The NA-00 space fighter, also known as the Grind Stormer, is the main protagonist of the 1993 shoot 'em up Grind Stormer. It is specially made space fighter that takes advantage of its options by allowing its pilot to control how they behave in combat. The storyline of the spacecraft differs on the version of the game.
History[]
The story of Grind Stormer varies between the original arcade version and Sega Genesis port adaptation.
Arcade[]
For many years, video games were largely rampant, but this issue was worsen when virtual reality games were released, increasing the demand to the point that players were growing unsatisfied with their quality. In the year 2210, that all changed when the "Ultimate" arcade game was released, its name: "Grind Stormer". The game's super-realistic simulation allowed players to enter the game and experience gameplay and combat for themselves, however as impressive as it was there was a twist. When a player inserts there coin and plays the game and loses, they become permanently trapped inside of it until they beat it. Many players have tested their skill, but none of them have ever completed it.
In response to these disappearances, a secret agent working undercover for the government decides to investigate the game for himself in an attempt to locate these missing individuals. Once inside the game, he takes control of the NA-00, a virtual space fighter designed for gameplay. With the game set to begin, the NA-00 launches in its seemingly impossible mission to rescue the missing players.
The NA-00 travels through six levels, in each one it battles through various hordes of in-game enemies and bosses, before eventually locating the final boss. The space fighter defeats it, but is then sent back to the beginning, where it must repeat the same six levels once again. Upon reaching the final boss for a second time, the NA-00 once again destroys it, and this time for good. Having located the trapped players, the NA-00 zooms back to Earth and the game ends. In the end, the true purpose of Grind Stormer's release to the market was never really known.
Sega Genesis[]
For many years, the people of Earth have been living peacefully after all conflicts finally came to an end. That all changed when in the Planetary Calendar year of 275, a mysterious island emerged off the coast of Japan. On the island was a mysterious domed city as well as an unidentified spacecraft known as the NA-00 "Grind Stormer". Both were far more advance than any technology humans had achieved up to that point. In response, two research teams codenamed V・∂ (Delta) and V・V (AKA V-Five), were established to investigate the city and activate the spacecraft. Both teams competed with each other to see who could complete their research first, with V・V ultimately winning the bet when they eventually managed to reactivate the spacecraft - unaware of the cataclysmic secret it harbored.
Unfortunately, the studies took a turn for the worse when V・∂ discovered a cryptic translation, in it an ancient civilization was decimated by an alien invader known as Zeta Reticulli after the invaders by tracking them using the energy emitted from the spacecraft the research teams had uncovered on the island. With the fighter reactivated, the Zeta Reticulli locates its energy, tracked it down and proceeds to invade the Earth. As a result, the Terran Defense Force is almost completely destroyed from the invasion. Only one member of the Force was fortunate enough to survive the attack. In response, that pilot mans the NA-00 "Grind Stormer" in an attempt to avenge his fallen brothen and save the Earth.
The NA-00 travels across five different landscapes, where it battles the Zeta Reticulli's forces and crushes its army. Eventually, it makes its way to outer space, where it confronts the toughest commanders of the invading force, including its leader. Fortunately, despite its odds, the NA-00 manages to plow through each and every one of them and destroys its leader. With the Zeta Reticulli no longer a threat, the NA-00 returns to base, having succeeded in its mission.
Weapons[]
The NA-00 has an assortment of weapons that are built to fight off its adversaries. In the Japanese Version (V-Five), the weapons are equipped by collecting diamond-shaped power-up to obtain them by means of a power meter similar to those used by the SW475 Space Fighter in Slap Fight or the Vic Viper in Gradius. In the International and Sega Genesis versions however, the mechanic is switched over to a traditional power-up system.
- Wings - The most essential item to the NA-00, which can be manipulated whenever the craft moves; when the Na-00 obtains a "Power" upgrade for the second time, the number of options will increase to four, greatly increasing the firepower. Practically typical shoot'em up games' 'options'.
- Shot - the default weapon of the NA-00, it fires a rapid shot out from the main craft as well as two smaller shots from Wings that can destroy small enemies quickly, but requires additional firepower to destroy larger ones (including bosses). With Wings, the craft can either expand the weapon to cover a wide area, or contract to merge the shots together into one very powerful beam. When upgraded, the number of shots fired from Wings, as well as the damage from the central shot and Beam increases. When this shot is active, the NA-00 will become red.
- Search - when active, NA-00's Wings will fire a large laser beam forwards while rotating around the NA-00, when any enemy or object appears in the field of vision, Wings will track them down and attach themselves, draining their health with their active weapon until they are destroyed. The NA-00's color will become pink/purple while this weapon is active.
- Missile - fires straight missiles forwards from NA-00's Wings. Missiles have a high fire rate and firepower, destroying foes quickly. Wings will travel behind the NA-00 in a snake-like movement similar to Options of the Vic Viper from Gradius. The NA-00 will turn turquoise/blue while this weapon is active.
Bomb - only available in the International and Sega Genesis versions; when deployed, eight bombs will surround the NA-00 before detonating. The resulting explosion destroys all small enemies and projectiles within its radius as well as heavily damages larger enemies and bosses. During this time, the NA-00 is temporary invincible rom all damage sources. The fighter only has a limited supply of this weapon, so it must replenish them regularly to maximize their usage. A maximum of six bombs can be stored on the NA-00.
- Shield - only available in V-V; when activated, it creates a force field around the NA-00, absorbing a certain amount of enemy fire before dissipating.
Gallery[]
