Rolling Thunder, 1986 Namco/Atari (20 From 1986 #5)

Very tough but influential run and gun/platform game, with the innovative method of jumping up to higher platforms or dropping down to lower floors by pressing the joystick up/down while simultaneously pushing the jump button-- this would be used in other games later on, including the popular SHINOBI. The game's story concerns the agent ALBATROSS trying to rescue his female partner Leila from the terrorist organization GELDRA, whose boss is known as MABOO (I did not come up with these names, folks). Albatross can utilize two different weapons in the game: A handgun and a machine gun. The handgun you start with, and you can shoot far less bullets at once than the machine gun. If you run out of bullets, you can still fire one slow-moving bullet at a time. The machine gun will be acquired by entering one of the doors with a sign next to it (the ammo doors have a sign that says either BULLET or ARMS). If you already have the piece and enter this type of door you will get a refill of your ammo-- and you can actually backtrack to the door and re-enter it for more ammo if you traveled enough of a distance from the door.. but I don't recommend it, since the timer is very strict and running out of time is fatal! Each of the 10 total stages are likely a bit longer than you think they are; fortunately, at least, if you passed the halfway point you return there after a death with all time restored fully. Albatross can duck, and will definitely need to, when enemies shoot (though some can toss bombs, so this won't save you in such circumstances). Getting shot/hit by projectiles or lasers is instantly fatal (as is falling in pits/abysses), and contact with an enemy will deplete half your life meter. Most enemies are masked, and it's good to recognize which will shoot and which take multiple shots to kill. Like Albatross, the enemies can jump up/drop down floors, so never assume you're safe when you are on different floors. The 2nd set of 5 stages looks much like the first 5, but will have more difficult enemies earlier on than there were in the first 5. Some other additional difficulties will include smaller land purchases, more enemies that shoot or throw bombs, etc. The 10th stage will culminate in a fight with the boss Maboo, and if you have the machine gun, it should be an easy finish (he will charge at you, so spray away). Interesting cut scenes will show Leila in various stages of danger (getting chased, grabbed, shocked, etc.) and the masked enemies often punch at the air for no reason-- including at their boss Maboo! All in all this is an engaging classic from Namco, with a couple sequels and many home ports. Go Albatross!