Soukyugurentai / Terra Diver (JUET 960821 V1.000)

Crimson Squad of Azure Sky is a fast-paced, cooperative flying shooter released in Japan in 1996 by Raizing and Eighting. Up to four players simultaneously pilot ships through intense vertical stages filled with enemy formations and challenging boss encounters. Players control their aircraft using an eight-way joystick and three buttons for firing standard shots, deploying bombs, and cycling between different laser types. The game presents a visually vibrant experience on Sega’s ST-V hardware, utilizing a horizontal screen orientation to display the action. Success requires teamwork and skillful maneuvering as players dodge projectiles and strategically utilize their available weaponry. A hidden "Extra Hard" mode can be unlocked by entering a specific sequence of joystick movements and button presses directly from the title screen. Outside of Japan, this arcade game was released under the name Terra Diver. Ports for both Sony PlayStation and Sega Saturn followed in 1997 within Japan.