Top Games By Genre (1980s) WIP
Misc. Action (Single Screen):
Frogger (ARC, 1981) - Avoid hazards, Top down view
Dig Dug ARC (1982) - Digging
Joust ARC (1982) - Flight, 2-Player vs.
Ballooon Fight (NES, 1984) - Joust-like
Megumi Rescue (SMS, 1988) & Flying Hero (NES, 1989) - Arkanoid variation/Fire Fighter Sim;
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Maze Action (Scrolling, Single Screen & Multi-Screen):
Mendel Palace/Quinty (NES, 1989) - 2-Player Co-op;
Ms. Pac-Man (ARC, 1981/SMS/MD, 1991/NES?/GG? 1993) - 2-player (SMS/MD/NES/GG only), Collectathon/Maze hybrid
Pac-Man (ARC, 1980/) - Collectathon/Maze hybrid, top down view
Pengo (ARC, 1982/) - Maze/Puzzle or Trapping
Pit Pot (SMS, 1985) - Multi-Screen, Puzzle;
Honorable Mentions: Clu Clu Land (NES, 1984)/AMI - 2-player Pac-Man-like/Fill in the paths, Gauntlet (Multi, 1985) - 2-player Co-Op Maze/Action; top down ; Druid II (C64, 1987) - Gauntlet-like with some Adventure elements ; Rally-X (ARC, 1980) & New Rally-X (ARC, 1981) - Maze/Driving/Collectathon, Top down, Basic map feature ; Bomberman (Multi, 1983/NES, 1985) - 1-player, Trapping;
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Ball Maze/Ball Labyrinth:
Marble Madness (ARC, 1984)/MD - Isometric 2-player vs. Racing, jumping via slopes
Rock'n Roll (AMI, 1989) - Collectathon/Maze; top down,
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Platformer (Scrolling)(generally side view):
Alex Kidd in Miracle World (SMS, 1986) - Action/Maze/Adventure;
Wonder Boy (ARC, 1986)/SMS (1987) - Action Platformer;
Star Wars (JP/Namco)(NES, 1987) - Alex Kidd in Miracle World-like
Rainbow Islands: The Story of Bubble Bobble 2 (ARC, 1987) & Rainbow Islands Extra (ARC, 1988/MD, ) - Vertical Platformer;
Psycho Fox (SMS, 1989) - Action Platformer
Honorable Mentions: The New Zealand Story/Kiwi Kraze (ARC, 1988/NES/SMS/PCE/MD) - Action Platformer/Run 'n Gun; Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars (SMS, 1988); Pac-Land (ARC, 1984)/PCE (1989) - Some Maze/Exploration-based levels; Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle (MD, 1989) - Maze (final level)/Adventure; Kikstart 2 (C64, 1987) - Motorbike, Obstacle course
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Platformer (Single Screen/Arena)(generally side view):
Bubble Bobble (ARC, 1986)/AMI/NES) & Bubble Bobble (SMS/GG) - 2-player Co-op, Action/Collectathon;
Don Doko Don (ARC, 1989)/NES/PCE (1990) - Bubble Bobble-like, 2-player Co-op;
Donkey Kong (ARC,1981) - Action
Donkey Kong Jr. (ARC, 1982) - Climbing,
Q*bert (ARC, 1982) - Isometric
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Hop 'n Bop Platformer/Mario-like:
Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES, 1988)/SNES (1993) - Auto-Scrolling levels, Maze/Exploration-based levels, Interactive hub map/overworld with some alternate paths
Super Mario Bros. NES (1985) - Some Maze levels, Action, (minor) Exploration
DuckTales (NES, 1989)/GB - Adventure elements, Action, Exploration
Yume Koujou Doki Doki Panic (NES, 1987) & Super Mario Bros. 2 (NES, 1988)/SNES (1993) - Four playable characters, Exploration;
Super Mario Land (GB, 1989) - Horizontal Shooter (one level), (minor) Exploration
Honorable Mentions: Bio Miracle Bokutte Upa (NES, 1988) - Use enemies as platforms; Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (NES, 1986)/SNES (1993) - Springs, different Luigi physics; Bonk's Adventure (PCE, 1989) - Hover jump, Action; Marvel Land (ARC/MD, 1989) - Mini-game style boss fights (janken, button mashing), J.J. & Jeff (PCE, 1987) - Low-brow humour, Action
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Collectathon Platformer:
Lode Runner (C64, 1983/ARC, 1984) - Action Platformer/Trapping
Flicky (ARC, 1984)/MD - Collectathon/Rescue Mission
Pine Applin (MSX, 1984)
Jumpman (1983) & Jumpman Junior (C64, 1983)
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Action Platformer:
Mega Man 2 (NES, 1988) - Run 'n Gun, Adventure elements (plan your route, character upgrades, optional tools)
Ghouls 'n Ghosts (ARC/MD, 1988)/SGX/X68K/PS1/SAT - Run 'n Gun
Willow (ARC, 1989) - Hack 'n Slash, Maze (one level), Shops, Two different playable characters (auto-picked)
Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse (NES, 1989) - Alternate paths, Four different playable characters (can only team up with one at a time though)
