data/claims/rolling-thunder-history.yamlRolling Thunder (history and reception)
Game: Rolling Thunder.
Rolling Thunder is Namco's coin-op game, copyright 1986. In the United States Atari Games manufactured the cabinet, and its 1987 operators manual credits the game's engineering and design to Namco. rolling-thunder-history/arcade-makers
PDF p. 3, notice on the manual's opening pageThunder is engineered and designed by Namco Ltd. Manufactured by Atari Games. Trademark and © Namco 1986.Rolling Thunder operators manual (Atari Games, 1987) · PDF p. 4 — read on the page image by the scout (PDF p. 4) as "© 1987 by Atari Games Corporation"; the text layer reads "Gaines" for "Games"© 1987 by Atari Gaines CorporationRolling Thunder operators manual (Atari Games, 1987) · PDF p. 4 — read on the page image by the scout (PDF p. 4) as "Published by: Atari Games Corporation, 675 Sycamore Drive, P.O. Box 361110, Milpitas, California 95035"Published by: Atari Games Corporation … 675 Sycamore Drive … Milpitas, California 95035Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the arcade manual's Milpitas, California address for "in the United States".No source read gives the date of the game's release in Japanese arcades or names its designers; Scullion's NES Encyclopedia dates the arcade game 1986 (rolling-thunder-history/nes-scullion).
Cited by: Rolling Thunder
Play Meter's April 1987 report on the second annual American Coin Machine Exposition (ACME), held March 20-22, says Rolling Thunder, "a dedicated game that was introduced a little over a month ago and that Atari licensed from Namco", was in Atari's booth. In its summary, the game pits the Rolling Thunder undercover police organization against the secret society Geldra, and Agent Albatross shoots his way through the enemy's headquarters to save Leila, a captured agent. rolling-thunder-history/arcade-us
printed p. 64, ACME show reportthe second annual American Coin Machine Exposition (ACME) March 20-22Play Meter, vol. 13 no. 4 (April 1987) · printed p. 64, ACME show reportRolling Thunder, a dedicated game that was introduced a little over a month ago and that Atari licensed from Namco, was also in the booth.Play Meter, vol. 13 no. 4 (April 1987) · printed p. 64, ACME show reportThe game pits the Rolling Thunder undercover police organization against the secret society Geldra. AgentPlay Meter, vol. 13 no. 4 (April 1987) · printed p. 64, ACME show report — the next lines go on "Geldra. The game, like many others coming out these days, has an add-a-coin feature."Albatross shoots his way through enemy headquarters to save Leila, the female agent who's been captured byRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Play Meter's printed p. 64, not p. 60; quoted the ACME dates and "introduced ... and that Atari licensed from Namco" instead of saying Atari introduced it.The page's folio, "64 PLAY METER/April 1987", is in the OCR of the page (XML page 60).
Cited by: Rolling Thunder
In April 1987 Play Meter listed Rolling Thunder among the video games earning over $100 at a popular West Coast arcade, and an operator in the same issue called it an Elevator Action and Kung Fu type of upright with excellent graphics that had been earning in the operator's top five route videos for the last few weeks. rolling-thunder-history/arcade-earnings
printed p. 37 — the list's lead-in reads "some of the top earning games from a popular arcade location on the west coast"earning over $100 (with the top one earning over $300): Pins--PinBot, Hardbody, and High Speed. Videos--Rolling ThunderPlay Meter, vol. 13 no. 4 (April 1987) · printed p. 37a popular arcade location on the west coastPlay Meter, vol. 13 no. 4 (April 1987) · printed p. 118, "Atari Rolling Thunder" — the text layer runs "Kung Fu" and "type" togetherThis Elevator Action/Kung Futype upright has excellent graphics. It has been earning in my top five route videos for the last few weeks.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The operator's comment is one of several in an unsigned round-up; the page doesn't name the operator in the lines read.
Cited by: Rolling Thunder
A retrospective catalog of Famicom games lists Namco's Rolling Thunder as released in Japan on 17 March 1988. rolling-thunder-history/release-famicom
PDF p. 124, ファミコンソフト完全目録, 1988 column, no. 320 — read on the page image by the scout (PDF p. 124), which prints "320 1988/03/17 『ローリングサンダー』 ナムコ" with no price column; the date and maker were read there, and the OCR garbles the brackets and リ3201988/03/17 fロー UングサンダーJナムコOur translation320, 1988/03/17, Rolling Thunder, NamcoRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Restated as the retrospective catalog's listing.The catalog is an unsigned retrospective mook that names no source for its dates. The Internet Archive item of the Famicom booklet gives the same day as its release date. No period source for the day has been read.
