ThunderForce Review Retrospective

[@zenitpro]

Thunder Force IV is second to none. It's a true masterpiece of the shoot-em-up genre, and I've played it through countless times. I can never get enough of the whole package: graphics, sounds, music, bosses, etc. If you like shoot-em-ups, you owe playing this gem to yourself!

[@Transgender-ProphetMohammed]

Man that was truly THE Shit! Awesome from start to the end!!

[@MetalJesusRocks]

Your editing is truly EXCELLENT! Great video.

[@strafefox]

+MetalJesusRocks Thanks so much! :)

[@random_gamer_guy82]

You rule mjr

[@180223]

Man, I love all these retrospectives. You can clearly see all the hard work put into these videos.

[@strafefox]

D180223 Awesome! thanks man!

[@GameplayandTalk]

Absolutely incredible retrospective! This series is one of my favorites when it comes to classic shooters so it was great to see so much care put into this video.

[@strafefox]

Gameplay and Talk thanks! and Thunderforce really deserves more attention

[@MadPanicGaming]

Fantastic video! I absolutely love this series, I have about half a dozen Thunder Force games myself and they're always a lot of fun to go back to.

[@mylifeingaming]

[Coury] You put this out just as I talked myself out of getting the Saturn Gold Pack 1 & 2...

[@cinnamondan4984]

My Life in Gaming emulation

[@cinnamondan4984]

frankgiovonini3 I don’t mind. I do not need to spend 1000s of dollars on this hobby. I bought one of Sega’s new Saturn pads and I am in. Support modern gaming with my bucks. Sega still took me to the bank with Persona 5 R. Great game but the price made me feel violated.

[@mikem0898]

I keep posting this from time to time under your videos but every time I'm simply speechless how much work and dedication is put into these. It really shows how deeply you care for the quality of content you're showing. Cool CGI elements, tasteful editing, attention to every detail of the game. You guys really deserve the most recognition.

[@strafefox]

Mike M wow! thanks so much!

[@grill_dad]

Wow, the production quality in this is amazing

[@Sinn0100]

Thunder Force IV is the pinnacle of 16-bit shmup's. It stands toe-to-toe with many Neo Geo AES shmup's. The music, speed, and paralax scrolling shows the Sega Genesis had tge chops to really deliver a stunning experience.

[@dmac7128]

Very informative. Finally learned why the first Mega Drive game was called Thunderforce II. Its an under rated series that really pushed the Mega Drive's hardware to its limits especially with its clever use of both the FM chip and the PSG chip.

[@strafefox]

Thanks! Great to hear you enjoyed my video and yeah ThunderForce is awesome! :)

[@jbmaru]

Thanks for this tribute to Thunder Force, and well done with that beautiful 3D rendering!

[@Kingmegadon]

You just won a new subscriber. Now I have so much to find. This was the 1st Shoot'em ups I ever played (Thunder Force IV / Lightening Force). But I could never remember the name. I could remember the gameplay but never the name, until today. Now the name is burned into my brain and I have some hunting to do. Thanks for the amazing retrospective and for showing me I have a lot more to find and play now.

[@gwardojones]

Holy crap, you killed it with this retrospective! Those CG animated sequences were rad as hell!

[@rickonami]

DUDE!..... That was an awesome review!

[@strafefox]

***** Thanks my friend :) oh and I totally forgot to mention your incredible TFIV intro, will add a link in the describtion.

[@rickonami]

strafefox Thanks man :D

[@mgodoy-br]

Great video! Thunder Force IV is my favorite MD game! I'm just missing a chapter talking about the song "Metal Squad". That song turns a big influencer along the time. You can find several videos of guitar players doing that around KZbin. Once I found I video of a guy playing it on Guitar Hero! It's insane! I think of it just losing for "The Final Take of" of After Burner and maybe the Guile Stage song of SFII, cause these songs are really loved by a huge fan base.

[@KollisionBR]

The ending section of the video sent chills down my spine, dude. I need to revisit TF 4 soon.

[@Ryenobal]

This is probably the best documentary on a video game franchise I have ever had the pleasure of watching. I love the hell out of the Thunder Force series as it's my all-time favorite shmup franchise.

[@strafefox]

Thanks so much!

[@sebdoom]

Your videos are indeed full of passion. Especially this one, TFIV being my favorite game for its aeshetics and especially its music, I found this video the best retrospective. You even create yourself 3d models to illustrate, this is just amazing and inspiring.

