The Freedom Fighter returns
It’ss a good time to be a shmup historian, as recent years have seen both old and new examples of the genre blasting back on multiple platforms with reckless abandon. Case in point: Jaleco classicP-47 Thunderbolt, the latest addition to Hamster’s Arcade Archives range.
Initially released back in 1988, (asP-47: The Freedom Fighter), P-47 Thunderboltis one of a number of shump titles that use World War II as the setting for some fast-paced anachronistic action. Players guide a lone fighter over a dense forest, a snowy mountain range, a huge battleship and a scorching sunset, taking down wave after wave of enemy fighters attacking from land, sea, and air. Basic weapon drops offer an edge in combat, while speed boosts help the player successfully evade returning fire.
you may check out the sky-high action in the video below, courtesy ofWorld of Longplays.
Ultimately,P-47 Thunderboltis a simplistic entry in the genre. There’s only one vessel on offer, and the weapons and enemies aren’t particularly creative, especially given that titles such as Irem’sR-Type, Capcom’sSide Arms, and Konami’sParodiuswere already on the market. Still, it’s nice to see shumps continue to experience a renaissance, offering younger players the opportunity to experience the history of this important gaming genre.
P47 Thunderboltis available to download now on PS4 in Japan and Nintendo Switch worldwide, priced at around $8.
