Abandonware action games sorted by release date
Action video games are a genre of video games that emphasize physical challenges, hand-eye coordination, and reaction time. These games typically involve fast-paced gameplay, where players control a character who must navigate through a dynamic environment filled with obstacles, enemies, and other challenges. The primary focus is on the player's ability to react quickly and make split-second decisions.
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Karateka
DOS1986 beat 'em up
Karateka is a martial arts themed action / fighting game released by Broderbund in 1986 for DOS. Karateka is the first game designed by Jordan Mechner, the father of the Prince of Persia franchise. Karateka was also publ...
Ninja
DOS1986 beat 'em up
Pyramid Power
DOS1986remake
Rad Warrior
DOS1986 metroidvania, platform
World Karate Championship
DOS1986 fighting
Aldo's Adventure
DOS1987remake platform
Aldo’s Adventure is what you get when someone squints at Donkey Kong and decides to remake it after four cups of coffee and a long nap. You play Aldo, a brave little guy whose hobbies include climbing platforms, dodging haza...
ALF: The First Adventure
DOS1987 maze
Remember ALF? The sarcastic alien who really had it in for cats? Well, in ALF: The First Adventure, you get to live the dream—or nightmare—of controlling the furry menace himself. Released in 1987 for DOS, this Pac-Man...
Arcade Volleyball
DOS1987 volleyball
In Arcade Volleyball (1987), two pixelated figures smack a ball over a net with all the grace of caffeinated stick figures. It's simple, it's bizarre, and it somehow manages to be insanely fun—especially when your opponent s...
Bad Street Brawler
DOS1987 beat 'em up
Bad Street Brawler is a beat 'em up video game developed by Beam Software and published by Mindscape. Originally released for the Commodore 64 in 1987 and later for other platforms. The game features Duke Davis, a former punk rock...
Dark Castle
DOS1987 platform
Goody
DOS1987 platform
Karnov
DOS1987 platform
Karnov is a classic side-scrolling action arcade game developed by Data East in 1987. The game features a unique protagonist named Jinborov Karnovski, or "Karnov", a fire-breathing, muscle-bound, bald, shirtless strongman from the...
Lawn Mower
DOS1987
Marble Madness
DOS1987
Marble Madness is an abandoned isometric action game designed by Mark Cerny and originally published by Atari as a successful and iconic arcade game. It was later converted for many platform in 1986 and for IBM PCs in 1987 by Atar...
Super Pinball by Russco
DOS1987 pinball
The Great Giana Sisters
DOS1987remake platform
The Great Giana Sisters is a platform video game developed by Time Warp Productions and published by Rainbow Arts. It was originally released in 1987 for the Commodore 64 and other platforms, and later unofficially ported to MS-DO...
The Last Mission
DOS1987 platform, shoot 'em up
The Three Stooges
DOS1987freeware
Thexder
DOS1987 platform
Aaargh
DOS1988 fighting
Aaargh (1988) is exactly what you’ll scream as your giant monster stomps through cities with all the grace of a drunk kaiju. On DOS, this arcade-ish game lets you smash stuff, roast villagers, and battle other monsters in du...
Arkanoid
DOS1988 block breaker, action puzzle
Arkanoid is a classic arcade video game that was first released in 1986 by Taito. It is a breakout-style game, which means that the primary objective is to break a wall of bricks or blocks by bouncing a ball off a paddle at the bo...
Awesome Earl in SkateRock
DOS1988 unconventional sports
Remember when being radical meant wearing neon shorts and dodging killer squirrels on a skateboard? No? Well, Awesome Earl in SkateRock is here to educate you. Released in 1988, this sidescrolling oddity lets you control a tubular...
Bad Dudes VS Dragon Ninja
DOS1988protected beat 'em up
Are you a bad enough dude to rescue the president? If that line doesn’t make you want to punch a ninja through a hotdog stand, nothing will. Bad Dudes VS Dragon Ninja is peak 80s: mullets, muscles, and more side-scrolling be...
Bionic Commando
DOS1988 platform, run and gun
In Bionic Commando, you're a soldier with no jumping ability—because who needs knees when you have a grappling arm? Swing through 1988 DOS architecture like a pixelated Tarzan, blasting bad guys and trying not to fall to you...
Bubble Ghost
DOS1988 maze
Your uncle is dead, but his ghost can still blow out candles. That’s the premise. Bubble Ghost is a quirky physics puzzler where you guide a delicate bubble through haunted rooms by gently blowing on it—yes, literally ...
Death Sword
DOS1988 fighting
Death Sword (also known as Barbarian in Europe), is a fighting game developed by Palace Software, set in a fantasy world full of huge sword-wielding barbarians. Compared to modern brawlers, Death Sword gameplay may seem slow, but ...
Double Dragon
DOS1988 beat 'em up
Double Dragon II: The Revenge
DOS1988 beat 'em up
Fire Power
DOS1988 tank simulation
Fisher-Price Firehouse Rescue
DOS1988 maze