‘Thor: Bring the Thunder’ is 16-Bit Platforming Radness for the Modern Age

As we've covered pretty extensively over the past few months, Sega's got mondo Thor movie videogame offerings on the shelves. As much as these current-gen console games appeal to our 21st century tastes, however, Marvel's gone straight for our nostalgia jugular this week with the totally awesome online platformer Thor: Bring the Thunder by Big Pixel Studios. It's free, it's beautifully pixelated, it's fun -- it's everything you need. Check out screen shots from the retro fabulous new game after the cut.Taking a page from modern refined throwbacks like Ubisoft's Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game, Bring the Thunder is a beat 'em up that pits Thor against a variety of foes to smith by swinging or tossing his uru mallet Mjolnir. Along the way he collects golden apples for health and thunder bolt tokens for awesome ultra moves.

The game takes place in a spritely version of Marvel's comic book universe rather than the movie realm, and incorporates a number of environments from around the World Tree. Even if you don't have a ton of time in your busy day to best the entirety of the adventure (There's 11 levels in campaign mode), those with a few minutes can indulge in a few moments of survival mode or skim through the game's super cute bios of Thor, Sif, the Enchantress, Kurse, Surtur, Absorbing Man, the Midgard Serpent and Jane Foster.

Seriously, play this game right now! ...After you soak in these dope screen shots, of course: