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[[Compile Co.,Ltd.]] (MSX)<br>
[[Compile Co.,Ltd.]] (MSX)<br>
[[Synergistic Software]] (Apple II)}}
[[Synergistic Software]] (Apple II)}}
|publisher={{collapsible list|title=[[Game Arts]] (PC88/98, FM)|[[Square-Enix|Square]] (X1, NES)|D4Enterprise,Inc. (PC-8801)|[[Sierra On-Line]] (Amiga, Apple IIgs, DOS)}}
|publisher={{collapsible list|title=[[Game Arts]]|[[Game Arts]] (PC88/98, FM)|[[Square-Enix|Square]] (X1, NES)|D4Enterprise,Inc. (PC-8801)|[[Sierra On-Line]] ({{nowrap|Amiga, Apple IIgs, DOS}}) }}
|distributor=
|distributor=
|designer=Hibiki Godai, Satoshi Uesaka
|designer=Hibiki Godai, Satoshi&nbsp;Uesaka
|engine=
|engine=
|version=
|version=
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}}
}}


{{nihongo|'''''Thexder'''''|テグザー|Teguz&#257;}} is a classic [[Arcade game|arcade]]-style [[run and gun|run-and-gun]] [[action game]] from [[Game Arts]], original released as a [[PC game]] for the [[NEC PC-8001]] in 1985 and subsequently ported to a number of other [[personal computer]] platforms throughout the 1980s and 1990s as well as the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] [[video game console]]. ''Thexder'' was an important breakthrough title for the run-and-gun [[shooter game]] genre, paving the way for titles such as ''[[Contra (series)|Contra]]'' and ''[[Metal Slug]]''.<ref name=IGN-Retro>{{cite web|author=Travis Fahs |url=http://retro.ign.com/articles/861/861550p2.html |title=The Leif Ericson Awards - Retro Feature at IGN |publisher=Retro.ign.com |date= |accessdate=2011-09-06}}</ref> The game went on to sell over one million copies worldwide, becoming one of the [[list of best-selling PC video games|best-selling computer games]] up until that time.<ref name="thexder2_cover"/>
{{nihongo|'''''Thexder'''''|テグザー|Teguz&#257;}} is a classic action-[[arcade game]] from [[Game Arts]], released on a number of platforms throughout the late 1980's and 1990.


==Background==
==Background==
In the game, the player is a fighter robot, but is able to transform into a jet. Originally released in 1985 for the [[NEC PC-8801]] platform in Japan, the game quickly became a huge hit selling over 500,000 copies. Later that same year, Game Arts licensed Thexder to [[Square Co.|Square]] in order to develop a conversion for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (NES) game console. In 1987, Game Arts also developed a ''Thexder'' conversion for the [[MSX]] platform.
In the game, the player is a fighter robot, but is able to transform into a jet. Originally released in 1985 for the [[NEC PC-8801]] platform in Japan, the game quickly became a [[List of best-selling PC video games|best-selling hit]] selling over 500,000 copies.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Storer|first=Andy|title=Thexder|journal=[[ST/Amiga Format]]|year=1988|month=July|issue=1|url=http://amr.abime.net/review_17838|accessdate=14 January 2012|page=55}}</ref> Later that same year, Game Arts licensed Thexder to [[Square Co.|Square]] in order to develop a conversion for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (NES) game console. In 1987, Game Arts also developed a ''Thexder'' conversion for the [[MSX]] platform.


The [[NEC PC8801]] platform was only popular in Japan and, despite home market success, ''Thexder'' garnered little attention abroad initially. With the conversion for the [[MSX]] (the best selling platform in Brazil and many east European countries) it became an international hit. The game was subsequently licensed to [[Sierra Entertainment]] for release in the United States. In 1987, Sierra ported the game to multiple platforms including the [[IBM PC]], 128k Tandy Color Computer 3, Commodore [[Amiga]], [[Apple II]], [[Apple IIgs|Apple II<small>GS</small>]], [[Apple Macintosh]], and [[Tandy]] T-1000 computer. ''Thexder'' continued its track record of success and became a best-seller for Sierra.
The [[NEC PC8801]] platform was only popular in Japan and, despite home market success, ''Thexder'' garnered little attention abroad initially. With the conversion for the [[MSX]] (the best selling platform in Brazil and many east European countries) it became an international hit. The game was subsequently licensed to [[Sierra Entertainment]] for release in the United States. In 1987, Sierra ported the game to multiple platforms including the [[IBM PC]], 128k Tandy Color Computer 3, Commodore [[Amiga]], [[Apple II]], [[Apple IIgs|Apple II<small>GS</small>]], [[Apple Macintosh]], and [[Tandy]] T-1000 computer. ''Thexder'' continued its track record of success and became a best-seller for Sierra. By 1990, the game had sold over one million copies worldwide, becoming one of the [[list of best-selling PC video games|best-selling computer games]] up until that time.<ref name="thexder2_cover">{{citation|title=Back Cover|work=[[Fire Hawk: Thexder The Second Contact]]|publisher=[[Game Arts]] & [[Sierra On-Line]]|year=1990|url=http://pics.mobygames.com/images/covers/large/1790158784.jpg|accessdate=2012-02-10}}</ref>


