Want to play Thunder Force 1....

[drunkninja24]

So yeah, I've been on a bit of a Thunder Force kick lately, and have played every game in the main series except for the first...my main question is, is there a "definitive" version of this game that one may easily find somewhere (not asking for any direct links btw)? I know the first isn't the most impressive game ever, but I at least want to give it a run just to see the origins of the series for myself. Seems tough to find good emus for those old obscure Japanese PC systems....

[Battlesmurf]

So yeah, I've been on a bit of a Thunder Force kick lately, and have played every game in the main series except for the first...my main question is, is there a "definitive" version of this game that one may easily find somewhere (not asking for any direct links btw)? I know the first isn't the most impressive game ever, but I at least want to give it a run just to see the origins of the series for myself. Seems tough to find good emus for those old obscure Japanese PC systems....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-xCP3x4blc

So- arcade board, or Sega Saturn collection are your best bets.

[Friendly]

He was asking about the home computer game Thunder Force, the first game in the series.

Thunder Force was released for Sharp X1, NEC PC-8801, NEC PC-6001, Sharp MZ-1500, Fujitsu FM-7 and PC JX. The FM-7 version lacks diagonal scrolling, and the PC JX version supposedly is worse than the others (lower res, fewer colors, choppier).
So I'd go with Sharp X1, NEC PC-8801, NEC PC-6001 or Sharp MZ-1500.
I can't help you with the ROM (was never interested enough to try and play it, I hear it's crappy), but i suppose combined with the system names, google might help.

[BPzeBanshee]

You're not missing out but it's an interesting little game to see in action. THUN-DAAAAA-FORRRRR-BZZZZZZ

[gray117]

You're not missing out but it's an interesting little game to see in action. THUN-DAAAAA-FORRRRR-BZZZZZZ

^ Agreed

On a slight derailing - IV and V were fantastic and I'm at work ... damn you

[malchitos]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVRjxUII ... A1B5B136A7

here is a vid by "Game Sack"...you'll have to sit through the "Cotton" section(not that it's a bad thing) but they show some game footage from all the Thunderforce games and they seem to be of the same opinion...one isn't very good. Seems it plays like the overhead scenes in Thunderforce 2.

[Despatche]

thunder force construction is the "best version" you're looking for

thunder force was fine for what it actually does and is a better game than thunder force ac/spirits

[Estebang]

I also wouldn't mind playing the original Herzog. It looks like a more advanced strategy game than Plants vs. Zombies, at least.

[Zorator]

The PC-98 version includes enhanced graphics and effects as well as a level construction kit, but I've not been able to find a ROM for it. Try the Tokugawa Corporate forums, you'll probably be able to get the game on several different platforms there.

[BPzeBanshee]

Thunder Force Construction eh? I hear that one implemented music but it sounded like horseback riding music than anything TF-related. Will check this out once I have time between G-Wange v1.01 and schoolwork.

[Edmond Dantes]

Bumping this old topic because I'm in the same boat as the OP.

I love Thunder Force and 1 and 6 are the only games in the series I don't have copies of. Would love to rectify that (Wouldn't mind having the Sharp version of TF2, either, even though I won't be able to play it and videos I've seen make me think the Mega Drive version is superior)

[BPzeBanshee]

You're gonna have to Google it since it's not forum rules to support ROM links publicly.

For the record, Sharp X68K version of TF II has superior music and graphics. The weapon sets are slightly different though.

[Edmond Dantes]

Who said anything about ROMs?

I don't like emulation, except for MAME.

[trap15]

I don't like emulation, except for MAME.

That's the silliest thing I've ever heard, considering MAME is one of the worst emulators.

[Edmond Dantes]

I meant I don't like downloading ROMs. I prefer having a real, actual thing.

[trap15]

MAME still uses downloaded ROMs... so what's the difference?

[Edmond Dantes]

Basically I only use MAME for Irem Arcade Hits games, since I bought that package only to learn they're never gonna patch it and fix the issues (bad sound, wrong version of Undercover Cops, etc), so using MAME was basically my personal workaround.

There was a time when I would use MAME for other games, but now I don't.

Anyway, back on topic. Thunder Force. Awesome series. Best shmup series ever (maybe)

[BPzeBanshee]

Good luck finding a real Thunder Force 1 tape then - it's hard enough to find the ROM image for it let alone the real thing, but I imagine you'd have more luck with this sort of thing than I. Every other nuance including port versions you could try to find has been already covered in this thread.

[postman]

Seen this thread?

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=44442

[Edmond Dantes]

I have now, thanks.