[2] The first, described as a "Lost Vikings-style co-operative action game",[3] involves players clearing puzzles by controlling three characters from a top-down perspective to manipulate obstacles.

Thunderbirds received negative reviews, with publications critiquing the game's poor puzzle design.

[8] Cube recommended readers not to purchase the game, stating that Thunderbirds featured the "clumsiest, most cumbersome (control) system...the mechanics are there, but it's just such an utter waste of time.

"[5] Writing for Nintendo Official Magazine, Rob Burman similarly expressed frustration with the puzzle mechanics in the game due to their "startlingly similar levels", whilst noting that the action levels "are slightly more terrible...the missions range from dull to beyond boring".

[6] Craig Harris for IGN critiqued the puzzle designs, stating that "characters only have a couple of attributes that set themselves apart from each other, which means puzzle designs are just variations of the same "shove crate, hit switch, roll through vent, hack computer" idea.