[@classic_gamer_767]

Watching the crazy detailed and documented "Making Of" videos you produce nowadays, it would be awesome to see you return to the franchise and share with us a "Behind the Scenes" documentary of the series... or, at least, one of its games ! Keep up the fantastic work !

[@PyronsLair]

Another great episode Fox, thanks to bring TF series to your chanel again, now with total dedication! FOR GREAT JUSTICE!

[@RenanCarlosdaSilva]

The best retrogaming channel on internet!!

[@strafefox]

***** wow thanks so much man!

[@BPLOL]

Your channel is a hidden gem. Keep on and it will explode someday. Best wishes.

[@HyperioGames]

Thunder force appreciation video? SOLD.

[@Thewesrobertson]

Another fantastic video. Keep'em coming.

[@espindolaeduardo]

thank you very much for the video! reminded me of the good times of nostalgia that I know that maybe they will never come back. I am sad to know that there will not even be a new game in the saga or maybe it will never have a continuation, but I am happy to remember the striking soundtrack and the endless bullet storms. thanks again for the video and for this nostalgic feeling

[@strafefox]

Awesome to hear that you liked the video! Btw: I picked up TFIV again a few days back and it remains an absolute blast to play :)

[@christianna3561]

Well done! Another quality video. You reminded me of some games I have to add back to my library.

[@strafefox]

+Ali Robins thanks!

[@Hornetzilla78]

Nice overview of one of the most well-known classic shoot-em-ups out there. I hope someone or some company eventually revives the series, and the Rynex as well.

[@KokoroNoSama]

Its been 4 years and I still love coming back to this video. I even got the shooting game historica figure pack for Rynex and Styx! Love Thunder Force!

[@tecnosofttechnosoft3426]

Great retrospective, thank you !

[@efblasius]

My god your work is amazing. So well written an perfectly edited.

[@strafefox]

Thanks :)

[@CastChaos]

You are so talented in making one feel like playing the games you are making the videos of!

[@TheMMATron]

Thunder Force IV has one of the most mind blowing game tracks of all time.

[@campos3452]

SEGA has just acquired the Thunder Force IP! Thunder Force incoming!(TGS2016)

[@strafefox]

They are giving ThunderForce III a 3D classic treatment (for 3ds). pretty cool!

[@campos3452]

Awesome! I'll take anything Thunder Force its been a while!

[@unstoppableExodia]

Would be great if Sega rereleased or remastered the classic thunderforce games for the switch

[@CardboardSliver]

@@strafefox Sadly...only for the JP 3DS.

[@patrickfischer2932]

Great quality video, you guys! A real Technosoft and TF fan. My one wish one day is to see Sega and one of their development teams to crank out one last installment, TF7 using both overhead and side-scrolling like TF2 with some classic gameplay and a modern storyline. Oh, and not to forget the awesome music too.

[@sidneyd.dacosta4361]

wow, what a nostalgic feeling. I like so much this series, my favorites for shooten ups. Great work, Thanx

[@DrSopenkus]

Excellent video! From a Thunder Force fan... THANKS. The Thunder Force series took the genesis to another level. And... That MUSIC. oh my god, That Music....

[@strafefox]

+Jaime Rivera Thanks! Yeah the music :) After all these years TFIV still is one of my favorite soundtracks

[@DrSopenkus]

Indeed! TFIV and TFIII are my favorites. Including Gaiares,Street Of Rage I and II and the Shinobi series. As a kid I knew that Technosoft and Yuzo Koshiro had some magic going on the Genesis and your video explains it perfectly! Love your videos!!!! Keep em coming!

[@RetroClash95]

fantastic work on a fantastic series.

[@zombie100379]

the music in thunderforce IV is simply stunning , especially during the ending credits.

[@yuvraj01]

Great Documentary! Very informative, especially about how the developers fully utilised the Megadrive's soundchip, which I never knew in all the years of knowing the game...

[@strafefox]

Thanks!

[@johnv7317]

Looking forward of getting the re-release of Thunder Force IV for the Switch! :)

[@ColgateLP]

4:40 Its a FM-Chip with PCM capabilities. its a synthesizer, not a sampler.

[@The_Cooler_Will]

Man Thunder Force series should come back :( 5 was so awesome and the credits music, my God! It's heartbreaking.

