Rolling Thunder

Game Details:

In the jungle of 8-bit era arcades, Rolling Thunder stood out with its unique visual style. Unlike the muscle-bound action heroes of the time, the game's protagonist was dapperly dressed in a suit, with movements that exuded a sense of elegance. The game introduced a unique "dual-level" system, allowing players to traverse between different floors with high and low jumps to dodge enemy fire coming from multiple elevations. The difficulty curve was extremely high, with enemies suddenly shooting from behind cover or ambushing you from doorways. The limited ammunition forced players to meticulously calculate the value of every shot. This restrained-yet-satisfying gameplay made it feel particularly sophisticated compared to the run-and-gun games of the era and would go on to directly inspire classics like Shinobi.

Game Guide:

• Master the strategic value of doorways: The most crucial mechanic in the game is entering the doorways in the background. Going through a door not only allows you to dodge most bullets and enemy charges, but more importantly, rooms marked with "Bullets" or "Grenades" are the only source of resupply. Remember not to rush into a door when there are too many enemies on screen, as there's a brief moment of vulnerability upon exiting, making you an easy target for enemies waiting outside.
• High/Low Jumps and Positional Control: The game's levels are often split into upper and lower tiers. On higher difficulties, it's recommended to prioritize taking the high ground (Upper Level). The upper level provides a better vantage point and allows you to catch enemies off guard with a drop attack (hold Down + Jump). When a large number of masked soldiers appear below, use the gaps between stairs and platforms to create distance and avoid getting trapped in a dead end by a pincer attack.
• Ammo Management and Special Enemies: The standard pistol has a short range and a limited fire rate, so after acquiring the Machine Gun, avoid holding down the fire button to spray. Tap-firing is the way to go in this game. When facing purple or green elite soldiers, they will often duck or jump to evade; you'll need to predict where they will land. For the fire-breathing mutants, do not try to get close. Whittling them down from the edge of your maximum range is the key to a no-damage run.