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ThunderJaws

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ThunderJaws is a 1990 action, side-scrolling platform shooter from Atari In a secret underwater base, the evil Madame Q is determined to control the world. To that end she has kidnapped thousands of beautiful girls to use in her diabolical experiments. Players are part of a team of experts hir...

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Developer
Atari Games

Released on
1990

Size
1–2 Players

Version
Arcade

Requirements
Arcade

Downloads
Platform

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

Cooperative
Yes

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Description

ThunderJaws is a 1990 action, side-scrolling platform shooter from Atari

In a secret underwater base, the evil Madame Q is determined to control the world. To that end she has kidnapped thousands of beautiful girls to use in her diabolical experiments. Players are part of a team of experts hired by the government to find and penetrate Madame Q’s fortress and free the hostages. After the submarine reaches its destination, players scuba dive to get to the base and must avoid mines and chemical spills as well as battle sharks and enemy divers with their spear-shooting harpoons.

The inside of the fortress is very similar to the territory in Rolling Thunder, and because of this ThunderJaws is considered by many as the unofficial sequel to that game. Levels get progressively harder, more elaborate and contain more enemies as the game progresses. Additional weapons are obtained when dropped by fallen enemies.

The game can be played by single players or in 2-player mode.

ThunderJaws

Overview & History

Released by Atari Games in 1990, ThunderJaws is a gritty, sci-fi action arcade platformer that casts players into the boots of elite secret agents Biff and Roxanne. Set in a dystopian future where an aquatic mutant empire led by the nefarious General Bully threatens global security, the operatives must infiltrate a heavily fortified underwater base. Featuring digitized sprite graphics reminiscent of contemporary arcade hits and a pulsing synthesized soundtrack, the game delivers an intense, quarter-munching run-and-gun experience. Its distinct atmospheric blend of military espionage and bizarre mutant sea-creature enemies carved out a unique niche in the early '90s arcade landscape, offering both solo missions and simultaneous cooperative play.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Unlike standard side-scrollers of its era, ThunderJaws mixes traditional platforming with multi-directional shooting and aquatic exploration sequences. Players navigate through claustrophobic base corridors, laboratories, and underwater caverns. Biff and Roxanne are equipped with versatile weaponry that can be upgraded by collecting specialized power-ups scattered throughout the levels. The gameplay demands cautious positioning, as enemies attack from overhead pipes, concealed hatches, and the dark depths of the water. Boss encounters require pattern memorization and precise timing to overcome heavily armored robotic and mutant monstrosities before the base's self-destruct countdown reaches zero.