Astra SuperStars (J 980514 V1.002)

Astra SuperStars is a two-player fighting game released in Japan by Sunsoft in 1998. Presented in an anime visual style, this versus fighter puts players head-to-head with a cast of distinct characters, each possessing unique attacks and abilities. Using an eight-way joystick and six buttons for control, players engage in close-quarters combat across varied stages. The game runs on Sega ST-V hardware and shares some design similarities with Sunsoft’s earlier title, “Waku Waku 7.” Players choose a character to represent them and battle their opponent directly, utilizing special moves and strategic blocking to gain the upper hand. A version of Astra SuperStars was also released for the Sega Saturn console in the same year. This arcade game provides a straightforward fighting experience focused on direct player competition.