Thunder Force 3

[daminmancejin2]

does anyone of you like that game or play the heck out of it?

[Joe Redifer]

I think a few of us may have played this game once or twice. From what I recall it was really good. But since I'm a mindless consumer whore I had to save my money for Mortal Kombat and John Madden Football 2 instead.

[Melf]

Best. Shooter. Ever.

Loved it to death when it was released and still love it today.


Wait, isn't there already a thread on this?

[daminmancejin2]

i really like the music too it in the water level

[Joe Redifer]

Even my mom liked the music in the water level. She made me tape the music from this game and a few others so she could listen to it in her car. I think she still has the tape and listens to it from time to time. No, she wasn't a gamer. That just goes to show you how well some of these older games were composed.

[daminmancejin2]

Even my mom liked the music in the water level. She made me tape the music from this game and a few others so she could listen to it in her car. I think she still has the tape and listens to it from time to time. No, she wasn't a gamer. That just goes to show you how well some of these older games were composed.

wow she's so cool if she like the water level:seiren like i do when i buy the game im going too play it all day

[daminmancejin2]

here's the water level
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a329/daminmancejin/ThunderForceIIIJU_001.jpg

[Melf]

Level 2's music is my favorite, but all the tracks rock.

[Joe Redifer]

I have both of the Thunder Force Gold Packs for the Saturn, and as a bonus if you put the disc into a CD player you can hear arranged versions (very well arranged, I might add) of Level 2 (Gorgon, the fire/lava level) and Level 6 (Orn base).

[daminmancejin2]

im going to pick up this game tomorrow i have 76 bucks

[David J.]

It's that expensive?

[videolamer]

This is the best game in the series and one of my favorite shooters, although I haven't played the Japanese 5. I think there was a Japanese 5, right?

[j_factor]

I'm pretty sure the Playstation version of Thunderforce V got a US release. However, the Japan-only Saturn version is superior.

[daminmancejin2]

i can't go pick this game up cause my sega genesis broke:(

[David J.]

I'm pretty sure the Playstation version of Thunderforce V got a US release. However, the Japan-only Saturn version is superior.

The Playstation version did, except it's a bitch to find. :(

[Jason Allen]

I love, love, LOVE TFIII. Man, I need to buy this one again. Did anyone notice that the first level music is sampled in the first level of TFV?

[Joe Redifer]

Yes, I noticed that.

[Melf]

I loved that first stage tune in TFV. Very fitting.

[daminmancejin2]

now i can't buy this game cause somebody already pick it up already damnit!

[Ash]

Thunderforce III was pretty cool.. music was so so. I've always been partial to TF4 and it's music superior to III. As for TF V, I was smart enough to grab it when it was released, I can't comment on the Saturn version, but the PSX version is simply awesome.

[megadriveworld]

I agree, number 4 had far nicer music over 3. Apparantly the Saturn version of 5 is slightly superiour due to the Saturn's extra 2D capabilities, gameplay is pretty much the same though so the PS version is still a good option.

[Zebbe]

Why does the PS version have the anti-Sega subtitle "Perfect System" then?

[Joe Redifer]

Because of the extra boss that Working Designs lied about and isn't really in the game.

[Zebbe]

Oh, that sucks. To hell with those Working Designs... Oh wait, they already are there. :p

Joe, can't you write a Side by Side feature with Thunder Force III and Thunder Spirits? No one would do it better than you, that's for certain.

[Joe Redifer]

Hmmm, that's a really good idea. I hadn't even thought of that. Though I don't have Thunder Spirits, it is a translation of Thunder Force AC (a bad one). I've rented it (the SNES version) before, so I suppose I could look at the ROM image,

[Zebbe]

Cool you like my idea. I look forward to read it! :D

[Elusive]

Thunder Force was known as Lightening Force in the States, right? Why the misspelling?

[David J.]

Thunder Force was known as Lightening Force in the States, right? Why the misspelling?