Cited by: Rolling Thunder
The Famicom booklet presents Rolling Thunder as a Namcot game cassette and gives Namco's address in Tokyo. rolling-thunder-history/famicom-makers
PDF p. 2, opening — the text layer is a rough OCR, read with its spaces; read on the page image by the scout (PDF p. 2), the opening is このたびはナムコット・ゲームカセット「ローリングサンダー」をお求めいただきましてこの だ び は ナム コッ ト ・ ゲ ー ムOur translationThank you for choosing this Namcot game [cassette]ローリングサンダー 取扱説明書 (NAM-RT) · PDF p. 16, back cover株 式 会 社 ナムコOur translationNamco Ltd.ローリングサンダー 取扱説明書 (NAM-RT) · PDF p. 16, back cover都 大 田 区多摩 川 2-8-5 ナムコッ ト係Our translation[Tokyo]-to, Ota-ku, Tamagawa 2-8-5, Namcot sectionChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Rolling Thunder
In the Famicom booklet the player is a secret agent of the WCPO's special operations unit Rolling Thunder, code name Albatross. Leila, a fellow agent, found out the secret of Mabu, the leader of the secret society Geldra, but was captured; the mission is to defeat Mabu, who lurks in the depths of the secret fortress, and rescue her safely. Its back story says a man calling himself Mabu appeared in New York in the late 1960s and organized Geldra. The WCPO, the World Criminal Police Organization, sent the special agent Leila Blitz into Geldra's secret fortress and succeeded in finding out who Mabu was. rolling-thunder-history/famicom-premise
PDF p. 4 (printed p. 1), ゲーム内容 — the next words, the unit's name, come out of the OCR garbled ("ロジ プリ シッ ー?"); read on the page image by the scout (PDF p. 4), they are ローリングサンダーキミ はWCPO の 特殊 工作 部 隊Our translationYou are [a secret agent] of the WCPO's special operations unitローリングサンダー 取扱説明書 (NAM-RT) · PDF p. 4 (printed p. 1), ゲーム内容の 秘密 工作 員 、コー ド ネー ム バ アル バト ロスOur translationsecret agent, code name "Albatross"ローリングサンダー 取扱説明書 (NAM-RT) · PDF p. 4 (printed p. 1), ゲーム内容 — the OCR garbles several characters仲間 の レイラガ ゲル ドラ のOur translationyour comrade Leila [found out] Geldra's [leader Mabu's secret]ローリングサンダー 取扱説明書 (NAM-RT) · PDF p. 4 (printed p. 1), ゲーム内容 — read on the page image by the scout (PDF p. 4), the sentence is 仲間のレイラがゲルドラの首領マブーの秘密を探りだしましたが、逆に捕らえられてしまいました ("your comrade Leila found out the secret of Geldra's leader Mabu, but was captured instead"); the OCR reads 首領 as 症 領 and 秘密 as 秒 禄領 マブー … 探りだし ま し た が 、 逆 に 捕らえられ て しまい ま し たOur translation[leader] Mabu ... found out, but was captured insteadローリングサンダー 取扱説明書 (NAM-RT) · PDF p. 4 (printed p. 1), ゲーム内容 — read on the page image by the scout (PDF p. 4), the sentence is 「キミの使命は秘密要塞の奥に潜むマブーを倒し、レイラを無事救出することです。」 ("your mission is to defeat Mabu, who lurks in the depths of the secret fortress, and rescue Leila safely"); the OCR garbles most of itキ ミ の 使 は秒 要 壮 の奥にOur translationyour mission ... in the depths of the [secret fortress]ローリングサンダー 取扱説明書 (NAM-RT) · PDF p. 15 (printed p. 13), story — the line before reads "1960"; the sentence is 1960年代後半のニューヨークに、「マブー」と名乗る男が現れた ("in late-1960s New York a man calling himself Mabu appeared"), with 男 read by the OCR as 田年 代 後 半の ニューヨ ー ク に 、「Our translation[1960s,] late, in New York, "ローリングサンダー 取扱説明書 (NAM-RT) · PDF p. 15 (printed p. 13), story秘密 結社 「ゲ ルド ラ 」 を 組織Our translationorganized the secret society "Geldra"ローリングサンダー 取扱説明書 (NAM-RT) · PDF p. 15 (printed p. 13), story — read on the page image by the scout (PDF p. 15), the paragraph is 「ゲルドラの存在に気付いた、WCPO（世界刑事警察機構）は、特殊工作員レイラ・ブリッツをゲルドラの秘密要塞に送りこみ、マブーの正体を突き止めることに成功したのだが……。」 ("The WCPO (World Criminal Police Organization), having noticed Geldra's existence, sent the special agent Leila Blitz into Geldra's secret fortress, and succeeded in finding out who Mabu really was, but ..."); the OCR garbles the organization's full nameドラ の 存在 に 気付 いた 、WCPO (Our translationnoticing Geldra's existence, the WCPO (ローリングサンダー 取扱説明書 (NAM-RT) · PDF p. 15 (printed p. 13), story — the OCR reads ブリッツ as プリッツ工作 員 レ イラ ・ プリ ッ ツ を ゲル ドラ のOur translationagent Leila Blitz into Geldra's [secret fortress]Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Leila found out Mabu's secret and was captured, not "was investigating"; Mabu "appeared" in New York, not a first appearance.The booklet's text layer is a rough OCR of the Japanese; the quotes follow its clear runs, and the readings in the notes were checked on the page images by the scout.
Cited by: Rolling Thunder
Tengen manufactured the NES version, whose booklet carries Namco's copyright of 1989 and 1986. rolling-thunder-history/nes-makers
PDF p. 2, inside front coverROLLING THUNDER: TM and ©1989, 1986 Namco Ltd. All rights reservedRolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 1, front cover — the cover's line is "Manufactured By TENGEN"; the text layer reads only "MANUFACTURED", and Tengen's name and Milpitas, California address appear on the back cover (PDF p. 16)MANUFACTUREDRolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 16, back coverMilpitas, CA 95035Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Split: the manual's maker and copyright stay T2; Scullion's facts move to the new T1 claim nes-scullion.No source read names the NES version's programmers.
Cited by: Rolling Thunder
Chris Scullion's NES Encyclopedia (2019) gives the NES version as a 1989 game published by Tengen and developed by Namco and Tengen, a port of Namco's 1986 arcade game. rolling-thunder-history/nes-scullion
entry "Rolling Thunder" — the OCR gives the entry's year, publisher and developer before their labels "Year Publisher Developer"1989 Tengen Namco / TengenThe NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System · entry "Rolling Thunder" — the sentence goes on "1986 which was then ported to the NES a few years later"WAS an arcade game created by Namco inChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Scullion's book is a secondary source; its OCR text marks no page breaks, and the entry's printed page hasn't been confirmed.
