Home of Retro PC Gaming
Currently hosting 26 1996 games!
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Home of Retro PC Gaming Currently hosting 26 1996 games! |
| Amazing Learning Games With Rayman 1996 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Educational | |||||||||||||
| Developed by Ubi Soft Entertainment | |||||||||||||||
| Published by Ubi Soft Entertainment | |||||||||||||||
| Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c | |||||||||||||||
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Amazing Learning Games With Rayman was released as Rayman Junior in the United Kingdom, and re-released as Rayman Learning Centre in 1999. The game looks and plays exactly like the original Rayman game, except that the difficulty level has been reduced and the game is designed to be educational. Rayman can still punch enemies, grab onto ledges and use his helicopter hair. The game asks questions and Rayman has to choose which route to take. For instance, Rayman might be told to look for things that you find in the home, or given a math equation to solve. If he takes the route associated with the incorrect answer, he is killed instantly! There are still power-ups and Tings and everything you would expect in a Rayman game. Be sure to go into DEMO\RAYEDU and run SNDDEMO.BAT or you won't be able to hear the voice instructions! Only the first two levels are playable in the shareware version.
I have found no ordering information for this game.
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| Aspetra 1996 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | RPG | |||||||||||||
| Developed by Zonarware | |||||||||||||||
| Published by Zonarware | |||||||||||||||
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Perhaps the most advanced shareware RPG ever released for DOS, Aspetra is a console-type RPG with an epic story. The pseudo real-time battle system is straightforward and polished, and the graphics and sound are quite good for this genre. Equip weapons and armor, cast magic, and fight monsters as you explore a huge fantasy world full of towns and dungeons. Talk to the people to aid you in your quest and cause the story to unfold. A real treat for RPG fans. The registered version completes the story that begins in the shareware version. Aspetra Shareware Version (420k) I have found no ordering information for this game.
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| BrainStrain 1996 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | Win16 Shareware (partial game) | Puzzle | |||||||||||||
| Developed by Robert E. Paehr | |||||||||||||||
| Published by Soleau Software | |||||||||||||||
| Screenshot | |||||||||||||||
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BrainStrain describes itself as a cross between Hangman and Mastermind. You type in a word and the game tells you how many of the letters you entered are in the solution, and how many of them are in the correct place. Since you aren't required to guess actual words, you solve the puzzle the same way as in Mastermind, so the game is basically Mastermind using letters instead of colors, except that the solution must always be a word from the English language. In that regard, once you know what letters are in the solution, you should have a good idea of what the answer is. You can select a word from three to seven letters in length, and three levels of word difficulty and complexity. There are 4500 words in this game, with only 165 playable in the shareware version. Complete version history:
Soleau Software still sells the registered version of this game for $18 by download.
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| Charlie the Duck 1996 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Platform | |||||||||||||
| Developed by Wiering Software | |||||||||||||||
| Published by Wiering Software | |||||||||||||||
| Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c | |||||||||||||||
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Charlie the Duck is a beautifully animated sidescroller designed to be appropriate for gamers of all ages. Charlie can bounce on his enemies; jump, but not fly; and wade in the water, but not dive or swim. The boss of the first level is a giant fish that spits fireballs and is protected by two smaller, invincible fish. You have to jump directly onto its eyes five times to defeat it. After studying the demo video, I was able to beat the level after a few dozen attempts, but it's unlikely that any child born of human parents can beat this level, so just tell your kids that they've won when they get that far. There are 3 worlds in this game, with only the first world playable in the shareware version.
Wiering Software still sells the registered version of this game for $7.50 by download only.
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| Combine 'Em 1996 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | Win16 Shareware (full version) | Puzzle | |||||||||||||
| Developed by Ron Balewski | |||||||||||||||
| Published by Ron Balewski | |||||||||||||||
| Screenshot | |||||||||||||||
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Combine 'Em is a puzzle game where the object is to reduce a group of blocks to a single block by pushing them into each other, or destroying them with bombs. The blocks are called Combiners, and each one has a letter value between A and L. Combiners of the same letter can be combined. Each combiner also has a number value which indicates how many blocks are inside of the combiner. The rules are different in each level, and determine how far a piece slides when pushed, and how many blocks each Combiner can hold. If an A2 is combined with an A2, it will turn into an A4 if the limit is high enough, otherwise it will upgrade into a B1. Completely filled Bs become Cs, Cs become Ds, and so on. This is important because only combiners of the same letter can be combined. While moving Combiners and bombs, one must avoid or destroy Stoppers, of which there are two varieties. Regular Stoppers prevent pieces from being pushed, but can be destroyed by bombs, while Bomb-Proof Stoppers are indestructible. The level grid can be up to 50×50 in size, and custom levels can be designed. The game has very nice music. The game is fully unlocked, but a newer version, v2.0, is available only as a registered version. It adds new types of squares and bombs, teleporters, direction changers, one way gates, bomb-proof Combiners, and a built-in puzzle designer.
