Thunder Force IV

SEGA AGES Thunder Force AC coming soon, more information revealed

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After Thunder Force III appeared previously in the SEGA 3D series on 3DS and the SEGA Genesis Mini, it once again returns, but with a bit of a twist. Indeed, Thunder Force AC is essentially an arcade version of the original Thunder Force III, using the SEGA System C2 arcade board also used for games such as Puyo Puyo and Puzzle & Action: Ichidant-R. But don’t be fooled, as the game mixes up the level design enough that it’s still worth a playthrough even if you’ve played the Mega Drive original, and also benefits from improved audio samples.

The SEGA AGES release adds several new features, most notably the selection of different ships. FIRE LEO-03 STYX being the default ship, FIRE LEO-03 STYX Mass Product being a revamped version of the original ship that was included in Thunder Force Gold Pack 2, FIRE LEO-04 RYNEX from Thunder Force IV, and FIRE LEO-04 RYNEX with the Thunder Sword. Like it’s predecessor SEGA AGES Thunder Force IV, there will also be a Kids Mode that increases the power of your attacks and doesn’t penalize you by stripping away your weapons upon death, ideal for more novice players.

It will be available at a price of ¥999 for the Japanese Nintendo Switch eShop, but with no announced date yet.

[Source: Official Website]

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SEGA AGES Thunder Force IV (Lightening Force) Review – Lightning Strikes Again (Nintendo Switch)

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After a long hiatus, partially due to the downfall of the company Technosoft, the Thunder Force series is steadily regaining it’s spark. SEGA has been courteous enough to give fans of the series some much needed love, first with M2’s version of Thunder Force III as apart of the SEGA 3D line of titles for the 3DS, then later it’s follow up Thunder Force IV (aka Lightening Force: Quest for the Darkstar) and the arcade game Thunder Force AC as apart of the SEGA AGES line of titles on the Nintendo Switch.

Today we’re going to be looking at SEGA AGES Thunder Force IV in particular. This is arguably the best game in the series, and commonly praised as an example of one of the SEGA Genesis’ best shmups available on the system. But does this SEGA AGES version live up to this praise, or is it more like flying into a stray bullet and dying multiple times?

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SEGA AGES for Nintendo Switch launches with Sonic the Hedgehog and Lightening Force: Quest for the Darkstar

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The M2 developed SEGA AGES for Nintendo Switch has launched today in the west with two games: Sonic the Hedgehog and Lightening Force: Quest for the Darkstar (Thunder Force IV in Europe and Japan). The reasoning for the title of the latter is because on the SEGA Genesis in America, Lightening Force: Quest for the Darkstar was the localized name. However, given the history of the Thunder Force series prior to and since the game’s release, it is odd that SEGA of America saw fit to keep the localized name.

SEGA AGES titles are priced at $7.99 in America and £6.99 in Europe. A little less than the ¥925 Japanese price point when converted to dollars and a little more converted to pounds. Players can expect new features and various settings. Check then out now on the Nintendo eShop and stay tuned to SEGAbits for our reviews of the first two titles.

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New SEGA AGES titles revealed, Sonic and Thunder Force IV releasing next week

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We have some SEGA AGES news for all your Nintendo Switch owners out there! It has been revealed that Sonic the Hedgehog and Thunder Force IV will release September 20 to the Nintendo eShop priced at ¥999. Don’t let the Japanese price throw you, this will be a worldwide release.

Also revealed are more games in the SEGA AGES lineup! In addition to the above titles and Phantasy Star, Alex Kidd in Miracle World, Gain Ground and Space Harrier fans can also expect Columns II Online Battle, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, OutRun and Thunder Force AC. No further details have been revealed, but we will be sure to share release dates once we learn of them.

[Sources: Famitsu, My Nintendo News, Japanese Nintendo]

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SEGA Ages Thunder Force IV for Nintendo Switch gets over 10 minutes of gameplay shown

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SEGA had a live stream recently shown off the the SEGA Ages version of Thunder Force IV for the Nintendo Switch. As you know, SEGA revealed that this release and Sonic the Hedgehog are getting delayed into this month. If you want to know more about whats new in this version of Thunder Force IV, check out my write up.

What do you guys think? They are pricing this release at $8 dollars in Japan. Worth it at that price?

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SEGA Ages Sonic the Hedgehog and Thunder Force IV on Nintendo Switch delayed into September

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If you guys didn’t know the SEGA Ages Nintendo Switch versions of Sonic the Hedgehog and Thunder Blade IV was suppose to come out sometime this month, but SEGA has now confirmed that they have been delayed into September. According to them it was because they wanted to further enhance the quality of the titles. But at the same time, SEGA also plans to release the SEGA Ages version of Phantasy Star in September. So, it seems that SEGA will be releasing three whole SEGA Ages releases in the month of September?

I have also been hearing rumors that SEGA Japan have been saying these will be released ‘world wide’, which is also a bit weird considering SEGA West hasn’t said a peep about them. Could these be the most poorly planned re-releases of all time? I mean, I’m sure they will be quality releases, but whoever is managing this whole thing needs to learn to nail release dates, they are still giving is a vague month without actual dates!

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SEGA AGES debuts on Nintendo Switch with Sonic the Hedgehog & Thunder Force IV next month

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It was a surprise to a lot of SEGA fans when SEGA announced that they wouldn’t be porting the SEGA Genesis/Megadrive Collection to Nintendo Switch. Instead SEGA Japan would be bringing its downloadable titles by reviving their SEGA AGES brand. We finally got the first details including the debut games, release date and pricing.

According to the latest Weekly Famitsu magazine where they confirmed that the first two debut titles will be Sonic the Hedgehog and Thunder Force IV! Each title will cost you 925 yen (£6.30 / $8.20) and will release in August. Just like the SEGA 3D Classics, Sonic the Hedgehog will include the added Spin Dash, Drop Dash and the Mega Play arcade version. While Thunder Force IV will introduce online leaderboards and the Styx Mode from the SEGA Saturn version!

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SEGA FES 2018: SEGA AGES coming to the Nintendo Switch this summer!

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Whilst we’re reporting this one last, SEGA started off SEGA FES by announcing SEGA AGES for the Nintendo Switch and to be released this summer in Japan. Details are still being updated as this is a relatively new story but we can see from the image shared that SEGA will be bringing Sonic the Hedgehog, Phantasy Star and for the frst time Thunder Force IV back too modern consoles.

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