Well, the fourth game was. I dunno why they changed the name, and spelt it wrong. I don't think anyone knows... or anyone who would know was MURDERED by tree stumps and many other things WITHOUT MERCY! (thanks to Joe for the inspiration, haha)

[Joe Redifer]

I think the fools at Sega of America (naturally) felt that Lightning was more impressive than Thunder, so to speak. So they changed the name in an attempt to get nobody to buy it and put really, really bad artwork on the box to make sure it caught nobody's eye. The misspelling has always bugged me. Maybe Melf can track down the person or persons responsible and ask them!

[CMA Death Adder]

im going to pick up this game tomorrow i have 76 bucks

now i can't buy this game cause somebody already pick it up already damnit!

Well, you're in luck! I'll sell you my copy for only 75 bucks! ;)

[Reg]

TFIII is the bomb. First time I played it was on the SNES under the name Thunder Spirits. In the summer of '06, my friend let me borrow his Genesis TFIII. At first I lost all my continues but as I kept playing, I got better and eventually beat the game. Now I'm just trying to find a copy of my own. I've got TFII and Lightening Force. :D

[Kollision]

Thunder Spirits for the SNES really sucks.
It's amazing how they messed up one of the best shooters ever for the MD.....

BTW, what about that side by side feature you guys mentioned a few posts behind?

[Iron Lizard]

does anyone of you like that game or play the heck out of it?
This is a trick question right?

[Mamba Tabac]

Thunder Spirits wasn't that bad - the only thing that bugged me about it was the lack of auto-fire (I think you could enable it, but how is a mystery since I own the Japanese version and don't have a clue what the manual is saying).

Thunder Force V: Perfect System hard to find in the US? It can't be that hard, since I have it and I live in the UK where it wasn't released. And yes, the Saturn version is better.

[DigitalSpace]

Awesome game, without a doubt one of the best shmups on the Genesis. This was my 100th Genesis game. :)

[Mark Robert]

I have it and it is indeed awesome.

[sketch]

TF3 rocks. I find it disturbing how much I have in common with daminmancejin2...

[Skyline14]

Last time I decided to collect some shoot'em up games on the old consoles. First, I bought Sega Mega Drive II (so I'm totally new), then I started to search for all shoot'em up games for this console. Even, before I get the console I was looking for Thunder Force III but there is no PAL version!!!
Now, the question is: Will NTSC version run on PAL console? Some says it will, some says it won't, so I want anwser from people who checked it.:)

PS. Beceause I'm new, I can't post new thread, I think it's a good place for it.
PS.2. If i have bad english. Sorry.;)

[sunteam_paul]

Thunderforce III was pretty cool.. music was so so.

Wow, I never thought anyone could describe the music as so-so. I'd certainly rate the Thunder Force 3 music up in my top 10 Mega Drive soundtracks, probably in the top 5. Technosoft really had a way with that sound chip.

[mick_aka]

It's my seccond favorite in the series behind V, but it only just edges out IV...

and I dont think poor old TFII gets nearly enough love...

[Mark Robert]

I love TF III but I have to confess I really suck at it bad. I still haven't gotten past the second volcanic stage. :(

[zetastrike]

Hmmm, that's a really good idea. I hadn't even thought of that. Though I don't have Thunder Spirits, it is a translation of Thunder Force AC (a bad one). I've rented it (the SNES version) before, so I suppose I could look at the ROM image,

I always thought Thunder Spirits was pretty good. The only part I didn't like was the music. The tunes were good, but the instrumentation wasn't.

[Chris]

I bought Thunder Force II and III new and just got Lightening Force a few days ago fo $15. No manual though. What's the first one like anyone? was it for Master System or just in the arcade?

[zetastrike]

I bought Thunder Force II and III new and just got Lightening Force a few days ago fo $15. No manual though. What's the first one like anyone? was it for Master System or just in the arcade?

As far as I know, the first one was only for Japanese computers.

[Christuserloeser]

I bought Sega Mega Drive II (so I'm totally new), then I started to search for all shoot'em up games for this console.

Check if your MD2 is a VA3 or VA4 (http://www.sega-16.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7796). If not, you probably should consider sending it to TmEE for a Crystal Clear Audio Mod (http://www.sega-16.com/forum/showpost.php?p=163421&postcount=20).
He can also help with turning your MD into a multi-region console that would enable you to buy all these great shmups that never made the jump to Europe or the US (which at the very least would be 50% of all the best shmups (http://www.sega-16.com/forum/showpost.php?p=175525&postcount=8) available).


