Category: Arcade and Action Games

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:StarSoft Development GAME PUBLISHER:Keypunch Copyright 1989, StarSoft Development Aliants is a lackluster action game from Keypunch, maker of numerous budget action games in mid 1980s that were mostly below average. The plot is yet another rescue-the-Earth-from-Alien-invaders cliche, and the action is not much different…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:CnC Darkside GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2002, CnC Darkside We already knew that Japanese freeware developer CNC Darkside had a taste for bizarre fusions: G-Type (R-Type+Gradius), Super Mario XP (Mario+Castlevania)… This time, they took the characters of Card Captor Sakura, and put them in a…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:John Ratcliff GAME DEVELOPER:Electronic Arts GAME PUBLISHER:Electronic Arts Copyright 1997, John Ratcliff S.C.A.R.A.B. is an innovative mix of shooter and strategy genres that sadly received too little attention than it deserves. A spiritual descendant of Simutronic’s excellent but also underrated CyberStrike, S.C.A.R.A.B. is essentially a giant…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Corel GAME PUBLISHER:Corel Copyright 1995, Corel Arcade Mania is a collection of 3 lackluster arcade games from Corel, a company most famous for its Corel Draw series that dabbled in gaming industry with a few titles in the mid-1990s. The game has nothing you…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Nick Stadler GAME DEVELOPER:Project 2 Interactive GAME PUBLISHER:Epic Megagames Copyright 1999, Project 2 Interactive Jazz Jackrabbit 2: The Secret Files is the final release in Epic Megagames’ celebrated Jazz Jackrabbit series, which remains today one of the best shareware platformers of all time. In The Secret…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Alvin Mullin GAME DEVELOPER:Callisto Productions GAME PUBLISHER:Expert Software Copyright 1996, Expert Software Ultimate Spin Doctor is an obscure Windows version of ClockWerx, an innovative puzzle gamer that was endorsed by Tetris father Alexei Pajitnov and published by Spectrum Holobyte in 1995. The game remains the same…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:PowerWinds GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, PowerWinds Miko-san’s Miracle Board is an excellent 3D platformer from Japan that is remarkably similar to Pandemonium!, except it is less complex. Similar to Super Mario, your goal as Miko, a cute anime girl, is to run to the…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:CnC Darkside GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, CnC Darkside Super Mario XP is a great Super Mario clone from japan. While the graphics is not as good as Nintendo’s original – Mario looks like he has lost a few pounds, and the color palette is…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:HermitGames GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, HermitGames Super Mario Pac is one of the best Super Mario clones for PC you will likely find. This is not only because it remains faithful to the simple-yet-addictive gameplay of Nintendo’s blockbuster, but also because the game adds…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Impressions GAME PUBLISHER:Impressions Copyright 1995, Impressions Classic Arcade Games for Windows is a good collection of small arcade games for Windows. One of Impressions’ least-known releases, CAGFW includes five arcade games, all of which are variant of arcade classics but still a lot of…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Robin Thompson GAME DEVELOPER:Mastertronic GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, Robin Thompson Molecule Man is a nice Windows remake of a 1985 game of the same name that was published by Mastertronic for the Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Spectrum ZX, and most other 8-bit computers except the PC.…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Fluid Mechanics GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, Fluid Mechanics The Snowball Action Puzzle is a neat action/puzzle hybrid from Japan. The idea is simple: you control a 3D duck who must kill all the enemy ducks on each level by throwing snowballs at them while…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Lonaisoft GAME PUBLISHER:Lonaisoft Copyright 1999, Lonaisoft Bubble Bobble Hero 2 is an excellent and little-known Bubble Bobble clone from Taiwanese developer Lonaisoft. Although the game was translated from Chinese to English (the version you can download here), it was marketed only in a few…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:David Radcliffe GAME DEVELOPER:Code Monkeys, The GAME PUBLISHER:Sales Curve Interactive Copyright 1999, Code Monkeys, The Live Wire! is an interesting and somewhat innovative 3D puzzle game that unfortunately is much better as a concept than the actual gameplay. In this action-based game that is similar to…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Krisalis GAME PUBLISHER:Krisalis Copyright 1996, Krisalis Probably the most obscure game from now-defunct developer Krisalis, Legends is an average Zelda-style overhead action/RPG hybrid that has none of the charms of Nintendo’s classic. The game’s best feature is the plot, which is long and quite…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Core Design GAME PUBLISHER:EIDOS Interactive Copyright 1996, Core Design Blam! Machinehead is an action-filled, bizarre 3D shooter by Core Design with nice graphic effects and a B-Movie flair that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Here’s the plot: an evil DNA has gone berzerk and…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Scienide Digital