The Revenge of Shinobi (MD, 1989) - Run 'n Gun, Maze (last level)
Honorable Mentions: Mega Man (NES, 1987) - Run 'n Gun, Adventure elements (choose your own path (level select screen), Replay beaten levels); Ninja Spirit (ARC, 1988)/PCE/GB) - Run 'n Gun; Toki (ARC, 1989)/AMI/NES - Run 'n Gun; Castlevania (NES, 1986); Shinobi SMS (1988) - Run 'n Gun, FPS/Light-Gun style (Single Screen) mini-game, Hostage rescue; Shinobi (ARC, 1987) - Run 'n Gun, FPS/Light-Gun style (Single Screen) mini-game, Hostage rescue; Black Tiger/Black Dragon (ARC, 1987) - Shops; Legend of Hero Tonma (ARC/PCE, 1989) - 2-player Co-op (1-player on PCE?), Run 'n Gun; Batman (NES, 1989) - Run 'n Gun; Holy Diver (NES, 1989) - Castlevania-like; Wonder Boy in Monster Land (ARC, 1987)/SMS, 1988) - ARPG/Adventure elements, Maze (final level); Strider (ARC/MD, 1989); Wizards & Warriors (NES, 1987) - Collectathon; Bonze Adventure (ARC/PCE, 1988) - Run 'n Gun
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Exploration-Based Platformer/Maze Platformer:
SonSon II (PCE, 1989) - Wonder Boy in Monster Land-like
Vampire Killer/Castlevania (MSX, 1986) - Optional paths
Montezuma's Revenge (C64, 1984)/SMS (1989) - Multi-Screen
King's Valley II (MSX, 1988) & Edit Contest Version - Multi-Screen, Puzzle Platformer, Sometimes looping screen
Shadow Land/Yokai Dochuki (ARC/NES, 1987) - Shops, Map feature, Alternate endings
Honorable Mentions: Prince of Persia (PC, 1989) - Action Platformer; Pitfall II: Lost Caverns (PCs/ARC, 1984); Thexder (PCs, 1985)/DOS (1987) - Ship transformation (Flight); Major Havoc (ARC, 1983) - Rail Shooter/Platformer hybrid, Low gravity, Collectathon, Map feature, Fuel mechanic; King's Valley (Multi, 1985) - Multi-Screen/Collectathon, Lode Runner/Pac-Man-like; Alley Cat (PC, 1983) - Multi-Screen; Galivan: Cosmo Police (ARC, 1985) - Open levels; Cauldron (C64, 1985) - Defender-like/Maze; Treasure Trap (AMI, 1989) - Isometric, Map feature
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Puzzle Platformer:
Solomon's Key (ARC, 1986/NES, 1987/SMS, 1988) - Single Screen, Alternate endings
Doki Doki Penguin Land (SG-1000/MSX, 1985/SMS, 1988)
Spherical (AMI, 1989) - Solomon's Key-like
The Bugs Bunny Crazy Castle (NES, 1989/GB) - Pipes;
Burger Time (ARC, 1982) - Collectathon/Action Platformer, Single screen
Honorable Mentions: The Castles of Doctor Creep (C64, 1984) - 2-player Co-op Only
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Zelda II-Like or "Sidescrolling exploration-based games with RPG/Action Adventure elements whose areas are broken up and/or connected by an overworld map/hub area that allows for at least some non-linear progression (possible last criteria: backtracking to earlier levels/areas should be possible and useful?)"
Kenseiden (SMS, 1988) - Hub map, Optional areas;
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (NES, 1987) - ARPG/Action Adventure hybrid, Interactive overworld, Flight;
The Treasure of Usas (MSX, 1987) - Puzzle, Two playable characters (switch after bosses), Hub area (choose between two labyrinths at a time);
Space Hunter (NES, 1986) - Multi-Screen, Hub map (choose your own path), Thrust-based flight, Top down in-doors areas;
TMNT (NES, 1989) - Interactive overworld with action elements, Switch between 4 playable chars on the fly;
Honorable Mentions: Cyborg Hunter (SMS, 1988) - Radar system, Hub area, Flight; Saboteur II: Avenging Angel (C64 etc, 1987) - Choose your own path (mission select); Getsu Fuuma Den (NES, 1987) - First Person/Dungeon Crawler segments, Hub map; SpellCaster/Kujaku Ou (SMS, 1988) - Graphic Adventure/Visual Novel segments, no hub map; Clash at Demonhead (NES, 1989) - Hub map;
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Platform Adventure/Sidescrolling Action Adventure or Metroid-like/Metroidvania (interconnected world, searching for tools/upgrades to progress):
Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap (SMS, 1989)/PCE (1991)/GG (1992) - ARPG, Transformations;
Zillion (SMS, 1987) - Stealth, Three playable characters (minor differences);
Blaster Master (NES, 1988/GBC, ) - Vehicle/On Foot hybrid, Top Down Maze segments;
Metroid (NES, 1986) - Zoomed in map feature via romhack;
