Remember the classic video games? The 8-bit masterpieces of our sweaty-palmed youth. Inviting some friends over for a Maniac Mansion all-nighter, huffing asthmatically into a cartridge to clear out the dust, or the thrill and crushing disappointment of rescuing a princess, only to discover you’ve really just saved a fungus. [via amog]
These games aren’t lost forever. You can still play many of them online. If you love the old classics, this list should have you busy for months. Below is a list of 95 old school video games that you can play online. Click on each title to link directly to the game. Also, we’ve reviewed and rated each game for you, our loyal AMOG readers.
(1 through 4) 1941: Counter Attack, 1942, 1943 Kai, and 1943: The Battle of Midway
Perhaps kicking off gamedom’s WWII fetish, this series drops you in the pilot’s seat of a fighter jet. Your job is to shoot down all the enemy aircraft without getting shot down. None of these game really differ much and the gameplay is relatively the same.
I recommend checking out all four of these games, but don’t try to wrap your mind around the titles (1941 came out after 1942 and 1943? And why would the counter attack be the first game, chronologically speaking? Shouldn’t there be an attack first?) If it gets too confusing, try to think of it as the Temple of Doom of video games. Came out after Raiders, but takes place beforehand.
Released: 1990
Popularity around release date: 4/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 4/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 4/5
Released: 1984
Popularity around release date: 4/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 4/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 4/5
Graphics: 3/5
Released: 1987
Popularity around release date: 4/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 4/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 4/5
Graphics: 4/5
Released: 1987
Popularity around release date: 4/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 4/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 4/5
Graphics: 4/5
(5) Alley Cat
Released: 1983
Popularity around release date: 3/5
Difficulty: 2/5
Fun: 3/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 2/5
Get from one house to another by jumping onto the moving platforms. Since you are a cat, you have– you guessed it– nine lives. Beware of the dog. If it catches you, you lose a life. However, if you catch a mouse, you get extra points. Also, watch out for the creepy old lady. If she grabs you, she’ll declaw you and make you have a tea party with the dozens of other rescues she adopts, even though her lease clearly says no pets. HIGHLIGHT FOR A SPOILER ALERT: THERE’S NO OLD LADY IN THIS GAME. But it’d be awesome if there was, right?
(6) Arkanoid
Released: 1986
Popularity around release date: 2/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 3/5
Uniqueness: 1/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 4/5
For “Arkanoid”, the game play is simple. You move your paddle at the bottom of the screen so the ball bounces off you and destroys each brick of the barricade. There are certain bricks that will fall toward your paddle, and if you catch them, you get extra points. But be careful not to lose your ball at the same time.
This game’s been released under a slew of other names. I had it on my old school cinderblock-sized Gameboy under the name Alleyway. If you’ve heard of any other clones, drop them in the comments.
(7) Asteroids
Released: 1979
Popularity around release date: 5/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 3/5
This game puts the old in “old school gaming.” It came out the same year Margaret Thatcher came to power, and inspired one of the best lines in “National Lampoon’s Vacation.”
If you’ve never played “Asteroids,” (that is, if you’re Amish and on rumspringa,) the object is to score as many points as you can by shooting and destroying asteroids and enemy spaceships. However, when you shoot a large asteroid, it breaks into two smaller asteroids and they change direction and move faster than the larger asteroid. “Asteroids” is one of the first video games where it appeared that your ship was actually moving in space.
(8) Bank Panic
Released: 1984
Popularity around release date: 4/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 3/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 2/5
No, this isn’t the Ben Bernanke story. The towns people need your help because bank robbers are trying to rob a bank. Your job as the sheriff is to shoot them. It’s okay to shoot before they draw their weapons, but you get more points for shooting after they draw. Just like the real police!
(9) Battle City
Released: 1985
Popularity around release date: 4/5
Difficulty: 4/5
Fun: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 3/5
The object of “Battle City” is to destroy all your enemy’s tanks while protecting your base. There are a total of 35 stages, each getting progressively more difficult, with different obstacles and terrain. The game play is extremely slow, but the moves on the controls are also slow, so the game is still challenging. The first few stages aren’t too challenging, but it’s very difficult to beat the entire game.
(10) Black Tiger
Released: 1987
Popularity around release date: 4/5
Difficulty: 4/5
Fun: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Sound: 4/5
Graphics: 3/5
In “Black Tiger,” your mission is to save the villagers by defeating the monsters. A fairly straightforward concept, this is the game that built the foundation for all RPGs. A platformer with eight levels, you search for keys, magic potions, and treasure chests throughout the game.
(11) Blaster Master
Released: 1988
Popularity around release date: 3/5
Difficulty: 4/5
Fun: 3/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 1/5
Not to be confused with a midget riding a mutant in “Beyond The Thunderdome,” “Blaster Master” was a popular game from the late ’80s where you used a futuristic tank to destroy your enemies. Each level had a different layout that you had to navigate. Your tank could jump in addition to firing weapons, which came in handy in the game’s difficult terrain.
(12) Bomb Jack
Released: 1984
Popularity around release date: 3/5
Difficulty: 4/5
Fun: 3/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 2/5
The object of this platform game is to defuse all of the bombs while avoiding the enemies. You get extra bonus points if you defuse the bombs in a certain sequence.
(13) Bubble Bobble
Released: 1986
Popularity around release date: 2/5
Difficulty: 2/5
Fun: 4/5
Uniqueness: 1/5
Sound: 2/5
Graphics: 2/5
The goal of this very simplistic, yet extremely addicting platform game is to conquer all of the enemies by shooting bubbles at them. That’s really it. There’s nothing more to it, but once you start playing it, it’s difficult to stop. This was a fantastic two-player NES game, and my brother and I would play until we passed out from pixel overload.
