《死亡之星》（Pulstar）由Aicom開發並由SNK發行的橫向捲軸街機射擊遊戲，於1995年8月26日上市，同年在Neo Geo Rom、Neo Geo CD推出，之後移植到Xbox One、Switch、Prime Gaming、IOS、Android。以其高難度和精美的視覺效果聞名，被視為Neo Geo平台上最具挑戰性的射擊作品之一。

故事設定在西元2248年，來自火星的不明外星生命正以光速速度往太陽系方向前進，科學家們收到訊號後啟動全球防禦機制，準備在抵達地球前進行摧毀。經過八年的時間，外星人抵達太陽系並開始沿途攻擊海王星軌道附近的人類太空船，戰爭就此拉開序幕。經過兩年激烈的戰鬥，海王星被分解，木星變成恆星，地球過半的大陸開始下沉。駕駛高科技戰機Dino-246的女飛行員山崎薰(Kaoru Yamazaki) ，肩負著阻止外星入侵的重任。透過穿越各種太空場景，摧毀敵人的艦隊和基地，最終拯救地球免於毀滅。

操作相當簡單，主要有移動和攻擊，類似遊戲R-TYPE。使用搖桿或方向鍵來控制戰機的移動方向，在屏幕中上下左右自由移動。使用主武器進行普通射擊，按住攻擊按鈕可以蓄力，釋放後發射強大的毀滅性能量，如果連續按鈕則會射出一連串更小的飛彈，能快速引爆。還可以使用特殊武器來進行更大範圍的攻擊。

共有八個關卡，分別是第一關:地球的前線(Front Line On The Earth)、第二關:地下水脈(Water Vein Under Ground)，頭目Galla Naga、第三關:突出火焰(The Fire Prominence)，頭目是Carellpi、第四關:進擊太空站(Attack On Space Station)，頭目Kira-Ge-Woiare、第五關:危險森林(The Dangerous Forest)，頭目Eira-Beera、第六關:終結者(The Terminators)，頭目Iveprowfent、第七關:黑暗內布拉(Darkness Nebura)，頭目Kuuka、最後關卡:死亡關頭(Life Or Death)，頭目Mento/Bhi。每個舞台背景都有獨特的設計和挑戰。從太空基地到外星行星，需要對抗各種敵人和障礙，每個關卡的最後都有一個強大的頭目。到後期須要高超的反應速度和戰術技巧。

總體而言，這款充滿挑戰和樂趣的射擊遊戲，其高難度和精美的類電影視覺效果使其成為Neo Geo平台上的經典之作。無論是新玩家還是老玩家，都能在這款遊戲中找到屬於自己的樂趣和挑戰，目前的2手市場價格更是居高不下。

"Pulstar," developed by Aicom and published by SNK, is a side-scrolling arcade shooter released on August 26, 1995. It was made available for the Neo Geo ROM and Neo Geo CD in the same year and was later ported to platforms such as Xbox One, Switch, Prime Gaming, iOS, and Android. The game is renowned for its high difficulty level and stunning visual effects, earning a reputation as one of the most challenging shooter titles on the Neo Geo platform.

Set in the year 2248, an unidentified alien lifeform from Mars is rapidly advancing toward the solar system at the speed of light. After receiving signals about this threat, scientists activate a global defense mechanism to destroy the aliens before they reach Earth. Eight years later, the alien forces arrive in the solar system, launching attacks on human spaceships near Neptune's orbit. The war begins. After two years of fierce fighting, Neptune is destroyed, Jupiter turns into a star, and much of Earth's landmass begins to sink. Kaoru Yamazaki, a female pilot of the high-tech Dino-246 spacecraft, is tasked with preventing the alien invasion. Through a series of space missions, Kaoru must destroy enemy fleets and bases, ultimately saving Earth from destruction.

The gameplay is straightforward, focusing on movement and attack, similar to that of "R-TYPE." Players use a joystick or directional buttons to control the spaceship's movement in all directions across the screen. The primary weapon allows for standard shooting, but players can hold down the attack button to charge and release a powerful blast of destructive energy. Rapidly pressing the button releases a series of smaller missiles that can quickly explode. Special weapons are also available for wider-area attacks.

The game features eight stages, each with distinct backgrounds and challenges:

Front Line On The Earth – Stage 1

Water Vein Under Ground – Stage 2, Boss: Galla Naga

The Fire Prominence – Stage 3, Boss: Carellpi

Attack On Space Station – Stage 4, Boss: Kira-Ge-Woiare

The Dangerous Forest – Stage 5, Boss: Eira-Beera

The Terminators – Stage 6, Boss: Iveprowfent

Darkness Nebula – Stage 7, Boss: Kuuka

Life Or Death – Final Stage, Boss: Mento/Bhi

Each stage features unique designs and obstacles, ranging from space stations to alien planets, and players face a powerful boss at the end of every level. In the later stages, players must employ precise reflexes and tactical skills to overcome the increasingly difficult challenges.

Overall, "Pulstar" is a highly challenging and entertaining shooter. Its difficulty and cinematic-level visual effects make it a classic on the Neo Geo platform. Both new and veteran players can find enjoyment and challenge in this game, and its high value in the second-hand market further reflects its status as a beloved title.