Thunder Force II

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Description

Thunder Force II is both a side scrolling and top down shooter. In the game you control a ship. In some stages the action is side scrolling and in others it is top down (overhead). The weapons systems is fairly basic. You can switch from shooting a more powerful weapon straight ahead or two less powerful guns shooting forward and backward simultaneously. There are various power-ups that improve your fire power.

In the top down levels you can only travel in cardinal directions and cannot maneuver around obstacles easily or slow down. The control in the side scrolling levels is reminiscent of R-Type or Gradius, but with more basic weapons systems. In future incarnations of the series the top down aspect would be abandoned.

Screenshots

Promo Images

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Alternate Titles

• "Thunder Force II MD" -- Japanese title
• "サンダーフォースⅡMD" -- Japanese Mega Drive spelling

Part of the Following Groups

• Console Generation Exclusive: Sega Genesis
• Genre: Scrolling shoot 'em up
• Thunder Force series

User Reviews

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Genesis

Majestic Lizard (676)

Critic Reviews

Sega-16.com	Genesis	Jul 08, 2004	9 out of 10	90
1UP!	Genesis	Apr 12, 2013	87 out of 100	87
PixlBit	Genesis	Jan 23, 2014		80
Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM)	Genesis	Nov, 1989	31 out of 40	78
Amstar	Genesis	Dec, 1990	14 out of 20	70
Megablast	Genesis	1992	66 out of 100	66
ASM (Aktueller Software Markt)	Genesis	Oct, 1989	7.8 out of 12	65
Player One	Genesis	Oct, 1990	58 out of 100	58
Micro News	Genesis	May, 1990		50
The Video Game Critic	Genesis	Aug 30, 2001	C-	42

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Trivia

Censorship

In the Sharp X68000 version of the game, after losing your last life, the game will exclaim "Shit!" in frustration. This was not carried over to the Genesis/Mega Drive versions.

Milestone

Released in June 1989, Thunder Force II MD was the very first third-party game released for the Mega Drive in Japan, eight months after the system's initial launch.

Awards

• Electronic Gaming Monthly
  • December 1989 (Issue 5) - Worst Spelling Error in a Game (Secret Bonuss) (tied with P.O.W.: Prisoners of War)