Retro games, abandonware, freeware and classic games for PC and Mac
Author: GN Team - Published: 6 July 2025, 2:07 pm
Bonk 3: Bonk's Big Adventure is a platform game developed by Red Company and Atlus for the PC Engine and released in 1993. The game features the distinctive anime-style caveman character designed by Kobuta Aoki, continuing the adventures of the head-bonking prehistoric hero that had become synonymous with NEC's console.
Like its immediate predecessor Bonk's Revenge, this third installment remained exclusive to the PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 platform, never receiving the multi-platform treatment that the original Bonk's Adventure (aka B.C. Kid) enjoyed on systems like the Amiga, NES, and Game Boy. This exclusivity perhaps contributed to the game's relative obscurity compared to other major platformers of the era, though it also makes it a coveted title among PC Engine collectors today.
Read More
Author: Maddie - Published: 5 July 2025, 7:47 pm
Phantom Fighter is a horizontal scrolling shooter developed by Emerald Software for the Amiga in 1988. It was later ported to PC, though the conversion significantly altered the gameplay format from the original design. The game stands out in the crowded shoot-em-up market primarily through its distinctive visual presentation rather than revolutionary gameplay mechanics.
What immediately sets Phantom Fighter apart from contemporaries like R-Type and Katakis is its unique art style that embraces an almost psychedelic, abstract aesthetic. Rather than the detailed mechanical spacecraft and industrial environments typical of the genre, Phantom Fighter presents a surreal visual experience with flowing, organic shapes and vibrant color palettes that seem to pulse and breathe. The enemy designs eschew traditional sci-fi conventions in favor of bizarre, otherworldly creatures that look more like animated hallucinations than conventional space invaders. This artistic approach creates an atmosphere unlike any other shooter of its era, making it instantly recognizable among the sea of similar-looking space combat games.
Read More
Author: GN Team - Published: 4 July 2025, 6:29 pm
Super Double Dragon is a side-scrolling beat 'em up developed by TechnÅs Japan and published in 1992 exclusively for SNES. Since it's the fourth chapter of the series, it is also known as Double Dragon IV. This title represents a significant departure from previous episodes in the saga, introducing more complex fighting mechanics and a different stylistic approach compared to the arcade classics Double Dragon, Double Dragon II: The Revenge, and Double Dragon III: The Sacred Stones.
The most evident difference from previous chapters is the introduction of a layered combat system, a bit reminiscent of Street Fighter II. The Lee brothers can now execute special moves with command combinations, including cyclone attacks, energy projectiles, and aerial techniques that were completely absent in previous titles. This system transforms the gameplay from simple arcade brawler to an experience closer to fighting games, requiring combo memorization and precise timing rather than the brute force that characterized Final Fight or the early Double Dragon games.
Read More
Author: GN Team - Published: 4 July 2025, 12:04 pm
Bonk's Adventure is a side-scrolling platformer developed by Red Company and Atlus for the TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine in 1989. It was published by Hudson Soft. Known as PC-Genjin in Japan, it became one of the most beloved and successful platformers for Hudson's console, serving as an unofficial mascot for the system. The game was later ported to the Amiga in 1992 under the title B.C. Kid, with the conversion handled by Factor 5.
The original PC Engine version showcases everything that made the console special during its heyday. Players control Bonk, a bald caveman with an oversized head who must rescue Princess Za from the evil King Drool. What immediately strikes players is the game's distinctive anime-influenced art style, featuring chunky, colorful sprites with exaggerated proportions and expressive animations. Bonk himself is a masterclass in character design - his perpetually cheerful expression and comical head-bonking attacks give the game an infectious personality that sets it apart from more serious platformers like Ninja Gaiden or Castlevania.
Read More
Author: Maddie - Published: 3 July 2025, 6:40 pm
Warlocked is a real-time strategy game developed by Bits Studios and released in 2000, with game design by Martin Wheeler. This groundbreaking title proved that the RTS genre could successfully transition from PC to handheld, establishing a new frontier for portable strategy gaming that would influence future titles like Advance Wars and Fire Emblem.
The game's brilliance lies in its understanding of the Game Boy Color's limitations and how to work within them. Wheeler and his team crafted a streamlined RTS experience that captures the essence of classics like Command & Conquer and Warcraft II without drowning in unnecessary complexity. The interface is surprisingly intuitive, using the directional pad to navigate menus and select units with remarkable efficiency. Resource management focuses on the essentials - gold and food - avoiding the micromanagement that would be cumbersome on a handheld device.
Read More
Author: GN Team - Published: 3 July 2025, 2:21 am
The Blues Brothers is a platform action game originally developed by Titus for the Amiga and released in 1991. Following the game's success on Amiga, it was subsequently ported to numerous other platforms including Commodore 64, MS-DOS, Atari ST, NES, and Game Boy, spreading its distinctive blend of music and mayhem across multiple gaming systems.
Based on the iconic 1980 film starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, the game follows Jake and Eloise Blues as they attempt to reunite their band and save St. Helen of the Blessed Shroud Orphanage. Players can choose to control either Jake or Eloise through a series of side-scrolling levels that capture the anarchic spirit of the movie while translating its memorable set pieces into engaging platforming challenges.
Read More