[AMSTRAD GX4000] Operation Thunderbolt – Longplay (Part 1 of 3)

Longplay through to completion of the coin-op conversion “Operation Thunderbolt” onto the Amstrad GX4000 console.

The game is almost identical (as per usual) to the Amstrad CPC original except for a nice menu screen, a redesigned and better looking HUD but more importantly in game colours and pallette have been adjusted and looks *much* nicer – for comparison at the end of this I’ve included a short bit from the original game.

I’ve done this rescuing all hostages and no casualties of the kids on the last level with only losing one life (I’ve done it before without losing one), if you’re wondering why I’m allowing myself to take some hits on levels it’s because I’m being careful for the hostages as it’s very easy to kill them in the crossfire! The trick is to beating the game ….

1) You are “Player One” and therefore hits only register on the left side of the screen for most of the game apart from the grenades on the final level, therefore concentrate your fire on this side of the screen and at the guys who scroll across who will open fire, then just do your best on the vehicles.

2) Health bottles or animals will appear when there’s about 2 bars left of your health, so be quick and if you’re going to miss shooting them before they go off the screen use a grenade. Shoot the animals (PETA would have a shit fit!) and a crate with a full health kit will be parachuted in.

3) Shoot the ‘uzi’ that falls from the screen at the start to get a laser sight!! And shoot the green circular thing that is a bullet proof vest/armour that lessens the damage taken

4) Save the grenades unless absolutely necessary, like to clear a large number of baddies or collect health disappearing off the screen. Don’t use them at all on levels 4 and 6 because (a) there’s hostages that’ll probably get killed and (b) there’s an end of level boss you’ll need to dispatch quickly!

5) On the very last level if you don’t want to kill any of the kids … just shoot the grenades the bad guys throw, make sure you stock up on bullets (important – the final guy takes some beating and you can’t use grenades as you’ll kill the pilot!) and if you time it right just before the end allow your health to go to 2 bars and collect the health that falls cause you’ll need it on the very final bit!!!

(c) Taito 1988 / Ocean 1989 & 1990