Super Nintendo · Shoot 'em Up / Action
Operation Thunderbolt
Deep cut
| System | Super Nintendo |
|---|---|
| Released | 1994 (originally 1988) |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up, Action |
| Developer | Taito |
| Publisher | Taito |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 3 |
Developed by Taito, Operation Thunderbolt arrived on the Super Nintendo in 1994 as a shoot 'em up. This SNES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1988. It blends shoot 'em up and action elements.
It landed about 3 years into the SNES's life. Other notable SNES releases from 1994 include Final Fantasy VI, Donkey Kong Country and Super Metroid.
Taito also made Space Invaders, Lufia & the Fortress of Doom and Arkanoid for the SNES.
Operation Thunderbolt supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
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 have a friend to play against
- you've played the SNES hits and want something less obvious
Maybe skip it if…
- you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
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 cheats & codes
17 codes on file (Pro Action Replay). Here are a few Pro Action Replay codes to start with:
| Infinite Health | 7E36EA9A |
|---|---|
| Infinite Clips | 7E36EE99 |
| Infinite Ammo | 7E36ED99 |
| Infinite Grenades | 7E36EF99 |
Operation Thunderbolt walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Operation Thunderbolt.
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Playing SNES games today
The SNES library has aged exceptionally well, especially its RPGs, platformers and puzzle games. A large selection is available on Nintendo Switch Online, and if you own the cartridges you can play your backups in an emulator such as Rec0m88, including online with friends.
Operation Thunderbolt FAQ
When did Operation Thunderbolt come out on the SNES?
Operation Thunderbolt was released for the Super Nintendo in 1994; the original game dates back to 1988.
Who made Operation Thunderbolt?
It was developed by Taito.
Is Operation Thunderbolt multiplayer?
Yes. Operation Thunderbolt supports up to 2 players.
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.