On Game Preservation, Software Piracy and Emulation
I am something of a pragmatist when it comes to software piracy – I view it as both a harmful practice and as an important aspect of software proliferation and preservation. On the PC gaming scene, as long as there has been software, there has been piracy, and one only needs to look back at early issues of Computer Gaming World to see that even in the early 1980s, many of the common arguments for and against software piracy had already been established. I am hugely sympathetic to the software developers of the era who were struggling to sell even a few thousand copies of their games and who felt that piracy was a major barrier to their success. They were often justified in their outrage.
But part of the reason many of the games we’ll discuss in this series are so readily accessible today is because piracy allowed them to take on a life well beyond their time in the market. Many PC games of the 1980s attempted to thwart pirates with copy protection schemes, and it’s telling that a significant number of the disk images available for emulation on modern machines (either through direct download, the Internet Archive or the dubious “abandonware” sites around the web) contain a splash page crowing about the fact that the game is cracked. After all, it’s hard to play these old games if you don’t have the manuals, code wheels, pack-ins or working original disks, and having a cracked copy available makes things so much easier on everyone in an era where everything is digital and gamers have grown accustomed to DRM rather than copy protections.
Piracy Deprives Creators of Income in More Ways Than You Might Realize
It’s easy to view this piracy as a victimless crime, and to be frank, it probably is most of the time, because those who play pirated software are generally not potential customers in the first place. Furthermore, most games from the 1980s are not commercially viable today, and even if they were available for sale in some fashion, most of the hardware needed to run them is no longer readily available.
For example, if you decided to fire up the classic 1983 game Drol on an Apple II emulator, you wouldn’t be depriving creator Benny Aik Beng Ngo or the long-defunct publisher Brøderbund of any funds, because the game is only available secondhand in its original form today and you probably wouldn’t have paid a collectible market price to play it anyhow. Even if the game were available commercially, the funds would go to the current rights holder and likely not to the original author. The people who wrote software in the 1980s know this; few creators from that era expect to make a dime off their creations today, and you might even (often correctly!) presume that many software developers of the era are just happy to see their old games are still remembered 30-40 years later. Some even post images of their games online and encourage people to play them or to dig into their source code.
On the other hand, part of the reason that creators from the 1980s don’t expect to make any money on their creations today is because they’re resigned to that reality. They know the easy availability of pirated software (paired with an accessible secondhand market and the rapid evolution of games across many platforms) has created more than enough supply to meet whatever demand is left. If the only way you could play Drol was to purchase it through a digital marketplace, the work would still be worth something to the creator or copyright holder, and piracy would be taking a bite out of those expected revenues. What we might conclude, then, is that software piracy has already robbed many creators of a lengthy revenue stream that they might have otherwise had, and just because this all started decades ago doesn’t mean it’s any less tragic today.
So, rather than debate the issue once again, let’s simply concede that piracy does have the power to hurt creative people, but that most of the damage for software from the classic era of PC gaming has already been done.
We ought to right that wrong by demanding commercial re-releases of older software.
But even with that solution, there’s a problem: most of the copyright holders from the 1980s did a terrible job of preserving commercial software, and it’s only because of communities centered around archival, emulation, preservation and rediscovery that we still have many of these games so readily available today. There is a strong argument to be made that those companies who have not continued to provide commercially viable access to their games (as companies like Activision, EA and Namco have done over the years with various anthologies and re-releases) don’t deserve to benefit financially from interest in the original versions of that software today, because so much of what’s continued to drive that interest has been put forth by fans.
Abandonware: Piracy That Provides Preservation When Others Won’t
This is where we reach the thorny issue of “abandonware,” a term for games that are no longer commercially viable but which are also still copywritten and technically illegal to copy under current copyright law. Abandonware is piracy; attempts to call it anything else are largely to distinguish the definitely harmful practice of offering 0-day warez or repack versions of new releases from the less problematic practice of offering outdated software that relatively few people still have an interest in playing. Many abandonware sites try to be ethical and even make a habit of pulling down games that have become commercially viable once more thanks to digital marketplaces like GOG or Steam and even link directly to marketplaces for games that are for sale. But let’s not kid ourselves; that is as much for their own protection as it is simply the right thing to do.