Cited by: Rolling Thunder
Tengen's NES cartridge was not licensed by Nintendo. Game Player's, in January 1990, wrote that because Tengen's court dispute with Nintendo was still unsettled, none of its three new Nintendo-compatible cartridges, Rolling Thunder the first of them, was officially licensed. rolling-thunder-history/nes-unlicensed
p. 40 (image n46), "More Titles From Tengen" — the page's folio "40" appears in the OCR of the pageBecause Tengen's court dispute with Nintendo is still unsettled, none of the games is officially licensed by Nintendo. The first title, Rolling Thunder,Game Player's, vol. 2, no. 1 (issue 7, January 1990) · p. 40 (image n46), "More Titles From Tengen"and Pac-Man, is releasing three new Nintendo-compatible car-Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Rolling Thunder
Computer Entertainer's availability list of February 1989 placed Tengen's Rolling Thunder among the NES games due in the first quarter of 1989. In October 1989 it named the game in Tengen's NES schedule for that year. Its November 1989 issue listed the cartridge under October 1989 as shipped by press time, and reviewed it. rolling-thunder-history/nes-schedule
page image 14, Availability Update, NES, first quarter — the entry comes under the list's heading "FIRST QUARTER" in its Nintendo section, after January, February and MarchRolling Thunder (TEN)Computer Entertainer, vol. 8, no. 7 (October 1989) · page image 10, Tengen's NES scheduleTengen schedule of games for the NES this yearComputer Entertainer, vol. 8, no. 7 (October 1989) · page image 10, Tengen's NES scheduleAtari), ROLLING THUNDER, VINDICATORSComputer Entertainer, vol. 8, no. 8 (November 1989) · page image 12, review of Rolling ThunderROLLING THUNDERComputer Entertainer, vol. 8, no. 8 (November 1989) · printed p. 14 (page image 14), Availability Update, Nintendo, October — the x mark and the entry's place under NINTENDO, OCTOBER were read on the page image by the lead (leaf 0013); the OCR runs the columns togetherx-Rolling Thunder (TEN)Computer Entertainer, vol. 8, no. 8 (November 1989) · page image 16, Availability Update, note — the note reads in full "Programs noted "x" have shipped as of press time but may not yet be distributed nationwide"; the OCR reads "poss ume" for "press time"NOTE; Programs noted "x" have shipped as ofRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Computer Entertainer's November 1989 list marks the cartridge shipped in October 1989; the lead read the "x" on the page image.An "x" means shipped by press time, which the list says may come before nationwide distribution; no source read gives the day the cartridge reached stores. The Internet Archive item of the NES booklet dates it October 1989, the uploader's date, not a Tengen statement.
Cited by: Rolling Thunder
In the NES booklet Rolling Thunder is a powerful international secret police organization, and the player is its best agent. The mission is to infiltrate the underground headquarters of the Evil Society, save agent Leila, and defeat Mabu, the Society's alien leader, to stop its plot to conquer the world. rolling-thunder-history/nes-premise
PDF p. 5 (printed p. 2), IntroductionRolling Thunder: The name of the powerful international secret police organization. You: Its best agent.Rolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 5 (printed p. 2), Introduction — it goes on "Leila and smash the deadly plot to conquer the world by defeating Mabu, the alien leader"Infiltrate the underground headquarters of the Evil Society, save agentRolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 12 (printed p. 9), Members of the Evil SocietyThe leader of the Evil Society. An alien with supernatural powersChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Rolling Thunder
The NES booklet starts the player at the entry passageway with a single-fire handgun and limited ammunition. Doors marked "Bullet" refill the handgun and doors marked "Arms" hold machine guns; some unmarked doors hold extra time against the time limit. The passageways run through ruined buildings, warehouses, caves, lava fields and command centers, and clearing ten areas brings the showdown with Mabu. rolling-thunder-history/nes-structure
PDF p. 5 (printed p. 2), IntroductionStart out the game at the enemy's entry passageway armed only with a single-fire handgunRolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 5 (printed p. 2), Introduction — the sentence ends "fields and command centers"You'll move through different passageways in ruined buildings, warehouses, caves, lavaRolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 5 (printed p. 2), IntroductionClear ten areas and you'll earn the chance to confront Mabu in a showdown to the death.Rolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 10 (printed p. 7), Special Doors — under the heading "Bullet"; the sentence before, "You start out the game with 50 bullets in your handgun", reads "SO bullets" in the text layerAdd ammunition by entering doors marked "Bullet."Rolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 10 (printed p. 7), Special DoorsArms Inside these doors are machine guns.Rolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 10 (printed p. 7), Special Doors — it goes on "there is extra time hidden behind some of them"Check unmarked doorsRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the "Bullet" and "Arms" door lines.Cited by: Rolling Thunder
On the NES the B button shoots and the A button jumps; the control pad moves left and right, and down crouches. Up with A is a high jump, down with A drops to the lower level, and right with A is a long jump forward. Pressing up at a door enters it. rolling-thunder-history/nes-controls
