NebulasRay (ネビュラスレイ) is a vertical-scrolling shooter released for arcades in 1994. It is noteworthy for its usage of pre-rendering, where 3D models are converted into 2D sprites, creating the illusion of a 3D world. In NebulasRay, players control a starfighter named the Fighting Ray in its mission to destroy an intergalactic organization named the Master Force. The game features six stages that increase in difficulty and power-ups that increase the strength of the Fighting Ray's attacks. Namco developed the game using the same hardware techniques it used for Ridge Racer in 1993. With its 3D visuals and fast-paced gameplay, NebulasRay was welcomed by players and critics and helped influence the design of other shooters.
Though NebulasRay is not directly connected to the United Galaxy Space Force, references and appearances from its characters in UGSF-connected games help suggest a possible connection. The cancelled online game New Space Order was to feature the Austral 7 planetary system, the setting for NebulasRay, as one of the areas players could explore, in addition to featuring Master Force battleships that could be deployed into battle. NebulasRay also features enemies designed after those present in other UGSF games, namely Galaxian and Starblade.
Games | |
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1990s-2090s | Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere • Cyber Sled • Cyber Commando |
2100s | Burning Force |
2200s | Galaxian 3: Project Dragoon • Galaxian 3: The Rising of Gorub • Galaxian • Galaga • Bosconian • Gaplus • Galaga '88 • Blast Off • Final Blaster • Bounty Hounds |
2300s | Attack of the Zolgear • Starblade • Dig Dug • Dig Dug II • Baraduke • Bakutotsu Kijutei: Baruduke II • Mr. Driller |
2400s | Star Trigon • Star Luster • Star Ixiom |
2600s | Mizuiro Blood (Blog) • Starblade: Operation Blue Planet |
2800s-2900s | Shin-Gun Destroy! • New Space Order (Link of Life) |
7600s | Thunder-Ceptor • 3-D Thunder-Ceptor II |
Other | Ridge Racer • Xevious • NebulasRay • Tales of Eternia • Mirai Ninja |
Non-canon | Namco x Capcom |