《Psyvariar 3》是經典縱向射擊遊戲系列《Psyvariar》的全新續作，由Banana Bytes 與Red Art Studios聯合開發，SUCCESS監製與授權，於2026年3月19日在 Steam、Nintendo Switch、PlayStation 5等平台推出。自《Psyvariar 2》以來睽違多年的正統續篇，延續系列獨特的「BUZZ系統」與高速、危險、精準的子彈擦身機制，並以次世代畫面與操作優化，向街機射擊遊戲的黃金時代致敬。

故事發生在《Psyvariar 2》事件多年後。當年人類與Psyvariar族為了生存展開殊死戰，而在ETA的崩潰後，一群Psyvariar認為地球是不可放棄的家園，決定重返地球並重建人類文明。隨著時間推進，地球殖民地繁榮成長，但在某日，一道神秘的外星信號打破了和平。當「膠子粒子（Gluon）」的反應再次出現，意味著未知勢力的入侵已迫在眉睫。為了守護人類的未來，新一代的Psyvariar戰士再度覺醒，展開對抗外星威脅的戰鬥。

共有七名可操作角色，每位駕駛員皆擁有獨特的武裝類型、Bomb技能、BUZZ判定與計分系統。除了原創角色外，還邀請到知名射擊遊戲系列《Cotton 魔法小妖精》的主角Cotton作為特別來賓角色登場，擁有專屬機體與技能組。開發團隊在保留系列核心特色的同時，針對現代控制器重新設計了「Roll（翻轉）機制」，不僅維持街機時代的“搖桿微調”操作感，也讓玩家以更流暢、精準的方式進行機體閃避與BUZZ動作。

延續《Psyvariar》系列的經典核心——BUZZ系統。必須在子彈掠過機體的瞬間獲取「擦彈能量」，藉此提升等級、啟動護盾、強化火力與得分。每次成功擦彈不僅能延長生存時間，還能觸發「Shield Chain」連鎖防禦，形成攻防一體的節奏感。當玩家熟練掌握擦彈節奏與敵彈軌跡，就能進入高風險高回報的極致射擊體驗。

此外，加入 「Neutrino & Shield System」，透過連續擦彈與精確攻擊，能啟動短暫的護盾或加速狀態；不同角色的 Bomb（炸彈） 亦有短效與長效兩種類型，各自帶來不同的爆炸半徑、能量波及與攻擊特性，增加戰略性。

遊戲提供多種模式可供選擇，包括：
街機模式（Arcade）以忠實還原原始街機體驗；改編模式（Arrange）強化畫面表現與敵方配置；任務模式（Mission）含49種短篇挑戰關卡；以及Caravan模式、無限模式（Endless）和練習模式（Practice）等，依照自身實力循序漸進挑戰極限。還具備動態難度調整系統，根據玩家表現自動開啟更高難度路線與隱藏Boss戰，激發硬派射擊玩家的挑戰慾望。

整體視覺風格採用「Neo Retro 3D」美術設計，融合早期街機3D畫面的懷舊質感與現代的流暢光影，呈現出獨具風格的科技感世界。共設有七個主關卡與Boss戰，每位Boss皆擁有根據難度變化的攻擊模式與彈幕結構，令每次挑戰都充滿新鮮感與壓迫感。

自2000年首作《Psyvariar: Medium Unit》在日本街機問世以來，該系列以「擦彈成長」機制奠定其在射擊遊戲史上的經典地位。《Psyvariar 3》作為系列的正式回歸之作，不僅保留粉絲熟悉的節奏與戰鬥哲學，更以現代技術與設計語言將其昇華。開發團隊明確表示，本作是一封獻給街機射擊愛好者的情書——既延續系列傳統的「極限擦彈快感」，又融入更多角色深度與可玩性。

