1980s shooters that still hold up

Action Fighter 1986 i Why it still holds upThe course is still new each time, with a change of vehicle from level to level.

River Raid 1982 i Why it still holds upFuel that is always running out still turns each stretch of river into a choice today, between a pass over a depot and clearing what is in the way.

Batman 1989 i Why it still holds upA restart that keeps your progress still makes the search for the next part easy to resume after a failure.

Nemesis 2 1987 i Why it still holds upA sequel with its own ship and weapons gives players a different Gradius to try.

Bosconian 1981 i Why it still holds upFlying in every direction with a radar that shows where the bases are still gives each round a clear goal.

Space Manbow 1989 i Why it still holds upAn energy bar that survives a death still keeps a run going after a mistake.

Last Alert 1989 i Why it still holds upAreas in any order and objectives beyond the exit still give its missions some variety.

Wizball 1987 i Why it still holds upPortals take you between the levels you have opened, so choosing where to go for which colour still makes each run something to plan as well as to shoot through.

Moon Patrol 1982 i Why it still holds upWith only speed, two cannons and a jump to manage, a short session still gets you a full run today.

Wings of Fury 1987 i Why it still holds upSupplies that run out still turn each mission into a trip planned between the carrier and the target today.

Midnight Resistance 1989 i Why it still holds upChoosing which gun to buy before every stage still gives each run a plan to make and revise.

Atlantis 1982 i Why it still holds upStart it today and three fixed guns, with a city that shrinks with every miss, turn each wave into a choice of which ship to shoot first.

Raid over Moscow 1984 i Why it still holds upA race against a missile launch clock is still a tense goal.

Toki 1989 i Why it still holds upA spitting ape with a helmet has a charm that is still worth a look.

1943: The Battle of Midway 1987 i Why it still holds upA real battle turned into stages of two kinds still makes it a clear way into the genre today.

Elite 1984 i Why it still holds upAn open-ended universe still invites a player to set their own course.

Top Gunner 1986 Also known as Jackal i Why it still holds upA jeep with a friend riding along is still a fun arcade idea today.

Fantasy Zone 1986 i Why it still holds upIt still has a rhythm of its own, from flying both ways and spending between waves.

R-Type II 1989 i Why it still holds upCheckpoints and a charged cannon make each section something to learn and retry, and that rhythm is still how it plays.

Blazing Lazers 1989 i Why it still holds upFive ship speeds and four weapons still let you tune how the ship plays.

Battlezone 1980 i Why it still holds upSteering a tank with two sticks is still a distinct way to play today.

Xenon 1988 i Why it still holds upChoosing between plane and tank to fit each enemy still makes every level a plan today.

U.N. Squadron 1989 i Why it still holds upSpending money between stages makes your loadout part of every run, and that planning is still at its core.

Blaster Master 1988 i Why it still holds upExploring in two perspectives keeps its variety up, as it still does for players who try it.

Xenon 2: Megablast 1989 i Why it still holds upToday, restart points spaced through each level turn a hard stage into a series of short attempts.

Buster Bros. 1989 Also known as Pang i Why it still holds upPopping balloons one landmark at a time is a goal that is still easy to follow.

Berzerk 1980 i Why it still holds upRooms that have to be left before an unkillable enemy arrives still keep every one tense today.

Phoenix 1980 i Why it still holds upThe reason to play it now is a force field that cannot be used twice in a row, which makes every dive a decision about timing.

Knightmare 1986 i Why it still holds upA screen that never stops, with a weapon you keep changing, still keeps each stage busy today.

Silk Worm 1988 i Why it still holds upTwo different vehicles to share still make it a natural game for two players on one screen.

R-Type 1987 i Why it still holds upEven now, a charged cannon and an orb you place yourself make each stage a puzzle of positioning.

Commando 1985 i Why it still holds upYou still have to think about where to stand, with a grenade that goes only one way.

Kid Icarus 1986 i Why it still holds upThe mix of side scrolling, vertical and dungeon levels still varies what each world asks of you.

Ghosts 'n Goblins 1985 i Why it still holds upA knight who loses his armor in two hits still keeps every fight tense.