[@THESHMUPMASTER]

Fantastic video! Heh, a little over a year ago I did a video that mostly covered Thunder Force 3 (complete with a no miss run I completed at the end). However, I did touch on the other games in the series as well and it's funny how similar are thoughts were on them. Great job! You just earned a new subscriber :)

[@k1tsun31989]

What a marvelous retrospective of a freaking awesome series. for me TF4 was the best one and I would defend that gem for the rest of my days xD. fantastic work Fox. =D

[@strafefox]

k1tsun31989 thanks as always for your support

[@k1tsun31989]

you're welcome man :D

[@joelindien32]

Thank you for your contribution ! Hoping that one day Thunder Force will return to the Megadrive or other.

[@TheGameGrinder]

This looks like a pretty sweet series. I've never played any, but I'll have to keep an eye out. Thanks for the video!

[@VIDEOGAMEPLUS]

Excellent work, as usual.

[@Sinn0100]

My God man, everything you guys do is pure gold. Oh man do I remember the first time I layed eyes on Thunder Force IV. I rented it from Blockbuster Video when it dropped and wow! I was all but finished with the 2d shmup's at the time but rest assured, I ran out and got it as soon as I could. I remember thinking that it would not hace felt out of place on a Neo Geo AES. I think it holds up very well compared to any 2d soace shooter of the 16-bit generation.

[@ddarko08]

Great video! Thunderforce III is still my favorite Genesis shooter :)

[@denNESdanMAKU]

I am so bad at GRADIUS and R-TYPE but THUNDER FORCE is fast pasted, gorgous to look and plays perfect! Love that series!!

[@SikSlayer]

Great work as always!

[@strafefox]

rd1979 thanks! :)

[@Malkav]

When the track Legendary Wings from Thunderforce V hits you, your blood will turn to Vasteel plasma reactor fuel.

[@JetWolfEX]

I know this video is 3 years old now, but I want to thank you for mentioning the Broken thunder album, I was not aware of it and bought an album sometime after watching this, and it's very good, it's not all metal remixes of TF music there's a surprising variety of remixes and original music. I recommend it to all TF fans.

[@Arethius]

Great retro spective ! I love the Thunder Force Series, and this is a nice tribute. To bad you forgot to mention the homebrew tribute titles

[@opaljk4835]

I love your vids and have since you started. Thanks!!

[@strafefox]

That's great to hear! A new video will up very soon :)

[@sIosha]

Man, I just bought a Sega Genesis last week that came with Thunderforce II, along with a few other games, and it is easily becoming one of my favorite games of all time.

[@artemisiabellashcroft5119]

If you bought sega genesis with thunder force 2, don't forget to buy sega mega drive and the legendary game forever: thunder force 4. XD

[@sonjaadamson1714]

Metal Squad is absolutely one of the best video game songs EVER written.

[@TitoOlivarez]

Amazing video. I LOVE thunderforce III and IV. Gotta grab thunderforce V.

[@yuiindiegamingchannel9424]

This great review make me love The Thunder Force Series!!! XD

[@mukankakuna]

Oh, wow! Another amazing video for your channel. I wish you could do largest videos in order to get a closer look to the games. In any case, thanks for doing this.

[@samatra478]

Thunder Force 4 has always been and continues to be my true favorite of them all.

[@Pytor007]

I love your vids! Keep it up!

[@danmakuman]

Awesome video as always. Just a little correction here. The Genesis use a 6 Channel FM soundchip (YM2612) with the option to use one of that channels to play PCM samples. Technosoft only used samples for the voices when you pic up a weapon.

[@somethingoriginal1707]

This needs more views

[@vivekmantripragada832]

Thank you very much! Surely The best em up ever made! I played and finished all of them many many times😀😀

[@therangersrule68]

This is really cool and a coincidence. I just got the Thunder Force V Special Pack a couple days ago.

[@strafefox]

therangersrule68 I knew that ;) have fun with thunderforce

[@gus750]

GORGEOUS

[@scarfaceAC2]

V is my favorite. I love the setting and the story. The 5th level still gives me chills

[@retroraiderjapan2516]

really classy, well done!

[@craigdavies1747]

Great video. Loved thunderforce 4 in particular. Great game and music. Technosoft were great developers. 👍

[@claudiosacchi3720]

Thunder force IV is an absolute masterpiece. Period.

[@phobosMK2]

Nice Review!

[@mylastright]

i love Thunder Force!

[@JamiroquailX]

Absolute nostalgia, had TF4 when i was 6 years old. my Megadrive is 23 now :D have to give the rest of them a go

[@gamingguru2678]

Great video! 3 and 4 were the best!

[@matt1901]

Probably the best shooter series ever. I love this series as others love the Legend of Zelda or Mario franchise.

