Thunder Blade

From Sega Retro

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Thunder Blade Title.png

Thunder Blade
System(s): Sega X Board, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS, MSX, Sega Master System, Sharp X68000, TurboGrafx-16, ZX Spectrum
Publisher: Sega,
TurboGrafx-16
NEC Avenue,
Amiga
MSX
US Gold
Developer:
Genre: Shoot-'em-Up

















Release Date RRP Code
Amiga
US 		$49.9549.95 [2]
Amiga
UK 		£24.9924.99 [1]
Amiga
UK
(Kixx) 		£7.997.99 [3]
Atari ST
US 		$49.9549.95 [2]
Atari ST
UK 		£19.9919.99 [1]
Atari ST
UK
(Kixx) 		£7.997.99 [3]
Amstrad CPC
EU
Amstrad CPC
UK
(Cassette) 		£9.999.99 [1]
Commodore 64
US 		$34.9534.95 [2]
Commodore 64
EU
Commodore 64
UK
(Cassette) 		£9.999.99 [1]
ZX Spectrum
EU
ZX Spectrum
UK
(Cassette) 		£8.998.99 [1]
IBM PC compatibles
US
IBM PC compatibles
EU
MSX
EU

Thunder Blade (サンダーブレード) is a 1987 arcade shoot 'em up game designed for Sega X Board hardware. It is heavily inspired by the Blue Thunder franchise of the early 1980s.

Gameplay

Thunder Blade has the player pilot a helicopter which can fire with either its machine gun or missile launcher to destroy various enemy vehicles.

The game was notable for its differing view changes and sprite scaling techniques. Though the game starts off as a top-down shooter, the player can adjust his/her height, zooming in and out of battle while doing so. Half way through the level, the viewpoint changes to a third-person perspective, creating a game that is similar to Space Harrier or After Burner (though with improved graphics as the technology is more advanced).

History

Legacy

The game was ported to a variety of platforms including the Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS, MSX, Sega Master System, Sharp X68000, TurboGrafx-16 and ZX Spectrum. Surprisingly most of these ports retain the sprite scaling, albeit with less detailed graphics, but often require the user to manually adjust the speed of the helicopter (unlike in the Arcade game where it was done for you). The Sega Master System version of the game omits the overhead scaling entirely.

Thunder Blade was followed by Super Thunder Blade, a launch title of the Sega Mega Drive which is essentially the same game but without the overhead segments.

Production Credits

PC Engine Version

Executive Producer: Makoto Sakio
Producer: Toshio Tabeta
Director: Takashi Ozama
Programmer: God Hand
Graphics: Nori-P Hide
Sound: Funky
Assistant: Quite Person, C. Willow
Special Thanks To: K. Matsuda, Tacs Tax and other staff
© Sega 1988
Reprogrammed Game © NEC Avenue, Ltd. 1990

Gallery

  • Deluxe cabinet

  • Upright cabinet

Promotional Material

  • X Board US flyer

  • X Board JP flyer (?)

  • X Board EU flyer (deluxe)

  • X Board EU flyer (upright)

  • ThunderBlade SMS US PrintAdvert.jpg

    Master System US print advert

  • ThunderBlade SMS FR PrintAdvert.jpg

    Master System FR print advert

  • Home computers UK print advert

  • ThunderBlade Computers UK PrintAdvert 2.jpg

    Home computers UK print advert 2

  • ThunderBlade Computers UK PrintAd 3.jpg

    Home computers UK print advert 2 (black)

  • Kixx 16bit UK PrintAd.jpg

    Home computers UK print advert (Kixx)

  • Home computers FR print advert

  • Home computers FI print advert

  • ZX Spectrum ES print advert

Physical Scans

X Board Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
90 March 1988, p105/106
Arcade
 90
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Arcade
 N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Thunder Blade

X Board, US (deluxe)
X Board, US (upright)
X Board, JP (deluxe)
X Board, JP (upright)

