Nectaris is my favorite game for the PC Engine/TG-16. The strategy, graphics,
weapons, and (most of all) the soundtrack won me over long ago. While I was working
out the deal for launching TurboPlay Magazine, I spent 2 weeks at Hudsonsoft in
Tokyo & Sapporo and visited with the creator and chief programmer of Nectaris.
Nectaris Release History
Nectaris for the PC Engine; a HuCard released in Japan, 1989.
U.S. version, Military Madness, released in early 1990.
Earthlight for the SNES released in Japan (1992?). Though not a direct sequel to Nectaris, it was written by the same programmer, and I consider it Nectaris in trans-Earth/Lunar orbit. Though it used 'cartooney' graphics, it's a worthy component in the Nectaris line. I like the Space Carriers and how some levels throw in extra ships/troops partway through the game. The soundtrack is very good, utilizing classical pieces. This was a limited release game in Japan and tough to find.
NeoNectaris for the PC Engine CD ROM (1994) incorporated the original game, with additional Lunar levels added along with some new weapons. After winning the struggle for the moon, a huge fleet is sent to Mars, where the enemy has developed BioTech weapons. These new weapons have extensively more defense and are very powerful: they consist of a flyer and two ground based creatures. When they are 'born' they are not fully mature, thus they can't move as far. Mars also has some active geologic activity including Marsquakes and volcanos which play an important tactical role. The music is even better then Nectaris. I was lucky to get this game„it was an office copy from the Hudson Tokyo office. (Thanks Isao and Hudson-guys!)
I recently received the Nectaris CD ROM (1998) for the Japanese version of the Sony Playstation. Here are some quick initial comments. The unit 'pieces' are the same as in the original; the maps are revamped offering a more 3D look, though the colors are very muted and terrain looks soft (blurry). The interface is improved: when you move to attack the game only lets the player select units you can attack. Clicking on an enemy unit displays a hexagonal grid showing where the units can move (like in NeoNectaris.) One feature lacking is the ability to press a button to automatically jump to each unit under your command.
When a factory is captured a graphic of the unit that captured it enters the building and fires, but...what's really cool is a 3D pan zooms around some assembly rigs and you see the vehicles or troops in the factory on an assembly line. So you might see rows of moon buggies, spaceships, etc. If the factory is empty the platforms are too.
The Data screen displaying unit specs is greatly improved. Units are large with lots of detail. You can also rotate them at will in any direction as well as zoom in and out. The closeup battle scenes can be rendered in 2D, 3D, or shut off (for much faster game play.) The 3D effects are incredible! No battle is ever the same: vehicles traverse smooth terrain, sometimes with craters in it. Moon dust is kicked up be wheels and treads. The view pans as it is displayed; anywhere from a very long shot of the units to within a few feet of something like a tank tread. Spaceships bank, climb, and turn. All against a stark lunar background with stars in the 'sky'. Everything is animated; the Hadrians raise their barrels and fire with a thundering boom. MB-5's launch well defined missiles. When units explode they frequently do so with a 'hexagonal' blast. Turrets may blow off, units may turn on their side, or simply fragment.
The soundtrack is the same at PCE Nectaris, though more elaborately scored. Dozens of new Moon maps are included from Hudson and users in Japan were asked to contribute, as well. New is the added ability to place units at locations on the existing maps. A game can also be saved at any point and started at a later time. I'll add some additional comments when I play through (I'm on level 11 now.)
(The original Nectaris maps contained on my site were taken with a camera & film before easy screen capture was around, so they aren't of terrific quality. One day I'll try and redo them all.)
NOTE: The artwork in all of these Nectaris pages is copyrighted (c) 1989, 1990, 1992, 1994, & 1998 by Alan Hunter, NEC, and/or L.F.P., Inc. The text is copyrighted 1990 and 1998, Lee H. Pappas. Absolutely no reproduction of the art work and text is permitted without written consent from Lee Pappas.
Nectaris Stage Passwords*
| REVOLT | ICARUS | CYRANO | RAMSEY |
| NEWTON | SENECA | SABINE | ARATUS |
| GALOIS | DARWIN | PASCAL | HALLEY |
| BORMAN | APPOLO | KAISER | NECTOR |
* Input password backwards to access the '2nd moon' stages. GALOIS and APPOLO are spelled (correctly) in Military Madness GALIOS AND APOLLO.
