Darius Force is a 1993 side-scrolling shooter published by Taito for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and the third entry in the Darius series. It was released in North America under the title *Super Nova*.
In Darius Force, players can choose from three distinct Silver Hawk fighters: the green Silver Hawk from the original Darius, the blue Silver Hawk from Darius II, and the red Silver Hawk, a new prototype introduced in this installment. Each fighter boasts unique weapon systems and performance, delivering varied gameplay experiences.
The game features inventive level design with a branching path system. After clearing each stage, players can choose their next route, leading to different endings. There are 15 total stages, but players only experience 7 per playthrough, boosting the game's replay value.
For the weapon system, the game offers three types of upgrade orbs: red, blue, and green. Red orbs enhance main weapon and bomb power; blue orbs restore and upgrade shields; green orbs grant random bonus points or extra lives. Special power-ups can also wipe all on-screen enemies or unleash a powerful laser beam from the Silver Hawk.
With its unique level design, diverse fighter options, and rich weapon system, Darius Force delivers a fresh shooting game experience and stands as one of the most beloved entries in the series.