NorthStar

About

NorthStar is a 1988 side-scrolling action-platformer developed by Sentient Software. You control a character running, jumping, and shooting through levels filled with enemies and obstacles. The focus is on precise platforming and rapid fire mechanics as you progress through increasingly tricky stages. Limited platform options and tight controls define the experience, with an emphasis on reflexes and pattern recognition. The game stands out for its punishing difficulty and dated but functional level design. While not a household name, it has a small but vocal following among retro gaming circles. NorthStar’s presence on multiple 8-bit and 16-bit systems of the era helped it reach a broad audience at the time. Today it’s seen as a niche example of late 80s platforming, with some players noting its unforgiving nature as both a flaw and a feature.