Software:Plasma Sword: Nightmare of Bilstein

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Plasma Sword: Nightmare of Bilstein
Plasma sword.jpg
North American Dreamcast cover art
Developer(s)Capcom
Publisher(s)Capcom
Dreamcast
Director(s)Yoichiro Ikeda
Takayoshi Terada
Producer(s)Noritaka Funamizu
Koji Nakajima
Artist(s)Bengus
Composer(s)Tetsuya Shibata
Takayuki Iwai
Platform(s)Arcade, Dreamcast
ReleaseArcade
  • JP: March 1998
  • WW: 1998
Dreamcast
  • JP: December 9, 1999
  • NA: April 10, 2000[1]
  • PAL: August 25, 2000
Genre(s)Fighting
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer
Arcade systemSony ZN-2

Plasma Sword: Nightmare of Bilstein, released in Japan as Star Gladiator 2: Nightmare of Bilstein (Japanese: スターグラディエイター2 ナイトメア オブ ビルシュタイン, Hepburn: Sutāguradieitā Tsū Naitomea obu Birushutain), is a 1998 3D weapon-based fighting video game released by Capcom for the arcades. It is the sequel to Star Gladiator and runs on the ZN-2 hardware, an improved version of the PlayStation-based ZN-1 hardware its predecessor ran on. A Dreamcast port was released in 2000.

Gameplay

The control system from the first Star Gladiator was reworked and rebuilt for the sequel. Much like the first game, players are given an arsenal of four usable buttons. Two of the buttons are attacks for a fighter's weapon while one button is used for a kick attack and the final button is used for inward and outward sidesteps as well as dashes. The Plasma Combo System was discarded in favor of the Plasma Strike System, in which all characters have a Plasma Gauge (similar to the ones found in Street Fighter and Darkstalkers) and that they can store up to three levels of the Plasma Gauge, enabling them to pull off super moves called Plasma Strikes. Unlike the first game, fighters are able to battle on an endless 3D plane field, meaning that ring-outs were unavailable from within sight. Like other 3D fighting games, set combos were implemented through tapping a specific sequence of buttons. However, characters could perform special moves from within the combos themselves, akin to 2D fighting games (similar to the treatment found in the Street Fighter EX series). Characters can also counter incoming attacks using a Plasma Reflect or Plasma Revenge tactic against their opponent, requiring at least half of a Plasma Gauge level.

One new tactic introduced from within Plasma Sword is that characters were granted a unique special skill called a Plasma Field. With the use of one level from the Plasma Gauge, the character who activates it will emit a sphere of Plasma energy around them. If the opposing character is hit by it, the 3D plane field will be temporarily boxed in with four invisible walls, making escape from the Plasma Field quite difficult. The effects of the Plasma Field vary with each character, ranging from infinite Plasma Strikes, growing to gigantic sizes, and even stopping time.

With the exception of Rimgal and Kappah, the remaining characters of the original Star Gladiator return for the sequel. The ten returning characters are joined by fourteen new characters, of which ten are considered "mirror images" of the returning ones, while the remaining two new characters have their own unique fighting styles. The ten "mirror image" characters share the same weaponry, attacks, and Plasma Fields of the original cast, but each "mirror image" character has their own unique Plasma Strikes, character designs, and original stories. There are two sub-bosses/secret characters from within the game and both of them can only be played through the use of their own codes.

The Arcade Mode of Plasma Sword has the player going through eight stages of combat. Upon reaching the fifth stage, the player's character will encounter a mid-boss that further advances the story of the playing character. Once the player reaches the eighth and final stage, they will battle against a specific final boss for their playing character. Depending on the number of Battle Ability points that the player acquires from within the duration of Arcade Mode, the playing character will have a unique ending. If the player is unable to gain the required amount of Battle Ability points needed in order to continue on, the playing character will have an abridged (false) ending.[2] Should the player succeed in gaining the required number of Battle Ability points, they will have the chance and opportunity to face off against another CPU-controlled character, who is considered to be the "true" final boss for the playing character and once they are defeated, the player will then be presented with an extended conclusion of the playing character's story that is considered to be the "true" ending.

Story

In the epic battle of the Final Crusade that had occurred from within last year, Hayato Kanzaki had slayed the evil Dr. Edward Bilstein and brought the end of the Fourth Empire's terror and destruction throughout the entire universe. The fall of the Fourth Empire and the death of its leader were momentous occasions of last year and that it had signaled the restoration of peace and happiness, but all is not well from within the universe.

Rumors have been circulating about the unexpected return of Bilstein in a new cybernetic body, as well as the appearance of a ghost who eerily looks like Bilstein's old cybernetic body. At the same time, the Fourth Empire has taken the opportunity in rebuilding its strong forces and that the loyal members of the organization are quite determined to carry out Bilstein's evil will of eliminating those who stand in the way of their emperor's universal conquest.