Exile (AMI/C64, 1988) - Flight, advanced physics for the time;
Honorable Mentions: Faxanadu (NES, 1987) - ARPG; The Battle of Olympus NES (1988)/GB - Reverse gravity boots, Vague world map when moving between areas; The Scheme (PC-88, 1988) - Multi-Screen; Tengoku Yoitoko/Welcome to Heaven (MSX, 1987) - Multi-Screen, RPG elements, Town hub; Maze of Galious/Knightmare II: MoG MSX/NES (1987) - ARPG; The Goonies II (NES, 1987) - Graphic/P&C Adventure elements, Double plane world; Impossible Mission II (Multi, 1988) - Multi-Screen, Map feature; Impossible Mission (C64, 1984)/SMS (1988) - Multi-Screen, Map feature, Puzzle, avoid hazards; Cosmo Police Galivan (NES, 1988) - ARPG; Draconus (C64/Spectrum, 1988) - Transformation (for swimming), X-ray power up; Starquake (Multi, 1985) - Flight power up;
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Run 'n Gun (Side View)(generally can't backtrack through levels):
Super C (ARC, 1988/NES, 1990) - 2-player Co-op, Top Down even levels
Contra (ARC, 1987)/NES (1988) - 2-player Co-op, TPS levels (single screen, fixed movement)
Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair (ARC, 1988)/PCE CD/MD - 2-player Co-op, H-Shooter segments, flexible auto-scrolling (see Altered Beast)
Rolling Thunder (ARC, 1986/NES, 1989) - Cover Shooter/Action Platformer
Atomic Runner/Chelnov (ARC, 1988)/MD (1992) - Auto-Scrolling Action Platformer
Honorable Mentions: Mirai Ninja/Cyber Ninja (ARC, 1988); Sly Spy (ARC, 1989) - Action Platformer, Auto-scrolling falling segment (intro level); Act Fancer: Cybernetick Hyper Weapon (ARC, 1989) - Action Platformer; Robocop (ARC, 1988) - QTE (quick-time events), Light-Gun style bonus level;
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Run 'n Gun (Top Down View):
Jackal (ARC, 1986/NES, 1988) - 2-player Co-op, Hostage rescue;
Valkyrie no Densetsu/Legend of Valkyrie (ARC, 1989)/PCE (1990) - Platformer hybrid, Adventure elements, 2-player Co-op;
Gun.Smoke (ARC, 1985/NES, 1988) - Auto-scrolling, Collectathon, 1-player;
Undead Line/Undeadline (MSX, 1989/MD, 1991)/X68K - Auto-Scrolling V-Shooter, 1-player, RPG elements;
Märchen Maze (ARC, 1988)/X68K (1991) - Isometric (top down on PCE (1990)), 1-player (2-player alternating turns);
Honorable Mentions: Escape from the Planet of the Robot Monsters (AXL/ARC, 1989) - Isometric, Cover Shooter (ducking), 2-player Co-op, Hover Car Maze segments; Red Alert (PCE CD, 1989) - Free-Roaming segments, 1-player, Strafing; The Ninja (SMS, 1986) & Ninja Princess (ARC, 1985) - Collectathon, some Auto-Scrolling levels, Dodge move (SMS); Rush & Crash/Speed Rumbler (ARC, 1986) - Jackal variation, some auto-scrolling segments, 1-player; Bloody Wolf (ARC/PCE, 1989); Rambo: First Blood Part II/Ashura (SMS, 1986) - 2-player Co-op; Commando (NES/ARC/C64, 1985) - 2-player co-op; Heavy Barrel (ARC, 1987/NES, 1990) - 2-player Co-op, Locked chests; Devil World/Maju no Okoku (ARC, 1987) - 2-player Co-op, Worse western version (Dark Adventure); Guerrilla War (NES, 1987) - 2-player Co-op; Ikari Warriors (ARC, 1986)/NES - 2-player Co-op; Cobra Triangle (NES, 1989) - Mini-games/Racing/Arena Shooter;
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Flight-Based Run 'n Gun/Action:
Mr. Heli (ARC/PCE, 1987/1989) - Similar to Fantasy Zone, Destructible wall tiles;
Mr. Ghost/Yuureikun (MSX, 1989) - Multi-Screen, Destructible tiles;
Bakutotsu Kijuutei/Baraduke II (ARC, 1988)
Baraduke (ARC, 1985)
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Beat 'em up (Side view and tilted view):
River City Ransom (NES, 1989) - 2-player Co-op, ARPG hybrid, run move;
Final Fight (ARC, 1989)/MCD - 2-player Co-op;
Double Dragon (ARC, 1987)/MD (w/ mods) - 2-player Co-op, Platformer elements;
Splatterhouse (ARC, 1988) - Hack 'n Slash/Run 'n Gun, side view;
Double Dragon II (ARC, 1988/NES/AMI, 1989/PCE CD) - Platformer hybrid (moreso on NES), 2-player Co-op;
Honorable Mentions: Altered Beast (ARC/MD, 1988) - 2-Player Co-op, side view, transformations, flight (level 2); P.O.W.: Prisoners of War (ARC, 1988) - 2-player Co-op, Guns (limited ammo); Wild Fang/Tecmo Knight (ARC, 1989) - 2-player Co-op, Platformer elements, switch between three characters on the fly?; Kodure Okami/Lone Wolf and Cub (ARC, 1987) - 1-player?, mini-game duels;
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Hack 'n Slash/Weapon-Based:
