Thexder

Last updated • 2 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
Thexder
Thexder cover.png
Developer(s)
Publisher(s)
Game Arts
Designer(s) Hibiki Godai
Satoshi Uesaka
Composer(s) Hibiki Godai
Platform(s)
Release
April 1985
  • PC-8801mkII SR
    • JP: April 1985
    PC-8001mkII SR
    • JP: June 1985
    PC-8801mkII
    • JP: July 1985
    FM7/77/77AV
    • JP: October 1985
    Famicom
    • JP: December 19, 1985
    X1
    MZ
    • JP: March 1986
    PC-9801/M/F/U
    • JP: April 1986
    MSX
    • JP: July 1986
    PC-8801
    • JP: November 1, 2002
    Apple II
    MS-DOS
    • NA: September 1987
    Color Computer 3
    Amiga
    Macintosh
    Nintendo Switch
    • JP: October 26, 2023
Genre(s) Run and gun
Mode(s) Single-player

Thexder (テグザー, Teguzā) is a run and gun video game from Game Arts, originally released for the NEC PC-8801 in 1985. It was ported to many systems, including the Famicom, MSX, Apple II and DOS. It was a commercial success, selling over one million units worldwide.

Contents

Gameplay

In Thexder, the player controls a fighter robot that is able to transform into a jet and shoot lasers.

Release

The game was originally released in 1985 for the NEC PC-8801 platform in Japan. Game Arts licensed Thexder to Square in order to develop a conversion for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) game console. In 1987, Game Arts also developed a Thexder conversion for the MSX platform. The game was licensed to Sierra Entertainment for release in the United States. Sierra ported the game to multiple platforms, including the IBM PC, Tandy Color Computer 3, Apple II, Apple IIGS, Apple Macintosh, and Tandy 1000. In 1988, Activision released the game in Europe on the Commodore Amiga. [1] D4 Enterprise was re-released for the Nintendo Switch on October 26, 2023 in Japan as part of the EGG Console.

Reception

Thexder quickly became a best-selling hit, selling over 500,000 copies in Japan by 1987. [2] [3] As the PC-8801 platform was only popular in Japan, Thexder did not garner significant attention abroad until it was converted for the MSX (the best-selling platform in Brazil and many Eastern European countries), Apple II, and DOS, eventually becoming an international hit. It became the company's best-selling title of 1987. By 1990, the game had sold over one million copies worldwide. [4]

Compute! praised the Apple IIGS version of Thexder as the computer's "first true arcade game" with "excellent play value for your dollar". [5] In 1988, The Games Machine gave the Amiga version a 74% score. [1] In 1991, Dragon gave the Macintosh and PC/MS-DOS versions of the game each 4 out of 5 stars. [6] The game went on to sell over one million copies worldwide, becoming Game Arts' biggest-selling title of 1987. [4] Thexder is considered an important breakthrough title for the run-and-gun shooter game genre, paving the way for titles such as Contra and Metal Slug . [7]

Other games in the series

TitleDetails
Thexder 2

Original release dates:
(MSX/PC-8801, Game Arts release)

1990-12-30 (DOS)
2003-03-10 (PC-8801, D4E release)

  • UK: 1990-12-30
(DOS)
  • NA: 1990-12-30
(DOS)
Release years by system:
1989 – MSX/PC-8801
Notes:

Thexder 2, also known as Fire Hawk and Fire Hawk: Thexder – The Second Contact, was released in 1989 on MSX2 and 1990 on DOS. It retained the same concept as the original Thexder but added many improvements. The Fire Hawk robot had the same design as the Thexder: the main laser, shield, and ability to transform into a jet. It also had upgrades to allow it to launch guided missiles, and use special weapons found throughout the game. Obtaining special weapons caused a weapon carrier droid to be deployed, and if positioned correctly, would act as a shield against enemies. Graphics were improved from the original game, and gameplay was divided into sub-levels, with the fourth sub-level containing a "boss" enemy. It was also possible to restart later games at the beginning of a level previously visited.


Thexder 95

Original release date(s):
1995
Release years by system:
1995 – Windows 95
Notes:

Thexder 95 (also called Thexder for Windows 95) is a Windows 95 remake of the original Thexder game, which was built with Microsoft's Game SDK (precursor of DirectX). In this game, Thexder can become a tank and jet, and has a large number of new weapons, from grenades to thermal bombs. The game runs in multiple windows: the main view, and several smaller windows each having a different function, e.g., ammo count, map, and actual game, that the gamer could open, close, and resize at will during play. [8] It was also one of Sierra's showcase games at the launch of Windows 95.[ citation needed ]


Thexder & Fire Hawk

Original release date(s):
  • JP: July 15, 2005
(PC-8801, D4E release)
Release years by system:
July 15, 2005 – PC-8801
Notes:

Thexder & Fire Hawk is a compilation that includes the MSX versions of Thexder and Thexder 2. The compilation was designed by Hibiki Godai and Satoshi Uesaka, and was released in 2005 for the PC–8801.