(14) Bubble Trouble
Released: 1986
Popularity around release date: 3/5
Difficulty: 4/5
Fun: 3/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Sound: no sound online
Graphics: 4/5
Destroy the bubbles by shooting them. When you shoot the large bubble, two smaller bubbles bounce around and you must shoot them without getting hit by them. The higher the level, the more difficult it becomes. If it sounds easy, try. You’ll be surprised how challenging it really is. But it begs the question: What did these balloons ever do to you? If you know (or just feel like making something up,) drop a line in the comments.
(15) Burgertime
Released: 1982
Popularity around release date: 5/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 3/5
This is another early 80s platform game. In “Burgertime,” you’re a chef. Your mission: to build burgers by running over each item on the burger before the enemies attack. It’s a silly concept (a tiny chef trying to make gigantic burgers while being attacked by pickles? And why can’t you toast those buns?) But you can’t help but be amused when you play “Burgertime”. Once you play it, you’ll realize why it was one of the most popular games of the early 1980s.
(16 and 17) Centipede and Millipede
Released: 1980
Popularity around release date: 5/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 3/5
“Centipede” is my favorite game of this era. It goes like this: a centipede walks the top of the screen and while you try to shoot it from the bottom. The object is to eliminate every section of the centipede before it reaches you. There are mushroom-looking obstacles in the way that you can also shoot. A spider periodically comes across the bottom of the screen in a random pattern, and you can shoot it for points or it die when it hits you. On each level, the centipede would go faster.
Released: 1982
Popularity around release date: 5/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 3/5
“Millipede” is the sequel to “Centipede.” It’s essentially the same game, but with new enemies and a longer insect. The game play is the same, so you basically have more of the same video fun.
(18) Circus Charlie
Released: 1984
Popularity around release date: 3/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 2/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 2/5
“Circus Charlie” is a platform video game with a very simple concept. Charlie is a clown, and you have him perform stunts without making mistakes. There are only 6 stages in the game.
- In Stage 1, Charlie rides a lion and jumps through hoops of fire.
- In Stage 2, Charlie walks across a tightrope– which would be a lot easier if monkeys weren’t trying to knock him off. Your job in this stage is to maneuver around the monkeys without allowing them to knock you off the rope.
- Stage 3 is where Charlie jumps from one trampoline to another. The difficulty comes in when the other circus performers throw knives and fire at him (what kind of workplace is this, where your co-workers throw knives while you’re trying to simply entertain some children? Come on, Charlie! Just get fired and collect unemployment already.) You must avoid these flying objects while helping Charlie jump on each trampoline.
- In Stage 4, Charlie must avoid obstacles while walking atop a rubber ball and in Stage 5, Charlie must avoid obstacles while riding on a horse.
- In the final stage, Stage 6, Charlie swings on the trapeze while avoiding obstacles.
(19) Commando
Released: 1986
Popularity around release date: 4/5
Difficulty: 4/5
Fun: 3/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 2/5
This was one of Capcom’s first games for the NES. The setting is World War II, and it’s jsut you against hordes of Nazi troops. You’re given a limited number of grenades, but an unlimited amount of ammunition for your gun. Some wander around in the open, but others hide out behind bunkers or on bridges. You can find extra grenades, and you’ll need ‘em as they have a greater range than the rifle.
(20) Conan
Released: 1990
Popularity around release date: 3/5
Difficulty: 4/5
Fun: 3/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 2/5
If you like role playing games, then you’ll love one of the originals, “Conan” by Mindscape, Inc. You fight skeletons, demons, and a huge fire breathing dog that will kick your ass nine times out of ten. You mainly use hand to hand combat by kicking or punching the enemy. However, you can also use a sword, but keep in mind that this game was released in 1990, so the sword is about as effective as kicking and punching. Though the graphics suck, if you like the classics, then you should check out “Conan” .
(21 and 22) Contra and Super Contra
Released: 1987
Popularity around release date: 4/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 3/5
“Contra” is to shoot ‘em up platformers as “Lethal Weapon” is to buddy cop movies. Which is to say, it’s the homoerotic original that spawned a genre. You are a (shirtless) warrior and must defeat the enemy on land and in water by — no points for originality — shooting them. Why couldn’t any NES games involve diplomatic sanctions? You also have a jumping capability to try to maneuver around the enemy. But beware of the tanks and cannons stationed in different areas. “Contra” is known for its difficulty and speed. But don’t worry, you’ve got The Konami Code.
Released: 1988
Popularity around release date: 4/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 4/5
“Super Contra” has the same gameplay as “Contra”. However, the graphics are better and pretty impressive for its time. If you want a challenge, play these two games by Konami.
(23) Defender
Released: 1980
Popularity around release date: 4/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 4/5
Uniqueness:2/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 3/5
Like “Space Invaders”, only a platformer. You’re the pilot of a space ship and shoot enemy aliens in hopes to defend your planet’s people below. The object is to shoot all of the aliens before they abduct all of the people. The game play is rather simple, but the game is a blast to play.
(24 and 25) Dig Dug and Dig Dug II
Released: 1982
Popularity around release date: 5/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 3/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 3/5
If you grew up in the 1980s, you’ll definitely remember “Dig Dug”. The object of this maze-like game is to get rid of all of the monsters underneath the ground by either dropping rocks on them or inflating them until they pop. Just describing it puts a smile on my face. This is another silly game from the early 1980s, but personally I like the silly games because it takes you far away from reality and lightens your mood. Also, with such shitty graphics, there’s no chance of an Uncanny Valley effect.
Released: 1985
Popularity around release date: 5/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 3/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 3/5
(Image by Console Classix)
“Dig Dug II” wasn’t as successful as the original, but was no less fun. Instead of a side view, it was overhead, and you have a jackhammer in addition to your pump that you can use to cut away at your island and send monsters into the ocean.But be careful– if you’re on the wrong side of the fault line, you’ll fall in too.