It’s important to consider that these websites are both beneficial and problematic. On the one hand, “abandonware” websites offer a valuable service by preserving old games, manuals, screenshots and pack-ins. They also provide a valuable and practical back-up source for games that stored on old diskettes that no longer work. I would not have been able to complete my research for this series without them, and I am definitely grateful to them for making it so easy to play older PC games in a browser so I don’t have to fire up DOSBox or another PC emulator. Some even archive instructions and copy protection forms, which is tremendously helpful for games that are difficult to find in complete condition for physical purchase.
Yet “abandonware” is really just a band-aid to a bigger problem of preservation, and I’d argue that the ideal is tracking down the original creators and copyright holders of classic software and attempting to move older and outdated commercial software into legitimate freeware status. Unfortunately, this is a really difficult thing to do, particularly when you have major publishers from the 1980s such as Epyx, Brøderbund, Sierra On-Line, Strategic Simulations and The Learning Company who were later acquired by larger corporations who now own the copyrights and IPs but have zero interest in putting forth the resources to adequately preserve the legacy of the companies they acquired.
Lest we judge, this is often for practical reasons due to the complex nature of international copyright law, not just legal and financial ones, but the result is that some of the best PC games ever made (such as the stylish retro spy shooter from 2000, The Operative: No One Lives Forever) have been trapped in intellectual property limbo for decades, and we may never see them legally re-released because those issues are so difficult to resolve.
You Can Be Part of the Solution
I bring all of this up because chances are very good that if you want to experience many of the games mentioned in this series, you’re going to have to do what I did and track down a less-than-legitimate copy of it to play. It can’t be avoided, and I hope you’ll feel a pang of conflict about it, because it’s an unfortunate situation. But I also hope you’ll do what I do and toss in your support towards better preservation by:
Purchasing legitimate anthologies, modernized official retro platforms or digital releases of older games you love
Supporting marketplaces like GOG that strive to re-release older software as commercial products that can be enjoyed today
Passionately supporting the creators of these older games in their latest endeavors on sites like Kickstarter, Republic and Patreon
Letting current copyright holders know that you want to be able to buy legitimate copies of these games and encouraging them to either package them for re-release or offer them as freeware
And if you’re the sort of person who gets sanctimonious about piracy of any sort and who is annoyed that there are people out there who see it as a gray area rather than in black and white, all I can say is that you are going to find it harder and harder to play these old games without resorting to piracy at least a little because the media upon which they were stored – diskettes, cassettes and cartridges – won't last forever and will one day cease to work entirely. The sad irony then is that the pirated copies will be the only ones that are readily available. So please do your part as well to encourage the publishers of today to help play a part in preserving the past.
A quick note about secondhand marketplaces
One of the things anti-piracy proponents love to shout on web forums is that anyone who wants to play classic games ought to go buy their games legally already because there are copies available on eBay or Amazon or other marketplaces like them. Often, however, these games are being sold for collectible prices and are stored on media that may or may not even work today, presuming you even have the appropriate and working hardware to fire them up (which becomes less and less likely with every passing year).
To those people, I often simply sigh and say: you’re not helping. Secondhand sales don’t benefit game developers, official copyright holders or even the preservation of games. They don’t encourage interest in retro gaming and they don’t make hidden gems accessible to the gamers who missed out before. Secondhand sales only benefit the sellers and sales platforms and create a culture where classic games become valuable collectibles that are meant to be stored rather than played and enjoyed. Telling people they must go out and buy a “legal” version of an out of print and commercially unavailable game just to appease some narrow view of copyright law and media consumption is childish and ignores the real problem.
What I would instead encourage is for those who are interested in the preservation of older games to acquire what they can at fair prices and then share data, disk images, box scans, manual scans and pictures of “feelies” or other included items with others as freely as the law permits. This helps to archive what actually existed and may provide additional information to the community on variant releases, software version changes and features. That is extremely valuable to everyone, and a much better use of the secondhand products available through these marketplaces.
It’s also the main reason why we can still play games like Star Saga: One, Fooblitzky or Robot Rascals today rather than lose them to the marches of time and obscurity.
