# NebulasRay

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> Source revision: 1323222589
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{{short description|1994 arcade game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = NebulasRay
| image = NebulasRay arcade flyer.jpg
| developer = [Namco](/source/Namco)
| publisher = Namco
| designer = Masahiro Kimoto
| artist = Hideaki Ito<br>Kimiyo Amano
| composer = Masahiro Fukuzawa<br>Takayuki Ishikawa
| platforms = [Arcade](/source/Arcade_game)
| released = {{vgrelease|JP|March 1994|NA|1994}}
| genre = [Vertical-scrolling shooter](/source/Shoot_'em_up)
| modes = [Single-player](/source/Single-player), [multiplayer](/source/multiplayer)
}}
{{nihongo foot|'''''NebulasRay'''''|ネビュラスレイ|''NebyurasuRei''|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a [vertical-scrolling shooter](/source/Shoot_'em_up) [arcade game](/source/arcade_game) developed and released by [Namco](/source/Namco) in 1994. Players control a starship named the Fighting Ray, navigating through levels to eradicate an intergalactic organization known as the Master Force. It is noteworthy for its usage of [pre-rendering](/source/pre-rendering), where 3D models are converted into 2D sprites, creating the illusion of a 3D world.

''NebulasRay'' was developed by the same team of Namco employees that created the vertical shooter ''[Fighter & Attacker](/source/Fighter_%26_Attacker)'' (1992). They chose to create another shooter because of their dissatisfaction with the quality of shooters at the time. The game was well-received, particularly for its graphical style. Reviewers also praised its gameplay, array of weapons, and soundtrack. Some felt it was hindered by its high difficulty level and similarity to other games.

==Gameplay==
thumb|left|The player exchanging shots with an enemy battleship.
''NebulasRay'' is a [vertical-scrolling shooter](/source/Shoot_'em_up). The story revolves around an ongoing war between humans and an intergalactic organization named the Master Force.<ref name="SegaPro"/> After the Master Force destroy the fictional planet Marinarc, the base of operations of the resistance, a prototype starfighter called the Fighting Ray is deployed in hopes of destroying the Master Force once and for all.<ref name="Micom">{{cite news |title=ARCADE GAME - ネビュラスレイ |url=https://archive.org/details/micomBASIC_1994-06/page/n141/mode/2up |access-date=March 15, 2021 |agency=Micom BASIC |publisher=Dempa Shimbun |date=July 1994 |pages=150–151 |language=ja}}</ref>

The player controls the Fighting Ray through six scrolling stages that increase in difficulty.<ref name="Micom"/> In these stages, the objective is to destroy constantly-moving formations of enemies while avoiding a collision with them and their projectiles, as well as stage obstacles like asteroids.<ref name="Micom"/> Stages conclude in a boss fight where players must destroy the weak point of an enemy battleship, such as its core or turret guns.<ref name="CPlus"/>

[Power-ups](/source/Power-ups) are awarded by destroying capsule-shaped enemies or other larger enemies found throughout each stage.<ref name="Micom"/> These upgrade the power of the Fighting Ray's weapons, including a spread shot, a "grow shot" that increases in size, a lock-on laser, and a four-way shot.<ref name="Micom"/><ref name="Flyer">{{cite news |title=NebulasRay advertising flyer |url=https://flyers.arcade-museum.com/?page=wide-flyer&db=videodb&id=4761&image=2 |accessdate=May 13, 2020 |publisher=[Namco](/source/Namco) |date=1994 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513002703/https://flyers.arcade-museum.com/?page=wide-flyer&db=videodb&id=4761&image=2 |archive-date=May 13, 2020 |pages=1–2}}</ref> Several of these weapons only last for a certain amount of time.<ref name="CPlus"/> There are other items that will increase the player's score when collected in succession.<ref name="Micom"/> The Fighting Ray also begins with three [superbombs](/source/superbombs) that clear the screen of enemies when fired.<ref name="Micom"/>