Thexder Neo

Original release dates:
October 1, 2009 (PSP) [9]
January 28, 2010 (PS3)
Release years by system:
October 1, 2009 – PlayStation Portable (PSP) [9]
January 28, 2010 – PlayStation 3
Notes:

Thexder Neo is a complete rework of the original PC game from 1985, released by Square Enix. [10] In early 2009, Square Enix sent an application to the ESRB to receive a rating for a game titled "Thexder Neo". [11] Later that year, the game's existence was confirmed by Square Enix at the Tokyo Game Show. [12] It was released worldwide on the PlayStation Network on October 1, 2009 as a download for the PlayStation Portable and on January 28, 2010 for the PlayStation 3. [9]

Related Research Articles

The Adventure Game Interpreter (AGI) is a game engine developed by Sierra On-Line. The company originally developed the engine for King's Quest (1984), an adventure game that Sierra and IBM wished to market in order to attract consumers to IBM's lower-cost home computer, the IBM PCjr.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PC-8800 series</span> Series of computers sold in Japan by NEC

The PC-8800 series, commonly shortened to PC-88, are a brand of Zilog Z80-based 8-bit home computers released by Nippon Electric Company (NEC) in 1981 and primarily sold in Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cinemaware</span> Video game developer

Cinemaware was a video game developer and publisher. It had released several titles in the 1980s based on various film themes. The company was resurrected in 2000, before being acquired by eGames in 2005.

<i>Roadwar 2000</i> 1986 video game

Roadwar 2000 is a 1986 video game published by Strategic Simulations, Inc. It is a turn-based strategy game set in a post-apocalyptic future that resembles the world portrayed in the Mad Max films.

Artworx was a Naples, Florida software company that produced and supported a line of computer games from 1981 to 2015. It is named after the founder's given name. At first the company published a variety of games, including titles in adventure and arcade-action genres, but were later best known for a strip poker series.

<i>Kings Quest I</i> 1984 video game

King's Quest: Quest for the Crown is an adventure game developed by Sierra On-Line and published originally for the IBM PCjr in 1984 and later for several other systems between 1984 and 1989. The game was originally titled King's Quest; the subtitle was added to the games box art in the 1987 re-release, but did not appear in the game.

<i>Silpheed</i> 1986 video game

Silpheed is a video game developed by Game Arts and designed by Takeshi Miyaji. It made its debut on the Japanese PC-8801 in 1986, and was ported to the Fujitsu FM-7 and DOS formats soon after. It was later remade for the Sega CD and has a sequel called Silpheed: The Lost Planet for the PlayStation 2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Synergistic Software</span>

Synergistic Software was a video game developer based in Seattle. Founded in 1978, the company published some of the earliest available games and applications for the Apple II family of computers. They continued developing games for various platforms into the late 1990s.

<i>Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards</i> Adult video game

Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards is a graphic adventure game, developed by Sierra On-Line, and published in 1987. It was developed for the PC, DOS, and the Apple II and later ported to other platforms, such as the Amiga, Atari ST, Apple IIGS, Macintosh, and Tandy Color Computer 3. It utilizes the Adventure Game Interpreter (AGI) engine. In 1991, Sierra released a remake titled Leisure Suit Larry 1: In the Land of the Lounge Lizards for PC DOS, Apple Macintosh, and Amiga. This version used the Sierra's Creative Interpreter (SCI) engine, featuring 256 colors and a point-and-click, icon-driven user interface.

<i>The Last Ninja</i> 1987 video game

The Last Ninja is an action-adventure game originally developed and published by System 3 in 1987 for the Commodore 64. It was converted to the Apple IIGS, MS-DOS, BBC Micro and Acorn Electron in 1988, the Apple II series in 1989, the Amiga and Atari ST in 1990, and the Acorn Archimedes in 1991.

<i>Space Quest I</i> 1986 video game

Space Quest: Chapter I – The Sarien Encounter is a graphic adventure game, created by Scott Murphy and Mark Crowe, and released in October 1986 by Sierra On-Line. It is the first game in the Space Quest series, and sees players assume the role of a lowly janitor on a research ship, who becomes involved in stopping an alien race using a new form of technology for evil purposes.

MicroIllusions was a computer game developer and publisher of the home computer era. Based in Granada Hills, California, the company was a strong supporter of the Amiga and typically released titles on that platform before porting it to others.

