Thexder
Description official descriptions
A platform shooter from Japan, Thexder offers many levels and diverse enemies that gradually increase in difficulty. You pilot a Battletech-style robot capable of switching from a mech into a jet at any time. Your weapon auto-aims, but uses up a fixed amount of rechargeable energy; if you run out of this energy, you'll have to wait a few seconds before you can fire again. Your mech also contains a shield that can be activated to protect you from harm, but this lasts for a few seconds and uses up some of your life energy.
Spellings
- テグザー - Japanese spelling
Groups +
Screenshots
Promos
Videos
Add Trailer or Gameplay Video +1 point
See any errors or missing info for this game?
You can submit a correction, contribute trivia, add to a game group, add a related site or alternate title.
Credits (PC-88 version)
14 People (7 developers, 7 thanks)
Game Design |
|
Director |
|
Art Director |
|
Turbo |
|
Thanks |
|
Opening Music: Thexder |
|
Ending Music: Moon Light Sonata |
|
Presented by |
|
Editor |
|
Illust |
|
Reviews
Critics
Average score: 59% (based on 14 ratings)
Players
Average score: 3.8 out of 5 (based on 71 ratings with 7 reviews)
An Addictive Fighting Mech Platformer
The Good
Thexder was an absolutely awesome game when it was released in 1987. I would race home from school to jump on my Tandy and shoot a few aliens with my morphing mech. The whole goal of the game was to get through as many levels as possible until you met the mega-alien at the end.
The Bad
The graphics in the game looked absolutely awesome on the Tandy. Although it was only 16 colors, it somehow seemed to fit the game. However, when the game is run on today's computers, the high resolution of today's monitors force dithering and the graphics don't look quite as good as they once did.
The Bottom Line
Although the graphics aren't quite as pretty today, Thexder still stands the test of time. It's a fun game and still an absolute classic.
DOS · by Toadstool (54) · 2000
One of the most wonderful games of the last decade.
The Good
I remember playing this when I was young - I had it on my XT for quite a while (and still do). I think that for a CGA/EGA game, the graphics are really good.. the game is very hard (I never managed to get past level 3, as far as I recall) and really interesting.
It has all sorts of little secrets and stuff you find if you shoot things, and is generally an interesting concept.
The Bad
Well, it's difficult, but other than that... nothing comes to mind.
The Bottom Line
Recommended, very recommended.
DOS · by Tomer Gabel (4539) · 1999
The first true Arcade game on the PC
The Good
When I first loaded Thexder, I was blow away. I had never seen anything like it on a PC. Its EGA colors and fast, smooth action showed me that the PC could be a good machine for arcade games when properly programed.
The game also tested you mind, as many areas required you to solve puzzles to move on.
**The Bad**
I disliked the sequel.
**The Bottom Line**
One of the classic PC games that should be remembered.
DOS · by Tony Van (2803) · 2000
Trivia
Graphics
Like all Game Arts games republished by Sierra, Thexder uses 640x200 graphics in EGA to its advantage by simulating 64 colors via dithering.
Music
The title theme for the game was Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata.
Programming
Because this game used a tile-based playfield, it ran very smoothly, even on low-powered machines. Only the tiles that changed needed to be redrawn, resulting in scrolling that was quick, even for a 4.77MHz machine.
Tandy 1000
Thexder was one of the few games that really excelled on a Tandy 1000. The game ran at 320x200 16 colors. (the Tandy wasn't quite as flexible as an EGA) and in this video mode it seemed to look cleaner and more vibrant. Also the music sounded great on the TI sound chip in the Tandy.
Analytics
Upgrade to MobyPro to view research rankings!
Identifiers +
Contribute
Are you familiar with this game? Help document and preserve this entry in video game history! If your contribution is approved, you will earn points and be credited as a contributor.
Contributors to this Entry
Game added by Trixter.
Sharp MZ-80B/2000/2500, PC-8000 added by Infernos. Sharp X1 added by Kabushi. MSX added by Martin Smith. PC-88, PC-98, FM-7 added by Terok Nor. Amiga, Apple II, TRS-80 CoCo, NES added by Servo. Macintosh, Apple IIgs added by Игги Друге.
Additional contributors: Alaka, Fred VT, Infernos.
Game added March 1, 1999. Last modified February 19, 2024.