History YMMV / ThunderForce

** Also in the case of ''V'', which one is better? The original [[NoExportForYou Japanese-exclusive]] UsefulNotes/SegaSaturn version which features better graphics or the UsefulNotes/PlayStation version?

* HilariousInHindsight: It's already amusing enough that ''Thunder Spirits'' is a SNES port of ''Thunder Force AC'' and a second-degree port of ''Thunder Force III'', the latter two games being released on Sega hardware. Sega, Nintendo's prime competitor during UsefulNotes/The16bitEraOfConsoleVideoGames, would later acquire the rights to ''Thunder Force'' after Technosoft kicked the bucket.

* EvenBetterSequel: ''Thunder Force III'' was already [[SurprisinglyImprovedSequel a notable improvement over Thunder Force II]], with the top down sections removed to refine the horizontal sections with improved graphics and even better music.''Thunder Force IV'' took those improvements and cranked them up to eleven, making it a crown jewel for the system.

** ''IV'' has the Thunder Sword, an upgrade to the Rynex granted mid-way through the game that allows you to charge up a powerful blast of energy alongside your CLAWs. It's the most powerful weapon in the entire game, capable of decimating bosses in a few shots. It returns in ''VI'' as the Rynex-R's Twin Shot Over Weapon, power mostly intact.

* SignatureScene: Stage 5 of ''Thunder Force V'', in which the player gains access to the Brigandine module and then proceeds to ''demolish'' the Sword Fleet, culminating in a ClimaxBoss fight with [[spoiler:[[DuelingPlayerCharacters the Rynex / Vasteel Original]] from ''Thunder Force IV'']]. It is easily the most famous stage in the series.

* TierInducedScrappy: You won't see many people use the Mass Production version of the Styx in the ''SEGA AGES'' version of ''Thunder Force AC'', due to the ship getting a bonus when destroying enemies with its [[WeaponizedExhaust engines]], resulting in an extremely awkward scoring meta.

** The ''SEGA AGES'' version of ''Thunder Force IV'' on Switch by Creator/{{M2}} has everything you'd expect in a console-to-another-console port (screen fitting and filter options, button configuration) and M2's usual top-notch porting standards, but adds a neat new feature: you can now have voices not interrupt the background music! And if you beat the game, you unlock the Styx from ''III'' as a playable ship. Last but not least, it has perhaps the lowest amount of input lag of any shmup on the Switch, at only three frames.

** ''SEGA AGES: Thunder Force AC'' is just as smoothly done, including a built-in rapid fire option and backporting two ships from ''Thunder Force IV'': the Rynex and the Mass Production Styx (the latter of which [[PromotedToPlayable is an NPC ship]] in ''IV''!). Both ''AC'' and ''IV'' are very cheap too (only 7.99 USD each), yet have nearly as many quality-of-life features as M2's much-vaunted ''M2 [=ShotTriggers=]'' releases.

* SugarWiki/DevelopmentHeaven:
** ''Thunder Force VI'' utilizes two different languages for in-universe text and speech, neither of which are Japanese or English. One of these languages is [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tangut_language Tangut]], an ancient language somewhat related to Chinese, and the other is Mongolian, an uncommon language to employ as a GratuitousForeignLanguage. And the even better part? The {{omake}} material has translations into Japanese and transliterations into katakana and roman characters for the in-game speech.
** ''Thunder Force Gold Pack 2''[='=]s version of ''Thunder Force IV'' has the Styx from ''Thunder Force III'' available to use through a secret code. When you play as the Styx, look at the font for the HUD: ''it's the same style of Thunder Force III's HUD text.''

** Somehow, [=C-CTNs-C=]'s [[spoiler: (a.k.a. Cenes Crawford)]] [[http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/thunderforce/images/9/9f/C-CTNs-C.png/revision/latest?cb=20141106093851 appearance]] in ''VI'' is a bit [[UncannyValley creepy]] to some people.

* HilariousInHindsight: It's already amusing enough that ''Thunder Spirits'' is a SNES port of ''Thunder Force AC'' and a second-degree port of ''Thunder Force III'', the latter two games being released on Sega hardware. Sega, Nintendo's prime competitor during UsefulNotes/TheFourthGenerationOfVideoGameConsoles, would later acquire the rights to ''Thunder Force'' after Technosoft kicked the bucket.

* TearJerker: The ending of ''V'', set to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdOlDGUtAZY "Last Letter"]], which reveals that Guardian was GoodAllAlong, and that to ensure the tragedy of Vasteel won't repeat itself again, Vambrace, along with Cenes, will have to be completely destroyed, and it's all capped off with Guardian's FamousLastWords:

* CatharsisFactor: Stage 5 of ''V''. You get a new ship with powerful WaveMotionGun weapons that can be ''used infinitely'' and then proceed to enjoy one of the easiest stages in the game, blowing the Guardian's defense forces into pieces. %% * ContestedSequel: ''Thunder Force V''. ''VI'', much more so.

* SoOkayItsAverage: ''Thunder Force VI'', which did not quite catch the high expectation its previous titles had anticipated.
** Bear in mind that this is Western reaction to ''VI'' at ''most''. In [[NeverAcceptedInHisHometown Japan?]] Just bringing it up in Japanese forums is a '''very''' surefire way to invite [[FlameWar vitriolic condemnations of it,]] to the point SnarkBait does not even begin to describe the overwhelmingly negative fan reception ''VI'' received back in home, even to this day.

** The ''SEGA AGES'' version on Switch by Creator/{{M2}} has everything you'd expect in a console-to-another-console port (screen fitting and filter options, button configuration) and M2's usual top-notch porting standards, but adds a neat new feature: you can now have voices not interrupt the background music! And if you beat the game, you unlock the Styx from ''III'' as a playable ship. Last but not least, it has perhaps the lowest amount of input lag of any shmup on the Switch, at only three frames.

--> '''Guardian''': [Soldier/Human], may fortune be with you...

** ''SEGA AGES: Thunder Force AC'' is just as smoothly done, including a built-in rapid fire option and backporting two ships from ''Thunder Force IV'': the Rynex and the Mass Production Styx (the latter of which [[PromotedToPlayable is an NPC ship]] in ''IV''!).

** The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UidsHAbwE_U "Love Dream"]], the Maniac difficulty ending theme in ''IV'', is nicked straight from Music/LedZeppelin's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UidsHAbwE_U "Stairway to Heaven"]].