Dark Side is the 1988 sequel to Driller is a very early example of a first-person, full 3D, explorable world, that can be viewed from almost any angle.
The game engine – Freescape – has gone on to become famous as one of the earliest examples of its type, and one that was hugely influential on every 3D exploration game that followed.
Another Julian Gollop classic – Laser Squad was one of the earliest squad-based tactical combat video games, released in 1988, and was originally developed for the ZX Spectrum (and later converted to various other systems).
Some old arcade games are instantly recognisable. Toobin’ – by Atari Games – is one of them.
It’s the only video game I can think of that utilises ‘kids floating down a river on a rubber tube’ style gameplay mechanics.
Realtime Games‘ 1988 hit, Carrier Command, is a compelling mixture of 3D simulation and real-time strategy.
In it you take control of a futuristic, robotic aircraft carrier and must work your way through an island archipelago, taking control of each island and competing against a rival carrier.
Ghouls ‘N Ghosts is the amazing 1988 sequel to Ghosts ‘N Goblins.
Although not quite as difficult as its predecessor, Ghouls ‘N Ghosts is another tough horror-themed, fantasy run-and-gun type game, but with much better graphics than the first game, and some great set pieces and boss battles.
People have their own different ways of naming this game. Some call it Chelnov, others call it Atomic Runner Chelnov. Its full name is actually “Atomic Runner Chelnov – Nuclear Man, the Fighter” but that’s all a bit of a mouthful in my opinion, so I’ll just stick to Chelnov for now.
Intensity was Andrew Braybrook‘s final Commodore 64 game (before moving on to 16-bit machines), and it’s a pretty good rescue the colonists type game, where you control a skimmer that has to contend with all manner of obstacles, all of which either want to kill you, or eat the colonists you’re trying to rescue.
Jeremy Smith and Peter Irvin‘s groundbreaking Exile first came out on the BBC Model B in 1988 and was later converted to other systems. Including for the Commodore 64.
Sequel to the fun arcade game made by UPL and published by ASCII in 1985. This second game was released by ASCII on the MSX in 1988 and is an excellent continuation of the theme, which is similar to air hockey, but with animals playing against each other.
More than just another bat and ball game, Arkanoid: Revenge of Doh on the Atari ST is a brilliant conversion of the popular Taito arcade game.
The King of Grabs 