Thunderbirds

About

Fly five futuristic aircraft across North America, the Indian Ocean, and Asia in Thunderbirds, a 1989 shooter with arcade flair. You have 60 days to complete missions and stop alien Hood from using Earth as a launching pad for meteors. Each plane can withstand three hits before needing three days of repairs, which adds tension to every fire-spitting volcano and mutant sea worm encounter. Combat plays fast and direct with a focus on quick reflexes and route planning to avoid getting grounded. The game stands out for blending combat with resource management. Powerups from enemies restore health, boost firepower, or summon orbital allies to aid in battles. Developed by Pack-In-Video and released on Nintendo platforms in 1989, Thunderbirds leans into its sci-fi roots with memorable foes. While challenging, the game’s tight controls and varied missions keep it engaging for players who enjoy high-stakes action.

Storyline

An evil alien named Hood wants the Thunderbirds to turn over all their vehicles to him within a 60 day time period or Hood will bombard the Earth with meteors. The Thunderbirds figure he needs the 60 days to prepare to come through with his threat so they decide to go looking for places which may contain his energy sources for his power. The game takes place over North America, the Indian Ocean, and Asia as you fly through doing different missions in each location. As a Thunderbird, you'll fly 5 different futuristic aircraft such as a Mach 20 Thunderbird 1 Rocket, the Neptune Hydro-Turbojet, and the Fire Flash Atomic plane. Each vehicle can only take 3 hits before being grounded. If your vehicle is grounded, it will take 3 days to be repaired. These 3 days will be subtracted from your overall 60 days you have to beat the entire game. Your enemies consists of such exotic fare as poisonous space scorpions, mutant sea worms and even environmental adversaries such as fire spitting volcanoes. By defeating certain enemies, you aircraft can gain powerups such as replenishing depleted heath, increased firepower, or adding orbital ships to fly by the side of your main ship to assist you in combat.