Machine Guides

Game History

Thunder Blade is a 1987 rail shooter video game developed and published by Sega for arcades. Players control a helicopter to destroy enemy vehicles across different environments including cities, canyons, industrial zones, and over water. The game was released as both a stand-up arcade cabinet with force feedback (where the joystick vibrates) and a helicopter-shaped sit-down model that featured a moving cockpit seat that moved in tandem with the joystick.

Thunder Blade was well received by critics, with Clare Edgeley of Computer and Video Games calling it "a brilliant game" with "superb" graphics and gameplay. The game achieved commercial success in Japan, where Game Machine listed it as the fourth most successful upright arcade unit of January 1988, and it went on to become Japan's ninth highest-grossing dedicated arcade game of 1988.

The game received a sequel, Super Thunder Blade, which was released exclusively for the Sega Genesis in 1988/1989. More recently, the Nintendo 3DS remake was released as a 3D Classic in Japan in August, 2014.  The game's concept was reportedly inspired by the television show "Blue Thunder," with the title screen even featuring a digitized still from the movie. Thunder Blade is remembered as one of Sega's impressive scaler arcade games that showcased advanced 3D effects for its time, with many fans considering the arcade cabinets as "things of beauty" that contributed to the unique arcade experience of the era.

How to Play

Objectives

The main goal of Thunder Blade is to pilot an attack helicopter through various environments and destroy enemy vehicles and structures. You must complete missions across different stages including cities, canyons, industrial zones, and water areas. The game emphasizes fast-paced shooting action and precise targeting in a 3D environment.

Controls

• Flight Stick: Use the flight stick to move your helicopter in all directions and aim your weapons
• Trigger Button: Press to fire your machine guns at enemy targets
• Missile Button: Press to launch missiles at larger targets and enemies

Gameplay

1. Starting the Game: Press the Start Button to begin your helicopter combat mission.

2. Stage Progression: Navigate through four different environments: cities, canyons, industrial zones, and water areas.

3. Combat Mechanics: Use your machine guns and missiles to destroy enemy vehicles, tanks, helicopters, and structures.

4. Enemy Targets: Face various enemy types including ground vehicles, aircraft, and stationary defenses.

5. 3D Movement: Experience 3D gameplay with enemies approaching from different distances and angles.

6. Force Feedback: Feel the vibration of the flight stick (on certain cabinet models) that responds to in-game actions.

7. Cabinet Motion: Experience moving cockpit motion (on sit-down models) that simulates helicopter movement.

8. Increasing Difficulty: Progress through stages with more aggressive enemies and faster gameplay as you advance.

9. Score System: Earn points for destroying enemies and completing objectives within each stage.

10. Game Completion: Successfully complete all stages to finish your mission with your final score displayed based on your performance.