History VideoGame / Starblade

''Starblade''[[note]]sometimes stylized as ''[[CamelCase StarBlade]]''[[/note]] (not to be confused with the UsefulNotes/AtariST[=/=]UsefulNotes/{{Amiga}} adventure game) is an early polygonal RailShooter developed and published by [[Creator/BandaiNamcoEntertainment Namco]] in 1991. It is part of a loose series along ''[[VideoGame/{{Galaxian}} Galaxian3]]'', ''Attack of the Zolgear'' and the space flight game ''Star Ixiom'', and part of the "United Galaxy Space Force" saga, which also includes such diverse games as ''VideoGame/{{Galaga}}'', ''VideoGame/BurningForce'', and even ''VideoGame/DigDug''.

Contemporary ports were released for the UsefulNotes/SegaCD, the [[UsefulNotes/ThreeDOInteractiveMultiplayer 3DO]] and the UsefulNotes/PlayStation (as ''Starblade α''[[note]]pronounced "[[GratuitousGreek alpha]]"[[/note]]). The Sega CD version used coloured wireframe models due to the add-on's limitations, while the [=PlayStation=] and 3DO versions more accurately replicated the original arcade graphics and included a mode with textured graphics. However, the background and larger objects were made part of a single continuous FMV instead of being rendered in real-time.

The game was later featured as the loading screen minigame of ''VideoGame/Tekken5''[='s=] home port, and a full port of it can be unlocked. It was also released on the UsefulNotes/VirtualConsole, though only in Japan.

''Starblade''[[note]]sometimes stylized as ''[[CamelCase StarBlade]]''[[/note]] (not to be confused with the UsefulNotes/AtariSt[=/=]UsefulNotes/{{Amiga}} adventure game) is an early polygonal RailShooter developed and published by [[Creator/BandaiNamcoEntertainment Namco]] in 1991. It is part of a loose series along ''[[VideoGame/{{Galaxian}} Galaxian3]]'', ''Attack of the Zolgear'' and the space flight game ''Star Ixiom'', and part of the "United Galaxy Space Force" saga, which also includes such diverse games as ''VideoGame/{{Galaga}}'', ''VideoGame/BurningForce'', and even ''VideoGame/DigDug''.

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[[header:Plot]]

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[[header:Mechanics]]

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[[header:Ports]]
Contemporary ports were released for the UsefulNotes/SegaCD, the [[UsefulNotes/ThreeDOInteractiveMultiplayer 3DO]] and the UsefulNotes/PlayStation (as ''Starblade α''). The Sega CD version used coloured wireframe models due to the add-on's limitations, while the [=PlayStation=] and 3DO versions more accurately replicated the original arcade graphics and included a mode with textured graphics. However, the background and larger objects were made part of a single continuous FMV instead of being rendered in real-time.

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[[header:Aborted Sequel]]

* TechDemoGame: Featured advanced (for the time) polygonal graphics rendered in realtime at a consistent 60 FPS.

Contemporary ports were released for the UsefulNotes/SegaCD, the [[UsefulNotes/ThreeDOInteractiveMultiplayer 3DO]] and the UsefulNotes/PlayStation (as ''Starblade Alpha''). The Sega CD version used coloured wireframe models due to the add-on's limitations, while the [=PlayStation=] and 3DO versions more accurately replicated the original arcade graphics and included a mode with textured graphics. However, the background and larger objects were made part of a single continuous FMV instead of being rendered in real-time.

'''[=StarBlade=]''' (not to be confused with the UsefulNotes/AtariSt / UsefulNotes/{{Amiga}} adventure game) is an early polygonal RailShooter developed and published by [[Creator/BandaiNamcoEntertainment Namco]] in 1991. It is part of a loose series along ''Galaxian 3'', ''Attack of the Zolgear'' and the space flight game ''Star Ixiom'', and part of the "United Galaxy Space Force" saga, which also includes such diverse games as ''VideoGame/{{Galaga}}'', ''VideoGame/BurningForce'', and even ''VideoGame/DigDug''.

A mechanized alien task force spearheaded by the [[Franchise/StarWars Death Star-like]] structure Red Eye has entered the Federation's space and is fast-approaching the Federation's home planet. In response the Federation scramble several fighters unit to attack Red Eye and destroy its power reactor, Octopus. The player is a gunner aboard one such fighter, [=GeoSword=].

The game is a fairly simple RailShooter. The player control a crosshair overlaid on the screen and shoot enemies. There are no alternate weapons, Geosword's movement is completely automated and survival is limited to shooting enemies before they shoot you.

Contemporary ports were released for the UsefulNotes/SegaCD, the [[UsefulNotes/ThreeDOInteractiveMultiplayer 3DO]] and the Playstation (as ''Starblade Alpha''). The Sega CD version used coloured wireframe models due to the add-on's limitations, while the Playstation and 3DO versions more accurately replicated the original arcade graphics and included a mode with textured graphics. However, the background and larger objects were made part of a single continuous FMV instead of being rendered in real-time.

