It's time to grab your joysticks and join us on a trip down Memory Lane, as we look back at the best computer games of the 1980s.
Now, some of our younger readers are probably thinking there were no decent games during that time. And they would be at least half right. Let's face it – nostalgia apart – there was a lot of games which sucked around that time. We love to reminisce about these old games ? but have you actually gone back and played on them? Sheesh!
They usually involved breaking your joysticks or C64, Spectrum or Atari keyboards just to make a mess of pixels and garish colours move across a screen as fast as possible. Then there was the terrible sound and the seemingly endless amount of time you had to stare at the loading screens.
However, there were games during this era which still work today. Sure, the blocky graphics could be better, but they did what a lot of developers seem to forget these days ? they were immensely playable. Enjoy!
25. Lode Runner
Is it just us, or did that game go on forever?
24. Archon
A strategy game which has withstood the test of time.
23. Ms Pac-Man
Brought the genius of Pac-Man to a new generation of gamers.
22. Thrust
A game which almost drove you insane trying to get that bloody rocket around various caves ? but you kept coming back for more.
21. Paradroid
Probably the best ever game released on the C64.
20. Outrun
OK, it's easy to scoff at it now, but Outrun was essential game-playing during the 80s.
19. International Karate+
Just take your average beat-em-up and then add a third player. Brilliant!!
18. Sid Meier’s Pirates!
Pirates on your PB? Genius!!
17. Microsoft Flight Simulator 1.0
OK, graphics have moved on quite a bit since 1982, but, who cares, it was a brilliant game.
16. Maniac Mansion
An adventure game that broke new ground.
15. Emlyn Hughes International Soccer
We once went without food for a day playing this game.
14. Pitfall
Has there ever been a more infuriating yet satisfying game?
13. Boulderdash
Remains one of the most addictive games of all time.
12. The Hobbit
Infuriating it may have been, but The Hobbit was insanely addictive. Personally, we found it hard to not try and kill everyone and everything that greeted us, which usually ended in them ?cleaving our skull?.
11. Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar
Few games have brought out the inner geek as much as this masterpiece.
10. R-Type
The best sideways scrolling shooter of the decade.
9. Rainbow Islands
So simple, yet so addictive.
8. Digger
Who knew digging could be so much fun?
7. Dungeon Master
Alongside Dungeons and Dragons the cartoon series, it brought tales of orcs, wizards and elves into the mainstream.
6. The Oregon Trail
Who knew Oregon could be so interesting? Oregon Trail was both educational ? it informed an entire generation as to the dangers of dysentery ? and fun.
5. Prince of Persia
An Apple II game that was ahead of its time.
4. Elite
Apparently, Elite was not a big hit in the States. Not sure which game they were playing.
3. Donkey Kong
One of the most fondly remembered games of all time.
2. SimCity
Why did we love this game so much? God knows. But who cares?
1. Tetris
Should have come with a government health warning.
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Mof Gimmers says
I would have included at least one of Matthew Smith’s games (Manic Miner, Jet Set Willy) as he’s surely one of the greatest games developers who ever walked the planet.
I would have also stuck one of the Dizzy franchise in, as I lost many perfectly good hours of my life trying to clock Fantasy World Dizzy.
Otherwise, a decent little list!
Shooty* says
Good call on Thrust. However, I would also add
Imogen (http://imogen.ovine.net/) Best BBC B graphics EVER),
Head Over Heels (http://retrospec.sgn.net/games/hoh/)
The first couple of Dizzy games
and, perhaps, codename: Droid and Strkyers Run.
emily says
thanks for doing my computing homework for me! i am 10.
; )