Software:Thunder Blade

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Short description: 1987 video game
Thunder Blade
File:Thunder Blade poster.png
Japanese arcade flyer
Developer(s)Sega R&D1
Publisher(s)
Composer(s)Koichi Namiki
Platform(s)
Release
Genre(s)Rail shooter,[11] scrolling shooter[12]
Mode(s)Single-player
Arcade systemSega X Board

Script error: The function "nihongo_foot" does not exist. is a 1987 rail shooter video game developed and published by Sega for arcades.[13][1] Players control a helicopter to destroy enemy vehicles. The game was released as a stand-up arcade cabinet with force feedback, as the joystick vibrates. A helicopter-shaped sit-down model was released, replacing the force feedback with a cockpit seat that moves in tandem with the joystick.[14] It is a motion simulator cabinet, like the previous Sega Super Scaler games Space Harrier (1985) and After Burner (1987).[13] The game's plot and setting were inspired by the 1983 film Blue Thunder.

Versions were released for the Master System, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, MS-DOS, MSX, PC Engine, X68000, and ZX Spectrum. The Nintendo 3DS remake was released as a 3D Classic in Japan on August 20, 2014,[15] in North America and Europe on May 14, 2015,[16] and in Australia on July 2 of the same year.[17] The sequel, Super Thunder Blade, was released exclusively for the Sega Genesis.

Gameplay

Arcade version

The player controls a helicopter gunship using its chain gun and missiles to destroy enemy tanks, helicopters, and other vehicles and structures, to save their home country. Each level is in either a top-down or third-person perspective view.

The player is given 2 "lives" as continues, used if they are killed in a level. Clearing a level allows the player to return, bypassing the levels before it.

The 3D classic release allows joystick emulation and gyroscopic controls.

Development

The plot and setting were inspired by the 1983 film Blue Thunder,[8] from which a digitized frame became the title screen.[18]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
AmigaArcadeAtari STC64Master SystemPCZX
Crash91%[19]
CVGPositive[1]66%[20]80%[21][22]82%[20]
Sinclair User87%[23]
Your Sinclair9/10[24]
Commodore User9/10[25]
Award
PublicationAward
Golden Joystick AwardsConsole Game of the Year (Master System)[26]

In Japan, Game Machine listed Thunder Blade as the fourth most successful upright arcade unit of January 1988.[27] It went on to become Japan's ninth highest-grossing dedicated arcade game of 1988.[28]

The arcade game was well received by critics. Clare Edgeley of Computer and Video Games called it "a helicopter simulation with several innovative features". She said it was "a brilliant game" with "superb" graphics and gameplay.[1] Your Sinclair stated that "Thunder Blade is probably the game which took most of your money in the arcades this summer, probably one of the most eagerly awaited coin-op conversions".[24]

At the 1988–1989 Golden Joystick Awards, the Master System version won the award for Console Game of the Year.[26] The ZX Spectrum version also received a Crash Smash award from Crash magazine.