(26 through 28) Donkey King, Donkey Kong Jr., and Donkey Kong 3
Released: 1981
Popularity around release date: 5/5
Difficulty: 2/5
Fun: 4/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 2/5
Graphics: 3/5
You must be from another planet if you’ve never heard of Donkey Kong. In this game, Donkey Kong makes his debut as a kidnapper/barrel throwing enthusiast. You play as Mario and the goal is to rescue the girl while jumping over DK’s barrels. Bonus points go to anyone who knows the rationale behind naming a gorilla “Donkey.”
Released: 1982
Popularity around release date: 5/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 4/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 2/5
How’s this for a change of pace? In “Donkey Kong Junior”, Mario is the villain. He’s captured Donkey Kong and his son, Donkey Kong Junior must rescue him by climbing jungle vines while sharp-toothed predators attack him.
Released: 1983
Popularity around release date: 4/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 2/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 3/5
“Donkey Kong 3″ was even more simplistic than its two predecessors, but far less successful. You’re a bugman, and DK has taken up residence in your greenhouse. You want to spray Donkey Kong while protecting yourself and your flowers from insects. It’s basically “Galaxian” with gorillas.
(29) Dragon’s Lair
Released: 1983
Popularity around release date: 3/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 2/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 1/5
In “Dragon’s Lair”, your play as Dirk the Daring as you attempt to rescue Princess Daphne. But first, you must slay creatures like bats and a huge dragon. The gameplay is slow and fairly easy, but your character also moves very slowly, so it kind of balances out. This game had some of the best graphics seen in a videogame up until then, thanks to laserdiscs and the involvement of veteran Diseney animator Don Bluth. It’s kind of a cute game now, but was a major hit in the ’80s– so much so that many machines broke from overuse.
(30) Dream Shopper
Released: 1983
Popularity around release date: 2/5
Difficulty: 2/5
Fun: 2/5
Uniqueness: 2/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 4/5
This simple maze-like game was one of the hundreds of Pac-Man clones. The gameplay is easy. All you have to do is get to the center bonus square before your enemies attack you. When you get to the center, numbers are exposed in each square. You want to try to “run” across the highest numbers possible. This also triggers an attack mode for your enemies but, just like Pac-Man, it doesn’t last long. This wasn’t a really popular game in the 1980s, but it is a little like Pac-Man, so it’s worth giving it a try.
(31) Duck Hunt
Released: 1984
Popularity around release date: 3/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 3/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 3/5
If you’ve never played “Duck Hunt”, you’re really missing out. This was unbelievable fun with the NES Zapper, but I don’t know how it translates to the web. But in this game, your hunting dog hides in the grass. When you successfully shoot down a duck, your dog grabs it and show his approval. If you miss and ducks fly away, your dog laughs at you, mostly just to be a dick. This is a video game that everyone should try.
(32) Elevator Action
Released: 1983
Popularity around release date: 3/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Sound: 2/5
Graphics: 3/5
This early 1980s video game, like most from the time period, has a simple concept. You are on an elevator of a building. There are men dressed in black that open doors, jump out, and try to shoot you. You’ll want to shoot them first. The elevator goes up and down and you can stay in the elevator, leave the elevator, ride on top of the elevator, or use the stairs. It’s a cute platform type game from the 1980s that is unbelievably addicting.
(33) Frogger
Released: 1981
Popularity around release date: 5/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 3/5
We first saw this cute little frog in 1981. All the little amphibian wanted was to cross the street or stream safely. However, it must’ve been rush hour because there are tons of vehicles driving on this busy road and Frogger must cross without getting hit. Then he encounters streams with flowing logs, lily pads, turtles, and alligators, which he must jump on to cross the stream without getting wet. Why? Because this is the first frog in history who can’t swim.
The first several levels are pretty easy, but then the game gets quite challenging. “Frogger” is one of those old time gaming staples that everyone should experience. Side Note: It’s George Costanza’s favorite game.
(34 and 35) Galaxian and Galaga
(NOTE FOR ONLINE USE: Use the arrow keys to control the direction of your ship and the “Control” key to fire.)
Released: 1979
Popularity around release date: 5/5
Difficulty: 2/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 2/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 2/5
“Galaxian” is a game from the late 1970s in an outer space setting, like a lot of games from back then. Your ship is at the bottom of the screen, and you can only move left or right. Like “Space Invaders,” the object is to shoot all of the alien ships. But unlike “Invaders,” these ships occasionally dive bomb you. “Galaxian” was a pioneering game for many reasons. It was first with multi-colored animated sprites and explosions, a crude theme song, different colored fonts for the score and high score, and more prominent background music and graphic icons that showed the number of ships left and how many rounds the player had completed. How did people play games before this?
Released: 1981
Popularity around release date: 5/5
Difficulty: 2/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 2/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 3/5
The graphics are better in “Galaga”, the sequel to “Galaxian”, but the game play is really no different. So, if you love “Galaxian”, then you’ll also love “Galaga”.
(36) Gauntlet
Released: 1985
Popularity around release date: 3/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 3/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 2/5
Graphics: 2/5
RED WARRIOR NEEDS FOOD BADLY! “Gauntlet” is one of the original fantasy video games. You can play as a Warrior, Valkyrie, Wizard, or Elf, and if you can round up three friends, you can all play at once. This game set the stage for the MMORPGs of today.
Throughout the game, you find potions that you can use to destroy all of the ghosts at once. Otherwise, you must shoot them one by one. There are skull and crossbones that spawn ghosts located throughout each level that you can destroy. You’ll also find food for energy and treasures, which give you extra points. If you want to see what the early fantasy games were like, try “Gauntlet”.
