Video games became increasingly popular in the 1980s, attracting players of all ages. Whether people were playing arcade favorites like Pac-Man or enjoying games on home consoles like the NES, the decade produced many titles that are still considered classics and helped define the gaming world as we know it today.
The 1980s saw a huge number of games released, and as a result, some truly excellent titles have faded into obscurity. Games like Jetpac and Ultima are as good as the decade’s most famous hits, but they’re largely forgotten today.
Jetpac Is a Forgotten Blast
Jetpac is a classic shooting game created by Ultimate Play the Game, a company that later became Rare. Originally released in the UK for computers like the BBC Micro, ZX Spectrum, and VIC-20, the game challenges players to fly around a screen, destroy enemies, and build a rocket.
Released early in the history of Rare, Jetpac is a significant game for the company. It’s also an important piece of the U.K.’s early gaming world, and fans may recognize references to it in later Rare titles like Donkey Kong 64.
MIDI Maze Is an Early First-Person Shooter
MIDI Maze, originally released in 1987 and later known as Faceball 2000, is a first-person shooter where players control smiling faces and battle each other within mazes. The initial Atari ST version, and some versions released on other systems, allowed for multiplayer gaming through linked systems.
As a fan of early gaming, I’m always amazed by MIDI Maze. It was just so innovative for its time, especially how it used the Atari ST’s MIDI ports to let people play together! It’s easy to get caught up in the hype around games like Doom and Half-Life that really defined the first-person shooter genre, but it’s important to remember games like MIDI Maze were pioneers and helped build the foundation for everything that came after.
3D Monster Maze Is Surprisingly Scary for an ’80s Game
Released in 1981, 3D Monster Maze is a tense survival horror game where players try to escape a maze while being pursued by a monster. The game’s 3D perspective heightens the feeling of danger and makes the escape even more urgent.
Many consider 3D Monster Maze to be a product of its time, and it hasn’t received much recognition in the 45 years since it came out, likely because it feels a bit old-fashioned. However, the game can still be genuinely frightening, and some even argue that the absence of sound actually increases the horror.
Maniac Mansion Is One of the Best Point and Click Adventure Games Ever
Released in 1987, Maniac Mansion is an adventure game about rescuing cheerleader Sandy Pantz. She’s been kidnapped by the crazed scientist Dr. Fred Edison, and her boyfriend Dave teams up with two of his quirky friends to break into Edison’s house and solve a series of strange puzzles to save her.
Despite being a classic, Maniac Mansion is often remembered less than other adventure games made by LucasArts. It’s also different from many modern horror games, which tend to be very serious. A lighthearted and fun adventure like Maniac Mansion might not get as much attention now.
Space Ace Is One of the Best-Looking Games of the ’80s
Space Ace is an interactive film game released in 1984, created with the help of animator Don Bluth – known for his work on the previous year’s Dragon’s Lair. Players follow Dexter, a space hero, on his journey across the galaxy to rescue Kimberly from the evil Commander Borf.
Space Ace plays a lot like Dragon’s Lair, relying on fast reflexes and memorizing sequences of events. While it wasn’t as popular or well-remembered as Dragon’s Lair, Space Ace still has an enjoyable story, making it worth a playthrough.
Alex Kidd in Miracle World Is Sega’s Forgotten Classic
Released in 1986, Alex Kidd in Miracle World is a classic platforming adventure. The game follows Alex Kidd, a skilled young martial artist, on a quest to save Prince Egle and Princess Lora from the villain Janken the Great. Adding a personal touch to the story, it’s revealed that Alex is actually a long-lost relative of the prince.
Sega designed Alex Kidd in Miracle World to compete with Nintendo’s Mario games. While it didn’t become as popular as the later Sonic games—likely because it was released on the Master System—it’s still a fun game to experience. It has unique gameplay, especially when you’re moving between land and underwater sections.
Street Fighter Is a Landmark Fighting Game
Originally released in arcades in 1987, Street Fighter is a fighting game that was later brought to home consoles with a version for the TurboGrafx-16 CD in 1989. The game features fighters from all over the world battling for various reasons, and stars Ryu and Ken, who would become the iconic faces of the series.
While many consider Street Fighter II the beginning of the series, that overlooks the original Street Fighter. The first game already had a good range of moves and laid the groundwork for everything the series would eventually become, so it deserves recognition too.
Wizardry Made RPGs What They Are Today
Released in 1981, Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is a role-playing game where players explore the dangerous dungeon beneath Trebor’s castle. You begin by creating a character, choosing their race and class, and then embark on a challenging journey through twisting levels filled with deadly monsters.
The game Wizardry was a pioneer of the RPG genre and helped shape the games we play today. While RPGs have changed a lot over the last 45 years, it can be difficult to fully recognize how innovative Wizardry truly was. Features like its different scenario disks demonstrate just how ahead of its time it was.
Ultima Deserves to Be Hailed As a Masterpiece
Ultima, originally released as Ultima I: The First Age of Darkness in 1981, is a role-playing game set in the fantasy world of Sosaria. Sosaria is made up of four different continents, and the game follows a hero who must defeat the evil wizard Mondain. Players will explore both the surface and underground areas to complete their quest.
Ultima was remarkably innovative for its time, feeling like an early version of games we now know as The Legend of Zelda and, in some ways, even Final Fantasy. These popular game series owe a lot to Ultima, and it’s a shame that it’s largely been forgotten.
Monster Party Is an Underrated ’80s Platformer
Released in 1989, Monster Party is a classic platforming game where a young boy named Mark is dropped into a bizarre and dangerous world called the Dark World. He’s surrounded by strange creatures, and must find a way to escape.
Monster Party was a unique NES game that stood out from others due to its surprisingly graphic content and challenging boss battles. It’s remarkable that this game didn’t receive more attention from players at the time.
Found an error? Send it so it can be corrected.
Read More
- Clash of Clans Unleash the Duke Community Event for March 2026: Details, How to Progress, Rewards and more
- Gold Rate Forecast
- Jason Statham’s Action Movie Flop Becomes Instant Netflix Hit In The United States
- Kylie Jenner squirms at ‘awkward’ BAFTA host Alan Cummings’ innuendo-packed joke about ‘getting her gums around a Jammie Dodger’ while dishing out ‘very British snacks’
- KAS PREDICTION. KAS cryptocurrency
- eFootball 2026 Jürgen Klopp Manager Guide: Best formations, instructions, and tactics
- Hailey Bieber talks motherhood, baby Jack, and future kids with Justin Bieber
- Christopher Nolan’s Highest-Grossing Movies, Ranked by Box Office Earnings
- How to download and play Overwatch Rush beta
- Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 8 Release Date, Time, Where to Watch
2026-03-03 19:11