QUByte Interactive Brings Gaelco Arcade Classics Thunder Hoop and TH Strikes Back to Steam in October

Retro specialists QUByte Interactive are resurrecting two obscure 1990s arcade run-and-gunners this year, bringing the Spanish label Gaelco’s Thunder Hoop and its sequel, TH Strikes Back, to Steam. The pair will arrive together as the Thunder Hoop Collection on October 8, reviving a slice of gaming history that most players outside Spain have never heard of.

The collection resurrects games from an era when Gaelco produced a string of arcade machines and even electronic dartboards, though its catalogue remains largely forgotten beyond Iberian borders apart from occasional standouts like World Rally. Now the studio is dusting off two of those curiosities for a new generation of players who appreciate vintage shooter action.

A Hero Named After a Basketball Move

The genetically engineered and oddly named Thunder Hoop serves as the title hero, a hand-blasting protagonist who battles armies of mutants unleashed by the villainous Dr Genbreak. The original 1992 game cast him as a teenage platformer hero navigating cartoonish monsters across a cityscape featuring the obligatory sewer and underwater levels.

The 1994 sequel aged up its star into a beefcake adult, swapping the adolescent protagonist for a shirtless muscleman unafraid of showing off. TH Strikes Back leans heavily into run-and-gun action against foes in latex, while also delivering an unexpected detour where the hero transforms and flies into space for a Gradius-style scrolling shooter segment.

The Thunder Hoop Collection brings two cult arcade classics together with modern conveniences that make them more accessible than ever, from save states to rewind functions and authentic CRT screen filters.

QUByte Interactive

Modern Touches for Vintage Action

Both titles arrive with contemporary quality-of-life features designed to ease the friction of older arcade hardware. Players can rely on save states and a rewind function, while customizable screen filters recreate the warm glow of a CRT monitor for those seeking an authentic period look.

The multiplayer experience differs between the two entries. The sequel supports local co-op, allowing friends to team up side by side, while the first game’s multiplayer mode operates on alternating turns, preserving the original cabinet’s hot-seat format where players take their moments in the spotlight.

Looking Ahead

The Thunder Hoop Collection is scheduled for release on October 8, giving fans of retro shooters a chance to reclaim these Gaelco treasures. The package represents QUByte Interactive’s ongoing commitment to preserving arcade history through its dedicated cataloguing of forgotten classics from around the world.