Thunder Force II
Thunder Force II — frequently asked questions
- What platforms is Thunder Force II on?
- Thunder Force II was released on Sharp X68000, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis.
- When did Thunder Force II release?
- Thunder Force II was first released on October 15, 1988.
About Thunder Force II
A scrolling shooter and sequel to Thunder Force developed by Technosoft originally released for the X68000 computer before being ported to the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis game console. The Sharp X68000 version has an introduction sequence and an extra stage (top and side view) not found in the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis version.
Summary via IGDB.
Game details
- Developer
- Technosoft
- Publisher
- Technosoft
- Game modes
- Single player
Details via IGDB.
Every version compared
Prices, contemporary reception and the studio credited for each release
| Platform | Year | Loose | Complete | Sealed | Period reviews | Fake risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sega Genesis | 1989 | $16 | $47 | — | 2 reviews | Low |
Also released on: Sharp X68000 · Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. We haven’t priced or authenticated those versions yet.
Collector value & authenticity
Sega Genesis · PriceCharting sold data · Verified 2026-10-29
Other releases and variants
| Release | Loose | Complete | Sealed |
|---|---|---|---|
| European (PAL) release | $19 | $50 | — |
| Japanese release | $23 | $56 | — |
How often it sells
- Loose: about once a week
- Complete: about once a week
- Sealed: about 2 times a year
Sales frequency from PriceCharting's completed-sale records, as of 2026-10-29.
Price over time
- Loose
- Complete
A loose copy sold for about $1.75 in Oct 2007, $18.00 five years ago, and $17.50 as of Oct 2026.
Show as table
| Month | Loose | Complete |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2008 | $1.71 | — |
| Jan 2009 | $2.00 | — |
| Jan 2010 | $2.65 | — |
| Jan 2011 | $3.95 | — |
| Jan 2012 | $2.98 | — |
| Jan 2013 | $2.82 | — |
| Jan 2014 | $6.99 | $16.00 |
| Jan 2015 | $9.73 | $13.01 |
| Jan 2016 | $10.00 | $19.95 |
| Jan 2017 | $13.44 | $27 |
| Jan 2018 | $14.74 | $27 |
| Jan 2019 | $16.00 | $29 |
| Jan 2020 | $16.00 | $38 |
| Jan 2021 | $21 | $35 |
| Jan 2022 | $19.57 | $42 |
| Jan 2023 | $21 | $43 |
| Jan 2024 | $14.99 | $35 |
| Jan 2025 | $18.05 | $34 |
| Jan 2026 | $15.90 | $37 |
| Oct 2026 | $17.50 | $47 |
Monthly price estimates from PriceCharting's completed-sale records, sampled quarterly, through Oct 2026.
Release record
| Territory | Date | Product number | Barcode |
|---|---|---|---|
| North America | August 1989 | — | 010086010008 |
| Europe / PAL | November 1990 | — | — |
| Japan | 15 June 1989 | T-18013 | 4907095000327 |
- Region
- NA+EU+JP
- Released
- 1989
- Authenticity
- Low
A launch-era Genesis shooter that was a favorite in 1989 and looks dated now, and a cart that sits above the middle.
Thunder Force II is a scrolling shooter by Technosoft, ported to the Mega Drive / Genesis from the X68000 computer. It came out in Japan on 15 June 1989, in North America in August 1989 as one of the six launch titles for the American Genesis, and in Europe in November 1990. Its levels switch between a side view and an overhead view.
In 1989 the magazines were keen. Video Games & Computer Entertainment called it a favorite for the Genesis, with digitized voices and the best sound its writer had heard, and MegaTech praised a robust shoot-'em-up with plenty of thrills and huge end-of-level guardians. By the time Mean Machines Sega looked back at it, its reviewers thought it looked ropey next to later shooters.
What the press said at the time
| Mean Machines Sega Issue 3 | December 1992 | 81% |
| Sega Pro Issue 26 | December 1993 | 81% |
“Just the same, there is a lot of entertainment in this cartridge. Most of all, it is a great demonstration of what the Genesis is capable of.”
“Overshadowed by its successor, but nevertheless a robust shoot 'em up with plenty of thrills 'n' spills, this blaster has action set over nine different hori zontally and overhead scrolling levels packed to the gills with enemy ships and huge (and we mean huge) end-of-level guardians. Recommended to blasting fans.”
“Sure has stood the test of time. The challenge is strong and the overall presentation excellent, with some super backdrops.”
How the Sega Genesis version differs
Looking back, Mean Machines Sega thought the game had not endured well, with unspectacular graphics and unexciting play compared with later shooters.
Also on other platforms
X68000
- X68000. The X68000 version was the original, first released in Japan on October 15, 1988.
Before you buy
Among US carts it sits above the middle. The European loose cart usually costs a little more than the US one, while a complete European copy costs about the same. The Japanese cart usually costs more and has a different cartridge shape. A complete US copy means the case, cartridge and manual.
Thunder Force II screenshots
Watch on YouTube
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