Play Thunder Zone Online Free for Arcade.
Thunder Zone hits different when it boots instantly in your browser. Released in 1991 on the Arcade, this retro classic from Data East is ready the second you press start — no downloads, no setup.
Desert Assault, known in Japan as Thunder Zone (サンダーゾーン), is a 1991 run and gun arcade game developed and published by Data East. Up to four players control four soldiers holding machine guns and other projectile weapons, while fighting their way through the terrorist arsenal to take control of the Persian War.
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Your controller lights up here as you press buttons. Premium members can remap every action to any pad button.
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| Action | Keyboard | Controller |
|---|---|---|
| D-Pad Up | ↑ | D-Pad up |
| D-Pad Down | ↓ | D-Pad down |
| D-Pad Left | ← | D-Pad left |
| D-Pad Right | → | D-Pad right |
| B (bottom) | X | Bottom face |
| A (right) | Z | Right face |
| Y (left) | S | Left face |
| X (top) | A | Top face |
| L | Q | Left shoulder |
| R | E | Right shoulder |
| Start | Enter | Start |
| Insert Coin | V | Select |
⭐ Premium members can click any key below to remap this game's controls. Go Premium
| Action | Keyboard | Arcade input |
|---|---|---|
| Move | · · · · | Joystick (8-way) |
| Button 1 | · | Button 1 |
| Button 2 | · | Button 2 |
| Start | · | Start |
| Insert Coin | · | Select |
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The Story Behind Thunder Zone
Desert Assault, known in Japan as , is a 1991 run and gun arcade game developed and published by Data East. Up to four players control four soldiers holding machine guns and other projectile weapons, while fighting their way through the terrorist arsenal to take control of the Persian War.
How Thunder Zone Plays
Desert Assault, known in Japan as , is a 1991 run and gun arcade game developed and published by Data East. Up to four players control four soldiers holding machine guns and other projectile weapons, while fighting their way through the terrorist arsenal to take control of the Persian War.
Why Players Still Load It Up
In Japan, Game Machine listed Desert Assault on their June 15, 1991 issue as being the fourth most-successful table arcade unit of the month. Desert Assault, known in Japan as , is a 1991 run and gun arcade game developed and published by Data East. Up to four players control four soldiers holding machine guns and other projectile weapons, while fighting their way through the terrorist arsenal to take control of the Persian War.
Thunder Zone — Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play Thunder Zone online for free?
Yes — Thunder Zone runs directly in your browser on this page. There is nothing to download or install; the game boots in the player above.
Do I need a controller to play Thunder Zone?
A gamepad is optional. The keyboard mapping shown on this page works immediately, and plugging in a USB or Bluetooth controller switches the player over on its own.
Who developed Thunder Zone?
Thunder Zone was developed by Data East and published by Data East.
Where can I buy the original Thunder Zone?
Scroll to "Other Places You Can Get This Game" beneath the write-up — it lists trusted stores selling official copies.