1993 NMK

I was pleased when the Random Button popped up with this, after a run of disappointing games.  I was a big fan of the original Thunder Dragon, and have installed a cabinet in my local pub where it takes quite good money.

Some things survived into the sequel.  The interesting and varied enemies, ridiculously fast-paced action, big explosions.  However, the game seems to have been dumbed-down considerably too, with only one weapon plus one missile upgrade available.  I guess NMK wanted to take away something for the player to think about so they could increase the amount of action on-screen, but doing this had the effect of removing what made the original game - with its four distinct weapon types - such a pleasure to play.

Add in some annoying and obnoxious voiceovers (Japanese men trying to pull off American accents with such witticisms as "Oh no, man, it's time to put some more coins in now dude" and ending up sounding like Chuck Moseley) and the game becomes totally devoid of any charm, and a disappointing sequel.