Xybots (Atari, 1987)
Xybots is a third-person shooter arcade game released by Atari in 1987. Two players control "Major Rock Hardy" and "Captain Ace Gunn", who must travel through a 3D maze and fight against a series of robots known as the Xybots, whose mission is to destroy all mankind.
The game features a split screen display showing the gameplay on the bottom half of the screen and information on player status and the current level on the top half. It was originally conceived as a sequel to Gauntlet, and includes a unique control scheme that involves rotating the joystick to turn the player's character.
#retrogaming #arcadegames #1980s
Battlezone (Atari, 1980)
Battlezone is a first-person shooter tank combat game released for arcades in November 1980 by Atari. The player controls a tank which is attacked by other tanks and missiles, using a small radar scanner to locate enemies around them in the barren landscape.
With its innovative use of three-dimensional vector graphics, the game is considered to be the first true 3D arcade game with a first-person perspective, the "first big 3D success" in the video game industry with approximately 15,000 units sold.
#1980s #arcadegames #retrogaming
R-Type (Irem, 1987)
R-Type is a horizontally-scrolling shooter arcade video game developed and released by Irem in 1987. The player controls a spacecraft, the R-9 "Arrowhead", in their mission to destroy the Bydo, a powerful alien race bent on wiping out all of mankind. The R-9 can acquire a glowing orbicular device called a "Force", protecting it from enemy fire and providing additional firepower.
The development team drew inspiration from Gradius, Aliens and works by H.R. Giger. The game's title stems from the word "ray", as in a ray of light, in reference to the player's raylike weapons used throughout the game.
R-Type was commercially successful and celebrated by critics for its graphics and addictive gameplay, although it would receive criticism for its high difficulty level. It is commonly cited as one of the best shoot 'em up video games, as well as one of the greatest video games of all time.
#retrogaming #arcadegames #1980s
Super Hang-On (Sega, 1987)
Super Hang-On is a motorcycle racing arcade game released by Sega in 1987, a sequel to 1985's Hang-On. There were two versions of the arcade cabinet - a stand-up/upright version, and a sit down/mini ride-on version. In 1991, a version in a full simulated motorcycle cabinet (similar to that used by the original Hang-On) was released as Limited Edition Hang-On.
The gameplay in Super Hang-On is like the original Hang-On, but there is now a choice of four tracks to race on: Beginner (Africa), Junior (Asia), Seniors (Americas) and Expert (Europe). Also, there is a new turbo button added; should the player reach the normal maximum speed of 280 km/h, this button allows the player to reach an even higher top speed of 324 km/h. When the player starts a race, they have their choice of four songs that will play during the race, a feature borrowed from Out Run.
#arcadegames #retrogaming #1980s
Ms. Pac-Man (Midway, 1981)
Ms. Pac-Man is a 1981 maze arcade game published by Midway. It is the first sequel to Pac-Man (1980). Controlling the titular character, the player is tasked with eating all of the pellets in an enclosed maze while avoiding four colored ghosts. Eating the larger “power pellets” lets the player eat the ghosts, who turn blue and flee.
Ms. Pac-Man was acclaimed by critics for its improvements to the original gameplay and for having a female protagonist. Critics have described it as superior to Pac-Man. It has been listed among the greatest video games of all time and as one of the most successful American arcade games ever made.
#arcadegames #retrogaming #1980s
Space Invaders Part II (Taito, 1979)
Space Invaders Part II is a shoot-em-up arcade game published by Taito in 1979. The sequel to Space Invaders (1978), the player controls a laser base that must destroy formations of descending aliens, while avoiding their projectiles. New features have been added, such as aliens that split into two when shot, and short cutscenes in-between stages.
#retrogaming #arcadegames #1970s
Ridge Racer (Namco, 1993)
Ridge Racer is a 1993 racing arcade game developed and published by Namco. The player can choose one of four levels, automatic or manual transmission, and the aim is to finish in first place.
Upon release, Ridge Racer was well received. The 3D polygon graphics which introduced texture mapping and Gouraud shading were described by critics as being revolutionary and the most realistic video game graphics seen up until then. It was also praised for its soundtrack and drifting-based gameplay.
#arcadegames #retrogaming #1990s
Virtua Racing (Sega, 1992)
Virtua Racing is a Formula One racing arcade game, developed by Sega and released in 1992. Though the use of 3D polygonal graphics was predated by Namco (Winning Run in 1988) and Atari (Hard Drivin' in 1989), Virtua Racing had vastly improved visuals in terms of polygon count, frame rate, and overall scene complexity which all contributed to a greater sense of immersion.
Virtua Racing introduced the "V.R. View System", allowing the player to choose one of four views to play the game. The Deluxe version has a 16:9 aspect-ratio monitor (the first use of a widescreen aspect ratio monitor in an arcade game).
Virtua Racing is regarded as one of the most influential video games of all time, for laying the foundations for subsequent 3D racing games and for popularizing 3D polygonal graphics among a wider audience.
#arcadegames #retrogaming #1990s
Hot-Rod (Sega, 1988)
Hot-Rod is a top-down arcade racing game developed by Sega. Released for arcades in 1988 in Japan and in 1989 worldwide, the game was available in a four-player cocktail-style cabinet as well as a three-player upright cabinet.
The catchy "Shop" theme used in this game would also be used in later Sega racing games, including Turbo Outrun.
#arcadegames #retrogaming #1980s
Ironman Ivan Stewart's Super Off Road (Leland, 1989)
Super Off Road is an arcade game released in 1989 by Leland. The game was endorsed by professional off-road racer Ivan "Ironman" Stewart.
In the game, up to three players compete against each other and the computer in racing around several top-view indoor off-road truck tracks of increasing difficulty. Cash bonuses are awarded for the faster drivers, which they can use to upgrade their trucks or buy more nitro.
#arcadegames #retrogaming #1980s