Hayato, June, Saturn, and Gamof soon realize that the malevolent threat of Bilstein is far from over and that the four of them must head back into the relentless fight in order to defeat Bilstein and the Fourth Empire once and for all. However, the quartet is not alone from within their second battle as they have new friends to assist them from within the inevitable conflict, such as their former enemy turned ally Zelkin, an extremely strong Japanese military war soldier named Gantetsu, a noble and aspiring young American modern-day superhero with a bird motif named Eagle, and a mysterious yet cheerful young Japanese rhythmic gymnast named Ele. Hayato and his friends will find themselves heading back into the hard ordeal as Star Gladiators, Fourth Empire members, and neutral parties will be thrust into a war that will determine the fate of not only the Earth, but the entire universe.

The Nightmare of Bilstein has now begun.

Characters

Hayato Kanzaki:
The main protagonist of the series. A rebellious young Japanese intergalactic bounty hunter who fights with a Plasma Sword. Hayato had defeated Bilstein from within the events of the Final Crusade[3] and had settled down with June, spending his days peacefully in rebuilding the orphanage with the bounties that he had earned. During the events from the first battle against the Fourth Empire, Hayato had also befriended Gamof, Gantetsu, Zelkin, and Saturn.[4] One day after coming back home from another successful bounty hunting mission, Hayato is shocked to hear and learn that June had suddenly disappeared with his friends telling him on what had happened.[5] Hayato sets out to find June and to finish things with Bilstein once and for all.[6]
Black Hayato:
In his last fight against Hayato, Bilstein had managed to implant a "genotype" microchip in the protagonist. It eventually took control of Hayato, and the microchip transformed him into Black Hayato: a cruel and ruthless[7] swordsman who has a cold and emotionless fighting personality, the opposite of the original Hayato's own personality, and fights with a Plasma Sword. While Black Hayato is evil, he still hates Bilstein for what he did, and he'll attack and eliminate anyone and anything who gets in his way. If the player beats the game with Black Hayato, he'll try to kill June on sight, but the small bit of consciousness that Hayato has left will attempt to stop him. Should Black Hayato win, the effects of the microchip will remain permanent, and the real Hayato will be gone forever.[8] In Gantetsu's ending, Black Hayato is shown as a separate entity from the original Hayato when he is actually in the latter's body.[9]
June Lin Milliam:
A talented young British-Chinese rhythmic gymnast of mixed descent who fights with a Plasma Ring. June had settled down with Hayato after the events of the first game and began to develop personal feelings for him. This is implied in June's true ending from Star Gladiator. After learning that Bilstein is still alive she sets off to confront him.[10] In June's true ending, Hayato eventually catches up to June and shields her from a blow from Bilstein's ghost, angering June to defeat the fiend for good.
Ele:
A mysterious[11] yet cheerful young Japanese rhythmic gymnast who fights with a Plasma Ring and that she had traveled back into the current past from a distant future through the use of a time machine. In Ele's time, she was taught how to fight by her mother and is able to use many acrobatic skills and techniques from within her fighting expertise. Bilstein's ghost, which was obsessed with its never-ending hunt for Hayato, had attacked Ele's home one day from within a shocking yet terrifying sight. The status of Ele's father is unknown, but her mother had died during the incident. As Ele has a time limit of how long she can stay in the past, she immediately hurries to find and vanquish Bilstein's ghost as soon as possible so that she can prevent the tragic event from ever happening.[12] Ele is highly implied to be Hayato and June's daughter.[13] Ele makes a cameo appearance in one of Hayato's victory poses in Marvel vs. Capcom 2 and in Felicia's ending in Capcom Fighting Evolution.
Saturn Dyer:
A green-skinned cone-headed alien and commander of the Star Gladiators[14] who is named after the planet where he comes from in the Andromeda Galaxy of the universe (but not the one present in Earth's Solar System) and that he fights with Plasma Yo-Yos while having quite an eccentric yet friendly personality towards those who meet him. Saturn is a well-known and renowned popular street performer from within his home planet who is quite the comic relief joker. Upon hearing and learning of his home planet's downfall to the Fourth Empire, Saturn goes along with his friends to defeat Bilstein and to save his people and family.
Prince:
The name "Prince" is an alias for Saturn Kuida-Ore the 3rd,[15] who happens to be the royal prince of the Planet Saturn who fights with Plasma Yo-Yos. Prince grew jealous of Saturn (who he sees as a rival)[16] as he got more attention from the citizens of their home planet and from within due time, he had developed a strong determination to defeat Saturn and prove that he's a much better street performer. After adopting the alias of "Prince", he allies himself with Bilstein and uses the Fourth Empire's influence as a front for chasing his own rival.
Gamof Gohgry:
A brown-furred alien who comes from the forest planet of De Rosa which lies from within the Andromeda Galaxy of the universe and that he fights with a Plasma Axe. Following the events of the Final Crusade, he returned to his home.[17] While Gamof, who is a noble lumberjack assists Hayato and the others from within their battle against Bilstein and the Fourth Empire, he is challenged by an evil contender (who is playable as a palette swap) who works for the Fourth Empire. Gamof fights to ensure his home planet's safety and to help his friends out in battling against Bilstein and the Fourth Empire. June visits Gamof and De Rosa many years later with her young daughter Ele, saying that Earth has no real nature left and that she had wanted to show her daughter the rich nature of De Rosa.
Gantetsu:
