Home 1970s History Console Games Computer Games Miscellaneous

Computer Games - Sorted by Western Release

This is a list of handpicked computer games released on various home computer systems (C64, MSX2, DOS). I mostly focussed on genres more suited to home computers - such as adventure games and first-person shooters. If I completed the game, or enjoyed my time with it enough that I might consider replaying it - I added it to the page (with a few exceptions).


FILTER:

Star Raiders

A8 Release Date: 1979

Note: In the “Novice Mission” difficulty mode, your ship is invincible. Press [F3/Select] to select other modes, and then press [F2/Start] to begin. Basic Controls: [S]hield, [C]omputer, [F]ront View, [G]alactic Map, [H]yperwarp, [0-9] Speed, [L]ong View, [A]ft View Advanced Controls: [M]anual Target Select, [T]racker

Fort Apocalypse

A8 Release Date: 1982

3 Levels (2 areas) Advice: Land on grey platforms to checkpoint

Journey to the Planets

A8 Release Date: 1982

7 Planets Cartridge version removes the final (somewhat punishing) puzzle, as well as the difficulty settings for landings Advice: Do NOT run out of energy Disk Load: 31 seconds

Wayout

A8 Release Date: 1982

26 Levels Advice: Sometimes wind will prevent you from accessing areas. Also, if the “Cleptangle” steals your map, go and get it back! Controls: [ESC] Save Menu, [Enter] Load Disk Load: 24 seconds

Miner 2049er

A8 Release Date: 1/09/1982

10 Levels Controls: Use Keys [1-4] for elevators – Press [Spacebar] to use scissor lift Level Select Cheat: Type 2137826861 – Now you can warp by pressing a symbol: 1:[!] 2:[“] 3:[#] 4:[$] 5:[%] 6:[&] 7:[‘] 8:[@] 9:[(] 10:[)]

Captain Beeble

A8 Release Date: 1983

8 Levels (then it repeats but you can't touch walls) Advice: Press [F3/Select] for easy mode (slower enemies)

Castle Hassle

A8 Release Date: 1983

10 Levels Combines two games from 1982: Action Quest – Level 1-5 Ghost Encounters – Level 6-10 Advice: Play on “Child” mode for extra time, and press [F3/Select] to skip levels Controls (Ghost Encounters): [H]ammer, [K]ey, [M]agnet, [S]hovel, [T]orch, [=] |, [*] _

Gateway to Apshai

A8 Release Date: 1983

8 Levels (128 dungeon layouts) Controls: [F2/Start] Choose Weapon [F3/Select] Other Options [F4/Options] Choose Item

Jet Boot Jack

A8 EU Release Date: 1983 A8 NA Release Date: 1984

10 Levels Disk Load: 15 seconds

Mr. Robot and His Robot Factory

A8 Release Date: 1983

22 Levels Advice: Press [F3/Select] to skip levels Disk Load: 30 seconds + 23 seconds

Pharaoh's Curse

A8 Release Date: 1983

16 screens Disk Load: 20 seconds

Spelunker

A8 Release Date: 1983

6 Levels Controls: [D]ynamite, [F]lare, [Spacebar] Phantom Blaster Disk Load: 13 seconds + 33 seconds

Boulder Dash

A8 Release Date: March 1984

16 levels – 5 difficulty modes

Bruce Lee

A8 Release Date: April 1984

20 screens Disk Load: 26 seconds + 29 seconds

Ghost Chaser

A8 Release Date: 1984

15 screens Disk Load: 38 seconds

Matterhorn

A8 Release Date: 1984

4 Levels (then it repeats)

Maxwell Manor

A8 Release Date: 1984

Controls: [S]ave Game, [L]oad Game Disk Load: 30 seconds

Montezuma's Revenge

A8 Release Date: 1984

57 screens in Levels 1-2, 100 screens in Levels 3-9 Disk Load: 15 seconds

Run For It

A8 Release Date: 1984

6 Levels - 72 screens Disk Load: 33 seconds + 12 seconds Level Load: 10 seconds

Whistler's Brother

A8 Release Date: 1984

13 Levels Disk Load: 22 seconds Level Load: 6 seconds

Zenji

A8 Release Date: 1984

Endless

Karateka

A8 Release Date: 1985

Note: Rereleased on cartridge in 1988 Disk Load: 38 seconds + 12 seconds

Starquake

A8 Release Date: 1985

512 screens Disk Load: 35 seconds

The Goonies

A8 Release Date: 1985

8 Levels Disk Load: 51 seconds Level Load: 7 seconds

Zorro

A8 Release Date: 1985

16 screens Disk Load: 29 seconds

Metal Gear

MSX2 PAL Release Date: July 1987 MSX2 Japanese Release Date: 13/07/1987

CONTROLS: SPACE to use weapon M/N to punch F1 to pause F2 for weapons menu F3 for equipment F4 for transceiver F5 to continue

