Play SF-X Online

SF-X came out in 1992 as an arcade cabinet release from Galactic Studios. It was part of that wave of shooters that filled arcades in the early 90s, sitting alongside titles that demanded quick reflexes and a steady supply of quarters. The cabinet itself had a distinctive blue trim and a slightly sticky joystick, at least at my local pizza place.

You pilot a small, agile starfighter through vertically scrolling stages packed with enemy craft and intricate bullet patterns. Your main goal is simply to survive, blasting everything in your path while hunting for power-ups that change your weapon loadout. Some of these weapons are incredibly effective, like the wide plasma spread, while others are almost comically situational. The pacing is relentless; enemies swarm from all directions, and the screen frequently fills with lasers and glowing orbs that require precise maneuvering to avoid. It feels like threading a needle while someone is throwing rocks at your hands.