Thunder Force IV Mega Drive
Recent eBay Listings
- Thunder Force IV 4 Sega Mega Drive UK PAL Cartridge Only TESTED £28.00
- Thunder Force IV 4 Sega Mega Drive UK PAL Cartridge Only £26.69
- Thunder Force IV 4 Mega Drive Pal with Manual Tested Read Description £68.30
- Thunder Force IV 4 Sega Mega Drive Complete No manual £47.99
- Sega Mega Drive Video Game - Thunder Force IV (4) £25.00
- Thunder Force 4 Sega Mega Drive £30.85
Price History
| Date | Avg Price | Low | High | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-05 | £47.55 | £25.00 | £78.70 | 10 |
| 2026-04-04 | £47.55 | £25.00 | £78.70 | 10 |
| 2026-04-03 | £43.69 | £25.00 | £78.70 | 10 |
| 2026-04-02 | £43.61 | £25.00 | £71.73 | 10 |
| 2026-04-01 | £51.73 | £25.00 | £78.70 | 10 |
| 2026-03-31 | £57.44 | £13.44 | £159.99 | 10 |
| 2026-03-30 | £61.37 | £25.00 | £159.99 | 10 |
| 2026-03-29 | £60.79 | £25.00 | £159.99 | 10 |
| 2026-03-28 | £60.72 | £25.95 | £159.99 | 10 |
| 2026-03-27 | £72.92 | £26.50 | £159.99 | 10 |
| 2026-03-26 | £61.21 | £24.62 | £159.99 | 10 |
| 2026-03-25 | £71.97 | £24.62 | £159.99 | 10 |
Screenshots
Game History
Thunder Force IV was developed and published by Technosoft for the Sega Mega Drive, representing the fourth major entry in the Thunder Force shoot-em-up series. The game was directed by the studio's creative team, who built upon the franchise's established arcade-style gameplay and visual design philosophy.
Thunder Force IV was released in Japan on May 30, 1990, followed by a North American release later that year. The game arrived during the Mega Drive's early momentum phase, competing in a crowded shooter market alongside titles like Gradius and Ghouls 'n Ghosts variants.
The game received positive reviews from gaming publications at launch, with critics praising its tight controls, impressive sprite work, and challenging difficulty curve. However, commercial performance was moderate rather than blockbuster, as the shooter genre's popularity was beginning to fragment across different console platforms. The game found its strongest audience among dedicated fans of the series and shoot-em-up enthusiasts.
Thunder Force IV has become historically significant in the retro gaming collector market due to several factors. The original Mega Drive cartridge commands premium prices on the secondary market, particularly complete copies in good condition with original packaging. The game is recognized as one of the best shoot-em-ups on the Mega Drive and remains highly playable today, maintaining strong cult status among genre specialists and shmup communities.
One notable aspect of the game is Technosoft's attention to technical optimization, squeezing substantial visual detail and animation frames from the Mega Drive hardware. The soundtrack, composed by Technosoft's audio team, is particularly remembered for its energetic rock-influenced themes. The game was later ported to various platforms over the decades, though the original Mega Drive version remains the most sought-after by collectors.
Thunder Force IV represents an important milestone in shoot-em-up evolution on 16-bit consoles and is considered essential in comprehensive Mega Drive shooter collections. Its lasting appeal to enthusiasts has preserved its reputation as a quality entry in the Thunder Force franchise and Japanese arcade-style gaming on home consoles.