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Soldier Blade

TurboGrafx-16

TurboGrafx-16

Destroy the enemy, Zeograde Army!! Searching for new resources, the Reconnaisance Fleet goes into the deep space. But four months after their mission begins, all contact is lost. Suddenly, three years later.... the Fleet returns, but they have been consumed by alien life forms. Now they have c...

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Developer
Hudson Soft

Released on
1992

Size
1 Player

Version
TurboGrafx-16

Requirements
NEC TurboGrafx-16

Downloads
Shooter

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

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Description

Destroy the enemy, Zeograde Army!!

Searching for new resources, the Reconnaisance Fleet goes into the deep space. But four months after their mission begins, all contact is lost. Suddenly, three years later…. the Fleet returns, but they have been consumed by alien life forms. Now they have come to attack the earth. But no need to be flurried. Now the time has come to “Solider Blade.” Equipped with a miniature Bias Drive, the fight goes on! You become a member of the team “Super Interception Airforce”, and destroy the enemy!

Soldier Blade

Overview & History

Developed by Hudson Soft and released in 1992 for the TurboGrafx-16, Soldier Blade stands as the undisputed pinnacle of the legendary *Star Soldier* franchise. Set in a distant future where the evil alien empire known as the Jaris attempts to conquer the galaxy, players step into the cockpit of the advanced UA-48 Pegasus starfighter. Tasked with single-handedly dismantling the alien armada across seven increasingly hostile zones, this vertical scrolling shoot 'em up refined the conventions of the 16-bit era. Unlike its predecessor Super Star Soldier, this entry pushed the NEC hardware to its absolute limit with blistering parallax scrolling, pseudo-3D scaling effects, and an unforgettable, heavy metal-infused chiptune soundtrack composed by)^{-\text{kun}}$ and Naruhito Baba. It remains a masterclass in arcade design.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Soldier Blade revolves around an innovative color-coded power-up system. By destroying specific carrier drones, players collect red, blue, or yellow crystal orbs that alter the Pegasus's primary weaponry—ranging from wide-spread plasma lasers to concentrated photon waves and homing missiles. Each weapon type can be powered up multiple times, but sustaining a hit strips away one upgrade tier, which conveniently manifests as a screen-clearing bomb if you have enough energy. Beyond the standard campaign, the game introduced the iconic "Caravan Mode," a time-attack minigame challenging players to score as many points as possible within two or five minutes, solidifying its legacy in competitive retro gaming history.