Thunder Force III

For Thunder Force III, the free-directional, overhead stage format featured in the previous two games is removed and replaced entirely by the horizontally scrolling stage format. The horizontal format became the new standard for the series.

The player is allowed to choose which of the initial five planets (Hydra, Gorgon, Seiren, Haides, and Ellis), to start on. After the first five stages are completed, the game continues for three more stages into ORN headquarters.

Thunder Force III takes place about 100 years after Thunder Force and directly after Thunder Force II. Despite their successes, the Galaxy Federation has not been faring well in their battle against the ORN Empire. ORN has installed cloaking devices on five major planets in their space territory that conceal their main base, making it difficult for the Galaxy Federation to locate and attack their headquarters. Also, ORN has built a remote defense system to protect itself named Cerberus, which is especially efficient at neutralizing large ships and fleets.

Knowing this, the Galaxy Federation creates the FIRE LEO-03 Styx; a craft small enough to avoid detection by Cerberus, yet equipped with the firepower of a large starfighter. The Galaxy Federation deploys Styx (which is controlled by the player) on a mission to destroy the five cloaking devices, infiltrate the Empire's headquarters, and destroy ORN emperor, the bio-computer "Cha Os".

The original Genesis version received much praise. GamePro called it "a straightforward flying shooter with gorgeous graphics", particularly mentioning the large, detailed enemies and "intricate backgrounds". They described it as extremely difficult, most suited for hardcore shooter fans. MegaTech magazine praised the use of parallax, as well as the sound and gameplay.

In 1992 Mega placed the game at #17 in their Top Mega Drive Games of All Time. In 1997 Electronic Gaming Monthly listed it as the 59th best console video game of all time, calling it the best shooter on the Genesis. Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu gave it a score of 31 out of 40.