Sega Ages: Thunder Force AC
» System: Switch » Buy it from: Online » Buy it for: £5.99
The latest game tackled by M2 for its Sega Ages range is an unusual one. Rather than start off life as an arcade game, Thunder Force AC is actually an update of the original Mega Drive classic that was first released in 1990 and then ported to arcades due to its success in the home market. Sadly, the original Mega Drive version of Thunder Force III – or ‘the best Thunder Force’ as we like to call it – isn’t included here, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t shell out £5.99 for this excellent slice of shoot-’em-up action.
The most notable changes over the Mega
Drive original are that you can no longer tackle the opening five stages in any order and that two stages, Haides and Ellis, are no longer available (there are new levels from Thunder Force II instead). The soundtrack has also been remixed, too, although if we’re honest we do prefer the Mega Drive original. It’s largely the same game, though, and as a result it’s a tremendously fun blaster with a good range of power-ups (that can be switched between at will) challenging enemy waves and some truly memorable bosses with attack patterns to match.
If you’ve never experienced the game before we’d recommend the new ‘Kids Mode’ which increases the number of available credits, greatly enhances your firepower and allows you to keep your equipped weapon when you lose a life. Otherwise, you’re best off sticking with the normal version of the game as you’ll receive a far stiffer challenge.
Aside from the new game mode, Thunder
Force AC has all the usual bells and whistles you’d expect from M2, meaning there are plenty of options to tweak, including adding scanlines, a number of different screen resolutions and even the option to play in a replica of the arcade cabinet. Online high scores are supported and there are even unlockable ships to discover, too. While the omission of Thunder Force III is a shame, this remains an essential addition to your Switch shmup library.
>> Score 87%