Thunder Force III Classic
Sega Genesis / Mega Drive · Shoot 'em Up / Action
Thunder Force IV
Certified classic
| System | Sega Genesis / Mega Drive |
|---|---|
| Released | 1992 |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up, Action |
| Developer | Technosoft |
| Publisher | SEGA |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Series | Thunder Force |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 10 |
Thunder Force IV is a shoot 'em up released in 1992 for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive, developed by Technosoft and published by SEGA. Depending on the region, you may also know it as Lightening Force: Quest for the Darkstar. It blends shoot 'em up and action elements.
It landed about 3 years into the Genesis's life. Other notable Genesis releases from 1992 include Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Lemmings and Streets of Rage 2. Among the 75 Genesis shoot 'em ups in our database, it ranks #7 by legacy score.
It is part of the Thunder Force series; on the Genesis you can also try Thunder Force III and Thunder Force II. The series also appears on other systems with Thunder Force V (Saturn) and Thunder Force V (PS1). Technosoft also made Herzog Zwei and Elemental Master for the Genesis.
Thunder Force IV 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 want to experience one of the Genesis's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing Thunder Force IV 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.
Thunder Force IV cheats & codes
37 codes on file (Action Replay, Other codes). Here are a few Action Replay codes to start with:
| Unlimited Men | FFF2F1:0003 |
|---|---|
| Infinite Time To Continue | FFF165:99 |
| Infinite Continues | FFF2D5:09 |
| Weapon Highlighter Modifier | FFF2DB:XX |
| Weapon Modifier | FFF2DD:XX |
Thunder Force IV walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Thunder Force IV.
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Playing Genesis games today
Genesis games are fast and immediate, and many are made for two players. Official collections and Nintendo Switch Online carry a big slice of the library, and Rec0m88 can run your own Genesis backups with online netplay.
Thunder Force IV FAQ
When did Thunder Force IV come out on the Genesis?
Thunder Force IV was released for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive in 1992.
Who made Thunder Force IV?
It was developed by Technosoft and published by SEGA.
Is Thunder Force IV multiplayer?
No. Thunder Force IV is a single-player game.
How long does Thunder Force IV take to play?
As a shoot 'em up, Thunder Force IV 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 Thunder Force IV 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.