Notes

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Arcade Action". Computer and Video Games (77 (March 1988)): 90–3. February 1988. https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-077/page/n89/mode/2up. 
  2. ↑ "Thunder Blade (Registration Number PA0000353392)". https://cocatalog.loc.gov. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Akagi, Masumi (October 13, 2006) (in ja). セガ社 (Sega); Sega; G (1st ed.). Amusement News Agency. pp. 36, 131, 153. ISBN 978-4990251215. https://archive.org/stream/ArcadeGameList1971-2005#page/n37/mode/1up. 
  4. ↑ "Availability Update". Computer Entertainer 7 (8): 13. November 1988. https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/c75c6f2f-c0ef-463a-a1d6-844e63c9bfd9. 
  5. ↑ "Software List" (in ja). Sega Corporation. https://sega.jp/history/hard/segamark3/software.html. 
  6. ↑ "2 Mega Cartridges". The Sega Master System Games Catalogue (1988/89). Mastertronic. https://segaretro.org/images/5/5f/1988_89_SMS_UK_Catalogue.pdf. Retrieved 24 September 2024. 
  7. ↑ "Availability Update". Computer Entertainer 8 (1): p. 14. April 1989. https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/606ccc35-4412-4615-a8db-1def8c98762a. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 "World of Spectrum - Archive - Magazine viewer". http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=TheGamesMachine/Issue15/Pages/TheGamesMachine1500057.jpg. 
  9. ↑ "Availability Update". Computer Entertainer 8 (10): p. 22. January 1990. https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/cff99160-03fe-4527-80d8-2cd40ae1a436. 
  10. ↑ "PC Engine Software List 1990" (in ja). http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_NEC1_PCE1990.html. 
  11. ↑ Kalata, Kurt (28 July 2017). "Thunder Blade". http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/thunder-blade/. "Tag: Shoot-Em-Up: Rail" 
  12. ↑ Town, Jonathan (18 May 2015). "3D Thunder Blade Review (3DS eShop)". Hookshot Media. https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/3ds-eshop/3d_thunder_blade. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Sega's Wonderful Simulation Games Over The Years". Arcade Heroes. June 6, 2013. https://arcadeheroes.com/2013/06/06/segas-wonderful-simulation-games-over-the-years/. 
  14. ↑ Thunder Blade at the Killer List of Videogames
  15. ↑ "3D Thunder Blade hitting the Japanese 3DS eShop on August 20". August 7, 2014. http://nintendoeverything.com/3d-thunder-blade-hitting-the-japanese-3ds-eshop-on-august-20/. Retrieved July 4, 2015. 
  16. ↑ "SEGA 3D Classics – 3D Thunder Blade – Part 1". SEGA. May 12, 2015. http://blogs.sega.com/2015/05/12/sega-3d-classics-3d-thunder-blade-part-1/. Retrieved July 4, 2015. 
  17. ↑ Doolan, Liam (July 3, 2015). "3D Out Run, Thunder Blade And Fantasy Zone I & II Now Available On The eShop In Australia". http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/07/3d_out_run_thunder_blade_and_fantasy_zone_i_and_ii_now_available_on_the_eshop_in_australia. Retrieved July 4, 2015. 
  18. ↑ Kalata, Kurt (July 28, 2017). "Thunder Blade". http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/thunder-blade/. 
  19. ↑ "World of Spectrum - Archive - Magazine viewer". http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=Crash/Issue59/Pages/Crash5900185.jpg. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "World of Spectrum - Archive - Magazine viewer". http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=C+VG/Issue087/Pages/CVG08700025.jpg. 
  21. ↑ "Mean Machines". Computer and Video Games (85 (November 1988)): 130–1. October 15, 1988. https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-085/page/n129/mode/2up. 
  22. ↑ "Guide: Sega". Computer and Video Games (Complete Guide to Consoles: Volume IV): 108–10. November 1990. https://archive.org/details/Complete_Guide_to_Consoles_Volume_IV_1990_EMAP_Publishing_GB/page/n107/mode/2up. 
  23. ↑ "World of Spectrum - Archive - Magazine viewer". http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=SinclairUser/Issue082/Pages/SinclairUser08200033.jpg. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Thunder Blade". http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/thunderblade.htm. 
  25. ↑ "Arcades". Commodore User (54 (March 1988)): 104–7. February 26, 1988. https://www.solvalou.com/arcade/reviews/265/358. 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 "Golden Joystick Awards 1989". Computer and Video Games (Future Publishing) (92): 62–63. June 1989. https://archive.org/stream/Computer_Video_Games_Issue_092_1989-06_EMAP_Publishing_GB/Computer__Video_Games_Issue_092_1989-06_EMAP_Publishing_GB#page/n61/mode/2up. 
  27. ↑ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - アップライト, コックピット型TVゲーム機 (Upright/Cockpit Videos)". Game Machine (Amusement Press, Inc.) (324): 21. January 15, 1988. 
  28. ↑ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25: '88 / "Game of the Year '88" By Game Machine". Game Machine (Amusement Press, Inc.) (348): 10–1, 26. 15 January 1989. https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19890115p.pdf#page=6. 
  • Thunder Blade at KLOV
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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