==Development and release==
thumb|right|The characters in ''NebulasRay'' were created as 3D models and then converted into 2D sprites.
''NebulasRay'' was developed by the same team of [Namco](/source/Namco) employees that designed the scrolling shooter ''[Fighter & Attacker](/source/Fighter_%26_Attacker)'' (1992).<ref name="Notes">{{cite book |last1=Fukuzawa |first1=Masahiro |last2=Ishikawa |first2=Takayuki |title=Namco Game Sound Express Vol. 13: NebulasRay ― Linear Notes |date=July 21, 1994 |publisher=[Victor Entertainment](/source/Victor_Entertainment) |language=ja}}</ref> They chose to create another shooter because they were unsatisfied with the quality of the genre at the time and want to improve on faults present in their previous game. The development of ''NebulasRay'' began in 1993 and lasted for 8 months.<ref name="Notes"/> It was programmed for the Namco NB-1 arcade system, which lacked the ability to produce 3D graphics.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nebulasray — Videogame by Namco |url=https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=8835 |website=[Killer List of Videogames](/source/Killer_List_of_Videogames) |publisher=The International Arcade Museum |accessdate=13 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325035344/https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=8835 |archive-date=25 March 2019}}</ref> As a workaround, the team used [pre-rendering](/source/pre-rendering) to convert 3D models into 2D sprites, thus creating the illusion of a 3D game. The idea was suggested by a staff member that thought it would make the game more realistic than what sprite-based games could accomplish.<ref name="Notes"/> Namco created the models on [Macintosh](/source/Macintosh) computers using the same rendering and texture-mapping techniques it used for ''[Ridge Racer](/source/Ridge_Racer_(1993_video_game))'' (1993) and ''[Cyber Sled](/source/Cyber_Sled)'' (1993).<ref name="Notes"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Stop Info - Nebulas Ray |url=https://archive.org/download/player-one-numero-/Player_One_numero_44.pdf |access-date=March 15, 2021 |agency=Player One |issue=44 |date=July 1994 |page=13 |language=fr}}</ref> The soundtrack was composed by Masahiro Fukuzawa and Takayuki Ishikawa, who wanted its music to feel empowering and thrilling for players.<ref name="Notes"/>

''NebulasRay'' was released in Japan in March 1994.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Akagi |first1=Masumi |title=アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971-2005) |date=13 October 2006 |publisher=Amusement News Agency |location=Japan |isbn=978-4990251215 |page=[https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005/page/n54 53] |edition=First |url=https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005 |accessdate=16 August 2019}}</ref> In advertising material, Namco highlighted its pre-rendered graphics and two-player simultaneous play.<ref>{{cite news |title=スーパーリアル! ハイブリッドシューティング ここに登場!! |url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19940301p.pdf |accessdate=13 May 2020 |agency=Game Machine |issue=467 |publisher=Amusement Press, Inc. |date=1 March 1994 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131223508/https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19940301p.pdf |archive-date=31 January 2020 |page=17 |language=ja}}</ref> It was released midway in the year in North America and was later demonstrated at the American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA) tradeshow in Illinois.<ref name="EGM">{{cite news |title=Arcade Action - NEBULARSRAY by Namco |url=https://archive.org/stream/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_59#page/n70/mode/1up |accessdate=12 May 2020 |agency=[Electronic Gaming Monthly](/source/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly) |issue=59 |publisher=EGM Media, LLC |date=June 1994 |page=72}}</ref> [Victor Entertainment](/source/Victor_Entertainment) released its soundtrack in July as the thirteenth volume in its ''Namco Game Sound Express'' series.<ref name="Notes"/> Original ''NebulasRay'' arcade boards are now rare and collectible.<ref name="Retro">{{cite news |title=Shmup Family Tree |url=https://issuu.com/topov81/docs/retro_volume_2 |accessdate=12 May 2020 |agency=Retro |volume=2 |publisher=[GamesTM](/source/GamesTM) |date=2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512223642/https://issuu.com/topov81/docs/retro_volume_2 |archive-date=12 May 2020 |location=United Kingdom |pages=66–67}}</ref>

