Best Amstrad CPC Games
Okay, let’s dive into the best Amstrad CPC games! This is a huge topic, as the CPC had a fantastic library. I’ll break it down into categories, with a mix of well-known classics and some slightly more obscure gems. I’ll also give a little “vibe check” for each game – what it feels like to play. I’ll aim for a good spread of genres. This is subjective, of course, but based on critical reception, lasting popularity, and overall quality. I’ll also indicate roughly how easy they are to find (Availability).
Key for Availability
- Easy: Common, often available on compilations, easy to find ROMs.
- Medium: Can be found, might require some searching, ROMs available.
- Hard: Rare, expensive physical copies, ROMs might be harder to find.
I. Action/Platformers
- Head Over Heels (1987)
- Availability: Medium – A groundbreaking isometric adventure. You control two characters, Head and Heels, who must work together to solve puzzles and navigate a bizarre world. Incredibly clever level design, and a real sense of discovery.
- Vibe Check: Mind-bending, inventive, a bit quirky.
- Batman: The Movie (1989)
- Availability: Easy – Based on the Tim Burton film, this is a fantastic beat ’em up/driving game. Excellent graphics, music, and gameplay. It’s surprisingly varied, switching between brawling and driving the Batmobile.
- Vibe Check: Dark, atmospheric, heroic.
- Chase HQ (1989)
- Availability: Easy – A fast-paced driving game where you’re a police detective chasing down criminals. Great music, exciting chases, and a satisfying sense of speed.
- Vibe Check: Adrenaline-fueled, action-packed, 80s cop show.
- RoboCop (1988)
- Availability: Medium – Another excellent movie tie-in. A side-scrolling shooter with a lot of detail and atmosphere. You play as RoboCop, battling criminals and completing missions.
- Vibe Check: Brutal, gritty, futuristic.
- Rick Dangerous (1989)
- Availability: Easy – A notoriously difficult but addictive platformer. Rick is an adventurer who must navigate deadly traps and obstacles to find treasure. Think Indiana Jones meets slapstick comedy.
- Vibe Check: Frustratingly fun, challenging, cartoonish violence.
- Target: Renegade (1987)
- Availability: Easy – A side-scrolling beat ’em up, similar to Double Dragon. Good graphics and gameplay, and a decent amount of variety.
- Vibe Check: Classic beat ’em up action, satisfyingly crunchy.
II. Shoot ‘Em Ups (Shmups)
- R-Type (1987)
- Availability: Medium – A classic side-scrolling shooter. Known for its challenging gameplay, unique power-ups, and iconic enemy designs.
- Vibe Check: Intense, demanding, visually striking.
- Gryzor (Contra) (1987)
- Availability: Medium – A fast-paced, run-and-gun shooter. Play as a commando battling through hordes of enemies. Excellent two-player co-op.
- Vibe Check: Non-stop action, explosive, heroic.
- Xenon (1988)
- Availability: Easy – A vertically scrolling shooter with a unique graphical style and a fantastic soundtrack.
- Vibe Check: Psychedelic, fast-paced, memorable.
- Afterburner (1988)
- Availability: Medium – A fast-paced, arcade-style flight simulator. You pilot a fighter jet and shoot down enemy planes.
- Vibe Check: Thrilling, immersive, aerial combat.
III. Adventure/RPG
- Knight Lore (1984)
- Availability: Medium – A groundbreaking isometric adventure game. You play as Sabreman, exploring a castle and solving puzzles. It’s considered a landmark title in the history of gaming.
- Vibe Check: Atmospheric, mysterious, pioneering.
- Barbarian: The Ultimate Warrior (1987)
- Availability: Easy – Famous for its (at the time) realistic sword fighting and… well, its cover art. A surprisingly strategic fighting game with a fantasy setting.
- Vibe Check: Brutal, competitive, a bit cheesy.
- Dizzy Series (Various – 1987-1991)
- Availability: Easy – A series of charming puzzle-adventure games starring the egg-headed Dizzy. They’re known for their colorful graphics, quirky characters, and challenging puzzles.
- Vibe Check: Cute, whimsical, brain-teasing. (Start with Fantasy World Dizzy)
- The Hobbit (1982)
- Availability: Medium – A text adventure based on the Tolkien novel. It’s a classic of the genre, with a lot of depth and detail.
- Vibe Check: Immersive, challenging, literary.
IV. Strategy/Simulation
- Elite (1984)
- Availability: Easy – A groundbreaking space trading and combat simulator. You pilot a spaceship, trading goods, fighting pirates, and exploring the galaxy.
- Vibe Check: Open-ended, immersive, pioneering.
- Laser Squad (1986)
- Availability: Medium – A turn-based tactical strategy game. You control a squad of soldiers and must complete missions against enemy forces.
- Vibe Check: Strategic, challenging, tense.
- North & South (1987)
- Availability: Medium – A wargame simulating the American Civil War. Complex and detailed, it’s a favorite among strategy game fans.
- Vibe Check: Historical, strategic, demanding.
V. Sports
- Match Day II (1986)
- Availability: Easy – A fast-paced and addictive football game. It’s known for its simple controls, exciting gameplay, and realistic physics.
- Vibe Check: Fast-paced, competitive, arcade-style.
- Daley Thompson’s Decathlon (1984)
- Availability: Easy – A classic multi-event sports game. You compete in ten different athletic events, trying to achieve the highest score.
- Vibe Check: Challenging, rewarding, athletic.
Where to find these games
- Emulators: The easiest way to play these games is through an Amstrad CPC emulator (e.g., Caprice32, WinAPE). You can find ROMs online (though be mindful of copyright laws).
- Physical Copies: eBay, retro game stores, and online marketplaces are your best bet for finding physical copies. Expect to pay a premium for rarer titles.
- Compilations: Some games have been included in compilations released on modern platforms.
To help me refine this list for you, tell me
- What genres do you prefer? (e.g., action, adventure, strategy)
- Do you like challenging games, or something more casual?
- Are you interested in games with a strong story, or are you more focused on gameplay?
I hope this gives you a great starting point for exploring the wonderful world of Amstrad CPC games! Let me know if you’d like me to elaborate on any of these titles, or suggest more games based on your preferences.