Ron Balewski still sells the registered version of this game for $20 on floppy disk or download.
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| Cybersphere 1996 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: 6 | DOS Freeware (former shareware) | Paddle | |||||||||||||
| Developed by Psycon Software | |||||||||||||||
| Published by Psycon Software | |||||||||||||||
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Cybersphere is simply the best "ball and paddle" game I've ever played. It's like Arkanoid, but with better graphics, music, and sound. There are some new power-ups, as well as gems to collect for bonus points, and the gameplay is unusually fun. One of the power-ups temporarily places a guard rail at the bottom of the level. Each level has a different background and walls. Even the guard rail has many different appearances. Naturally, multi-ball is also available. There's very little empty space in the game, which seems to make it easier to keep the ball in play, eliminating the frustration factor common to most games of this genre. Angled corners and edges help to virtually eliminate the problem of hitting that one last block, which is the scourge of the genre. To keep it challenging, some levels have invisible blocks that only become visible after being hit. There are 5 sectors with various numbers of levels and 10 bonus stages in this game, with only one sector containing three levels and two bonus stages in the demo version.
Author Clay Hellman has generously released this game as freeware.
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| Death Rally 1996 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: 8 | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Racing | |||||||||||||
| Developed by Remedy Entertainment | |||||||||||||||
| Published by Apogee Software | |||||||||||||||
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This is one of those racing games where the cars have weapons. Death Rally takes the familiar racing combat genre a bit farther by letting you kill even the spectators. You race on different tracks and make money which you can use to upgrade your car and buy weapons. In addition to the power-ups that appear on the track, there are hallucinogenic mushrooms that distort your vision. Creative elements include gamblers who pay you to destroy opponents they are betting against and loan sharks who help you buy upgrades faster, among other shady characters. Between the gameplay, crazy voices, and realistic graphics and sounds, this is one of the best racing games I have ever played. There are 19 tracks in the registered version. Complete version history:
Apogee still sells the registered version of this game for $5.99 by download.
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| Duke Nukem 3D 1996 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: 8 | DOS Shareware (partial game) | 3D Shooter | |||||||||||||
| Developed by 3D Realms (Apogee Software) | |||||||||||||||
| Published by 3D Realms (Apogee Software) | |||||||||||||||
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When Apogee decided to turn Duke Nukem into a first person shooter, they decided that it should set itself apart from the pack by bringing Duke's attitude with it. They made the game irreverent and raunchy which, ironically, gives your character purpose. You're not just a soulless commando fragging for the sake of fragging. You're Duke Nukem, aliens are on your planet, and you'd die before you would surrender. If Duke seems to be enjoying himself, it's because his character demands it. The game is full of voice clips and Duke makes comments at different points throughout the levels. The game had very impressive graphics and sound at the time. A fourth episode was released in an expansion pack called the Plutonium PAK, which upgraded the registered version to v1.4. Version 1.4 and 1.5 included the Plutonium PAK and were sold as Duke Nukem 3D: Atomic Edition. There are 4 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Episode 1 - L.A. Meltdown Complete version history:
Apogee still sells the registered version of this game for $5.99 by download.
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| Hubie 1996 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: 4 | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Puzzle | |||||||||||||
| Developed by Serendipity Software | |||||||||||||||
| Published by Serendipity Software | |||||||||||||||
| Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c | |||||||||||||||
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Hubie is another puzzle game where the object is to get to the exit of each level. To accomplish this, Hubie can break objects with his head, climb, "copter" short distances, push or blow objects, bounce on trampolines, use magnets and fans to push or pull objects, and ride on balloons. The wide array of actions that Hubie can perform and objects that he can use make for fun and varied gameplay, and the difficulty level ranges from levels for children to levels that are challenging for the smartest puzzle solvers. The graphics are decent, too. There are over 100 levels in this game, with only 17 playable in the shareware version.