<i>Test Drive</i> (1987 video game) 1987 video game

Test Drive is a racing video game developed by Distinctive Software and published by Accolade, released in 1987 for the Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, and DOS, in 1988 for the Apple II, and later ported for the PC-98 in 1989. It is the first game in the Test Drive series.

<i>Shanghai</i> (video game) 1986 video game

Shanghai is a computerized version of mahjong solitaire published by Activision in 1986 for the Amiga, Atari ST, Atari 8-bit computers, Commodore 64, MS-DOS, classic Mac OS, Apple IIGS, and Master System. Shanghai was originally programmed by Brodie Lockard. It was released as an arcade video game by Sunsoft in 1988.

<i>Questron II</i> 1988 video game

Questron II a 1988 role-playing video game published by Strategic Simulations for the Apple II, Apple IIGS, Atari ST, Commodore 64, IBM PC, and Amiga. It is the sequel to 1984's Questron. The story and original design is credited to Quest Software, the programming and artwork is credited to Westwood Associates.

<i>Thexder 95</i> 1995 video game

Thexder 95, also called Thexder for Windows 95, is a remake of the first game in the Thexder series, which was originally released for the NEC PC-8801.

<i>Final Assault</i> 1987 video game

Final Assault, known as Chamonix Challenge in Europe, originally Bivouac in French, is a mountaineering simulation distributed by Infogrames and Epyx in 1987 for the Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Apple IIGS, Atari ST, Commodore 64, MS-DOS, Thomson and ZX Spectrum. The original release of the game was copy protected.

<i>Keef the Thief</i> 1989 video game

Keef the Thief: A Boy and His Lockpick is a video game developed by Naughty Dog and published by Electronic Arts. It was released in 1989 for the Apple IIGS and then later ported to the Amiga and MS-DOS. Keef the Thief is a comedic sword and sorcery role-playing game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Home computer</span> Class of microcomputers

Home computers were a class of microcomputers that entered the market in 1977 and became common during the 1980s. They were marketed to consumers as affordable and accessible computers that, for the first time, were intended for the use of a single, non-technical user. These computers were a distinct market segment that typically cost much less than business, scientific, or engineering-oriented computers of the time, such as those running CP/M or the IBM PC, and were generally less powerful in terms of memory and expandability. However, a home computer often had better graphics and sound than contemporary business computers. Their most common uses were word processing, playing video games, and programming.

<i>The Hunt for Red October</i> (1987 video game) 1987 video game

The Hunt for Red October is a video game based on the 1984 book The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy. It was released in 1987 and was available for the Atari ST, Amiga, Apple II, Macintosh, ZX Spectrum, MSX, Commodore 64, and IBM PC. A port for the Apple IIGS was released in 1989. The game is a combination of submarine simulator and strategy game. The player navigates the Red October towards U.S. waters while avoiding the Soviet Navy.

References

  1. 1 2 The Games Machine 7, page 68.
  2. "THEXDER Coming from Sierra" (PDF). Computer Entertainer . Vol. 6, no. 5. August 1987. p. 1.
  3. Storer, Andy (July 1988). "Thexder". ST/Amiga Format (1): 55. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  4. 1 2 "Back Cover", Fire Hawk: Thexder The Second Contact , Game Arts & Sierra On-Line, 1990, archived from the original on 2013-01-16, retrieved 2012-02-10
  5. Trunzo, James V. (March 1988). "Thexder". Compute!. p. 21. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  6. Lesser, Hartley; Lesser, Patricia & Lesser, Kirk (December 1991). "The Role of Computers". Dragon (176): 57–62.
  7. Travis Fahs (24 March 2008). "The Leif Ericson Awards – Retro Feature at IGN". Retro.ign.com. Retrieved 2011-09-06.
  8. "Thexder". Next Generation . No. 16. Imagine Media. April 1996. p. 95.
  9. 1 2 3 "Thexder NEO: Information". Square Enix. Retrieved 16 October 2009. Thexder NEO for the PlayStation Portable: October 1, 2009 […] Available worldwide via the PlayStation Store
  10. "Square Enix Ltd. announces Thexder NEO available exclusively for download via PlayStation Network" (Press release). Square Enix. 1 October 2009. Retrieved 16 October 2009. Now you can experience the excitement of the original, complete with revamped graphics, a novice mode, six-player online races, and a host of other all-new features in Thexder NEO.
  11. "Square Enix revives "THEXDER", 80's robot action for PS3 and PSP – GIGAZINE". En.gigazine.net. 2009-08-24. Archived from the original on 2012-07-09. Retrieved 2015-11-07.
  12. "Sony TGS lineup includes unannounced games, newly announced games". Joystiq.com. 2009-09-11. Retrieved 2015-11-07.
Thexder
Thexder 95