An extremely strong Japanese military war soldier and heavy drinker who fights with a Plasma Axe. Even though Gantetsu lacks strategic thinking, he makes up for it with his tough stamina and relentless endurance of pure combat. Under orders from his superiors in the Earth Federation, Gantetsu is given the mission of tracking down Franco Gerelt for his war crimes against humanity.[18] Upon managing to capture Gerelt and learning of his tragic story, Gantetsu quickly forgives him and takes him to a bar for a victory drink.
Franco Gerelt:
A renowned and honorable Spanish matador who is an expert fencer and that he fights with a Plasma Rapier while valuing honor from within the fights that he participates in. Gerelt mysteriously rejoins the Fourth Empire following the Final Crusade,[19] a decision that is later revealed to be because of a bomb that was implanted in his chest,[20] forcing him to rejoin the Fourth Empire in the hopes of not only disarming the bomb and defeating Bilstein, but also to rescue his wife and daughter, who were kidnapped by the villain in order to blackmail Gerelt into becoming his reluctant ally. Gerelt had committed heinous crimes against humanity from within a reluctant and regretful manner, and even when Bilstein was defeated by the forces of good, Gerelt had hesitated to return to his family, who were rescued safely by the Earth Federation forces. However, Claire's sacrifice, as well as his wife and daughter's love, convinced Gerelt that everyone can be forgiven in the end, and so Gerelt was able to move on in his life with his family, putting his hard ordeal behind him.
Claire:
A Spanish female fencer who fights with a Plasma Rapier and that she happens to be a long-time friend of Gerelt, in which she works with him under Bilstein. It is unclear of why Claire had joined the Fourth Empire, but it is speculated that something tragic had happened to her in the past and that she saw the Fourth Empire as a way of escaping her own inner pain and suffering. In battle, Claire is known as Scarlet Del Sol and is a master at fencing, using her precise fencing skills to mercilessly defeat her opponents. Unlike Gerelt, Claire is very loyal to the Fourth Empire[21] and holds the button to the bomb planted inside Gerelt's chest. Upon hearing and learning about Gerelt's revolt against Bilstein, Claire confronts him and demands an explanation from Gerelt, leading to an impromptu battle between the two fencers. Before Claire can make her final move against Gerelt, Luca confronts them unexpectedly, under orders from Gore to eliminate Claire. When Luca explodes from a Plasma energy overload due to the intensity of the match, Claire shields Gerelt from the blast and dies in his arms. It is heavily implied from within Claire's last words that she may have developed feelings for Gerelt during their time together in the Fourth Empire, and that she had wanted to spend the rest of her life with him.[22]
Vector:
An emotionless and powerful[23] prototype assassin robot created by Bilstein to become the ultimate killing weapon that fights with a Plasma Gun. Bilstein implants a program to make Vector self-evolutionary and unleashes it to test its potential abilities against his enemies. Should Vector prove successful in its mission, Bilstein will then unleash an army of Vectors to destroy anyone and anything against him.
Omega:
An older prototype of the current Vector model that fights with a Plasma Gun. He had previously been discarded and buried in a pile of junk before being reactivated by a hit from lightning.[24] Omega was long deemed faulty by its creator for being too compassionate.[25] After hearing that it has a "heart", Omega searches to know on what it is before its current energy supply runs out. After failing to gain answers from Bilstein, Omega soon encounters Ele, who thinks that it is another killer Vector. Ele soon realizes Omega's true nature and explains to it that the "heart" the robot wants is something that is felt. As soon as Omega figures out on what Ele says by that specific statement, its energy runs out. Many years later, Omega is found by a pack of kids, one of them pointing out that the robot is smiling.
Zelkin Fiskekrogen:
A blue-feathered bird-like humanoid alien who comes from the Planet Klondike which lies from within the Andromeda Galaxy of the universe and that he fights with a Plasma Claw. Zelkin's race are brave and noble valiant warriors who treasure honor and power found in true battle.[26][27] Zelkin's former alliance with Bilstein was formed because of his personal hatred for humans, due to their past prejudice against his people. However, after fighting Hayato from within the events of the Final Crusade, Zelkin soon found out and realized that Earthlings had honor as well. Feeling responsible for the tragedy he had caused, Zelkin had defected from the Fourth Empire [28] and was obligated by honor to "repay the debt" to Hayato and his friends.[29] If Zelkin fights and wins against Hayato, he will give him one of his head feathers as a sign of respect.
Eagle:
A noble and aspiring young American modern-day superhero with a bird motif who fights with a Plasma Blade. Eagle was once an ordinary man who used to work as a faux superhero at Gorakuem Amusement Park [30] with a bird-like costume and a pair of artificial wings. The tyranny that Bilstein had caused throughout most of the universe had motivated Eagle to become a real-life hero of justice, adopting the title "Emissary of Justice"[31] while expressing it in a typical superhero fashion. It is suggested that Eagle is Capcom's in-joke character as he'll claim that he is the real Zelkin,[32] harking back to past hero films where animal characters were actors in a suit.
Gore Gajah:
A big-brained pointy-eared tanned alien-esque Indonesian who fights with a Plasma Mace. In his never-ending research for Plasma Power, Gore, who is a genius magician had joined Bilstein's Fourth Empire as Bilstein had a large library of forbidden Plasma info. However, Gore had planned to secretly betray Bilstein and take everything for himself. Gore's plans however go awry when Bilstein commands him to retire the artificial girl he made, Luca (whose creation causes something to change inside him)[33] due to the fact that Bilstein had feared about the possible security threat that Luca had posed to him and the Fourth Empire. Gore had rebelled against Bilstein's command and went into immediate hiding with Luca. To avoid easy detection, Gore had changed his appearance with Plasma Magic and went into leisurely seclusion, possibly marrying Luca as well.
Luca:
