Thunder Force III
Description
The famous shoot'em up series Thunder Force reaches its third installment. Eight new levels of non-stop action, as always packed with gargantuan bosses.
What made Thunder Force stand apart from the other shooters, the ability to switch weapons on the fly, hasn't changed a bit. However, the original mix of side-scrolling and top-view levels that was present in Thunder Force II has been dropped; only the side-scrolling levels remain.
Spellings
- サンダーフォースⅢ - Japanese spelling
Groups +
Screenshots
Credits (Genesis version)
11 People
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Reviews
Critics
Average score: 86% (based on 24 ratings)
Players
Average score: 4.1 out of 5 (based on 21 ratings with 1 reviews)
One of the greatest side scrolling shooters ever.
The Good
Thunder Force III was one of the greatest and most enjoyable side scrolling shooters released on any of the home console systems. It features unique and brilliantly detailed levels, sharp play, a satisfying weapons system, and huge innovative boss characters.
Strangely, its still superior to Thunder Spirits (SNES) and Thunder Force AC (Arcade) which were based upon it. Both of these translations are inferior to the original Genesis title.
I can still remember reading in EGM about this game when it was in prototype stage and how impressed the editors were with it even then. They just don't make them like they used to.
The Bad
There really wasn't much to complain about with this game. I was still enjoying this one back in 2002. It kept my attention for over a decade.
The Bottom Line
If you like this game several others might interest you for the Genesis such as: Gairares, Elemental Master, and Thunder Force 4. Thunder Force 2 is worth checking out as well.
Genesis · by Majestic Lizard (670) · 2006
Trivia
Awards
- Electronic Gaming Monthly
- November 1997 (Issue 100) - ranked #59 (Best 100 Games of All Time)
- 1999 Buyer's Guide - Ranked 6 (Top 10 Genesis Games)
Analytics
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Contributors to this Entry
Game added by Cochonou.
Additional contributors: Alaka, j.raido 【雷堂嬢太朗】.
Game added December 10, 2002. Last modified January 16, 2025.