Rolling Thunder 2

Rolling Thunder 2 (ローリングサンダー2) is an arcade game by Namco released in 1990. It is the sequel to 1986's Rolling Thunder and retains the same run and gun gameplay of its predecessor, adding cooperative gameplay for 2-Players and improved graphics. Unlike the original Rolling Thunder, which was set in the 1960s, Rolling Thunder 2 features a more contemporary setting to go along with its more futuristic designs. A Mega Drive port was released in 1991. Both, the coin-op game and the Mega Drive version, were released for the Wii Virtual Console.

Gameplay
Set in the 1990s, the Geldra organization (now known as Neo-Geldra and led by a new leader named Gimdo), thought to had been destroyed during the first game, returns and are destroying several of the worlds' satellites in outer space. Like the previous game, the player takes control of a member of the Interpol's fictional Rolling Thunder task force. Up to two players can now play simultaneously, while a single player now has a choice between returning heroes Leila (as Player 1) or Albatross (as Player 2). Although outside their different visual appearance (including different handguns), the two characters otherwise play the same.

The graphics are noticeably improved over the previous game and have a decidedly more futuristic look to go along with the game's modern setting. The game's common enemy character, the Masker, which were previously designed to look like hooded terrorists, are now cyborgs. Like wise, the game has more varied stage designs, with the first four stages taking place in a seaside resort in Florida and the last four stages in a pyramid in Egypt (both locations are actually camouflaged Geldra bases).

The player's character are armed with a default pistol that has only limited ammo. When bullets run out, the player's gun will fire a slow chase bullet instead. The player can also upgrade to a semi-automatic rifle by entering marked doors. When entering one of these marked doors, a counter will displayed showing the remaining bullets left to be picked up (allow one player to leave ammo for the other). There are also hidden power-ups such as time extension and life recovery behind certain unmarked doors. Specific weapon like flame thrower and a "spread laser" is available at certain mission.

Home version
The Mega Drive ports differs from the arcade original by its inclusion of cut scenes before each stage consisting of a single static images displayed above a scrolling text that narrates the story's progression.

There are also three additional stages not found in the original arcade version that take place between the arcade's original stages. These stages stand out from their arcade counterparts due to the presence of different upgradeable weapons (either, a flamethrower or a laser shot) and stage bosses.

Like in the NES port of the first game, Namco added a password feature which used words instead of letters (such as A Private Thunder Created the Powder) and a harder second quest. The third Rolling Thunder game (Rolling Thunder 3) would be developed exclusively for the Mega Drive rather than being ported from the arcades.

There has also been a wii verson of the game in the wii shop channel.

Soundtrack
A soundtrack album of the arcade version, Namco Game Sound Express Vol. 5: Rolling Thunder 2 was released by Victor Entertainment in 1991 under the catalog number VICL-15005. It contains unused tracks from the arcade version, which were later used in the Mega Drive version of the game. It was composed and arranged by Ayako Saso.