An artificial alien-esque girl made by Gore[34] who fights with a Plasma Mace. Luca is Gore's fiancée/assistant [35] and is only dedicated to him. Even though Luca has a kind and cheerful personality, she also has unusual sadistic tendencies and is naive to the concept of pain and death, killing other people as if it was a game.[36] Omega will not recognize Luca as "human", sending her into denial about her own existence. If Bilstein tells Luca that she isn't human, Luca's own mind will reach its breaking point and she will unintentionally murder Gore.
Blood Barbarians:
A robust young American expert swordsman who fights with a Plasma Broadsword and had previously worked under Bilstein as a brainwashed servant. The brainwashing that Bilstein had cast on Blood wears off and that Blood is able to regain his freewill. Much to Blood's dismay however, the damage has been done and is irreversible; Blood's robotic left arm is dependent on Bilstein's existence and that he has killed far too many innocent people. Sickened by the brainwashing microchip that had controlled him,[37] Blood heads to the emperor's side in a mission of eliminating Bilstein once and for all. Blood walks on a path of mortal redemption, intending to kill Bilstein and himself for the sins that were committed in the name of the Fourth Empire.[38] If Blood is the one to defeat Bilstein, the Fourth Empire flying fortress will begin to collapse and that Blood will sacrifice himself to reduce and lessen the reactor's explosion in order to save the Earth and its people.
Shaker:
One of the many Shaker clones of Blood who strangely shares his progenitor's levitating robotic left arm and Plasma Broadsword. The group of Shaker clones bicker over the identity of the original Shaker and a specific one sets out to prove on who's the original. All Shakers love punk music and especially love guitars.
Dr. Edward Bilstein:
The main antagonist of the series. A Nobel Prize-winning German-American prestigious physicist and cybernetic mad scientist emperor who fights with a Plasma Broadsword and leads the Fourth Empire in his universal conquest. Bilstein was killed in the Final Crusade by Hayato, but was able transcend his spirit into a new, seemingly more powerful[39] cybernetic body[40] and was able to live again.[41] After rebuilding his forces and conquering other planets, Bilstein once again resume his plans for complete domination of the universe. Bilstein particularly focuses his efforts on Earth, the planet that evaded him the first time.
Ghost Bilstein:
Bilstein's old cybernetic body that was discarded after Bilstein himself was able to transcend his spirit into his new cybernetic body. For an unknown reason, Ghost Bilstein had gained a small bit of Bilstein's own consciousness, and because of that, it was able to live once more without its previous host. Ghost Bilstein is an unthinking entity who fights with a Plasma Broadsword and is purely obsessed with slaying Hayato,[42] eliminating anyone and anything who gets in its way. If Ghost Bilstein defeats Hayato, it will deem Hayato as too weak and will continue on its relentless rampage, destroying anything in its path to find the "real" Hayato.
Rain:
Bilstein's beautiful and ambitious German-American daughter[43] who fights with a Plasma Scythe with freezing powers.[44] Rain was sent by her father to capture all of the male Plasma masters and imprison them at Bilstein's lair. Later, Rain's father had planned to use their DNA, Hayato in particular, and impregnate his own daughter, making her the mother of "New Human Beings": people who would hypothetically have unstoppable Plasma power[45] to the point of easy universal domination. If Rain succeeds in her mission of defeating and subduing Hayato, she will find her father's plan boring and after beating her own father, Rain will nominate herself as queen of the universe with the men as her slaves.
Kaede:
A young sly Japanese kunoichi who fights with a Plasma Hammer and for her younger brothers.[46] Kaede was hired by the Earth Federation to seal off the Plasma power of all the other Plasma fighters. When Kaede's benefactors turn on her, she immediately escapes from their base with ease, but not before she steals all the money from their safe so that Kaede can spend the rest of her days in a state of complete luxury. Kaede is the first sub-boss and secret character who can be played through the use of a code. Although essentially a palette swap of Rain, Kaede has some differences such as a different physical fighting style in the form of kicks.
Byakko:
A mysterious white-furred tiger-like humanoid alien and space ninja[47] who fights with Plasma Claws. Byakko is a skilled ninja and a member of The Four Sacred Beasts (based on the Chinese constellations) which was created by the Union to foil Bilstein's plans. Byakko's mission is to destroy the source of the Plasma weapons and any wielder he meets. Byakko is also suspected by Gantetsu to be the one who had decimated his troop from within a past incident. Byakko's win quotes suggest that he has a Zen-like nature.[48] If Byakko succeeds in his mission of defeating Bilstein, the Union will order Rai-on to execute him as he has become "too powerful" and a possible threat. Byakko escapes, saying he has much to live for and that he can't die just yet.
Rai-On:
A mysterious black-furred lion-like humanoid alien who fights with Plasma Claws and that he happens to be another member of The Four Sacred Beasts[49] who has the same mission as Byakko. Rai-on is more vicious by nature and is a wrathful ninja. Rai-on is essentially a color swap of Byakko with black fur, instead of white, with red eyes. Rai-on's ending is similar to Byakko's, with him defeating Bilstein first and that Rai-on is then forced to battle against Byakko. Even though Byakko manages to escape, Rai-on sends the other Saint Beasts to hunt the wounded Byakko down and that he'll anticipate another bout between himself and his former teammate. Rai-on is the second sub-boss and secret character who can be played through the use of a code.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
GameRankings61%[50]
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGame1.5/5 stars[51]
EGM6.375/10[53][lower-alpha 1]
Eurogamer2/10[55]
Famitsu31/40[56]
Game Informer7.25/10[57]
GameFan(J.W.) 88%[58]
81%[59][lower-alpha 2]
(F.M.) 69%[60]
GameRevolutionD+[61]
GameSpot6.6/10[62]
GameSpy6/10[63]
IGN(US) 6.8/10[64]
(JP) 5.8/10[65]
Next Generation(ARC) 4/5 stars[66]
(DC) 2/5 stars[67]

