Product Overview
- Product Name: Earth Defense Force
- New or Used: Used
- In Box or Loose: Loose
- Overall Condition: Very Good
- Save Battery Status*: Not Applicable – Does Not Use Battery
- Notes: Overall in very good condition with light cosmetic wear, no tears or writing on label, manual in very good condition for a loose copy - Clean contacts, tested and plays great!
Photos show actual product for sale — no stock images used.
What's Included
- SNES Game Cartridge: Yes
- Manual / Instructions: Yes
- Cartridge Dust Cover / Sleeve: No
- Original Retail Box: No
- Extras:
Game Description
Defend the planet from a relentless alien invasion in Earth Defense Force, a fast-paced Super Nintendo shoot-em-up developed and published by Jaleco Entertainment. Piloting the cutting-edge XA-1 space fighter, you’ll take to the skies above a futuristic Earth and battle wave after wave of extraterrestrial enemies threatening humanity’s survival. With explosive power-ups, strategic weapon choices, and smooth 16-bit action, Earth Defense Force delivers classic arcade excitement perfectly adapted to home consoles.
Released in 1992, the SNES version of Earth Defense Force set itself apart from other shooters of the era by introducing a fully upgradeable weapon system. Players earn experience points during missions to enhance firepower, making progression deeply satisfying and encouraging repeat play. Its colorful sprite work, layered parallax backgrounds, and catchy sci-fi soundtrack all combine to create a truly cinematic space-battle atmosphere that stands among the best early shoot-em-ups on the platform.
As one of Jaleco’s finest contributions to the genre, Earth Defense Force remains a cornerstone of the SNES shoot-em-up library. Its polished visuals, smooth controls, and strategic customization system give it enduring replay value, making it a sought-after title for collectors and fans of high-intensity 16-bit shooters alike.
Gameplay Features
- Classic side-scrolling SNES shoot-em-up with explosive 16-bit visuals
- Pilot the advanced XA-1 fighter and defend Earth from alien forces
- Earn experience points to upgrade weapons across multiple stages
- Dynamic backgrounds and parallax scrolling bring each battle to life
- Powerful boss encounters test reflexes and weapon mastery
- Authentic arcade-style challenge optimized for Super Nintendo play
Historical Trivia or Fun Fact
Earth Defense Force on SNES is unrelated to the modern 3D action series by the same name—this was the original 2D shooter that inspired the title’s legacy. Its upgrade system was ahead of its time, blending RPG-like progression with the intensity of an arcade shoot-em-up, setting a design precedent for later games in the genre.
Collectors prize the SNES release for its crisp performance and memorable soundtrack, which helped establish Jaleco’s reputation in the early 16-bit era. Decades later, Earth Defense Force still stands as one of the most finely tuned and enjoyable space shooters available on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.
Additional Details
- Variant: Standard Release
- Genre: Shoot-em-up
- Year Released: 1992
- Publisher: Jaleco Entertainment
- Developer: Jaleco Entertainment
- ESRB Rating: T - Teen
- UPC: 032264700037
- SKU: 8892
- Format: Super Nintendo Entertainment System (Super NES) game cartridge
- Platform: Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) 16-bit video game console
- Region: NTSC (North America, Canada)
Important Information
- *Save battery (if present) has been tested or replaced and is verified working at the time of listing.
- Photos show the exact item for sale — we never use stock images for used games.
- All used items are cleaned, tested, and 100% guaranteed to work.
- Backed by Retro Game Fan’s 60-day warranty.
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