I have found no ordering information for this game.
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| Indiana Jones and his Desktop Adventures 1996 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | Win16 Shareware (partial game) | Adventure | |||||||||||||
| Developed by LucasArts Entertainment | |||||||||||||||
| Published by LucasArts Entertainment | |||||||||||||||
| Screenshot | |||||||||||||||
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A cute little Indiana Jones adventure game for Windows 3.1. Set in mid-1930s Middle America, Indy is exploring a temple complex known as Site R when Nazis show up to steal the precious artifacts for some nefarious purpose. Indy can move around in real time, exploring from one connected map screen to the next, and collecting items to help him solve puzzles. He can use weapons to fight people and vicious animals, and he can push or pull objects to reveal hidden items or get across barriers. The game is designed to be beaten in 30 to 60 minutes and is different every time. The one constant is that Marcus Brody explains your mission at the beginning of each game and gives you the first item you need to get started. Replay value is high, and the combat difficulty can be adjusted to make the game fun for children and experienced gamers alike. The preview demo isn't limited in any way, except that the game can only be played one way, out of billions of possibilities. Indiana Jones and his Desktop Adventures Preview Version (1072k) LucasArts no longer sells this game. It can be ordered from Amazon: Indiana Jones and his Desktop Adventures.
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| Infernal Tome, The 1996 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | RPG | |||||||||||||
| Developed by Magic Lemon Software | |||||||||||||||
| Published by MVP Software | |||||||||||||||
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The Infernal Tome has one of the more creative plots I've seen. Two scientists become powerful enough to create an entire world, then hide the knowledge of their power in a book called the Infernal Tome which they hide in the new world, called Garon. When one of the creators banishes the other into Garon, the fallen creator makes a deal with the king of Garon in order to find the Infernal Tome. You must guide a team of four through the world to find it before it falls into evil hands. Gameplay and graphics are typical of a PC RPG. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Episode 1: Shardmoure Keep The Infernal Tome Shareware Episode (3166k) I have found no ordering information for this game, and it is not listed on MVP's website. It can be ordered from Amazon: The Infernal Tome.
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| Jigsaws Galore 1996 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | Win16 Shareware (partial game) | Puzzle | |||||||||||||
| Developed by Gray Design Associates | |||||||||||||||
| Published by Gray Design Associates | |||||||||||||||
| Screenshot | |||||||||||||||
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This puzzle game is literally a puzzle game. The game allows you to put together a jigsaw puzzle, and you can select the difficulty level which determines how many pieces the puzzle is broken into. You can have the computer sort the pieces for you, and you can place pieces in a separate tray so that you can work on different parts of the puzzle separately. Version 1.0 was an internal release only. Version 3.0 converted the game to Win32 and increased the color depth from 256 color to true color. There are 10 jigsaw puzzles in this game, with 130 more on the Gold Edition CD-ROM. Complete version history:
Gray Design Associates still sells Version 6, a Win32 version of this game, for $25 by download or $39 on CD-ROM.
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| Moraff's Radiation 1996 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | Win16 Shareware (partial game) | Puzzle | |||||||||||||
| Developed by MoraffWare | |||||||||||||||
| Published by MoraffWare | |||||||||||||||
| Screenshot | |||||||||||||||
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Moraff's Radiation is a highly customizable version of Minesweeper. The game can be played with a number of grid sizes and bomb densities, and features a lot of sound effects and backgrounds. There are two differences in gameplay from Minesweeper: time bonuses are located randomly throughout the minefield which put a few seconds back on your clock, and hitting a mine doesn't end your game. The high score is the one with the fewest explosions, or the fastest completion without setting off any bombs. The registered version features more difficulty levels, voices, and 16 million color backgrounds.
MoraffWare still sells v3.51, a Win32 version of this game, for $10 by download only.