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/TMNT (ARC, 1989/NES, 1990) - 4-player (2-player on NES) Co-op, No friendly fire?, one auto-scrolling level;
Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti (NES, 1989) - Action Platformer, Side view, Some alternate paths;
Golden Axe (MD/ARC, 1989) - 2-player Co-op, Platformer elements; Beast rides;
Dynasty Wars (ARC, 1989) - 2-player Co-op, Horseback riding (doesn't affect gameplay much), no jumping, no grabs or throws;
Ashguine Story 2: Citadel in the Void (MSX, 1987) - Top down, Can go backwards in a level but not turn around
Honorable Mentions: Genocide (X68K, 1989)/PCE CD/FMT (1993) - Action Platformer, side view;
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Fighting (generally 1 on 1):
International Karate+/IK+ (C64, 1987/AMI, 1988) - 3-player vs., head butt move, shield mini-game;
Yie Ar Kung-Fu II: The Emperor Yie-Gah (MSX, 1986) -
Budokan: The Martial Spirit (AMI, 1989/MD) - Sports
Barbarian (C64, 1987/AMI, ) & Death Sword (AMI, 1987) -
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Action Adventure or Zelda 1-like (Top Down View):
The Guardian Legend (NES, 1988) - Multi-Screen Maze/V-Shooter hybrid, map feature;
Golvellius: Valley of Doom (SMS, 1988) - Multi-Screen Maze, Action Platformer & V-Shooter segments, Flight power up, good translation;
Super Cooks (MSX, 1989) - Golvellius-like, parody theme;
The Legend of Zelda (NES, 1986) - Multi-Screen Maze, non-linearity, warps, basic map feature;
Neutopia (PCE, 1989)
Honorable Mentions: Shin Maou Golvellius/"Golvellius 2" (MSX2, 1988) - More RPG elements; King Kong 2 (MSX, 1987) - Multi-Screen Maze; The Magic of Scheherazade (NES, 1987) - ARPG; Little Ninja Brothers (NES, 1989)/SNES? - 2-player Co-op, ARPG (RPG style boss battles), Single Screen Beat 'em up encounters, escape from random encounters (dice roll); Head Over Heels (PCs, 1987)/Remake (2003) - Isometric, Puzzle; two character team gameplay (switch on the fly); Willow (NES, 1989) - Hack 'n Slash; stab and swing, diagonal movement (but not attacks), limited quick travel/teleportation, mostly linear; Paradroid (C64, 1985) & Paradroid: Metal Edition/Heavy Metal Paradroid (C64, 1989) - Maze/Action, map feature, bestiary in-game, level up/upgrade by taking over enemy robots in a unique mini-game;
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Stealth Action (Action Adventure/Maze):
Metal Gear (MSX, 1987) - Top Down Maze Action/Cover Shooter?, some interesting gear (mines, controllable missiles), "lose all equipment" moment;
Airborne Ranger (C64, 1987/AMI, 1989) - Top Down Action/Cover Shooter?, Mission-based (choose your path);
Hostages (PCs, 1988) - Mini-games/Action; mission-based
005 (ARC, 1981) - Multi-Screen, Defender-like segments (helicopter), shows enemy fov inside buildings;
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Survival Horror (Action Adventure):
It Came from the Desert (AMI, 1989) - Graphic Adventure w/ FP Light-Gun- and Top Down Run 'n Gun-style action sequences, time limit (need to collect evidence and present it to the mayor), hub map, sound signalling for enemies;
War of the Dead Part 2 (MSX2/PC-88, 1988) - Action Adventure, top down;
Project Firestart (C64, 1989) - Run 'n gun/Maze, Tilted view (see Renegade), no jumping, storytelling through journals, dynamic music triggers;
Sweet Home (NES, 1989) - JRPG, Puzzle, Perma-death, diary entries, multiple endings;
Shiryou Sensen: War of the Dead (MSX2/PC-88, 1987)/PCE (1989) - Rescue Mission, ARPG, Top down exploration and side view battles (random encounters), day to night cycle, no jumps until the PCE ver.
Honorable Mentions: Monster Bash (ARC, 1982) - Single Screen Action, Collectathon, Side view and top down view levels; Laplace no Ma (PC-98, 1987)/X68K (1990)/PCE CD (1993)/SNES (1995) - FP JRPG (PC-98/X68K/PCE CD); SNES ver.: hub map, top down view outside of battles;
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Puzzle (Real-time):
Boulder Dash (PCs, 1984/ARC, 1985)/NES (1990) & BD II (C64, 1985) & BD III (C64, 1986) & Emerald Mine (AMI, 1987) - Maze/Trapping, Side view but the player char doesn't fall down pits;
Adventures of Lolo (NES, 1989) - Top Down;
Tetris (NES/ARC/C64/GB, 1989)/MD (1989) - 2-player vs.