Places where you can support the legal sale of classic games or directly support development projects
Marketplaces
GOG.com – Originally called “Good Old Games,” GOG was created by a group of Polish game distributors who realized there was opportunity to offer working builds of classic games for low prices. While many other marketplaces sell classic PC games, GOG has been active in making many of those releases happen by helping to clear copyrights and assemble commercial builds that utilize emulators such as DOSBox and SCUMMVM. They put a heavy emphasis on DRM-free releases and often include digital extras not available through platforms like Steam. (They also are a sister company to CD Projekt Red, makers of The Witcher games and Cyberpunk 2077.) (https://www.gog.com)
Steam – While Valve does very little to preserve aging software on their popular Steam platform, there’s no denying that they’ve done a fantastic job of creating a space for those who own older software to make it available once more for sale on modern Windows systems. I tend to avoid buying games on Steam if I can find them on GOG, but since some developers balk at GOG’s insistence on being DRM-free, Steam is sometimes the next best alternative. Steam key resellers like Fanatical, Humble Bundle and Green Man Gaming also help keep the ecosystem for older games alive by frequently offering value bundles or discounted keys for the classics. (https://store.steampowered.com)
Itch.io – Though it’s primarily a platform for modern indie game developers to sell DRM-free copies of their games direct to gamers, it’s always worth seeing if this platform has a game you’re looking for before you go elsewhere. What I like best about Itch.io is its commitment to supporting developers both professionally and personally – it’s one of the few places where there’s a focus on providing spaces for niche gamers, lifestyle gamers and would-be creators. Check it out. (https://itch.io/)
PlayStation Network, Xbox Live and Nintendo eShop - The three main marketplaces for console gaming, and also a great place to purchase retro games. Nintendo’s Switch eShop probably has the largest variety of classics (and Nintendo’s Switch Online service - and its premium tier - often a curated library of classic titles for play on the Switch), but all three offer plenty of legal retro gaming enjoyment. (https://store.playstation.com/en-us/, https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games, https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/games/)
Retro Libraries and Streaming Services
Antstream Arcade – A UK-based platform for playing officially-licensed retro games through a downloadable client. They have over 1,200 games, many of which are from the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 and Amiga, but some of which are also from the Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo, Sega MegaDrive (Genesis) or Arcade. All of the game are optimized for modern control systems and can even be played on mobile and tablet touchscreens, and many games featured in this volume are on their platform. It currently exists as a freemium ad-supported service despite being a paid one in the past; it’s a tremendous value in its current form and an excellent retro gaming platform overall. (https://www.antstream.com/)
Blacknut - A French cloud gaming service that has expanded to an international level of subscription service – for $16 a month, you get access to a library of over 500 games, many of which are more recent, but some of which come from the retro backcatalog from companies like SNK, Taito and Irem. It’s pricey and I’m not wowed by the catalog since it includes a lot of C-list modern games that are easily obtained for permanent ownership through bundles, giveaways or deep discounts, but potentially worthwhile if you find something you really want to play. (https://www.blacknut.com/en)
Retro Miniconsoles and Official Emulators
Amiga Forever and C64 Forever – For reasons too complex to explain here, an Italian software developer called the Cloanto Corporation owns the copyrights to all Amiga and Commodore first-party software up through 1993. This means that Cloanto has the legal right to sell an official Amiga emulator called Amiga Forever, which comes bundled with nearly 100 officially-licensed and freely released games to get you started as well as many Demoscene files if you want to see a whole different side of the 1980s and 90s European Amiga fandom. They also have another emulator called C64 Forever which is pretty much the same thing for the Commodore 64 and VIC-20. While Cloanto can be a controversial company due to their fraught relationship with the emulation community, their software is inexpensive and works well. (https://www.amigaforever.com/ and https://www.c64forever.com/)
AtGames – AtGames is a company that produces mini console products with dozens of Atari, Sega Genesis, ColecoVision or arcade games all in one package (often along with unimpressive homebrew). I can’t really recommend their products, as they tend to have lousy emulation and junky replica controllers that don’t hold up well to extended use, but they are officially-licensed and do provide access to some games which are otherwise hard to play legally. AtGames is also a company that tends to be controversial within the retro gaming community, so only purchase their products with discretion and careful research. Certainly don’t pay above MSRP for them; they’re not worth the high resale prices on Amazon or Ebay.