(37) Goemon
Released: 1986
Popularity around release date: 2/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 3/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 3/5
“Goemon” is based on a legendary ninja warrior named Ishikawa Goemon. In this platform game, you go through as many screens as you can while fighting enemies in hand-to-hand combat and collecting as many items (for points) as possible.
(38) Rush N’ Attack
Released: 1985
Popularity around release date: 3/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Sound: 2/5
Graphics: 2/5
Feasting on the banquet of mid ’80s Cold War paranoia, your mission in this game is to rescue several POWs from a Russian (that is, Rush N’) camp. Of course, this is easier said than done since you must fight in hand-to-hand combat with several pinko bastards. It’s a jingoistic, Regan-era game, so if you’re feeling nostalgic for the red scare, this is the game for you.
(39) Gunsmoke
Released: 1985
Popularity around release date: 3/5
Difficulty: 2/5
Fun: 3/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 2/5
(Image by Stage Select)
In this game, your character is Billy Bob, a big time bounty hunter after ten of the most dangerous men you would never want to meet. Of course, along the way, there are a lot of bad men trying to protect the dangerous criminals and trying to kill Billy Bob. To help you along your way, you may be able to find special items such as a horse (for extra protection against bullets), boots (for speed), a rifle (for longer shots), and bullets (for faster shots).
Instead of a platform game, “Gunsmoke” is an overhead scrolling game, so it’s a little more interesting. Try “Gunsmoke” — it’s quite a challenge.
(40) Gyruss
Released: 1983
Popularity around release date: 4/5
Difficulty: 4/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 2/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 2/5
This is another outer space game from the 1980s, but unlike “Galaga” and “Space Invaders”, you’re not confined to the bottom of the screen. Your ship can move in a circular motion along the outer edge. It’s different, but once you get used to it, you can work up a pretty good strategy. “Gyruss” is a fast-paced game with a lot of challenges.
(41) Hexa
(NOTE FOR ONLINE USE: The writing is in Japanese, so just click on the second box with your mouse to play. The arrow keys control your movement in the game.)
Released: 1990
Popularity around release date: 2/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 4/5
Uniqueness: 1/5
Sound: 2/5
Graphics: 4/5
Hexa is a cute little mindless puzzler. Pieces made up of three colors fall into the grid, and you can control their descent. The object is to clear out the grid by matching three or more of the same colors either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
(42 through 44) Track and Field, Hyper Sports, and Track and Field II
Released: 1983
Popularity around release date: 4/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Sound: 2/5
Graphics: 2/5
This game’s title pretty much sums up the concept. Before moving on to the next event, you must first get a qualifying score. The events in this game are:
- 100 meter dash
- Long jump
- Javelin
- 110 meter
- Hammer throw
- High jump
Released: 1984
Popularity around release date: 4/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Sound: 2/5
Graphics: 4/5
This game play is the same as in “Track & Field”; however, the events are different. The events in “Hyper Sports” are:
- Freestyle swimming
- Skeet shooting
- Vaulting horse
- Archery
- Triple jump
- Weight lifting
- Pole vault
Released: 1988
Popularity around release date: 5/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Sound: 2/5
Graphics: 4/5
There are quite a few enhancements to this game compared to its predecessors. First, there are three modes of play: Training (which tests the abilities of a player,) Olympic (where a player competes against the computer) and Versus (which is where two players compete against one another.)
In addition, there were a lot more events, including some repeats from the previous games in the series like:
- Fencing
- Triple jump
- Freestyle swimming
- High dive
- Clay pigeon shooting
- Hammer throw
- Tae Kwan Do
- Pole vault
- Canoeing
- Archery
- Hurdles
- Horizontal bar
- Hang gliding
- Arm wrestling (for versus mode only)
Since the play is the same in all three games and there are different events in each, I recommend that you check them all out. If you like one of these games, it’s a pretty safe bet that you will like them all.
(45) Joust
Released: 1982
Popularity around release date: 2/5
Difficulty: 2/5
Fun: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 3/5
“Joust” is a simple game in which your character is a knight who rides an ostrich (player 1) or a stork (player 2). The object of the game is to destroy all of the buzzards, their eggs, and their hatchlings. When you destroy a buzzard, you generate an egg, which can be destroyed for extra points. Otherwise, you must contend with the hatchlings. The game is cute, but not too challenging.
(46) Kung Fu Remix
Released: 1985
Popularity around release date: 3/5
Difficulty: 2/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 3/5
“Kung Fu” is an easy but awesome video game. The whole idea is to kick everyone’s ass before they kick yours. People will come up to you, sometimes more than one at a time and from either the right or the left of the screen. The more asses you kick, the more points you get. The controls are simple and it’s only somewhat challenging, but it’s an awesome game from the past.
(47) Legend of Zelda
Released: 1986
Popularity around release date: 4/5
Difficulty: 4/5
Fun: 4/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 3/5
The one that started it all. You’ve played it, you’ve loved it, you’ve wondered if it’s weird to be turned on by those weird girls who dress up as Link at Comic Con.
By the way: it’s totally natural.
(48) Lizard Wizard
Released: 1985
Popularity around release date: 3/5
Difficulty: 2/5
Fun: 3/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 2/5
Graphics: 3/5
(Image by Jeff’s Games)
“Lizard Wizard” or “How I thought up an awesome title but blew it on a lame game.” It rhymes, and it implies two of the greatest things in the world right there in the name! Dinosaurs! Sorcerers! What could go wrong? As it turns out, a lot.
You play as a lizard who must avoid hitting dragons and fireballs. You get points for shooting rocks, fireballs, and dragons. The game is on a static screen and your character can move up, down, left, or right. “Lizard Wizard” is good for a laugh and to try something ancient and cute, but it’s not challenging at all and you WILL (and I say that with 100% confidence) get bored.