The two Game Arts developers responsible for creating Thexder were [[Hibiki Godai]] and [[Satoshi Uesaka]]. In 1986, they developed another action-arcade game called ''[[Silpheed]]'' and in 1989 they wrote a ''Thexder'' sequel named [[Thexder 2|Fire Hawk: Thexder The Second Contact]]. As with the original, FireHawk sold extremely well in Japan and the United States. Today, ''Thexder'' is still remembered by many as a classic action-arcade game.
The two Game Arts developers responsible for creating Thexder were [[Hibiki Godai]] and [[Satoshi Uesaka]]. In 1986, they developed another action-arcade game called ''[[Silpheed]]'' and in 1989 they wrote a ''Thexder'' sequel named [[Thexder 2|Fire Hawk: Thexder The Second Contact]]. As with the original, FireHawk sold extremely well in Japan and the United States. Today, ''Thexder'' is still remembered by many as a classic action-arcade game.
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==Reception==
==Reception==
The Macintosh & PC/MS-DOS versions of the game was reviewed in 1991 in ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #176 by Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk Lesser in "The Role of Computers" column. The reviewers gave the game 4 out of 5 stars.<ref name="Dragon176">{{cite journal |title=The Role of Computers |author=Lesser, Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk |journal=Dragon |issue=176 |date=December 1991 |pages=57–62}}</ref>
The Macintosh and PC/MS-DOS versions of the game was reviewed in 1991 in ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #176 by Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk Lesser in "The Role of Computers" column. The reviewers gave the game 4 out of 5 stars.<ref name="Dragon176">{{cite journal |title=The Role of Computers |author=Lesser, Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk |journal=Dragon |issue=176 |date=December 1991 |pages=57–62}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 17:24, 10 February 2012

Thexder
File:Thexder -Game Arts- front.jpg
Cover for the MSX version
Developer(s)
Publisher(s)
Designer(s)Hibiki Godai, Satoshi Uesaka
Platform(s)
List
Release
1985
  • 1985-06-? (PC-8001mkII SR)
    1985-07-? (PC-8801mkII, Game Arts)
    1985-10-? (FM7/77/77AV)
    1985-12-19 (NES)
    1985-? (X1)
    1986-03-? (MZ)
    1986-04-? (PC-9801/M/F/U)
    1986-07-? (MSX)
    2002-11-01 (PC-8801, D4Enterprise)
    1988-? (TRS-80)
    1990-? (Mac OS)
Genre(s)Run and gun
Mode(s)Single player

Thexder (テグザー, Teguzā) is a classic arcade-style run-and-gun action game from Game Arts, original released as a PC game for the NEC PC-8001 in 1985 and subsequently ported to a number of other personal computer platforms throughout the 1980s and 1990s as well as the NES video game console. Thexder was an important breakthrough title for the run-and-gun shooter game genre, paving the way for titles such as Contra and Metal Slug.[1] The game went on to sell over one million copies worldwide, becoming one of the best-selling computer games up until that time.[2]

Background

In the game, the player is a fighter robot, but is able to transform into a jet. Originally released in 1985 for the NEC PC-8801 platform in Japan, the game quickly became a best-selling hit selling over 500,000 copies.[3] Later that same year, Game Arts licensed Thexder to Square in order to develop a conversion for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) game console. In 1987, Game Arts also developed a Thexder conversion for the MSX platform.

The NEC PC8801 platform was only popular in Japan and, despite home market success, Thexder garnered little attention abroad initially. With the conversion for the MSX (the best selling platform in Brazil and many east European countries) it became an international hit. The game was subsequently licensed to Sierra Entertainment for release in the United States. In 1987, Sierra ported the game to multiple platforms including the IBM PC, 128k Tandy Color Computer 3, Commodore Amiga, Apple II, Apple IIGS, Apple Macintosh, and Tandy T-1000 computer. Thexder continued its track record of success and became a best-seller for Sierra. By 1990, the game had sold over one million copies worldwide, becoming one of the best-selling computer games up until that time.[2]

The two Game Arts developers responsible for creating Thexder were Hibiki Godai and Satoshi Uesaka. In 1986, they developed another action-arcade game called Silpheed and in 1989 they wrote a Thexder sequel named Fire Hawk: Thexder The Second Contact. As with the original, FireHawk sold extremely well in Japan and the United States. Today, Thexder is still remembered by many as a classic action-arcade game.

