Rolling Thunder 2
Encyclopedia
is an arcade game
by Namco
released in 1990
. It is the sequel to 1986's
Rolling Thunder
and retains the same run and gun gameplay of its predecessor, adding cooperative gameplay
for 2-Players and improved graphics. Unlike the original Rolling Thunder, which was set in the 1960s, Rolling Thunder 2 features a more contemporary setting to go along with its more futuristic designs. A Mega Drive port was released in 1991. Both, the coin-op game and the Mega Drive version, were released for the Wii
Virtual Console
.
The graphics are noticeably improved over the previous game and have a decidedly more futuristic look to go along with the game's modern setting. The game's common enemy character, the Maskers, which were previously designed to look like hooded terrorists, are now cyborg
s. Likewise, the game has more varied stage designs, with the first four stages taking place in a seaside resort
in Florida
and the last four stages in a pyramid
in Egypt
(both locations are actually camouflaged Geldra bases).
The player's character are armed with a default pistol that has only limited ammo. When bullets run out, the player's gun will fire a slow chase bullet instead. The player can also upgrade to a semi-automatic rifle by entering marked doors. When entering one of these marked doors, a counter will displayed showing the remaining bullets left to be picked up (allow one player to leave ammo for the other).
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The Mega Drive ports differs from the arcade original by its inclusion of cut scenes before each stage consisting of a single static images displayed above a scrolling text that narrates the story's progression. There are also three additional stages not found in the original arcade version that take place between the arcade's original stages. These stages stand out from their arcade counterparts due to the presence of different upgradeable weapons (either, a flamethrower or a pulse shot) and end-stage bosses. The Genesis version also features hidden power-ups in unmarked doors such as time extensions, life recovery, and extra lives. Like in the NES port of the first game, a password
feature has which uses full sentences instead of numerals (such as A Private Thunder Created the Powder) and a harder difficulty level after completing the normal game.
Both, the arcade and Genesis versions, are available on the Wii
Virtual Console
service.
album
of the arcade version, Namco Game Sound Express Vol. 5: Rolling Thunder 2 was released by Victor Entertainment
in 1991 under the catalog number VICL-15005. It contains unused tracks from the arcade version, which were later used in the Mega Drive version of the game. It was composed and arranged by Ayako Saso.
Arcade game
An arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
by Namco
Namco
is a Japanese corporation best known as a former video game developer and publisher. Following a merger with Bandai in September 2005, the two companies' game production assets were spun off into Namco Bandai Games on March 31, 2006. Namco Ltd. was re-established to continue domestic operation of...
released in 1990
1990 in video gaming
-Notable releases:*Bonk's Adventure is released for NEC's TurboGrafx-16 and is the first US appearance of Bonk, the mascot of the TurboGrafx-16.*February 12 — Nintendo releases the NES game Super Mario Bros. 3 in North America...
. It is the sequel to 1986's
1986 in video gaming
-Events:-Notable releases:*Namco releases Sky Kid Deluxe, Hopping Mappy, Toy Pop, The Return of Ishtar, which is the sequel to Tower of Druaga, Genpei Tōma Den, and Rolling Thunder....
Rolling Thunder
Rolling Thunder (arcade game)
is a side-scrolling action game produced by Namco originally released in as a coin-operated arcade game which ran on the Namco System 86 hardware. It was distributed internationally outside Japan by Atari Games. The player takes control of a secret agent who must rescue his female partner from a...
and retains the same run and gun gameplay of its predecessor, adding cooperative gameplay
Cooperative gameplay
Cooperative gameplay is a feature in video games that allows players to work together as teammates. It is distinct from other multiplayer modes, such as competitive multiplayer modes like player versus player or deathmatch...
for 2-Players and improved graphics. Unlike the original Rolling Thunder, which was set in the 1960s, Rolling Thunder 2 features a more contemporary setting to go along with its more futuristic designs. A Mega Drive port was released in 1991. Both, the coin-op game and the Mega Drive version, were released for the Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
Virtual Console
Virtual console
A virtual console – also known as a virtual terminal – is a conceptual combination of the keyboard and display for a computer user interface. It is a feature of some operating systems such as UnixWare, Linux, and BSD, in which the system console of the computer can be used to switch between...
.
Gameplay
Set in the 1990s, the Geldra organization, thought to had been destroyed during the first game, returns and are destroying several of the worlds' satellites in outer space. Like the previous game, the player takes control of a member of WCPO's Rolling Thunder task force. Up to two players can now play simultaneously, with Player 1 as female agent Leila and Player 2 as male agent Albatross. Although outside their different appearances (including different handguns), the two characters have identical abilities.The graphics are noticeably improved over the previous game and have a decidedly more futuristic look to go along with the game's modern setting. The game's common enemy character, the Maskers, which were previously designed to look like hooded terrorists, are now cyborg
Cyborg
A cyborg is a being with both biological and artificial parts. The term was coined in 1960 when Manfred Clynes and Nathan S. Kline used it in an article about the advantages of self-regulating human-machine systems in outer space. D. S...
s. Likewise, the game has more varied stage designs, with the first four stages taking place in a seaside resort
Seaside resort
A seaside resort is a resort, or resort town, located on the coast. Where a beach is the primary focus for tourists, it may be called a beach resort.- Overview :...
in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
and the last four stages in a pyramid
Pyramid
A pyramid is a structure whose outer surfaces are triangular and converge at a single point. The base of a pyramid can be trilateral, quadrilateral, or any polygon shape, meaning that a pyramid has at least three triangular surfaces...
in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
(both locations are actually camouflaged Geldra bases).
The player's character are armed with a default pistol that has only limited ammo. When bullets run out, the player's gun will fire a slow chase bullet instead. The player can also upgrade to a semi-automatic rifle by entering marked doors. When entering one of these marked doors, a counter will displayed showing the remaining bullets left to be picked up (allow one player to leave ammo for the other).
Home version
Password (video games)
In many video games of the 8-bit and, to a lesser extent, 16-bit eras , after a level was beaten and/or when all continues were used, the game would display a password, that when entered in the game would allow the player to return to this part in the game...
feature has which uses full sentences instead of numerals (such as A Private Thunder Created the Powder) and a harder difficulty level after completing the normal game.
Both, the arcade and Genesis versions, are available on the Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
Virtual Console
Virtual console
A virtual console – also known as a virtual terminal – is a conceptual combination of the keyboard and display for a computer user interface. It is a feature of some operating systems such as UnixWare, Linux, and BSD, in which the system console of the computer can be used to switch between...
service.
Soundtrack
A soundtrackSoundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
of the arcade version, Namco Game Sound Express Vol. 5: Rolling Thunder 2 was released by Victor Entertainment
Victor Entertainment
is a subsidiary of Japan Victor Company that produces and distributes music, movies and other entertainment products such as anime and television shows in Japan. It was formerly known as...
in 1991 under the catalog number VICL-15005. It contains unused tracks from the arcade version, which were later used in the Mega Drive version of the game. It was composed and arranged by Ayako Saso.