Dragon Saber - After Story of Dragon Spirit (Japan)
Dragon Saber - After Story of Dragon Spirit (Japan) - Shooter Classic
Dragon Saber - After Story of Dragon Spirit is a vertical shoot 'em up that originally hit arcades in 1990, developed and published by Namco. The PC Engine (TurboGrafx-16) port arrived exclusively in Japan, making it a sought-after import for shooter fans. As the name suggests, it follows the events of Dragon Spirit, shifting from a single-dragon setup to a more cooperative slant.
You control a dragon rider through scrolling stages, blasting airborne enemies and collecting power-up orbs that upgrade your firepower, spread, and speed. Each stage ends with a multi-phase boss battle that tests your reflexes. The game keeps the classic vertical shooter formula but adds a second player option for simultaneous play, which changes how you approach enemy formations.
For retro shooter collectors, Dragon Saber is a solid pick because it refines the Dragon Spirit template without reinventing it. The graphics are bright and detailed for the era, and the two-player mode gives it extra replay value. It's not a revolutionary title, but it delivers exactly what you expect from a Namco arcade port: tight controls, fair challenge, and satisfying feedback. If you enjoy games like TwinBee or the original Dragon Spirit, this one fits right in.
How to Play Dragon Saber - After Story of Dragon Spirit (Japan) Online
Getting started: Insert the disc or load the ROM, and you'll see a title screen in Japanese. Press Start (Enter) to proceed to the main menu where you can choose between 1 Player or 2 Player mode. Use the D-Pad to highlight your selection and press the A button (X) to confirm. The game assumes you want to start immediately, so if you need to adjust settings, look for the option icon on the right side of the menu (usually a gear symbol).
Once the game begins, you control a dragon rider that automatically moves upward. Your main goal is to survive each stage by dodging bullets and destroying enemies. Power-ups appear as floating icons: grab the red ones to increase your firepower, blue ones to add satellite options, and orange ones to gain a temporary shield. The core loop is straightforward: clear waves, collect power-ups, defeat the stage boss, then repeat. Because the menus are entirely in Japanese, memorizing the layout helps, but the game is designed to be understood without reading much. Stick to the middle of the screen to keep a balanced view of incoming threats.
Dragon Saber - After Story of Dragon Spirit (Japan) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: I button
- S: II button
- Enter: Run / Start
- V: Select
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