Project Firestart

C64 Release Date: 1989

Disk Load: 40 Seconds + 44 Seconds

Future Wars

DOS Release Date: 1989

DRM: Manual Press Left/Right Click together to access file menu for saving / loading. Game Overs: Possible Unwinnable States: Possible (if you do not pick up certain items)

Loom

DOS Release Date: January 1990 (EGA)

DRM: Manual (EGA) Game Overs: Impossible Unwinnable States: Not Sure

Castle Master

DOS Release Date: 1990

DRM: None? Controls: Arrow Keys to move, Left-Click to throw rock, Right-Click for action Additional Controls: C to crawl, W to Walk, R to Run, I for menu, P/L/F = Look Up/Down/Forward

Countdown

DOS Release Date: 1990

DRM: None? Press F to access file menu for saving / loading. Game Overs: Possible Unwinnable States: Not Sure

Rise of the Dragon

DOS Release Date: 1990

DRM: None? Game Overs: Possible Unwinnable States: Possible (if you say the wrong thing, or fail to pick up a certain item in one timed sequence).

Prince of Persia

DOS Release Date: September 1990

DRM: Manual (After Level 1) Originally released for Apple II in October 1989.

King's Quest V

DOS Release Date: November 1990

DRM: Manual (Several times during gameplay – this is removed in the 1992 CD release) Game Overs: Possible Unwinnable States: Many (22) NOTE: I cannot actually recommend playing this game.

The Secret of Monkey Island

DOS Release Date: December 1990 (VGA)

DRM: None (VGA) Game Overs: Impossible (except for one underwater segment – which is kind of an easter egg) Unwinnable States: Impossible (two exceptions: waste all pieces of eights, or never pick up forest map and then use up all burnable objects).

EcoQuest: The Search for Cetus

DOS Release Date: 1991

DRM: None? Game Overs: Impossible Unwinnable States: Impossible

Fascination

DOS Release Date: 1991

DRM: None? Game Overs: Possible Unwinnable States: Possible – Contains warnings if you are about to exit an area without an essential item. NOTE: Write down any numbers. Also, the game contains nudity.

Gobliiins

DOS Release Date: 1991

DRM: None? 22 Levels NOTE: The CD Release (1992 / 1993?) has a great soundtrack.

Lemmings

DOS Release Date: 1991

DRM: None? 120 Levels

Martian Memorandum

DOS Release Date: 1991

DRM: None? Game Overs: Possible Unwinnable States: Possible (Check a guide before leaving for Mars or you may have to redo half the game)

Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge

DOS Release Date: December 1991

DRM: Copy-Protection Wheel Game Overs: Impossible Unwinnable States: Impossible

Out of this World

DOS Release Date: 1992

DRM: Copy-Protection Wheel Originally released for Amiga / Atari ST in November 1991, but DOS / MAC versions were given an extra level. MAC version is 640x200 instead of 320x200.

The Legacy: Realm of Terror

DOS Release Date: 1992

DRM: Manual Basic Controls: WASD for movement, Q/E for turning, Right-Click the blue background to save/load/pause.

Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss

DOS Release Date: March 1992

DRM: None Basic Controls: WAXD for basic movement, J to jump Advanced Controls: 123 to look down/centre/up, Z/C to strafe, Q/E to levitate up/down, SHIFT+J for standing long jump. Additional Controls: S to walk forward, SHIFT+WAXD for tile-based movement (useful for speeding up swimming/levitating).

Wolfenstein 3D

DOS Release Date: 5/05/1992

DRM: None? Controls: ARROWS for movement, CTRL to shoot, SHIFT to run, SPACE to use (Door/Switch), ALT to strafe, 1-4 for weapons.

Flashback

DOS Release Date: 1993

DRM: Manual Originally released for Amiga in 1992.

Skyroads

DOS Release Date: 1993

DRM: None?

The Incredible Machine

DOS Release Date: 1993

DRM: None?

Myst

MAC Release Date: 24/09/1993

DRM: Disc Check

Doom

DOS Release Date: 10/12/1993

DRM: None? Controls: ARROWS for movement, CTRL to shoot, SHIFT to run, SPACE to use (Door/Switch), ALT to strafe, TAB for map, 1-7 for weapons.