<em>Thunder Force AC</em> is a port of the Sega Genesis classic, Thunder Force III, to arcades. You may remember a title on Super Nintendo (SNES) called Thunder Spirits, that was the same game. Not sure why the name changes on the SNES version though. Anyhow, this classic side scrolling shooter by Sega is coming to the Nintendo Switch.

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<h2>Thunder Force AC was a reverse port</h2>
Usually games are ported from the arcades to home consoles. <em>Thunder Force AC</em> went the other way, beginning life on the Sega Genesis. This was different to what Nintendo was doing with their PlayChoice 10 cabinets. While both companies made slight changes to the games for arcades, Sega chose to only include one game and no time limit. Nintendo’s PlayChoice 10 offered 10 games that you could swap around in the time limit you paid for.
<h2>Nintendo Switch port changes</h2>
<em>Thunder Force AC</em> on the Nintendo Switch will feature an Arcade Mode, of course. This is not just the arcade version though. You will be able to unlock three other ships from other Thunder Force games. FIRE LEO-04 RYNEX, RYNEX with the Thunder Claw weapon, and FIRE LEO-03 STYX MP are the additional ships.

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<strong>There will be a Kids Mode as well</strong>. This mode increases your attack power as well as gives you nine credits instead of six to start. Also, you will retain your weapons when dying.

For those looking for bragging rights, there will be <strong>two different leaderboards</strong> available. One for “Expert” players that accept the default challenge settings. “Freestyle” is for everyone that likes to adjust <em>Thunder Force AC</em> to their liking.

Finally, you can save, and view, replays of your game. This is great for when you set a leaderboard crashing score. Not only does this give you bragging rights, it can be used to learn and improve your gameplay style.

Sega Ages improvements will be on hand as well. These include stereo sound and HD Rumble, CRT-like vintage graphics filters. Also included are a cabinet mode for anyone wanting that classic arcade feels as well as save states.

Are you going to grab this one? Scrolling shooter fans already know the name and are probably already readying their eShop accounts. For more scrolling shooter fun, <a href="http://retrogamingmagazine.com/?s=shooters&amp;x=0&amp;y=0">check out these articles</a>. Head here if you need a <a href="https://ebay.to/3bggwo5">Nintendo Switch</a> to get ready. Want to fill out your <a href="http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&amp;pub=5575120518&amp;toolid=10001&amp;campid=5338631807&amp;customid=&amp;mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp2380057.m570.l1313.TR12.TRC2.A0.H0.Xthunder%2Bforce.TRS0%26_nkw%3Dthunder%2Bforce%26_sacat%3D0">Thunder Force series</a> collection, we know you do.

Thunder Force AC by Sega
Platform – Nintendo Switch
Genre – Arcade, side scrolling shooter
Rated – Unknown at the time of this writing
Available on May 28<sup>th</sup>, 2020 on Nintendo Switch eShop

This article was originally published on <a href="http://retrogamingmagazine.com/2020/05/16/sega-ages-thunder-force-ac-targets-nintendo-switch/">Retro Gaming Magazine</a>.