Other games in the series

Title Details
Thexder 2

Original release dates:

1990-12-30 (DOS)
2003-03-10 (PC-8801, D4E release)

  • UK: 1990-12-30 (DOS)
 Release years by system:
1989 – MSX, MS-DOS, PC-8801
Notes:

Thexder 2, also known as Fire Hawk: Thexder The Second Contact, was released in 1989 on MSX2 and 1990 on DOS. It retained the same concept as the original Thexder but added many improvements.

The Fire Hawk robot had the same design as the Thexder: the main laser, shield, and ability to transform into a jet. It also had upgrades to allow it to launch guided missiles, and use special weapons found throughout the game. Obtaining special weapons caused a weapon carrier droid to be deployed, and if positioned correctly, would act as a shield against enemies. Graphics were improved from the original game, and game play was divided into sub-levels, with the fourth sub-level containing a "boss" enemy. It was also possible to restart later games at the beginning of a level previously visited.


Thexder 95

Original release date(s):
1995 		Release years by system:
1995 – Windows 95
Notes:

Thexder 95 (also called Thexder for Windows 95) is a Windows 95 remake of the original Thexder game, which was built with Microsoft's Game SDK (precursor of DirectX). In this game, Thexder can become a tank and jet, and has a large number of new weapons, from grenades to thermal bombs. The game runs in multiple windows: the main view, and several smaller windows each having a different function, e.g., ammo count, map, and actual game, that the gamer could open and close at will during play.

Computer Games Magazine rated it 2.5/5.[4] It was also one of Sierra's showcase games at the launch of Windows 95.[citation needed]


Thexder & Fire Hawk

Original release date(s):
(PC-8801, D4E release) 		Release years by system:
July 15, 2005 – PC-8801
Notes:

Thexder & Fire Hawk is a compilation that includes the MSX versions of Thexder and Thexder 2. The compilation was designed by Hibiki Godai and Satoshi Uesaka, and was released in 2005 for the PC–8801.


Thexder Neo

Original release dates:
October 1, 2009 (PSP)[5]
January 28, 2010 (PS3) 		Release years by system:
October 1, 2009 – PlayStation Portable (PSP)[5]
January 28, 2010 – PlayStation 3
Notes:

Thexder Neo is a complete rework of the original PC game from 1985, released by SquareSoft.[6]

In early 2009, it was reported that Square Enix sent an application to the ESRB to receive a rating for a game titled "Thexder Neo".[7] Later that year, the game's existence was confirmed by Square Enix through an announcement at the 2009 Tokyo Game Show.[8] It was released worldwide on the PlayStation Network on October 1, 2009 as a download for the PlayStation Portable and on January 28, 2010 for the PlayStation 3.[5]


Reception

The Macintosh and PC/MS-DOS versions of the game was reviewed in 1991 in Dragon #176 by Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk Lesser in "The Role of Computers" column. The reviewers gave the game 4 out of 5 stars.[9]

References

  1. ^ Travis Fahs. "The Leif Ericson Awards - Retro Feature at IGN". Retro.ign.com. Retrieved 2011-09-06.
  2. ^ a b "Back Cover", Fire Hawk: Thexder The Second Contact, Game Arts & Sierra On-Line, 1990, retrieved 2012-02-10
  3. ^ Storer, Andy (1988). "Thexder". ST/Amiga Format (1): 55. Retrieved 14 January 2012. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  4. ^ GameStats: Thexder 95
  5. ^ a b c "Thexder NEO: Information". Square Enix. Retrieved 16 October 2009. Thexder NEO for the PlayStation Portable: October 1, 2009 […] Available worldwide via the PlayStation Store
  6. ^ "Square Enix Ltd. announces Thexder NEO available exclusively for download via PlayStation Network". Square Enix. 1 October 2009. Retrieved 16 October 2009. Now you can experience the excitement of the original, complete with revamped graphics, a novice mode, six-player online races, and a host of other all-new features in Thexder NEO.
  7. ^ Square Enix revives "THEXDER", 80's robot action for PS3 and PSP
  8. ^ Sony TGS lineup includes unannounced games, newly announced games
  9. ^ Lesser, Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk (December 1991). "The Role of Computers". Dragon (176): 57–62.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

Thexder:

Thexder 2:

Thexder 95:

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