Tag Archives: Retro Gaming

Bad Games Week

This week – something a little different… I’m only going to be featuring truly terrible video games for publication on the blog.

Yes, this is “Bad Games Week” at The King of Grabs!

If it’s rubbish, but has something interesting about it, then I’ll consider including it. Every system has its collection of howlers – I’m just picking a few of my favourites.

Seven days of the worst video games in history!

Starting today… ending Sunday. Enjoy!

Here’s a summary of links to what was published:
Grange Hill ZX Spectrum
Grange Hill, Commodore 64
Grange Hill, Amstrad CPC
Ultra Vortek, Atari Jaguar
Rise of the Robots, PC
Black Crystal, ZX Spectrum
Black Crystal, Commodore 64
Scuba Dive, Commodore 64
Kung Food, Atari Lynx
Toilet Kids, PC Engine
Quarantine, PC

Enjoy!
The King of Grabs

Grange Hill ZX Spectrum 05

H.E.R.O., Commodore 64

The Commodore 64 version of John Van Ryzin‘s 1984 classic H.E.R.O. plays just as good as the Atari 2600 original, although the graphics are a little messier.

Continue reading H.E.R.O., Commodore 64

H.E.R.O., Atari 2600

John Van Ryzin‘s popular H.E.R.O. (Helicopter Emergency Rescue Operation) first made its appearance on the Atari 2600 (aka Atari VCS), via Activision, way back in 1984.

Continue reading H.E.R.O., Atari 2600

Strider II, Megadrive/Genesis

Strider II is a console-only sequel to the great Capcom arcade game of 1989. It was developed by British company Tiertex and published by U.S. Gold in 1990. A Sega Megadrive version followed later in 1992.

Continue reading Strider II, Megadrive/Genesis

Smash TV, Super Nintendo

I was thinking to myself: “What’s the best out-and-out blaster on the Super Nintendo?” and a couple of names came to mind. Axelay I’ve already featured on here. Smash TV, I’ve featured the arcade parent, but not the 1991 SNES version.

Continue reading Smash TV, Super Nintendo

Pocky & Rocky, Super Nintendo

I’m reluctant to the use the North American name for this game – otherwise known as Kiki Kaikai in its native Japan – because it’s so damn rubbish. Marketing men making up the game names again…

Continue reading Pocky & Rocky, Super Nintendo

Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals, Super Nintendo

I was going to add a Final Fantasy game to our Super Nintendo special this week, but – you know what? – Final Fantasy on the SNES is messy, because of all the US and Japanese title discrepancies, so… Instead I’m going to pick this: probably my favourite turn-based level-grinder on the Super NintendoLufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals.

Continue reading Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals, Super Nintendo

Super Bomberman, Super Nintendo

Hudson Soft‘s classic Super Bomberman was originally released for the Super Nintendo in 1993.

As an example of a frantic maze/puzzle game: there is absolutely nothing better in its class – other than its four sequels! 🙂

Continue reading Super Bomberman, Super Nintendo

The Lost Vikings, Super Nintendo

The Lost Vikings is a platform/puzzle game developed by Silicon & Synapse (now Blizzard Entertainment), and was originally released for the Super Nintendo by Interplay in 1993.

Continue reading The Lost Vikings, Super Nintendo