Play Lethal Thunder Online

Lethal Thunder is a 1991 arcade shooter from Irem, the same company that brought us R-Type and other challenging cabinets of that era. It arrived when side-scrolling shooters were common, but it stood out with its particular brand of cooperative mayhem and a visual style that was a bit grittier than some of its contemporaries.

You control one of two fighter jets, scrolling automatically through levels while holding down the fire button to unleash a constant stream of bullets. Your main goal is simply to survive the onslaught of enemy crafts and massive screen-filling bosses. Key mechanics include collecting power-ups to enhance your main weapon and a special screen-clearing bomb for emergencies; the game is known for its aggressive enemy patterns and the sheer number of projectiles you need to navigate. Playing it feels like a constant, tense dance of dodging and retaliation, especially with a friend when the screen becomes pure chaos.