Thunder Force III

[Vector]

Just saw this info on Twitter:

• TF3 was released in Japan June 8, 1990 (6/8)
• TF3’s retail price was 6,800 yen
• TF3’s initial top score is 68000 points
• TF3 was developed on the Sharp X68000
• TF3 was developed for the Mega Drive’s 68000 CPU

TechnoSoft’s commitment to the 68k was impressive!

That is crazy ^ So TF3 and TF4 are like Sonic 2 vs Sonic in people opinions on which is better. I guess Sega didn't make a bad call adding this to Mini after all reading this thread =)

[Zygrunt]

That is crazy ^ So TF3 and TF4 are like Sonic 2 vs Sonic in people opinions on which is better. I guess Sega didn't make a bad call adding this to Mini after all reading this thread =)

I would go with TF4 if I could choose. But TF3 is a lot of fun too, it is easier for noobs and it has the perfect catchy soundtrack in the earlier stages (opposed to TF4 which keeps the best music for later stages and even the staff roll screen lol). So I think TF3 is perfectly fine for the mini. Why not both tho?

[Vector]

I would go with TF4 if I could choose. But TF3 is a lot of fun too, it is easier for noobs and it has the perfect catchy soundtrack in the earlier stages (opposed to TF4 which keeps the best music for later stages and even the staff roll screen lol). So I think TF3 is perfectly fine for the mini. Why not both tho?

idk but is tf3 is for noobs that is cool im not that much of a shmup guy but i'll try tf3 and see if i like, glad music more pleasing. does tf4 have more paralax scrolling better graphics etc or is it just for more expert shmup people?

[Assman]

TF4 is like "More Parallax Scrolling and Better Graphics: The Game". It's fucking loaded. Easily the best-looking shmup on the system, and really one of the best looking of any genre. It does have its issues with slowdown, though. TF3 is much better in that regard.

[Zygrunt]

idk but is tf3 is for noobs that is cool im not that much of a shmup guy but i'll try tf3 and see if i like, glad music more pleasing. does tf4 have more paralax scrolling better graphics etc or is it just for more expert shmup people?

I don't think it is for noobs, but TF4 is still a challenge even after beating it a few times while TF3 is easier to pick up and play and if you find it too easy there is always the MANIA level. I love both games.

[OverDrone]

idk but is tf3 is for noobs that is cool im not that much of a shmup guy but i'll try tf3 and see if i like, glad music more pleasing.

Thunder Force III has a bit of a reputation for being a cakewalk and that's true, but fair warning: the learning curve generally insists on kicking your arse a few times first with it's 'gotcha' enemy patterns and environmental hazards (much less of a thing in IV, even though IV is more difficult overall) - and you'll chain deaths as a result (from losing weapons and having no shield on respawn). But once you have those memorised, staying fully powered-up will allow you to tear through bosses in seconds and you'll clear the game quickly.

II is even more nasty with that sort of stuff. In the horizontal stages anyway.

[Vector]

Thunder Force III has a bit of a reputation for being a cakewalk and that's true, but fair warning: the learning curve generally insists on kicking your arse a few times first with it's 'gotcha' enemy patterns and environmental hazards (much less of a thing in IV, even though IV is more difficult overall) - and you'll chain deaths as a result (from losing weapons and having no shield on respawn). But once you have those memorised, staying fully powered-up will allow you to tear through bosses in seconds and you'll clear the game quickly.

II is even more nasty with that sort of stuff. In the horizontal stages anyway.

Can't wait to play it on Mini =) I'll be getting TurboDuo Mini I asked for here then a week later got announced =0 to play more shumps =) Wish there were Sega CD games on Mini =(

[Iced Snowman]

I played this a few nights ago, after oh I don't know 15-25 years, and wow that music is still fantastic. The water level with the fish at the end has quite the catchy beats. I almost beat it but got knocked out by wall boss on the right with the 4 blocks moving around. I let my children use my remaining continues to only get crushed on the last level. They still had fun and that's what gaming is all about.

[profholt82]

Came across this code in an old gaming magazine, and figured I'd post it here in case anyone could use it.

[bigladiesman]

Came across this code in an old gaming magazine, and figured I'd post it here in case anyone could use it.

Tried this: It leaves a little piece of info a bit ambigous. Once you introduce the code, you have to mash the B button to get the powerups and weapons. Then at the end you can press A to get the claws. Lots of fun to be had with this.

About the game itself, well, it's a constant adrenaline rush powered by an amazing soundrack. Graphics are a mixed bag, with simple looking levels like planet Hydra and pure eye candy like Gorgon. It sports big sprites that move amazingly fast with only little flickering. Music and FX contribute greatly to the blood-pumping sensation with fast rhythms, lots of explosions - I never cared for the pounding sounds of our bullets riddling the enemies, though. Both on II and III. They sound pretty unappealing to me - and voices that give the game its overall arcade feel.
Adding to the well thought enemy patterns, all the stages contain dangerous hazards and gimmicks that hugely increase the challenge. Memorization is key, here.

It amazes me that our MD/GENs could count with such amazing shooters so early in its lifespan. I ended up thinking that te people at TechnoSoft understood the console like no 3rd party did at the time, and that alone serves to understand the reason for their cult status between the shoot 'em up fandom.