1992 · Tecmo · Shoot 'em up · Shooter

Final Star Force

Nintendo console exclusive

The gameplay of Final Star Force goes back to the formula of the original Star Force, but with updated graphics and some extra power-ups. Other things that have been changed from the original are the style of the title screen's logo, the background, and some enemies. Players control the two space fighter ships Blue Nova and Red Nova. There are three different power-ups to choose from called "Pulsators".

Released: 1 September 1992
Platforms: Arcade Nintendo Switch
Genres: Shoot 'em up Shooter
Developers: Tecmo
Publishers: Tecmo
Modes: Multiplayer Single-player
Country: Japan

About

Final Star Force is a 1992 vertically scrolling shooter video game developed and published by Tecmo for arcades. It is the third and final entry in the Star Force series, and retains many of the same mechanics as its predecessors. Players control the two space fighter ships Blue Nova and Red Nova. There are three different power-ups to choose from called "Pulsators". The power meter itself charges up automatically to increase their fighters' power.

Hamster Corporation released the game as part of their Arcade Archives series for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 in January 2025.

Keywords

shoot 'em up

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Reception

Game Machine listed Final Star Force as being Japan's eighteenth most popular arcade game of December 1992. Jay Carter of Electronic Game magazine compared its gameplay to Xevious, and liked the game's bright and detailed backdrops. The game's mostly negative reputation and poor sales, however, led to Tecmo pulling it from sale shortly after its release.