Super Darius II [Model NAPR-1031]

スーパーダライアスII © 1993 NEC Avenue, Limited.
(Super Darius II)

Super Darius II is a horizontal shooter by NEC Avenue and based on the arcade game "Darius II" originally released by Taito in 1989. The Belzer empire was successfully defeated at the battle on Darius, but the planet now lies in ruins, forcing the survivors to abandon their dying world. Some find refuge on planet Oruga, whereas others establish bases throughout our solar system. One day, large war ships belonging to the belligerent Belzer empire resurface, and this time they launch an attack against Earth. The inhabitants of Darius decide to send both Proco Jr. and Tiat Young, two of their most skilled pilots, to counter the invasion. The player progress through seven stages, from the surface of the Sun to the giant Jupiter where the head of the enemy forces hides. However, and in the typical Darius tradition, this progress is non-linear and the player is presented with a choice of two stages to choose from at the end of each level. All combined, the game features a total of twenty eight zones, and some paths are obviously more difficult than others. The ship comes equipped with three different types of weapons - front laser, side lasers and ground bombs, as well as a force field shield. Each weapon can be upgraded by collecting colored orbs left behind by specific formations of enemy fighters - red for the forward laser (8 levels), yellow for the side lasers (7 levels), green for the bombs (5 levels) and blue for the shield (8 levels). Although the introduction sequence clearly shows two ships, this version is single player only (the option menu gives the player the opportunity to choose from Proco or Tiat though).