Night Slave (PC-98)

Night Slave is a side-scrolling mecha run-and-gun released for the NEC PC-9801/9821 on 8 March 1996 by the adult-game label Melody. Often compared with Assault Suits Valken and Gradius, it has you pilot the transformable power-armor “Slave Gear NS-01” across ten lengthy stages, gathering “power-orbs” that permanently level-up weapons, thrusters and armour. Between missions the story advances through voiced-less (but fully illustrated) cut-scenes that can be toggled 18-plus or “pure action” only. The original package shipped on ten floppy disks and supports HDD installation, FM-synth/MIDI music and analogue joysticks. Despite the adult label, fans praise its crisp 8-directional shooting, air-dash mobility and FM soundtrack, calling it one of the most polished PC-98 action games.