You can not take a yoke?
Still kicking NamcoThe classic fun factory Hamster Corporation is offering something a little special for this week’s release, as an untested but surprisingly ground-breaking company. Thunder Ceptor Available now for download on PS4 and Nintendo Switch.
Originally released for the arcade market in the summer of 1986, Thunder Ceptor is an on-screen rail shooter with shmup elements and a super futuristic aesthetic. Developed and released by Namco as an answer to breaking hit Space Harrier, the game features fast-paced, in-screen shmup action like classic Sega, complete with vibrant colors and fast-paced galactic gameplay. Watch the action in the video below, courtesy of Youtuber SidRetron.
At that time, Thunder Ceptor By far Namco’s most technically advanced and resource-heavy release, and also the first video game to feature a 360-degree yoke controller. Alike Space Harrier, Namco products also boast an impressive sitting arcade cabinet. Not content with all this extravagance, Namco will deliver an improved sequel 3D Thunder Ceptor II later that year, adding stereoscopic 3D imaging to give you more immersion and/or more headaches.
However, surprisingly Thunder Ceptor didn’t see the same degree of celebration as many of Namco’s other releases, frequently overlooked by many vintage-style compilations, leaving 3D shmup in the midst of the cracks of its long history. company. While not as polished or polished as its inspiration, the impostor still brings a few cool tricks to the arcade disco, and its revival through the Arcade Archives range has been a long time coming.
Thunder Ceptor available for download PS4 and Nintendo Switch now.
Chris Moyse
Senior Editor – Chris has been playing video games since the 1980s. Former Saturday Night Slam Master. Graduated with honors from Galaxy High School. Twitter: @ChrisxMoyse
