The Cabinets:
Galaxy Force was released in 1988, and came in three forms - standard upright, deluxe, and super deluxe . . . the upright was just a normal arcade cabinet, the deluxe was a sit-down with a offset-right arcade stick, similar to some versions of Thunder Blade . . . The 'Super Deluxe' version, however, was just drop-jaw badass awesome, something that has to be seen to be appreciated fully. It rotated almost all the way around, tipped down and up, had thick metal bars encircling the cockpit-style seat, and . . well . . it stans out as one of my more prominent childhood memories :)

Emulation:
Sadly, no known emulator or MAME driver project is known to be underway in emulating this game; apparently the ROM has been dumped, but is not in public circulation as far as I can tell . . . if you're a programmer and you need an incentive to work on emulation of this hardware, check out OverClocked episode #7: THE OFFER STANDS . . . for now, it looks like the Saturn port will have to be it . . . it would be great if Sega revived the franchise on DC, and threw in the older versions for nostalgia's sake . . . .

The Story:
This is taken from the manual for the Amiga port - I am unsure if the Arcade text / story differs in any significant ways . . .

"In this distant Galaxy exist many systems harbouring life. Trade and communication have arisen between these star systems, as has a great, dark force threataning these distant civilizations. To fight this dark menace the Space Federation was formed, but has met with little success.

The enemy calls itself THE FOURTH EMPIRE and has now attaked JUNOS, jewel of the Galaxy. The JUNOS star system, once so beautiful... is only ashes now. And on these ashes THE FOURTH EMPIRE is building the strongest fortress of all time, from which to complete their conquest of the galaxy.

The Space Federation must end this evil menace! Thus is launched Galaxy Force, to strike a hammer blow against the forces threataning civilization. Fortunately, having done this duty of saving JUNOS people and destroying THE FOURTH EMPIRE, a combatant of Galaxy Force returned to the ship.

JUNOS STAR SYSTEM: The JUNOS star system comprises of five planets, the jewel of the Galaxy is JUNOS, with VELTEOR, MALKLAND, ORTHEA, and ASHUTAR. YOUR AIM You've to fight THE FOURTH EMPIRE through five levels, travelling through space, over land and sea, through caverns, and ultimately destroying the fortress at the end of each level. You will come across many different life forms, as well as the more conventional fighter craft. But their aim is the same - to destroy YOU. Lock-on to the enemy and destroy them with the use of your MISSILES or LASER GUN.

The sixth mission is on the way to THE FOURTH EMPIRE'S fortress, you travel through never ending tunnels, through construction sites, and ultimately to the fortress itself. Destroy this with everything you have."