SPD 1994
Genre: Adventure
Rating: 2/6
Licence: Freeware
System: PC

Before he was banished from public view in order to stay in the pool or 'fly' over the fields forever, Rudi Scharping was the head of one of the biggest political parties in Germany: the SPD. In 1994, he managed to lose the most important election in spite of all polls having been in favour of the SPD mere weeks earlier. A few months before that, the results of the election of the European parliament turned out even worse for them. In spite of (or because of?) this game.

Auswärtiges Amt 1991
Genre: Puzzle, Action
Rating: 3/6
Licence: Freeware
System: Amiga

In 1991, the EU wasn't nearly as prominent as it is now. In fact, it didn't even exist back then, because the treaties of Maastricht would only be signed a year later. However, there was the 'European Community' which was pretty much a predecessor of the EU. And it was obvious that the political and economic integration would continue, so there was a 'need' for political propaganda to soften the nationalist feelings of the population. Which part of the population is most easily influenced? Right, the children. Enter Auf dem Weg nach Europa.

Art Department 1993
Genre: Adventure
Rating: 3/6
Licence: Freeware
System: Amiga

A local radio station is holding a competition: answer five questions about (male) rockstar 'Alex X. Pose' (for the younger readers: the singer of a then popular band called Guns 'n' roses was called 'Axl Rose') to win a romantic candlelightdinner with him. Our (male) hero is keen to be the chosen one. Yes... you'd better ignore the homoerotic elements of this story. Anyway, let's just say our protagonist is a huge fan, ok?

Art Department 1993
Genre: Adventure, Action
Rating: 3/6
Licence: Freeware
System: Amiga

The 'production secret' of 'Bi-Fi Roll' (greasy 'meatbar' imported from BSE-infected countries, hidden in a bread container), a single sheet of paper, has disappeared. Instead of taking the usual route of calling the lawyers to sue everybody in sight, Bifi can depend on volunteers who scout their cities for free, because they're aware that without constant supply of their drug, they won't survive for long.

Konami 1994
Genre: Action
Rating: 4/6
Licence: Commercial
System: SNES

Concerning its concept, "Biker Mice From Mars" straightfowardly had the successful classic "Rock'n'Roll Racing" in mind. Unlike the original, you drive motor cycles and other unorthodox vehicles around more or less well-built tracks here. Although the game produced by Konami labels itself as being "powered by Snickers", you permanently suppose that the programmers wanted to make fun of this ridiculous piece of chocolate-peanut-mush.

PDS 1997
Genre: Adventure
Rating: 4/6
Licence: Freeware
System: PC

A dark backroom filled with smoke. The evil masterminds had a meeting. "How can we achieve world domination the fastest way?", asked the overweight boss. The suspicious looking man on his right was playing with his knife but his mouth remained closed. For the first time, we can see the third man's face. He had been slumped back into his chair but now he was leaning forward on the table. He was wearing thick glasses, the little hair which is left was completely white. He's wearing a brown suit. "Can't we just do it like in the old days? Let's just fake the results of the elections!" Fury was glowing in the big cheese's eyes. "Stupid fool!", he shouted out, "Oh Great Satan, why do I have to be surrounded by such idiots?". Suddenly, a slim shadowy figure stepped out of a dark corner. The three looked surprised - they obviously had no idea there was someone else in the room. Stunned by the shock, they just looked at the mysterious man eyes wide open. Tension was building up in the air, the silence would have killed every normal being. At last, the figure began to speak: "I come directly from the the nameless one you serve." "You mean.....", was all the big cheese could gasp pointing his head eastwards. "Silence!" Despite his unimpressive appearance, the unknown person seemed to have some kind of natural authority over all the other men. "Listen to me carefully as I'll only say it once: the youth of today is the future voters. Control the youth, and the future is yours!" In the very next moment, the figure was gone again - as suddenly as it had appeared. But he had left inspiration in the other men's heads. "Heureka! Let's make a computer game!", they shouted unisono.

Virgin Interactive 1994
Genre: Action
Rating: 4/6
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

Cool Spot is a side-scrolling action game with a twist. What makes it different than the next game on the shelf? Not much, but for one in Cool Spot you will have a lot of fun.

You control a big red spot with arms, legs and sunglasses (a cool spot indeed) that he never takes off, except for when you die. The goal of every level is to collect at least 30 "cool points" and find a cage where another cool spot is held captive and free him. The cool points come in the form of small red disks scattered around the level. The levels themselves are different settings from around us - the beach, the pier, the bathtub, the toy store and so on. Everything is blown up because you are but a small (if cool) spot, so a crab is one of your serious enemies. Talking about enemies, they include crabs, frogs and fish that spit at you, flies, mice throwing pieces of cheese, spiders, robots, jumping balls and model cars. You defend your coolness by shooting small white disks. If you run out of coolness, you die (and you get to see what the spot looks without the sunglasses).

Dommelsch 1999
Genre: Sport, Simulation
Rating: 2/6
Licence: Freeware
System: PC

Every sport has been converted into a computer game already. Football, basketball, ice hockey and so on. Then there are some 'sports' which aren't really sports at all! Like for example motor racing, fishing, chess or...... darts. All these have one thing in common: no athletic ability is needed. So why call them sports then? Well, maybe so that the people doing it can proudly say I'm doing sports

Art Department 1994
Genre: Adventure
Rating: 3/6
Licence: Freeware
System: PC

"Dunkle Schatten" (Dark Shadows) was released during the "Fairständnis" campaign of the German Ministries of Inner Affairs in 1994. The slogan was "respect human rights - against racial hatred", the development was executed by Art Department, a company well known for its advertising games at that time.

elefanten Schuh GmbH / WWF 1993
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 2/6
Licence: Freeware
System: Amiga

A well-known shoe company of the 80s teams up with a well-known environmental organization of the 80s to present you this economical simulation. Commercial advertisement mixed up with promotion for a 'good cause' - very, very questionable.