(49) Lunar Lander
Released: 1979
Popularity around release date: 4/5
Difficulty: 4/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Sound: 2/5
Graphics: 2/5
(Image by Ataricade)
Though the graphics on “Lunar Lander” leave a lot to be desired, this is a challenging game and it’s a lot of fun. The goal is to safely land on the landing pad. This is easier said than done, because the Lunar Lander is controlled using sensitive thrusters. You’ll use up quite a bit of fuel just after your first landing, so before going to the next one, you must land for refueling before continuing. You really have to experience it to fully understand how fun this game is.
(50) Mario Brothers
Released: 1983
Popularity around release date: 5/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 3/5
Before they were super! We first met Mario in the “Donkey Kong” series. “Mario Brothers” is actually a spin-off from “Donkey Kong,” and marks the first time that we see Mario’s brother, Luigi. The object of the game is simple: eliminate all of the enemies that flow out of the pipes. It’s your regular standard platform game from the 1980s. You can jump to avoid the enemies and to bump the floor above your character’s head. If the enemy is above when you bump the floor, they flip onto their back and wait to be destroyed. This is an awesome game and was one of the most popular of its time.
(51) Mega Man
Released: 1987
Popularity around release date: 4/5
Difficulty: 2/5
Fun: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 2/5
The goal of “Mega Man” is to destroy the evil robots and stop their master, Dr. Wily, from world domination. There are 7 stages in this platform game and the play is pretty much like any standard platformer of its time — fight through a level, beat the boss, rinse and repeat. However, in this game you earn the boss’s special ability after defeating him. Half the game was deciding the order to take the levels on, as you simply couldn’t beat certain levels without other boss’s powers. What was your method?
(52) Metroid
Released: 1987
Popularity around release date: 4/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Sound: 2/5
Graphics: 2/5
“Metroid” is a cool platform game that combines action and adventure with shooting. Though the graphics suck, they weren’t too bad for the time period. The music may be a little cheesy, but I think it’s catchy and it puts you in that 1980s game mode. The end of this game sent thousands of players into a downward spiral of gender confusion as they collectively shrieked, “What do you mean I’ve been playing as a girl this whole time?!”
(53) Missile Command
Released: 1980
Popularity around release date: 5/5
Difficulty: 4/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 3/5
(Image by GA Tech)
In “Missile Command”, you must protect your city by shooting at missiles and bombs that drop in around you. To add to the complexity of the game, you have three missile stations form which you have to choose. To play, you must move the crosshairs where you want them, choose which missile station you wish to use, and fire. The game play is challenging and very addicting.
(54) Moon Patrol
Released: 1982
Popularity around release date: 4/5
Difficulty: 2/5
Fun: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Sound: 2/5
Graphics: 2/5
Since “Moon Patrol” was released in the early 1980’s, you’ll need to look past the plain graphics, the simple concept, and the corny music. Instead, focus on the gameplay and you’ll have a blast. Your game character is a tank and the game play is to simply jump over pot holes and destroy obstacles and enemies in your path. It may not be very challenging, but it’s funny when your tank hits a hole in the road.
(56 through 60) Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, Super Pac-Man, Pac-Man Plus, Jr. Pac-Man, and Pac-Land
“Pac-man” is synonymous with 1980s arcade and video games. When the original “Pac-Man” was released in 1980, it ignited a new craze. A relatively simple game with a static screen, it was, and still is, addicting. There was even a song called “Pac-Man Fever”.
I’ll do us all a favor and not explain how to play. If you’ve never played, come out of your cave and try it. You’ll figure it out right after learning such skills as “not staring directly at the sun” and “how to operate indoor plumbing.”
Sequels were quickly rolled out for this game. There are actually more than just these six in the series, but these are the ones you can play online. All of them, with the exception of “Pac-Land”, have the same basic game play. There are some differences, but the basic principles are the same.
Released: 1980
Popularity around release date: 5/5
Difficulty: 4/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Sound: 2/5
Graphics: 3/5
Released: 1981
Popularity around release date: 5/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 2/5
Graphics: 3/5
Released: 1982
Popularity around release date: 5/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 2/5
Graphics: 3/5
Released: 1982
Popularity around release date: 5/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 2/5
Graphics: 3/5
Released: 1983
Popularity around release date: 5/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 2/5
Graphics: 3/5
(Image by Arcade Gamer)
Released: 1984
Popularity around release date: 5/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Sound: 2/5
Graphics: 4/5
(Image by Atari Sales)
“Pac-land” is the odd-man-out among the Pac games. The objective is for Pac-Man to get the fairy (hiding under his hat, natch) back to “Fairyland”. Of course, along the way there are various obstacles including the infamous ghosts from the original “Pac-Man” video game.
(61) Phoenix
Released: 1980
Popularity around release date: 5/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 4/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 2/5
Graphics: 2/5
(Image by Video Game Critic)
Like a lot of games from the early 1980s, “Phoenix” is outer space-themed. In each level, there are 5 rounds.
- In rounds 1 and 2, you must destroy alien birds. Some periodically fly out of formation and attack your ship.
- In round two, you have the ability to fire your weapons quicker, but the birds fly more unpredictably.
- In rounds 3 and 4, floating eggs quickly hatch into birds that swoop down and attack your ship. The only way to destroy them is by shooting them in the belly.
- The fifth and final round of each level consists of you destroying the mother ship, which is very difficult to do.
This game is challenging fun and also challenging and worth checking out.
(62) Pipe Dream
Released: 1990
Popularity around release date: 2/5
Difficulty: 2/5
Fun: 4/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 3/5
(Image by H1bbl.net)
“Pipe Dream” requires you to lay some pipe (wait for it…) in different shapes in a way that will let the slime ooze through. With each level, you need to have a certain amount of pipes put together within a certain time frame to move on to the next level. With each level, you have to connect more pipe pieces in less time. This should looks familiar to fans of the mini-games in “Bio Shock.” If you like puzzle games, you’ll love “Pipe Dream”.