Despite my dislike for AtGames, I’ll also note that AtGames’s ColecoVision Flashback mini console is probably the best way to experience a broad swath of 48 ColecoVision titles short of owning an original console since it includes replica controllers. (https://www.atgames.us/collections/consoles-portable)
The Evercade Handheld and Evercade VS – Two UK retro consoles that offer officially-licensed cartridges featuring games from major developers. While they’re expensive to purchase (the consoles aren’t cheap and the cartridges are around $25-30 apiece before shipping), the company has done a good job of including games that have not otherwise been well-preserved. Their focus is on arcade and console games, but they do have a few PC game cartridges based around The Bitmap Brothers, The Oliver Twins, Codemasters and Team17 titles. (https://evercade.co.uk/)
Retro Games, Ltd – A UK company that released The C64, and The C64 Mini, two HDMI-capable units that include a carousel of 64 officially-licensed classic games from the Commodore 64 and Commodore VIC 20. The C64 in particular is a great device because it offers a working full-size Commodore 64 keyboard, which means you can even program in BASIC if you’d like! Both units utilize an officially licensed version of the C64 Forever emulator that can run any disk images sideloaded via a USB stick. Retro Games also makes an excellent micro-switch USB Commodore 64-style controller that functions well for other classic PC platforms. They have also released an Amiga 500 microconsole, and I’m hopeful we’ll get a full-size keyboard replica of it too one day! (https://retrogames.biz)
SNK Neo Geo Mini console - If playing arcade games on a tiny screen is your thing, the Neo Geo Mini is definitely worth a look, particularly since the International version can be purchased for under $100 and includes 40 games. The console also allows you to extend games to two players with a reasonably priced add-on controller.
Taito Egret II Mini console - If money is no object to you, I recommend the Taito Egret II Mini console, which costs $230 plus another $140 for an extra controller and expansion SD card. For all that money, you get a well-made mini-console with a rotating LCD screen that which includes 40 pre-installed games as well as 10 expansion set games ranging from Space Invaders (1978) to Puchi Carat (1997).
Retro Publishers
HAMSTER Corporation – If you’ve seen standalone retro games on the Nintendo Switch eShop, PlayStation Store, Xbox Games Store, Google Play or iTunes AppStore, chances are good they were published by HAMSTER Corporation, a Japanese company that’s been invested in making classic arcade games available. One thing I particularly appreciate is their insistence on reviving obscure but amazing games that were once Japan-only like Wonder Momo and The Legend of Valkyrie. (http://www.hamster.co.jp/american_hamster/)
DotEmu - If you’ve played the retro revivals of Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap, Windjammers or Double Dragon Trilogy, you can thank French publisher and developer DotEmu for it. Besides preserving many older titles, they’re also the publisher responsible for Streets of Rage 4 and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge. DotEmu is also responsible for porting many SNK and Irem arcade games to mobile devices and consoles. (https://www.dotemu.com/)
Limited Run Games – While many companies are focused on the digital preservation of games, Limited Run has instead focused on producing high-end reproductions of cartridges or even bringing notable digital games out in physical releases and then releasing them through their own website and retail partners. This work is incredibly important since it helps to ensure that high-quality digital games don’t get lost when a platform holder like Nintendo decides to shut down the sales of games designed for older platforms like the Wii, DSi, 3DS and Wii U. (https://limitedrungames.com/)
Piko Interactive - A Texas-based publisher that focuses on producing physical and digital reproductions of classic games, though often with a focus on games you’ve (probably) never heard of, like Tinhead, Stone Protectors or Iron Commando. Piko Interactive also specializes in creating reproductions and official digital releases of unlicensed games originally released (dubiously) for console systems in the 1990s, and it’s done a decent job of providing compilations of unusual games for the Evercade console. While many gamers do complain about Piko’s bare-bones emulation, shoddy reproductions, poor support and contentious control of the intellectual properties it has purchased (such as Glover), the company is still doing some important work by preserving obscure games and making them available physically and digitally through legal commercial channels. (https://www.pikointeractive.com/)
