Rolling Thunder 2

From Sega Retro

n/a

  • NTSC-U
  • NTSC-J
  • PAL

RollingThunder2 MDTitleScreen.png

RollingThunder2 MD JP TitleScreen.png

RollingThunder2 MD EU TitleScreen.png

Rolling Thunder 2
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Virtual Console
Publisher: Namco
Developer:
Original system(s): Namco System 2
Sound driver: Namco sound driver
Genre: Action[1]

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP 		¥7,0007,000 T-14133
Sega Mega Drive
US 		$59.9559.95[2][3] T-14066
Sega Mega Drive
EU 		1140
Sega Mega Drive
UK 		£34.9934.99[5] 1140
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Wii Virtual Console
JP ▼ 		600pts600[10]
CERO: B
Wii Virtual Console
US ▼ 		800pts800[6]
ESRB: Everyone
Wii Virtual Console
EU ▼ 		800pts800[7]
PEGI: 12+
Wii Virtual Console
AU ▼ 		800pts800[11]
OFLC: Parental Guidance (PG)
Non-Sega versions

Rolling Thunder 2 (ローリングサンダー２) is a run-and-gun game by Namco, originally released in 1990 for the arcade and ported to the Sega Mega Drive in 1991 (though Europe got a release in 1992). It is the second game in the Rolling Thunder trilogy and the first to be released on a Sega platform.

Story

Geldra, the evil organization that was destroyed in the original game, returns under new leadership as Neo-Geldra. The group is destroying the Earth's satellites. The player controls Leila or Albatross, two operatives of Interpol's fictional Rolling Thunder task force.

Gameplay

Rolling Thunder 2, Characters, Albatross.png

Rolling Thunder 2, Characters, Leila.png

Albatross and Leila

The game is an action platformer. The player can choose to play as Leila or Albatross, who both control identically. The characters walk with Left and Right and crouch with Down. They jump with C and jump higher with Up+C. If they high jump in front of a balcony or other ledge, they automatically pull themselves over the railing; they can jump back down from the platform with Down+C. They can enter doors and hide by holding Up while standing in front of a doorway; they come back out when Up is released. There are also numerous objects that can be used as cover by either the player or an enemy. Doors can contain special items, including weapons and ammunition. Some rounds contain hidden doors.

The characters shoot with B. Shots cannot be aimed, and the characters cannot shoot while in mid-air but can shoot while crouching with Down+B. The characters are initially armed with pistols but can acquire more advanced weapons as the game progresses. Weapons have limited ammunition. When they run out of ammo, they can only shoot slow "chaser" shots; only one can be on screen at a time.

Characters start with two hit points. Hits from bullets and other projectiles such as lasers cost two hit points. Running into an enemy but not being attacked knocks the character back but does not cost hit points. Characters lose a life when they run out of hit points, and the player must restart the round from the beginning or from the last predetermined continue point. Rounds are timed, and the player loses a life if time runs out. Some doorways contain extra hit points or extra time. Players are given an extra life after each round is cleared. There are also hidden extra lives in the rounds that are found by shooting at certain areas. Hit points and weapons do not carry over to the next round.

The game supports two-player cooperative play with each player controlling a different agent. If one player loses a life, the player is not revived until the other player reaches a continue point. A player can take a life from the other player with A if the player has no lives remaining.

The game has a password system for continuing. The password is given as a phrase of four words (not counting articles). After completing the game, the player is given a password to start the game again on a higher difficulty level.

Special weapons

Rolling Thunder 2, Weapons, Submachine Gun.png

Submachine Gun
A rapid-fire machine gun. It can be fired continuously by holding B.

Rolling Thunder 2, Weapons, Flame Gun.png

Flame Gun
Shoots a large fireball that potentially hits multiple targets in an area.

Rolling Thunder 2, Weapons, Shot Cluster.png

Shot Cluster
Fires a cluster of six pulse lasers. The lasers penetrate through multiple enemies and spread out into a wider area as they travel farther.

Items

These items are found in doors marked with signs.

Rolling Thunder 2, Items.png
 Bullet
Gives the character more ammunition for the standard pistol.
Rolling Thunder 2, Items.png
 Arms
Acquires the Submachine Gun special weapon.
Rolling Thunder 2, Items.png
 Fire
Acquires the Flame Gun special weapon.
Rolling Thunder 2, Items.png
 Shot
Acquires the Shot Cluster special weapon.