The Dreamcast version received mixed reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.[50] An unnamed reviewer of Next Generation said of the arcade version in its September 1998 issue, "Capcom has taken few (if any) big steps forward with Plasma Sword, but the fighting game giant has managed to round out and deepen the gameplay essentials of its growing 3D library."[66] 18 issues later, however, Jeff Lundrigan of the same magazine (now labeled NextGen) said of the former version in his early review on its March 2000 issue, "If you're working your way down the list of Dreamcast brawlers, this is the one to buy next to last (just ahead of Mortal Kombat Gold)."[67] In Japan, Famitsu gave the same console version a score of 31 out of 40.[56]

Also in Japan, Game Machine listed the arcade version in their June 1, 1998 issue as the third most-successful arcade game of the month.[68]

In one (albeit early) review, Jake The Snake of GamePro called the Dreamcast version "a good-looking game with lots of visual variety. It's not in the top tier of fighting games with Soul Calibur [sic], but it does offer plenty of intense action—especially when you're trading huge special attacks with a human opponent."[69][lower-alpha 3] In another review, Kilo Watt said that the same console version "won't win any points for originality (and certainly not for sheer graphics alone), but it still comes out as a fun title that is worth at least a rental."[70][lower-alpha 4]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Four critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the Dreamcast version each a score of 7/10, 6/10, 4.5/10, and 8/10 in an early review.
  2. ↑ In GameFan's early viewpoint of the Dreamcast version, three critics gave it each a score of 88, 86, and 69.
  3. ↑ GamePro gave the Dreamcast version two 4/5 scores for graphics and fun factor, 3.5/5 for sound, and 4.5/5 for control in an early review.
  4. ↑ GamePro gave the Dreamcast version two 2.5/5 scores for graphics and sound, 4/5 for control, and 3.5/5 for fun factor in another review.