Master System Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
64 №16, p76[4]
79 №1, p74
80 №4, p109
80 №1, p62
80 №85, p131[5]
76 №13, p39
80 №1, p136[6]
70 №2/20
86 №11
60 №23, p60
70 №6, p30[7]
Sega Master System
 75
Based on
11 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
60
[8]
ACE (UK)
64
[4]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
79
[9]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
80
[10]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK) PAL
80
[11]
Computer Action (DK)
100
[12]
Console XS (UK) PAL
65
[13]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
80
[5]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
53
[14]
The Games Machine (UK)
76
[15]
Génération 4 (FR)
62
[16]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
70
[17]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
80
[6]
S: The Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
86
[18]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
50
[19]
Sega Pro (UK)
70
[7]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
65
[20]
Soft Today (DK)
100
[21]
Software Gids (NL)
88
[22]
Sega Master System
 74
Based on
19 reviews

Thunder Blade

Master System, US
ThunderBlade SMS US cover.jpg
Cover
ThunderBlade SMS US Cart.jpg
Cart
Thunderblade sms us manual.pdf
Manual
SegaAdventure SMS US Poster Back.jpgSegaAdventure SMS US Poster Front.jpg
Poster
Master System, EU
ThunderBlade SMS EU cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, EU
® variant
ThunderBlade SMS EU R cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, EU
"no limits" variant
ThunderBlade SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
Master System, JP
Thunder Blade SMS JP Box Back.jpgNospine.pngThunder Blade SMS JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
Thunder Blade SMS JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, BR
ThunderBlade SMS BR cover.jpg
Cover
ThunderBlade SMS BR Cart.jpg
Cart
ThunderBlade SMS BR Manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, KR
Thunderblade SMS KR cover.jpg
Cover
ThunderBlade SMS KR Cart Top.jpg
ThunderBlade SMS KR Cart Back.jpgThunderBlade SMS KR Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, SE

Amiga Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
84 №17, p68
85 №15, p56/57
80 №18, p74
Amiga
 83
Based on
3 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Amiga
 N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Thunder Blade

Amiga, US
ThunderBlade Amiga US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngThunderBlade Amiga US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Amiga, UK

Amiga, UK (Kixx)
ThunderBlade Amiga UK Box Kixx.jpg
Cover
ThunderBlade Amiga UK Disk Kixx.jpg
Disk

Amstrad CPC Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
78 №20, p78[23]
54 №15, p56
Amstrad CPC
 66
Based on
2 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Amstrad CPC
 N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Thunder Blade

Amstrad CPC, UK (disk)
ThunderBlade CPC EU Box.jpg
Cover
Amstrad CPC, UK (cassette) (Kixx)
ThunderBlade CPC EU Box Cassette Kixx.jpg
Cover
ThunderBlade CPC UK Cassette Kixx.jpg
Cassette
Amstrad CPC, ES (cassette)
ThunderBlade CPC ES Box Cassette Erbe.jpg
Cover

Atari ST Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
66 №87, p22-23/25[1]
84 №15, p56/57
80 №18, p74
Atari ST
 77
Based on
3 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Atari ST
 N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Thunder Blade

Atari ST, US
ThunderBlade ST US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngThunderBlade ST US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Atari ST, UK
ThunderBlade ST UK Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngThunderBlade ST UK Box Front.jpg
Cover
ThunderBlade ST UK Disk1.jpg
Disk 1
ThunderBlade ST UK Disk2.jpg
Disk 2
ThunderBlade ST UK Counterpoint Cassette.jpg
Counterpoint
ThunderBlade ST UK Counterpoint Cassette Manual.jpg
Counterpoint Manual
Atari ST, UK (Kixx)

Commodore 64 Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
80 №16, p56-57[24]
65 №15, p56/57
72 №75
Commodore 64
 72
Based on
3 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Commodore 64
 N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Thunder Blade

Commodore 64, US
ThunderBlade C64 US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngThunderBlade C64 US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Commodore 64, UK
ThunderBlade C64 UK Box.jpg
Cover
Commodore 64, UK (Kixx)
ThunderBlade C64 EU Box Kixx.jpg
Cover