PDF p. 7 (printed p. 4), Control FunctionsB Button: Shoot.Rolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 7 (printed p. 4), Control FunctionsA Button: JumpRolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 7 (printed p. 4), Control FunctionsRight - moves to rightRolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 7 (printed p. 4), Control FunctionsLeft - moves to leftRolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 7 (printed p. 4), Control FunctionsDown — crouchesRolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 8 (printed p. 5), Movement Using Two ButtonsUp+A-highjumpRolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 8 (printed p. 5), Movement Using Two Buttons — read on the page image by the scout (PDF p. 8); the pinned copy's text layer leaves the line outDown + A — fall to lower levelRolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 8 (printed p. 5), Movement Using Two ButtonsRight + A- long jump in forward directionRolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 10 (printed p. 7), Special DoorsStand before a door, press the top of the Control Pad and enter.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the left and right lines.Cited by: Rolling Thunder
The NES game starts with three lives. A life is lost when the life gauge, cut by one at each enemy touch, reaches zero; on a fall into a lava field or a floorless place; on a hit by a bullet, bomb or beam; or when an area isn't cleared in time. Losing a life loses the machine gun. Clearing an area refills the life gauge and tops the handgun back up to 50 bullets, and either gun holds at most 300. rolling-thunder-history/nes-lives
PDF p. 11 (printed p. 8), Three Lives and You're OutYou start out the game with three lives.Rolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 11 (printed p. 8), Three Lives and You're OutWhen your Life Gauge hits zero (Life Gauge is reduced by 1 each time you are touchedRolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 11 (printed p. 8), Three Lives and You're OutWhen you fall into a lava field, or in a place where there is no floor.Rolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 11 (printed p. 8), Three Lives and You're OutWhen you are hit by a bullet, bomb or beam.Rolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 11 (printed p. 8), Three Lives and You're OutWhen you can't clear an area within the allotted time.Rolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 10 (printed p. 7), Special Doorslose a life and lose your machine gunRolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 11 (printed p. 8), Three Lives and You're OutWhen you clear an area, your Life Gauge goes back to fullRolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 11 (printed p. 8), Three Lives and You're Outif your handgun has less than 50 bullets, it is replenished (back up to 50)Rolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 11 (printed p. 8), Three Lives and You're OutThe maximum number of bullets (handgun or machine gun) is 300 each.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the refill to 50 bullets and the 300-bullet maximum.Cited by: Rolling Thunder
After a game over the NES version can be continued up to three times without going back to the beginning. Areas 3, 5, 7 and 9 have passwords, shown at the game over; entered at the title screen, a password starts the game from its area. The Famicom booklet gives the same three continues and the same password areas. rolling-thunder-history/nes-continue
PDF p. 6 (printed p. 3), How to Begincontinue the game without going back to the beginningRolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 6 (printed p. 3), How to BeginYou can select "Continue" up to 3 times only.Rolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 6 (printed p. 3), How to Begin — it goes on "have passwords. These are displayed when the game is over"In this game, areas 3,5,7 and 9Rolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 6 (printed p. 3), How to BeginPress the A button to start from the area whose password you enteredローリングサンダー 取扱説明書 (NAM-RT) · PDF p. 6コン ティ ニ ユー は 3 回 まで できま すOur translationyou can continue up to three timesローリングサンダー 取扱説明書 (NAM-RT) · PDF p. 7 — the line before reads "エリ", so the run is エリア 3、5、7、9 にパスワードがありア 3、5 、7 、9 に パスワードがありOur translation[are]as 3, 5, 7 and 9 have passwordsRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: "Without going back to the beginning", as the manual says; quoted the password start line.Cited by: Rolling Thunder
The NES booklet's members of the Evil Society are Mabu; hooded thugs, whose strength and attack change with their color; a ninja who appears from walls; the Breaker, an ape-man who jumps and pounces; Geruzo, a bat with a human face; and the Flamer, which breaks into four when hit twice. rolling-thunder-history/nes-enemies
PDF p. 12 (printed p. 9), Members of the Evil SocietyMabu The leader of the Evil Society.Rolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 12 (printed p. 9), Members of the Evil SocietyHooded Thug Hooded thugs come in different colors. Their strengths and method of attack change with their colors.Rolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 12 (printed p. 9), Members of the Evil SocietyNinja An elusive enemy who suddenly appears from walls.Rolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 12 (printed p. 9), Members of the Evil SocietyBreaker An ape-man who jumps and pounces.Rolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 12 (printed p. 9), Members of the Evil SocietyGeruzo A bat with a human face.Rolling Thunder NES instruction booklet (US, Tengen, 1989) · PDF p. 12 (printed p. 9), Members of the Evil SocietyFlamer When hit 2 times, he breaks into four and attacks.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Each quote now carries the enemy's name heading.Cited by: Rolling Thunder
Computer Entertainer recommended the NES version in November 1989, under the heading "Good Action, Average Graphics": the figures were good sized but "rather 'stick-figured'", with some blinking, and action lovers should enjoy the challenge. rolling-thunder-history/ce-nes-verdict
page image 12, review of Rolling ThunderGood Action, Average GraphicsComputer Entertainer, vol. 8, no. 8 (November 1989) · page image 12, review of Rolling Thunder — the line before reads "The graphics are okay...the figures are"good sized, but rather "stick-figured"Computer Entertainer, vol. 8, no. 8 (November 1989) · page image 12, review of Rolling Thundergood and action lovers should enjoy theComputer Entertainer, vol. 8, no. 8 (November 1989) · page image 12, review of Rolling Thunder — the review ends "(one player; continue feature) Recommended", read on the page image by the scout (image n12)RecommendedChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The review calls the publisher "Zengen" in the OCR, a misreading of Tengen.