Even, before I get the console I was looking for Thunder Force III but there is no PAL version!!!

For some reason, this game was only available as a Japanese version in Europe, although in extremely large quantities. (Throughout the machine's life span, it definitely never was a problem to buy this game either via regular video game stores or via mail order.)

Kinda strange, seeing as Thunder Force 2 and Thunder Force 4 were officially released in Europe (TF4 even in a specially optimized PAL version) - while only Thunder Force 2 & 3 were released in the US, with the fourth game being swept under the rug as "Lightening Force".



Now, the question is: Will NTSC version run on PAL console? Some says it will, some says it won't, so I want anwser from people who checked it.:)

Both the Japanese and the US version aren't region locked. The first game to ever feature a region lock was Thunder Force 4 in late 1992, the second game was Bare Knuckle 2 / Streets of Rage 2 from early 1993 (which blocked the game from working on US machines).

Since the Japanese cartridges do have a slightly different round-ish shape however, you would either need an adapter or to file out the plastic noses off from your Mega Drive's cartridge slot - which is what I would recommend since it's very easy to do.

[old man]

Because of the extra boss that Working Designs lied about and isn't really in the game.

This was the fail that eventually destroyed WD from within.

[Knuckle Duster]

This was the fail that eventually destroyed WD from within.

Any 'extra boss' WD might have mentioned since, was undoubtedly a reference to whoever kept signing off on paying Vic Ireland to continue his downward spiral.

http://anonym1.images.steelsm.com/images/12247000189kl25w2.png
Vic Ireland discussing his strategy with unhappy investors after a string of bad luck.

[Skyline14]

Check if your MD2 is a VA3 or VA4 (http://www.sega-16.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7796). If not, you probably should consider sending it to TmEE for a Crystal Clear Audio Mod (http://www.sega-16.com/forum/showpost.php?p=163421&postcount=20).

Ok, it looks like I have VA1, so what should I do to run NTSC games? I hope I don't have to use modchip. :(

[Christuserloeser]

Ok, it looks like I have VA1, so what should I do to run NTSC games? I hope I don't have to use modchip. :(

I probably confused you more than I helped with my previous post...

There is no mod chip needed to run Japanese or American games that were released before 1993.

Many games released after 1993 are region locked and thus require a region switch mod for the games to boot.


A VA1 is of no disadvantage when trying to run NTSC games at all. A VA1's weakness is sound output. It's among those units with the worst sound quality, comparable with an emulator running at 11khz but with lots of distortion thrown in.


I recommend to send your VA1 to TmEE to get it modded for Crystal Clear Audio and regon switches.

[Skyline14]

I probably confused you more than I helped with my previous post...

There is no mod chip needed to run Japanese or American games that were released before 1993.

So you mean that I don't have to do nothing but insert cartridge to run NTSC/NTSC-J games on my PAL console? For example Thunder Force III and Twin Cobra will run with no problem?


I recommend to send your VA1 to TmEE to get it modded for Crystal Clear Audio and regon switches.

Well, guess there is no TmEE (whatever it means) to mod my MDII in my country. Tell me what mean this shortcut.:)

EDIT: How or where can I do this mod for MDII for region swithes?

[Christuserloeser]

So you mean that I don't have to do nothing but insert cartridge to run NTSC/NTSC-J games on my PAL console?

For example Thunder Force III and Twin Cobra will run with no problem?

The US version(s) would run without any problems.

Regarding the Japanese versions:

Since the Japanese cartridges do have a slightly different round-ish shape, you would either need [to buy] an adapter or to file out [trim] the plastic noses off from your Mega Drive's cartridge slot - which is what I would recommend since it's very easy to do.




Well, guess there is no TmEE (whatever it means) to mod my MDII in my country. Tell me what mean this shortcut.:)

EDIT: How or where can I do this mod for MDII for region swithes?


Contact TmEE here: http://www.sega-16.com/forum/member.php?u=3244

If you're located in Europe, sending your bare bones MD2 should be very affordable and he'll do both: fixing the audio and region mod it.