Thexder is a solid PC conversion of Game Arts' hit in Japan, licensed to distribute in the US by Sierra. You control a robot ("mech") that is capable of switching from a 'mech into a jet at any time, wading through levels after levels of high-tech enemies.
All the innovation, however, becomes tiresome quickly as you discover that there is no way to save in mid-level, and levels are huge. You also can't switch special weapons during a level, which means you'll need to avoid picking up power-ups you don't need in the midst of all the chaos.
All this makes for a very difficult game that's fun only to the most expert and masochistic of gamers.
Review By HOTUD
English 
Japanese 
Comments and reviews
I played Thexder on my first PC that used to be my stepmother's work PC. It had an expanded RAM of 6400Kb. I also played Wolfenstein shareware. When Doom shareware came out, I had to make the screen about 3"x2" for it to run smoothly.
Played this to death back in the day until I conquered it. Went through the first 16 levels, then level 17 was a repeat of level 2 and so on. I finally quit the game after level 31.
Took me over twenty years and nearly 500 attempts (had with Tandy SX 1000 in 1987) to finally defeat the Super Computer on Level 16. Thanks to having to record gameplay with my own custom music I created for each level... I had no choice but to complete the game.
One of the few classic games that really hit the mark with the transforming element.
First PC game I ever owned. Loved playing it, ,would love to get my hands on it again :)
I used to play this on a Tandy 1000 (Intel 8086 or 8088 CPU), from 5 1/4" floppy disks. The levels are large and difficult and accidentally picking up a special weapon you don't want is frustrating, but I have fond memories of playing this game!
Sentiments to the posting. Tandy 1000 first game used to be on 5 1/2" floppies.
This brings back strange memories.
Took me a while to find this again. Used to play it as a kid, still pretty cool
This is my first game I ever played with my first computer. A Tandy TX1000
No comment nor review for this game at the moment.