Cited by: Rolling Thunder
Computer Entertainer's November 1989 review rated the NES version two and a half stars of four for graphics and three for game play. rolling-thunder-history/ce-nes-score
page image 12, review of Rolling Thunder — read on the page image by the scout (image n12), the heading prints "ROLLING THUNDER (★★1/2/★★★)"; the OCR garbles the starsROLLING THUNDER (x &1/2/&X%)Computer Entertainer, vol. 8, no. 8 (November 1989) · page image 2, The Rating System4 STARS = ExcellentComputer Entertainer, vol. 8, no. 8 (November 1989) · page image 2, The Rating System — the issue's own key; the OCR reads "Ist" for "1st"Ist Set of Stars = quality of graphics 2nd Set = quality of game play and entertainment valueChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The review page doesn't label the two ratings; the labels come from the key in the same issue.
Cited by: Rolling Thunder
Reviewing the NES version for Game Player's in February 1990, Selby Bateman called it "a guaranteed thumb-numbing action thriller" and wrote that players who enjoy shooting their way through enemies as a secret agent would be captivated by its "excellent graphics, furious action, and clever array of enemies". Game Player's news page the month before had called it "a very accurate version of the popular arcade hit", noting its password feature. rolling-thunder-history/gp-nes-review
p. 91 (image n93), review of Rolling ThunderRolling Thunder from Tengen is one of those games — a guaran- teed thumb-numbing action thriller.Game Player's, vol. 2, no. 2 (issue 8, February 1990) · p. 91 (image n93), review of Rolling ThunderSelby Bateman Version reviewed: Nintendo.Game Player's, vol. 2, no. 2 (issue 8, February 1990) · p. 91 (image n93), review of Rolling Thunder — the sentence begins "If you enjoy playing secret agent and shooting your way through scores of enemies, Rolling"Thunder will captivate you with its excellent graphics, furious action, and clever array of enemies.Game Player's, vol. 2, no. 1 (issue 7, January 1990) · p. 40 (image n46), "More Titles From Tengen"is a very accurate version of the popular arcade hit.Game Player's, vol. 2, no. 1 (issue 7, January 1990) · p. 40 (image n46), "More Titles From Tengen"really appreciate the passwordChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The review page's folio, 91, is in the OCR of the page; the issue's contents lists reviews on pp. 89-99.
Cited by: Rolling Thunder
In June 1987 Computer Entertainer reported that Mindscape had signed an agreement with Atari Games for the home computer software license to a number of arcade games, Rolling Thunder among them. rolling-thunder-history/mindscape-license
page image 10, "Mindscape Signs Arcade Licensing Agreement"Atari Games Corp. of Milpitas, Calif. which gives Mindscape the home computer software license for a number of arcade hits.Computer Entertainer, vol. 6, no. 3 (June 1987) · page image 10, "Mindscape Signs Arcade Licensing Agreement" — the OCR of the line before reads "are ROAD BLASTERS, GAUNTLET II, 720, ROLLING 7"THUNDER, and ROAD RUNNER.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The text is our own OCR of the scan (the pinned PDF has no text layer); the scout confirmed both quotes on the page image (PDF p. 10), where the list reads "ROAD BLASTERS, GAUNTLET II, 720, ROLLING THUNDER, and ROAD RUNNER". No source read says whether Mindscape released a Rolling Thunder for American computers; the British versions read here are US Gold's.