在市場期待與媒體預覽中，《Psyvariar 3》普遍受到高度關注。許多老玩家對於系列復活表示欣喜，認為其依然保有當年的精神與挑戰性；而新玩家則被其華麗的彈幕、動態音樂與多角色玩法所吸引。評論普遍指出，本作不僅是懷舊回歸，更是在遊戲設計上充滿現代感與策略性的高品質射擊作品，足以讓「BUZZ系統」再度成為STG界的話題焦點。

Psyvariar 3 is the long-awaited sequel to the legendary vertical shoot ’em up series Psyvariar, developed by Banana Bytes and Red Art Studios under the supervision and license of SUCCESS. The game will be released on March 19, 2026, for Steam, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5. Staying faithful to the franchise’s iconic “BUZZ System” and adrenaline-pumping arcade spirit, Psyvariar 3 brings a modern evolution of the bullet-grazing mechanic with refined visuals, fluid controls, and multiple new gameplay systems that pay homage to the golden era of arcade shooters.

Set many years after the events of Psyvariar 2, humanity’s fate once again hangs in the balance. After the fall of ETA, a faction of Psyvariars vowed to reclaim Earth, believing the planet too precious to abandon. They succeeded in rebuilding civilization—but decades later, an alien signal shattered the fragile peace. When Gluon particles were detected, fear swept across the colonies: an unknown cosmic threat was descending upon Earth. Now, a new generation of Psyvariars must awaken to defend humanity and fulfill their destiny.

The game features seven playable pilots, each with their own unique shot patterns, bomb mechanics, BUZZ responses, and scoring systems. Alongside these original characters, Psyvariar 3 introduces a special guest: Cotton, the witch from the beloved Cotton series, complete with her own ship and magical attack abilities.

At the heart of the gameplay lies the refined BUZZ System, the hallmark of the Psyvariar series. Players must skillfully “graze” incoming bullets—allowing enemy fire to pass dangerously close to their ship—to gain experience, boost score multipliers, and unlock power-ups such as shields, speed boosts, and weapon upgrades. The closer the danger, the greater the reward, creating a tense yet deeply satisfying risk-versus-reward dynamic that defines the series.

A new Neutrino & Shield System complements this mechanic, granting temporary protection or enhanced speed when players achieve perfect grazing chains. Meanwhile, each pilot wields a distinct Bomb type—short or long—with differing explosion ranges, effects, and damage levels, adding tactical variety to combat encounters.

Psyvariar 3 offers a robust selection of game modes, catering to both casual players and hardcore shooter fans. These include Arcade Mode (faithfully replicating the original arcade feel), Arrange Mode (featuring rebalanced enemy waves and new visuals), Mission Mode (49 short, high-intensity challenges), Caravan Mode, Endless Mode, and Practice Mode for skill refinement. The Dynamic Difficulty System further elevates replay value, unlocking new routes, hidden bosses, and exclusive endings based on player performance.

Visually, the game embraces a “Neo-Retro 3D” aesthetic, blending nostalgic low-poly designs with modern lighting and effects to recreate the essence of early 2000s arcade shooters in high fidelity. Across seven distinct stages, players will confront massive bosses with attack patterns that dynamically evolve depending on the chosen difficulty, ensuring that no two playthroughs feel the same.

Since the debut of Psyvariar: Medium Unit in 2000, the series has earned cult status for revolutionizing the shoot ’em up genre with its “level-up through danger” concept. Psyvariar 3 proudly builds upon that legacy, evolving the franchise with modern mechanics while preserving its pure arcade soul. According to the developers, the project serves as both a love letter to classic STGs and a gateway for new players seeking a challenging yet rewarding experience.

Early previews and community reactions have been overwhelmingly positive. Longtime fans praise the game’s faithfulness to the original’s intensity and rhythm, while newcomers are drawn to its accessible systems, cinematic presentation, and energetic soundtrack. Critics describe Psyvariar 3 as more than just a nostalgic revival—it’s a sophisticated reimagining of a beloved classic, poised to reestablish the BUZZ mechanic as one of the most exhilarating innovations in the shoot ’em up genre.