References

Unless otherwise specified, all sources are cited from the 1999 Dreamcast port using official English translations.

  1. ↑ "Plasma Sword Now Available". April 10, 2000. Archived from the original on April 19, 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20010419143125/http://www.capcom.com/news/news.xpml?prid=100011. Retrieved April 21, 2023. 
  2. ↑ For example, Luca's eyes in both endings start dulled but Luca in her abridged ending: "Gore... Here you are! Let's go to earth and do some experiments, shall we?" and her eyes turn to normal; Luca in her extended ending: "Gore... Gore...I love you so much...I almost feel like...Yes...Oh yes..." with her eyes still dull and an evil grin spread across her face
  3. ↑ Bilstein's ending when victorious: "Miracles don't happen twice, do they, Hayato Kanzaki?"
  4. ↑ All of these characters will be present in his ending, glad that he is safe.
  5. ↑ June's Ending: Hayato to June: "You have no idea how much Gamof and the others worried about you!"
  6. ↑ Official Hayato character biography (in Japanese): Bilstein, this time Ill give you the final word!" The invincible plasma sword growls with new power!
  7. ↑ Official Black Hayato character biography (in Japanese): When the "evil factor" that Bilstein once planted in Hayato awakens, the brutal and ruthless "other Hayato" appears!
  8. ↑ Black Hayato's ending: "Hmmph!...Hayato's consciousness is completely dead now...Rest assured Hayato. I'll take very good care of your body..."
  9. ↑ Outside reference from Marvel vs Capcom 2; Hayato's level 3 super; B. Hayato makes an appearance upon the finishing strike but reverts to Hayato once finished
  10. ↑ Official June character biography (in Japanese): "My father's enemy, he's alive!" June rides alone into enemy territory with a burning fighting spirit in her heart. No one can stop her!
  11. ↑ Official Ele character biography (in Japanese): Who on earth is this pretty girl who suddenly appears on the battlefield? "Sorry, it's still a secret."
  12. ↑ Ele's Conversation with G. Bilstein: "You're the one who altered history... Mother's gone now."
  13. ↑ The final image in Ele's ending shows figures dressed a lot like Hayato and June. Ele is confirmed to be June's daughter in Gamof's ending when she visits Gamof's homeworld years after the events of the Nightmare of Bilstein.
  14. ↑ Official Saturn character biography (in Japanese): “You never learn." Saturn, the commander of the Star Gladiators, is a joyful clown. His yo-yo wielding is still going strong this time around!
  15. ↑ One of Prince's winquotes: "Yes! I'm the prince of the Saturn, Saturn Kuida Ore the 3rd!".
  16. ↑ Official Prince character biography (in Japanese): 'Saturn, I'm going to outsmart you this time!' This man, who sees Saturn as his rival, is going to do what he's going to do.
  17. ↑ Official Gamof character biography (in Japanese): Even though he has abandoned the battle and returned to his hometown, the clutches of the revived Bilstein are relentlessly closing in on him!
  18. ↑ Official Gantetsu character biography (in Japanese): The elite 8th Orbital Descent Unit of the Earth Federation Forces, which he had previously commanded, was annihilated by an attack by Gerelt’s unit. The regret of his men drives Gantetsu into a bloodbath!
  19. ↑ Official Gerelt character biography (in Japanese): Gerelt once fought for his beloved wife and daughter. Why did he join the Fourth Reich again? No one knows why...
  20. ↑ Gerelt's story 5th match: Gerelt to Claire: "Claire! You're the one who has the switch to the bomb in my body!"
  21. ↑ Official Claire character biography (in Japanese): A single flower blooming on the battlefield. Believe in the empire, believe in Gerelt, and point the blade of light at the Star Gladiator. "Glory to the Fourth Empire!!"
  22. ↑ Claire's extended ending: Claire to Gerelt: "I don't know...why...I saved you...But..I'm happy to see you're safe."
  23. ↑ Official Vector character biography (in Japanese): Bilstein's new ultimate anti-personnel weapon, the final mass-produced Vector. Its power is said to be about three times that of the old model...
  24. ↑ Official Omega character biography (in Japanese): “An early model combat robot built as a prototype for Vector. It was discarded and buried in a pile of junk, but one day it was reactivated by a direct hit from lightning!”
  25. ↑ Omega Story versus Bilstein: Bilstein to Omega: "Another defect? You lack any logic...Time to be scrapped!"
  26. ↑ Zelkin's winquote: "Krondyke people value honor. You have disgraced it and now deserve death!"
  27. ↑ Zelkin's winquote: "Your lack of power makes you unworthy to claim to be a warrior!"
  28. ↑ Zelkin's story on 5th match: Zelkin to Gerelt "Gerelt! Long time no see. Did you leave the 4th Empire as well?"