Organizations
Video Game History Foundation – While you can currently only provide financial support to this amazing physical archive of all things gaming, the work they’re doing towards historical preservation is important and will benefit all gamers as physical media from decades past become harder and harder to find. Their blog also has some excellent original content that goes deep into the history of many gaming topics. (https://gamehistory.org/)
Crowdfunding
Kickstarter.com – While a lot of the fervor for Kickstarter has died down recently, it’s worth paying attention to the platform’s gaming section, because it’s not unusual for established game developers to make a pitch for a remake or spiritual successor to their classic PC games. Helping developers to stay in the business of making games is another way in which you can support the work they’ve done, and it’s really rewarding to be able to help folks like Greg Johnson, Corey and Lori Cole, Josh Mandel and Al Lowe, Jane Jensen, Scott Murphy and Mark Crowe, Tim Schafer, Brian Fargo and other developers from the 1980s and 90s PC era to continue to make games. (Just don’t give any more money to Chris Roberts – he’s still got to ship the game he promised!) (http://www.kickstarter.com)
Compilations
For the games covered in this series, chances are good that you’ll experience many through a ROM dump you load up in an emulator like MAME or Retroarch. But to support the continued commercial availability of older titles, you should also consider purchasing commercial re-releases like the following:
Activision Anthology (PS2, GBA), Activision Anthology: Remix Edition (PC), Activision Hits Remixed (PSP) – An extremely well-produced collection of Activision’s classic 2600 titles, including an awesome licensed soundtrack of 1980s pop songs that plays over the games and a wonderful interface to showcase not just the games, but the manuals and trivia as well. Some games include new modes, and the GBA and PC editions include some homebrew releases as well, while the PSP version also includes three Imagic titles.
Atari Flashback Classics volumes 1, 2 and 3 (PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PS Vita) and Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration (PC) – Compilations of Atari console and arcade releases, featuring some original retro game artwork bordering the screen for each release. The Switch version is probably the best since it includes all 150 games plus arguably the best control options for games that originally utilized a trackball by subbing in touch controls. The PC release, meanwhile, is pared down to 90 games from all Atari platforms (including the Atari 8-bit PC, Lynx and Jaguar) and also includes six new games inspired by the classics, including Swordquest: AirWorld, Haunted Houses and Yars’ Revenge Reimagined.
Capcom Classics Collection vol. 1 and 2 (PS2, Xbox), Capcom Classics: Mini Mix (GBA), Capcom Classics Collection Remixed and Reloaded (PSP), Capcom Arcade Stadium 1 and 2 (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch) – Capcom produced some absolutely stunning arcade games in the 1980s, and these compilations are great ways to get access to official versions of them along with lots of neat bonus features. The console versions force anti-aliasing and don’t look too nice on HD displays; I’d instead recommend the PSP collections, which look and feel great on the handheld hardware. The more recent Capcom Arcade Stadium is also fine, but it’s missing some of the more delightfully obscure titles (such as Exed Exes, Willow, Nemo, Avengers, The Speed Rumbler and Quiz & Dragons), many of which are in the PSP and console compilations.
ColecoVision Flashback - A bare bones digital collection available for the PC with 40 of the same games offered on the AtGames ColecoVision Flashback miniconsole, though it offers a pared-down experience that doesn’t feel quite right on a keyboard. It’s probably best to buy the games legally and play them on a better emulator like Retroarch.
Data East Arcade Classics (Wii) and Data East Arcade Collection (PC) – Data East produced a number of lesser-known arcade games in the 1980s and 90s, and both of these collections include a number of high-quality arcade games many players have probably never experienced. It’s surprising that neither includes Karate Champ, Karnov or Cobra Command, but at least you can play familiar games like Bad Dudes vs. DragonNinja, Joe & Mac: Caveman Ninja or Super Burgertime along with lesser-knowns like Lock ‘n’ Chase, Gate of Doom (aka Dark Seal), Wizard Fire and Super Real Darwin. The Wii version is kind of awkward to play due to the use of the Wiimote and nunchuck, but it does make Heavy Barrel a little more playable with a modified control scheme.