Rounds

Rolling Thunder 2, Stage 1.png

Round 1

Rolling Thunder 2, Stage 2.png

Rolling Thunder 2, Stage 2 Boss.png

  • Rolling Thunder 2, Stage 2.png

  • Rolling Thunder 2, Stage 2 Boss.png

Round 2
This level is absent from the arcade version of the game.

Rolling Thunder 2, Stage 3.png

Round 3

Rolling Thunder 2, Stage 4.png

Round 4

Rolling Thunder 2, Stage 5.png

Rolling Thunder 2, Stage 5 Boss.png

  • Rolling Thunder 2, Stage 5.png

  • Rolling Thunder 2, Stage 5 Boss.png

Round 5

Rolling Thunder 2, Stage 6.png

Round 6

Rolling Thunder 2, Stage 7.png

Round 7
The player can move between the background layer with the nets with Up and Down.

Rolling Thunder 2, Stage 8.png

Rolling Thunder 2, Stage 8 Boss.png

  • Rolling Thunder 2, Stage 8.png

  • Rolling Thunder 2, Stage 8 Boss.png

Round 8

Rolling Thunder 2, Stage 9.png

Round 9

Rolling Thunder 2, Stage 10.png

Round 10

Rolling Thunder 2, Stage 11.png

Rolling Thunder 2, Stage 11 Boss 1.png

Rolling Thunder 2, Stage 11 Boss 2.png

  • Rolling Thunder 2, Stage 11.png

  • Rolling Thunder 2, Stage 11 Boss 1.png

  • Rolling Thunder 2, Stage 11 Boss 2.png

Last Round

Passwords

Main article: Rolling Thunder 2/Passwords.

Versions

The Japanese version locks on this screen when played on non NTSC-J consoles.

Compared to the arcade version, the Sega Mega Drive version of Rolling Thunder 2 has downgraded graphics and audio but contains several new stages, standard enemies, and bosses not present in the original game. A password system and short cutscenes between stages have also been added. This is in line with Namco's other ports to the Sega Mega Drive, such as Dangerous Seed.

There are no gameplay related differences and only the Japanese version of the game is region protected. Only the audio from the PAL version was optimized, but forcing it into 60Hz mode via console modding or emulation makes it play and sound just like the NTSC releases.

Production credits

  • Planning: Toy‑Jun
  • Programming: Fujiyama Saita
  • Visual Design: Rita Nekomoto
  • Sound Design: Shiba
  • Visual Support: Hang Chang
  • The JIRO: Sanonji
  • Hometek Team: Ken Lobb, Jim Curry, Loan Vu, Carol Munoz, Eileen Noguchi
Source:
In-game credits
Rolling Thunder 2 MD credits.pdf
[12]


  • Produce: Toyoda
  • Graphic: Okamoto
  • Sound: Shibano
  • Program: Saita
Source:
Internal ROM text[13]


Digital manuals

  • Mega Drive Mini 2 US manual

  • Mega Drive Mini 2 EU manual

Magazine articles

Main article: Rolling Thunder 2/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Game Informer (US) #3: "January/February 1992" (199x-xx-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Mega Sega (ES) #1: "xxxx 1993" (1993-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
Sega Mega Drive
 Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
50
[17]
Ação Games (BR)
94
[18]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
75
[19]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
63
[20]
Consoles + (FR) NTSC-J
90
[21]
Console XS (UK) NTSC-J
93
[22]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
92
[5]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
81
[23]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
83
[24]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
50
[25]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
65
[26]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
92
[27]
Games-X (UK)
60
[28]
Génération 4 (FR)
88
[29]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
75
[30]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
60
[31]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
93
[32]
Joypad (FR) NTSC-J
91
[33]
Joypad (FR) PAL
91
[34]
Joystick (FR) NTSC-J
91
[35]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)
82
[36]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) NTSC
82
[37]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
66
[38]
Mega (UK) PAL
71
[39]
Mega (UK) PAL
60
[40]
Mega Action (UK)
90
[41]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
83
[42]
MegaTech (UK) NTSC
90
[43]
Mean Machines (UK)
85
[44]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
85
[45]
Player One (FR)
65
[46]
Play Time (DE)
82
[47]
Power Play (DE)
71
[48]
Sega Power (UK) NTSC-U
76
[49]
Sega Pro (UK) NTSC-J
91
[50]
Sega Pro (UK)
89
[51]
Sega Force Mega (UK)
79
[52]
Sega Force (SE)
90
[53]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
80
[54]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
71
[55]
Supersonic (FR)
89
[56]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
80
[57]
Video Games (DE)
72
[58]
Sega Mega Drive
 79
Based on
43 reviews

Rolling Thunder 2

Mega Drive, JP
RT2 MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
RollingThunder2 MD JP CartTop.jpg
RT2 MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Rollingthunder2 md jp manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US
RollingThunder2 MD US Box.jpg
Cover
RollingThunder2 MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Rolling Thunder 2 MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
RollingThunder2 MD US pcb.jpg
PCB
Mega Drive, EU
RollingThunder2 MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
RollingThunder2 MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
RollingThunder2 MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
RollingThunder2 MD EU pcb.jpg
PCB
Mega Drive, AU

Technical information

Main article: Rolling Thunder 2/Technical information.

