A compact, snappy Darius for Nintendo's machine, faithful in spirit but limited by a single screen. Fun for short runs.
Your verdict
Category
Shooter1 player7+
Description
Horizontal shoot-'em-up from the Darius series with story branch points at each zone end. Published by Taito, released in Japan in 1993. Silver Hawk ships with evolving arsenals, dozens of different routes with alternative endings, giant fish-shaped bosses and Zuntata soundtrack. Super Famicom port of the Darius Force arcade.
The Japanese Super Famicom version of 'Super Nova', a Taito horizontal shooter Japan-exclusive under this name. The Japanese cart sports an original cover and title directly tied to the Darius line (the 'Force' subtitle anchors the Japanese pressing in the franchise while the export obscured the connection). Intact boxed CIB with cardboard sleeve and illustrated Taito manual is valued by Darius and SFC shmup collectors, and the cote climbs hard.
Is Darius Force still worth playing in 2026?
Darius Force, also released as Super Nova in the West, is a compact Darius tailored for the SNES, namely a single screen instead of the arcade triptych. The branching stage tree remains in place and the handling rediscovers the reading of energy cones and titanic fish dear to the series. The tech is honest without rivaling the original cabinet. For Darius fans wanting a ready to play 16 bit cartridge, a good second tier pick, more modest but sincere and faithful in spirit.