Intellivision Lives! (PC, PS2, Xbox, GameCube, Nintendo DS) and Intellivision Rocks! (PC) – Intellivision Lives! is a wonderful compilation of dozens of Intellivision games put together in a loving package with interviews from developers and other cool historical features. The PC version was only released physically in 1998 as a budgetware title, but it also had the most content. It was also followed by a PC CD-ROM sequel called Intellivision Rocks! which was never released on any other platform and which provided many of the notably missing games as well as some deep cuts. The console and DS versions came later and each offer slightly different collections. Unfortunately, a handful of the most popular Intellivision games (like the AD&D games, Diner and Discs of Tron) are missing due to licensing issues, but there are a few prototypes in some of the collections which make up for what’s not included.
Irem Arcade Hits (PC) – A collection of 18 arcade games released by Irem and republished by DotEmu, including a good mix of mostly obscure games from the 1980s and 90s. There are some definite gems included such as Hammerin’ Harry, Dragon Breed, Legend of Hero Tonma and In The Hunt as well as classics like Vigilante, Kung-Fu Master and Ninja Spirit. Sadly, it was released physically in 2011 and appears to have had a very limited digital release around that time, which means it’s a hard collection to track down today. It also lacks some of Irem’s best games, such as the first two R-Types and other titles like Ninja Baseball Bat Man, Moon Patrol, Horizon and Kid Niki: Radical Ninja.
Konami Arcade Classics (PS1), Konami Classics Series: Arcade Hits (DS), Konami Classics Vol. 1 and 2 (Xbox 360), Konami Arcade Classics Anniversary Collection (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch), Castlevania Anniversary Collection (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch), Contra Anniversary Collection (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch) – Several bare bones releases of varied Konami games. The DS edition includes the most games (15 in all), while the Xbox 360 releases only include three games apiece, one of which is the excellent (but completely out of place in a retro collection!) Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.
The more recent 50th anniversary collection only includes eight games. The Castlevania collection also only includes eight games, but one of them, Kid Dracula, was never released outside Japan, and the collection includes additional Japanese versions of most of the games.Mega Man Legacy 1 and 2 (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, Nintendo 3DS, Wii U) Mega Man X Legacy Collection 1 and 2, Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection, Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection, The Mega Man Game Boy Collection (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC) – It’s pretty wild that you can pick up almost the entire Mega Man backcatalog for under $300, and even less if there’s a sale going on. Capcom’s done a decent job of packing these games together into substantial packs, and while there are some omissions like Mega Man & Bass and the Mega Man Legends games, the best way to see those games get a proper re-release is to support what’s already available. No self-respecting gamer should go without a robust Mega Man collection, and if you’re not sure where to start, I’d recommend the Mega Man X Legacy Collection 1, which includes some of the best games in the series.
Midway Arcade Treasures Vol. 1, 2 and 3 (PS2, Xbox, Gamecube), Midway Arcade Treasures: Extended Play (PSP), Midway Arcade Treasures Deluxe Edition (PC) and Midway Arcade Origins (PS3, Xbox 360) – A line of fairly comprehensive and loving repackagings of Midway’s tremendous line of arcade games, including many popular titles from the 1980s and 90s as well as some more obscure ones. If you’re hoping to have a legitimate copy of the arcade versions of Defender, Paperboy, Joust, Spy Hunter, Toobin’, Sinistar, Klax, Rampage, Robotron 2084, Smash TV, Gauntlet, NARC, the Mortal Kombat games or less familiar titles like Wizard of Wor, Timber, Wacko, Kozmik Krooz’r or Xenophobe, you really can’t go wrong with these collections.
Namco Museum (PS1, PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, GBA, DS), Namco Museum Encore (PS1), Namco Museum: 50th Anniversary (PC, PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, GBA, DS), Namco Museum Battle Collection (PSP), Namco Museum: Virtual Arcade (Xbox 360), Namco Museum Megamix (Wii), Namco Museum Essentials (PS3), Namco Museum Archives vol. 1 and 2 (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch), Pac-Man Museum+ (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch) – There are many collections of Namco’s arcade games, each maddeningly including a completely different set of games and offering completely different production values. Some packs include obscure games alongside classics; others include remixes of the most popular games. Some include historical features like artwork and arcade cabinets; others just include the games. The original PlayStation’s Namco Museum volumes 1-5 offer the best presentation and extras (as well as some of the best games!), but some of the later collections are still pretty good.