Cited by: Rolling Thunder
In Britain US Gold published the ZX Spectrum version, reviewed in February and March 1988 at £7.99 by Sinclair User's and Crash's listings and £8.99 by Your Sinclair's. Tiertex made the conversion: Sinclair User's facts box credits it as author, and ST Action's 1989 profile of the firm, formed by John Prince and Campbell, names Rolling Thunder among the coin-op conversions it was commissioned for in its first year. rolling-thunder-history/uk-computer-versions
p. 89, Rolling ThunderProducer: US Gold Retail price: £7.99Your Sinclair, issue 27 (March 1988) · p. 18, Rolling Thunder, Fax Box — the box reads "Game... Rolling Thunder / Publisher... US Gold / Price... £8.99"; the OCR reads "Publiaher" and ".£8.99".US GoldYour Sinclair, issue 27 (March 1988) · p. 18, Rolling Thunder, Fax Box.£8.99ST Action, issue 17 (September 1989) · page image 18, Tiertex profile — the sentence ends "skateboarding game, Atari 720"; the underscores are the OCR'sDuring the first year, Tiertex were commissioned to produce such _ coin-op conversions as_ Rolling Thunder, and the popularST Action, issue 17 (September 1989) · page image 18, Tiertex profile — ST Action names him Donald Campbell; Sinclair User's programmers box (p. 14, read on the page image by the scout, image n14) names "John Prince and Duncan Campbell" and two lines later writes "Donald is 24", so the page is inconsistent about Campbell's first nameformed about two years ago by physicist, John Prince, and electronics engineer, Donald Campbell.Sinclair User, issue 71 (February 1988) · pp. 14-15, Rolling Thunder, facts box — read on the page image by the scout (images n14-n15); the OCR of the box is unreadableLabel: US Gold Author: Tiertex Price: £7.99 Memory: 48K/128KRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: "Campbell", since Sinclair User gives both Duncan and Donald.The Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST and Amiga versions in the catalog's platform list have no source read here. None of the magazines' prices says whether it is the cassette's.
Cited by: Rolling Thunder
Sinclair User reviewed the Spectrum version in February 1988, calling it an astonishingly faithful conversion of the Namco coin-op and likened it to "an immensely superior" Kung-Fu Master, with great graphics and animation; the reviewer called it the most successful coin-op conversion seen for a long time. rolling-thunder-history/su-review
pp. 14-15, Rolling ThunderRolling Thunder is an astonishingly faithful conversion of the Namco coin-op.Sinclair User, issue 71 (February 1988) · p. 15, Rolling Thunder — the line after reads "Kung-F'u Master, The grapf[ics]"Rolling Thunder is very much like an immensely superiorSinclair User, issue 71 (February 1988) · p. 15, Rolling Thunderand animation are greatSinclair User, issue 71 (February 1988) · p. 15, Rolling Thunder — read on the page image by the scout (image n15) as "The most successful coin-op conversion I've seen for a long time"; the OCR reads the start of the sentence as "oat successful coirvop"conversion I've seen for a longChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The OCR of the review is rough; the quotes are its clean runs, confirmed on the page images by the scout.