  29. ↑ Official Zelkin character biography (in Japanese): “It's time to pay back the debt..." Upon hearing the news of Bilstein's resurrection, he takes off for the planet Zeta to cooperate with Hayato and his friends!”
  30. ↑ Eagle's winquote: "Come and shake hands with me at Gorakuem amusement park! Oops! Force of habit..."
  31. ↑ Official Gamof character biography (in Japanese): A mysterious swordsman has appeared, calling himself the "Emissary of Justice.” Will his wings be a shield to protect the weak and a blade to avenge evil?
  32. ↑ Eagle's story 5th match: Saturn: "Hey... A Zelkin imitation? I'm impressed!"; Eagle: "Wrong! I'm Zelkin! A messenger from the sky!"
  33. ↑ Official Gore character biography (in Japanese): “Nothing is impossible with plasma magic!” That's what Gore has been saying lately. After using plasma magic to create Luca, an 'android', something started to change inside him.
  34. ↑ Official Luca character biography (in Japanese): “Come on, let's play with a live human!” Luca is an artificial human created by Gore. With an innocent demeanor, she wields vicious plasma magic!
  35. ↑ Luca's story 8th match: Luca to Bilstein "What do you mean? I am human! Gore and I are to be married!"
  36. ↑ Luca's winquote: "What will happen if I cut your heart out while you're still alive? That will be exciting!"
  37. ↑ Blood's story 5th match: B. Hayato to Blood: "Well I am the same kind as you after all."; Blood: "What?! Then you're one of those brain washed pawns!"
  38. ↑ Blood's winquote: "Not bad but... you can't beat someone who's ready for death...!"
  39. ↑ Bilstein winquote (after deating Ghos Bilstein): Hm Hm Hm . . I’ve surpassed myself from the past. Its almost scary!
  40. ↑ G. Bilstein's story 8th match: Bilstein to G. Bilstein "Hm...My old body. An errant transmission during rebirth..."
  41. ↑ Official Bilstein character biography (in Japanese): “Hahahahaha, the Emperor shall not die. The Fourth Reich is immortal, Bilstein is eternal!"How did Bilstein, defeated by Hayato and his friends, come back to life? Everything is shrouded in mystery...
  42. ↑ Official Ghost Bilstein character biography (in Japanese): “Hayato... where are you...?” The shadow of Bilstein wanders around the planet Zeta, seeking the image of his enemy. Is he really a ghost, or...?
  43. ↑ Rain's story 5th match: Byakko to Rain: "You're Rain...Bilstein's child."
  44. ↑ Official Rain character biography (in Japanese): A mysterious beauty known as "Bilstein's Daughter". Wielding a huge plasma size, she freezes everything with her overwhelming plasma power.
  45. ↑ Rain's extended ending: Bilstein to Rain "Listen! Your mission is to become the mother of 'New Human Beings'......whose potential plasma power is unfathomably superior! You got that?"
  46. ↑ Official Kaede character biography (in Japanese): He is one of the few people who have inherited the ancient art of Ninjutsu. He can use only a few ninjutsu, and uses many self-invented techniques. He was commissioned by the Earth Federation Forces to seal the abilities of those with plasma power, and fights for his younger brothers.
  47. ↑ Official Byakko character biography (in Japanese): "One blow kills... my claws have no hesitation..." His claws can tear through steel! Byakko, a space ninja sent by the Earth Federation Forces. Is he friend or foe?
  48. ↑ Byakko's winquote: "No distracting thoughts...You can't slash the moon on the water..."
  49. ↑ Official Rai-On character biography (in Japanese): He is the first subject of the "Superhuman Soldier Project" proposed by the Earth Federation Forces, which fears the emergence of a "second Bilstein. He is the commander of the "Four Sacred Beasts," a special unit of "superhuman soldiers" including Byakko.
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 "Plasma Sword: Nightmare of Bilstein for Dreamcast". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 5, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190505060010/https://www.gamerankings.com//dreamcast/198302-plasma-sword-nightmare-of-bilstein/index.html. Retrieved October 14, 2020. 
  51. ↑ Knight, Kyle. "Plasma Sword: Nightmare of Bilstein (DC) - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141115175735/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=23162&tab=review. Retrieved October 14, 2020. 
  52. ↑ D'Aprile, Jason (July 17, 2000). Plasma Sword (DC). CNET. Archived from the original on August 24, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000824012507/http://gamecenter.com/Dreamcast/Reviews/Plasmas/. Retrieved September 17, 2023. 
  53. ↑ Hsu, Dan; Davison, John; Chou, Che; Smith, Shawn (March 2000). "Plasma Sword [Nightmare of Bilstein"]. Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (128): 142. Archived from the original on September 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230917224614/https://www.nintendo64ever.com/scans/mags/Scan-Magazine-1737-142.jpg. Retrieved September 17, 2023. 