External links

  • Sega of Japan Virtual Console pages: Mega Drive
  • Nintendo catalogue pages: US, UK, AU

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-02 23:21)
  2. ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "January 1992" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 78
  3. ↑ GamePro, "December 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 67
  4. ↑ Sega Pro, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-04-08), page 18
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Computer & Video Games, "January 1992" (UK; 1991-12-15), page 16
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/cw9fjJ8sqduqgq34wyF7_MZSDjAR6Hm5 (Wayback Machine: 2010-11-23 02:23)
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 http://www.nintendolife.com:80/games/megadrive/rolling_thunder_2 (Wayback Machine: 2017-07-10 02:48)
  8. ↑ https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Virtual-Console-Wii-/Rolling-Thunder-2-278744.html (archive.today)
  9. ↑ https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/software/06.html (Wayback Machine: 2018-03-05 22:42)
  10. ↑ http://vc.sega.jp:80/vc_rthunder2/ (Wayback Machine: 2008-01-02 11:32)
  11. ↑ http://www.nintendo.com.au/index.php?action=catalogue&prodcat_id=41&prod_id=19764&pageID=4 (Wayback Machine: 2012-04-03 02:25)
  12. ↑ File:Rolling Thunder 2 MD credits.pdf
  13. ↑ The Cutting Room Floor: Rolling Thunder 2 (Genesis)
  14. ↑ GamePro, "February 1992" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 39
  15. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "March 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 61
  16. ↑ Sega Visions, "May/June 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 57
  17. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 195
  18. ↑ Ação Games, "Abril 1992" (BR; 1992-04-xx), page 33
  19. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "März 1992" (DE; 1992-02-14), page 115
  20. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "December 1991" (JP; 1991-11-08), page 38
  21. ↑ Consoles +, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 54
  22. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 133
  23. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-15), page 94
  24. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "March 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 28
  25. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 354
  26. ↑ Famitsu, "1991-11-29" (JP; 1991-11-15), page 1
  27. ↑ GamePro, "December 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 66
  28. ↑ Games-X, "27th February-4th March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-27), page 26
  29. ↑ Génération 4, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 136
  30. ↑ Game Informer, "Spring 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 7
  31. ↑ Hippon Super, "December 1991" (JP; 1991-11-05), page 88
  32. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Enero 1993" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 50
  33. ↑ Joypad, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 1991-12-1x), page 100
  34. ↑ Joypad, "Avril 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 163
  35. ↑ Joystick, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 108
  36. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-xx-xx), page 81
  37. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 94
  38. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "February 1992" (JP; 1992-01-08), page 89
  39. ↑ Mega, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 87
  40. ↑ Mega, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-16), page 87
  41. ↑ Mega Action, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 65
  42. ↑ Mega Play, "March/April 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 62
  43. ↑ MegaTech, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-20), page 34
  44. ↑ Mean Machines, "January 1992" (UK; 1991-12-27), page 110
  45. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 140
  46. ↑ Player One, "Février/Mars 1993" (FR; 1993-02-10), page 107
  47. ↑ Play Time, "(8/9)/92" (DE; 1992-07-08), page 90
  48. ↑ Power Play, "3/92" (DE; 1992-02-12), page 136
  49. ↑ Sega Power, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-02), page 25
  50. ↑ Sega Pro, "Christmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-12), page 64
  51. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 67
  52. ↑ Sega Force Mega, "August 1993" (UK; 1993-06-24), page 88
  53. ↑ Sega Force, "1/93" (SE; 1993-01-14), page 12
  54. ↑ Sega Force, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 48
  55. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 86
  56. ↑ Supersonic, "Février 1993" (FR; 1993-xx-xx), page 13
  57. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 22
  58. ↑ Video Games, "1/92" (DE; 1992-02-03), page 32


Rolling Thunder 2

RollingThunder2 MDTitleScreen.png

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Rolling Thunder games for Sega systems
Rolling Thunder 2 (1991) | Rolling Thunder 3 (1993)
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