8 Cult Classic ’80s Games That Never Went Mainstream

The 1980s were a defining time for video games, giving us famous characters like Link and Samus. But alongside these hits, there were also some games and characters that, despite having a dedicated fanbase, never became widely popular.

Alongside every popular video game series that started in the 1980s, there was a lesser-known, but beloved, game from the same time. Many great arcade games, like Anteater, didn’t get the recognition they deserved, and some major franchises, such as Ultima, aren’t as popular today. Plus, there were fantastic games that never even made it out of Japan.

Alex Kidd Never Stood a Chance Against Sonic the Hedgehog

The story of Alex Kidd in Miracle World is often considered a disappointment in gaming. It was designed to launch Alex Kidd as SEGA’s main mascot on the Master System, and while the game itself is a genuinely enjoyable platformer, it ultimately failed to make Alex a popular character.

While Alex Kidd in Miracle World wasn’t particularly innovative or challenging, it wasn’t a bad game either. It simply didn’t offer enough to compete when Sonic the Hedgehog arrived and quickly became the dominant force. Still, the Alex Kidd games are enjoyable, and it would be great to see them revived someday.

Ultima is Responsible For Every Western RPG You Love

Though the Ultima series is now largely dormant, especially after the disappointing Ultima IX, it was incredibly influential in the 1980s. Created by Richard Garriott, known as Lord British, Ultima helped establish the core principles of Western role-playing games. Five Ultima titles were released during that decade, each improving on the last, with Ultima IV and Ultima V remaining highly regarded classics.

The Ultima series puts you in the role of The Avatar, a customizable hero in the fantastical world of Britannia. You’ll usually embark on a quest to save the land from danger, but the games offer incredible freedom to explore and play how you want. With clever writing and memorable characters, Ultima pioneered the kind of dramatic, story-driven role-playing that would later become popular with games like Final Fantasy.

Anteater is One of the Most Underrated Arcade Games of the 1980s

It’s a shame that the game Anteater isn’t as well-remembered as classics like Pac-Man, Galaga, and Tempest. Despite being a truly great game, it’s unfortunately been forgotten, like so many other popular arcade games from the 1980s.

In the game Anteater, you control an anteater’s tongue and navigate it through a maze to collect ants. It’s a very simple game, typical of arcade titles from 1982 and earlier, but it’s surprisingly enjoyable. Its unique concept and appealing style are charming, and it even inspired other similar games.

Elite Led Directly to the Creation of Grand Theft Auto & The Entire Open-World Genre

The video game Elite is a landmark title, but surprisingly few people under 30 are even aware of it. Originally released in 1984, Elite pioneered the open-world concept, and it was the very first game to offer an endlessly expanding universe created through procedural generation.

In Elite, you pilot a spaceship and are free to explore the galaxy, but success depends on your skills. You’ll need to be a clever trader, a capable fighter, and willing to handle less exciting tasks like asteroid mining and refueling. While the game’s graphics are simple, it’s a fantastic experience for players who enjoy using their imagination.

Krull is as Beloved By Its Fans as The Fantasy Movie That It’s Based On

Released in 1983, Krull was a pioneering high-fantasy film. While it hasn’t aged well, it remains charming and was a significant improvement over Hawk the Slayer. Interestingly, the film hasn’t fared as well as the novel it’s based on, but it’s still considered one of the stronger adaptations available on the console.

The game Krull follows a similar story to the film, but it’s presented across four separate screens. Players will battle the Slayers, journey through the dangerous Iron Desert, navigate the Widow of the Web’s lair, and finally attack the Black Fortress. Despite its simplicity, it’s an enjoyable experience, and different difficulty levels encourage players to return for more.

Mappy Embodies Classic 1980s Arcade Game Charm

Despite numerous attempts to build a dedicated fanbase over the past several decades, the arcade game Mappy hasn’t quite caught on. First released in 1983, Bandai Namco has repeatedly included it in various game collections, giving millions a chance to play, but it hasn’t made a lasting impact.

In Mappy, you play as a police mouse trying to retrieve stolen goods from a mansion, which involves a lot of jumping and navigating obstacles. It’s a charming game with a memorable character, and it’s surprising it didn’t become more popular, especially since it got several sequels.

Sid Mier’s Pirates Deserves All the Remakes and Ports its Received

First launched in 1987, Sid Meier’s Pirates is widely considered the best game for the Commodore 64, with only a few titles from Origin Systems and Lucasfilm Games approaching its quality. Created by the designer of the famous Civilization series, Pirates is a classic strategy-adventure game where players can explore a vast, open world and forge their own path as a pirate, a privateer, or a bounty hunter.

Over the years, Pirates has been remade and re-released many times, and for good reason. It stands out for its incredible freedom and customization options, and it’s highly replayable. The game blends strategic planning with creative storytelling, features engaging gameplay, and boasts a charming world and memorable characters.

Space Rogue Died So That Wing Commander Could Thrive

Throughout the 1980s, Origin Systems was best known for the Ultima games. However, they ended the decade with something different. Released in 1989, Space Rogue is a truly exceptional game. It built upon the concepts introduced in the 1984 game Elite, and significantly enhanced them.

It’s a shame more people don’t know about this game. Just a year after its release, Origin created Wing Commander, a much more popular sci-fi game that overshadowed it. While Space Rogue doesn’t have the advanced technology of MS-DOS games or the famous actors later involved with Wing Commander, it boasts the best space combat of any 80s simulator. It’s also highly customizable and replayable, and you can tell it benefited from the nearly ten years of experience Origin gained developing the Ultima series. This experience is evident in the game’s polished final product.

2026-02-12 19:11