Two forgotten 1990s Spanish arcade run-and-gunners arrive on Steam this October

QUByte Interactive is bringing two obscure 1990s arcade games to Steam this October: Thunder Hoop and its sequel Thunder Hoop: Strikes Back, both originally developed by Spanish publisher Gaelco.

The original Thunder Hoop launched in 1992 as a platformer where a teenage hero battles cartoonish mutants across urban environments, including sewers and underwater sections. The hero, Thunder Hoop, is a genetically engineered fighter created to combat monsters unleashed by the villain Dr Genbreak.

The 1994 sequel, Strikes Back, shifts the tone considerably. Thunder Hoop ages into an adult character and the game leans heavily into run-and-gun action. The sequel features more intense combat against enemies in latex armor and includes a standout sequence where Thunder Hoop powers up and rockets into space for a Gradius-style scrolling shooter segment.

Both games arrive with modern conveniences like save states and rewind functionality. Customizable screen filters let players emulate the look of classic CRT monitors. The first game supports alternating-turn multiplayer, while Strikes Back adds local co-op play for two players.

The Thunder Hoop Collection launches on Steam on October 8. Gaelco produced several arcade titles throughout the 1990s that remain largely unknown outside Spain, though the label occasionally achieved wider recognition with releases like World Rally.