Kwirk/Puzzle Boy (GB/FDS, 1989)/PCE (1991) - Two character team gameplay (switch on the fly);
Kickle Cubicle/Meikyu Jima (NES/ARC, 1988) - Top down, Block pushing/sliding, revolving pole puzzles;
Honorable Mentions: Tetris (Tengen) (NES, 1988) - 2-player Co-op, Chip's Challenge (PCs, 1989)/Lynx - Top down; Klax (ARC, 1989)/MD/PCE etc. - 2-player vs.; Shikinjoh (PC-98/MD, 1989/1991) - Sokoban-like; Bubble Ghost (PCs, 1987)/GB, 1990) - Flight, better controls on GB, side view; Eggerland: Souzouhe no Tabidachi (NES, 1988), Eggerland (FDS, 1987); Eggerland Mystery 1 & 2 (MSX, 1985/1986) - Block pushing, transform enemies into blocks; Skweek (AMI, 1989)/GG - Maze Shooter, Top down; The Sentinel (AMI/PC, 1986) - Tactical Combat, First person, take the high ground by creating platforms with collected energy and then kill the sentinel and sentries, polygonal graphics, map feature; Flappy (FM-7/PC-88/X-1, 1983/MSX, 1984/NES, 1985) - Boulder Dash-like (predates it though); Sokoban (PC-88, 1982) & Sokoban 2 PC-88 (1984) & Sokoban Perfect (PC-98, 1989) & Boxxle GB (1989) & Shove It! (MD, 1990) - Maze/Puzzle - Push blocks through a maze into marked spots, top down view; Oil's Well (C64, 1983) - Single-Screen Collectathon, Snake-like;
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Action RPG/ARPG (Real-time):
Ys: Vanished Omen/Ys: Book I (PCE CD, 1989/SAT, 1998 (Falcom Classics II)/PC, 2001) - Bump system (slightly to the side here), regenerating health, basic dialogue trees, save anywhere except during dialogue or boss battles;
Ys II/Ys: Book II (MSX2, 1988/PCE CD, 1989/NES, 1990/PC, 2001) - Bump system, Transform into a monster and talk to monsters;
Quest For Glory I: So You Want To Be A Hero PC (1989)/VGA (1992) - Quest Adventure/RPG hybrid, character creation, clunky combat;
Ys III: Wanderers from Ys (PC-88, 1989)/X68K (1990)/PCE CD/MD/SNES (1991) - Platform Adventure, most polished on MD?, best chiptune music on X68K;
Xak: The Art of Visual Stage (PC-98, 1989)/PCE CD, 1992/SNES (1993) - Action Adventure;
Honorable Mentions: Esper Dream (NES, 1987) - Action Adventure, avoidable non-random encounters (Arena Shooter style); AshGuine Story III (MSX, 1987) - Action Adventure; avoidable non-random encounters on the world map (Zelda-style combat in dungeons); Zeliard (PC etc, 1987) - Platform Adventure; Legacy of the Wizard/Dragon Slayer IV: The Drasle Family (NES/MSX, 1987) - Platform Adventure, multiple playable characters; Sorcerian (PCs, 1987)/MD/PC Remake - Platform Adventure, Create and control a whole party; Prophecy: The Fall of Trinadon (PC, 1989) - Top down;
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Action>Shoot 'em up/Shooter (Single Screen/Arena Shooter):
Gain Ground (ARC, 1988/MD, ) - Puzzle/RTT, 2-Player Co-op, Top down view, rescue characters for later use, dead chars stay dead;
Galaga (ARC, 1981) & Galaga '88 PCE (1987) - Space Invaders variation;
Battle City (NES, 1985) - 2-player vs., Single Screen Maze Shooter;
Missile Command (ARC, 1980/) - Turret Shooter, trackball control, side view
Robotron 2084 (ARC, 1982) - Berzerk variation;
Honorable Mentions: Wizard of Wor (ARC, 1980/C64, 1983) - 2-player vs., Maze-like level layout, top down view; Warlords ARC (1980) - 4-player vs. battle with Arkanoid-like elements, top down view, Pang/Buster Bros/Pomping World (ARC/PCE CD/AMI etc., 1989) - Space Invaders variation, 2-player Co-op, Side view;
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Maze Shooter (generally top down view with a humanoid avatar):
Ai Senshi Nicol (FDS, 1987) - Top Down Platformer; diagonal movement and targeting;
Meikyuu Jiin Dababa (FDS, 1987) - Top Down Platformer, Star Tropics-style jumps, switch puzzles;
H.E.R.O. (A2600, 1984)/SG1000 - Flight, Rescue Mission, bombs, partially destructible environment, side view, limited fuel/timer;
Dungeon Explorer (PCE, 1989) - 4-player Co-op?, ARPG elements, town hub
Rambo III (MD, 1989) - Run 'n Gun, some Cabal-like segments, bombs,
Honorable Mentions: Nazo no Murasame Jou/The Mysterious Murasame Castle (NES, 1986) - Multi-Screen, Action; Crack Down (ARC, 1989/MD, 1990) - Stealth/Cover Shooter, 2-player Co-op, map feature; Firepower (AMI, 1988) - 2-player Co-op, Tanks, destructible environment; Alien Syndrome (ARC, 1987/SMS/NES/GG) - 2-player Co-op; Ganbare Goemon 2 (NES, 1989) - Action Adventure-ish; Atic Atac (Spectrum, 1983) - Multi-Screen Maze/Action/Collectathon, three playable characters, multiple floors, hidden paths; Castle Wolfenstein AII (1981) - Multi-Screen Maze/Shooter, top down view, some Adventure elements, search enemy corpses for items; Berzerk ARC (1980) - Multi-Screen Maze Shooter; Dragon Buster II (NES, 1989) - Rogue-lite?, hub map/overworld (choose between 2-3 dungeons at a time), limited fov in dungeons;
