Every year, tons of fantastic games are released, and that’s always been the case. In the past, many good games were quickly forgotten, remaining unknown to most players. These aren’t necessarily hidden gems, but rather titles that were lost in the shuffle of bigger, more popular releases. Sometimes they were on consoles few people owned, and other times they simply didn’t sell well, even though they had great gameplay, stories, and graphics. We’ve searched through older games from the 20th century – on retro consoles and in arcades – to compile a list of 10 excellent games that most people haven’t heard of. The list is presented in no specific order.
1) Devil’s Crush
Okay, so digital pinball might not be huge now, but back in the 80s and 90s there were some really great games. One that always stuck with me is Devil’s Crush, which came out for the TurboGrafx-16 in 1990. Luckily, they ported it to the Sega Genesis, so more people could play! It’s part of the Crush series, and it’s awesome because it has multiple playfields, hidden areas, tons of flippers, and you actually have to think about your shots. There’s even a boss battle! It’s a pinball game, sure, but it feels like a full-on video game that just happens to use pinball physics in a really creative way. It’s a sequel to Alien Crush, which is also good, but most fans, myself included, think Devil’s Crush is the better game overall.
2) Sewer Shark
Sega CD games could include full-motion video, and Sewer Shark was one of the first to take advantage of this feature. This fast-paced, on-rails shooter uses video clips during gameplay to ramp up the excitement. Originally planned for a VHS system, it ended up on the Sega CD and was generally well-liked when it came out. Although Sewer Shark didn’t sell a huge number of copies—likely because the Sega CD itself wasn’t a big hit—it’s still an enjoyable game that really captures the feel of the early 1990s. It was directed by John Dykstra, known for his special effects work on Star Wars, and showcases a lot of cutting-edge technology for its time, making it a uniquely interesting title.
3) Karateka
Released in 1984 for the Apple II, Karateka was a groundbreaking game that helped launch the popularity of karate-themed video games. Along with Karate Champ and a few other titles, it was among the first to tell a story through cinematic sequences. Players fight through waves of enemies in a side-scrolling format to rescue Princess Mariko from a castle. The game features one-on-one combat with a variety of attacks, and its ending is surprisingly dynamic – how you approach the princess determines whether she welcomes you as a hero or defeats you with a single kick.
4) Shatterhand
The Nintendo Entertainment System had a huge library of games, and many hidden gems never got the recognition they deserved. One standout title was Shatterhand, a fast-paced action game set in the future year of 2030. Players control Steve Hermann, a police officer nicknamed “Shatterhand” who has cybernetic enhancements, and use his powerful fists – which can even catch bullets – to battle the forces of Metal Command. While it follows a familiar action game formula from that time, Shatterhand is a quality title that unfortunately didn’t get much attention, likely because it was released shortly after the more advanced Super Nintendo system came out. It’s a shame, because it really is a classic game.
5) Turrican II: The Final Fight
Released in 1991, Turrican II: The Final Fight began as a run-and-gun game on the Amiga and was later adapted for consoles like the Sega Genesis and Game Boy. It shares similarities with Metroid, including a feature that lets your character transform into a ball. The game features 11 complex levels spread across five different worlds. While the original Amiga version is highly regarded, the console versions were significantly altered. They were repackaged and marketed as a tie-in to the movie Universal Soldier, even though the game’s story has little connection to the film – only three levels were changed to vaguely relate to it. Turrican II is enjoyable on its own, but the connection to the movie ultimately detracts from the experience.
6) Panic!
Panic! is a unique puzzle game for the Sega CD that came out in 1994. The story centers around a computer virus threatening the world, and it’s up to a character named Slap and his dog, Stick, to deliver a cure. They travel through different levels, activating switches to move forward. The game is known for its silly humor and cartoon style, reminiscent of the artwork Terry Gilliam created for Monty Python. It’s a strange game that appealed to some players but not others, but its originality makes it worth a look. Luckily, it’s now available on modern systems like the PlayStation 2.
7) Rastan
If you stumbled upon Rastan at the arcade back in the late 80s, you were in for a treat – it boasted some truly fantastic sound design. This side-scrolling action game from Taito puts you in control of Rastan, a hero recounting his adventures before becoming king. While it shares similarities with Conan, it’s a completely separate story. It’s a really enjoyable game, especially when played loud, and was quite popular at the time. Rastan was ported to several home consoles and has been re-released on many systems since. Though it led to a few sequels, it’s not widely known today.
8) The Legendary Axe
I recently stumbled upon The Legendary Axe, and it’s a cool platformer from the TurboGrafx-16! Honestly, I hadn’t even heard of it before. It was one of the first games on the system, and you play as Gogan, a barbarian trying to save his girlfriend from this crazy cult. You run around with his axe, called ‘Sting,’ chopping up enemies through six different levels. It was pretty popular back then, and there was even a sequel, but it seems like a lot of gamers today have never heard of it, which is a shame!
9) Cadash
If you were lucky enough to play Cadash when it came out in 1990, you probably really enjoyed it! Originally an arcade game, it was later released for the TurboGrafx-16 and Sega Genesis in the early 90s. You could choose from four different characters, each with unique skills. Cadash cleverly combined platforming action with RPG elements – a style that became popular thanks to this game. It was known for being highly replayable and fun, and it’s now available again in collections of classic Taito games on today’s systems.
10) Armed Police Batrider
As a huge fan of classic arcade shooters, I remember the 80s and 90s being full of amazing vertical scrolling games. While everyone knows the big names, there’s this one called Armed Police Batrider from 1998 that seems to have flown under the radar. It’s a seriously fast-paced game where you control these flying jet bikes called Batriders – you start with nine characters, but you can unlock nine more! To me, it really captures the spirit of late 90s Japanese shooters. It’s harder to find games like this these days, but luckily you can still play Armed Police Batrider – it’s currently only available on the Sega Astro City mini console.
Have you played any of these games, or do you remember a hidden gem you think deserves more attention? Share your thoughts and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!
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2026-01-30 19:22