Thunder Spirits by Seika
Super Nintendo—1991
Words by Carl Williams
the SNES. This is a downer for many reasons,
particularly due to the jarring effect it causes. While
the SNES does stumble several times in key
locations it is admirable that this game even exists on
the slower machine.
The problems, other than slowdown and flicker, arise
in the first boss of the SNES version, Hydra. On the
Genesis, this boss is colorful and intimidating taking
quite a bit of firepower to bring down- a true
behemoth. On the Super Nintendo, we are treated to
a golden hued
monstrosity that is quickly brought
down. Quite a let down considering the color palette
that the SNES can push compared to the Genesis.
It must be mentioned that the SNES version is based
on the arcade port, Thunder Force AC, not directly
on the Sega Genesis version. Some levels have had
surgery which does make the game feel different
than the Sega Genesis version but the downfalls far
outweigh the few bonus items.
Thunder Force III, and Thunder Spirits, is hard as
nails and only the best will see the deeper levels,
enemies and bosses. Since we have to pick a
winner here, it is easily the Genesis version.
Thunder Force III just shines better on the
Genesis.