Although the gameplay was found to be average, critics concluded that the graphics and sound were of such incredible quality that they made up for any shortcomings in the game mechanics.

Sapphire was produced in low numbers at the end of the PC Engine's lifespan and subsequently became a rare collector's item.

Terrorists have taken to stashing weapons and other contraband in the past, which leads to the formation of a police force (composed only of women) to counter the threat.

[2][3] The game is split across five levels, each taking place in a different times and locations: A futuristic city, the Middle Ages, ancient Egypt and Japan, and finally outer space.

In addition, players can give themselves up to nine credits in the game options, and may also be granted extra lives and continues if they obtain a high score.

[3] The PC Engine video game console, co-developed by NEC and Hudson Soft, was known for its quality graphical adventures and shoot 'em ups.

[3] Although shoot 'em ups were prominent in the late 1980s, popular interest shifted to fighting games in the wake of Street Fighter II's release in the early 1990s.

In order to compete with the Super NES and Mega Drive, NEC developed a RAM expansion for the PC Engine called the "Arcade Card".

Hudson brought Akitaka on board to work with CAProduction to develop Sapphire as an original; it was unrelated to the story in his Galaxy Fräulein Yuna games.

The company was founded in 1990, and they also composed the music to the games Lords of Thunder, Final Fight CD, and the Sentimental Graffiti series.

[12][4][11] E. Kozo of Hardcore Gamer said used copies were obtainable for about US$300 in 2008, not including the "hundreds of dollars worth of 20-year-old hardware from Japan" needed to play it.

[4] A prospective player needs a Japanese region PC Engine with a CD-ROM drive and an Arcade Card to play.

[2] On 31 July 2008, Hudson Soft released a compilation of the first two Galaxy Fräulein Yuna games and Sapphire on the PlayStation Portable in Japan.

[4] Both Kalata and Kozo praised the PlayStation Portable compilation Ginga Ojousama Densetsu Collection for giving gamers a more accessible way to play the game.

[2][4] Reviewing the re-release, Kozo thought the compilation had a great value since original Sapphire copies were worth ten times its price.