Cited by: Rolling Thunder
Sinclair User scored the Spectrum version 8 in February 1988, shown as two rows of four stars out of five, with no sub-ratings. Chris Jenkins signed the review. rolling-thunder-history/su-score
pp. 14-15, Rolling Thunder — the score, two rows of four stars out of five (8), was read on the page image by the scout (images n14-n15); the OCR of the score box is unreadableconversion I've seen for a longSinclair User, issue 71 (February 1988) · pp. 14-15, Rolling Thunder, signature — read on the page image by the scout (images n14-n15); the OCR leaves the signature outChris JenkinsChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Rolling Thunder
Crash gave the Spectrum version 47% overall in March 1988, with 63% for presentation, 57% for graphics, 45% for playability and 44% for addictive qualities. Its two reviewers' own ratings were 34% (Gordon) and 59% (Paul). rolling-thunder-history/crash-score
p. 89, Rolling Thunder, ratingsPresentation 63% Graphics 57%Crash, issue 50 (March 1988) · p. 89, Rolling Thunder, ratings — the OCR reads "PlayabiJIty" before "45%" and "qyalHIes" for "qualities"; all five ratings were read on the page image by the scout (image n89)45% Addictive qyalHIes 44% OVERALL 47%Crash, issue 50 (March 1988) · p. 89, Rolling Thunder, reviewers' ratings — Gordon's comment; his 34% was read on the page image by the scout (image n89) and isn't in the OCRto the start of a level whenever you're killed?Crash, issue 50 (March 1988) · p. 89, Rolling Thunder, reviewers' ratings — Paul's comment; his 59% was read on the page image by the scout (image n89) and isn't in the OCRwith this very enjoyatieChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Rolling Thunder
Crash's reviewers of the Spectrum version split. Gordon asked why a death sends the player back to the start of a level, while Paul "didn't get even the slightest bit infuriated with this very enjoyable game". The general rating called it "a sound, traditional idea let down by gameplay problems". rolling-thunder-history/crash-verdict
p. 89, Rolling Thunder, Criticism box — Gordon's comment, read on the page image by the scout (image n89); his Criticism box opens "This is so frustrating!" (read on the page image by the lead, leaf 0088); the OCR of the sentence reads "Why do you have lo get sent right tMCK to the start of a level whenever you're killed?"to the start of a level whenever you're killed?Crash, issue 50 (March 1988) · p. 89, Rolling Thunder — Paul's comment, read on the page image by the scout (image n89) as "I didn't get even the slightest bit infuriated with this very enjoyable game"; the OCR reads "itrfunaied with this very enjoyatie"with this very enjoyatieCrash, issue 50 (March 1988) · p. 89, Rolling Thunder, comments box — read on the page image by the scout (image n89) as "General rating: a sound, traditional idea let down by gameplay problems"; the OCR reads "Ganaral rafUng: a sound. tiadWanaf klea let down by gam^}4ay problems"let down byChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Rolling Thunder
Your Sinclair made the Spectrum version its cover game in March 1988. Its review calls the game "a sort of deluxe platform game", mostly played on two levels, in which the player, an undercover cop code-named Albatross, goes through five levels twice to reach the final objective; it found it "piggin' hard", one of the fastest shoot 'em ups of the month, and told readers to buy it. rolling-thunder-history/ys-review
p. 4, contentsCOVER GAME Rolling Thunder/US GoldYour Sinclair, issue 27 (March 1988) · p. 18, Rolling Thunderundercover cop, codename Albatross,Your Sinclair, issue 27 (March 1988) · p. 18, Rolling Thunderbe described as a sort of deluxe platform gameYour Sinclair, issue 27 (March 1988) · p. 18, Rolling Thunderwith most of the action taking place on two levels.Your Sinclair, issue 27 (March 1988) · p. 18, Rolling ThunderThere are five levels, which you must go through twice in order to get to your final objective.Your Sinclair, issue 27 (March 1988) · p. 18, Rolling Thunder — read on the page image by the scout (image n18) as "It's one of the fastest shoot 'em ups I've played this month"fastest shoot 'em ups I've played thisYour Sinclair, issue 27 (March 1988) · p. 18, Rolling Thunder — the OCR reads "Ifs" for "It's"Thunder. Ifs piggin' hard!Your Sinclair, issue 27 (March 1988) · p. 18, Rolling ThunderNip down to the shop and get Rolling Thunder. You won't regret it.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The review has no byline; its standfirst credits the magazine's cartoon character Philip Snout, so no reviewer is named here.
Cited by: Rolling Thunder
Your Sinclair made the Spectrum version a YS Megagame in March 1988. Its clapometer gave 9 of 10 each for graphics, playability, value for money and addictiveness, a total of 9. rolling-thunder-history/ys-score
p. 18, Rolling Thunder, badges — a starburst read on the page image by the scout (image n18), beside a "YS COVERGAME" tag; not in the OCRYOUR SINCLAIR MEGAGAMEYour Sinclair, issue 27 (March 1988) · p. 18, Rolling Thunder — read on the page image by the scout (image n18), graphics, playability, value for money and addictiveness each 9 of 10 and the total 9; the OCR of the clapometer is unreadablefastest shoot 'em ups I've played thisChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Rolling Thunder