The game was later featured as the loading screen minigame of ''VideoGame/{{Tekken}} 5'''s home port, and a full port of it can be unlocked. It was also released on the UsefulNotes/VirtualConsole, though only in Japan.

A sequel titled ''[=StarBlade=]: Operation Blue Planet'' was in development and made it to the location test phase in 2001, before being scrapped The game sported a stylized, ''VideoGame/{{Rez}}''-like take of the original's untextured graphic and made us of the ORBS system, a cabinet set-up which had the player enclosed into a sphere.

* AsteroidThicket: Your ship travels through one on its approach to Red Eye. While there's no danger to hit one, as the fighter is under computer control, some are more than mere space rocks.

* TheFederation.

* OperationBlank / TitleDrop: The attack on the Red Eye space space station is called "Operation: Starblade".
* PlanetSpaceship: the Red Eye, stated in-game to have a size of 780 kilometers.

* SpaceFighter.

The game is a fairly simplistic RailShooter. The player control a crosshair overlaid on the screen and shoot enemies. There are no branching paths, no alternate weapons, Geosword's movement is completely automated and survival is limited to shooting enemies before they shoot you.

* ShoutOut: The game clearly owes ''a lot'' to ''Franchise/StarWars'', with the Red Eye looking a lot like the Death Star, the attack on the Octopus reactor clearly inspired on ''Film/ReturnoftheJedi'', and some enemy warships resembling Imperial Star Destroyers.

'''[=StarBlade=]''' (not to be confused with the UsefulNotes/AtariSt / UsefulNotes/{{Amiga}} adventure game) is an early polygonal RailShooter developed and published by [[Creator/BandaiNamcoEntertainment Namco]] in 1991. It is part of a loose series along ''Galaxian 3'', ''Attack of the Zolgear'' and the space flight game ''Star Ixiom''.

Contemporary ports were released for the UsefulNotes/SegaCD, the [[UsefulNotes/ThreeDOInteractiveMultiplayer 3DO]] and the Playstation (as ''Starblade Alpha''). The Sega CD version used coloured wireframe models due to the add-on's limitations, while the Playstation and 3DO versions more accurately replicated the original arcade graphics and included a mode with textured graphics. However, the background and larger objects were made part of a single continuous FMV instead of being rendered in real time.

* FullMotionVideo: The arcade version was rendered in realtime, but the home ports instead used FMV backgrounds with enemy models and projectiles overlaid.

Namco later released a video of [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leT3saYfZr4 a full playthrough of the location test build]] as part of the ''USFG'' website and a scaled-down version of the ORBS technology was used for ''Mobile Suit Franchise/{{Gundam}}: Bonds of the Battlefield''.

The game was later featured as the loading screen minigame of ''VideoGame/{{Tekken}} 5'''s home port, and a full port of it can be unlocked. It was also released on the VirtualConsole, though only in Japan.

'''[=StarBlade=]''' (not to be confused with the UsefulNotes/AtariSt / UsefulNotes/{{Amiga}} adventure game) is an early polygonal RailShooter developed and published by Creator/{{Namco}} in 1991. It is part of a loose series along ''Galaxian 3'', ''Attack of the Zolgear'' and the space flight game ''Star Ixiom''.

Contemporary ports were released for the SegaCD, the [[UsefulNotes/ThreeDOInteractiveMultiplayer 3DO]] and the Playstation (as ''Starblade Alpha''). The Sega CD version used coloured wireframe models due to the add-on's limitations, while the Playstation and 3DO versions more accurately replicated the original arcade graphics and included a mode with textured graphics. However, the background and larger objects were made part of a single continuous FMV instead of being rendered in real time.

'''[=StarBlade=]''' (not to be confused with the AtariSt / {{Amiga}} adventure game) is an early polygonal RailShooter developed and published by {{Namco}} in 1991. It is part of a loose series along ''Galaxian 3'', ''Attack of the Zolgear'' and the space flight game ''Star Ixiom''.

Contemporary ports were released for the SegaCD, the [[ThreeDOInteractiveMultiplayer 3DO]] and the Playstation (as ''Starblade Alpha''). The Sega CD version used coloured wireframe models due to the add-on's limitations, while the Playstation and 3DO versions more accurately replicated the original arcade graphics and included a mode with textured graphics. However, the background and larger objects were made part of a single continuous FMV instead of being rendered in real time.

* TechDemoGame: Featured advanced (for the time) polygonal graphics rendered in realtime at a consistent 60 FPS.

[[header:Aborted Sequel)]]

!!:This game contains the following tropes.

* FullMotionVideo: The arcade version was rendered in realtime, but the home ports instead used FMV backgrounds with enemy models and projectiles overlaid. A video of Starblade's Alpha FMV can be seen [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNb2T2V5syE here]].