System 3 1986
Genre: Sport
Rating: 4/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: C64

Fighting games are all the same. As soon as you've found out how to activate the killer-special-mega-move of the character you've chosen, you're practically unbeatable. To still make the 'playability' last a bit, these special moves are usually either completely impossible to figure out (because they are undocumented on purpose) or impossible to activate (because they usually require the player to hit the 8 fire buttons in a certain combination and order along with movements of the joystick/joypad into certain directions - never less than 10 complicated steps). Usually both.

Mastertronic 1986
Genre: Action
Rating: 3/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: Plus/4

The myth of the 'wild west' is full of hero figures, usually referred to as 'lone rangers'. All alone they fight all kind of evil (bankrobbers and of course Indians), always with a hand on their gun. That's the true American dream: riding through the prairies, spreading 'true justice'.

Cinemaware 1986
Genre: Adventure, Action
Rating: 2/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: Amiga

The early and mid-90s - the wake of the CD-Rom as a games medium. Because the games themselves didn't need this space yet, tons of 'interactive movies' filled the shelves of the stores. Those were rarely more than a collection of movie clips and the players' only activity was to make a few (often pretty futile) decisions between the scenes. Many see 7th Guest as the beginning of this development.

English Software 1986
Genre: Sport, Action
Rating: 3/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: C64

The Middle Ages: was it an age of chivalry and knights in shining armors? Or a dark age of oppression and plague? We'll maybe never know for sure. One thing is for sure though: people liked brawling back then - just like today! And that makes all the other questions completely useless and uninteresting!

Lucasfilm Games / Activision 1986
Genre: Adventure
Rating: 3/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: C64

There were Adventure games before SCUMM and aside from Sierra's endless Quests. Lucasfilm's first own foray into the genre was Labyrinth - an official offshoot of the movie of the same name (starring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly).

Igelsoft 1986
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 4/6
Language: Deutsch
Licence: Commercial
System: C64

You may smile ironically about the graphics of C64 games. You may even consider them ugly. I won't protest much. In fact, I have to confess I don't value the 'multimedia' capabilities of this computer too highly myself. I can understand everyone who appreciates these extremely blocky looks, but I've been 'socialized' by other machines mainly. One thing is undeniable, though: The C64 had and still has the most creative 'user scene'! Even today, new programs are being written by the followers of this small computer, some even released commercially.

Infocom 1986
Genre: Adventure
Rating: 4/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

The player takes over the role of an American detective who has attained some fame by solving tough cases. One day, he receives a letter from his old friend Tamara Lynd who's going to marry an English Lord soon. Back in her fiancée's castle, a ghost has started to appear again, targetting Tamara in specific. Is it actually the legendary 'White Lady' or the ghost of the recently deceased Deirdre? Or does everything have completely worldly causes? To solve all these questions, you've been invited to join your old friend over in the 'old world'.

Activision 1986
Genre: Adventure
Rating: 5/6
Language: English, Deutsch
Licence: Commercial
System: C64

Famous detective Sir Charles Foxworth is taking a holiday on the Mississippi with his servant Regis. He's just taking a stroll around the upper deck of the ship when he discovers an open cabin door. Behind it: a dead man. As it turns out, the body of Raleigh Cartwright III. Sir Charles has three days to find the murderer, because then, the ship will reach New Orleans, giving the culprit a safe chance to escape.

Mastertronic 1986
Genre: Action
Rating: 4/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: Plus/4

P.O.D. - Proof Of Destruction. A game in which you're indestructable? Great idea, will take advantage of that immediately! Nah, nah, you can't hurt me, evil monsters! Oops? What was that 'boom' sound? Aw, crap - look for yourself what happened :( This is a fraud! It clearly said 'Proof Of Destruction' on the box. I demand my money back!

Konami 1986
Genre: Sport
Rating: 4/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: C64

Yeah, I know...I'd rather play normal tennis :) but for those without enough space or without the physical condition, the Ping Pong (table tennis) would do. And, to be sincere, table tennis is a pretty decent way to lose you evening.