14. Rolling Thunder

(Arcade/Various Home, Namco, 1986)
I'll tell you what was big in the 80's, lanky, well animated secret agents storming complexes to stop evil men from destroying the Earth. In this case, sadly, the hero found that the name "Agent 4125" had been taken and was only left with the codename "Albatross" Yeah, this guy was definitely last in line at WCPO headquarters.
Agent Leila Blitz has failed to return from her assignment investigating a mysterious society known only as Geldra. Interpol, rather than disavowing any knowledge of her actions, has decided to send another agent after her. So Albatross dons his roll-neck and drainpipe trousers and heads into the danger zone armed with a pistol and the ability to leap stories in a single vertical jump.

I just wish he'd brought a bulletproof vest and a gumshield.

Rolling Thunder is a classic Namco arcade from the mid-80s in which the player controls Albatross as he makes his way through Geldra's cavernous base, gunning down an army of men who look like KKK members who were involved in an explosion at a paint factory. As Albatross ventures deeper into the stronghold, strange mutants and other creatures will also attempt to halt his progress. If he is to face Geldra's Ming lookalike leader Maboo and rescue his fellow agent, Albatross and the player are going to need fast reactions and some very skilfull game playing.

Rolling Thunder is cooler than ice. A James Bond-esque action game that plays very similar to Sega's later Shinobi series. Albatross scrolls through each stage, traversing the two floors while constantly fighting off Geldra's soldiers attacking from all directions, some armed with guns and grenades. I don't know how Interpol trains it's agents, but Albatross, despite his ultra classy attire, is a bit glassjawed. Our hero will drop if he receives a single bullet or just two punches to the face. I don't blame Albatross as such, but it does make me believe anyone could join the WCPO.

"So, Albatross, You're going in and getting Agent Blitz back."
"Awesome, can you tool me up?"
"Here's a pistol and a handful of bullets"
"Ah.. Ok..Umm what about a machine gun or maybe some extra ammo?"
"On-site procurement."
"Ok... a Flak jacket?"
"Here's a roll-neck sweater, It's 100% wool"
"Um. Thanks, what if I'm attacked by mutants?"
"Hide behind a door until they walk past you. Get going."

Rolling Thunder ticks all the boxes on my "Classic arcade" list. It's fast paced, simple in concept and exceptionally difficult. It relies on lightning quick reactions and hardcore perseverance. It looks and sounds great and is still a lot of fun today. It was followed by a great sequel and a so-so Megadrive only third iteration.
Rescuing the red-headed Leila and dropping Geldra is no easy task, especially in those trousers, but as you should have learned about me by now, if there's a damsel in distress, she might as well chill back and and read a magazine. I'll be there. Eventually...

I have a red-headed girlfriend called Leila, of course it isn't a coincidence.