[@Segasocks]

Added to favourites without hesitation :-)

[@strafefox]

Mr Stella Box Head cool :)

[@MonsieurRitournelle]

I Loooooooooooooove your editing !!!!!!!!!!!

[@strafefox]

Thanks!!!!!!!! :)

[@GoldStandardGames]

Thunder Force III Genesis version is my favorite because of the gameplay and great music in any video game.

[@vembrace]

Long live Thunder Force!

[@requiem6465]

I consider Thunder Force IV to be the pinnacle of the entire genre.

[@efblasius]

Just perfect

[@calvinhsu7734]

Probably one of the most epic shooters ever made

[@neoknux009]

I liked it before I watched cause I already knew I'd be awesome

[@TheWallmartPimp]

neoknux009 I know right! I do the same thing :D

[@HoratioVanBasten]

Brilliant overview:)

[@strafefox]

***** thanks so much!

[@ACLMSC]

When I first played stage 2 of Thunder Force 3 and I heard the FM guitar wailing, I know I was in for an adventure. I would that both TF III and TFIV should be in your library.

[@heilong79]

nice presentation,

[@MrFixer1983]

Again a great video!! I love TF4 on the MD, I overclock my MD to get the best speed for TF4. I also like TF 5, 32bit at his best ;)

[@strafefox]

MrFixer1983 thanks and yeah TFIV is also my favorite, that game is so amazing on every level.

[@loganbrooker9057]

4:41 so little mistake here i would like to point out. The megadrive didn't have a PCM chip. The SNES did but the megadrive used FM synthesis.

[@direktexe8436]

The md did have pcm but some people didn't use it because the FM chip was good enough or saved memory

[@direktexe8436]

The MD did have pcm but you had to sacrifice the sixth fm channel for it

[@natejoe9924]

This is so true in my first time hearing about it

[@natejoe9924]

Looks really fun

[@simondaniel4028]

Great vid. Recommend you check Hyper Duel, made by largely the same team (tecnosoft) as Thunder Force 3 and 4. Sometimes called ThunderForce 4.5 by forums.

[@djipminderman4840]

If I ever decide to chop up a co-worker with an axe I'll be sure to have this video memorized in advance.

[@thundageon5962]

No mega drive game can push blast processing to the limits than Contra Hard Corps. That game is batshit insane

[@rubeng.4381]

YES, EXCELLENT!!!

[@ドリフト180X]

amazing video!

[@legamingantique2470]

4:12 Thank you so much for mentioning the fact that it was pal omtimised 👍. Most games at the time ran slowly on pal machines. Do you know if other snes/mehadrive games where optimised for Europe? I've heard Donkey Kong country was, but I'm not sure.

[@strafefox]

Yeah I think some of the bigger releases that came at the end of the mega-drive era like Comix Zone, Sonic3, Story of Thor but there are probably a lot more :)

[@legamingantique2470]

@@strafefox Thanks for your answer 😄. I've been searching informations online for quite a while, and I've found some interesting information so far. Comix zone and sonic 3 have their music optimised, but not the gameplay. In fact, this is the case for most megadrive games (music optimisation was far more common than gameplay optimisation). Some games like Vectorman and Altered beast wheren't optimised at all. And European-developped games like Super skidmarks, James Pond, micro machines, shadow of the beast,... usually ran correctly at 50 hz, and way too fast at 60 hz. If you have any question about PAL optimisation for mega drive and Master system, feel free to ask 😉. I will answer as soon as I can. However, I'm less familiar with the Nintendo stuff. And by the way, I think you are dutch? I'm dutch too. Good evening

[@strafefox]

@@legamingantique2470 Bedankt voor de extra info! Ik zal het onthouden :)

[@legamingantique2470]

@@strafefox Graag gedaan 👌. Jou videos zijn echt goed gemaakt.

[@KokoroNoSama]

So of course this is my 7th time coming back to this video lol, but now that there's a sega ages version for AC and 4 that you might make another video featuring them?

[@strafefox]

Ha that's cool to hear :) I don't have concrete plans but ThunderForce IV is one of my favorite games so I'm considering to update this video at one point.

[@Ostnizdasht206]

Thunderforce 4 is my favorite shmup of all time!

[@strafefox]

Blast Mode Processing FX 7 mine too!

[@samfrito]

I remember how great Thunderforce 2 was at the Genesis launch. I don't think my Genesis B buttons red paint stayed red from so much constant thumb pressure.

[@jmssun]

Love tf5 music! Thank you!