(63) Pole Position
Released: 1982
Popularity around release date: 5/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 3/5
Uniqueness: 1/5
Sound: 2/5
Graphics: 3/5
Whether you were around in the 1980s or not, you should already know that “Pole Position” is a racing game. In the first race, you’re attempting to qualify for a professional race. If you qualify, the next race is the big show– Formula 1 (The NASCAR of the 80s.)
(64) Pong
Released: 1772 (Not a typo. This game predates the Revolutionary War. )
Popularity around release date: 4/5
Difficulty: 2/5
Fun: 2/5
Uniqueness: 2/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 2/5
(Image by Silvercublogger)
Everyone knows about “Pong”. This game is about as old as you can get on video games, but it’s a classic. It’s very basic, of course. The game play is the same as in tennis, ping pong, volley ball, or badminton. It might be boring to play for hours, but it’s a great game to play while reminiscing about the past or to see where gaming began.
(65) Ponpoko
Released: 1982
Popularity around release date: 2/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 3/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 3/5
(Image by Bruno’s Coding Zone)
“Ponpoko” is a platform game from the 1980s in which the object is to collect fruits and vegetables while climbing ladders, jumping over gaps in the floor, and avoiding the enemies. Also, there are gold baskets located throughout each level that will contain either fruits, vegetables, or a snake. It’s necessary to open the baskets, because you must collect all of the fruits and vegetables to advance to the next level.
(66) Pooyan
Released: 1982
Popularity around release date: 4/5
Difficulty: 2/5
Fun: 4/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Sound: (no sound online)
Graphics: 4/5
In “Pooyan,” your character is a mother pig who’s trying to protect her babies from wolves. Your character (”Mama”) is in a little elevator car that moves on a pulley. Two of her babies control the pulley. The wolves traveling by going up or down (depending on the level) via balloons (as their species is known to do). The object is to pop their balloons by shooting arrows at them. If you’re unsuccessful, the wolves move up to your area and climb the ladder to get to Mama and her babies.
(67) Popeye
Released: 1982
Popularity around release date: 5/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 4/5
(Image by Game New York-Tokyo)
Oh no! Bluto has kidnapped Olive Oil again! Your mission (as Popeye) is to catch all of the items that Olive Oil drops from above (hearts, musical notes, and the word “help”) without letting Bluto catch you. If you can get a can of spinach, then you can chase after Bluto and beat him up (for extra points, of course). If you’re from the 1980s, you’re sure to remember and love this game. If you’re not, check it out anyway. I think you’ll enjoy it.
(68) Q*bert
Released: 1982
Popularity around release date: 5/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 2/5
The object in “Q*bert” is to hop onto cubes to make them all a certain color while also avoiding any enemies that are attempting to attack you.
In the earlier levels, once you hop on a cube once, the cube stays that color. In later levels, the cube changes colors each time you hop on it, so most of the challenge is the puzzle of how to travel to each cube while making sure the colors are all the same. If it sounds confusing, that’s just because it doesn’t make any sense. Just try it, you’ll see what I mean.
(69) Qix
(NOTE: Press the space bar to start the game and use the arrow keys, ‘X’ and ‘Y’ as the controls.)
Released: 1981
Popularity around release date: 1/5
Difficulty: 4/5
Fun: 3/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Sound: 2/5
Graphics: 3/5
(Image by Trans Buddha)
The object of “Qix” is to claim as much of the board as possible. Your enemy in this game is a stick that travels quickly and unpredictably around the screen. Your character is simply a dot. That’s right, nothing fancy - just a dot. Move the dot to draw rectangular shapes before the stick can hit the line that you’re drawing. The edges of the screen are safe, but you must enter the center to score points. You can draw as many rectangles as you need and will only get penalized by losing a life (do dots have lives?) if the entity touches the line that you’re in the process of drawing.
(70) Road Fighter
Released: 1985
Popularity around release date: 3/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 3/5
Uniqueness: 1/5
Sound: 2/5
Graphics: 2/5
Yep. Another racing game from the ’80s. In this one, you must finish the course before the time is up. Of course, if you hit other cars, you’ll spin out and it slows you down. Also, you’ll run out of gas unless you find the multi-colored cars and run into them. It’s really that basic.
(71) Robotron 2084
Released: 1982
Popularity around release date: 3/5
Difficulty: 4/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Sound: 4/5
Graphics: 3/5
(Image by Geek Literature)
This game is really awesome and is geared more towards the hard core gamers. I’m not sure why “Robotron 2084″ wasn’t more popular upon its release. The objective is to protect and rescue a human family from a swarm of robots. The gameplay is simple but very fast paced. You can shoot the robots or just simply avoid them. Highly recommended.
(72) Rolling Thunder
Released: 1986
Popularity around release date: 3/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 4/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 4/5
“Rolling Thunder” is a spy/shooter/platformer. Your mission is to find and rescue a kidnapped female agent by shooting the enemies as you travel through the game. It has basic game play, but it’s still fun. You can definitely see how some the spy games of today evolved from ones like “Rolling Thunder”.
(73) Scramble
Released: 1981
Popularity around release date: 4/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 3/5
Uniqueness: 2/5
Sound: no sound online
Graphics: 2/5
(Image by Indie Games)
“Scramble” is a side scrolling shoot ‘em up space game where the object is to shoot down the enemy rockets. If one hits you, you lose a life. Also, beware of mountains as the land isn’t flat. This game is okay and I vaguely recall playing it in the 1980s, but it wasn’t a game of choice. Rather something different once in a while.
