Space Invaders Classic
Commodore 64 · Shoot 'em Up
Operation Thunderbolt
Deep cut
| System | Commodore 64 |
|---|---|
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up |
| Developer | Taito |
| Publisher | Taito |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 2 |
Operation Thunderbolt is a shoot 'em up released for the Commodore 64, developed by Taito.
Taito also made Space Invaders, Bubble Bobble and Arkanoid for the C64.
Operation Thunderbolt is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.
Pick it if…
- you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
- you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
- you've played the C64 hits and want something less obvious
Maybe skip it if…
- you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing Operation Thunderbolt is like
Shoot 'em ups (shmups) put you in a ship facing waves of enemies and bullets. Runs are short and intense, and the goal is to survive, collect power-ups and push your high score.
Tip for newcomers: Focus on your ship's small hitbox rather than the flood of bullets, and learn which power-ups suit each stage. Most shmups are designed to be replayed many times.
Operation Thunderbolt walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Operation Thunderbolt.
If you like Operation Thunderbolt, the Matrix also picks…
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Gradius Classic
Playing C64 games today
C64 games loaded from cassette or floppy disk, and many reward patience and practice. The THEC64 reissues make original-style play easy on modern TVs, and Rec0m88 supports the C64 if you own your games.
Operation Thunderbolt FAQ
Who made Operation Thunderbolt?
It was developed by Taito.
Is Operation Thunderbolt multiplayer?
No. Operation Thunderbolt is a single-player game.
How long does Operation Thunderbolt take to play?
As a shoot 'em up, Operation Thunderbolt typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Operation Thunderbolt on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.