulation.
- Kronos: Excellent visual enhancement options.
- Yaba Sanshiro: Strong performance on Android devices.
Recommended Emulator Settings
- Use an authentic Japanese Saturn BIOS.
- Enable 2x to 6x internal resolution scaling.
- Activate run-ahead latency reduction when available.
- Use save states for difficult sections.
- Maintain original aspect ratio for accurate visuals.
At 4K resolution, the game's detailed sprite artwork looks spectacular. The hand-drawn animations become even more noticeable, while background details that were difficult to appreciate on CRT displays emerge with impressive clarity.
The Steam Deck handles Saturn emulation effortlessly, allowing smooth gameplay with excellent battery life. Devices such as the Odin, Retroid Pocket, and other modern handhelds also run the game extremely well.
Common issues include audio synchronization problems and BIOS configuration errors. These are typically resolved by updating emulator cores and ensuring the correct Japanese BIOS is selected.
Unlike many polygon-heavy Saturn games, Elevator Action Returns does not require HD texture packs to look fantastic. Its sprite-based art style scales beautifully on modern displays.
A Cult Classic That Refuses to Be Forgotten
Although it never became a mainstream franchise, Elevator Action Returns has earned a devoted following among arcade enthusiasts.
Many players now regard it as one of Taito's greatest action games and one of the finest run-and-gun shooters ever created. Its combination of tactical combat, environmental interaction, and cinematic presentation helped distinguish it from competitors during an era crowded with action titles.
The game continues to appear in discussions about hidden gems, Saturn exclusives, and overlooked arcade masterpieces. Modern re-releases and preservation efforts have introduced new audiences to its unique blend of espionage and explosive action.
A dedicated speedrunning community has also emerged over the years, with players optimizing routes, enemy manipulation strategies, and boss encounters to achieve increasingly faster completion times.
For retro gaming fans exploring the depths of the Sega Saturn library, Elevator Action Returns remains essential playing—a remarkable example of how classic arcade design evolved into something richer, more ambitious, and surprisingly timeless.
Frequently Asked Questions About Elevator Action^2 - Returns (Japan)
What is the best way to play Elevator Action^2 - Returns (Japan) today?
The Sega Saturn version through Mednafen or RetroArch Beetle Saturn offers an excellent experience with highly accurate emulation and modern enhancements.
Does Elevator Action^2 - Returns (Japan) support cooperative play?
Yes. Two-player cooperative gameplay is one of the title's biggest strengths and remains the preferred way for many fans to experience the game.
How do I fix graphical glitches in Elevator Action^2 - Returns (Japan)?
Most visual issues result from emulator configuration problems. Using an accurate Saturn core and the proper BIOS typically resolves graphical anomalies.
Does Elevator Action^2 - Returns (Japan) look good in 4K?
Absolutely. The game's richly detailed sprite art and animation scale beautifully at higher resolutions, making it one of the most visually impressive 2D action games on the Saturn.
