These Psikyo Video Games Will Be Delisted from Steam After This Month

Psikyo’s classic shoot ’em up games are set for removal from Steam by the end of October 2025, prompting fans to grab these arcade gems before they vanish from the digital storefront due to an expired license.

Here’s the TL;DR…

• Delisting Date: Sales of select Psikyo titles on Steam end on October 31, 2025, after which new purchases won’t be possible.

• Affected Games: A lineup of 12 classic shooters, including the Strikers 1945 series and Gunbird duo, will no longer be available for sale.

• Reason Behind It: The expiration stems from a corporate acquisition, transferring ownership of the IPs and invalidating prior publishing agreements.

• Player Impact: Existing owners can keep playing, but future access on Steam is uncertain—though other platforms remain unaffected.

• What’s Next?: Potential re-releases under new ownership could bring these games back, but no announcements yet.

The Psikyo Games Facing Delisting

The official notice lists a dozen titles that defined Psikyo’s arcade dominance, all vertical-scrolling shooters packed with challenging gameplay and memorable boss fights.

Full lineup:

• Strikers 1945

• Strikers 1945 II

• Strikers 1945 III (Strikers 1999)

• Gunbird

• Gunbird 2

• Gunbarich

• Samurai Aces

• Samurai Aces Episode II: Tengai

• Samurai Aces Episode III: Sengoku Cannon

• Sol Divide

• Dragon Blaze

• Zero Gunner 2-

These games, originally arcade hits from 1993 to 2001, were ported to Steam with modern tweaks like adjustable difficulty and online leaderboards—making them accessible to new players while honoring their roots.

Why Are These Psikyo Titles Being Removed?

The root cause traces back to corporate maneuvers in the gaming industry. Psikyo, founded in 1992 by ex-Video System developers, churned out iconic shmups until its dissolution in 2002, when its assets were acquired by X-Nauts.

In 2007, programmer Keiyuki Haragami established Zerodiv to manage Psikyo’s catalog. Later, City Connection acquired Zerodiv in March 2019, enabling ports to platforms like Steam.

However, in February 2025, Edia Co., Ltd.—known for handling Telenet Japan properties—bought Zerodiv from City Connection for one million yen, shifting control of the Psikyo IPs.

This ownership change invalidated existing licenses, leading to the Steam delisting.

Industry watchers speculate this could pave the way for refreshed versions under Edia, but for now, it’s a textbook case of licensing limbo affecting digital availability.

Impact on Gamers and the Retro Scene

For existing owners, relief comes in the form of continued access—your library stays intact with saves and achievements preserved.

Newcomers, however, have a narrow window to buy before the cutoff, potentially driving a last-minute sales surge. The notice assures that “Sales on other platforms will continue,” meaning consoles like Nintendo Switch and PlayStation may still host these titles via collections or digital storefronts.

This delisting underscores broader concerns about game preservation, where corporate red tape can erase access to gaming history overnight. Psikyo’s influence on modern shmups—seen in titles by Cave and Team Ladybug—remains strong, and fans hope Edia will revive the catalog with updated features like widescreen support or online multiplayer.

Hat Tips

• X.com: Post by Wario64

• Psikyo Portal: Notice on End of Sales for Psikyo Titles on Steam

• Wikipedia: Psikyo

• Marketscreener: Edia Co., Ltd. Acquisition of Zerodiv Inc.

• Gematsu: City Connection Acquires Zerodiv

• Gamespot: Some of the Best Shoot-’Em-Ups Are Getting Removed From Steam