(74) Solomon’s Key
Released: 1986
Popularity around release date: 4/5
Difficulty: 4/5
Fun: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Sound: no sound online
Graphics: 5/5
One of the classic puzzlers, “Solomon’s Key” requires you to build or knock down stones to climb to retrieve keys. What makes it tricky is that some stones are static and can’t be knocked down. Try it– It’s more difficult than it looks.
(75) Sonson
Released: 1984
Popularity around release date: 2/5
Difficulty: 2/5
Fun: 2/5
Uniqueness: 2/5
Sound: 1/5
Graphics: 3/5
The reason I rated “Sonson” so low is that it’s just like a lot of video and arcade games from this era, but doesn’t really have anything special or unique about it. It’s a platform game where you must shoot the enemy while collecting items. Moving from floor to floor is easier than in most games of its type, which just makes this game seem unchallenging. However, if you like ’80s games, it’s worth a try.
(76) Space Ace
Released: 1984
Popularity around release date: 2/5
Difficulty: 5/5
Fun: 4/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 4/5
“Space Ace” has a simple gameplay, but it’s still very challenging. The object of the game is to travel the “space course” without bumping into any barriers. The tricky part is that the controls are very sensitive, so it takes some practice to get the hang of making the space ship go where you want it to. Anyone that has a good bit of patience and loves a challenge will love this game.
(77) Space Invaders
Released: 1980
Popularity around release date: 5/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 2/5
(Image by C# Corner)
Okay, here’s a classic that everyone should already know. Of course, it’s “Space Invaders”. Who didn’t love this game back in its day? This is a static screen game in which the object is to shoot down all of the enemies as they march across the screen. If you’ve played “Space Invaders” before, and who hasn’t, you’ll certainly want to play it again. If you’ve never played it, you haven’t truly lived, so give it a try.
(78) Spy Hunter
Released: 1983
Popularity around release date: 5/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 2/5
Sound: 5/5
Graphics: 4/5
(Image by Wikipedia)
If you ask me, this is one of the best games of its time. Sure, it’s another driving game, but it’s not really about racing. You’re a spy and you have to maneuver your spymobile around other cars and obstacles. Some cars you can push off the road and others you can shoot, but beware of the enemy’s cars– they will shoot at you. This game is awesome, and makes me wish my own car had an “Oil Slick” button. You have to try it!
(79) Star Castle
Released: 1980
Popularity around release date: 3/5
Difficulty: 5/5
Fun: 3/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 2/5
Graphics: 3/5
(Image by Total Motorcycle Website)
There’s not a lot movement in “Star Castle.” It’s on a static screen and your character is a static space ship. You can rotate, but not move. The object is to shoot the enemy ship. Sounds pretty easy, doesn’t it? There’s a catch, of course. The enemy ship is protected by rings of barriers that you must shoot through before you can get to the ship. There are missiles within the barriers that intermittently fly toward your ship at random moments and from different angles. Remember, your ship can’t move, so you have to shoot down these missiles before they shoot you.
The game is pretty fun, though basic in nature. The graphics are also very basic, but clear and not boxy like many games of this era.
(80 through 83) Super Mario Brothers, Super Mario Brothers 2, Super Mario Borthers 3, Super Mario World
It’s the “Super Mario Brothers” craze! These games all have about the same type of game play. The “worlds” are a little different in each as are some of the characters, enemies, and items. Unless you’ve been on another planet (or the Mushroom Kingdom,) you know that the Mario games in general are still in high demand. I’m sure you’ve all tried these and if not, you really need to!
Released: 1985
Popularity around release date: 5/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 2/5
Sound: 4/5
Graphics: 2/5
(Image by What The Crap)
Released: 1988
Popularity around release date: 5/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 2/5
Sound: 4/5
Graphics: 4/5
(Image by Ugo)
Released: 1990
Popularity around release date: 5/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 2/5
Sound: 4/5
Graphics: 3/5
(Image by Gaming Today)
Released: 1991
Popularity around release date: 5/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 2/5
Sound: 4/5
Graphics: 4/5
(Image by Blizzmax)
(84) Super Pitfall
Released: 1987
Popularity around release date: 3/5
Difficulty: 4/5
Fun: 3/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 3/5
(Image by Nitros9)
“Super Pitfall” is an action adventure game with an “Indiana Jones”-like theme in a platform format. Your character is Pitfall Harry, whose niece and friend have both been lost in the cavern. Just like in a lot of platform games, you can avoid or shoot enemies and can collect objects for extra points. Also, one added feature is that you’re actually in a maze and may need to reenter certain areas again, so memorization is a key factor.
(85 and 86) Tapper and Root Beer Tapper
“Tapper” and “Root Beer Tapper” put you in a Bartender’s position as you attempt to serve people their drinks (though I wonder what bar these game programmers went to where the bartender actually tried to serve everyone, rather than just serve the girls with the nice racks.)
You must serve the drinks in an allotted amount of time before the customers get angry. You can tell how must time you have left with each customer by how close they are to the bar. The closer the customer is to your end of the bar, the less time you have to complete the order. The faster you serve the drinks, the happier the customers and the more tips and points you receive.
The original game, “Tapper,” advertised Budweiser beer, but it wasn’t appropriate for minors. So in 1984 an arcade game called “Root Beer Tapper” came out. Both of these games have the same type of play, just a different beverage. In both games, there are different bar settings depending on the level you’re in:
- 2 levels have a country western theme with cowboys and cowgirls for customers.
- 3 levels have a sports theme with athletes as the patrons.
- 4 levels have a rock theme and punk rockers are the barflies
- and 4 levels have a space theme with aliens trying to get their drink on.
If you like action and/or time management games, you’ll love these two. If you’ve never tried a time management type game, try one of these.