Artwork GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, Scienide Digital Artwork Baktinet is the best PC clone I have ever seen of Nintendo’s popular Dr. Mario series. Similar to Tetris, the object of the game is to remove rows of similarly-colored “pills” or “virii” by…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Richard Rouse & Alan Roy GAME DEVELOPER:Paranoid Productions GAME PUBLISHER:WizardWorks Copyright 1998, WizardWorks Damage Incorporated is a fun but little-known first-person shooter based on the Marathon 2 engine that Paranoid Productions licensed from Bungie. The brief description at MobyGames goes as follows: “…[Damage Incorporated] incorporates a…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Aaron Boucher & Tim Stotenbur GAME DEVELOPER:ABTS Intelligent Group GAME PUBLISHER:ABTS Intelligent Group Copyright 1998, ABTS Intelligent Group Evil Core – Fallen Cities is a highly innovative and underrated 3D space shooter that combines elements from multiple genres into a fun experience. The comprehensive review at…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Take 2 Interactive GAME PUBLISHER:Acclaim Entertainment Copyright 1997, TSR & Take 2 Iron & Blood – Warriors of Ravenloft is a case study of a great idea mired by horrendous execution. The premise is simple but very innovative: here is a 3D one-on-one fighting…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Interplay GAME PUBLISHER:Interplay Copyright 1993, Interplay Russian 6 Pack is a fun collection of 6 puzzles and action games from Russia. The games are not terribly original, and like Paragon’s Troika, their quality is a mixed bag. A few games play like variants of…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Tetsuo & Adas GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, Tetsuo & Adas Solomon’s Key: Another Version is a neat freeware clone of Solomon’s Key, a neat puzzle game from Tecmo that was released on just about every 8-bit computer and consoles including the PC – thought…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, Anonymous Legend Cave by Japanese freeware designer Deep Blue is a fun RPG/action hybrid similar to Game Arts’ Sorcerian. You control an anime hero has he or she (you can choose character at the beginning) numerous fantasy creatures in…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Tsumiru Studio GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, Tsumiru Studio Ochakumi is a neat little arcade-style game from Japan that plays like an office version of Pac-Man. In the game, you play a cute anime-style secretary who has to collect various items that appear at random.…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2002, Anonymous Baku Funshigi is an interesting and quite unique 3D action game from Japan. The game plays like those cavefliers from Finland (or UrthWurm for that matter) – your only goal is to maneuver a tank to the exit…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Taku-chan GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, Taku-chan NemesisCrisis: Operation Gallant Thunder is another excellent freeware shooter from Japan. The game is similar to Rebel Assault, except with detailed polygonal 3D instead of photo-realistic digitized graphics. Gameplay is the same as other rail shooters: you view…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Bas deReuver GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, Bas deReuver In the crowded arena of Space Invaders clones (there must be hundreds of them floating around the WWW), Cash Invaders stands out from the rest with sheer size and playability. Inspired not only by Space Invaders…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Zac Soft GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2001, Zac Soft Acter World is a fun freeware clone of Taito’s classic Bubble Bobble. You control Princess Lina, who must kill all the enemies who have invaded the royal palace. You are equipped with a magical ring that…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Bio_100% GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 1998, Bio_100% Carax ’95 is a fun retro-style vertical shooter designed by Bio_100%, one of Japan’s oldest freeware design group (they also developed WinDepth, reviewed on this site). Carax ’95 resembles Galaxian and Space Invaders, in that you basically wait…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Eurosoft GAME PUBLISHER:Eurosoft Copyright 1988, Eurosoft Blow Up is a below-average clone of Boulderdash from UK-based Eurosoft, who released a number of games for the MSX computer in mid-1980s. The game is the same dig-the-path gameplay you have seen in Boulderdash, mixed with a…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:ASC Games GAME PUBLISHER:Electronic Arts Copyright 1996, ASC Games S.T.O.R.M. is a horrendous 3D underwater action game developed by ASC Games back when they were known as American Softworks. Your goal in this sci-fi action fest is simple: kill everything in sight by piloting…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:NMS Software GAME PUBLISHER:Virgin Interactive Copyright 1996, NMS Software Hyper 3-D Pinball is a fun pinball game with 6 well-designed tables, each with its own theme. Marketed as Tilt! in Europe, the game featues beautifully rendered graphics with ball-lock video animations and multiple views.