Sega Arcade Gallery (GBA), Sega Classics Collection (PS2), Sega 3D Classics Collection (3DS), Sega Ages (Switch) – If you want to play classic Sega arcade and Master System games as they were originally intended, you’re almost better off playing the Shenmue and Yakuza games (which include playable versions of many Sega classics) rather than buying one of the handful of collections Sega has released in North America over the years. In Japan, Sega has re-released many of its games for consoles, but in the Western world, Sega has done a much better job of supporting its Sega Genesis/Mega Drive library and Dreamcast classics than its classic arcade titles. The best of the bunch is the Sega 3D Classics Collection, which uses the Nintendo 3DS’s capabilities to provide completely rebuilt 3D recreations for the nine included games. (Sadly, many additional standalone titles were only available via the 3DS eShop, which is likely unavailable by the time you’re reading this.) And if you’re really serious about Sega retro gaming, try tracking down the Sega Ages line, which includes quality ports of many of Sega’s best titles.
SNK 40th Anniversary Collection (PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One) – SNK’s retro compilation focuses heavily on its more obscure library from the 1980s and 90s prior to the Neo Geo platform, but it provides arcade and console versions for many of its best games and has provided a number of additional games through free patches or DLC. It’s a well-produced, loving tribute to a great developer and its long history in arcade gaming. SNK has also done a terrific job of making many of its classic Neo Geo games available on modern digital platforms and produced several great anthologies of their 1990s and 2000s games on the PlayStation 2 including Art of Fighting Anthology, Fatal Fury: Battle Archives Vol. 1 and 2, Metal Slug Anthology, Samurai Showdown Anthology, World Heroes Anthology, SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1 and The King of Fighters Collection: Orochi Saga. I’d also check out the Switch and PlayStation 4’s Samurai Showdown: NeoGeo Collection, which includes a never-released Samurai Showdown V Perfect edition.
Most SNK-published games are also available for individual purchase on modern marketplaces thanks to HAMSTER Corporation.Taito Legends Vol. 1 and 2 (PC, PS2, Xbox), Taito Legends Power-Up (PSP) and Taito Milestones (Switch) – Taito’s first three compilations are packed with some really great arcade games, many of which are likely to be unfamiliar to North American gamers despite being high in quality. The biggest criticism of these packs when they debuted was their heavy reliance on Space Invaders variants, but there are some real winners included, such as The NewZealand Story¸ Zoo Keeper, Rastan, Rainbow Islands in the first volume and Cadash, Elevator Action Returns and Darius Gaiden in the second. Sadly, the more recent Taito Milestones has a questionable line-up of games, though it does include the 1987 triple-screen beat ‘em up The Ninja Warriors.
Taito has also been releasing some standalone games and packs on modern consoles and Steam recently, including an excellent compilation of the early Darius games that includes all revisions and (on the Steam version) a mode for emulating three-screen play.
Tecmo Compilation (Xbox) – Fans of classic Tecmo arcade games only really have one choice for an official commercial release, and it’s a bare bones collection for the original Xbox that only sort of works on the Xbox 360 (you have to set the graphics mode to 480p). Nothing in the package is remarkable aside from perhaps Bomb Jack, Pleaids, Strato Fighter or Solomon’s Key, and it’s baffling that the tough as nails arcade version of Ninja Gaiden (also known as Shadow Warriors) isn’t part of the package.
Beyond all of these official releases, I recommend contacting individual publishers or rights holders and expressing your interest in purchasing games that have yet to be re-released in an official form. Since so many of the games profiled in this series are only playable in their original versions or through piracy by way of game ROM/ISO emulation, wouldn’t it be nice to see more of them available for play on platforms like the PC, Switch, PlayStation 4/5 and Xbox One / Series X?
I’ve tried to be thorough without necessarily being comprehensive. Anything I didn’t share here will be added down the road and likely mentioned in my upcoming book series, tentatively titled The Greatest Games You (Probably) Never Played. Subscribe to this newsletter so you won’t miss it!