Nick Sumner 1988
Genre: Action
Rating: 3/6
Language: English
Licence: Freeware
System: C64

Breakout with a unique twist: Instead of one, you're controlling four paddles at once. One on each side of the screen, so up and down move the ones on the left and right vertically, and left and right move the ones on top and bottom horizontally.

Graftgold / Hewson 1986
Genre: Action
Rating: 4/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: ZX Spectrum

Paradroid had been a huge hit on the C64, so ports were the logical step. For the Spectrum, Graftgold decided a straight port wouldn't be possible, as the game very much depends on the smooth scrolling into all directions. And while they were at it, they decided to change quite a few more things on the way.

Meisters 1986
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 5/6
Language: Deutsch
Licence: Freeware
System: C64

Tired of all these modern 'anti-terror' - games? Hunting evil guys of whom you have no idea what kind of evil they've done gets boring? You're fed up with working for an anonymous 'government' with more than questionable ideals? Then choose the other side: become a terrorist!

Will Wright / Broderbund 1984
Genre: Action
Rating: 5/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: C64

It may seem unbelievable in these days, now that every computer game seems to be about war, spurting blood and severed limbs, but in the 80s, it was pretty much agreed on in the gaming press (here in Germany at least) that 'realistic' war themes are morally questionable and detract from the enjoyment of a game. So, the more otherworldly the story and the freakier the setting of a game about some sort of fighting, the better the ratings.

Microprose 1990
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 5/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

Most people already know this classic. Because it was a huge success. And it deserved it! Inspired by Sim City, Sid Meier wanted to do a real-time building game. This was the product.

The most significant thing about the game is, that there's no real goal. Just like in Sim City you just build and build. You can't really win the game, only climb the highscore list. You just try to build up a huge railroad company.

Julian Gollop / Red Shift 1984
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 4/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: ZX Spectrum

Not many games can claim the honour of having started something really big and immensely popular for themselves. Rebelstar Raiders is one of the notable exceptions. It spawned a whole modern genre and has to be recognized as the seminal work for countless others. Games like UFO (X-Com) and Jagged Alliance wouldn't exist without RR. Talking about UFO, RR was even made by the same person, so it's even a direct descendant.

ImagiSOFT 1993
Genre: Puzzle, Strategy
Rating: 4/6
Language: English
Licence: Freeware
System: PC

The most vicious pirates of the Carribean want to find out who is the biggest cutthroat, so they make a bet. They're all sailing the same route, and whoever can show the biggest amount of loot at the end of the journey wins. Master pirate Redhook plays the judge, but there aren't many rules - everything is allowed as long as it earns gold.

Microprose 1992
Genre: Adventure
Rating: 5/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

Rex Nebular, cosmic adventurer, delivers the valuable vase he was sent to retrieve to his employer Col. Stone. Walking into the office, he demands his payment. Gruffly, Stone asks how the mission has gone. Rex begins to tell his story...

Core Design 1989
Genre: Action
Rating: 3/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: Amiga

The Indiana Jones action games by Lucasfilm aren't too popular for a reason: they're not very good. Real men are looking for alternatives - and a smart company provides one: Rick Dangerous.

Core Design 1990
Genre: Action
Rating: 4/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: Amiga

Another ordinary action game. But what makes it special to me is the fact that I spent days, weeks and month in front of my Amiga playing this particular game!
Why? Well, to be honest mainly because it was available! I simply didn't have that many games back then. But beside the emotional component, there are also objective arguments for this game!