DOS Version

DOS, US (5.25-inch)
ThunderBlade DOS US Box Back 525.jpgNospine.pngThunderBlade DOS US Box Front.jpg
Cover
ThunderBlade DOS US Box Disk1 525.jpg
Disk 1
DOS, US (3.5-inch)
ThunderBlade DOS US Box Back 35.jpgNospine.pngThunderBlade DOS US Box Front 35.jpg
Cover
ThunderBlade DOS US Disk 35.jpg
Disk

MSX Version

MSX, ES
ThunderBlade MSX ES Box Erbe.jpg
Cover

PC Engine Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
46 №112, p77[25]
67 №13, p98
72 №5, p79[26]
PC Engine
 62
Based on
3 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Computer & Video Games (UK)
46
[27]
Génération 4 (FR)
69
[28]
Joystick (FR)
67
[29]
Power Play (DE)
61
[30]
Raze (UK) NTSC-J
72
[26]
PC Engine
 63
Based on
5 reviews

Thunder Blade

PC Engine, JP
Thunder Blade PCE HuCard Back.jpgThunder Blade PCE HuCard Spine.jpgThunderBlade PCE JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
Thunder Blade PCE HuCard JP Card Back.jpgThunderBlade PCE JP Card.jpg
Card

Sharp X68000 Version

Sharp X68000, JP
Thunder Blade X68000 JP Box.png
Cover

ZX Spectrum Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
79 №16, p56-57[24]
82 №87, p22-23/25[1]
87 №15, p56
ZX Spectrum
 83
Based on
3 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
ZX Spectrum
 N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Thunder Blade

ZX Spectrum, UK
ThunderBlade Spectrum EU Box.jpg
Cover
ThunderBlade Spectrum UK Cassette.jpg
Cassette
ZX Spectrum, UK (Kixx)
ThunderBlade Spectrum EU Box Kixx.jpg
Cover
ZX Spectrum, ES
ThunderBlade Spectrum ES Box Erbe.jpg
Cover
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 File:CVG UK 087.pdf, page 22
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 File:CGW US 060.pdf, page 7
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 File:Kixx 16bit UK PrintAd.jpg
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 File:ACE UK 16.pdf, page 76 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ACE UK 16.pdf_p76" defined multiple times with different content
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 File:CVG UK 085.pdf, page 131 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 085.pdf_p131" defined multiple times with different content
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf, page 136 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf_p136" defined multiple times with different content
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 File:SegaPro UK 06.pdf, page 30 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 06.pdf_p30" defined multiple times with different content
  8. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 311
  9. ↑ Complete Guide to Consoles, "" (UK; 1989-10-16), page 74
  10. ↑ Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume IV" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 109
  11. ↑ The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 62
  12. ↑ Computer Action, "Juli/August 89" (DK; 1989-0x-xx), page 34
  13. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 146
  14. ↑ Famitsu, "" (JP; 1988-xx-xx), page 1
  15. ↑ The Games Machine, "December 1988" (UK; 1988-11-17), page 39
  16. ↑ Génération 4, "Décembre 1988" (FR; 1988-1x-xx), page 58
  17. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Enero 1990" (ES; 19xx-xx-xx), page 27
  18. ↑ S: The Sega Magazine, "October 1990" (UK; 1990-09-06), page 24
  19. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 60
  20. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 72
  21. ↑ Soft Today, "Januar 1989" (DK; 1988-12-xx), page 20
  22. ↑ Software Gids, "Nov./Dec. 1990" (NL; 1990-11-xx), page 41
  23. ↑ File:ACE UK 20.pdf, page 78
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 File:ACE UK 16.pdf, page 56
  25. ↑ File:CVG UK 112.pdf, page 77
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 File:Raze UK 05.pdf, page 79 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Raze UK 05.pdf_p79" defined multiple times with different content
  27. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "March 1991" (UK; 1991-02-16), page 93
  28. ↑ Génération 4, "Février 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 89
  29. ↑ Joystick, "Février 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 98
  30. ↑ Power Play, "3/91" (DE; 1991-02-15), page 150
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