Final Soldier (Japan) (Special Version)
Final Soldier (Japan) (Special Version) - Shooter Classic
Final Soldier (Japan) (Special Version) is a vertical-scrolling shooter for the NEC TurboGrafx-16, originally released in Japan. The game is part of Hudson Soft's Soldier series, which brought a number of solid shoot-'em-ups to the platform. The Special Version label suggests a revised or reissued release of the original Final Soldier, though exact differences from the standard version are not widely documented. It was distributed as a HuCard, the standard cartridge format for the TurboGrafx-16.
You control a fighter ship through vertically scrolling stages, shooting down waves of enemies while dodging their projectiles. Power-up items appear to enhance your weapon, switching between spread shots, lasers, and other upgrades. The core loop involves surviving each level, defeating mid-bosses and a final boss, and aiming for a high score. Memorizing enemy patterns and positioning yourself carefully are key to success.
Final Soldier holds up as a tight, no-nonsense shooter that fits well within the TurboGrafx-16's library of shmups. The Special Version may appeal to completists who want to see revised elements or quality-of-life changes. Even if those differences are minor, the game itself is a straightforward, polished vertical shooter that rewards practice and pattern recognition. It's a niche pick even for retro fans, but one that delivers exactly what a 16-bit shooter should.
How to Play Final Soldier (Japan) (Special Version) Online
Getting started with Final Soldier (Japan) (Special Version) is simple. Upon booting, you'll see a title screen in Japanese. The main menu offers options like start game or configuration. Press Enter (Start) to begin. You control your ship using the D-Pad (Arrow Keys) to move around the screen. Your ship auto-fires when you hold down the B button (S key). The game starts with basic weaponry.
Your objective is to shoot down all enemies that appear from the top of the screen while avoiding their bullets. Collect power-up capsules that enemies drop to upgrade your weapon. Different colored capsules may change your weapon type. The difficulty ramps up as you progress through stages, so learning bullet patterns and staying on the move is critical.
If the menus and text are in Japanese, trial and error works for selecting options. The Special Version's changes are not obvious from the start, but it is essentially the same core experience as the original Final Soldier. Practice the early levels to get a feel for enemy formations and power-up placements.
Final Soldier (Japan) (Special Version) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: I button
- S: II button
- Enter: Run / Start
- V: Select
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