Star Soldier (video game)

Hudson Soft

Industry	Video game development and publishing
Founded	1973
Headquarters	Japan
Products	Star Soldier series

Star Soldier is a shoot 'em up video game developed and published by Hudson Soft for both the Nintendo Entertainment System and MSX. It marks the inaugural entry in the Star Soldier franchise. Players assume control of the starship "Caesar," navigating through space stations dominated by advanced supercomputers known as "Starbrains," which pose a threat to the galactic empire. The gameplay mechanics bear a strong resemblance to the earlier arcade title Star Force.

Several mobile adaptations were launched exclusively in Japan, including Star Soldier Special+ (2001), Star Soldier SP Arcade (2005), and (2008). Additionally, a Palm OS version appeared in November 2001, while iOS editions were released in North America in 2012 and Japan in 2013.

The series continued to grow with sequels such as Super Star Soldier on the TurboGrafx-16. The original game was ported to the Game Boy Advance in 2004 as part of the Famicom Mini collection for the Japanese market, and later became available on the Wii's Virtual Console in 2007 across both Japanese and North American regions. An enhanced remake, exclusive to Japan, was also issued for the PlayStation Portable in 2005.

Konami reintroduced Star Soldier via the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console, releasing it in Japan in 2012, followed by PAL territories and North America in 2013. Furthermore, an iOS iteration titled was launched for the Japanese audience in 2013.

Gameplay

In Star Soldier, players engage in a vertically scrolling shooter experience, steering the spacecraft Caesar. Movement and firing are directed at enemies that emerge from the upper portion of the screen, utilizing a single shooting mode effective against aerial and terrestrial adversaries alike. The game comprises sixteen levels featuring vertically scrolling backdrops. Players can evade enemy attacks by entering "trap zones" located beneath space stations. Collecting "P-mark" capsules enhances the ship’s weaponry: acquiring one capsule slows movement but restricts firepower; two capsules enable firing backwards; three capsules grant five-directional attacks along with a shield capable of absorbing five hits; and four capsules unleash an attack that eliminates all airborne enemies. Each stage culminates with a boss battle against a Starbrain entity, with more formidable Big Starbrain versions appearing on levels four, eight, twelve, and sixteen.

Legacy

After the release of Star Soldier, Hudson Soft followed up with Starship Hector in 1987, marking the series' initial sequel. The franchise expanded with Super Star Soldier on the PC Engine platform, and in 1992, a comedic spin-off titled Star Parodier was introduced for the PC Engine CD-ROM². Additionally, Hudson's Virtual Boy shooter Vertical Force incorporates gameplay mechanics reminiscent of those found in Star Soldier.

The series has left its mark on other games as well: the level "Floating Continent" in the Japan-exclusive DreamMix TV World Fighters pays homage to Star Soldier, featuring foes such as Lazaro. The protagonist Caesar is represented as "Caesar Bomber" within Super Bomberman R. Furthermore, sprite artwork from the NES version of the game was utilized in Hudson Soft's Puzzle Series Vol. 1: Jigsaw Puzzle for Nintendo DS (Japan only) and also appeared in Konami's Pixel Puzzle Collection available on iOS and Android devices. In 2005, Hudson Soft released a mobile title exclusive to Japan, Enfu 2: Revival Messiah, which included Caesar alongside Bomberman.

Konami initiated a competition in 2021 encouraging indie developers to create new games inspired by classic intellectual properties, including Star Soldier. Notably, the original title was reintroduced to players through the Nintendo Switch Online service’s NES catalog on April 2, 2019.

Moreover, in episode 21 of GameCenter CX ("Retro Game Master"), host Shinya Arino completed a comprehensive playthrough of Star Soldier.

External links

• Star Soldier (1986)