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| MVP Euchre 1996 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | Win16 Shareware (partial game) | Traditional | |||||||||||||
| Developed by Craig W. Kellogg | |||||||||||||||
| Published by MVP Software | |||||||||||||||
| Screenshot | |||||||||||||||
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MVP Euchre is a Windows version of the classic card game. Pick a computer partner and computer opponents, or play with other humans over a network or the internet. Only the cards from Ace down to 9 (or 8 or 7, depending on the rules chosen) are used. Each player gets 5 cards and plays one card per hand. There is no bidding in this version of Euchre; your goal is always to win at least 3 of the 5 tricks. In every round the players must choose a trump suit, at which point the Jack of that suit, followed by the the other Jack of the same color, become the high cards of the trump suit. After the first card is played in each hand, all other players must play a card from the same suit if they can. The highest card of the suit being played, or the highest trump card, wins the trick. If you have a good hand, you can elect to play alone, and your partner sits out. You get 1 point if you and your partner win 3 or 4 tricks, and 2 points if you get a "march" of 5 tricks. A march is worth 4 points if you play alone. If the dealer and his partner win 3 or more tricks, you have been "euchred" and they score 2 points. Version 1.3 comes with a Win32 installer on MVP's website now, but the game is still Win16 once installed. There are 3 beginner and 3 intermediate computer players to play with or against, with 3 experts added to the Deluxe version.
MVP Software still sells the registered version of this game for $9.95 by CD-ROM or download.
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| MVP Spades 1996 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | Win16 Shareware (partial game) | Traditional | |||||||||||||
| Developed by Craig W. Kellogg | |||||||||||||||
| Published by MVP Software | |||||||||||||||
| Screenshot | |||||||||||||||
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MVP Spades is a Windows version of the classic card game. Pick a computer partner and computer opponents, or play with other humans over a network or the internet. Each player gets 13 cards and plays one card per hand. At the beginning of each round, players bid how many tricks they intend to win during the game, which is added to their partner's bid and forms the contract for that round. After the first card is played in each hand, all other players must play a card from the same suit if they can. Like Hearts, no one can lead with a spade until spades have been "broken", meaning that a spade was played by a player who had no cards of the suit being played. In this game, spades are trump cards. The highest card of the suit being played, or the highest trump card, wins the trick. If the partnership meets or exceeds the number of tricks in the contract, they get 10 points for each trick, but only 1 point for each trick higher than the contract, so bidding too low can be costly. If you bid too high and don't fulfill the contract, you lose points, so the ability to predict how many tricks you can win is the key to bidding. The Spades equivalent of "shooting the moon" is bidding 0, in which case both partners swap three cards, unless the partner also wishes to bid 0. Successfully winning 0 tricks is worth 100 points (or 200 points if both partners are successful), and players incur a penalty of 100 if unsuccessful. Version 1.5 comes with a Win32 installer on MVP's website now, but the game is still Win16 once installed. There are 3 beginner and 3 intermediate computer players to play with or against, with 3 experts added to the Deluxe version.
MVP Software still sells the registered version of this game for $9.95 by CD-ROM or download.
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| Quake 1996 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: 9 | DOS Shareware (partial game) | 3D Shooter | |||||||||||||
| Developed by id Software | |||||||||||||||
| Published by id Software | |||||||||||||||
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One of the most popular first-person shooters of all time, Quake was a revolutionary upgrade after the success of Doom. The engine was designed to reduce the complexity of 3D rendering, allowing Quake to produce graphics that would have been impossible for computers in 1996 to produce with any previous engine. The story and gameplay are otherwise familiar to any fan of the genre. You must slaughter hordes of evil creatures with a wide array of weapons, and find the exit to the next level. If you're into that sort of thing, it's hours of fragging fun! There are 4 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Episode 1 - Dimension of the Doomed Quake v1.06 Shareware Episode (8881k) id Software still sells the registered version of this game for $25 as a registered download only.
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| Rings of the Magi for Windows 1996 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | Win16 Shareware (partial game) | Puzzle | |||||||||||||
| Developed by David Bollinger (Cytherean Adventures) | |||||||||||||||
| Published by MVP Software | |||||||||||||||
| Screenshot | |||||||||||||||
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Following v1.1 for DOS, Rings of the Magi for Windows v1.2 was released. Rings of the Magi is a puzzle game in which colored rings are placed on a board and can be moved with arrows. You have to move them such that rings match up and eliminate each other, completely clearing the board. Levels are broken into four difficulty levels and can be very challenging. It is one of the most popular shareware games of all time. Unlike his other games, the copyright is attributed to David Bollinger instead of his company, Cytherean Adventures, and there is no splash screen for Cytherean. There are 100 levels in this game, with only 12 playable in the shareware version.
