A Capcom lightsaber versus, a Star Gladiator spinoff. Snappy controls, charismatic characters and spectacular specials. An underrated classic.
Your verdict
Category
Fighting2 players12+
Description
Space gladiators clash in zero-gravity arenas with plasma sabres in this Capcom fighting game. Published by Capcom, released in Europe in February 2000. 3D fighting game with plasma sabres and aerial moves, characters with distinctive styles, new Star Gladiator saga storyline. European version.
Plasma Sword - Nightmare of Bilstein review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
3/5
Music
★★★★★
"Memorable"
2/5
Story
★★★★★
"Classic"
Gameplay
"Solid"
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Engaging"
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Average"
Technical info
💾0,87 GB📅15/02/2000
Published by Capcom
Plasma Sword - Nightmare of Bilstein (Dreamcast) price, value & rarity
Western title of Star Gladiator 2, the sequel to Capcom's 3D energy-sword fighter, and the only one of the sub-series to reach home consoles outside Japan. Its collector interest stems from being the sole domestic port of a saga that stayed marginal within Capcom's versus catalogue. The European edition, with a limited PAL print, is markedly harder to gather complete than the North American one. Overshadowed at launch by the genre's heavyweights, it now enjoys a reappraisal that makes it a favoured target for completist Capcom collectors.
Is Plasma Sword - Nightmare of Bilstein still worth playing in 2026?
A sequel to Star Gladiator, this armed Capcom 3D fighter blends lightsabres, flamboyant supers and a motley roster from an unabashed space opera. The system, friendlier than the genre heavyweights, bets on clarity and spectacle over technical depth. The angular 3D has aged, but the energy and personality remain. For a fan of forgotten Capcom fighters or anyone curious about 3D bladed combat, the title keeps a singular and very likeable flavour.
