- Berzerk
- California Games
- Indy 500
- Mikie
- Space Quest
Following on from Dave’s top 5 non-retro games of 2012, here’s my personal top 5 retro games of 2012! This isn’t based on anything more than the number of hours I’ve racked up playing them, so don’t go thinking that this is based on anything like critical acclaim or technological breakthroughs.
5. Space Quest (PC)
I spent many happy hours playing through Sierra and LucasArts adventure games when I was a kid and since then I’ve periodically utilised my time off to re-complete some of the classic titles. This year it was Space Quest 1 to 4 that made it onto my “retro laptop” and I completed all four over Christmas. It was mainly due to the Guys From Andromeda getting back together and promising a brand new space adventure that made me want to take control of hapless janitor Roger Wilco once again and save the universe from the wrath of Sludge Vohaul. If you’ve never played Space Quest, start with the originals, the VGA remakes are no where near as good!
4. Indy 500 (Atari 2600)
Played this for the first time ever at Play Expo 2012 and I now defy anyone to have a two player game after a couple of beers and not completely fall in love with this game. Utilizing the Atari driving paddles this really is a racing game that’s been stripped down to the very basics with no complications, no turbo boosters, no gears, no fancy 3D graphics just 100% zen like gameplay. I actually went on eBay as soon as I got home from the Expo and purchased myself an original Atari 2600 just for this.