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Tube Shooter:
Tempest ARC (1981) - Fixed movement, Third person view
Gyruss (ARC, 1983)/FDS (1988) - Fixed movement, TP view
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Horizontal Scrolling Shooter/H-Shooter (generally side view and left to right scrolling):
R-Type (ARC, 1987/SMS, 1988/PCE/X68K, 1989) - Pod mechanic, hidden level on SMS;
Life Force (ARC, 1986)/NES - 2-player Co-op
Gradius III (ARC, 1989/SNES, ) - New weapon setups, 1-player
U.N. Squadron (ARC, 1989) - 2-player Co-op, air to ground attacks, three playable characters, shops;
Thunder Force II (MD, 1988/X68K) - Top Down Free-Roaming hybrid (every other level); weapon inventory, respawn on the spot (lose current weapon) until game over,
Honorable Mentions: R-Type II (ARC, 1989)/AMI; Aleste II (MSX, 1989); Gradius II/Vulcan Venture (NES/ARC, 1988)/PCE CD/X68K (1992)/PS1/SAT (1996) - Choose weapon setup pre-game; Salamander/JP Life Force (ARC, 1986) - 2-player Co-op; Forgotten Worlds (ARC, 1988)/PCE CD/MD - 2-player Co-op; 360 degree targeting, shops, unlimited credits in 2-player on MD as long as only one player died, 1-player on PCE CD; Space Manbow (MSX, 1989); Prehistoric Isle in 1930 (ARC, 1989) - Some vertical scrolling (side view) segments, 2-player Co-op; Gradius (ARC, 1985)/NES - Upgrade system, gun drones; Abadox: The Deadly Inner War (NES, 1989) - H/V-Shooter hybrid; Darius II/Sagia (ARC, 1989) - 2-player Co-op; two screens wide gameplay field;
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Defender-like/Looping H-Shooter:
Fantasy Zone II: The Tears of Opa-Opa (SMS, 1987) - Warps (two planes to each level), stationary shops, gear inventory, basic map;
Fantasy Zone (ARC, 1986)/SMS/PCE - Moving shops, gear inventory, basic map;
Choplifter (PCs, 1982/ARC, 1985/SMS, 1986) - Rescue missions
Wings of Fury (AII, 1987)/AMI (1990) - Flight Combat, landing and taking off (zoomed in view);
Defender (ARC, 1980)/ - Looping levels that scroll left and right, map feature;
Honorable Mentions: Wizball (C64, 1987)/PC Remake - Adventure/Puzzle, ingredient mixing; Lunar Jetman (Spectrum, 1983) - Thrust mechanics, buggy companion (ride it to protect yourself from regular enemies); Datastorm (AMI, 1989) - Map feature
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Vertical Scrolling Shooter/V-Shooter:
Blazing Lazers (PCE, 1989) -
Fire Shark (ARC, 1989)/MD - Smart bombs;
Power Strike (SMS) & Aleste (MSX, 1988) - Zanac-style weapon system, different levels on MSX?
1943 Kai (ARC, 1988/PCE, 1991)
TwinBee 3: Poko Poko Daimao (NES, 1989) - 2-Player Co-op;
Honorable Mentions: Truxton/Tatsujin (ARC, 1988)/MD/PCE - Smart bombs; Last Duel (ARC, 1988) - 2-player Co-op, gun drones; Battle Squadron (AMI, 1989) - 2-player Co-op, alternate cave paths; Dragon Spirit (ARC, 1987) - 1-player, grow in size when upgraded, air to ground attacks; Astro Warrior (SMS, 1986) - Gun drones, short (loops); 1943: The Battle of Midway (NES, 1988) - RPG elements, hidden power ups; Zanac (NES, 1986) - Rank system (Gets harder if you're constantly shooting and upgrading), good weapon variation; APB/All Points Bulletin (ARC, 1987) - Driving/Chase, Multi-Directional Scrolling training segments; Image Fight (ARC, 1988)/PCE (1990)
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Free-Roaming Shooter (generally top down view w/ Search & Destroy or Rescue missions):
Gravity Force (AMI, 1989) - Maze, 2-player vs., side view, thrust mechanics;
Thrust (C64, 1986) - Collectathon/Rescue Mission, side view, thrust mechanics;
Sinistar (ARC, 1982) - Asteroids-like, map feature;
Rotor (AMI, 1989) - Side view;
Bosconian ARC (1981) - Map feature;
Honorable Mentions: Cosmic Pirate (AMI, 1989) - Asteroids-like, Ship configuration; G.I. Joe (C64, 1985) - Hub map, Arena Shooter/Tank/Chopper; Oids (AST, 1987) - Rescue Mission, side view, thrust mechanic;
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First Person Shooter/FPS:
Ballblazer (C64, 1984/Atari XE, 1987) - 2-Player Split Screen
Star Trek: SOS (ARC, 1982) - Space Flight Sim, Map feature, No y- or z-axis movement
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Rail Shooter (third person/behind the avatar view, usually scrolling into the screen/on the z-plane):
Galaxy Force II (ARC, 1988)/SAT/3DS - Spaceship Flight; fuel mechanic, level select screen, lock-on system, homing missiles
Burning Force (ARC, 1989/MD, 1990/X68K) - Water Scooter/Plane hybrid; jumps via ramps, homing missiles?
Space Harrier (ARC, 1985) - Flying human; ride a dragon in bonus levels
Thunder Blade (ARC, 1987)/3DS (2014) - V-Shooter hybrid, Helicopter Flight;
After Burner II (ARC, 1987) - Plane Flight;
Honorable Mentions: Night Striker (ARC, 1989) - Driving/Flying Car; RoadBlasters (ARC, 1987)/MD - Driving, fuel mechanic, 1-player; Penguin Adventure (MSX, 1986) - Auto-Scrolling Rail Platformer; Knight Arms (X68K, 1989) - Mech Flight; Space Harrier 3-D (SMS, 1988) - Flying human (hover board in bonus levels?); Star Wars (ARC, 1983) - First Person Space Flight;
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TPS/Third Person Shooter (3D, Scrolling):
I, Robot (ARC, 1984) - Cover Shooter, Rail Shooter, polygonal graphics, semi-fixed camera and movement (can't turn and have the camera follow from behind);
Xybots (ARC, 1987) - Maze, 2-player Co-op? Split Screen, strafing, 90 degree turning, map feature, shop (between levels)
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TPS (Single Screen/Fixed movement)/Cabal-like:
Cabal (ARC, 1988) - 2-Player Co-op, Cover Shooter; grenades, dodge move
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Light-Gun Shooter (FP view single screen or rail shooter):
Gangster Town (SMS, 1987) - 2-player Co-op;
Laser Ghost (ARC, 1989) - 2-player Co-op, Rail Shooter segments; horror theme, very different on SMS (escort mission game)
Line of Fire (ARC, 1989) - Rail Shooter, 2-player Co-op, sprite scaling;
Operation Thunderbolt (ARC, 1988/AMI, 1989) - 2-player Co-op, Rail Shooter segments;
Operation Wolf (ARC, 1987)/SMS - 1-player, civilians;
Honorable Mentions: Rescue Mission (SMS, 1988) - Escort Mission (Protect the cart); Mechanized Attack (ARC, 1989); Safari Hunt (SMS, 1986); Freedom Force (NES, 1988) -
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Real-Time Strategy/Tactics (generally Action mixed with Construction & Management/City Building):
Herzog Zwei (MD, 1989) - Scrolling Arena Shooter/RTS hybrid, Base conquering and unit building, carry troops with the avatar ship, transform into an on foot mech;
Colony (C64, 1987) - Action/RTS; top down
Ghostbusters (C64, 1984/SMS, 1987) - Driving/Trapping/Shooter, hub area, item inventory, various perspectives
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Trapping/Trap 'em up/Trap Laying:
Spy vs. Spy (NES/C64, 1984) - 2-player vs. Collectathon/Action, Multi-Screen Maze
Spy vs Spy II: The Island Caper (NES/C64, 1985) -
Doraemon/Cratermaze (PCE, 1989) - Heiankyo Alien-like
Spy vs Spy III - Arctic Antics (AMI/C64, 1989) -
Heiankyo Alien (ARC, 1980/GB, 1990) - Single Screen Maze,
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Quest Adventure/Third Person Adventure (Semi real-time):
Maniac Mansion (PC, 1987/NES, ) - SCUMM interface, experimental real-time AI mechanics (NPCs can act while you're in a different part of the mansion), more and better music on NES;
King's Quest III: To Heir Is Human (PCs, 1986/PC Remake, 200?) - Unique premise (you're a slave trying to break free), potion mixing, time limits;
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (PC, 1989) - Stealth segment, Rail Shooter (flight combat) segment, some timed sequences;
King's Quest (PCs, 1984)/VGA, 1990/PC Remake, 200?) - Exploration-based, partially non-linear, item inventory, some action sequences;
Space Quest: Chapter I (PC, 1986)/VGA (1990) - Smell and taste, action sequences;
Honorable Mentions: Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders (PCs, 1988)/FMT - Similar to Maniac Mansion; Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards (PC/AMI, 1987)/VGA (1991) - Open-ended; Neuromancer (AMI, 1988); The Colonel's Bequest: A Laura Bow Mystery (PCs, 1989) - Real-time AI elements; King's Quest IV: The Perils of Rosella (PCs, 1988)
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Construction and Management/City Bulding (Real-time):
SimCity (PC/AMI, 1989/SNES, 1991) - Various differences on SNES
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FMV-Based Action/Interactive Movie (Quick-time Event (QTE) games):
Road Avenger (ARC, 1985)/MCD
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Sports>Racing (generally third person/behind the vehicle view)
Power Drift (ARC, 1988) - Slopes and bridges;
S.T.U.N. Runner (ARC, 1989)/Lynx - Race against the clock/Rail Shooter, hover car, polygonal graphics (course and cars), boost pads, the car falls apart gradually as you take damage, round tunnels (later used in Wipeout), jumps via ramps, some courses have alternate paths;
OutRun (ARC, 1986)/SMS/PCE/MD - Driving/Race against the clock, alternate paths, slopes, radio feature/music select;
Enduro Racer (JP)(SMS, 1987) - Isometric motorbike driving, jumping on ramps, buy upgrades;
RC Pro-Am (NES, 1988)/MD - Isometric toy car racing, 1-player, buy upgrades;
Honorable Mentions: Buggy Boy/Speed Buggy (ARC/C64, 1987/AMI, 1988) - Platforming/Driving; Chase H.Q. ARC (1988) - Search & Destroy Mission, rudimentary map/radar, slopes; Super Hang-On (ARC, 1987) - Motorbike Driving/Race against the clock, turbo feature, difficulty options (different courses); Hard Drivin' (ARC, 1988)/MD - Driving Sim, loops, replay feature (satisfying crashes for the time), MD game plays pretty well with overclocking (Regen Debug), 10 second timer starts when off road (then the game puts you back on track; there's also a button for this on the cabinet), automatic or manual transmission; Turbo OutRun (ARC, 1989) - Race against the clock;
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Sports>Ice Hockey
Ice Hockey (NES, 1988) - 2-player vs.,
Sports>Football/Soccer
Kick Off (AMI, 1988) -
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Sports>Boxing
Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! (NES, 1987) - TP (more top down than behind the avatar this time); expressive characters, star system
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Sports>Golf
The Amy Putt Classics (AMI, 1988) - Mini-golf, top down;
Hole-In-One (AMI, 1989) - Mini-golf, top down;
Zany Golf (AMI, 1988) - Mini-golf, Isometric, Pinball segments;
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Sports>Tennis
Pro Tennis World Court (PCE, 1988) -
Tennis NES (1984) -
Pro Tennis Tour (AMI, 1989) -
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Sports>Misc.
