Thexder

The Good
I played this game before I ever played the original. Finally, I got to play the original version on my friend's Laser 128 (an Apple II clone), which definitely lets you appreciate it more. If you're playing the Windows 95 version as your first Thexder experience, the action will appear very stilted. The animation will also feel very poor. If you step back, however, and play the original, you'll see that it's a very good adaption of the original. The general play mechanics are just about untouched. The only major changes are new levels, a multiple window interface, and goofy cutscenes. The levels are really no big deal. Who would want to buy a new game if it was the exact same as the original? The multiple window interface isn't much of a big deal either; it's just how the interface was designed. The cutscenes, on the other hand left much to be desired. If you loved the original Thexder, you'll love this version.

The Bad
Pretty much the only thing to whine about was the cutscenes. They don't add anything to your enjoyment of the game (who needs a plot in a game like this?), and their production values can be hurting. On the other hand, it's really easy to click past them.

The Bottom Line
A pure adaption of the original game.