Soldier Blade (1992). Play online

Summary

Soldier Blade blazes through the TurboGrafx‑16’s vertical scrolling sky with the breakneck speed that defined Hudson’s Star Soldier lineage. The power‑up system revolves around three coloured pods you can keep in reserve; the active pod decides whether you fire a standard vulcan, a wave gun or a laser. Ejecting a pod launches a weapon‑specific super attack, and the ship can survive three hits while the pods are stocked.

The game also includes two Caravan time‑attack modes—two‑minute and five‑minute score challenges—plus a storage box at the bottom of the screen that holds three power‑ups for later use. Destroying enemy weapons unleashes a screen‑clearing superweapon, and clearing the seven operations unlocks a stage‑select option for replay.

Development was overseen by Hudson designer Uriko Uribo, who drafted the concept during Caravan tournament talks and faced a tight six‑month schedule and severe memory cuts that shrank the HuCard from 6 megabits to 4. Originally titled Sonic Blaster F‑92, the title features a soundtrack by Keita Hoshi and Makiko Tanifuji and cover art by Yuji Kaida. Released in North America in September 1992, critics praised its fast‑paced action and visuals, and retrospective gamers now hail it as one of the TurboGrafx‑16’s definitive shooters.

Storyline

In Soldier Blade, you pilot the eponymous starship across seven distinct stages. Each level pits you against the Zeograd Army, a hostile alien force determined to seize Earth. Your mission is to blast through their defenses, dismantle their war machines, and ultimately eradicate the invading fleet. The game’s progression builds tension as the Zeograd’s tactics evolve, demanding precise maneuvering and firepower. Victory means saving the planet from total conquest.