Gate of Thunder (CD)

When you want to show someone with a single game why the CD add-on for the PC Engine was revolutionary, you reach for Gate of Thunder. This horizontal shooter was even bundled directly with the TurboDuo console abroad, and for good reason — it was the perfect calling card for what a machine with a CD medium could do.

The game puts you in the cockpit of a battle ship and hurls you into fast, fluid action full of explosions, massive enemies and breathtaking scenery. The weapon system is elegantly handled — you switch between several types of fire and collect support modules, with the whole arsenal being varied enough for every player to find their favorite style. The pace is brisk, but never illegible, so the action stays fun, not frustrating.

Technically it was one of the peaks. Smooth scrolling, enormous bosses and detailed environments showed off the power of the hardware, and the CD medium added to it a soundtrack and sound effects that simply weren't available to cartridge games. The music with a rock flavor perfectly underscores the pace and gives the battles energy.

Gate of Thunder is often mentioned in the same breath as Lords of Thunder — both titles are joined by an emphasis on audiovisual splendor and honest gameplay, which earned them a place among the best shmups of the platform. For players who got to know the console through the TurboDuo, it was moreover the first contact with what the CD era brought, and that first impression stayed unforgettable.

To this day it is a title that plays wonderfully — it is a pure, well-tuned shooter without frills, which does exactly what it's supposed to and does it splendidly. For fans of the genre and for those who want a taste of the golden era of the PC Engine, it is an ideal gateway.

Why play: A superbly tuned horizontal shooter that was the showcase of the PC Engine's CD era — brisk, audiovisually powerful and still fun.