TH Strikes Back Longplay (Arcade) [4K]

Game Info
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Developer: Gaelco
Publisher: Gaelco
Year of Release: 1994

Game Review & Impressions
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If there's one thing I'd learned about Gaelco, it's to never underestimate them. Despite some dubious appropriation of audio clips from other arcade games, this plucky Spanish coin-op developer was capable of producing some remarkably good titles.

TH Strikes Back is probably the most sophisticated of these, more so than even Alligator Hunt. The sequel to Thunder Hoop is genuinely impressive, featuring graphics and animation that, if I'm being honest, gives those from the likes of Nazca and SNK a run for their money. Thematically, TH Strikes Back is Contra, mashed together with the Battletoads arcade game, irreverent and over the top most of the time - this is much closer in style to a true coin-op than strange, Euro-platformer trappings of its predecessor, which felt more like an Amiga or home computer game than anything else.

Players once again assume the role of TH, a muscular dude (or dudes in multiplayer), who is so buff he doesn't even bother with guns. Instead, he shoots blasts of energy from his bare hands, which cause opponents to swell up and explode in a fountain of bodily fluids. Power-ups can be collected to temporarily your energy blast-hurling skills, and you can also defeat enemies Mario-style by bouncing on their heads. Levels in this sequel are far more linear than in the original game, and so much the better for it.

It's all a little surreal, but I was genuinely impressed by TH Strikes Back. This is a really solid title from a developer which had clearly found it's stride by 1994, and is one of the high points in the studio's gaming history. Insert a coin and dig in - you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Information & Trivia
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Sequel to Thunder Hoop

Video Notes
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Related Longplays & Videos
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Thunder Hoop Longplay (Arcade):    • Thunder Hoop Longplay (Arcade) [4K]  
Big Karnak Longplay (Arcade):    • Big Karnak Longplay (Arcade) [QHD]  
Alligator Hunt Longplay (Arcade):    • Alligator Hunt Longplay (Arcade) [4K]  

Chapters
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00:00 Attract mode
01:35 Stage 1
04:38 Stage 2
07:57 Stage 3
11:37 Stage 4
16:07 Stage 5
19:32 Final Boss
23:00 Ending

#gaelco
#retrogaming
#arcadegames