Rolling Thunder

Review

by Brett Alan Weiss

A very good translation of the 1986 Namco arcade hit of the same name, Rolling Thunder for the NES is easy to learn and fun to play. The basics are pretty simple: run, jump, shoot, don't get shot, pick up ammo and time, and reach the end of the level. There are no intricate puzzles to solve or hidden areas to find. While simple in concept, Rolling Thunder is challenging but never frustrating. It's usually pretty easy to tell where you're supposed to go, but getting there can be tricky. There are always plenty of enemies with you in their sights. Because you can't shoot or alter your trajectory once you have jumped, you must be careful and learn to slow down. But don't go too slow, because the clock is ticking. Also, you have a limited number of bullets, and your health meter is extremely short. Ducking, hiding behind doors, and waiting for the right time to attack are all integral parts of this game. These aspects of the game are great; they're a nice change of pace from the type of game where all you do is run around shooting and getting shot, with no thought of anything as mundane as hiding, conserving your bullets, or watching the clock. Another impressive thing about this title is the controls. Unlike a game such as Urban Champion where you feel as though you are walking in glue, your character in Rolling Thunder moves smoothly and quickly. Ducking under tires, running, hiding behind doors, and shooting couldn't be easier. All it takes is a light-as-a-feather twitch of the thumb. And this is important, because you'll face quite a few enemies with different moves and attack techniques, and you've got to react very quickly at times.

Not only does Rolling Thunder have terrific game play, it looks good as well. Drawn with clean lines, the levels are are clear and sharp, and the characters move realistically. In the audio department, the sound effects are good because they are varied when they don't necessarily have to be. For example: Each type of door has a different sound when it opens. This attention to detail is very impressive for an 8-bit game. Rolling Thunder should please most NES owners. If you find a copy at a reasonable price, go for it.