Super Dodge Ball (ARC, 1987)/NES (1989)/PCE (1990) - 2-player vs., special moves, cartoony
Kings of the Beach (NES, 1988) - 2-player vs.,
Super Spike V'Ball (NES, 1988) - 2-player vs.,
Beach Volley (AMI, 1989) - 2-player vs.?
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Misc. Action>Pinball
Revenge of the 'Gator (GB, 1989) - Pinball/Action
Alien Crush (PCE, 1988) - Pinball/Action
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Turn-Based Strategy/TBS (large scale combat/war sim, sometimes mixed with construction & management; generally top down view):
Master of Monsters (MD, 1989)/PCE CD - Hex grid, 2-player vs., scenario (and music) selection screen, turn limit in campaign scenarios, terrain effects, battle cutscenes;
Famicom Wars (NES, 1988) - 2-player vs., resource management (ammo/fuel), terrain effects, square grid, battle cutscenes;
Military Madness (PCE, 1989);
Warlords (PC/AMI, 1989) - 4-player vs.?;
Archon (C64, 1983)/AMI (1985)/NES (1989) - Chess variation with real-time combat;
Honorable Mentions: North & South (AMI, 1989)/NES - Real-time battles?; Laser Squad (Spec/C64/AMI, 1989) - Science fiction theme; Cosmic Wars (NES, 1989) - Square grid, sci-fi theme, battle cutscenes; Battle Chess (PC, 1988); Archon II (PCs, 1984) - Plays more like other TBS games except it keeps the real-time combat; Lords of the Rising Sun (AMI, 1989) - TBS with action sequences (defending from assassination attempts, etc.); Millennium 2.2 (AMI/ST/PC, 1989) - War/Construction and Management, FP Shooter combat (3D Space Flight Sim); Super Daisenryaku (PC-88, 1988)/MD, 1989) - Hex grid; The Lords of Midnight (PCs, 1984) - SRPG-ish; automated combat, first person, two ways to win (conquer the enemy's citadel or destroy the ice crown); Defender of the Crown (PCs, 1986)/AMI (1987)/Gold (199?) - TBS/Action hybrid;
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Construction and Management/City Building (Turn-based):
Rock Star Ate My Hamster (AMI, 1989) - Band Management
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Visual Novel (generally turn-based):
Snatcher (PC-8801/MSX2, 1988)/PCE CD (1992)/MCD (1994) - FP Light-Gun action segments; MCD ver. is the only full game?;
Famicom Tantei Club Part II: Ushiro ni Tatsu Shojo (NES, 1989/SNES, 1998)
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RPG/WRPG (Turn-based):
Pool of Radiance (PCs, 1988) - First Person exploration/interaction, Top Down TBS combat, party creation;
Curse of the Azure Bonds (PC/C64, 1989) - First Person exploration/interaction, Top Down TBS combat, party creation;
Ultima V: Warriors of Destiny (PCs, 1988) -
Ultima IV (Multi, 1985/C64, 1986/AMI, 1988) - Non-linear, unique premise (it's about ethics in game worlds);
Wizardry V: Heart of the Maelstrom (PCs, 1988)/SNES, 1992) - FP view, Dungeon Crawler;
Honorable Mentions: The Dark Heart of Uukrul (PC, 1989) - Pool of Radiance-like; Hero Quest (PCs, 1989) - Isometric, board game adaption;
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Sandbox RPG/Open World RPG (Generally semi turn-based or mixed):
Sid Meier's Pirates! - Pirating Sim, multi-genre hybrid (fencing battles, ship battles, courting, sailing-based exploration, treasure hunting);
Starflight (PC (1986)/MD, 1991) - RPG/Space Exploration Sim; interplanetary travel, resource gathering, party creation and management, dialogue with aliens?
Starflight II (PCs, 1989) -
Wasteland (PC, 1988) - Top down exploration/first person battles
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JRPG (Turn-based):
The Final Fantasy Legend/Makai Toushi SaGa (GB, 1989)/WS (2002) - WRPG hybrid (party creation, limited use weapons), eat monsters to evolve mechanic, WS version is a bit easier and includes a bug fixed GB version;
Phantasy Star (SMS, 1987) - FP dungeons, interplanetary travel, vehicles, animated enemies in battle;
Phantasy Star II (w/ hacks & codes) (MD, 1989) - Party character death, interplanetary travel, vehicles, animated enemies, customizable party, steal from shops;
Final Fantasy II (NES, 1988)/GBA (2004) - Stats grow based on your actions in battle, gating via tougher monsters, basic formations, new epilogue segment on GBA;
Dragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes/Dragon Slayer VI (PC-88, 1989)/MSX (1990)/PCE CD (1991)/SNES (1992)/MD (1994) - Dragon Quest-like, full screen playing field on MD;
Honorable Mentions: Emerald Dragon (PC-88/PC-98, 1989)/X68K/MSX (1990)/FMT (1992)/PCE CD (1994)/SNES (1995) - Top down battles (Ultima/PoR style); Mother/EarthBound Beginnings (NES, 1989) - Modern day setting; Final Fantasy (NES/MSX, 1987)/GBA (2004) - Party creation (four classes), airship travel, interactive prologue; Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation (NES, 1988)/SNES;
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Miscellanous Turn-Based:
Alter Ego PCs (1986) - Life Sim/RPG-ish; male and female paths
Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? (PCs, 1989) - Edutainment
