Darius: Extra Version

About

Darius Extra Version is a side-scrolling shooter that drops you into a relentless battle against the Belsar, an alien force threatening planetary destruction. Piloting the Silverhawk, you blast through waves of enemies across four acts, balancing dodges, firepower upgrades, and limited bomb charges to survive escalating chaos. The game's tight controls and punishing difficulty make it a test of reflexes and timing, with bonus stages and hidden power-ups rewarding precision. Originally unavailable on the Sega Genesis outside archival ports, this expanded version adds new levels and enhancements over the Mini edition. Released as a physical cartridge in 2020, it caters to collectors and retro enthusiasts craving a legitimate Genesis experience. While community data is sparse, long-time arcade shooters praise its intensity and classic 16-bit polish. Developer M2’s porting work shines here, preserving the original’s brutality while making it accessible on modern setups. For those who miss the era of coin-op shooters with a focus on high scores and near-impossible runs, this is a niche but faithful revival.

Storyline

Darius, Year 201. Invasion! The vicious Belsar have attacked the peaceful Darius system, which now faces absolute devastation at their abominable hands! Darius' defense fighters proved no match for the overwhelming firepower of the alien forces, which wiped out their entire fleet in one fell swoop! With nothing left to protect them, the people could only sit and wait for the icy embrace of death as the satellite bombardments continued unopposed. The scent of despair hung thickly in the air, all hope of survival having been quashed. But then, from out of the darkness of the mourning clouds came a single bright light in the sky. "Silverhawk........." Like a phoenix brought forth from the embers of a burning world, the bird shaped visage became a beacon of the planet's last fight for survival! Perhaps the end is not as nigh as it first appeared.