  54. ↑ Hudak, Chris (May 3, 2000). "Plasma Sword (DC)". Greedy Productions Ltd.. Archived from the original on March 27, 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20030327064331/http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=2453&full=1#mr_toppy. Retrieved September 17, 2023. 
  55. ↑ Kefka, Yolanda (October 25, 2000). "Plasma Sword [Nightmare of Bilstein (Dreamcast)"]. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on January 7, 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20010107174400/http://www.eurogamer.net/content/r_plasmasword_dc. Retrieved September 17, 2023. 
  56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 "ドリームキャスト - スターグラディエイター2 ナイトメア オブ ビルシュタイン" (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain) 915: 50. June 30, 2006. Archived from the original on September 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230917233319/https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=12821&redirect=no. Retrieved September 17, 2023. 
  57. ↑ "Plasma Sword: Nightmare of Bilstein". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (85). May 2000. 
  58. ↑ Weitzner, Jason "Fury" (March 2000). "Plasma Sword: Nightmare of Bilstein". GameFan (Shinno Media) 8 (3): 60. https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_8_Issue_03/page/n59/mode/2up. Retrieved October 14, 2020. 
  59. ↑ Rodriguez, Tyrone "Cerberus"; Ngo, George "Eggo"; Mylonas, Eric "ECM" (March 2000). "Plasma Sword". GameFan (Shinno Media) 8 (3): 13. https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_8_Issue_03/page/n11/mode/2up. Retrieved October 14, 2020. 
  60. ↑ Mosquera, Fernando (April 12, 2000). "REVIEW for Plasma Sword (DC)". GameFan (Shinno Media). Archived from the original on May 11, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000511042516/http://www.gamefan.com/repre.asp?g=1589&t=r. Retrieved October 14, 2020. 
  61. ↑ G-Wok (April 2000). "Plasma Sword Review". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on December 23, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151223214637/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/plasma-sword. Retrieved October 14, 2020. 
  62. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (December 14, 1999). "Plasma Sword Review [Import [date mislabeled as "April 28, 2000"]"]. Fandom. Archived from the original on October 13, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171013065546/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/plasma-sword-review/1900-2540690/. Retrieved September 17, 2023. 
  63. ↑ BenT (March 20, 2000). "Plasma Sword [Nightmare of Bilstein"]. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on January 31, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090131133104/http://www.planetdreamcast.com/games/reviews/plasmasword/. Retrieved October 14, 2020. 
  64. ↑ Dunham, Jeremy (April 11, 2000). "Plasma Sword: Nightmare of Bilstein Review". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on October 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201015205833/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/04/12/plasma-sword-nightmare-of-bilstein-review. Retrieved September 17, 2023. 
  65. ↑ Williamson, Colin (December 15, 1999). "Star Gladiator 2: Nightmare of Bilstein (Import)". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on September 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230917225713/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/12/16/star-gladiator-2-nightmare-of-bilstein-import. Retrieved September 17, 2023. 
  66. ↑ 66.0 66.1 "Plasma Sword: Nightmare of Bilstein (Arcade)". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (45): 144. September 1998. https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_45/page/n145/mode/2up. Retrieved October 14, 2020. 
  67. ↑ 67.0 67.1 Lundrigan, Jeff (March 2000). "Plasma Sword (DC)". NextGen (Imagine Media) (63): 87. https://archive.org/details/NextGen63Mar2000/page/n87/mode/2up. Retrieved October 14, 2020. 
  68. ↑ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - TVゲーム機ーソフトウェア (Video Game Software)" (in Japanese). Game Machine (Amusement Press, Inc.) (565): 21. June 1, 1998. 
  69. ↑ Jake The Snake (March 2000). "Plasma Sword: Nightmare of Bilstein (DC)". GamePro (IDG) (138): 102. Archived from the original on November 19, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221119030357/https://retrocdn.net/images/3/3a/GamePro_US_138.pdf. Retrieved September 17, 2023. 
  70. ↑ Kilo Watt (April 13, 2000). "Plasma Sword Review for Dreamcast on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG). Archived from the original on November 9, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20041109170111/http://www.gamepro.com/sega/dreamcast/games/reviews/5270.shtml. Retrieved October 14, 2020. 

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