…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Synergistic Software GAME PUBLISHER:Sierra On-Line Copyright 1995, Game Arts & Synergistic Software Thexder 95 is an excellent modern remake of the 1987 classic platformer that was developed by Japan’s Game Arts and published by Sierra in the West. The general play mechanics are left…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:CapDisc GAME PUBLISHER:Philips Media Copyright 1996, CapDisc Mega Maze is a decent PC version of an underrated puzzle game of the same name which was published by Philips Media in 1995 for its short-lived CDi console. Your goal in the game is to guide…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Alan Snow GAME DEVELOPER:Domestic Funk Productions GAME PUBLISHER:BMG Interactive Copyright 1996, Domestic Funk Productions Duck City is a wacky and fun collection of 6 action and puzzle games designed for kids of all ages. Designed by Alan Snow, creator of P.A.W.S, a wonderful “dog simulator” and…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:General Admission GAME PUBLISHER:General Admission Copyright 1996, General Admission General Admission’s Sport Pinball series rank among some of the worst pinball games ever made. Each game in the series presents one sport-themed table, and gets boring once you pass the initial “ooh, sport-themed table”…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:General Admission GAME PUBLISHER:General Admission Copyright 1996, General Admission General Admission’s Sport Pinball series rank among some of the worst pinball games ever made. Each game in the series presents one sport-themed table, and gets boring once you pass the initial “ooh, sport-themed table”…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:General Admission GAME PUBLISHER:General Admission Copyright 1996, General Admission General Admission’s Sport Pinball series rank among some of the worst pinball games ever made. Each game in the series presents one sport-themed table, and gets boring once you pass the initial “ooh, sport-themed table”…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Micro?ds GAME PUBLISHER:Micro?ds Copyright 1993, Micro?ds Nicky Boom and Nicky Boom 2 are two average platformers from Micro?ds, one of the oldest French companies in the business. Similar to WizKid or Soccer Kid, here you control a little kid as he makes his way…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Micro?ds GAME PUBLISHER:Micro?ds Copyright 1992, Micro?ds Nicky Boom and Nicky Boom 2 are two average platformers from Micro?ds, one of the oldest French companies in the business. Similar to WizKid or Soccer Kid, here you control a little kid as he makes his way…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Anthony Wood & David Ahl GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, Anthony Wood This is a real blast from the past 🙂 Anthony Wood of AW Software has kindly programmed and released, for free of charge, a wonderful Microsoft BASIC interpreter for Windows 95 and above.…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Syndicate Studios GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, Syndicate Studios Butterfly 660 is a fun freeware platformer that does what very few action games have tried to do: offer a solid storyline that develops as you play, with intriguing plot twists along the way. Unfortunately, this…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Run Productions GAME PUBLISHER:Run Productions Copyright 1996, Run Productions River Run is a fun vertical scrolling shooter from Run Productions that plays like a modern remake of Activision’s River Raid, although there is no acknowledgement anywhere in the game. Your objective: fly a jet…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Brodaroda GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, Brodaroda Afterburner 3D is an excellent fanmade remake of SEGA’s classic first-person shooter Afterburner. The game features excellent 3D graphics, great special effects, and even a nice soundtrack to round things off. Like Afterburner, your objective is simply to…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Riko GAME DEVELOPER:Fallen Angel Industries GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, Fallen Angel Industries Douglas Circumstance is an excellent anime-style platformer that will appeal to anyone who misses the days of 8-bit consoles. Darren McLeod’s review at Total Klik says it all: “If any of you grew up…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Metallic Clover GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, Metallic Clover FrontLine is a fun platformer that plays like Abuse with stickmen. The basic premise is simple: shoot all the enemy stickmen who appear on the screen. You start the game with a gun and a few…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Mirage GAME PUBLISHER:GT Interactive Copyright 1997, Mirage Bedlam 2: Absolute Bedlam is a better sequel to Bedlam, a decent isometric shooter in the same style as Crusader: No Remorse. Bedlam looks similar to Domark’s Total Mayhem at first glance. However, the units’ AI in…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Jeff Petersen & Rod Humble GAME DEVELOPER:Virgin Interactive GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 1998, Jeff Petersen & Rod Humble One of the best – if not THE best – modern remake of Atari’s classic Asteroids, Subspace takes the concept and makes it even more addictive by turning it…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Spidersoft GAME PUBLISHER:21st Century Entertainment Copyright 1995, 21st Century Entertainment Pinball Mania was the fourth pinball sim published by 21st Century. In contrast to the superb Pinball Dreams/Fantasies/Illusions trilogy, Pinball Mania is a very disappointing game that does not bode well for 21st Century’s…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Dave Dobson GAME DEVELOPER:Anonymous GAME PUBLISHER:Anonymous Copyright 2002, Dave Dobson For anyone who likes Bust-A-Move/Puzzle Bobble series, here is a new kid on the block that is even more fun than the Taito classics. Snood is an insanely addictive puzzler that looks deceptively simple, but will…