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Gaming History GH

Darius Force [Model SHVC-DH]

33 Years old Nintendo Super Famicom cart. Taito Corp. [Japan]
Darius Force [Model SHVC-DH] screenshot

Darius Force © 1993 Taito Corp.

Darius Force serves as the second console-exclusive entry in the long-running Darius series. Building on the foundation of Darius Twin, this installment introduced significant mechanical depth, including a choice of three distinct Silver Hawk variants, mid-stage branching paths, and a more complex weapon-management system.

8,800 JPY
Goodies for Darius Force [Model SHVC-DH]
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TECHNICAL

GAME ID: SHVC-DH
BARCODE: 4988611930052

TRIVIA

Released on September 24, 1993 (Saturday) in Japan at a retail price of 8,800 JPY.

Expanded Roster: Darius Force was the first in the series to allow the player to select between three specialized ships (Green, Purple, and Red Hawks), each offering unique weapon archetypes. This added a layer of strategic preparation previously unseen in the series, as players could select a ship better suited for specific boss patterns or stage layouts.

Tactical Flexibility: Taito introduced a dynamic weapon-switching mechanic using the controller’s shoulder buttons, allowing players to toggle between bombs and lasers on the fly. Furthermore, the risk-reward system—where players can choose to fire both primary and side weapons simultaneously at the cost of a power level—added a new dimension to combat management during intense boss encounters.

Non-Linear Progression: Breaking away from the series’ traditional pyramid branching structure, Darius Force adopted a more fluid, multi-path layout. With 15 distinct stages and mid-stage branching, the game offered significantly higher replay value and a more intricate map exploration experience than its predecessor, Darius Twin.

Export releases:
[US] Super Nova [Model SNS-DH-USA]

TIPS AND TRICKS
* Konami code:
The popular Konami code can be used in this game. Pause the game and press up, up, down, down, left-shoulder, right-shoulder, left-shoulder, right-shoulder, B and A, then unpause the game. However, Darius is obviously a Taito franchise, and the Silver Hawk self destructs when the player enters the code. Sneaky.

* Zone X - Boss endurance mode:
An option exist to access a secret Zone X which consists of a boss rush mode where eight bosses come at the player in a row. When the Taito logo appears (right before the title screen), press Down, X, Up, B, Left-shoulder, Right-shoulder, Left and A on the second controller. This code has to be fully entered before the Taito logo disappears, and a chime sound should signal that it was successfully executed. When you start the game, the message Wow!! You discovered the Boss endurance mode! will appear.
SERIES
📜
1. Darius (1987, Arcade)
2. Darius II (1989, Arcade)
3. Darius Twin [Model SHVC-DT] (1991, Super Famicom)
4. Darius Force [Model SHVC-DH] (1993, Super Famicom)
5. Darius Gaiden - Silver Hawk (1994, Arcade)
6. G-Darius (1997, Arcade)
7. G-Darius ver.2 (1997, Arcade)
8. Darius Burst (2009, Sony PSP)
9. Darius Burst - Another Chronicle (2010, Arcade)
10. Darius Burst - Another Chronicle EX (2011, Arcade)
STAFF
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SOURCES
🔗
ROM dump (MAME).