Thunder Dragon 2: The Sequel That Actually Improves on the Original?
June 20, 2025
🎮 "Insert Coin… Again? Oh, Hell Yes."
Sequels in the arcade era were a gamble. Some were lazy cash grabs (cough Street Fighter 1 to 2 was a miracle), while others actually improved on the formula. Thunder Dragon 2 (1993), developed by NMK, falls into the latter category—bigger, faster, and somehow even more chaotic than its predecessor.
But is it a must-play for shmup fans, or just another quarter-muncher lost to time? Let’s dive in.
🔥 What’s New? (And Actually Good)
1. More Bullets, More Explosions, More Everything
If Thunder Dragon 1 was a flamethrower, Thunder Dragon 2 is a nuclear explosion. The screen is constantly filled with:
- Bigger enemy waves (because NMK decided "more = better")
- Even crazier power-ups (your ship goes from "peashooter" to "I AM THE APOCALYPSE")
- Bosses that fill the entire screen (and your entire soul with dread)
2. Two-Player Co-Op – Because Misery Loves Company
Finally, you can drag a friend into this bullet hell with you! The two-player mode isn’t just tacked on—it’s balanced, meaning you won’t instantly die because your buddy stole all the power-ups (looking at you, Contra).
💀 The Bad: Still a Quarter Eater (But in HD)
1. The Difficulty is Still Brutal
NMK clearly thought: "Players liked suffering in the first one? Let’s give them MORE suffering!"
- No continues? Back to Stage 1, loser.
- Some enemy patterns feel unfair (like, "did the devs even playtest this?" unfair)
2. Still No Hand-Holding
If you’re new to shmups, this game will kick your teeth in before you even understand what’s happening. No tutorials, no easy mode—just pure, unfiltered arcade punishment.
🔄 How Does It Compare to Other Shmups?
- Vs. Thunder Dragon 1: More polished, more chaotic, and way more fun.
- Vs. Modern Bullet Hells (Touhou, Crimzon Clover): Lacks QoL features, but the raw intensity still holds up.
- Vs. Other NMK Games (like Zed Blade): Not as iconic, but way more explosive.
🎯 Who Should Play This?
✅ Shmup veterans who laugh in the face of bullet hell.
✅ Co-op lovers who want to share the pain.
❌ Anyone who values their sanity (or wallet).
Final Verdict: A Worthy Sequel?
Thunder Dragon 2 takes everything that made the first game great and turns it up to 11. It’s not perfect—the difficulty is still punishing, and it lacks modern conveniences—but for retro shmup fans, it’s a hidden gem.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 – "Bigger, better, and even more explosive.")
🔥 Still curious? Hunt it down on MAME or pray for a modern re-release.
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