Star Soldier R, Hudson’s exciting new tournament-style shooter for WiiWare, is the latest addition to a family of intergalactic SHMUP’s that stretches all the way back to 1985! Over the course of its action-packed 23-year history, the series has produced 12 titles and won over the hearts of gamers with the need for speed and a love for space battles. Let's take a look back on all the great games in the series that have made it to the States.
Back in ‘85, Hudson Soft published Star Force, a vertical scrolling arcade game that takes you on an interstellar quest to fight evil in your speedy spaceship. The game went on tour with Hudson’s famous summer Caravan, where it won over gamers with its intense action and exciting tournament capabilities. The following year, in 1986, the first official Star Soldier title made its debut on the NES. Gamers were introduced to a brave warrior, his trusty spaceship, the Caesar, and his life or death battle against the evil Star Brains who invaded his galaxy. This game also got the Caravan treatment and made the jump across the pond to the US, giving American gamers their first taste of the series.
Fans then had to wait until 1990 for a sequel in the amped up form of Super Star Soldier. This installment came with a much wider variety of weapons (including heat-seeking missiles, flame throwers, electricity and spread guns) and impressive graphics that are still enjoyed by gamers today. It also offered 3 modes of gameplay: 8 stages in Normal mode and 2 minute and 5 minute tournament rounds. The tournament rounds intensified the already intense gameplay, and created the ultimate opportunity for speedy finger work.
In Japan, Super Star Soldier made the Caravan rounds and helped raise Japanese gamer (and Hudson Soft employee) Takahashi Meijin’s celebrity status. Hudson’s Caravan star could press the controller button 16 times in one second- earning him the lasting nickname of “16 Shot” and making him an unbeatable opponent in Super Star Soldier tournaments. The game became a big success in Japan and enjoyed cult status in America, where it was lauded for its challenging gameplay and stunning graphics. Super Star Soldier premiered on the Wii Virtual Console in 2006, so gamers can continue to try breaking Takahashi’s speedy record!
Japanese fans had another installment with 1991’s Final Soldier, but Americans had to wait another year until Soldier Blade came out in 1992 for the TurboGrafx-16 (the last in the series for that system). Hudson changed things up a bit, so this time around you got a robot sidekick to help you out, new enemies (the Zeograd Army replaced the threat of Star Brains) and a different weapons system. You could choose from three weapons pods (red, green and blue) that alter the primary weapons on your spacecraft and feature different power attacks. The game featured 7 stages to play in Normal mode, as well as the 2 minute and 5 minute tournament modes that had become a staple in Star Soldier gameplay. This title can also be found now on the Wii Virtual Console.
The next title to hit the States was 1998’s Star Soldier: Vanishing Earth, with versions for the Nintendo 64 and arcades. This futuristic game featured 3D graphics and returned to the fight against the Zeograd Army that began with Soldier Blade. Here you’ll find 7 stages and Hudson’s signature 2 and 5 minute tournament modes. For the first time in the series, you can choose between offensive and defensive gameplay, thanks to the addition of a reflector shield!
In time for the series' 21st birthday, Super Star Soldier hit the Wii Virtual Console in 2006, bringing the two decade-long battle against the Star Brains to the Internet Age. A version of the original Star Soldier was released on the Wii VC the following year. Star Soldier R for WiiWare will soon join the dynasty, offering the excitement of classic Hudson tournaments. Rankings will be posted on online leaderboards, so you can see how you stack up against other gamers in your region, country and across the world. Star Soldier R will truly turn this into a global tournament. So what’s the next stop for the Star Soldier series…intergalactic tournaments? Stay tuned to find out!
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