Delta 4 Interactive / On-Line 1992
Genre: Adventure
Rating: 0/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: Amiga

Games have disappeared into obscurity for the oddest reasons. Some faded away because of bad (or lack of) marketing. Some just came at the wrong time (e.g. when the genre they belonged to was already on the decline). Some just don't have the mass appeal, but became favourites in limited circles. And then there are games which are just crap. Like Psycho Killer.

Codemasters 1989
Genre: Puzzle
Rating: 3/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: Amiga

Now here's a real test of important knowledge! Not sure what this has to do with pubs, though. Judging from the title screen, it might refer to some sort of quiz machine standing in a pub, but I've never seen one in real life. So, for me, this is a game about the things you might be talking about at a pub: TV, music, sports - you get the drift.

Spazz 2001
Genre: Action
Rating: 3/6
Language: -
Licence: Freeware
System: PC

This picture shows Pudgy. Pudgy is neat blob-like creature which lives in a strange world. A very harsh and hostile world in fact. Hardly fitting for a peaceful creature like him! But well... his instinct to survive is strong enough to prevent that he gives up himself. So what should he do? He has to find a way out of this world.

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.