Haven't seen one of these threads in awhile, and I always enjoy them. There are so many obscure titles in the 8-bit library, it's hard to find the time to play them all or even give them enough time to know them well. Many of my current favorite titles were discovered via recommendations here.
So, what are some of your favorite obscure, forgotten, or seldom mentioned games? They don't have to be exclusive titles, just ones you don't hear mentioned often. Here are a few of mine:
1. Maxwell Manor: Hardly anyone ever mentions this. It's basically the Atari 2600 Adventure crossed with Haunted House, only in a huge world, with way more items and secrets, and a great deal more randomization. It's quirky and takes some time to get used to, but if you are a fan of those VCS titles, this is basically the A8 bit version we never officially got. If you like this, there is a sci fi one with the same engine called Mission at Thunderhead, which is even weirder.
2. Panther: Basically a very smooth and fast cross between Blue Max and Choplifter. Rescue little guys while shooting swarms of fighters with an isometric perspective. To me, this is what Blue Max 2001 should have been.
3. Stealth: Kind of a cross between afterburner and battlezone, great graphics, and very good play control.
4. Cavelord: This one is kind of a cavern shooter mixed with some rogue-like elements. Great play control, and a nice sense of progression. Tough too.
5. Lost Tomb: Aztec Berzerk set in a giant pyramid of interconnecting passages that you have to explore and find the way out of. This one is pretty clever. Sort of reminds me of what Quest for Quintana Roo was trying to do (and failed to) on the VCS.
6. Savage Pond: Weird action/ pond ecosystem arcade sim thing. Early 80's indie weirdness. Nothing else like it.
7. Gemstone Warrior: Awesome, huge, challenging action rpg that plays surprisingly well today. Not much else like it, sort of zelda meets rogue. I can lose myself in this one all evening.
That's a few of mine. Anyone else like these or have some obscure Atari weirdness to share? I'm always down to play titles I haven't spent time with.
