Retrospective: Galaxy Force

Specs:

• Main CPU : 3 x MC68000 @ 12.5 MHz
• Sound CPU : Z80 @ 4 MHz
• Sound chip : YM2151 @ 4 MHz & Sega PCM @ 15.625 MHz
• Max Colors : 16384 (4bpp - 16 per sprite, which go through a 16->512 indirection table),
• Video resolution : 320 x 224
• Board composition : CPU board + Video board

Ah what it was like to be a kid back then and to see this again...


Sarge here with a retrospective of Sega's Galaxy Force. For those of us that have played this game when it was first released, you probably never forgot that really cool feeling as the machine came to life with one pull of the control stick. For those that haven't, be on the lookout the next time you stroll past a boardwalk arcade or a game hall. Galaxy Force is sort of a "holy grail" for me. If I could play on a working machine again I may end up buying it.

Built on the Sega Y-Board platform, it was used in various games released by Sega from 1988 to 1991. Some games on this platform included G-Lock, Power Drift, Rail Chase, Strike Fighter and of course, Galaxy Force II.

From lava bursts in underground caverns to tight-corner tunnels, this game gave the player that awesome feeling of controlling your very own star fighter through different alien worlds. Blasting other ships and dodging environmental hazards were common as you sped through each of the levels. On the downside, the game was an major quarter muncher. Through the game, a shield counter would count down. As you took damage, this would lower your shield level at an increasingly faster rate. Feeding the machine extra quarters/tokens would replenish your shield, thus continuing your flight through the various levels awaiting your challenge.

Normally, I would tell anyone that hasn't played Galaxy Force to try and find a home port. Unfortunately, this will never replicate the true feeling of being in one of these machines. Hunt one of these down and see for yourself.

Good luck and Happy Hunting!