Developer: Visco Publisher: Romstar Release: 12/90 Genre: Action
Breakout is a video game classic. Like Tetris the formula is simple yet addicting and has endured for decades. To this day there are still clones of Breakout being released. Arkanoid is one of the most popular takes on the formula. But I will admit that I was never able to get into it the way I would like. The NES port frustrates me with its ball physics and level design to no end and try as I might I do not like it. Yet standing in the background unbeknownst was Thunder & Lightning, a much better title that is relatively unknown. Do not be an idiot like me and ignore a great game like this.
Thunder & Lightning was originally an arcade game before coming to the NES. Although it is a Breakout clone it actually has something of a plot. As Mr. Chin you are on a quest to rescue your girlfriend from the Thunder Warrior who put blocks in your way to slow you down. It is silly I know which is probably why it was removed for the home version. The unassuming name made me think this was a shooter; I never saw the game in stores or even the box art back in the day. If only I had known the greatness waiting to be discovered….
If you are familiar with Breakout you know what to expect. Mr. Chin holds the paddle and you can increase his speed to catch the ball. The ball physics are measured and do not rise too fast as you bounce it back and forth. Like any good version of the classic there are a variety of power-ups to spice up gameplay. The glove lets you catch and release the ball at your leisure. Slow immediately…..slows the ball down and makes it move in slow motion. Rockets allow you to blast blocks like a shooter with the exception of unbreakable bricks. You can also find a three and five multiplier, littering the field with balls that continue to multiply as they drop off. My favorite is the big ball, which turns the ball in to a wrecking machine that will destroy everything it touches.
Thunder & Lightning is varied in its level design. For many of its levels the destructible blocks are surrounded by unbreakable bricks as is typical of the genre. Most stages have some gimmick that alters gameplay. Vases drop octopi that will slow you down if they catch you. The Thunder Warrior appears as an antagonist in some stages. When hit he will fire lightning that will paralyze you for a few seconds. But he also destroys blocks in the process. The worst is the turtles. These drop from the ceiling and become blocks. They spawn infinitely and your only hope is to use missiles or the big ball to clear the field as soon as possible. Even something as simple as clouds that obscure the ball alters your strategy. The game does a good job spacing these out so every few levels you have something new to look forward to.
These elements keep the gameplay from becoming stale. But the various items help as well. Unlike other games power-ups play a larger role. Every few seconds a bird flies by that will drop an item when hit. This allows you to play around with the different power-ups and switch if necessary frequently rather than hope for a random drop. Some levels almost require certain power-ups unless you are an absolute wizard at manipulating the ball. Despite this I always felt more in control than in similar titles on the system. That is probably the biggest reason why I enjoyed the game so much.
Make no mistake, even though Thunder & Lightning has tools to help you manage the chaos it is still a difficult game. You only get three lives and no continues. It is possible to get extra lives but they are rare. Frequent switching of power-ups is mandatory for progression but some levels require certain ones. The turtle levels are a good idea in concept but will frustrate you like few video games can. Praying for the big ball power-up to make it end is murder. Thankfully there are only three but you will dread them every time. Despite the high challenge it never rises to the point of absurdity. The power-ups and level design are incredibly fun and when you fail you know it was your fault. At thirty rounds the game desperately needed a password feature; losing late in the game is soul crushing.
In Closing
What a great game. Thunder & Lightning is an excellent version of Breakout that does not overstay its welcome and has enough features to make it stand out. It does not have an original bone in its body but that does not matter. What it is going for it does it well. I regret waiting so long to give this one a chance. But like River City Ransom a great game will always be a great game regardless of when you get to it.
