Play Thunder Force III Online

Thunder Force III is an action-packed side-scrolling shooter game released for the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive in 1990. Developed and published by Technosoft, it is the third installment of the Thunder Force series. The game follows a futuristic story where the player chooses one of three different spacecrafts to battle against an alien menace known as ORN Empire.

The main objective of Thunder Force III is to navigate through eight levels filled with enemies and obstacles while defeating bosses at the end of each stage. The levels are split into two parts: outdoor and indoor sections, which both have their own unique enemies and hazards that must be avoided or destroyed. Players can collect power-ups along the way that increase their weapons’ strength and give them additional lives or shields. As players progress through each level, they will gain access to more powerful weapons such as homing missiles, lasers, and even a shield generator that can protect them from enemy fire.

Players control their craft with either a joystick or D-pad depending on their preference, with buttons used for shooting weapons and activating special abilities like a speed boost or invincibility mode. The graphics are vibrant and detailed with smooth animation throughout, making it visually appealing even by today’s standards. The soundtrack is composed by Technosoft in-house composer Hiroyuki Kawada who created some memorable tunes for this classic title.

Overall, Thunder Force III is an enjoyable experience that still holds up today after 30 years since its release on the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. It provides challenging gameplay with intense shoot 'em up action that will keep gamers coming back for more. With its colorful visuals backed up by catchy music, this game stands out as one of the best titles available on the platform.