Thundercade (NES) Playthrough
3Playthrough of Thundercade, American Sammy's 1989 vertically scrolling shooter for the NES.
Thundercade for the NES is a vertically scrolling shooter developed by SETA and published by American Sammy in 1989. The game places the player in control of a heavily armed motorcycle, backed by sidecar-mounted cannons and military air support. The premise is straightforward: a one-man assault on a nuclear threat posed by a global terrorist organization. With its combination of ground-based combat and arcade-style action, Thundercade offers a unique twist on the traditional shoot-’em-up formula.
Gameplay revolves around navigating through hostile environments while dodging enemy fire and destroying waves of ground and air targets. The player’s vehicle moves smoothly in all directions and is equipped with rapid-fire cannons, which can be upgraded with power-ups found throughout each stage. Unlike most vertical shooters that put the player in an aircraft, Thundercade's motorcycle design changes the feel of movement and makes for a more grounded combat experience. Occasionally, the player receives assistance from larger support vehicles, adding extra firepower to help clear the screen.
The stages are varied, featuring cityscapes, industrial complexes, forests, and enemy bases, each ending with a boss encounter that requires pattern recognition and quick reflexes. Enemies include tanks, helicopters, bunkers, and mechanized fortresses, and the screen often fills with bullets and obstacles. The challenge increases steadily, with later levels introducing tougher enemy formations and tighter spaces to maneuver. While the game doesn’t offer the same level of depth or intensity as some other shooters on the NES, it compensates with a distinct setting and pacing.
Visually, Thundercade features modest graphics, with sprites that are clear but somewhat simplistic. The environments, while repetitive in places, do a decent job of establishing a military atmosphere. The soundtrack provides a suitable backdrop to the action, though it's not especially memorable. Overall, Thundercade stands out mainly for its unusual concept of a motorcycle shooter and its straightforward, accessible gameplay. It may not be the most refined or well-known title on the NES, but it offers a fun and unconventional take on the vertical shooter genre.