MVP Software still sells v2.0b, a Win32 version of this game with six levels of difficulty and 300 levels, for $19.95 on CD-ROM.
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| Roketz 1996 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Freeware (former commercial) | Shooter | |||||||||||||
| Developed by BlueMoon Software | |||||||||||||||
| Published by BlueMoon Software | |||||||||||||||
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A space combat game for play against a computer or another human over a network connection. Ships can move in 360 degrees and there is a small amount of gravity. Money is earned during combat which can be used to upgrade your ship in many different ways. The computer opponent's skill level can be adjusted, but the computer upgrades when you do so that it maintains the same difficulty level regardless of how powerful you become. This surprisingly good game features impressive graphics and sound and addictive gameplay. Roketz Freeware (8217k) BlueMoon Software has generously released this game as freeware.
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| Solder Runner 1996 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Freeware (former shareware) | Puzzle | |||||||||||||
| Developed by SumWare Software (Tactical Neuronics) | |||||||||||||||
| Published by SumWare Software (Tactical Neuronics) | |||||||||||||||
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Solder Runner is one of the most creative and entertaining adventure games I have ever played. The game is played inside a computer that is infected with viruses. You navigate through a world that looks like a circuit board and zap viruses while solving puzzles. Beads of solder can be pushed from screen to screen to block the attacks of zappers. Electrical fields can be turned off with dip switches, there are diodes that can only be passed through in one direction, there are gateways that require transistors to access, circuit breakers that can cut through voltage lines, and transformers to teleport from place to place. Data is scattered throughout the game that can be collected for points, but the viruses will destroy it. One of the best features is the map screen. There are still a few secret passages, but the game focuses on problem solving instead of finding secret passages through the frustrating systematic testing of walls and random chance. I'm reminded of God of Thunder, except that the scope is larger because a single bead of solder from one room may be needed in a room several screens away. The level design is superb. All of the elements in this game can be found in other games, but I have never seen them put together so elegantly in a game that simulates the look and feel of being inside a computer. John Reder originally published Solder Runner under the name SumWare Software. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Episode 1: Diagnostics Solder Runner v1.0 Registered Version (1578k) Author John Reder has generously released this game as freeware.
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| Stargunner 1996 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: 7 | DOS Freeware (former shareware) | Shooter | |||||||||||||
| Developed by Apogee Software | |||||||||||||||
| Published by Apogee Software | |||||||||||||||
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This shooter has very good graphics and sound. Much like Tyrian, items can be purchased to upgrade your ship using money you collect for destroying enemies. The game is sidescrolling instead of vertical scrolling, which is unusual for a PC shooter. A wide variety of weapons and upgrades make for a lot of fun variation in gameplay. Complete version history:
Apogee generously released this game as freeware under the Stargunner Freeware License in June 2005.
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| Strife 1996 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: 7.7 | DOS Shareware (partial game) | 3D Shooter | |||||||||||||
| Developed by Rogue Entertainment | |||||||||||||||
| Published by Velocity | |||||||||||||||
| Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c | |||||||||||||||
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The last commercial game to use the Doom engine, Strife differentiates itself in a number of ways. Besides have beautiful graphics and full voice acting, you don't just kill everything that moves. The world is full of people you can interact with, and you have to complete a number of objectives while trying to avoid killing any of the mutant soldiers who roam the castle. The castle serves as a hub that connects the various levels. Weapons range from medieval to futuristic. Many areas are unavailable in the shareware demo.
I have found no ordering information for this game.
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| Tomb Raider 1996 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: 7 | DOS Shareware (partial game) | 3D Shooter | |||||||||||||
| Developed by Core Design (Eidos Interactive) | |||||||||||||||
| Published by Eidos Interactive | |||||||||||||||
| Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c SVGA 640×480×256c | |||||||||||||||
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One of the first 3D shooters to feature a female hero, Tomb Raider is popular for more than just the beautiful Lara Croft. Far from being a mindless First Person Shooter, Tomb Raider requires exploration and technique. Tomb Raider has auto-aiming, sophisticated lighting, and features exceptional level design. Lara Croft can leap across a gap and grab onto a ledge, or safety drop to get to the bottom of a drop that would otherwise kill her. There was a pre-release demo version that included the first half of the City of Vilcabamba, and a post-release demo in PC Zone magazine that included the second half of the same level, making it possible to play an entire level before buying. There are 15 levels in this game, with only the two halves of the second level playable in each of the shareware versions.