On May 15, 2025, the game saw its first official worldwide home console release by [Hamster Corporation](/source/Hamster_Corporation) as part of the ''[Arcade Archives](/source/Arcade_Archives)'' series for the [PlayStation 4](/source/PlayStation_4) and [Nintendo Switch](/source/Nintendo_Switch).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Extension |first=Time |date=2025-05-01 |title=Namco's Unported Arcade Classic 'NebulasRay' Gets Its Console Debut Later This Month |url=https://www.timeextension.com/news/2025/05/namcos-unported-arcade-classic-nebulasray-gets-its-console-debut-later-this-month |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=Time Extension |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Reception==
Critics applauded ''NebulasRay'' for its unique visual style.<ref name="SegaPro">{{cite news |title=Arcade News - NebulasRay |url=https://archive.org/details/sega-pro-33/page/n9/mode/2up |access-date=March 15, 2021 |agency=[Sega Pro](/source/Sega_Pro) |issue=33 |publisher=[Paragon Publishing](/source/Paragon_Publishing) |date=June 1994 |page=11}}</ref><ref name="CPlus">{{cite news |title=Japon En Direct - NebulasRay |agency=Consoles+ |issue=31 |date=April 1994 |pages=16–17 |language=fr}}</ref> A reviewer for ''[Electronic Gaming Monthly](/source/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly)'' commended the quality of its sprite-layering techniques and for having some of the best graphics in a scrolling shooter yet: "If you have been waiting for a really great shooter, your collective prayers have been answered in spades!"<ref name="EGM"/> A ''Consoles +'' writer was similarly impressed, and believed its creative use of 3D and fast-pacing would help keep the shooter genre alive.<ref name="CPlus"/> Staff for ''Micom BASIC'' and ''Shooting Maker'' were enthralled with the quality of its graphics and presentation.<ref name="Micom"/><ref name="SMaker">{{cite news |title=ネビュラスレイ (ナムコ) |url=https://archive.org/details/LoginShootingMaker98/page/n33/mode/2up |access-date=March 15, 2021 |agency=Shooting Maker |issue=98 |publisher=[ASCII Corporation](/source/ASCII_Corporation) |date=1994 |page=30 |language=ja}}</ref> One found it to be as impressive as those in ''Ridge Racer'' (1993), while another said it made other shooters look dated in comparison.<ref name="Micom"/><ref name="SMaker"/>

The gameplay was liked for its action and intensiveness.<ref name="CPlus"/><ref name="EGM"/> ''Micom BASIC'' in particular was fond of its pacing while ''Shooting Maker'' showed appreciation towards its innovation and sense of power while playing.<ref name="Micom"/><ref name="SMaker"/> The difficulty received criticism from ''Consoles +'' though it was seen as a minor setback.<ref name="CPlus"/> The magazine praised Namco for balancing impressive visuals with intense and enjoyable gameplay. Some felt it was too similar to other shooters, but its visual style helped remedy this.<ref name="CPlus"/> ''NebulasRay'' also received praise for its array of weapons,<ref name="CPlus"/> soundtrack,<ref name="SegaPro"/> and cinematic atmosphere.<ref name="Micom"/><ref name="CPlus"/> ''Retro'' listed it as being one of the best shooters of all time in 2006, with its intense gameplay and technological abilities being its strong points.<ref name="Retro"/> Multiple publications have shown interest in the game being re-released for modern platforms.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McFerran |first1=Damien |title=Namco Museum Review (Switch eShop) |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/namco_museum |website=[Nintendo Life](/source/Nintendo_Life) |publisher=Gamer Network |accessdate=12 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030222646/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/namco_museum |archive-date=30 October 2019 |date=28 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Darran |title=Arcade Going Live |url=https://archive.org/details/gamesTM045 |accessdate=6 November 2019 |agency=[GamesTM](/source/GamesTM) |issue=45 |publisher=Imagine Publishing |date=2007 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/gamesTM045/page/n139 142]-143}}</ref><ref name="4Gamer">{{cite web |title=レトロンバーガーOrder 41：「ナムコットコレクション」がFCタイトルだけだったので，FC以外から俺セレクションをクーソーする編 |url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/501/G050159/20200625171/ |website=[4Gamer.net](/source/4Gamer.net) |publisher=Aetas |access-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031225449/https://www.4gamer.net/games/501/G050159/20200625171/ |archive-date=October 31, 2020 |language=ja |date=July 4, 2020}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{KLOV game|id=8835}}

{{Portal bar|1990s|Japan|Video games}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:NebulasRay}}
Category:1994 video games
Category:Arcade video games
Category:Arcade-only video games
Category:Namco arcade games
Category:Scrolling shooters
Category:Shoot 'em ups
Category:Vertically scrolling shooters
Category:Video games developed in Japan
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [NebulasRay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NebulasRay) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NebulasRay?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.