Galaxy Force

Galaxy Force is a third-person rail shooter video game. The player assumes control of a starship named the TRY-Z, in its mission to vanquish the Fourth Empire before they take over the entire galaxy. Gameplay involves maneuvering the TRY-Z through six different stages, referred to as "worlds" in-game, all while shooting down incoming enemies and avoiding collision with either them, their projectiles, or an obstacle such as a wall. The TRY-Z is equipped with two weapons to destroy enemies; a standard laser shot, and a limited supply of heat-seeking missiles that automatically track down targets. Additional missiles can be found throughout specific portions of levels. A shield is displayed at the bottom left of the screen that will deplete should the TRY-Z collide with an obstacle or projectile. The TRY-Z has an energy meter at the bottom of the screen that depletes as the level progresses; energy is decreased by firing weapons and coming into contact with obstacles or projectiles. When the energy meter is fully depleted, the game will end. ==Development and release==

Created as part of Sega's "Super Scaler" line of arcade games, which also included games such as Out Run and Space Harrier, Galaxy Force was designed specifically to show off the Sega Y Board arcade system, showcasing graphical features such as rotating scrolling backgrounds and many on-screen sprites. Three cabinet versions of the game were produced; a standard upright cabinet, a "Deluxe" machine, and a "Super Deluxe" version that could twist and turn 335 degrees left and right, and move forwards and backwards at 15 degrees. Galaxy Force was released into arcades by Sega in April 1988 in Japan, and later that year in both North America and Europe. The Deluxe version cost £10,000 or , while the Super Deluxe version cost £17,000 or . In 2013, Galaxy Force II was ported to the Nintendo 3DS by M2 under the 3D Classics brand, renamed 3D Galaxy Force II and supporting the system's 3D display. This version was later compiled into Sega 3D Classics Collection in 2016. According to Sonic the Hedgehog creator Yuji Naka, Michael Jackson was given a Galaxy Force arcade cabinet as a gift during his visit to Sega's offices in Japan. The machine was later sold off in early 2009 when his Neverland Ranch was foreclosed. ==Reception==

The January 15, 1989 issue of trade publication Game Machine listed it as the thirteenth most-popular coin-operated arcade game in Japan at the time. In North America, it was an arcade hit; it was one of the highest-earning games at a number of arcades through 1990, and the top-earner at some arcades, but the game was not widely available at most American arcades. Galaxy Force was critically acclaimed by a number of publications, and is seen among Sega's best arcade games of the era. Both Commodore User and Sinclair User commended the gameplay of Galaxy Force for its focus on speed, ==Notes==