3D Thunder Blade

 3DS
  • Publisher: Sega
  • Release Date: May 14, 2015
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Sep 30, 2015
    75
    M2 did well with what they had to work with; there just wasn't very much there to begin with. [Issue #16 – July/August 2015, p.31]
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  2. Cubed3
    Jun 19, 2015
    70
    Although slower-paced than the likes of After Burner, and less flashy at first glance, 3D Thunder Blade offers a more varied selection of environments and more visual details making the setting of the game more visually appealing, if not by the sensations it provides.
  3. ZTGD
    Jun 8, 2015
    80
    Thunder Blade is well done arcade port with lots of options that help to modernize the experience. Like most other old arcade games, personal interest is really what drives the game’s value. For players who either remember the arcade original or simply enjoy the style, it’s definitely worth checking out.
  5. NintendoWorldReport
    Jun 2, 2015
    85
    If you’ve been ignoring Thunder Blade for the past quarter-century, it’s time to take notice. 3D Thunder Blade is not just a great arcade port- it’s one of the best pick-up-and-play action games on the 3DS.
  6. Vandal
    May 25, 2015
    75
    Obviously, we need to take the game as the piece of history it is. Probably not the game the average player is looking for these days, but if you understand what you're buying, it's definitely a great choice.
  7. Hardcore Gamer
    May 24, 2015
    60
    It’s fun, it’s mindless, and if you really hate it, it’s over in about ten minutes. In fact, that’s the game’s biggest problem; there just isn’t a whole lot here.
  8. Hobby Consolas
    May 18, 2015
    77
    As with previous Sega's 3D Classics, M2 signs a love letter to another arcade hit, making this conversion the best one available for home consoles. They've added a completely new level and little touches and options here and there (like the great 3D effect), but nonetheless the experience is way too short compared to other 3D Classics. But, in the end, if you loved the original, you'll love this conversion.
  9. Nintendo Life
    May 18, 2015
    60
    Coming to a suitable conclusion on 3D Thunder Blade is a difficult proposition; on one hand it's clearly the best of the 3D Classics on a technical level, but on the other hand the source material wasn't a particularly top-notch game to begin with.

Awards & Rankings

21
#21 Best 3DS Game of 2015
45
#45 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2015
48
#48 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2015

User Reviews

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User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 2 out of 10
  1. musicmaniac1965
    May 20, 2015
    9
    After the awesome conversion of 3D Out Run, and the other cool arcade conversions M2 have given us, i was looking forwards to finally have aAfter the awesome conversion of 3D Out Run, and the other cool arcade conversions M2 have given us, i was looking forwards to finally have a arcade perfect version in the palm of my hands. Here's my thought on the game:

    Graphics: As close to the original source as you come to expect from M2. The biggest impact, like with all other sprite scaler games on the 3DS, is the 3D effect. This game has a cool way of switching from top down view to a more 3D flying into the screen mode, without stopping the action for a to long time. The way enemies and bullets fly towards you in top down view is awesome to behold. If you are like me, a arcade gamer from this era, you will be happy.

    Gameplay: Due to the options to make the game a bit more easy, and even after dying, you can select the last stage you could reach, means you have seen the end quickly enough. The choper control feels good, and combined with the graphics, you surely will feel like you are playing the original, but only with awesome 3D graphics. Also, if you finish the game (does not need to be in one go), you unlock a special mode, where they have added some new enemies, and have improved the use of the rockets, as they keep flying forwards after crashing on the ground, until they hit something, or they are out of the screen. This gives a better hit rate than the way they worked in the original arcade mode.

    Lastability: Now this is where things go for the worce: Even with the full extra level, this game is over way to quickly. Sure, i expected a perfect arcade conversion with this extra, so for me, this still does not matter, as i want to have all the games i loved way back in the 80's on any system Sega will release them on, but i can understand that if you are not that big of a fan as i am, it will loose some points, so a 10 -1 it is (a 9 :-D )

    Overal: For the oldschool gamers like me, this is another great game to add to the collection, especially since those are not expensive, but cool to collect to keep the series complete. It may not have the same lastabillity as the other shooters, like Afterburner II, Galaxy Force II, and Space Harrier, but the cool game design, added 3D effect and extra stage, and the options available to make the game a bit more easy (with extra unlockable new mode with improved rockets and a few new enemies), you still can't go wrong. For newcomers, i'd recommend to try Galaxy Force II first, and if you can cope with the way the sprites looks like, then this game is also for you, other wise, i hope you can try it at a friend who does love it and have this game.

    So despite i knew the game would have 4 stages in the original mode, i still deduct one point, but still, it's such a perfect conversion, i can't score this lower than a 9! Thanks Sega, Now i hope this sells good enough to warrant more arcade spite scaler conversions, like 3D Turbo Out Run, 3D Rail Chase, 3D OutRunners, 3D Power Drift, and 3D Rad Mobile!    … Full Review »
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