Pulstar
Neo Geo CD · 1995
About this game
The basic gameplay is simple: progress through the levels in the spacecraft, collecting powerups and protecting the spacecraft from destruction.
The game has very obvious similarities in design and gameplay to R-Type.
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It is actually believed that some ex-Irem employees left the company to join Aicom, which used to be a subcontractor for various coin-op manufacturers like Jaleco or SNK.
Despite the familiarities, Pulstar is not without innovations.
There is the option of using the weapon power bar, which consists of two halves.
The right-hand side of the bar turns blue when the fire button is depressed.
When fully charged the ship delivers a devastating emission of energy.
The left-hand side turns red when it is continually pressed, shooting out a barrage of smaller, rapid blasts.
The in-game visuals are mostly pre-rendered 3D graphics, which gives the interactive elements a far more realistic appearance.
Great care was taken to really place the player into the world of the game, with cinematic style cut scenes and pre-rendered movies.
There is a hefty reliance on strategy and not just blasting everything in sight.
Using the charged weapon is key, and requires careful precision.
Also, once a power up is obtained, a small orb appears at the posterior end of the ship.
This can be used as an advantage by deflecting/absorbing oncoming enemy fire and taking out small enemies that run into it.
About Neo Geo CD
SNK's Neo Geo CD (1994) brought the arcade-perfect Neo Geo library to a CD format at a fraction of the AES cartridge system's cost, making the platform's famous games far more accessible at the time. While cheaper than AES originals, Neo Geo CD games are still a specialist collecting niche today, and disc condition matters enormously given the format's known reliability issues with the console's slow-loading drive.
Gamevaro tracks Pulstar for Neo Geo CD with separate market values for loose, complete-in-box (CIB) and factory-sealed copies, sourced from real eBay sales. Prices also vary by region — PAL, NTSC-U and NTSC-J releases of the same game often sell for different amounts due to print run sizes and regional collector demand.
Adding Pulstar to a Gamevaro collection takes seconds — search by title or scan the box barcode, and the app fills in cover art, release details and current pricing automatically. This NEOCD release dates back to 1995.
Price history
Market values by condition
Recent sales
| Date | Type | Region | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-12 | Loose / Item only | NTSC-J | €105.95 |
| 2026-07-12 | Boxed (CIB) | NTSC-J | €208.72 |
| 2026-07-12 | Sealed / New | NTSC-J | €217.25 |
| 2026-07-10 | Loose / Item only | NTSC-J | €105.90 |
| 2026-07-10 | Boxed (CIB) | NTSC-J | €208.63 |
| 2026-07-10 | Sealed / New | NTSC-J | €217.16 |
Rarity & condition
Only a handful of market sales have been tracked for Pulstar, suggesting it doesn't trade hands very often — a sign of relative scarcity compared to more common Neo Geo CD titles.
Complete-in-box (CIB) copies typically command a premium over loose cartridges/discs because the original box and manual are more fragile and get discarded or damaged over time — fewer complete sets survive.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Pulstar worth?
Pulstar for Neo Geo CD is currently worth €105.95 loose, €208.72 complete in box, and €217.25 factory sealed. Prices are based on real sales and update regularly on Gamevaro.
Is Pulstar rare?
Pulstar has only a handful of tracked market sales, suggesting relative scarcity compared to more common Neo Geo CD titles.
What's the difference between loose, CIB and sealed for Pulstar?
Loose means cartridge or disc only, CIB (complete in box) includes the original box and manual, and sealed means factory-sealed and never opened. For Pulstar, loose is €105.95 and CIB is €208.72 — CIB commands a premium because original boxes and manuals are fragile and often don't survive.
Ratings & Reviews
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