Thunder Blade (1987)

by Nish January 2, 2023

written by Nish January 2, 2023 5 minutes read

Summary

Release Year: 1987
Genres: Arcade, Shooter
Platforms: Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Arcade, Atari ST/STE, Commodore C64/128/MAX, DOS, MSX, Nintendo 3DS, Sega Master System/Mark III, Sharp X68000, TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine, ZX Spectrum
Developers: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
Publishers: NEC Avenue, Ltd., Sharp, U.S. Gold

Thunder Blade (1987): A Classic Helicopter Shoot-‘Em-Up

Thunder Blade is a helicopter shoot-’em-up arcade game developed by Sega and released in 1987. The game was a critical and commercial success, and it is still considered one of the best arcade games of all time.

Gameplay

Thunder Blade is a vertically scrolling shoot-’em-up in which the player controls a helicopter and must destroy enemy helicopters, tanks, and other ground targets. The game is set in a variety of locations, including cities, forests, and deserts.

The player’s helicopter is equipped with a variety of weapons, including machine guns, rockets, and bombs. The player can also use the helicopter’s special ability, which is a powerful laser beam that can destroy multiple enemies at once.

Thunder Blade is known for its fast-paced action and challenging gameplay. The game is also notable for its use of Sega’s 3D super scaler technology, which created a sense of depth and realism that was unmatched by other arcade games at the time.

Development

Thunder Blade was developed by a team led by Yu Suzuki, who would later go on to create other classic Sega games such as OutRun and Virtua Fighter. The game was inspired by the 1986 film Top Gun, and it features many of the same elements, such as high-flying helicopter combat and intense dogfights.

Thunder Blade was released in arcades in 1987 and was an immediate success. The game was ported to a number of home consoles, including the Sega Master System, Sega Genesis, and Nintendo Entertainment System. However, the home versions of the game were not as well-received as the arcade version, due to the lack of 3D super scaler technology.

Legacy

Thunder Blade is considered one of the best arcade games of all time. The game was praised for its fast-paced action, challenging gameplay, and innovative use of 3D graphics. Thunder Blade has been ported to a number of home consoles and has been included in several Sega compilations. The game remains popular today and is still enjoyed by fans of classic arcade games.

Review

Thunder Blade is a classic arcade shoot-’em-up that still holds up today. The game’s fast-paced action, challenging gameplay, and innovative use of 3D graphics make it a must-play for fans of the genre.

Score: 8.5/10

Pros:

Fast-paced and challenging gameplay
Stunning 3D graphics
Variety of weapons and power-ups
Memorable soundtrack

Cons:

Home versions lack the 3D graphics of the arcade version
Can be difficult for beginners

Overall:

Thunder Blade is a classic arcade shoot-’em-up that is still enjoyed by fans of the genre today. The game’s fast-paced action, challenging gameplay, and innovative use of 3D graphics make it a must-play for anyone who loves arcade games.

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

Nish

Nish is a software engineer by day and avid gamer who loves to play video games after he puts his two boys to bed. His insights delve into the mechanics, and storytelling of the games he plays with the aim to share his passion with the audience. He loves to travel back to his native India and travel the country on his restored Royal Enfield Bullet 350, a relic from a simpler time, like some of the games he plays.