An N64 continuation of Hudson's Star Soldier series. Vertical-scrolling Japanese shoot'em up, weapons to power up and spectacular bosses. The genre was losing steam on 3D consoles and the visuals don't dazzle, but gameplay rigour and shooting purity will delight fans of the form.
Your verdict
Category
Shooter1 player7+
Description
Vertical space shooter from Hudson's Star Soldier series featuring waves of alien enemies to eliminate. Published by Hudson Soft, released in 1998 in Japan. Classic vertical scrolling, upgradeable armament, massive enemy waves and imposing bosses, and 2-player cooperative mode.
Star Soldier - Vanishing Earth review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
3/5
Music
★★★★★
"Memorable"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Engaging"
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Short"
Technical info
💾0,01 GB📅17/07/1998
Published by Hudson Soft
Star Soldier - Vanishing Earth (N64) price, value & rarity
Star Soldier Vanishing Earth stayed exclusive to Japan, making this the only release of Hudson's vertical shooter. The N64 hosted barely any shmups, so it fills a scarce slot in the library. Sealed copies command a steep premium over complete ones, marking a niche title with a modest print run that draws genre specialists and Hudson collectors rather than the wider N64 crowd.
Is Star Soldier - Vanishing Earth still worth playing in 2026?
A vertical shooter from Hudson Soft, Star Soldier - Vanishing Earth extends the cult series in 3D, having you pilot a ship against waves of alien enemies and massive bosses, in a strong scoring spirit. The snappy shooting, the charged shot system and the timed caravan mode, a series trademark, make it a demanding shmup for high score fans. The polished production holds up. For a fan of retro scoring shooters or of Hudson, the title keeps a notable intensity and replayability.
