Thunder Force IV/Gameplay

These controls can be changed at the options screen.

Certain small red ships, when shot, will yield one weapon power-up, claw, shield, or 1-up. If you already have a claw or specific weapon, when you grab the power-up for that particular item it will be worth 10,000 points instead (this does not work with shields or 1-ups). Unfortunately, as in most other shooters, touching any solid object or getting hit by enemy fire results in instant death, which can make this game frustrating at times and causes you to lose whatever weapon you currently have equipped.

Extra lives will be awarded at certain point intervals, the first being 10,000 points. If you can't dodge missiles, try to shoot them. One of the most important things to know is that when you are fighting a boss or any other enemy, your shots will cause small explosions (or big ones, depending on the weapon) on the surface of your enemy. Take note that blue explosions mean no damage. You are only hurting your enemy if it flashes or you see orange explosions (this does not apply to the Blade or Snake, so find your enemy's weak point before blasting away with these).