Star Cruiser Genesis box art

Sega Genesis / Mega Drive · Shooter / Adventure

Star Cruiser

Deep cut

SystemSega Genesis / Mega Drive
Released1990 (originally 1988)
GenreShooter, Adventure
DeveloperArsys
PublisherMasaya Games
Players1 player
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
LegacyDeep cut · legacy score 2

Star Cruiser is a shooter released in 1990 for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive, developed by Arsys and published by Masaya Games. This Genesis release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1988. It blends shooter and adventure elements.

It came out in the Genesis's second year on the market. Other notable Genesis releases from 1990 include Populous, Michael Jackson's Moonwalker and Super Monaco GP. Among the 24 Genesis shooters in our database, it ranks #13 by legacy score.

Star Cruiser is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.

Pick it if…

  • you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
  • you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
  • you've played the Genesis hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you are not a fan of fast-paced aiming and twitch reflexes
  • you are looking for something to play with friends

What playing Star Cruiser is like

Shooters are built around aiming and firing, from first-person corridor blasters and light-gun games to run-and-gun stages and multidirectional arcade shooters.

Tip for newcomers: Retro shooters were designed for CRT TVs and original controllers; light-gun games in particular need special hardware or alternative controls on modern screens.

Star Cruiser gameplay screenshot on Genesis
In-game screenshot (Genesis)

Star Cruiser cheats & codes

11 codes on file (Other codes). Here are a few Other codes codes to start with:

Don't lose any energy when your ship movesRH0T-A6TJ
Shields will take less damage from enemy attacksREAT-C6ZA
Infinite shieldsD2AT-CA9W
Shields will take much less damage from enemy attacksJEAT-DGZA
Makes Shot Laser twice as strongAVDT-CACR
Makes Shot Laser 5 times strongerBKDT-CACR

See all Star Cruiser cheats

Star Cruiser walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Star Cruiser.

If you like Star Cruiser, the Matrix also picks…

Playing Genesis games today

Genesis games are fast and immediate, and many are made for two players. Official collections and Nintendo Switch Online carry a big slice of the library, and Rec0m88 can run your own Genesis backups with online netplay.

Star Cruiser FAQ

When did Star Cruiser come out on the Genesis?

Star Cruiser was released for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive in 1990; the original game dates back to 1988.

Who made Star Cruiser?

It was developed by Arsys and published by Masaya Games.

Is Star Cruiser multiplayer?

No. Star Cruiser is a single-player game.

How long does Star Cruiser take to play?

As a shooter, Star Cruiser typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Read more about Star Cruiser on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.

Not sure? Let the Matrix pick for you