Thexder/Gameplay

Thexder Controls
As the pilot of Thexder, you must master all of the controls in order to successfully guide Thexder through all 16 stages. Since Thexder has two modes, it is important to understand each set of controls as well as how to switch from one mode to the other. Your method of input (joystick, gamepad, or keyboard) is dependent on what

Robot mode

 * Joystick/D-pad/Arrow keys: Press left or right to direct Thexder to run left or right. Press up to make Thexder jump.  Hold up to make Thexder jump higher.
 * Transform: Press down to make Thexder transform into a jet.
 * Button 1/Space bar: Press this to make Thexder fire his beam rifle. In robot mode, the beam rifle will cycle through all available threats that can be targeted in Thexder's current orientation.
 * Button 2/Shift key: Press this to activate Thexder's particle barrier. The particle barrier consumes 10% of your available energy, and cannot be activated if you have less than 10% of energy.

Jet mode

 * Joystick/D-pad/Arrow keys: Use this control to direct Thexder to fly in any one of eight directions. Thexder will automatically rotate through a turn if no other option is available.  As a jet, Thexder cannot remain stationary.
 * Transform: Thexder will transform back in to a robot if he hits a wall in the current direction that he is traveling, or if you press the opposite direction from the one that he is currently facing.
 * Button 1/Space bar: Press this to make Thexder fire his beam rifle. In jet mode, the beam rifle has no choice but to fire in the direction of Thexder's current orientation.
 * Button 2/Shift key: Press this to activate Thexder's particle barrier. The particle barrier consumes 10% of your available energy, and cannot be activated if you have less than 10% of energy.

Thexder's shield
The choice between using Thexder's shield and not using it is an important aspect of the game's strategy.
 * Reasons to use the shield: The particle shield is easily one of Thexder's most important tools for survival, even more so than his beam rifle. For the cost of 10% of energy, Thexder's shield absorbs substantial amount of damage, and also delivers damage back to the enemies that are colliding with you while the shield is active.  This makes the shield a powerful tool, one which can keep Thexder alive for much longer than he could without the shield.
 * Reasons not to use the shield: Energy is a precious commodity throughout the game. It can be hard to come by in large quantities.  The maximum amount of energy that you can store is a valuable attribute to raise as high as possible (to a maximum of 500%).  While you are awarded additional max energy for every level that you clear (10%), you earn substantially more (30%) if you never activate your shield once in a level.  You will also be awarded an additional 100% to your energy meter.  Therefore, if you can survive a stage without a shield, you are rewarded tremendously for the accomplishment.  As you get closer to a maximum energy count of 500%, you may opt to use the shield more often, but you will forfeit the 100% energy boost at the end of the level.
 * How to decide: In general, as you play Thexder, your ability to survive each stage will increase with practice. If you are visiting a level for the first time, it is recommended that you rely heavily on your shield until you are familiar with the layout, and know where to find energy producing enemies.  Once you are comfortable with the level, and know how to maneuver through it with minimum damage to Thexder, you may opt not to use the shield in order to receive both the 100% energy bonus and the increased 30% max energy bonus, which will enable you to stay alive a lot longer in later, more difficult stages.