Eidos Interactive still sells Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary, a Windows 2000+ version of this game.
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| World Empire IV 1996 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | Win16 Shareware (partial game) | Strategy | |||||||||||||
| Developed by Viable Software Alternatives | |||||||||||||||
| Published by Viable Software Alternatives | |||||||||||||||
| Screenshot | |||||||||||||||
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The fourth game in the popular world domination series, World Empire IV improves on World Empire III by adding online play. It's also possible to see how many armies are in each nation by hovering the mouse pointer over a nation, and there are buttons for both regular and blitz (continuous) attacks instead of having to toggle between attack modes. Player images have been replaced with photographs. The world is still divided into 139 nations, each of which supports one of the players' ideologies. Version numbers continue from where they left off in World Empire III, starting with v3.01 in World Empire IV. The shareware version can be played by one to four players, with the computer serving as the opponent in a one player game. The registered version can be played against up to seven computer opponents, and adds four new ideologies.
Viable Software Alternatives still sells World Empire V Deluxe, a Win32 version of the game, for $18 by download or CD-ROM.
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| World Rally Fever 1996 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Racing | |||||||||||||
| Developed by Team17 Software | |||||||||||||||
| Published by Ocean Software | |||||||||||||||
| Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c | |||||||||||||||
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One of the most impressive DOS racing games ever. World Rally Fever has incredibly realistic graphics and a three dimensional track with layer up layer of background objects. You simply have to see it to get a sense for how awesome the graphics are. Objects can be collected to use as weapons against other drivers, but this not another Mario Kart clone. You can choose from eight different manga-like drivers and take control of professional racing vehicles that can jump. There are some fun gameplay elements, like the sound when you hit a sheep that has wandered onto the track. One demo was released before the May 1996 release of the full CD-ROM version and has no sound, while a second demo adds sound and a new title screen with the subtitle, "Born on the Road". Only one driver can be used in the demo. There are four circuits of four races each in the full version, with only the first race playable in the shareware version.
Copyright holder Team17 Software no longer sells this game.
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| Xenophage: Alien Bloodsport 1996 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: 7 | DOS Freeware (former shareware) | Fighting | |||||||||||||
| Developed by Argo Games | |||||||||||||||
| Published by Apogee Software | |||||||||||||||
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This fighting game has extremely impressive graphics and sound, for a DOS game. The game rips off a number of other games for "satirical purposes." The characters look like they're made of clay, and one of the songs in the soundtrack rips off the Mortal Kombat mix. The story is that the characters are fighting for the right to propagate, which is rough to say the least. Control one of 10 monsters and rip the other monsters a new one. The only Apogee game to ever be released as a public beta. Complete version history:
Argo Games generously released this game as freeware under the Xenophage Freeware License in April 2006.
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| Z 1996 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Strategy | |||||||||||||
| Developed by The Bitmap Brothers | |||||||||||||||
| Published by Renegade Software, Virgin Interactive | |||||||||||||||
| Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c SVGA 640×400×256c | |||||||||||||||
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Z is a realtime strategy (RTS) game in which you command a robot army and try to conquer the battlefield. There are at least four types of droid units to command, the difference being the type of weapons they carry, such as rockets capable of damaging tanks. Unmanned jeeps, tanks, and gun turrets are often located on the map at the beginning of the battle, and can be occupied by droids from either side. Vehicles aren't always destroyed in battle, leaving them to be occupied by the victor's droids. The battlefield is divided into regions, each marked with a flag. When a robot or vehicle touches the flag, it is controlled by that side's army, and any manufacturing facilities will create droids or vehicles loyal to that side. The more territories are occupied, the faster the factories produce units. Victory is often achieved by winning the race to occupy critical territories at the beginning of the battle, but the flag must still be adequately defended to prevent it from falling into enemy hands. There is a lot of voice in the game, and the droids acknowledge orders, respond humorously to suicide missions, celebrate victories, and call for help when overwhelmed in battle. VGA mode displays 25% of the map compared to SVGA mode and is not recommended. There are four levels in each of five zones in the game, and the environment is a factor in battle. Originally published by The Bitmap Brothers' own Renegade label, it was later published by Virgin Interactive. Only level 6 is playable in the shareware version.
Copyright holder The Bitmap Brothers no longer sells this game. It can be ordered from Amazon: Z.
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