Star Gladiator - Episode 1: Final Crusade is a 1996 arcade fighting game developed and published by Capcom. It is the second game to use the PlayStation based Sony ZN-1 arcade system board, after Battle Arena Toshinden 2, and was the first in-house polygonal fighting game created by Capcom.

The gameplay is based around weapon based duels in 3D arenas which follow traditional fighting game rules. Characters utilize a four-button configuration for their attacks and blocking, and can make use of other gameplay mechanics, such as Plasma Reverses and the unique combo system, to be successful in battles with computer or human controlled opponents.

Upon its release in July 1996 the game received positive critical reception, being praised for its 3D gameplay, visual style, and mechanics. The game was also successful commercially, being listed as the sixteenth most successful fighting game a month after it launched, which lead to a sequel, Plasma Sword: Nightmare of Blistein, being released in 1998. A PlayStation port built off of the Sony ZN-1 hardware was released in October 1996.

Instead of the six-button configuration system seen in past Capcom fighting game series such as Street Fighter II and Darkstalkers, Star Gladiator utilizes a Soulcalibur series-esque four-button configuration system, which consists of two attack buttons for a character's weapon, a kick attack, and a guard defense. The fighters battle upon a hovering arena, and if a fighter is knocked off the arena they lose the round.

Plasma Reverses are two special guard moves that can be unleashed at any time from within a battle. A Plasma Reflect enables a fighter to deflect an opponent's incoming move and stun them, leaving them vulnerable for a few seconds, while a Plasma Revenge enables a fighter to counterattack an opponent's incoming move and strike back with their own fast attack. Characters can also use a Plasma Strike, which can cause huge damage to an opponent if it connects on sight, but a Plasma Strike can only be done once per round.

Star Gladiator also introduces the Plasma Combo System. Through a specific string of attacks, a fighter can combo their opponent even if the opponent is blocking. If a character strings together five hits and presses a specific button at the end of the combo, they initiate a Plasma Final, which unlocks a technique that inflicts a large amount of damage upon their opponent if used. This system was discarded in the game's sequel, Plasma Sword.

The arcade mode of Star Gladiator consists of ten fights. Depending on who the player chooses as their character, they will fight against a specific set of opponents. Gore, who serves as the sub-boss of the game is always fought at Stage 9 and Bilstein, who serves as the final boss of the game is always fought at Stage 10. Depending on how quickly the player defeats Bilstein, either the game ends with a false ending or the player is then taken to a special battle against an unplayable computer-controlled true final boss named Super Bilstein. Losing to Super Bilstein results in both a bad ending and a game over while defeating Super Bilstein results in the chosen character's own true ending.

The events of Star Gladiator take place altogether over the course of 11 stages.