ThunderCats (2012 video game)

ThunderCats
North American box art
Developer(s)	Aspect Co.
Publisher(s)	Bandai Namco Games
Platform(s)	Nintendo DS
Release	NA: October 30, 2012 EU: November 2, 2012
Genre(s)	Action
Mode(s)	Single-player

ThunderCats is an action platformer video game for the Nintendo DS developed by Aspect and published by Bandai Namco Games. It is based on the 2011 animated series of the same name, and was released in North America in October 2012 and Europe in November 2012. It is the first game in the franchise to be released since ThunderCats: The Lost Eye of Thundera appeared on various home computers in 1987.

ThunderCats is a 2D action platforming game where players control Lion-O, leader of the ThunderCats, who uses his Sword of Omens to defeat enemies. Players traverse the game's levels dispatching enemies and battling bosses, and are able to call upon other members of Lion-O's team to briefly assist him once unlocked: Panthro, Cheetara, Tygra, and WilyKit with WilyKat. Lion-O's abilities include a slide, double-jump, and downward stab attack, as well as the ability to fire a beam of light from the Eye of Thundera in his sword's hilt once his power gauge has been filled. Still images from the 2011 ThunderCats animated series accompany story interludes between levels.

The game was developed by Aspect Digital Entertainment and published by Namco Bandai Games, making an appearance at the company's booth during the 2012 Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles. An original release period of August 2012 was announced in April of that year. In a July Bandai Namco Entertainment press statement, ThunderCats was later set for release on September 28, 2012, but was delayed again until the following October in North America and November in Europe. It ultimately debuted four months after the final episode of the animated series aired in June 2012, following Cartoon Network's decision to not renew the show for a second season.