Released: 1983
Popularity around release date: 2/5
Difficulty: 2/5
Fun: 4/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 4/5
(Image by Aaron’s MAME Memories)
Released: 1984
Popularity around release date: 3/5
Difficulty: 2/5
Fun: 4/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 3/5
(Image by PC World)
(87) Tempest
Released: 1980
Popularity around release date: 3/5
Difficulty: 2/5
Fun: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 3/5
(Image by Wikipedia)
Though basic, “Tempest” is a lot of fun and very entertaining. This game is a fixed shooter, where you must blast at the space object coming toward the center. There are different sections in which you may shoot from, so you can move your shooter all around the screen. The first few levels are very simple, but the game gets more challenging as you go. Don’t let the simple graphics and year of release turn you off. It’s not like today’s games, but still a lot of fun.
(88 and 89) Tetris and Hatris
Released: 1985
Popularity around release date: 5/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Sound: 4/5
Graphics: 4/5
(Image by Mental Slavery)
I’m sure everyone’s heard of “Tetris”. It’s that famous and popular puzzle game where you can manipulate the position and location of random shapes so they fit in the playing area. You obtain points for each line that is filled and the line then dissipates. Of course, you get extra points for clearing out the entire playing area.
Released: 1990
Popularity around release date: 3/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Sound: 4/5
Graphics: 3/5
(Image by Youfailit.net)
“Hatris” is of the same principal, but instead of shapes dropping, hat drop and you must place five identical hats on a person. The game play is similar to “Tetris”, but is different enough to make the game interesting and original in its own right. I highly recommend both of these games.
(90) Tropical Angel
Released: 1983
Popularity around release date: 2/5
Difficulty: 2/5
Fun: 3/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Sound: no sound online
Graphics: 4/5
In “Tropical Angel”, your character is a girl in a bikini riding on water skis who, by all indications, spends a lot of time on the stair master. The goal of this game is to marry a doctor and retire to the suburbs. Failing that, you must get through each course in the allotted time without bumping into the buoys or falling off. The game has some novel ideas, but they don’t come together in any sort of interesting way.
(91) Van Van Car
(NOTE: To start the game, press the number 5 and then press the number 1. Be sure to use the main part of the keypad and not the number keypad to the side. Use the arrow keys for the directional controls and the ‘Control’ key to jump.)
Released: 1983
Popularity around release date: 1/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 2/5
Uniqueness: 2/5
Sound: no sound online
Graphics: 2/5
The goal in this game is to collect balloons before the cars on the screen can catch up with you. You can also jump onto another track or over the cars to keep from being attacked. Different color balloons are worth a different amount of points.
(Image by Game Project 365)
(92) Xevious
Released: 1982
Popularity around release date: 2/5
Difficulty: 4/5
Fun: 3/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 3/5
(Image by Press The Buttons)
“Xevious” is an overhead shooting game from the early 1980s. Your plane flies simply by the screen scrolling upward. The goal is to shoot down all of the enemies. There are a total of 16 levels and though you may be able to get through the first few levels with ease, it’s very difficult to beat the game!
(93) Yie Ar Kung Fu
Released: 1985
Popularity around release date: 4/5
Difficulty: 4/5
Fun: 4/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 3/5
Graphics: 2/5
(Image by File Factory Games)
Though the graphics aren’t the greatest, this is an awesome early fighting game. The main character is Oolong, which is Japanese for “black dragon,” and Chinese for “complimentary tea served to white people.” Oolong fights martial arts masters. If you defeat all of the masters, you will receive the title of “Grand Master”.
(94 and 95) Zaxxon and Super Zaxxon
Released: 1982
Popularity around release date: 5/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Sound: 2/5
Graphics: 3/5
(Image by Classic Amiga)
“Zaxxon” was a completely original game in its time with graphics and a layout that we had never seen before. The goal of the game is to shoot down as many enemies as you can without your getting shot down yourself. You also need to be careful not to run out of fuel, but you can refuel by simply shooting fuel tanks.
Released: 1984
Popularity around release date: 4/5
Difficulty: 3/5
Fun: 5/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Sound: 2/5
Graphics: 4/5
(Image by Zaxxon Retro-Remake)
Due to the immense popularity of “Zaxxon”, “Super Zaxxon” was released in 1984. The game play is the same with a few enhancements and it’s just as fun.
Now that you’ve seen the glorified side of these games, let’s look at reality. When you play these games, this could and will happen to you.
Classic Video Game Deaths
Warning! These games are addicting - and deadly! Check out this video.
37 Video Game Deaths In 35 Seconds
Resources for playing more games online:
- VirtualNES.com
- arcade-history.com
- 1980-games.com
- gamescene.com
- goriya.com
- breumelhof.nl
- addictinggames.com
- fetchfido.co.uk
- miniclip.com
- tripletsandus.com
- nintendo8.com
- 2dplay.com
- heavygames.com
- fetchfido.co.uk
- flash-mania.com
- freefrogger.org
- onlinearcadegames.nl
- mofunzone.com
- classicgamesarcade.com
- mariobrothersonline.com
- puffgames.com
- reallyfunarcade.com
- pacmangame.net
- pacmangame.info
- en.t45ol.com
- onlinearcadegames.nll
- h1bble.net
- c64s.com
- slinkycity.com
- bcz.emu-france.com
- arcadeboss.com
- gametap.com
- everyvideogame.com
- flasharcade.com
- spaceinvaders.de
- download-free-games.com
- totalmotorcycle.com
- net-games.biz
- blizzmax.com
- nitros9.lcurtisboyle.com
- tripletsandus.com
- aarongiles.com
- chipsogcola.dk
- freetetris.org
- mentalslavery.com
- classicgamesarcade.com
- pressthebuttons.com
- classicamiga.com
- pankhurst.uklinux.net
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